“She’s in New Haven, according to the reports, and hasn’t left yet.”
“Will she come to Amari? Do you think she will try for the starfire throne?”
“She’ll try for an invasion,” Dureau said flatly. He reached into his inner pocket and pulled free an envelope. The piece of paper he withdrew from it was covered in code, but he could read it easily enough. “There’s a worrying amount of troop buildup along the border between Istal and Haighmoor. I wouldn’t be surprised if she crowns herself and taps the Daijal army for an invasion.”
“The western provinces will thank her for it,” Lore said bitterly.
“Not all of them. Haighmoor is a city we can ill afford to lose, but the army isn’t headquartered there.”
Caris blinked in surprise. “Isn’t it? The military academy is there.”
“The Daijal court worked hard to wind the Ashion army down and put restrictions on the number of soldiers who could be enlisted. That doesn’t mean we listened,” Meleri said.
Caris thought about the people she’d seen guarding the Auclair estate here and the numerous people who had come to visit Lore in the last few days. She thought, too, of the groups of gunslingers who offered their services of protection for those who traveled the roads in the Eastern Basin.
The hints had always been there, she realized. Eimarille might have pushed a policy of political propaganda, but that didn’t mean Meleri and the other nobles who still held allegiance to an empty throne had sat idle. The Clockwork Brigade was only one aspect of their rebellion, she was coming to realize.
“You have an army? One large enough to withstand an invasion?” Honovi asked in a painfully neutral voice.
Meleri pursed her lips before shaking her head slowly. “Ashion’s army is not the size of Daijal’s, and we can’t beg for help from other countries through diplomatic channels. Not officially.”
“Not unless Eimarille crosses our country’s borders as well,” Blaine said evenly.
The look Honovi shot him was heavy, but he didn’t argue against that warning. Caris supposed the existence ofrionetkaswas enough to hold his tongue, or perhaps the bullet wound he’d acquired was the reason for his silence.
“The death-defying machine has been in use for years, from what Wyatt said. Both in Solaria and in Daijal. It’s not just an army of the living we have to worry about, but one of revenants,” Lore said.
“I find it unlikely that Solaria’s emperor has thrown his lot in with Eimarille,” Honovi said.
“It’s not his House who gave support to Eimarille’s desire,” Meleri said.
Honovi tipped his head in silent acknowledgment of that statement. “The last time the Houses attempted war against each other, a city fell.”
“This time, it might be their country. If they have a House working against them and with Eimarille, then the southern border will not be neutral. Ashion will have a fight on two fronts.”
“Three,” Dureau piped up. “Urova has favored Daijal over Ashion the last few generations. I wouldn’t trust our northern border to hold.”
“We still need to ask them for aid. They might give it.” Meleri turned her head to look at Honovi. “Do you think the Eastern Spine will be enough to hold Eimarille back if she follows this road at the urging of a star god?”
Honovi seemed troubled but unsurprised at her question. “TheComhairle nan Cinnidheanhas been aware of the threat Eimarille poses for some time now.”
“The Clockwork Brigade’s overtures have found no solace in your country’s politicians.”
“You are a rebellion, and Ashion has no head of state. Your parliament is beholden to Daijal and has been since the Inferno. You cannot send a delegation that will be listened to.”
He spoke with a sureness that made Caris’ stomach twist, but the cold unease that swept through her came from Blaine’s words.
“But Caris could. Was that not your plan all along, Meleri?” Blaine asked. “Was that not why you came for me in Glencoe?”
Caris dug her fingers into her knees, keeping her attention on Blaine rather than everyone else looking back at her. The regret in his gaze made her want to scream.
“I’m no figurehead,” Caris said. “I’m noqueen.”
“You’re hope enough to bring together even those who have questioned the Clockwork Brigade’s existence over the years,” Meleri said.
“I won’t be your pawn.”
“Then what will you be, when war comes to our country?”
