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[Attolia's husband] took her wine as carelessly as he had taken her country, and choked on it, and died.
The young queen had laid her plans carefully, but one of the would-be allies she bestowed her jewels upon betrayed what he knew to her barons. So the barons were ready when her guard captain shot the next proposed husband, and locked queen and captain both in her own dungeon while they argued about whom she should be forced to marry.
By the time they had decided, the dungeons were empty.
A few months later, a pirate queen was rumored to be operating out of the neutral islands.
Relius was certain the stories about the pirate queen were true. Not all of them, of course - he doubted she was in the habit of cutting out her enemies' still-beating hearts. That was the kind of thing you did once, to make a point. But in the past few years he'd painstakingly acquired informants at almost every port in Attolia, and by now the pattern of attacks and lost goods was clear. Now, with tensions between Attolia and Sounis escalating, he was hearing reports of attacks on Sounisian ships instead. The most recent victim was part of Sounis' navy. It was time to find out for himself whether his most outlandish theory about the pirate queen was true.
She was surprisingly easy to find. Once in the neutral islands, he had only to mention he was thinking of joining the pirate queen to have several locals eager to point the way to erstwhile tavern now occupied by her crew when they weren't sailing. Perhaps they were used to visitors who wanted to join her crew...and perhaps, Relius reflected, considering some of the more outrageous stories, they enjoyed seeing how she dealt with unwanted visitors. He'd just have to make himself wanted.
Outside the building a man with the unmistakable bearing of a soldier stood by the door. As Relius approached he moved to block the entrance. "Where do you think you're going?"
Relius looked up at the man's face to avoid staring at his biceps, only to find himself staring at an aquiline nose and square jaw instead. Great. "Uh. To see the pirate queen?"
"Of course," the man said impatiently. "And why would she want to see you? You don't look like a fighter."
He was very good at fighting dirty, actually, but this guard would probably jump at the chance to make him prove it. "I have information." It was a gamble. He did have information, but he wasn't sure any of it would be new.
The man grunted. "Lucky timing for you, then." He gestured, and Relius turned to see a tall dark-haired woman a few paces away from them.
His first impression was one of blood. She wore a high-collared red jacket with black lace at the neck over billowy red pants tucked into flat-soled boots. Rubies in her earrings and the thin circlet of gold around her forehead echoed the red of her clothes. She stood at ease next to her guard and asked, "Why have you brought me a rat, Teleus?"
"Brought himself," Teleus grumbled. "Says he has information, but I was leaning towards throwing him out."
Her dark eyes regarded Relius. "From Attolia?"
"Yes. Your majesty?"
She gave a sharp nod. "Bring him in. Information from Attolia has been slow getting here recently."
Inside she perched on a table, back ramrod straight as if it were a throne. "Your name?"
"Relius."
She didn't bother asking for a surname. "What do you know?"
The men and women inside had looked up when they came in, then pretended to go back to whatever they had been doing before; Relius knew they were watching him. "The king is having trouble keeping his barons in line," Relius began. Teleus' scowl deepened. "That's not news," he added hastily. "Erondites wants to move against him, which I am sure is not news to you either. But recently the Mede ambassador has been meeting Erondites in secret. I believe he has decided it is in the Medes' interest to instigate rebellion. Here." Relius reached into his pocket and pulled out the crumpled and slightly charred piece of parchment he hoped would secure his welcome. "A message from Erondites to Nahuseresh."
As the queen read one eyebrow arched higher and higher. Finally she looked up from the letter and said, "If this is real, someone was careless with incriminating evidence."
"It was intended for the kitchen fires," Relius explained. "I intercepted it while it was still legible."
The queen flicked a charred corner and watched the bits of ash float to the floor. "I see."
"The ambassador sends his secretary to the kitchens to burn all his personal correspondence."
"Hmm. What does the Mede plan to do about Sounis?"
"I don't know anything specific, but for now he seems content to let the pirates harry them."
"Hmm," she said again. "You could have sold this information to Sounis."
Relius shrugged.
"So why bring it me, and without naming a price? What is it you want?"
