by Robin Roseau
Credits
I want to thank the beta readers for this book: Brisa, Charlie, Lindsay, Martha, and Stephanie. The quality of this book is much higher than it would have been without their well-appreciated efforts.
I also want to thank the people in my life who continue to support me, even when I become unresponsive to outside stimulus while writing first drafts. While I might not starve to death if you didn’t feed and water me, know that you are loved.
And, of course, thank you for continuing to purchase my work.
The Diplomat
Spring arrived, and summer was nigh, although I suppose I shouldn’t skip everything in between. King Leander had a summons for me even before Jessla and I arrived in Barrish. I was to come straight to the palace. I met with him and Queen Ralifta. After exchanging greetings, the first thing the king asked was, “Are you angry we didn’t tell you?”
“No, Your Majesty. I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity.”
He inclined his head. “We invited you to ask three simple questions. That was the first. How are you doing, Ms. Cuprite?”
“I need a little distance from it,” I said. “I’m going to be fine, assuming I still have a job.”
“You do,” he assured me. “This is part of my second question. Is there anything we can do to help you?”
“No, Your Majesty, but thank you.” I thought for just a second and then said, “Actually.”
“Yes?”
“I just have a few questions.”
“Of course.”
“You are aware that in Ressaline, affection between women is the norm.”
“Affection being a euphemism?” prompted Queen Ralifta.
“I suppose so,” I said. “Is that illegal here?”
“No,” said the king.
I paused, dropping my gaze, worried that I was about to commit career suicide, but then I straightened. “Does knowing I have engaged in that sort of affection affect your impression of me?”
The king laughed. He actually laughed. And the queen slapped his arm. “She’s serious, Leander.”
“She can’t be.”
“Look at her,” she said.
He stilled and gazed at me. “Ms. Cuprite, I can’t think of one single reason why that should change my opinion of you.”
I curtsied for that and then asked, “Will it cause problems for you if it were to get out?”
“If so, it will tell me who spends too much time worrying about the wrong things.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Very good,” he replied. “My third question: is there anything in particular you feel I should know?”
“Is that your way of boiling a dozen questions into one?”
He smiled. “I suppose it might be.”
“I imagine you don’t need a review of Ressaline society,” I said. “I imagine you know I wasn’t the only Flarvorian recently in Charth.”
“I am aware of Ms. Feldspar and Ms. Yearly. We have held conversations with each of them.”
“I haven’t seen them. They are well?”
“They also need distance,” the queen answered. “But they both are planning a return.”
“Thank you. Then all I can add is this: Judge Jessla traveled with me. She has a dispatch from Queen Lisdee. I have no idea what it’s about, but I was asked to provide an introduction. I’m not entirely sure why, as I imagine Jessla wouldn’t need me to achieve an audience.”
“She wouldn’t,” replied the king. “Lisdee sent a judge?”
“From Charth,” I said. “We met when I first arrived. She is somewhat elderly, and from what I can tell, deeply respected. She can be brusque, but she has been very kind to me.”
“Is there any indication of a rush?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
“Bring her here tomorrow morning,” he indicated. “Perhaps an hour after sunrise.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Very good,” he said.
Then he turned towards the queen. She smiled at me. “How soon could you begin attending shows with me again?”
“I feel some obligation to Jessla during her visit,” I replied.
“Then we’ll invite her as well,” said Ralifta.
“Then I would be available any time after tonight.”
“Most excellent,” she said as the king offered a huge sigh of relief. I thought it was done for dramatic purposes, but it made me laugh. “There is a contingent from South Karishten. They are doing something with drums tomorrow night. I will send a carriage for you. Will you convey my offer to Jessla?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Attire?”
“For evenings with me, unless I tell you otherwise, you may assume a gown. I will advise you of special needs, and I will always offer substantial warning if you should acquire something new. I won’t strain your budget, Allium.”
“Thank you, Ralifta,” I said, taking a chance. She smiled at me and nodded.
* * * *
The following morning, I introduced Jessla. Greetings were exchanged, and Jessla managed to whisper something to the king. Two minutes later, he thanked me and told me he was sure I was anxious to return to my duties. I got the hint. That evening, I asked Jessla how it had gone.
“It went well,” she said. “I have one more meeting and will leave in the morning, the day after tomorrow. Are you sure I’m not straining your hospitality?”
“I know it’s cozy,” I said. “If you would prefer staying at an inn, I won’t be offended. But I like having you.” I grinned. “Your slaves cleaned today.”
She smiled. “I told them to. If you’re sure, then we’ll stay.”
“Please do.”
The show was fabulous. The king didn’t know what he was missing.
And then Jessla was gone. But the queen, true to her word, extended invitations to me every few weeks, if I was in town, and we have developed a rather unexpected friendship. I really have grown to like her.
