“Hungry?” Slacker asked. “We don’t usually have much, but we just killed a desert goat, and there’s plenty of stew if not enough vegetables. I hope you like water-onions.”
A small stock of clay bowls was passed out as Slacker sent men to watch posts surrounding the area. I had the impression all had lived in this place for a long time. We sat in small groups, but Flier sat with Slacker, and they talked between themselves. A few laughs, more than one disbelieving expression from Slacker was cast our way. Obviously, they were old and close friends. After the impromptu meal, Flier came to Kendra and me.
He said, “These men are rebels. They no longer serve the king or the council. Members of the original army and recruits paid by the council fight against them.”
Kendra said, “What is their goal?”
“To sit the rightful king or his heir on the throne again.”
I glanced at Kendra and said, “Have you figured out that Elizabeth is sailing directly into a trap?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Princess Elizabeth
Soren and Timor respectfully entered my cabin and bowed more deeply than I’d seen for any princess, my brother the future king, or my father. Was it from respect for me or the position I held in Crestfallen? No, they had all bowed or curtsied to my father in the same way during official engagements—but he was the King of Dire. I pushed my thoughts inside and allowed none of what I felt to show on my face or in my actions. Instead, in a soft voice, I cooed, “Have you come to share your revised treaty?”
Timor said, “We have if this is a good time for you.”
“Sit on the edge of my bed and tell me of the changes.”
They were shocked and confused by my instructions. Not at sharing their changes, but of two men sitting on the bed of a princess again. It implied personal relations, and I liked the confusion and uncertainty it caused. Not that they were confused and shocked, but the intimacy of my bed was another weapon for my arsenal. Neither stood a chance of sharing it, but I was entering a mental battle with the fate of Dire in question. If I could make a pair of men quiver like warm honey in summer simply by invitation to sit on an empty bed, there might come a time when I could use it.
Soren kept his eyes downcast as Timor lifted a piece of inexpensive brown paper and read nine additions to the treaty, all favoring Dire. He’d been prepared for my questions and anticipated I might ask only for the changes, not a full review of everything. Glancing at the paper, it was Timor’s hand that penned it. The younger man might find himself vaulting over Soren for promotion if he continued to perform as he had lately.
“Timor,” I said, “those are all items I’d like to see on the final treaty, except numbers three and four. They are merely trade-bait, items for me to surrender while making sure I get my way on the others. However, I need several more of similar scope and perhaps two that are completely outlandish. In giving up those two, the ones you’ve outlined will seem far more reasonable. Eventually, I’ll give in to all of them, and the remainder will be what we want.”
His head bobbed in agreement as I talked, and Soren’s complexion reddened. They’d obviously argued about what to include, and Timor had wanted to add others as I’d suggested. Soren had objected if I read their body language correctly. I wouldn’t mention it, but I’d remember it. There were times when Soren didn’t seem to be doing as I wished.
Timor said, “Between the three of us, we should have those suggestions before dark if you wish to review them tonight. I heard we will dock in Vin just after dawn, tomorrow. Will you require anything else from us for this port of call?”
“No, not at first, however my plan is to go ashore and meet with whatever officials are available. I would like to gently question them and see if there are concerns that might also come up in Dagger. Perhaps one might mention a shortage of grain, or that good wine is at a premium. If Dire can help resolve a problem in Kondor, we will—for a price.”
Soren snorted in humor as if I’d said something funny, but his eyes were not laughing. He seemed to be performing for me as if he liked what was happening.
I didn’t. He closed his mouth and looked away before my eyes met his. Again, Will had been right. People do not give respect. The recipient earns it. My hand moved in the direction of the latch for the door, and both men bolted as if chased by dark things that come in our dreams at night.
Yes, I had noticed the conspicuous absence of Lady Grace, my personal scribe at the meeting. I also noticed neither man had mentioned her, and that made me wonder why she had not come to my cabin. I suspected Soren had been involved, but instead of waiting, I left my cabin and walked to the next door, which was the cabin used as an office.
I opened it unannounced and found her head down, pen in hand. Timor was already doing the same. Soren was absent. This time, I sat uninvited after gently closing the door. Their surprise at my actions was much the same as a child caught stealing a fresh-baked cookie. They were hiding something.
My smile was intended to calm both. That was before coming right to the point. “Where is Soren?”
“Uh, he had to meet with someone in the passenger lounge,” Timor said after a glance at Lady Grace to make sure she agreed with him telling me.
“I see. Has he spent a lot of time with this person?” That question nearly caused both to panic. It shouldn’t have. I suspected a woman.
Lady Grace said, “I believe it is a new friend.”
“Oh, that’s nice,” I smiled. “Are you two already working on what I asked for?”
“We are,” Timor said.
“Good. Is there any possibility I could get a crude outline from the pair of you, just the basics read this evening so that I will have it in the morning?” I’d already asked for it but wanted to reinforce my demand. I also wished to point out that two were doing the work of three.
They agreed.
I stood up and said, “You’re both doing a wonderful job for me, and I thank you for the hard work. Soren, too, of course. By the way, does his friend live in Dire?”
“Kondor,” Lady Grace corrected.
“I see. Well, I have a few things to do so I’ll let you get back to your work. Is there anything you need from me?” Thankfully, there was not.
I nearly fled the room in search of Will. It was not hard to find him. I went on deck and called his name once. He appeared from behind the stub of the main mast as if by magic, and as if he just happened to be where he could watch over me, as always.
I pointed to the rail. The pretense of not knowing each other was wearing thin, but only to those who were paying attention. We stood beside each other for a few moments. He allowed me to gather my thoughts. Unfounded accusations should be handled delicately.
I said, “One of my scribes is not revising the treaty in the manner I asked for. He is meeting with a new friend in the passenger lounge instead, someone from Kondor.” I stressed the name as if wanting to clear a bad taste from my mouth.
The corners of Will’s lips twitched. Not a full smile, but the beginnings of one. He said, “You impress me in ways never expected. How you ferreted out that he is not dealing with an old friend, but a new business acquaintance, I’d like to know. But, again, I’m impressed, and the situation is going to be dealt with tonight.”