“And the people in the Imperium?” I asked. “They are suffering as it crumbles around them.”
“The people of the north would suffer more. The Ariphadi goblins would be driven further into their desert, away from trading routes and oases. The people of Ristorium will never know what it is to walk on solid land rather than their floating islands.” Tallu spoke fiercely, reassuring himself. “No child will ever know what it is to live in a continent that is atpeacewithout the end of the Imperium.”
“But are we creating a generation of orphans to give them that freedom?” I asked.
Tallu’s face was still turned away from me, and he lifted his arm, the dragon tattoo shifting as he covered his face. “I knew. Of course I knew what the consequences would be. But there was no other way. To let House Atobe continue? To guarantee that my heirs would be like me and not my father? To hope that all future generals would be like Saxu rather than Kacha? I have been too long in the Imperium not to know the only way to end my empire is to break it and let the pieces slice every hand that would try and grasp power until there is nothing left besides blood.”
“And Bemishu and Kacha?” I asked.
“They are scrabbling for their wars, but they will eventually lose the Imperium, and the resources with it. You cannot fight a war without resources.” Tallu pulled his arm away from his face. He next words were like a prayer. “They will give in and fail.”
We were nearlyat the ocean when General Kacha caught up with us. Lady Jolushi’s captains had gone around the capital,finding routes avoiding Heron Lake, taking us toward a delta where the ocean and rivers met.
“We’ve made good time,” General Saxu had said. “Better time than I expected. I would be surprised if any of General Kacha’s spies were faster than we were. We should be out to sea by the time either he or Bemishu knows where we are.”
Still, something in me wasn’t surprised when I heard the shouting above deck during a quiet lunch, General Saxu calling out his orders. I shoved away my plate, rushing above, Tallu a few steps behind me, only to be blocked at the last set of stairs.
“Your Imperial Majesty, your safety is the most important thing. If you go above deck, you are endangering everyone on this ship.” Sagam panted from having run to find us. He kept his words quiet, bowing low, silently begging for Tallu’s understanding even as his shoulders rose and fell with his exhaustion.
“What is going on?” Tallu asked.
“Two of Kacha’s ships were caught trailing us,” Sagam said. “They are far enough behind that General Saxu has ordered some of the explosive canisters to be dropped in the water behind our last ship.”
Iradîo came down from the deck, Naî nestled on her shoulder. “They’re still far behind us.”
“Would they have any way of getting in front of us?” I asked Sagam.
He frowned, clearly considering my words. “I can ask, and in return, I request both of you return to the emperor’s cabin.”
“Bring me Saxu,” Tallu ground out. But he turned, grabbing hold of my arm and dragging me with him.
We waited, Tallu standing to pace when Saxu took a few minutes to arrive. As soon as the general entered, his bow impeccable as always, if a bit brief, Tallu demanded, “Can they block us from the delta?”
“Not with ships, not unless General Kacha has already gained Namati’s loyalty.” Saxu frowned, reaching to his left. Rede alreadyhad the map on hand, handing it over. He opened it on the table, weighing down the edges with small dragon figurines. “We are here. As far as we can tell, Kacha’s men are several miles behind us. They were last sighted here. Their boats are smaller, although that does not guarantee they’re faster.”
He pointed to the map, and I traced the thick blue line of the river we were on. They were far enough away that we would likely still make the delta before them.
“You are right, though, to ask if they can get ahead of us. What I fear is that, knowing our destination, Kacha has set some sort of trap ahead of us.” Saxu frowned down at the map.
“Explosive canisters like the ones you left in the water?” I asked.
“Or a trawling line,” Saxu said. “If he had nets that we couldn’t see under the water, we would run right into them.”
I exhaled sharply, feeling my brow tighten. “Do we have any scouting vessels we can send ahead?”
“Only if we slow our own boats, giving them a chance to beat us to the delta,” Saxu said.
“So either we slow down, potentially giving Kacha’s boats a chance to catch up with us, or we barrel ahead, possibly into a trap that will kill us?” I asked. “I have to appreciate how you never bring us easy problems, General Saxu.”
Saxu smiled tightly.
Tallu leaned back, considering. I noticed the room was suddenly fuller, all four of the blood mages melting through the wall to listen in. I glanced at them, but Lerolian shook his head.
“No new news from the top deck,” he said. “But everyone is very afraid.”
“What would you recommend?” Tallu asked.
Saxu looked at him in surprise, his face relaxing as he considered the problem. It was further proof that Tallu had taken his advice. I didn’t know Emperor Millu personally, but I couldn’t see the man listening to all opinions before making a decision.
