by Jeff Wheeler
“What say you, Miss Fitzempress?” Trevon asked, gazing at her with a wry smile. “Are these not the terms we discussed?”
She walked up to him and made an elegant curtsy. “They are indeed, Prince Trevon. This is excellent news.”
The occupants in the room began to applaud. The dignitaries were clearly surprised, but now that the news had settled in, she was grateful to see most of them also looked relieved. Sera caught sight of Lord Fitzroy talking to Becka in a gentle, kindly way. But her attention was soon fully encompassed by the prince.
Sera felt her cheeks flush from the way he was looking at her. He bowed his head to her formally.
“I don’t know about you,” she murmured under her breath, “but I wish someone would drop a tray right now and cause a commotion.”
“I could arrange that,” he said, smiling.
“How did your parents take it?” she asked as the noise in the room became louder and louder.
“It was a bitter pill to swallow,” Trevon replied. “My father doesn’t believe the empire will accept the terms. No government wants to be told what to do or who to accept as a leader. He thinks it will not be ratified.”
“Then that’s my job to see to it,” Sera said boldly.
“If anyone can, it would be you.”
He looked like he had more to say, but his two sisters rushed up just then. They hugged Sera and enthused about how excited they were that she’d soon return to Kingfountain. The brothers’ reactions were more muted.
A feeling of warmth spread in Sera’s heart. A new day was coming. She would not be sent back to Pavenham Sky after this. She imagined the privy council would give her an allowance that would allow her to fund her own household. Such independence would enable her to keep Becka close. And to start seeing Cettie again.
Prince Trevon was distracted by one of his brothers for a moment, and Sera heard a voice pitched low for only her ears to hear.
“Well played, Princess,” said General Montpensier. She turned and saw him facing away from her so that it wouldn’t look like they were talking. “But just remember. A lot can happen in two years.”
“I’m sorry if you’re disappointed,” Sera said, but she wasn’t sorry at all.
“Don’t worry about me, Your Highness,” he said. “You should be worried about yourself. There’s a saying here in Kingfountain.” He turned his head slightly so that their eyes met. The look he gave her was dangerous. “The walls have ears.”
I sent a poisoner to her room so I could learn information from her that she would not be willing to openly divulge. There are certain powders, you see, that can make anyone talk without retaining any memory of having done so. But she fled to the throne room at a moment of critical importance.
But the Espion on duty later witnessed her conversation with Fitzroy. They spoke too quietly to eavesdrop, but thankfully all Espion are trained in lip reading. Our most precious asset in Lockhaven has been compromised. A spy who has ascended to heights unimaginable.
Well, I could not predict this would happen. But there is no such thing as accident. It is fate misnamed.
—Leon Montpensier, Duke of La Marche
CETTIE
CHAPTER THIRTY−ONE
PARLIAMENT SQUARE
Cettie gazed at Admiral Peckton as he frowned at her. The report showed a calming in the weather, which meant it would be easier for Kingfountain to launch another invasion. It was her regular meeting, and she’d anticipated Lord Welles’s attendance. He was watching her shrewdly.
“This is grim news, young lady,” Admiral Peckton chuffed. “It makes us even more vulnerable by sea than we were before. The fortnight of the negotiations is nearly over. If it failed, a new attack could begin in days.”
“I don’t make the weather, Admiral,” Cettie replied. “I just tell you what is going to happen.”
“That is true. Well, the funds will be transferred,” Peckton said. “As you see, we did not haggle as fiercely as we’ve heretofore done. It is, after all, the first time we’ve met since Admiral Fitzroy . . . ahem . . . was lost.”
“That was very considerate of you, but I expected no such accommodation.”
“All business, are you? And so young. Very well. Your payment terms have been accepted, and the contract will be provided.” He gazed at the chart again, studying the various symbols she had drawn showing the storm glasses’ weather predictions for the various regions. “That is all.”
