Mira raised an eyebrow at his approach, but kept her tongue.
“Troubles, Your Majesty?”
“It has been over a hundred years since my great grandsire lost control of Kindi and our country broke into this system of independent, barely unified, states we have today. It is both a dangerous and ineffective way to exist. We all hate each other immensely, yet no one openly defies another because of fear about how all the others will react.”
“Didn’t your grandfather and your lord father himself put an end to much of the fighting between the states?”
“Most of it, yes. There’s rarely a threat of arms anymore except for the minor skirmish over who gets to tax a particular bordertown. However, we still battle each other quite ruthlessly from an economic standpoint, taxing goods at ridiculous rates as they move in and out of each territory, hoping to gain back the money lost on our own poor deals. Southern states bordering the Madacan Ocean are trying to gain monopolies on certain goods that come in by ship. In response, the northern states are spending lavishly on huge roads in the hopes they might circumvent the need to transport as much via ship. It’s rumored that they’re also trying to hire foreign mages to blast holes through entire mountains for the new roads that go through, rather than over, the ranges.”
What is he talking about? Those rumors have been around for years. That’s all they are.
Rondel bobbed his head. “A novel idea.”
“It’s a great idea, actually,” said the prince. “But one that could be our end.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“We’re weakening ourselves economically. Only the gods know how much it will cost those in the north to carve a road out of solid rock. Or how much it’s costing the other city-states to keep up with these stupid taxes. Coffers everywhere are bleeding.”
“Unless they’re raising the taxes on the locals to keep up with expenses,” offered Rickar.
The prince nodded. “That is true in some cases. There were reports of a small uprising in Vidish just last week. High taxes were the cause. More than three dozen people died before the crowd dispersed.”
Another exaggeration. “Brother, I believe the main culprit of those riots was the sentencing of Agnimukha to death.”
“Agnimukha?” asked Lord Rickar.
Her brother scowled. “A local holy man well liked among the people.”
“Why was he sentenced to death?”
“Because he refused to pay the taxes imposed on him by the city,” smiled Minander, as if he made his point.
“Yes,” said Mira. “He refused to pay his taxes, but those taxes have been imposed on the temple for generations. His refusal had more to do with an argument of doctrine his predecessors thought best not to pursue, not anything that resulted from the current political or economic state of Vidish.”
Minander turned away from Mira as if she were nothing of importance. “Ignore my sister. She did an admirable job of ruling before my time, but the current state of Kindi is as much her doing as those that came before her, including my father.”
Mira’s mouth dropped. She was speechless at the open insult to both her and their father.
“Again,” continued the prince. “I need help with our trouble.”
“I’m still not sure I follow,” said Rickar, eyes shifting uneasily back and forth between Mira and Minander. She could see he understood the situation already.
It almost seems like he expected this.
“Enough with the games, Lord Rickar. You’re a smart man. You know I want those trade routes.”
“They’ll be yours, my prince, once the details are worked out.”
“I want them exclusively so that none of the other city-states benefit from your resources. And in turn, I’ll ensure none of our local city-states can trade goods in Bashan that are similar to Bratanic’s, thereby giving you a monopoly on the market.”
Rickar pursed his lips. “Won’t that be taken as another act of aggression and escalate tensions further?”
“It absolutely will,” said Mira.
Minander shrugged. “I’m sure it will escalate tensions. That’s why I will also need the use of fifty of her majesty’s warships and another twenty thousand of her ground forces. I’d like both with the delivery of your first shipment of goods.”
Rickar coughed. “What could you possibly need with such a large force?”
“I mean to do what my father and grandfather should have done long ago. I mean to reunite the independent states of Kindi. With Bratanic’s help, I can do it quickly enough so that damage will be minimal, thereby bringing the city-states under one ruler without leaving us open to aggressions from the enemies at our borders.”
“The risk—” began Rickar.
Minander cut him off. “I’ll see that the reward is well worth the risk. You have my word.”
Brother, what are you doing?
* * *
“War!” shouted the princess.
Lela was sure the word was a question. It had the right inflection one would expect from a question. However, the venom in which it was spat, and the volume with which it was produced made it sound like the most vile curse imaginable.
The prince scowled, pacing around the table. “It’s good to see that you at least had the sense to wait until our guests were out of earshot before this . . . outburst.”
“Of course I waited. The last thing I want to do is let the entire world know that I think my brother is a fool,” continued Mira. “You know nothing about war and you want to bring one to Bashan?”
Despite Mira’s anger, Minander remained calm at her outburst. His eyes narrowed though at her second remark. “Be aware of who you’re talking to, sister. I am still your prince and Bashan’s ruler.”
“Not for long.”
“Is that a threat?”
I hope not, thought Lela, feeling more than a little uncomfortable at where the conversation headed.
