Tiara- Part One

by Robin Roseau

  “I am,” he said. “A horrid situation.”

  “Perhaps so. I couldn’t take men with me, and so when I asked our foreign service for two women instead of the two men originally offered, they gave me Ms. Blendost and Ms. Sarlenda. Ms. Pelonden came to me as an aide, and I imagine you’re less surprised my aide would be a woman.”

  “I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, anyway, but I understand your position.”

  “Because I would be traveling through Ressaline, my honor guards also must be women. As I had already met Sergeant Felist, that was easy for me. I simply asked if she could lead my team, and she assembled the remainder.”

  “I think I understand so far.”

  “Once here, I kept close to me people I trusted wouldn’t undermine me. I believe, in spite of our youth, that I’ve been well-served, but from this point forward, I intend to be cautious in how much I work on.”

  He nodded. “I believe I understand the situation far better.”

  “I thought you might.” I paused a moment, then gestured at the stacks. “I wanted you to know about the other issues Father wished me to investigate.”

  “This is being cautious?” he asked.

  “If I were going to address all of them, no. Most of this I’ll be leaving for the permanent ambassador. But I wanted you to be aware.”

  “Very kind.”

  We went through each of them, oh, not in any detail. But we went from stack to stack, and I said simply, “This involves paint standards,” or whatever it might be. Belolad simply acknowledged what I was saying without further comment.

  I saved the three we had chosen to work on for last. These I explained in more detail, even offering our perspective. At the end, pushing everything aside, I looked him in the eye. “I imagine you can guess where I’ll be focusing.”

  “Do you have a proposal?”

  “Not yet. I want to spend more time. This was really a courtesy meeting. We have time, and I hope we’ve established a relationship.”

  “I should hope we have,” he said with a smile. “Have you chosen the first to work on?”

  “I think we’re going to pull our thoughts together and do more research. I want to fully understand both sides of each issue as well as I can before officially approaching you.”

  He nodded then leaned across the table and tapped one of the stacks. “This particular issue has multiple competing interests on both sides of the border, some of which are in cross-border alignment. It’s more complex than it seems, and the agreement should have recognized that. Whoever negotiated the original agreement had no clue of the relevant complexities.” He leaned back. “The other two are somewhat more straightforward, but if you come to me with absolutes, it will be difficult to negotiate.”

  “I was hoping for honest discussions. I am sure we can reach mutual understanding.”

  “They each have subtleties,” he said. “And competing interests as well, but they aren’t remotely as complicated.”

  “I believe I understand, Belolad.”

  “Very good.” He smiled again. “You have settled in well here, Darfelsa. You should arrange to stay.”

  “I’ve been away from Barrish most of the last three and a half years. I miss spending time with my family. I think Father sent me here with so much authority not only so I had the power to resolve the immediate dispute, but to see how well I carried such power. I’ve spent my entire time wondering if I shouldn’t have been far less…”

  “When you have a hammer,” he said. “Everything looks like a nail.”

  “Yes, exactly.

  “Perhaps a defter approach would have worked, but I don’t think you were hurt by letting everyone know you had authority and would use it.”

  “That was the conclusion I reached.”

  He smiled again. “So. Do you intend to continue to play local politics?”

  “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”

  “A certain Ms. Chante has registered her intention to run for political office.”

  “Has she?” I asked sweetly. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

  “Is it?”

  “Well, I may have known the suggestion had been made, but it was in passing, and I hadn’t heard more.”

  He snorted. “Right.”

  “I’m not quite sure why you think I had something to do with it.” I folded my hands, smiled sweetly, and waited.

  “Someone put her up to it.”

  “Ms. Chante seems like a powerful, brilliant woman,” I replied. “I’m sure she’s perfectly capable of making up her own mind on something like that.”

  “So you’re going to deny involvement?”

  “I didn’t register her, or whatever the process is.”

  “When I learned she had registered her intentions, I was rather shocked. I had to actually check the laws to see if it were legal.”

  “I presume you discovered it is.”

  “Yes,” he said. “And then I had to wonder where this came from. She’s never shown the slightest interest in politics.”

  “You know her well, then.”

  “Well, no. But she is a major personality here, as I believe you know.” I inclined my head. “And so, I began to wonder what could have changed, and I immediately thought of my good friend, Princess Darfelsa, who has been running hither and yon, shaking everything up.”

  “And from that, you came to the conclusion I somehow, what?”

  “Shook things up.”

  “Mr. Prime Minister, I have no intention of becoming intimately involved in Gandeetian politics. That would be most inappropriate. Publicly, if asked about it, I will, of course, demur.”

  “And privately?”

  “Privately, I may have an opinion, but I can’t imagine very many people are going to ask me to share it, and I have no intention of offering unless asked.”

  “Did you shake things up, Princess?”

  “Didn’t you just accuse me of shaking things up everywhere I went?”

  “Did you shake this up?”

  I picked up my tea and sipped at it. Then I smiled. “I might be a tiny bit guilty of shaking something.”