Relius studied her face. He'd seen the queen -- princess, actually -- of Attolia once, several years ago, from a distance. She had seemed like a frightened child. This woman's height and coloring were similar enough, but her bearing had transformed. It would have been necessary for her to survive. Well, he hadn't expected them to reveal her identity so easily. He assumed his most nonchalant air. "It is arrogant, perhaps, but I thought I might be able to assist the rightful queen of Attolia in winning back her throne."
He watched Teleus as he said this; he was sure by now that the pirate queen would not let her expression betray anything. Teleus' eyes widened. He opened his mouth to speak, but the queen held up a hand. "How fascinating. What if I am not the rightful queen?"
Relius considered the current state of Attolia. "Well," he said, "You are not Kallicertes or Erondites."
"And there are no better candidates in Attolia?" She waved off his answer. "Find him a room, Teleus, and some clothes appropriate for the ship."
Information from Attolia was in a more dire state than the queen had let on at their first meeting. None of what she had was inaccurate -- a testament to her ability to cultivate spies -- but it was incomplete and often outdated. With the growing threat of war with Sounis, all Attolia's ports were more carefully guarded than usual.
Which was why they were now in port at Ephrata, where the Attolian court currently resided. Or, more accurately, the ship was anchored in a nearby cove out of sight of the harbor, and Relius was anchored to a chair in the captain's cabin, attempting to convince her to send someone else on this fool's errand.
"If you don't trust me yet, then send a spy you do trust," he argued. "What if someone recognizes you?"
The queen raised an eyebrow without turning her head towards him; it was held fast by the woman arranging her hair. "At a masked ball? Hardly. Besides, I suspect getting him to talk will be simpler for a woman."
If anyone else had said it, Relius would have processed the implication immediately. As it was, he sat staring for a moment before blurting, "You're going to sleep with him?!"
"Gods, no." The queen made a face like she had swallowed something bitter. "I'd sooner slit his throat. I shall flirt, drink, slip some lethium into his wine, and obtain the information I need before he falls asleep."
"Ah."
"And if it turns out he is not attracted to women, I suppose you can try next. Not sleeping with him, though I won't question your methods if they get results."
She said it with no expression, but Relius was reasonably sure it was a joke. All the same, he answered, "Yes, your majesty."
"Good. I like to have a backup plan." She undoubtedly already had at least two. "Phresine, is it necessary to have quite so many hairpins stabbing my scalp?"
"It is if you want this hairstyle to stay in place, dear," Phresine answered calmly. Relius still wasn't sure what Phresine's role on the ship was, apart from being the only person who dared address the queen as anything other than "your majesty".
When she returned several hours later the queen immediately began pacing the deck as she yanked pins out of her hair. "What an arrogant twit," she announced with grim satisfaction. "He is convinced the easiest route to Sounis is through Eddis. Hah! I'd swear he hasn't learned a thing since he's been here." She paused to shake her hair out. More hairpins clattered against the deck. "Convenient for Sounis, especially since they've been trying for a closer alliance with Eddis. Ruinous for Attolia, though. Weigh anchor. We're paying Eddis a visit."
Teleus was on her heels as she went to her cabin, and Relius on his heels.
"We've never sailed up river--"
"Does Eddis not already know--"
The queen rounded on them with an icy glare. "We can march up river if you prefer, Teleus. Yes, I am sure Eddis knows. She also knows a war with Attolia would be long and costly. She may be open to an...alternate solution."
They got no further information about this solution before reaching Eddis, except that the pirate queen planned to march right up to the gates of Eddis and ask for an audience. Relius and Teleus rarely agreed about tactics, because Teleus thought shaking a sword at someone would solve most problem, but they were united in the opinion that this was her most foolhardy plan yet. Attolia was threatening war, and we aren't Attolian was just what Attolian spies would say. When questioned about it, she only said, "wait and see."
Now they were standing before the gates of Eddis, waiting to see. Two guards came out of the gatehouse to demand their identities and business. "We want an audience with your queen."
"And you are?" the older guard asked again.
"I am the pirate queen. These are my first and second mates." His rank was news to Relius. He felt more like a secretary.