“No. A fact. I have no need to go to the trouble of removing you from power. Every one of Kindi’s states will do that for me. Invade their lands and you will give them cause to put aside their differences. They will unite and rally against you.” She paused. “Perhaps I should just announce my disapproval for this nonsense now. Then after their armies sack the city, they might allow me to govern Bashan in its aftermath.”
He sneered. “The support of a loving sibling. Father would be so happy.”
“Don’t you dare bring his name into this. Especially after you spoke so poorly of him. I’m only glad he isn’t alive to see your foolish mistakes.”
“Me the fool? Father was a coward who never could make the stand needed to reunite Kindi.” He shook his head. “Do you really think the other states will unite so quickly? Even with an army marching into their lands, they’ll squabble for power, hoping to put one over on the other after their victory. With twenty thousand trained soldiers and a navy to add to our own forces, we’ll sweep in and take their lands before the ink dries on their dumb alliances.”
A long pause followed as the two bore holes into each other. Lela was glad that most of the silverware had been picked up already.
And that I’m an only child.
“I see now,” said Mira.
“You see what?”
“This plan of yours. It’s only the beginning, isn’t it? If you succeed, where do you go next?”
The prince snorted. “Good night, sister.” He turned toward the door, paused, and called over his shoulder. “As far as throwing yourself in with the others, please don’t be so hasty. It will be immensely more difficult to offer your hand to my supporters if I have to have you tried for treason.”
The door opened for the prince and he left.
A deafening silence rang out in the empty dining hall. The lingering smell of dinner hung in the air. The princess’s hands opened and closed before clenching hard and finally relaxing. Her shoulders slumped forward slightly as she took a seat at the table.
; Lela waited patiently. Though she had been a quick study on the princess’s needs, she found herself at a loss.
Mira sighed. “He’s right, you know. At least partially.”
“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty?”
“The rulers of Kindi’s other states. Even with a common enemy, decisions will not be made swiftly. Too many are eager to look for tomorrow without ever figuring out what’s needed today. Father used to say as much.”
“Oh.”
Mira looked up. “We’re alone. Speak freely. What do you think of my brother’s nonsense?”
Speak freely? “It would be nice to have Kindi united once again.”
Stupid. That’s not what she wanted to hear.
She guffawed. “Yes. It would be nice. In fact, it’s what I dream of every day.”
“Just not the way the prince suggests.”
“No. He thinks our grandfather and father were incompetents or cowards for not taking his approach. He doesn’t understand how brave it was for them not to use force. They could have brought in mercenaries or formed foreign alliances. The problem is that reuniting Kindi through spilled blood will only weaken us in the long term. There would always be animosity toward Bashan from the other states if we united our lands through battle. Animosity that would lead to more wars. Besides, we should never rely on foreign soldiers. I know Bratanic is half a world away, but who’s to say they might not harbor ambitions of their own. Their empire is burgeoning.”
“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but why didn’t you tell the prince as much?”
“He only listens to people who tell him what he wants to hear.” She shook her head. “He never learned patience in his studies abroad. Had he, he might have seen the progress being made. Our great grandfather damaged Kindi, our grandfather ensured Bashan survived the petty wars and feuds that followed. Father began mending the relationships between the independent states. Minander was supposed to be the one to complete the process of uniting Kindi again. But peacefully.”
“I wish there was something I could do to help.”
Mira’s head bobbed slightly as she tucked in her lower lip. She froze. “Actually . . . How do you find out so much about the goings on of the palace? Things like this very dinner you told me about?”
Lela shrugged. “I’ve become good at ensuring people don’t notice me.”
“Is it the same way for you outside the palace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s safer that way.”
“I bet it is. Hmm, I . . . No. Nevermind.”
“Are you sure there isn’t something else I can do for you?”
“No. It’s too much to ask. That will be all for tonight. I wish to be alone with my thoughts.”
Lela bowed and left.
* * *
Rondel stepped into the carriage. Andrasta closed the door behind him.
Once outside the palace’s gates, he positioned himself near the front so that he could speak to her through the window. “You did well.”
“I barely said anything.”
“Exactly. Just what would be expected from a bodyguard. What did you think about it all?”
“I’m glad that it’s over.”
“I mean about the prince and princess.”
“They obviously hate each other. Him more than her.”
Rondel grunted. “Yes, though after the prince announced his intentions, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s more balanced. Mira was not pleased with that little surprise.”
“Nor did she seem pleased with you.”
“You picked up on that too?”
“It was pretty obvious.”
“Yes. She eyed me suspiciously from the start. You noticed she barely spoke, and only then at the end of the meal. She listened and gauged my reaction to the prince’s ramblings and posturing. She studied me like someone made for the role of ruler. Too bad for Bashan that by law the prince will rule. She seems the better choice.”
“And for our purpose?”
“The prince is without a doubt better for us. He’s desperate to become Kindi’s unequivocal ruler.”
“Why did you dance around answering his questions about military support?”
