That drew a few chuckles from the benches, though Palla’s lips barely twitched. “What is it that you hope to achieve here in Pyren, exactly? Why did you come?”
“I’m here for assistance,” I said. “You see, I was not sent to Pyren by choice. I was drugged and kidnapped by a political rival. They seemed to think that sending me to Pyren was their best chance of seizing my lands, and they sent me on a cargo ship.”
“It seems their plan worked,” Palla said dryly.
“I believe that if Pyren and Brisden were to cooperate, we could start a powerful political alliance. If you aid me in returning?—”
“With all due respect,” Palla interrupted, “we have nothing to gain by aligning ourselves with an exiled duchess. What purpose would be served in us helping you get back to Brisden?”
“Beyond a new, grateful ally, you would gain access to Brisden’s ports, the richest in the western seas. A partnership between our nations could open trade routes that the whole world would envy. I’ll also have the ear of the king once I’m returned and my position is reinstated.”
“A moment to recess, if you please,” one of the older men in Parliament said, then the members all gathered, speaking in a long stream of hisses that I couldn’t catch a word of.
I didn’t dare look at Zafir. I hadn’t said much. Was it enough? It was a big ask and my story was already feeble at best. It would fall apart at the slightest investigation. How often did people from Pyren travel to Brisden?
“Zafir, a moment?” Palla called from the circle, beckoning him over.
Zafir walked sedately over, getting as close to the group as possible without straining our chain. My heart was hammering within my chest and I focused on the leaping blue flames in the brazier centered in the room. What would happen if they called my bluff? I couldn’t be in any worse of a situation than I already was…right?
After several minutes that felt like an eternity in the stifling heat, the Parliament members broke apart and returned to their seats and Zafir crossed to stand at my side once more. I snuck a glance at his face, but his stony expression was the same as always, and I couldn’t even get a hint at his thoughts.
“We appreciate your trade offer and we sympathize with your plight,” Palla began. Her tone already sounded dismissive. “But until we have more information, we simply cannot allocate resources to transporting you back to Brisden. Such an undertaking would require chartering a dragon, and as we are still rebuilding after our war with Termarth, we can’t justify the expense. The distance and expense of travel is already the primary reason we have no trade routes with Brisden. It’s simply not cost effective, and though I’m sure your territories produce many wonderful goods to export, none would be worth the expense of the trade route.”
My heart sank. I hadn’t expected them to leap at the chance, but even so… How would I ever get back home? When would I be able to talk to my sister again?
“But…but then what am I supposed to do if I can’t go back home?” I asked uncertainly.
“The parliament will continue to deliberate and we will write to officials in Brisden,” she said. “Until your claim is verified, Zafir recommended that you remain in Pyren under supervision.”
“Supervision?”
She raised an amused eyebrow. “Underhissupervision. So it would seem that Zafir is your attendant and supervisor at the same time. We recognize that you’re a displaced citizen in need of aid, and though we can’t give you a private return voyage, we are willing to grant you partial citizenship so you can work as a contributing member of society. Zafir offered to take you on as an apprentice alchemist.”
I shot a look at Zafir, whose mouth twitched ever so slightly. Was this him having a sense of humor or mocking me? Or both?
“We know it isn’t the same as being a duchess,” Julian’s father added kindly. “But that’s the best we can offer until Brisden verifies your claim. I’m sure you understand our hesitation.”
My smile froze in place. “Of course. Thank you for your generosity while we get the situation worked out.” I rose and curtsied.
The gavel cracked again. “This session is adjourned.”
When we were finally escorted out and I was alone with Zafir again, I leaned closer and whispered, “Apprentice alchemist?”
“It was the best I could do. At least it bought us some time.”
“What’ll we do when they find out I’m not a duchess?”
“Hopefully by that time, you’ll have charmed Julian. I never expected Parliament to fund the voyage. They will hold you at arm’s length and keep you placated until they can prove that you’re not a duchess. We just need enough time for you to?—”
“Duchess!” Hurried footsteps came from behind me and both Zafir and I turned to see Julian’s father coming up the path. “Duchess, a moment, please? My name is Rogan.”
“Of course, how may I help you?” I asked with a smile.
“My son wanted me to give this to you,” he puffed, still out of breath from running, handing over a scroll. “He wanted to invite you to the city bazaar tonight.”
Zafir’s upper lip curled slightly. “Why didn’t he deliver it himself?”
Rogan bristled. “He had other important matters to attend to.”
