Dafed held court in the stronghold of Family Renine, the Ushal Fortress. Sofy, however, had declined similar quarters, preferring an offer from the Tol'rhen Ulenshaals to quarter there, in that amazing building. Sasha's descriptions had not done it justice, and from there the rest of Tracato lay at her doorstep. She could not recall having enjoyed herself as much as she had these last three days. Tracato was everything a grand civilisation should surely aspire to be-wealthy, philosophical, diverse, artistic. She could not quite believe that she, the younger princess of a highland kingdom far away, was now the Princess Regent of all of this…and soon, if her husband's victories continued, its queen.
She could make this work. Surely she could.
Jeddie gushed to the premier of the wonders she had seen, as they emerged at the doorstep of the school's main entrance. In the courtyard before the road, crowds of people gathered. Knights and men-at-arms of her entourage held them back from several royal carriages and a large number of saddled horses, but now the people all surged forward, and cheered just to see her. Sofy waved with delight. She had not expected a reception quite this positive-these were conquered people, whose army had not lost a war in two centuries, and now retreated in humiliation to Enora, leaving Tracato defenceless. Yet now they received her as though she were their liberation.
She made her way through the jostling crowds, accepting flowers offered to her by several, waving and smiling at others. Beside the royal carriage, she found Jaryd waiting for her.
“Where have you been?” she asked with a sudden affectation of disdain. She climbed into the carriage. Jaryd followed, and a noble who had been about to join her was forced to look for alternative transport. Jeddie and Premier Chiron did join her, the carriage only big enough for four.
“Around,” said Jaryd, adjusting his sword to fit against the seat. The carriage doors shut, and they clattered off. “Dafed holds council with representatives of the Elissians. I think you should too.”
“Jaryd, I have no time,” Sofy replied, waving to the crowds. “There is so much to learn about this city, I am quite content to leave talk of armies and such to Dafed-that was Balthaar's intention in sending him. I am here to think in larger terms, about what will become of Tracato under my husband's rule.”
“Sofy, the Elissians have an army, thousands strong, half a day's march from the city. Many of them want revenge for their most recent defeat, and if they grow upset enough, you won't have a city here.”
“Balthaar will not see this city destroyed,” said Sofy. “That's why he sent me, in full knowledge of my predilections. I mean, what an enormous risk for him, Jaryd. A new wife, from a faraway land distrusted by so many of his advisors, and he grants me a responsibility so large as this. He is making a statement to his allies about how his rule shall be. He admires the power of Tracato, and wishes to learn from it. I shall help him do so.”
“Sofy,” Jaryd tried again, “you're assuming he has more power than he actually does….”
“Please, Jaryd,” Sofy cut him off. “Not in front of our guest.” She glanced to Premier Chiron. “We should not discuss such things so publicly. Please take no offence, Premier.”
“But of course not,” said Chiron, with a slight bow. “And if I may, Your Highness, I see the Elissians not so much as a threat to us but an opportunity. All these people who cheer you, they cheer because they think you will save them from the Elissians. When Tracato heard that the Steel was defeated, many panicked and left. But most stayed, because their lives are here, and because they heard that the Regent would recognise the old feudal rights, thus placing young Lord Alfriedo Renine at the head of Rhodaan. I myself have no difficulty in stepping down from my position, and yielding to Alfriedo, if it is in the best interest of Tracato and Rhodaan.
“But still they feared that some retribution would be in order, now that the Steel was not here to defend them, from the Elissians in particular. And now you have arrived, sent by the Regent himself, and you do not preach revenge or destruction, but respect and love. The people were frightened that you would demand the destruction of so much of their beloved city, yet now you tour the great sites. The Elissian threat will rally the people of Tracato behind you, Your Highness. You are their salvation.”
“Look…” Jaryd shook his head in exasperation. “The only reason the priests and the Black Order aren't crawling all over this city, smashing its statues and burning everything, is because they're all up in Shemorane, returning that damn holy star of theirs to the Enoran High Temple. But as soon as that's over, they'll come back here, and there's not a lot your husband can do about that. This is a holy war, being fought to cleanse these lands of any trace of serrin influence-”
“And that is why I must work fast,” Sofy interrupted, “to secure an arrangement within this city before they arrive. Even the Archbishop of Sherdaine cannot argue with the word of the Regent, through me.”
“I wouldn't be so sure of that.”
“Besides which,” Sofy continued, “I do not believe that my husband dislikes the serrin as much as some others. He speaks that language because it is the language his allies and his priests demand, but I have heard him speak of Saalshen's achievements on occasion with admiration.”
“Aye, the way a bully lad will admire another lad's apple, then punch him in the face and take it from him.”
Sofy glared at Jaryd. He was truly being difficult, and she didn't think there was much more to it than his dislike of her being in charge. They had had adventures together, yet in all of those, he was the man with the sword, and his way was always the way taken. Here, he was in her territory and subject to her command. That, of course, and the small matter of jealousy….
Jeddie leaned forward. “I do not see how my people could visit a city such as this,” she said earnestly, “and not be moved by all that the serrin have inspired and created.”
Jaryd smiled humourlessly. “Then I suppose you also fail to see why in this city with its huge serrin population, there's not a single serrin or halfserrin come out to cheer for you today.”
Jeddie frowned. “You're right, I'm not sure I do see.”
“For the gods’ sakes, woman,” Jaryd retorted, “they think they're going to be murdered! You've convinced all the humans, but the one group of folk who most need convincing of their protection are now somewhere on the road to Saalshen.”
“Jaryd, you're being very rude,” Sofy said coldly. “There is no cause to speak to Jeddie like that.”
“Fine,” Jaryd muttered. “I'll take my concern for the serrin elsewhere, you keep on being concerned of your manners.”
He opened the carriage door without bothering to ask for it to slow, and skipped easily to the ground. Behind him, in the clatter of hooves and wheels, remained an uncomfortable pause.
“Very well then,” said Sofy. “There is one place in Tracato I should love to see, but have not yet visited. Jeddie, won't you tell the driver to take us to the Mahl'rhen?”
Jaryd told himself he was only venturing inside to make certain his friends were not going to end up in trouble. The brothel was to his mind a dank and gloomy place, its narrow lobby filled with bored girls dressed in poor imitation of noble ladies. Asym and Jandlys did not care, and approached the girls with the enthusiasm of men gone months without female company. The madam interposed herself, somewhat nervously as Lenay customers were doubtless rare in these parts, but Asym and Jandlys showed her their coin and made their selections, joking that it had been so long, perhaps they should take two girls each.
“And you, good sir?” the madam asked, turning to Jaryd. “My, aren't you handsome? I'll warrant it will take a particularly high-class girl to please your tastes.”
She called in Rhodaani, and a girl emerged from another room, looking irritated. Then she saw Jaryd, and her irritation faded.