The guard grunted. "Sure you are. I'm not taking that message to my queen."
The queen was unperturbed. "To her Minister of War, then." Relius and Teleus exchanged an alarmed glance behind her back.
"You won't enjoy that meeting," the guard said grimly. Both guards turned and made for the gatehouse without giving her a chance to change her mind.
The gates stayed shut. They waited.
At last the gatehouse opened again and a short but powerfully built man exited by himself. His surprise was betrayed only by the slightest pause in his stride as he got close enough to recognize them. He stood at ease and said brusquely, "My queen anticipated you would visit sooner."
"I thought I should wait until I had a mutual arrangement to offer. Will she see us?"
"She's holding her public audience now. You may come."
"We would prefer a private meeting."
He shrugged. "You'll wait, then. Follow me."
The Minister of War led them through the palace too fast for Relius to get his bearings. He must be taking a circuitous route -- surely the palace of Eddis wasn't this big. At last he led them into a small, unremarkable sitting room. "Someone will come for you when she wants you. Most likely me."
Relius waited a respectable amount of time after he'd left to test the door. It opened easily.
"Stay," the queen commanded sharply.
Relius looked back at her. "You think it was left open as a test?"
"I don't care if it's a test. Our plan does not include spying on Eddis." She paused. "At least for the moment."
As they approached the throne room a guard barred the door. "Weapons," he barked.
Relius handed over his single knife and, while his companions divested themselves of their much larger number weapons, discreetly peered around the guard for a glimpse of the queen of Eddis. She had short brown hair and a crooked nose, a narrow crown almost hidden by her curls; an unremarkable person -- until her gaze caught his, and she smiled. Relius suddenly understood why his informants said every Eddisian was ready to die for her.
They approached the throne. Before they could bow, Eddis said, "Irene." The pirate queen took a step forward and inclined her head. "Are you planning to retake your throne in time to stop Attolia from declaring war on the rest of the Peninsula?"
"That would be ideal, don't you think?"
Eddis drummed her fingers against the arm of her throne. "Eddis has never been conquered."
"No," the pirate queen acknowledged. "But what would the cost be?"
"I assume you came with a proposal. Tell me."
"I hope to avoid any semblance of war with my own country," the pirate queen -- the queen of Attolia -- began. "So I plan to strike Kallicertes directly. Burn his property, distribute his wealth to the common people, win the Attolians to my side." She flashed a blinding, predatory grin. "Kallicertes will die, and if Erondites has any sense he will throw his support behind me."
The queen of Eddis tilted her head as if considering. "It's a good plan," she said finally. "But I don't see how it involves Eddis."
The pirate queen shrugged. "Eddis has only to guard her own borders, as she always does." She paused. "And I would appreciate the loan of your Thief."
Eddis pursed her lips. "You know, I think, that the Thieves of Eddis are indepent of the throne? My Thief will not kill on my orders or yours."
"I can take care of Kallicertes myself. He has other uses, unless I am mistaken."
Eddis raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. "Eugenides," she said, no louder than she had been speaking, "Come out."
Relius, following her gaze, thought he imagined movement in the rafters until a boy dropped lightly to the floor next to the throne. The family resemblance was obvious, though he was more slightly built and better looking than his queen. Not that Relius cared what the Thief of Eddis looked like. "My queen?" Eugenides said.
"You heard Attolia's plans. Will you help her?"
Instead of answering her, Eugenides walked towards them and circled around, stopping in front of Attolia. A hand darted towards her and pulled back so fast that Teleus' hand had not yet reached his empty sword belt. He held up a short knife and said, still looking at Attolia, "Your guard missed a knife, my queen."
"I did not ask him to search her, as you know," Eddis said tersely. "Answer the question, Gen."
Eugenides still stared at Attolia. "I am not a pirate, your majesty," he said. "What use am I to you?"
"You are a thief, and I have a throne to steal." The queen matched his stare. "I thought it prudent to recruit professional assistance."
He glanced over her shoulder to where the Minister of War and queen's guard stood. "You should tell my father I'm a professional." He flipped the knife in the air and caught it. "If I come, will you take my advice?"
