Heroes' Reward (32 page)

And then, Taro
broke the silence. “An event’s coming.”

Um, what?

Firen frowned.
“Erstwhile doesn’t have events.”

“Well, it’s
about to have one now.”

It was possible.
Cold sites could go hot and hot sites could go cold. It was just, well, how was
that for timing?

“No, there
isn’t,” Ogawa said sharply.

Taro stared at
her. “Are you serious?” He, a Source, would know. She, a Shield, would not.

“You’re going to
cause one to kill us all!”

“Then why would
I warn you?”

Ogawa flushed,
aware she had just said something stupid, but she persevered. “To make us think
you’re not doing it.”

“Why would I do
that? We’ve won.”

“No, you
haven’t!” said Green.

“Natson?” said
Firen. “What do you think?”

That was nasty,
throwing the flame to her.

Apparently,
Natson thought so, too, and she glared at Firen. “I assumed the person who won
the most tests would be deemed successful.”

“There is an
earthquake coming,” Taro repeated loudly.

“Tenneson will
handle it,” Green said dismissively.

“Then why isn’t
he?”

“There is no
earthquake,” said Tenneson.

Taro raised his
eyebrows in surprise. “You really can’t feel that?”

I looked at
Druce and she shrugged and shook her head. She couldn’t feel it, either.

But Taro had
always been able to feel the onset of an event almost before it happened.

Apparently,
Green thought this a suitable moment to take another shot at Aryne. “This
filthy, backward, illiterate, uncivilised child would never be fit to rule even
her own life,” she claimed. “As she never has. She’s under the control of the
Triple S. Giving her control over all of us would be pure idiocy.”

“An. Event. Is.
Coming.”

“She
stole
jewellery to win one of the tests.”

I’d known that
would come back on us. Pointing out that the item had been returned would just
sound pathetic.

How had she
found out?

“The merchant
was left feeling satisfied,” said Aryne.

Green ignored
that. “That’s all she is. A thief. That’s all she can do. She has no other
skills. She has no experience with directing other people. And members of the
Triple S have no understanding – no honest understanding – of coin. How will
she use the taxes collected from you? Not wisely, you can be sure of that.”

The palace began
to tremble. Chunks of plaster fell from the ceiling.

“You’re causing
this,” Ogawa accused Taro.

“If I am,
Tenneson will be able to stop me, right?”

Not a chance.

Taro had an
unusual amount of control over his instincts to channel when an event arrived,
but he would be forced to channel if no one else stepped in.

“Tenneson,” said
Green. “Perform your duties.”

“I can’t,”
Tenneson responded.

What?

“Ogawa has
failed me in the past. I can’t trust her not to fail me now.”

He’d been
working with her for months, probably years, learning to shift soil and create
events. Why was he afraid to channel now?

Could it be that
they hadn’t channelled a natural event, something out of their control, since
the disaster at High Scape? Was that the problem?

Or had he just
changed sides? That seemed a much more likely motive. It was unfathomable, how
people so easily flipped loyalties. How could anyone trust anyone?

“Tenneson!”
Ogawa was furious.

“There’s nothing
I can do.”

The rumbling of
the ground could finally be heard through the thick walls of the palace. I
wondered what was going on outside, how people were reacting. They’d lived in
Erstwhile confident that they’d never have to endure an event. They were
probably reacting with less sense than those who lived in hot sites.

“Someone do
something!” one of the spectators shouted. Pleaded.

“Ready, Lee?”
Taro asked.

“Of course.”

It was not a
powerful event. I had no doubt Tenneson could have done it. Taro quickly
quieted it.

The falling
plaster took a little longer to stop. Everyone spent several tense silent
moments watching it, waiting for hints of other damage. None came. I released a
slow breath in relief. There were a lot of people in the room and panic would
have created a bloody nightmare.

Firen recovered
his composure. “All a monarch has to do is inspire loyalty. Lady Aryne has
inspired the loyalty of people of every work and level. Farmers who never chose
to destroy their homes and stock rather than give them to her. Merchants
prepared to deliver their best. The Triple S: the proper establishment, not a
handful of deserters. Members of the High Landed. And the most talented Pair in
the world.”