“Because it’s too big of a request. Whether I end up telling him yes or no is not important. What is important is acting like it’s the toughest, most impossible request he could have made. There’s no way I could agree to a request like that if I were a real emissary. Not without personal approval from the queen. So, I need to keep up those appearances. Make him sweat, make him haggle over details, and so on. Besides, I’m not promising him anything until we get on the invite list to the tower.”
“Are you worried that he won’t invite us?”
A little. It is odd that he didn’t extend the offer tonight. “No. We should be fine.”
CHAPTER 15
Lela walked home with a heavy heart. She should have felt ecstatic. Rondel and Andrasta managed contact with the prince and princess because of her.
Of course they didn’t get the invite to the party. But that should come soon.
Not from Mira though. She didn’t seem to care for Rondel.
Guilt gnawed at her stomach. Betraying Minander meant nothing to her. The more she learned about him, the less she liked him. However, the princess was another matter. Mira tried to put up an emotionless front, but she was a good person, someone who truly cared about Bashan and its people. Lela had wanted to tell Mira that she had nothing to worry about from Rondel and Andrasta, that no matter what “Lord Rickar” eventually agreed to, it would mean nothing to Minander’s plans of war. There would be no ships and there would be no army. But by doing so, she’d ruin the plan for breaking into the tower.
The plan that will give me and Kunal our new life.
She took a left and stumbled to a halt. Chand stood in the middle of the sidewalk looking displeased, arms folded across his thick chest.
“Chand.”
“So you do remember me, Little One.”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because we haven’t heard from you in several days.”
“No one contacted me for a meeting. And I’ve been busy keeping an eye on the princess.”
“Helping her is more like what I hear.”
“What? I don’t understand?”
He gave her his back. “Come. Beladeva wishes to speak with you. He isn’t pleased.”
* * *
Unlike her last meeting with Beladeva, Lela had the good fortune of not wearing a bag over her head as she trailed Chand. They didn’t walk far.
Two guards waited outside of an old brick and mortar slaughterhouse near the market. Rats scurried across her path, running to bins filled with the discarded entrails and bones from the day’s work. Lela crinkled her nose at the smell of death. For once she was glad she had not eaten recently.
Dressed again in an outfit of white clothing and a black turban, Beladevea sat behind a small desk in the back of the slaughterhouse. On the desk lay a stack of ledgers and several loose pieces of papers. One of the papers fell from the desk as Chand walked by, landing at her feet. She glanced down and saw it was a shipping document belonging to one of Gulzar’s vessels.
Chand whispered something into Beladeva’s ear, then took position at his right.
The crime lord leaned back, and sighed. “Tell me what you’ve learned.”
Lela recited every bit of information she had learned from both the princess and prince. She included even the tidbits picked up from eavesdropping on other servants and guests of the palace. Beladeva did not interrupt her once, and by the time she finished, her throat felt dry, but mostly from nervousness.
She waited.
He studied her, giving away nothing, whether displeasure or satisfaction.
“It’s not enough,” he said finally.
She panicked. “There are two more things,” she said, grasping at what might satisfy one of the most powerful men in Bashan. “The guard schedule is sup
posed to be random, but I’ve been able to figure it out. I also learned information related to deliveries made to the palace as well as servant routines. It would not be difficult to—”
“Break in?” he asked, cutting her off. “Little One, I am not a common thief. I do not wish to loot the palace. Even if I did, it would be easy, as I control the people who make those schedules.”
Lela swallowed. “My apologies.”
He waved a hand dismissively. “Moving on. Now, based on your last report to Chand, you said the princess is not as clever as people perceive her to be. Is this true?”
Of course that’s where he would choose to focus. Too late. If I change my opinion it will make me look indecisive. “Yes,” said Lela, realizing a moment too late that being indecisive in Beladeva’s eyes would be more favorable that being named a liar if caught in her deception.
“I find that hard to believe based on your report. She seems to be meeting with countless people, trying to get her hands into everything.”
No turning back now, Lela. Just make sure the lies are sprinkled with truth. That will make them easier to swallow. “That’s because she’s trying to grasp at anything she can use. She’s becoming desperate.”
She worked her jaw. It felt odd to speak poorly of Mira.
“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.” He paused. “However, I’ve also been hearing some troubling things from my other contacts at the palace about the relationship you have with her.”
She tensed. “Who?”
“Who, doesn’t matter. What matters is your loyalty to me. They say you’re helping the princess. Is this true?”
“Of course, it’s true. But that has nothing to do with my loyalty.”
“Explain.”
“What is there to explain? I’m her servant. I’m supposed to help her. If I didn’t, she would not trust me. And if she did not trust me, then I couldn’t get the information you want.”
“Some have said that you are sneaking around, spying on others.”
“I am.”
“So you don’t deny it?”
“Why should I? I have to give Mira something of value, otherwise I’m not useful to her.”
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