Cettie nodded and rolled up the map. She glanced at Lord Welles. “May I have a word with you, Prime Minister?”
His eyes widened, and he leaned forward. “Is there news?”
“There is, sir,” she answered.
“Why don’t we go to my private study, then?” he replied, rising.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Cettie answered. She had discussed her vision with Lady Maren, and they’d decided it would be best to give Lord Welles the least possible amount of time to react to it. “It will happen today.”
The prime minister’s face blanched. “Today?”
“What is this?” Admiral Peckton asked.
“Lord Welles and I have an understanding,” Cettie said. “There is some news he was expecting. It comes today.”
“And?” Welles asked, growing more impatient.
“There will be an armistice,” Cettie said, gazing at him. “Sera will bring the treaty today.”
Peckton looked confused. “How do you know this, young lady?”
“Silence, Peckton,” Welles snapped. “Anything else?”
Cettie slid the rolled-up map into the leather tube before handing it over. “Just one more thing. Your time as prime minister has ended.”
In her vision, Cettie had seen Sera addressing a large crowd assembled at Parliament Square in the City. Her vision had informed her of what the speech would entail and where it would be delivered, so she and her family were some of the first to assemble when the announcement came that an armistice had been signed and Miss Seraphin Fitzempress would be addressing the people . . . not from Lockhaven but from Parliament Square.
Their tempest was docked at a hotel, which was suddenly overcrowded with people anxious to participate in the momentous event. The open square could fit perhaps thirty thousand people, but there were people leaning from windows and gathered on rooftops. The crowd brought back memories of the stifling streets of the Fells, but this crowd had a thrilling energy. The Fitzroy family had taken a position that would yield a good view.
As Cettie gazed over the sea of faces, she imagined someone making a painting of the event someday. This was the kind of momentous occasion that would be remembered for centuries.
“How did Lord Welles handle his disappointment?” Lady Maren asked over the tumult.
Anna took her hand and squeezed it. Raj Sarin kept his gaze on the crowd nearby, always vigilant for signs of danger.
“I didn’t tell him who is going to replace him,” Cettie answered with a smile. “But he wasn’t pleased.”
The old parliament building had been standing for at least two centuries, but it was the hulking underbelly of Lockhaven that caught her eye. This was her first trip to the City, so she’d never seen the underside of the great island in the sky. The peaks of the mountains supporting Lockhaven loomed above them, upside-down. There were no zephyrs rising to and fro from the City at the moment, and several huge hurricanes had lowered to form a defensive posture. The government had probably forbidden flight until the speech was over. As Cettie gazed up at the shadowy crags, she spied a tempest descending and realized it was time for the summit to begin.
A cheer swelled in the square as the people gathered there witnessed the descent of the sky ship. Soon the excited screams became deafening, and Cettie and Anna both covered their ears. Even the vendors who sold their buns and beverages to the people gathered in the square had stopped trying to earn a few coins and joined in the enthusiasm.
The tempest lowered right near where they stood.
A podium covered in drapes had been erected on the outer steps of the parliament building. The Fitzroys were close enough to see the curtains fluttering. The tempest lowered to the area before the podium, and Cettie thrilled when she recognized her friend stepping down the gangway.
“It’s Father!” Anna gasped, clutching Cettie’s arm again. Indeed, she was right, and the sight of him filled Cettie with such relief she felt a tear prick her eye. No longer dressed in his regimentals, he wore his normal attire of jacket, waistcoat, and breeches. Lady Maren hugged both girls.
The cheering grew even louder as both Sera and Fitzroy ascended to the top of the platform. Then, almost at once, the crowd fell silent.
Cettie felt a prickle of gooseflesh go up her arms. She could sense the activation of Leerings throughout the huge square. The Leerings would amplify the speakers’ voices, allowing even people far away at their manors to hear the words. She felt the power of the Leerings radiating down from Lockhaven as well.