This was not the
time to point out that levels of talent really were impossible to accurately
quantify.

“After His
Majesty died,” Firen continued, “it was discovered that many of us were
subjected to casts during the delivery of our oaths. I would put forward the
belief that mere theft pales before the act of robbing us of our wits.”

So the power of
the spells cast during the oaths of fealty
had
dissipated.

“I am His
Majesty’s chosen heir,” Green insisted.

“We have no
evidence of that.”

“The succession
documents were drawn!”

“No one has seen
them.”

“You made sure
no one would admit to seeing them,” she accused him. “What did you promise
them?”

“Why don’t we
seek the opinion of those who witnessed this code?” Firen suggested, neatly
avoiding that question. “Those who believe Lady Aryne would be the superior
monarch, state ‘aye.’”

Green looked
baffled. I didn’t blame her. “What are you doing?” she asked.

The chorus of
‘ayes’ was loud and surprising.

“Those who would
chose Green?”

The chorus of
‘ayes’ was weak and also surprising. I noticed some spectators didn’t speak at
all.

A vote to
determine our leader. Interesting idea. One I hoped didn’t become a permanent
part of custom. It would make succession a nightmare if we had to vote every
time we needed a new monarch.

Green rushed at
Firen, red-faced with rage. That probably didn’t help her cause. No one wanted
a monarch with an uncontrollable temper. Not after dealing with Gifford’s
instability.

Had the kyrra
caused her to feel stronger emotions and stripped her of her ability to control
them?

Firen caught the
first fist Green threw at him and didn’t release her hand. Green tried another
punch with her other hand, and Firen caught that one, too. Then Green started
kicking him in the shins. She had no idea where the vulnerabilities of the body
were.

Firen simply
stood there. After a few moments, he called out, “How would you like us to
manage Green, Lady Aryne?”

Aryne didn’t
even hesitate. “Find a cellar, empty it, and lock her in it.”

“My lady, Green
is a dangerous person. There are many who are still loyal to her, who will
still follow her orders, including orders to assassinate you. It might be best
to deal with her in a more practical manner.”

He meant killing
her. It made sense. Green would be a danger as long as she lived. I still hated
the idea.

Everyone was
watching Aryne.

“I’m not going
to start my – ” Aryne halted for a moment. “I’m not going to begin by killing
someone. There’s been too much of that already.”

Good girl.

Firen nodded.
“Yes, my lady.” He dragged Green out himself, ignoring her shouted threats.

That couldn’t be
the end of it.

And it wasn’t.

From the crowd
of spectators strode Dench, followed by four other casters who had worked for
Green.

Just …. Hell.
Browne, Murdoch, and I were the only Triple S casters there, and we were
exhausted. None of us had any casting supplies. I hadn’t anticipated needing
them. I hadn’t seen any of Green’s casters since the wall of Erstwhile had been
destroyed, and I’d assumed her casters had used that opportunity to run.

We were all so
stupid.

But instead of
launching some form of attack, Dench sank to his knees, the other Green casters
following suit. “Green demanded we use human ashes in our casts,” he announced
loudly, and all around us people gasped in shock and disgust. “I and those with
me here refused. There are some levels of dishonour one cannot descend to, no
matter what the circumstances. My comrades and I have, without Green’s
knowledge, been properly punishing those who agreed to use the ashes over the
course of her campaign, saving many of your lives in the process. In exchange
for these dangerous acts, performed right in the sphere of both the Emperor and
Green, we ask you for leniency and our lives.”

What was Aryne
supposed to do with that? Dench and his companions weren’t really any different
from anyone else who had changed loyalties, but casters were more dangerous
than other regulars.

Aryne said, “You
will be incarcerated for now, and guarded by our casters. You will be
questioned. Then a decision will be made.”

That was a good
route to take. Avoid being hasty.

This seemed
acceptable to Dench, and none of those with him objected.