* * * *
By the time I had returned to Barrish, Javish Rutile had largely assumed ministerial duties from Minister Heliodor. He didn’t yet carry the title, but the transition was going smoothly. Two days after Jessla left, I was invited into Javish’s office. Heliodor was there as well. Javish closed the door behind me and invited me to take a seat.
“Settled back in, Allium?”
“Yes, Mr. Rutile.”
He paused and dropped his gaze. “This is one of the hardest parts for me,” he said. “We’ve been using first names for years. But I have been advised that is no longer wise, excepting social settings. My apologies, Ms. Cuprite.”
“I am never going to be offended if you use my first name,” I told him.
“I would like rough estimates for your next six months. How soon can I have them?”
“Will I have my crew back? I know they were reassigned while I was gone.”
“You should have the same size crew,” he replied.
“May I speak frankly?”
“Of course.”
“I know my old crew. I know who is best at this and who is poor at that. If I have to relearn all that with entirely new people, I need to budget the time for that. Furthermore, I already have seen to training requirements for my old crew. I’ll need to determine whose training is incomplete and then see to it they have the opportunity to acquire the lacking skills. If I end up with a completely new team, it might be two years before we’re as productive as we have been, and that assumes I get good people.”
He paused and then said, “You’ll need to check the roster to see where people have been assigned, and then make requests from the appropriate department heads. I would prefer you begin with those departments that are over their assigned counts. I’m sure everyone wor
king for the ministry is qualified.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” I lied, but then he was lying, too. “Until I see who I can get, my time estimates will be exceedingly cautious.”
“I understand, Ms. Cuprite,” he replied. “Should I expect the king to send you back to Ressaline any time soon?”
“I wouldn’t profess to know the king’s mind,” I replied. “I know of no such plans, unless it is necessary to send me in order to coordinate projects.”
“If project coordination is required, I will go myself,” he replied, “or send someone more senior than you. You are a good engineer, Ms. Cuprite, but you are quite young.”
I couldn’t believe this, but I wasn’t going to do anything to get off on a worse foot than necessary. “Of course, that decision would be between you, His Majesty, and the Ressalines.” I inclined my head.
“Very good,” he said. “Anything else?”
“No, Sir.”
He nodded. “Could I ask what you did while you were there?”
“They have a custom they wanted me to experience,” I said.
“I’m aware. I was wondering if you could tell me about it.”
“Actually, Sir, I request you not ask. It was deeply personal.”
“Of course,” he replied. “Thank you, Ms. Cuprite.”
I turned to go, but that was when Minister Heliodor said, “Ms. Cuprite.”
I turned back to face him. My heart was in my throat. I’d had such a good relationship with him, and now it didn’t look like I’d have the same relationship with Javish. “Yes, Minister?”
“I am curious,” he said. “When I asked permission to retire, I submitted a list of recommendations for my replacement.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Did you see the list?”
I paused then said, “Yes, Sir, I did. Thank you for considering me, Sir.”
Javish turned towards Minister Heliodor. The minister ignored him.
“Tell me, Ms. Cuprite,” prompted the minister. “Was it a long list?”
“No, Sir.”
“If you were to have produced a list, would it have contained the same names mine did?”
“No, Sir. My list would have contained one fewer name.”
“Whose would you have removed?”
“My own due to the politics and my relative youth, sir.”
“While I disagree with you,” he said. “I understand. Did the king ask your opinion?”
“Yes, Sir. I told him promoting me any further than my current position was likely to be a disaster, primarily due to the politics.”
“Yes, yes,” he said. “And did the king press for a recommendation from the remaining names?”
I paused then said, “Yes.”
“Will you share what you said?”
“I’d rather not, Minister.”
“It wasn’t really a request, Ms. Cuprite.”
I stared at him. “I just want to build bridges and roads, sir, and to be free to do my job as well as I am able.”
“What has that got to do with it?” Javish asked. “The minister just asked you a direct question.” His tone was harsh.
“Do you believe I don’t already know the answer to my questions, Allium?” Minister Heliodor asked. He nearly never called me that.
“Do you believe I want special favors, Sir?”
“No,” he said. “But I won’t mind at all if Javish feels at least a little guilt when he throws you to the dogs.”
“Sir,” we both said together.
“The king had already made his decision before meeting with you, Allium,” he said. “You changed his mind. Tell Javish what you said.”
“Sir.”
“Tell him.”
I dropped my gaze then spoke carefully. “I told the king of the remaining names, they were all equally good engineers. I tried to avoid offering a specific recommendation.”
“But you said something to change his mind.”
“I told him I thought Mr. Rutile was the only person under consideration who would have supported me, and anyone else would likely have been looking for opportunities to stab me in the back. Sir.”
“Tell me, Javish,” Minister Heliodor. “Do you believe a good department head should be looking to undermine the minister.”
“No, Sir,” he said in a subdued tone.
“Do you believe Ms. Cuprite will seek to undermine you?”
“No, Sir,” he said with more confidence in his tone.
