Maiya glanced out the window, which overlooked the clean, orderly streets below. It didn’t look like a secure location, and not a single guard was with them inside the room. That, however, meant little. Maiya didn’t doubt Ira’s handmaidens had the building covered and surrounded. That, and the fact that no one likely knew of this meeting, granted them security.
So Maiya shelved those concerns aside, organized her thoughts, and dove into the heart of the matter.
“The Blessed Chosen knows I’m an agent. The Sisters of Gray want me to take his place. And there may be eldritch gods who wish for the same.”
Maiya spent the next hour narrating events, pausing only to provide her thoughts and analysis of the situation. During that time, food and water had been brought, though she’d hardly touched her plate.
Ira, as usual, allowed her to speak uninterrupted, and even after she’d finished, the princess said nothing, opting to gaze out at the streets below.
It was when Maiya was halfway through her third vegetable kebab that she finally spoke.
“I agree,” Ira said at last.
“With what?” Maiya asked.
“With your assessment that something may very well be going on here. Though, it is not some unseen deity that I fear, but rather the political machinations of another nation. I fear we may already have lost the battle for dominance over the Children.”
Maiya frowned. “If that were true, though, why would he be so afraid of me? You think it’s a ploy to bring me down?”
Ira stood and paced around the room, one hand tapping her chin. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. The situation in Sai has unfortunately taken a turn for the worse.”
“The rioters,” Maiya said, understanding Ira’s meaning. “You hadn’t known?”
Ira shook her head. “On the contrary, I’d known about the rebels’ activity for some time. It was why I wanted you there before they acted. I’d hoped that your actions would have bought us some time, forcing them to reconsider their actions. I hadn’t calculated they’d move as quickly as they did.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Riyan?” Maiya asked softly, keeping all traces of accusation out of her voice.
Ira sighed. “I’m sorry, Maiya. You deserved to know. I am aware of your history with that man. I wasn’t sure how you’d react. If the rebels hadn’t moved that night, you’d never have met him. I see now that I was wrong. For that, you have my sincerest apology.”
Ira didn’t lower her head, though Maiya never expected her to. An apology was already far beneath her station.
“It’s fine,” Maiya quickly said, acutely aware of the gravitas of a royal apology. “Did, er… Did they succeed?”
“Not yet, though Sai is in quite the predicament at the moment. While your actions had the intended impact, I’m afraid the rebels’ attack has pushed the current regime to their breaking point. It is difficult to say how long they will last.”
“Thus realizing your worst fears,” Maiya said, addressing the elephant in the room. “If Sai falls, Andros will move in under the guise of reestablishing order. At best, he’ll install a puppet regime. At worst, he’ll expand Kin’jals borders, seizing Sai entirely.”
“Indeed,” Ira said, chewing on a fingernail. “I’m afraid that events are accelerating out of control.”
Maiya was silent for a moment. Then she said something she never thought possible, “We should contact Riyan. It’d be foolish not to work together.”
Ira threw her a look of surprise.
“Perhaps, though I fail to see how this solves our biggest problem. No matter how strong this rebellion is, they will fall before Kin’jal’s military might. Being a new government, they’ve yet to forge relations with the Altani—relations that would have kept them safe from my father.”
“Maybe. I wouldn’t underestimate Riyan, though, if I were you. I abhor that man, but I have to admit he’s fanatical about Hiranya. If there’s even a baby’s chance in the Ash, he’ll wrangle a deal with them. I’m sure of it. Besides,” Maiya said coyly, “there’s another angle we could take.”
“A baby’s chance in the Ash, is it?” Ira said with a wry smile, causing Maiya to flush. “But please—do say more. I’m listening.”
“As I said,” Maiya said, clearing her throat, “Riyan wants Hiranya’s prosperity above all else. King Rayid is… Well, you know how he is.”
“Incompetent,” Ira said flatly. “Neither great nor truly terrible. Mediocre.”
“Exactly. And there just happens to be someone in the line of succession who, by all reports, is anything but mediocre.”
“You speak of Prince Sanobar Hiranya?” Ira said. “I’ve met the boy once or twice. It is true that he has a good head on his shoulders… But I fail to see your point here. If you’re suggesting we incite a coup within Hiranya to put Sanobar on the throne…”
“If I am?”
“Then I am disappointed, and you are far more naïve than I’d thought. Rebellions are not simple affairs, Maiya. Even if Sanobar was willing to oust his father, which I highly doubt he will be given his nature, where is his backing? Where is his army?”
Maiya smiled devilishly. “Riyan would be more than happy to handle all the legwork. Mark my words. Also, I never said anything about a successful coup. Did I?”
Ira ceased pacing. Her eyes widened as she caught onto Maiya’s plan.
“You truly do wish to see your country burn, don’t you?” Ira said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
“Not everyone,” Maiya muttered. “But Rayid? Mina, and her ilk? Gladly.”
“A daring gambit,” Ira commented. “Nay, an insane one. You hope to play upon Andros’ obsession for conquest. You hope to draw out his forces to the borders of both Hiranya and Sai. If we instigate both rebellions in tandem…”
“It’d leave Kin’jal, and specifically Sonam, quite unprotected, don’t you think? After all, who’d be crazy enough to waste valuable Balarian warriors defending an impregnable citadel like Sonam while there’s conquest to be had, let alone two?”
“Certainly not Andros,” Ira said, her eyes envisioning this potential future.
“Certainly not Andros,” Maiya echoed. “It’ll be the opportunity of a lifetime. Too irresistible for someone like him to pass up. You’ll never have a better chance.”
“And yet, Fate could not be more cruel. It is too soon,” Ira said. “I am not ready.”
“Get me a meeting with Sanobar and Riyan. I can work with them to coordinate. Maybe they’ll even help come up with a plan to take down Andros. At least, I’m sure Riyan would. I know you’ve been struggling with that.”
“Indeed,” Ira said pensively. “There is just one flaw with your plan.”
Her expression turned into a predatory smile, and Maiya almost shirked back.
“Yes?” she said, mustering her confidence to counter whatever Ira was about to say.
“The Childrens’ intelligence network is far too valuable an asset to ignore. Especially if we plan to go after two countries at once. If we do this, you will have to assume the mantle of Blessed Chosen.”
Maiya opened her mouth… but couldn’t find the words to argue.
“I know. I will.”
Bheem stole through Kaiya’s cool night streets with the natural grace that only a native of the city could. One might assume that, despite his great stature, he’d have a difficult time remaining unnoticed. Bheem, however, had no such issues.
A hunched back, short, timid steps, and averted eyes went far to make the big man appear smaller from afar, allowing most peoples’ attention to slide right off. He would know—he’d had a lifetime to perfect the art, even if he’d had no cause to dust off those skills in a while.