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“I am fine,” Tallu said. “You and I have recently enjoyed some time alone, and I suffered no consequences for it.”

I sniffed the air, but smelled no blood on his breath, although the scent of electricity lingered on him, sharp and foreign. Narrowing my eyes, I closed the space between us, but was somehow still surprised when he kissed me.

His lips were plush and welcoming, and he consumed me with his kiss. I could find no space. I had to yield to him, give in, and so I relaxed into it. When we pulled apart, Tallu was watching me with his russet eyes, the corners lifted into a smirk.

“You worry too much over me. I am fine.” His breath caressed my ear. “Do as I say: wait for us to speak with the goblins when Choethei returns with the local tribes, let them reassure me their brethren in the deep desert will not kill you as soon as you land, and then you may use your dragon to cross a desert that has stymied generations of imperial generals.”

“You must not like your head very much if you think to call her my dragon.” But I felt something like relief at his words, my chest relaxing. “Fine. But only because it will mean more time here and less time with sand in every crevice of my body.”

Within a week, Choethei returned with representatives from the local goblin tribe. General Saxu’s sentries caught sight of them nearly a full day before they reached us, and General Saxu and Lord Mutali both went out to meet them. I watched with Tallu from the walls, four Dogs around us. Lerolian stood next to us, the desert breeze not ruffling his hair, his expression grim.

“I can attempt to walk out there, but I do not speak the goblin language,” Lerolian said.

“Do you believe Lord Mutali will translate honestly?” Tallu asked, the question ostensibly for me, given all the Dogs present, but in reality for Lerolian.

“He has been very helpful since we saved him from the threat of Lord Pehine,” I said.

Tallu rested his hands on top of the wall, one of his fingers tapping idly. Lerolian answered the question immediately.

“Even when they are alone, he and his wife are very careful. They say nothing suspicious, and I believe they have no one else supporting them except for his family. Since they have had no communication from his patriarch, they have no reason to betray you.” Lerolian pressed a hand to his chest, rubbing his fingertips over one of the wounds there. “However, they both miss his mistresses greatly. It appears the affection between the four was shared equally, and Lady Mutali grieves their loss. Given that, I must wonder if Lord Mutali has a stronger relationship with the goblin tribe than he presented.”

“A single goblin tribe with elephants might be able to make these walls fall when all of Pehine’s men couldn’t.” I put my hand next to Tallu’s, letting our fingers brush.

“They would not have approached so openly if they intended to attack us. Only a fool gives up the advantage of surprise,” Tallu said.

We watched until General Saxu and Lord Mutali turned, beginning the long walk back to the estate. When they arrived, they joined us on top of the walls, both bowing respectfully. I could see the sweat on General Saxu’s forehead. When we eventually made our way deep into the desert, it would not be easy on him.

“I apologize, Your Imperial Majesty, but the warriors are not willing to meet with you. They are here for their people, and the people of the other local tribes.” Lord Mutali kept himself bowed, his shoulders tense.

“Do they have any way of contacting those in the deep desert?” Tallu asked.

“They do, but they did not admit as much. It is only my knowledge of the tribes that allows me to hear what they are not saying.” Lord Mutali managed to lower his bow another inch.

“Rise. Go find those among the goblin slaves who will be returning home now,” Tallu said.

Lord Mutali hesitated, his back trembling. “Your Imperial Majesty, you could force them to tell you how to contact the deep desert people.”

“How?” Tallu asked.

“The slaves you have are dear enough to them that they sent their people immediately. I believe they expect you to threaten the lives of the slaves if they do not agree to aid you,” Lord Mutali said.

The wind whistled across the parapet, and even General Saxu waited to see what Tallu would do.

“That is beneath me. It shames me that another sovereign power would dare assume something like that about me,” Tallu said. “Give them the slaves. I have no use for the despicably underhanded practices that General Kacha and General Bemishu need to employ. Tell them that we head into the desert tomorrow, without their assistance.”

Twenty-Three

General Saxu immediately began issuing orders to his men, and I went to go find Naî and four goblins who believed their tribe was within the journey of a single night. Naî was unhappy. The desert disagreed with her: too hot and an unrelenting sun.

She spent most of her time in the cool underground cellars built to protect food. Coaxing her out, I promised she and I would only be flying at night. During the day, she could stay on one of the elephant platforms. I would even fan her personally as long as she helped us find our direction at night.

Choethei was leaving the estate with the slaves when I finally persuaded her out of her tantrum.

I stopped next to him, watching the dozens of slaves moving through the gates, their hunched shoulders and shuffling feet showing their hesitation. It was a form of bravery to turn their backs on the imperials when they believed they were about to be cut down.

“Does the emperor truly plan to take his men into the desert?” Choethei asked me.

“We begin our journey tonight,” I said. We would all travel together, then at night, Naî and I would scout the path ahead, returning to rest during the day. There were several goblins who had agreed to help us on our journey, in exchange for being reunited with their people.