This time, no press was invited to document the meeting between two nations. Vanya escorted Taisiya inside, seeing the Tovanians were already settled on the floating cabana. Akeheni stood at their arrival, her gaze intent as Vanya and Taisiya approached the saltwater pool. The clothes she wore for today’s meeting were far more elaborate than they had been in the past, the collar of her shirt cut in such a way as to show off the vibrant black ink tattooed over her collarbones and up her throat.
The Tovan Isles’Uriwore no crowns, as they governed similarly to how theComhairle nan Cinnidheandid in E’ridia. In lieu of clans, Tovanians claimed their ship-cities and the long-held names attributed to those vessels. Akeheni’s facial tattoos indicated she was a captain of one such ship-city, as well as an ambassador. The tattoos she revealed now indicated she had been granted a seat on theUri, given the title of chief for one of the six sub-nations that spanned the crews of the ship-cities. It was as good a sign as any the Tovan Isles were serious about the treaty on the table.
“I see congratulations are in order,Uri’kaAkeheni,” Vanya said, inclining his head out of respect to another ruler.
Akeheni nodded just as regally. “Well met, Emperor. TheUrithought it prudent to show our resolve to this alliance. The matriarch of my ship-city’s crew nation allowed my mother to cede her seat to me, and I take up her duty with honor to speed things along.”
“I’ve heard from my envoy only good news brings you to our shores.”
“Indeed. TheUrifelt your request was prudent to our shared goals.”
“So it seems.”
Vanya escorted Taisiya to a low cushioned seat at the edge of the pool. The one reserved for himself was far grander than the others, but he stayed standing for the moment, willing to meet Akeheni on the same level. He turned to face the Tovanian. “To be frank, I was anticipating a much longer wait. What changed?”
He’d sent his envoy across the waves back at the beginning of Sixth Month. It was Seventh Month now, summer heat rising like the Lion constellation in the night sky. It was the Dawn Star’s season, though Vanya had yet to direct any prayers toward Solaria’s guiding star.
Akeheni pursed her lips, the tattoos around her mouth pulling tight as she crossed her arms over her chest. “We discovered arionetkain one of the lower circles of theUriamidst the talks that were happening regarding the treaty. It was…eye-opening.”
Vanya grimaced, well aware of the physical toll taken on the body when one was turned into arionetkaand the political fallout that could happen after they were discovered. “Do they still live?”
“Your ambassador counseled us against attempting to undo the magic powering the clockwork metal heart, that it would kill the victim through a self-destruct spell. Therionetkacould not give theUrian answer on who performed the operation or who they were feeding information to. The ship-city they hailed from had a manifest with a history stretching back to Second Month showing ports of call in Helia, Oeiras, Seaville, and other smaller seaside towns. There is no telling where the operation would have occurred.”
“My condolences to the crewmate in question. I well know the travesty of a life caught up in the strings of arionetka.”
“We’ve instituted physical checks, and foreigners are barred from Port Avi without proper clearance. But it prompted theUrito agree to Solaria’s proposed alliance when it comes to patrolling your shores in exchange for the production of munitions built to our specs. I am here to sign that treaty on behalf of theUri.”
Vanya raised an eyebrow. “You Tovanians have your own production facilities on your main island. I’m not against the request, but Solaria’s Legion is dug in at our northern border and fighting to retake avasilyet. I would be happy to go over the request with my military aides, but your favored weapons are not ours, and reconfiguring a production facility is an undertaking they may counsel against.”
“Therionetkahad access to the supplies their ship-city traded for and bought, which included components for the defensive arsenal. We can’t risk using it until it’s been subjected to a thorough and extensive review by our engineers and magicians. Rather than trade for hard materials, theUriwould rather Solaria produce it for us at a discount. Considering we will be patrolling your shoreline, it will be used in your defense.”
“I’ll impress upon my military advisors that your request is a fair trade. Daijal won’t see it that way once they learn of our treaty.”
Akeheni’s smile was a sharp thing. “TheUridoes not care.”
Vanya nodded. “Very well,Uri’ka. Then let us discuss about how our countries might aid each other.”
Both of them got settled as Caelum and Greer facilitated the talks with their Tovanian counterparts. Caelum eventually summoned the handful of military aides who had followed them to Oeiras. At some point, he brought over the telephone that rested on the side table, enabling Vanya to call General Chu Hua, who was back in Calhames.
Taisiya left at the lunch break, off to see to Raiah, while Vanya continued the finalization of the treaty. He didn’t need the Senate to vote on it, as Solaria’s borders were under Vanya’s authority. Getting approval from the Legion, while not required, kept everyone happy.
“We can spare the production facility between Oeiras and Calhames,” Chu Hua eventually said, a rumble of approval around her from the other officers she’d summoned for the call echoing through the receiver into Vanya’s ear.
“Agreed,” Vanya said. A final flurry of chatter across the line finished up with Chu Hua tendering a farewell. Vanya set the receiver back in the pronged cradle and focused on Akeheni. “My advisors are agreeable to the location, as am I. We will set the treaty signing ceremony for tomorrow.”
He would need to send word to the Senate about what was being agreed to, and Caelum would need time to round up the press for the ceremony so that news could be distributed via broadsheets in all cities. Overall, the alliance would be worth the anticipated headache he would endure over the next few days, but Vanya didn’t believe the Houses would find his decision made in bad faith.
Akeheni stood, pressing a fist over her heart and bowing her head. “May our countries ever have calm waters when we sail together.”
“My household has prepared a celebratory meal for us tonight,” Vanya said.
“We’ll gladly join you.”
The meeting broke up, and Vanya exited the dignitary room, swept up in Caelum’s political needs. Vanya led the way to his office but found his way blocked by a welcome distraction.
“Papa!” Raiah exclaimed, launching herself at him.
Vanya smiled, gathering her into his arms and holding her close. She was warm, skin sun-kissed from being outside. “Did you convince your governess to give you lessons in the garden today?”
