“We will be in Pine Thorn Province soon,” I commented in our carriage, the electro magic keeping it running smoothly even over the steep peaks. Empress Koque nodded, running a golden brush through Prince Hallu’s curling hair.
“I have met with Lady Jolushi, who assures me that, although her husband is missing, she has his full authority to act as regent until their son comes of age.” Empress Koque kept her eyes on Hallu despite the reflections from the golden brush that flashed light on the walls of the carriage.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Lady Jolushi. By and large, all houses were run by patriarchs. I had yet to see one that evenalloweda regent, much less awomanacting as one. Empress Koque paused, her fingers tracing over a knot in Hallu’s hair. He didn’t react as she tugged on it gently pulling strands free one at a time.
“What do you think of the lady, Your Imperial Majesty?” Koque asked.
Tallu looked away from the window, his eyes going distant. After a few moments, he shook his head.
“I know very little of her. Do you have information that you think I should know?” he asked.
“She was Lord Jolushi’sfirstwife,” Koque said. She finished untangling the knot in Hallu’s hair and returned to brushing. “I believe that, if the capital hadn’t been taken, Lord Jolushi might have thrown her aside in favor of someone younger and more fertile.”
“But, they have a son, don’t they?” I asked.
“Bastard,” Terror muttered from my shoulder. “She’s raising him as her own. You wouldn’t find me sharing a nest with a cuckoo, but she seems happy enough with him.”
Koque watched the bird with interest before answering the question. “I do not believe the son ishers, although he was recognized as Jolushi’s heir.”
“It’s interesting that she and the son made it out of the capital, while her husband was left behind.” With a significant glance at Tallu, I said, “I’m sure he died inbattledefending you as Kacha’s and Bemishu’s forces took the capital.”
Tallu smirked. “We will have to consider.”
“Consort Airón,I understand Emperor Tallu is considering Lady Jolushi’s request.” Empress Koque spoke over her cup of tea. The small tent that had been set up for her in the wide-open field we had taken over for the noon meal was carefully protected from listening ears by her loyal servants. Of course, Nohe had sent one of my servants along as well, as though not to be outdone by the empress’s retinue. My servant was a shy girl, often overpowered by Homisu’s strong personality when she assisted him in dressing me.
Iradîo had taken over for Asahi as my bodyguard, and from the way her head was tilted, listening to the flock of birds in the tree, she was taking the opportunity to catch up on gossip.
“Do you have something he should consider?” I took a sip of the tea, tasting the sharp and bitter notes that indicated it hadcome from the mountainous region we were entering. “I would think, being a lady whose husband is no longer with us, you might share some sympathy with her.”
“I would never seek to influence His Imperial Majesty’s decisions,” Empress Koque said carefully. “I understand the grace that Prince Hallu and I have been given. However, I wanted to acquaint you, as one less familiar with our customs, with the game board on which His Imperial Majesty is playing. It is one thing for the emperor to throw his support behind Lord Yiilipo. Even Lord Domusho understands the position he put himself in, abandoning his wife. Despite the cut, Lord Domusho still feels safer with the emperor, given that he still travels with us rather than staying behind in River Otter Province.”
“But you think it is dangerous for Emperor Tallu to support Lady Jolushi?” I asked.
“It would threaten the structure that the Imperium is built on. If he lets her act as regent, it increases her station, and all women’s along with it. Given the current instability in the Imperium, playing the games that His Imperial Majesty is used to playing and keeping the court on its toes might be seen as a sign that the emperor is not the strong hand that will lead us out of the crisis.” It was amazing how carefully Koque worded her statements, as though merely informing me rather than stating an opinion.
“Who approached you?” I asked, unable to phrase my own suspicion as carefully as she phrased hers.
“Lord Domusho. He claims a number of the lords following His Imperial Majesty have expressed concern and he wishes to know if I believe Prince Hallu ready for the crown.” Koque’s face pinched, her fingers flexing on her delicate teacup.
“I’m sure the prince would be ready, should the worst happen to His Imperial Majesty. It is why Emperor Tallu has such faith in his brother and, by extension, you.” I glanced around, but the servants had carefully positioned themselves out of range of ourconversation, and we had kept our tones quiet. “Has the Kennel been informed?”
“I wasn’t sure if that was the best course of action,” Koque said. “The Dogs are good at defending His Imperial Majesty, and I’m sure they would make quick work of such a threat, but a public display might be more efficient.”
In other words, quiet assassinations of Lord Domusho and whoever else agreed with him would only increase the panic in the court. Imperials needed toseeblood spilled.
“We would need to know who else agreed with Lord Domusho for any action to be effective.” I considered. Between the blood mages and the birds, we would have a good idea of his supporters, but it might be time to see if the Kennelmaster was training Sagam well for his new role.
Standing, I nodded at Empress Koque, and she bowed to me, low enough to be a sign of respect, a sign of my superior rank. She had brought the problem to me, the issue that she could have easily handled herself. Did that mean thatshewas beginning to see me as her successor rather than her student for the position?
When I left the small tent, Iradîo trailed with me, my servant behind her. I gestured a polite dismissal, and the servant broke off, returning to the area of the camp that Nohe had claimed for me.
“What is it?” Iradîo asked in Northern.
“Lord Domusho,” I said. “Who’s been meeting with him?”
“The birds have only been focused on Pine Thorn Province,” Iradîo said. “They claim that the people there fought off one of Bemishu’s scouting parties, retaining the rights to the forests and the lumber in them. They have a good opinion of Lady Jolushi, who spends most of her time in the province rather than the capital. I can have them start trailing Domusho.”
I shook my head. Tallu and I had been so focused on the provinces we were approaching, that we had paid too little attention to the provinces behind us.