Attolia pinched the bridge of her nose. "I will listen to your advice."
Eugenides flipped the knife again and offered it to her handle first. "It will do." He turned back to Eddis. "I'll go, my queen."
The first piece of advice he gave, after Attolia detailed her plan, was, "You need the Magus of Sounis."
Relius looked up from the map they had spread across Eddis' library table and said, "The Magus will welcome war if it's a chance for Sounis to rule the Peninsula."
"You don't need his help," Gen said derisively. "You just need him out of Sounis."
"I'm not keeping him on board," Teleus said.
Eugenides shrugged. "We can leave him with Eddis. She'll keep him safely out of the way."
"And Eddis agreed to that?" Attolia asked flatly.
"She will."
The ship was anchored at a bend in the Seperchia just before it ran through the valley into Sounis.
Relius was not on the ship. For some reason, Eugenides had insisted Relius come with him on his fool mission to kidnap the Magus of Sounis. Eugenides had also insisted Relius could not come with him to the palace, but needed to wait outside the gates with the cart they would use to make a swift trip back to Eddis.
Alternatively, he might get captured and then Relius would never have to work with him again.
The horse snorted and shifted uneasily. It was sturdy Eddisian hill pony, not easily spooked, and at its restlessness Relius crouched down in the cart and peered toward the city. He saw nothing before an unfamiliar voice said quietly, "Here we are, Magus," and two shadowy figures became visible next to him.
"What are you doing, Gen?" The Magus grumbled.
"Providing you with transportation," Eugenides answered cheerfully. He thumped the side of the cart. "Get in."
To Relius' surprise, the Magus complied without resistance. But once they were well away from the city he asked again. "What are you doing, Gen?"
Eugenides answered, in the mock innocent tone that made everyone around him want to punch him in the face, "You said I should do something."
"I had in mind something like going to university."
"The Ferrian king does not have an advisor who is in danger of occasionally providing him good advice."
"You've checked, have you? How unfortunate for him."
Relius turned the cart down the narrow mountain path that led into Eddis. Dawn was almost upon them by the time they met the handful of Eddisian soldiers who were to be the Magus' guard. Eugenides jumped down from the cart and beckoned to the Magus, who slowly followed him to the soldiers.
With an elaborate bow Eugenides announced, "my queen invites you to enjoy her hunting lodge for an indefinite period of time."
"No doubt she does," the Magus said dryly.
"Is that why you needed me to drive the cart?" Relius demanded as they left.
"What?"
"So you could engage in verbal repartee with the Magus of Sounis?"
"Oh. No, it's because I'm terrified of horses."
Relius glanced at him in disbelief. "You're a prince. I'm sure you've had more experience with horses than I."
"Of course. That's how I know they're terrifying. One of them broke both my arms once."
"Perhaps it thought you deserved it."
Fully a quarter of the ship's crew were villagers from the hills inland of the city of Attolia. That had been intentional, when she started gathering her crew years ago. Now they had half a dozen hiding places in the hills and a steady source of supplies from loyal visitors, while being close enough to the palace to make a reconnaissance trip every night if they were so inclined.
They also had a Thief who knew every hidden passage in the palace. Apparently.
"My ancestor designed it," he explained, as though this were an insignificant fact and not a revelation that made him lucky the queen was not currently wringing his neck. Or maybe he did realize; he added hastily, "there aren't nearly as many as you think. The vents are more useful for getting to most places."
"You will tell me where all of them are."
"The vents, your majesty?"
Attolia gave him a blood-freezing glare. "The passages, as well as the vents. Do not assume I trust you so much that I would allow you to be the only person who knows how to sneak around my palace."
"I have no control over that, your majesty. I might be the only person quiet enough to do so."
"Try my patience again, Eugenides, and I will handcuff you to Teleus day and night until we infiltrate the palace." Teleus stiffened.
Eugenides, who did not know when to quit, said contemplatively, "that would be unwieldy if he needed to fight, your majesty."
"I would give him permission to cut your hand off if it came to that."
He seemed quelled for the first time. "I understand, your majesty."