“Do you say the same thing about the other department heads?”
He paused, and then said very quietly, “No, Sir.”
“And that is why you’re about to let them step all over her, isn’t it?”
“I already figured that out, Sir,” I inserted.
“I know you did,” said the minister. “Javish, growing into this job will take you some time. Allium understands that. Do you know why her name was first on the list I gave the king, Javish?”
“No, Sir.”
“Because in spite of her youth, and in spite of the politics, Allium ran the best team in the entire ministry. It didn’t start that way. She forged that team. She had her share of misfits and delinquents. She fired a few, with my support, and she groomed the rest. All of you do that to some extent, but she’s better at it than the rest of you. If she were a man, you wouldn’t be the future minister. If she hadn’t changed the king’s mind, you wouldn’t be the future minister. So when you’re throwing her to the wolves, you can have the decency of apologizing to her.”
“I’m not throwing her to any wolves, Sir.”
“She’s going to have to go beg for crew. You indicated you won’t interfere. That means the other department heads will keep her old crew and give her their dregs. They’ll do the first not only because of how good her old crewmembers are, but to spite her. And they’ll do the second for all the obvious reasons.”
“Sir,” said Javish.
“And you knew all that,” Minister Heliodor continued. “Everyone in this room understands you don’t want to fight this particular battle. But you could at least apologize to Ms. Cuprite for it.”
Javish turned to me and stared for a long time. “Do you have a recommendation, Ms. Cuprite?”
“Perhaps each department head would give me a list of names twice as long as the number I may have, and I could interview each. Maybe that way I can at least weed out those who would most hate working for me.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Cuprite,” he said. “Yes. That seems like a compromise everyone can handle.”
“If not,” said Minister Heliodor. He smiled. “I am still the minister. I can fire anyone I want. Now, ask Ms. Cuprite her opinion regarding your plan for dealing with the Ressalines.”
Javish paused, studying the minister. Finally, he turned to me. “Do you know why he said that?”
“I can guess.”
“Do so.”
“It is your intention to go to Charth yourself, if the situation calls for it.”
“Yes.”
“I am told that Queen Lisdee with some frequency uses the phrase, ‘No Exceptions’.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You are aware they kicked out all their men.”
“What has that to do with it?”
“Mr. Rutile,” I said. “Of course, I could be wrong, but I find it exceedingly unlikely they will allow a man to cross their border for any reason at all. The king flat out told me he is unwelcome. Add to that: in order to operate inside Ressaline, they require the woman in question to experience the custom I experienced, at least once. It is an important part of their culture. I was told that not even Queen Ralifta would be excused, if she were to visit Charth.”
“Surely they would make exceptions.”
“As I said,” I replied, “I was told by Lady Olivia, the Duchess of Charthan, that Queen Lisdee was extremely specific. No exceptions. No men, period. And regarding the custom, yes, the royal family was discu
ssed. No exceptions. But maybe that was for show. Or maybe I’m lying.” I shrugged. “I’m not sure it matters, given how infrequently we need to coordinate. But if it does come up, I would recommend against assuming you will be welcomed. As I said earlier, this is between you, King Leander, and the Ressalines. If you decide to send me, I will willingly go. I do not recommend you send Lieseen, but it isn’t my decision.”
“Why not?”
“Because she will get there, be told the custom, and come running back. Time will be wasted.”
“You can tell her about it before she goes.”
“Frankly, I’d rather you not make that request. Lady Olivia prefers to explain it herself. If you want someone here to explain it, I’d rather you asked the king.”
“Where is your loyalty, Ms. Cuprite?”
“You have choices available, Mr. Rutile. Lady Olivia asked me not to talk about it. She is both my friend and an important duchess of our nearest neighbor. Before ignoring her request, I’d rather you instead ask the king. He is far better able to judge the politics than I am. But I am entirely certain that if we told Lieseen about the custom, she will refuse to go.”
Javish looked frustrated. Minister Heliodor said, “This conversation is largely moot. We’re discussing something that only happens rarely. If you need to speak with engineers from Ressaline, they can come here. But I agree with Ms. Cuprite. If we need to send an engineer to Charth, she is our best choice.”
Javish nodded. “Is there anything else?”
There wasn’t.
* * * *
I built a team. It included three members of my old crew, and far from my best. The rest I barely knew. One benefit: I accrued a disproportionate number of women. I was fine with that. Most importantly, I was able to interview everyone, and while I wouldn’t necessarily have hired perhaps half of them, they were all willing to work for me, a few simply because they preferred the area and sort of projects I worked on. I was fine with that, as long as they worked.
But I dramatically scaled back my expectations, and I was sure it would be a year or three before I could fully trust the quality of my team.
Chapter Two
As I said, summer was nigh. I, along with my entire crew, stood on the landing leading to the bridge where my entire story began. I pointed to the bridge. “Last summer, the Ressalines restored this bridge. Together, we’re going to inspect it.”