“Comfortable? You think confinement is comfortable?” Twintle grumbled. “I cannot wait to hear just how comfortable my son has been these past weeks when he is back in his home where he belongs.”
“Luke comes from good stock. He’ll be—”
“Good day to you all,” Twintle cut Zira off curtly, striding out of the room without a backward glance.
The other councilors gathered their things quietly, the tension in the air slowing their movements to a glacial pace.
“What a mess,” Zira mumbled.
“Empire building is rarely tidy.” Vi stood. “At least we found an acceptable solution.”
“One can only hope they both think it’s acceptable come morning.”
“What about Kahrin? Will she be out with Luke?”
“No, she’ll likely get out with the tradesmen. She’s the daughter of a miner to the north of Norin and became a Knight seeking glory. I think she’s had enough of fighting for one lifetime.” Vi could only hope that was true. The fewer angry Knights of Jadar she had to contend with, the better. Zira sighed. “I really do hope this is the last of it. Fiera needs to focus on planning her wedding… it’s coming up soon.”
“Yullia,” Deneya interrupted them. “May I borrow you for a word in my office?”
“Certainly.”
“This way.” Deneya started out the room. Vi shrugged at Zira as if she had no idea what this could be about, then followed the minister down the hall and into a closet-like office. She closed the door behind them, locked it, grabbed Vi’s hand, and uttered, “Durroe sallvas tempre.”
A glyph formed between their locked palms.
“You certainly have my attention.” Vi looked between their hands and Deneya’s face.
“I didn’t want to risk anyone else overhearing.” Deneya’s grip was firm and unflinching. “I’ve been thinking about what you said and I must ask, what is your goal here?”
“I already told you, I—”
“Yes, agent of Yargen or some such.” Deneya shook her head. “What are your goals as that agent—Champion, rather—acting on behalf of Yargen? What are you hoping to achieve?”
“To protect—”
Deneya pressed her free palm to her forehead and sighed. When she spoke again, it was with the same tone Vi would use to explain a difficult concept to a child. “I understand all that. You’re here on behalf of Yargen, protecting the sword. Our goals really aren’t that different.”
“I doubt they would be,” Vi said cautiously.
“If you’re truly are here on behalf of the Goddess, it’s my duty to assist you. Tell me how I can do that.”
“Information,” Vi said after a moment. “You’ve been ingrained in this world longer than I have. I need information on people, specifically the Knights of Jadar and those associated with them before the fall of Mhashan. They’ve already begun moving against the sword.”
Deneya thought about this, humming softly. Then, as if her mental tally came up with the same answer Vi already knew, she gave a nod. “They haven’t been too pleased with Fiera’s engagement.”
“If their attack on the street is any indication.”
“That’s only the start of the whispers I’ve heard.”
“Oh?”
“Information gathering is part of my duty to the queen. I go out at night and sit in taverns. Most don’t recognize me, so I hear murmurs of the citizenry. Some seem content—they’re happy the war is over. But others are more in line with the thinking of the old king. They’d rather burn than bend the knee. They see Fiera doing so as the ultimate betrayal.”
“Foolish…” Vi mumbled. They couldn’t see, or were willfully ignoring, that Fiera’s engagement was likely what saved them all. And was possibly the ultimate sacrifice on her part—to be married to a man who had conquered her land for the sake of her people.
“I’m sure the rumors will get worse when the soldiers are set free. A lot of the Knights are still in there. I’ll work on procuring the full roster of names for you.”
“Thank you,” Vi managed, somewhat surprised by the sudden kindness. “Let me know when you have it.” Vi moved to leave, but Deneya held her hand firmly, almost yanking her back.