It turned out that Attolia meant what she had told Eddis about burning Kallicertes' property quite literally, though she did not intend to set the fire herself. Her network of spies, as well as Relius', stretched into the countryside near the main estate, and the baron had never been particularly popular with the okloi. Knowing all this, Relius was still surprised to learn that she had started laying the groundwork for this plan almost as soon as she had escaped the prison. The recent difficulty had been to restrain the okloi from destroying the estate until the time was right.
"Of course I support rewarding them out of Kallicertes' property," Relius said, "but I worry that they won't know what's worth saving."
"The point, Relius, is for everything to be destroyed. They will be rewarded with money."
"Which I am sure they will appreciate more, but some of those paintings are hundreds--"
"--Of years old," Attolia finished impassively. "Nothing lasts forever. Kallicertes thinks he is heir to one dynasty, and building a greater one. I will see it all reduced to ashes."
Relius blanched. He asked weakly, "Vengeance, my queen?"
Attolia showed her teeth. "Justice," she said, "Without mercy. A wise advisor counciled it."
In the days leading up to the coup, Relius felt everyone scarcely slept. When he was not helping Attolia plan, he was in the city meeting with informants; too dangerous, now, to communicate any way other than in person. Teleus was there just as often. He seemed confident that most of the royal guard would support Attolia, but Relius hated to think what would happen if he were wrong. The two crew members who had been kitchen staff met Brinna daily, and those who had lived in the city carefully encouraged the unrest that was already rampant. Meanwhile, the Thief listened to where Attolia needed everyone to be on the day she ascended her throne, and sketched out paths through the secret passages like the choreographer of some invisible dance.
Attolia even entrusted Eugenides with ensuring Erondites would be compliant. "Is that wise, my queen?" Teleus asked.
"Perhaps not. But you are needed with the guard, Teleus. Relius is needed elsewhere because he knows how to blend in with the staff so he can serve the wine at dinner, and because he is most familiar with the Mede ambassador's habits. Everyone else is also needed in the places they know best." She lifted her shoulders slightly, not quite a shrug. "I expect Eugenides knows more than any of us about sneaking into barons' bedrooms, but I am not so dazzled by his abilities that I think he could convince Erondites to defect to Eddis."
Teleus leaned forward in his seat to better glare at Eugenides and said, "remember what my queen said about permission to cut off your hand."
Eugenides mirrored his posture. "I intend to do everything I can to ensure her majesty succeeds. "
It wasn't the first time Relius had posed as staff at the king's table, but before he had only been keeping his ears open for useful information. After the kitchen boy brought in the wine that contained lethium, it was tricky to ensure it went only into the cups of those who needed to be slow waking up in the morning. Relius' hands shook, and once he almost spilled wine into a baron's lap; but ultimately he was successful, and returned to the kitchens to catch a few hours of sleep on the floor.
He had to wake early to ensure he could speak with Kamet. Nahuseresh's dinner had contained a mild poison, and he was sure to send his secretary to the kitchens for something to ease the stomach cramps. Relius was still smoothing his clothes so as not to look like he had slept there when Kamet arrived and began looking through the herb shelves for tisane ingredients. "Kamet," he whispered.
Kamet jumped, and almost dropped the jar he was holding. Relius stepped closer so he could be recognized, and Kamet relaxed a little. "I thought you'd gone," he said.
"I was away for a while," Relius answered vaguely. "I don't expect to be here much longer, to be honest. But I wanted to tell you things will happen in the palace today, and your master might find he wants to make a hasty exit."
Kamet moved his mouth silently for a moment, working out how to learn whether Relius was working for Erondites. "It's too soon," he said slowly, "unless my master's advice has been disregarded."
"I'm speaking of a different....things. I suppose your master might decide to stay, but I thought you'd like to be prepared for either eventuality."
"Uh. Well, thank you. If you don't mind..." Kamet gestured to the jars he'd set on the workbench.
"Of course." He withdrew to the servants' quarters to give Kamet space to mix his herbs and think about what Relius had said. Kamet might perceive it as a threat, but Relius was almost certain he'd worded it vaguely enough that he wouldn't mention it to Nahuseresh.