Fitzroy stood at the podium first. When he spoke, his voice came from every side, echoing from the thousands of Leerings all united in one purpose.
“Thank you for gathering on this momentous occasion,” he said. “My name is Brant Fitzroy, and I greet you today as your new prime minister.”
A roar of approval rippled through the air, and Cettie felt the ground shuddering. She clapped with all her might. Fitzroy waited for the crowd to quiet again before continuing.
“We fought a terrible battle off the coast of Hautland recently, and it was reported that I was lost at sea. I was rescued by our enemies and taken as a prisoner of war. I would have remained in bondage were it not for the negotiations of Miss Fitzempress, who led the embassy to the court of Kingfountain. She has persuaded the court at Kingfountain to cease all hostilities. Now I would like you to hear from her directly. She is a brave young woman who has been much maligned. But as you grow to know her, as I have, you will see she is a capable and valiant defender of the empire.”
The cheers began again as Fitzroy stepped aside. Cettie was close enough that she had a perfect view of Sera. Her friend was still shorter than her, but she had grown and matured and had a look of wisdom and experience. She wore a splendid gray gown that contributed to her regal air, and she emanated a poise and self-confidence that was endearing. When the crowd’s cheers finally subsided again, Cettie waited anxiously to hear Sera’s voice. This moment was so unusual. Royalty never spoke directly to the masses, certainly not in person. News was always brought down from above and revealed in the gazettes. This announcement was happening below first. It was a remarkable change, a sign of things to come.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to speak to you today,” Sera said, her voice trembling at first. No doubt she was nervous. “Thank you, Prime Minister, for your wisdom and willingness to serve my father and the people of our great empire. Your compassion and integrity do you credit. You have always cared for the lives of those born without the privileges of rank. You will be an excellent leader and an example to us all.
“I come to you all today to declare that we have agreed to terms with the court of Kingfountain to suspend the war between our empires. I do this with the knowledge that there are parties, on both sides of the mirror gate, who will not find this welcome news. Some have profited from the conflict. Some have risen to power because of it. Some have even speculated great sums on what I will say today. For shame.”
Sera took a deep breath. “Many of our brave young men have died because of distrust and fear. I was sent to Kingfountain as a bribe, to marry their prince and make peace through a marriage alliance. I was willing to do this if it would stop more of you from losing sons, brothers, and friends. The greatest victims of war are the families who lose the most. However, Prince Trevon and I have struck up a different deal. Instead of a marriage alliance, we will start to trade secrets and knowledge we have each acquired. I have been to Kingfountain. Their people do not live in poverty like we do. There is much we can learn from them, and them from us. I have agreed to live in their world for three months out of each year. And their prince has agreed to live among us for the same amount of time. We will learn from each other, and we will teach each other to be friends. There is room for both of us to prosper without the other side suffering.”
Her words stirred another round of applause and cheering. Cettie imagined that Sera’s father wasn’t pleased by her remarks thus far. She was speaking to the common people and didn’t attempt to pretend otherwise.
After the noise subsided again, Sera continued. “I would also like to announce that now that I am of age, I will be forming my own household. The privy council has granted me an allowance, and I have chosen to live here, in the City, among you.”
Cettie had known she would say that. She had heard the speech already in her vision. Had there been any doubt as to Sera’s popularity, the explosion of cheering and noise would have shredded it instantly. Suddenly the crowd was moving, rushing against the barrier of dragoons in an involuntary spasm of wonderment. The soldiers struggled to keep the press back. People wanted to get closer to Sera, to touch her, to claim her as their own.
Fitzroy escorted her off the podium and back to the tempest before the crowd started to riot. Had Sera even told the privy council her plans? Probably not. Certainly she would not have told them about her plan to live in the City.
Cettie beamed at her friend’s triumph. The world was about to change forever.
The role of prime minister came with its own manor, supplied by the government. The upheaval was so sudden that there wasn’t even time to neatly pack. When Cettie and her family arrived at the new manor, all was in commotion as servants bundled the belongings of Lord Welles into trunks and carried them away. The manor staff greeted them warmly.