  “How many people are aware you did so?”

  “The people who just heard me say it, and Ms. Chante. I don’t imagine any of us are going to repeat that more widely.” I smiled. “I found it interesting, however, that she already knew she could run, that she held property in his district. I suspect if you were to check into it, you would find she holds property in each district, but that’s a wild guess on my part. If I shook anything, it was something ready for shaking.”

  I set down my tea. “The official position of this embassy is that we hold Ms. Chante in high regard, but we will do our best to work with whomever is the future Minister of Commerce.”

  “She isn’t guaranteed a particular ministry, even if she wins. She is elected to the council, and then the council decides who takes which responsibilities.”

  “I’m just a silly little girl,” I said. “You can’t expect me to know much about politics.”

  He waved a finger at me. “Don’t play that game with me, Darfelsa. You’ve shaken that tree enough.”

  “I agree with you, Belolad.”

  “Before you repeat that opinion of Ms. Chante more widely, you need to be less specific. I’m serious.”

  I inclined my head. “We’ll work on something, but frankly, I don’t think anyone is going to ask me, and I already told you I’m not going to run around offering.” I paused. “However, I feel far fewer compunctions about sharing my opinion of Minister Silmarion. I’m not going to go out of my way to get involved, but I’ve already quite publicly told you to keep him away from me.”

  “Yes, well…” He paused then nodded. “All right, then.”

  “I’d like to know your opinion on the matter.”

  “I wouldn’t have thought of putting her forward,” he replied. “But she’s a brilliant, canny woman. She’d be our first woman min
ister, if she wins. She won’t be the only one running. Tandel is judged vulnerable. No one else has stepped forward, but that could change.”

  “When are elections? You said you’ve held your office for two years.”

  “Each district has its own cycle. Tandel’s district elections are next summer. There are people who register in his district who winter elsewhere, and that gives them time to return home.”

  “So, changeover doesn’t necessarily happen all at the same time?”

  “No. That is intentional.”

  “For continuity.”

  “Exactly so.”

  “So, let us assume Minister Silmarion is no longer a minister by this time next year. What happens with his ministry?”

  “Any minister can ask for a review of assigned ministries. That happens automatically when there is any change to the council. There are members of the council who would covet that particular ministry.”

  “How many of them are qualified?”

  “Several would be better than I would be. It is unlikely that Ms. Chante would be offered such an important ministry when first elected to the council.”

  “Thank you for explaining,” I said.

  “I am going to wait to see who else announces, but unless someone far better registers, I’ll be offering my endorsement.”

  I smiled at that. “Good. More tea?”

  * * * *

  Time advanced. My birthday approached. I didn’t mention it to anyone and would have been fine if I received little, if any notice. But a conspiracy brewed. I didn’t see it coming.

  It began with an invitation from Alexi, a simple invitation to dinner. Flame had already told me she had other plans that evening. I hadn’t told her when my birthday was, so I couldn’t be upset she hadn’t planned to spend it with me. An evening with Alexi sounded lovely, and I happily accepted.

  Alexi collected me from the embassy. My gown was floor length of violet brocade, warm in deference to the season. I had a long coat for my time outside and had taken care with my appearance.

  Alexi entered the embassy, already shedding her own coat, and I smiled broadly. She wore her own gown, deep green, and absolutely beautiful. She returned my smile, walked to me, and offered a greeting. “You look lovely tonight, Darfelsa.” She kissed my ear.

  “You always look gorgeous,” I replied.

  “You know, when you get tired of Flame Githien, you’re going to belong to me.”

  I laughed and kissed her ear, then brushed cheeks once more. “If I thought you’d actually keep me, I might let you.”

  “I’d keep you… for a while. You wouldn’t be thinking of getting away.”

  “I believe you.”

  “Perhaps you’ll return to Charth. I could come visit.”

  “Are you aware of the travel requirements inside Ressaline?”

  “I am,” she said. “Queen Lisdee taught me this greeting.” Her tone lowered further. “Amongst other things. I may be the only citizen of Gandeet free to travel through Ressaline.”

  I had nothing to say to that, and we separated. She took my hands, and we looked at each other, smiling. Two minutes later, properly bundled for the weather, we were out the door and in her coach.

  Over dinner, I asked her, “How goes the campaign?”

  “I’m having a lot of fun,” she said. “I’ve already scared off three competitors.”

  “Have you? How did you do that?”

  She buffed her fingernails. “I have my ways.”

  “Alexi.”

  “Oh, don’t look at me that way. I didn’t blackmail anyone. Well. One of them is in year ten of on ongoing affair, and it would be impossible for it not to come out. I know for a fact Tandel knows about it.”

  “Would that hurt his chances?”

  “No, but it might hurt his chances if his father-in-law has him assassinated.”

  “Oh, dear. Is the gentleman in question likely to do so?”

  “He might, and I use that word cautiously, look the other way if he can, but if it’s shoved in his face, yes, there’s a distinct chance.”

  “And somehow you were able to point all this out without making it a threat to be the one to expose him?”