The route to the throne room that Eugenides had mapped out for him was longer than it had looked on paper, but the room was still empty when Relius arrived. He was about to slip back into the hypocaust when Attolia strode in, accompanied by Phresine, Teleus, and the small squad of guards Teleus deemed sufficiently loyal and competent. Attolia was dressed much as she had been the day Relius met her, though she had exchanged pratical linen and trousers for elegant silks and skirts that hid her boots, and...had Eugenides stolen a crown from the treasury? Relius didn't recognize this one.
Attolia sat on the throne without hesitation. They were all silent, to avoid attracting the notice of the palace staff too soon, but they did not have to wait long before petitioners for the day's public audience began arriving. The first arrivals were people who had been told to come early, mainly the ship's crew; the rest of the crew would arrive gradually between now and the time the audience was scheduled to begin. When the room had filled enough that she could speak under the murmur of conversation, Attolia turned to Relius. "Was there anyone who did not request a refill after the drugged wine came out?"
"No one, my queen. Two attendants who did not finish their cup -- Hilarion and Sejanus." He did not need to say more. They both knew Kallicertes liked to take out his foul moods on his attendants.
"Erondites' son."
"Yes."
"Is he smart enough to follow his father's lead?"
"I think so, my queen."
Attolia turned her attention back to the room, scanning the new arrivals. Many of these were ignorant of who they would find on the throne, and the noise lessened as the crowd grew and people tried to discreetly learn what was happening. If all went to plan, Attolia would begin hearing petitions before Kallicertes arrived; he liked to be late, so as large an audience as possible would watch his entrance.
Outside the bells pealed. Attolia beckoned the first petitioner, a shop owner whose son was imprisoned for a minor infraction. She had just finished declaring that the son had served a more than adequate sentence when Kallicertes swept into the room with two guards and the two attendants Relius had mentioned earlier, who both looked like they would very much have preferred to still be asleep. He did not notice that the throne was already occupied until he was scarcely more than a man's height away. He stopped abruptly and said, "You??" Then, loud and angry, "You! I knew we should have hanged you. Seize her," he said to his guards, but Teleus' soldiers had already disarmed them as he spoke.
"This throne is mine," Attolia told him cooly, "as it was my father's before me. You are a traitor. Your title and estates are forfeit."
"As if you have any authority, you insolent, idiot--" Kallicertes moved towards the throne as he ranted, until his knees were almost touching Attolia's. She did not pull back. Two more guards moved quickly to seize Kallicertes and move him away. "Someone send for my guard!" He roared.
Two men rushed out of the room, one of whom Relius knew would summon the palace guard. The other would presumably fetch Kallicertes' personal guard, but he would find most of them indisposed or mysteriously missing. As they left another man ran in and bowed to the floor at Kallicertes' feet. "Terrible news, my king," he cried. He had arrived in the city three days ago, but had easily been persuaded to delay his news when he saw how much gold Relius offered. Kallicertes underpaid even his steward.
"What is it?" Kallicertes snapped.
"Your estate is ruined, my king. Burned, all burned."
"All burned? It is your job to keep it safe, and you dare show your face with such news?"
"They came in the middle of the night, my king. It was all I could do to get the servants out."
"Servants have legs. My family jewels are irreplacable. Get out of my sight."
His steward scurried toward the wall to escape Kallicertes' gaze as soon as possible. Relius caught his sleeve before he could sidle to the side door. "The queen will have a place for you," he murmured. "You can go to the kitchens for now." The man gave one short nod and left as fast as he could.
Kallicertes addressed the room at large. "You will wish you were somewhere else when my guard arrives." There were murmurs, but most people stayed put. A few trickled out, and as he watched them Relius noticed Baron Erondites waiting at the door to make his entrance.
When it was mostly silent again he strolled into the room. "What a pleasant surprise," he declared, "to find my rightful queen on the throne." Relius wondered what Eugenides had said to him.
Jolted into alertness by his father's declaration, Sejanus walked over and whispered something furiously in his ear. Erondites took him firmly by the arm and guided him closer to the throne, where he bowed low and said, "Allow me to be the first to pledge my loyalty, my queen." After a moment's hesitation Sejanus bowed too.
