“Eira Landan has come to us from distant shores. She went to Meru as a champion of Solaris. Then she survived the Pillar’s bloody uprising. She has sailed from Meru to Carsovia, and now here, all to return myself and another of Qwint’s champions. Her mission is to unite the peoples of the world’s edge together once more in a common cause.” Lavette’s words were part factual and part inspirational, already trying to compel others to their cause.And judging from some of the faces, she was doing a good job of it. “Carsovia has backed the force on Meru that was behind the attack on the tournament. It is because of them that our friends, family—our brothers and sisters in democracy were lost. She sees our aid. A force to join Solaris, and the remnants of Meru to expunge those behind this coup and regain the treaty we fought so hard for.”
“And tell me,” a man interjected, standing, “why should we care about a coup on Meru?”
“If Meru should fall—or become a puppet to Carsovia—then we are surrounded on all sides by a hostile force. How long will it be, then, until they turn their eyes to us?” Lavette retorted without missing a beat.
After the matter is brought to the hall, there will be open debate. It’s free-flowing, so long as it’s kept orderly. During this time, you can walk along the steel ring that surrounds the center, but step nowhere else, Lavette had instructed her before they entered.
“Carsovia is already knocking on our door,” a woman said. “Lavette is right. Do we want to risk having two fronts?”
“You always were courting the favor of the D’astres, Sahm. Tell us, who owns the land your manor is built on?” another jabbed.
Sahm bristled. “That is hardly relevant, Orloth.”
“Oh, I think it is,” he retorted.
The bell rang behind Eira and they silenced. “Let us focus on the matter at hand,” Uhn said with a scolding note.
“I do not seek aid that you cannot give.” Eira took the opportunity to interject her voice. “A single ship, a small but mighty force that can join with the remnants of Meru’s army and Solaris’s forces. I have seen firsthand the extent of Qwint’s magics. It will not take many from among you to be formidable.”
“As you have aptly taken note of, we are a small city-state. While, yes, we do possess our strengths, those strengths must be kept for ourselves and the benefit of our peoples. We have little and less to spare,” Orloth countered.
“Which I assume is precisely the reason why you sought the aid of the treaty to begin with.” Eira wasn’t going to be thrown off, or dissuaded. “I spent the first half of the evening yesterday admiring your city.” She began to walk along the lower circle slowly, addressing the entire room, everyone, all the way up to the balcony. As subtly and slowly as the incoming tide, she allowed her magic to flow across the room, lapping against jackets and shoes, listening in the back of her mind. “Your buildings are breathtaking. Artistry stunning. Your naval fortifications are—and I assure you this is not empty flattery—the best I have witnessed in this world.
“But you know what I did not see?” She paused for emphasis. “Fertile farmlands. Mountains rich with resources to mine. Trees to fell for lumber to build your houses and warm them through the winter.”
“Those magics you so praised can make a little in resources go a long way.” Orloth was positioned behind her now.
“If you had enough, you wouldn’t have joined the treaty in the first place.” She barely spared him a glance over her shoulder.
A purse of his lips was his only retort. But there were other murmurs. She knew she was risking their offense with that remark. But it was worth it to strike at the heart of the matter.
“The Solaris Empire has been building its armada—a fleet that is still strong and free of the Pillars’ influence. A fleet that will join our cause and could ferry all those resources you need from the lands of Solaris.” Eira folded her hands before her, standing a little taller. She allowed an authoritative tone to creepinto her voice, giving her words weight. “I am not asking for charity. I am proposing a deal.”
“And how will we know Solaris will keep its side of the bargain?” someone else asked.
Eira lifted her eyes.Don’t hate me for this,she half hoped, half silently begged. Her gaze landed on Cullen. His eyes widened a fraction.
“I sail with a noble lord of the Solaris Court, the first Windwalker returned, favored by the Empress Solaris herself. He will have the ear of the Solaris senate, the people,andthe Imperial family, whatever remains of it.”
Eira had been expecting Cullen to resent her. This whole time, he had been trying to escape the trappings and expectations of his nobility. And here she was, pulling him back to it. Demanding that he wear the mask and take on the mantle.
But, instead, an expression of raw determination overtook him. There was fire in his eyes, contrasting with a slight but confident smile. His chin dipped.I will, the movement said.
She brought her eyes back to the hall, more determined than ever.
“And, if not Solaris, then Meru will be forever in your debt. There is no way Qwint doesn’t succeed,” Eira finished.
“Unless your attempt to overthrow the coup fails,” Orloth said bitterly. Murmurs followed his response.
“Minister, if we fail in unseating Ulvarth, then Carsovia has won and you face not one but two fronts as you so feared,” Eira said gravely, framing the circumstances in a way that would matter most to all of them. “Helping me—helping Meru and Solaris is the only way for Qwint to come out ahead.”
Silence fell over the grand chamber. In the hush, Eira’s magic snagged on a familiar voice.
She’s going to do it, said the echo of Drogol.Expect her tomorrow.
Eira’s attention landed on a woman. She gave the unfamiliar minister a pointed, knowing stare. There was expectation in it. Recognition flashed in the minister’s eyes. Then, a brief, impressed rise of her brow. The woman slowly stood, as if she had been waiting for Eira to find her among the crowd—as though finding her had been some kind of lingering test for Eira to prove herself and her magic.
The subtle expression on the woman’s face faded as if it were never there at all.