  “Yes. I told him flat out I haven’t shared gossip in at least twenty years, and I wasn’t going to start now that I was running for office, but that I might be the only person in the country who could say that. The fool hadn’t even considered someone would tell on him. He’s gotten away with it for so long that he doesn’t remember it’s an open secret.”

  “His wife must know.”

  “She’s the one who told me.”

  “Ah.”

  “In bed.”

  I laughed. “Oh, my.”

  She grinned. “It’s actually entirely innocent. This was, oh, seven years ago. She’d had a little accident, and my party came across her. My home was closest, so we brought her there and fixed her up. But she was clearly upset about more than her ankle, and, well…”

  “People tell you things.”

  “People tell me things,” she agreed.

  “And the other two?”

  “I pointed out to one of them that Tandel is a vindictive man, and then made up a few outrageous stories about things he’s done to get even in the past. I made sure two of those stories struck particularly close to home.”

  “And he believed you?”

  “I can be convincing. Tandel is a vindictive man, and the stories sound like things he’d do, even if they weren’t absolutely true.”

  “And yet, you’re immune?”

  “Short of outright assassination, which isn’t his style, yes, I am. My reputation would be very difficult to assault, and my business interests are secure. Besides, he’s not going to take me seriously. I’m just a woman.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “The other can’t afford to divert attention from his own business interests. Unlike mine, they aren’t secure. He hoped to use his position to shore up his situation. I simply asked a few questions.”

  “Oh?”

  “I asked whether he was confident his businesses could survive under his son’s oversight.”

  “Ah.”

  “There’s one other.”

  “And do you have a plan to scare him off?”

  “Not at all. I’ve recruited a few people to campaign for him. He’s an old, shrewd man.”

  “Respected?”

  “Yes, reasonably, although heartless.”

  “And?”

  “And, he’ll take votes from Tandel.”

  “Thus splitting the votes and leaving you with all the votes from people who wouldn’t vote for either of them.”

  “Exactly. I’m campaigning as shrewd but compassionate, with an eye for the district and a willingness to use my already considerable influence to improve lives.”

  “I can’t help you campaign.”

  “I know. Belolad endorsed me. Did you know?”

  “He told me he was going to. I’m glad he finally did.”

  “Even if I don’t win, I’m having a lot of fun. There are a lot of people who won’t vote for a woman. There are a lot of people who won’t vote for a woman like me.” She shrugged. “I can beat the current competition, and anyone else who joins the race is arriving late.”

  “Would they take you seriously on the council?”

  “Some would.” She paused, cocking her head. “I think most would, to some extent. They don’t all know me personally, but they know me.”

  “Right.”

  “There aren’t ten women in the country who could command their respect. They may not respect me. I don’t know. I guess, if I win, we’ll see.”

  “Privately, you have my support.”

  “I know I do,” she said. “And that means as much to me as anyone else’s.” She reached across the table to take my hand. “But enough about me. How are you, Darfelsa?”

  After that, we spoke of easier topics. We had a lovely dinner, and then we m
ade our way back to her coach. We settled in, and I asked her where we were going next.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “Does Sergeant Felist know where we’re going?”

  “Of course, she does, but you clearly haven’t asked her.” She smiled. “I’m feeling playful.”

  “You’re dangerous when you’re feeling playful.”

  She reached into her bag and withdrew a black scarf. She held it up, smiling at me. “That looks like advance planning.”

  “Does it?”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Let me have my surprise. Do you really think I’d hurt you in some way?”

  “No, but you’re more than willing to embarrass me with no end.”

  “You can handle it if I do.” Then she lifted the scarf and set it over my eyes. I held still for her, but when she was done, I adjusted it. “Tell the truth. Can you see anything at all?”

  “No.”

  “Are you going to spoil my surprise?”

  “No, Alexi. Am I going to regret trusting you?”

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t ask that.” But she leaned into me and kissed my cheek, then took my hand in hers. We sat quietly for a minute. Being unable to see made me feel a little vulnerable, but I had long grown to trust her. “You’re a good woman, Darfelsa.”

  “So are you, Alexi.”

  “If I came to you in Charth with a challenge, would you accept?”

  “If I’m taking any challenges at all, I can’t imagine one I’d enjoy more.”

  “You’d lose. I’m far, far better at things like that than you are.”

  “When were you last there?”

  “It’s been a while,” she said. “Too long. Fifteen years, I think. No. Eighteen. It was before I owned Bashful. I haven’t been since they annexed Charthan.”

  “Is there a reason for that? It’s a lot closer now.”

  “I just haven’t been. Ressaline City is so far away, and I don’t have any connections in Charth, or at least none I know. I imagine there are a few people living there I know, but unless I visit, I couldn’t name anyone in particular.”

  “How did you find yourself in Ressaline City?”

  “Queen Lisdee kidnapped me.”

  I thought about that, wondering if she was teasing me, then asked, “A real kidnapping?”

  “Right off my estate,” she said. “She slipped something into my drink.”