Anna gazed up at the vaulted ceilings, looking anxious about the change of environment. It was far grander than Fog Willows, but Fitzroy would be the only one to keep a permanent residence there. The rest of the family would travel back and forth between this mansion and Fog Willows. Lady Maren clutched both girls to her as the butler escorted them to the study, where they found Fitzroy, Lord Welles, and Sera.
As soon as they were introduced, Lord Welles’s eyes narrowed on Cettie for a moment, but he quickly cleared his countenance, ever the consummate politician.
“Ah, your family has arrived,” Lord Welles said. “We can discuss matters further on the morrow if you wish, Prime Minister. I am, as always, at your disposal. If you’d like any recommendations for the new Minister of War, I will be happy to offer a few suggestions.”
Fitzroy smiled blandly. “I’m rather familiar with all your cronies. We’ll talk tomorrow. I’ll send for you.”
Lord Welles bowed and left them, keeping his poise until the end.
Sera rushed forward and hugged Cettie fiercely.
“My dearest, dearest, dearest friend!” Sera said, squeezing Cettie. “Did you get the letter I sent you before I left? Please say that you did!”
“I did,” Cettie answered. “I was so grateful for it. You haven’t gotten mine, I know. They’ve all been returned. But I saved them for you anyway and brought them with me.”
Sera beamed with delight. “I will read each one as a treasure. That odious Lady Corinne must have kept them from me. She’ll pay for that.”
Cettie observed the tearful reunion going on between Fitzroy and his wife and daughter, and all felt right with the world again.
“Look at you,” Sera said, pulling back and admiring Cettie. “You are very striking. I would try to persuade our new prime minister to let you go, but I’m afraid he’ll need you even more now. But at least now you can come and visit me. And there will be no one barring the gate.”
“I look forward to it. So much has happened since we were parted.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Sera said, shaking her head. She gave Fitzroy a discreet look but didn’t offer more.
“Did the privy council know what you w
ere going to say about living in the City?” Cettie asked.
Sera grinned. “Of course not! Well, Lord Fitzroy knew because I told him. I just asked for an allowance, and the one they gave me would have been perfectly adequate for leasing any number of luxurious properties in Lockhaven. But instead, I am going to lease a home in the City and save the rest so I can begin funding things I care about. I need to stay nearby to continue the negotiations with Kingfountain.” Sera looked over at Fitzroy and beamed. “I think someone else wishes to greet you as much as I did!”
Cettie felt her heart fill with warmth as Fitzroy stepped up and pulled her into a hug. It felt so good to have him back again. To know without a doubt that he lived.
She looked up, wiping tears from her eyes.
He had tears in his eyes too. “I can’t thank you enough, Cettie,” he whispered huskily.
“For what?” she asked, confused. She was so proud of him. He had finally achieved the status that he deserved. And knowing him, it wouldn’t make him proud or ambitious.
He gestured for Lady Maren and Anna to join the embrace. With his thumb, he wiped a tear trailing down Cettie’s cheek. “It was your vision that kept me from drowning,” he said. “When my ship went down, I had to swim beyond the point of exhaustion. I kept going under, and it felt like I was going to die. But I remembered what you had said, that you’d seen me in Kingfountain with Sera. I believed in it and kept going, even when I ran out of strength. I know I fell unconscious. When I awoke, I was holding a piece of timber. I don’t know how it happened. But I didn’t give up, because I trusted your vision. You saved me, Cettie. Thank you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY−TWO
FOG OF PEACE
Cettie had always wanted to share Fog Willows with Sera, and that dream was finally a reality. Since Sera was no longer under the control of her parents—and could come and go as she pleased—Fitzroy had offered her the opportunity to stay at Fog Willows as long as she needed while she selected a home in the City. The process would take some time since the ministries would need to be able to protect the residence.