"Your support will be rewarded, Baron," Attolia responded warmly. "I am glad to find you have been keeping an eye on the traitor until I could return."
"Of course, your majesty." For the moment Erondites seemed eager to agree with anything she said.
"In fact," Attolia continued, "perhaps you could advise me on an urgent matter. You are well versed in Attolia's legal code. What is the punishment for usurpers?"
"Death, of course, your majesty. Sometimes torture. A number of methods have been used over the years."
"Of course. Is there a method you would recommend in the current instance?" As she spoke some of the palace guard filed in and formed a half-circle around Kallicertes to prevent any chance of escape. The rest of the guard, Relius knew, would by now be surrounding Kallicertes' personal guard and waiting at the doors of barons who might stay loyal to him.
"I have a preference for hanging traitors upside down from the palace walls, my queen."
Attolia's lips curled in a predatory smile. "What an excellent idea." She nodded to the guards who held Kallicertes. "Remove him."
Once Kallicertes' protests were out of earshot, Attolia addressed the room at large. "I can think of no better way to begin my reign than hearing your petitions. However, I must meet briefly with my barons. I will be with you again in no more than an hour."
In the small meeting room nearby many minor barons waited, summoned by Erondites. Some of them were less well informed than others, and there was a susurration of surprise when Attolia came in and took the head seat. The baron seated on the opposite side of Erondites from Attolia said quietly, "Sir, we thought--"
"Is this how you welcome your queen?" Erondites silenced him.
The baron swallowed and pushed back his chair to bow. Slowly, the rest of the room followed suit. Attolia nodded graciously to them. "We will speak at greater length soon. For now, I want to assure you that I see no reason you cannot continue to serve the throne. I hope to find no reason to the contrary." Murmurs of assent ran around the room. When they died down Attolia said, "Now. Is there anything I should know immediately?"
After an uncomfortably long silence Erondites said, "Your majesty."
"Yes?"
"It is possible the Mede ambassador will join us here."
"We are expecting him."
Erondites shifted uncomfortably "Ah."
"Although, if we have no more business--"
The door opened. Nahuseresh stopped just inside the door, taking in the room. "Your majesty," he addressed Erondites, "What a surprise. I thought--"
"I beg your pardon, ambassador. Her majesty is next to me."
Nahuseresh glanced at Attolia only briefly. His eyes narrowed. "If you think you can make a fool of me--"
Attolia's voice cut sharply through his. "You make a fool of yourself, ambassador, if you cannot acknowledge the sovereign of the country your emperor has sent you to."
"I did not agree to this!"
"Attolia is not a vassal of the Medes," Attolia said, her words clipped. :"We do not ask for or require your agreement. However, if you are dissatisfied here, I will not keep you. There is an unusually large number of Mede ships just past Cimorene. I am sure one of them could be prevailed upon to take you home."
Nahuseresh stood with his jaw working furiously, then turned and strode out. Relius winced at the receding sound of him yelling something in Mede at Kamet.
That evening Attolia met privately with her closest advisors. The coming days would be crucial to securing her throne permanently. One person, however, was not expected.
"Eugenides," Attolia said. "I regret I cannot offer you more hospitality, but my barons will be suspicious if they see me with an Eddisian."
"Of course, your majesty."
"Phresine has seen to your room for the night, but you must disappear tomorrow."
"I agree, your majesty."
"Then why are you here?"
Eugenides stood picking at his fingernails. He blurted, "Your majesty, your barons will expect you to marry one of their sons."
"A problem for another day."
He shifted his weight from foot to foot. "Eddis might be able to offer an alternative."
Attolia raised one eyebrow. "Does she not trust my word for peace?"
"She does," Eugenides said hastily. "This was my own idea, but I think she would agree."
"I will keep it in mind," Attolia said. "If it seems beneficial in the future, I can speak with Eddis then."
"Yes, your majesty."
"You may go, Eugenides."
"Yes, your majesty."
He exited through the hidden passage, deliberately making noise so they would know he was truly leaving. When it was silent again Attolia said, "He is a useful ally, but I don't envy Eddis having to deal with him every day."