I wanted to know
about the human ashes, whether they had worked, whether there were any left. It
wasn’t the appropriate time to ask.

“Caster
Murdoch,” Aryne said. “Could you arrange for casters to act as guards?”

Ah, the joys of
delegation.

Murdoch bowed
deeply. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

She wasn’t the
Empress yet. Would his words offend others? It might remind them of Gifford’s
presumption to the title before his coronation.

I couldn’t tell
from the reaction of the spectators. There was some muttering among them, but
no one spoke loudly enough to be heard by anyone other their immediate
neighbours.

“That earthquake
was fortuitous,” I whispered to Taro, wondering if, maybe, he’d managed to do
something I hadn’t been able to feel.

“Sometimes I
think the world has a mind of its own.”

“And it threw an
earthquake at us just to make Aryne look good?”

He shrugged.
“All I know is that it happened.”

A mind behind
the whole world. The possibility sent my thoughts in a dozen different
directions. I was too tired to properly track them. Maybe later.

“I’m going to go
throw up now,” Aryne proclaimed before running out of the ballroom, some of our
people following her.

Not exactly the
most inspiring words I’d ever heard.

Chapter Thirty-Five

The Commissioner
stayed behind in the palace with most of the Triple S soldiers, while the rest
of us returned to the camp. Most of us pretty well collapsed into sleep as soon
as we got there.

Aryne did not.
She had a miserable time, curled up in pain from her vicious headaches when she
wasn’t vomiting. It took a full day before she finally sank into sleep, scaring
us because she was then impossible to rouse for another day and a half. When
she woke, she was pale and queasy and a few times she mentioned that she
wouldn’t mind dying all that much.

But she didn’t
stop thinking. “What do I do now?” she asked me.

Taro and Druce
looked at me, clearly expecting some kind of intelligent answer. They were
going to be disappointed. “How the hell do I know?”

“You always know
what to do.”

“What in the
world gave you that impression?”

She huffed with
impatience. “Do I just walk in there and put a crown on my head?”

“That might come
off as a little abrupt,” said Taro. “Too grasping.”

“So then what?”

“Maybe …” Oh,
was I talking? “You need to let them get to know you as something more than
just a name and whatever they’ve heard about you. Which probably isn’t anything
good.” I was making this up as I went along, really. “A lot of people will
think you’re just as Green claimed: an uneducated, uncivilised child. You need
to demonstrate you’re not.”

“How?”

That, I had no
idea about.

“Meetings,”
Druce suggested.

“What?” Aryne
demanded.

“There’s been so
much damage done. So many horrible laws passed. They need to be eliminated or
changed. A first step could be to gather together as many people as you can,
people who represent everyone else. Traders, artisans, farmers, High Landed,
Council members, merchants, everyone. Talk to them about how to change the
laws, and maybe how to help people get over this mess in the short term. You
can’t pass any laws until you’re crowned, of course, you have to avoid
Gifford’s mistakes, but if you can convince people that you’re at least trying
to see to their real needs, that might buy you a little good will.”

Aryne looked
horrified. “Meetings?”

I found it
hilarious that that was the part of the speech she focused on.

“You’ll be
having regular meetings for the rest of your life,” Druce warned her. “History
says all the best soveriegns worked in that way. Might as well get used to it.”

Aryne groaned.

“It will
demonstrate that you take your responsibilities seriously,” said Taro.

“And will
provide many more opportunities for you to show off your knowledge of law,”
Druce added. “And trade. And custom.”

“That you can
stay calm under pressure,” said Taro. “That you can make decisions. That you
have stamina.”

“Wasn’t that
what the code was about?” Aryne complained.

“That was three
days. This will be the rest of your life. Whole other challenge.”

That sounded
horrible.

“Fine,” Aryne
snapped. “We’ll do that. Start everything in as boring a manner as possible.
Why should anyone have any fun?”

Meetings were by
their very nature awful, and involved a lot of wasted time as people bickered
over trivial matters or ego, or missed the point altogether. I was thrilled I
wouldn’t have to sit through them.

It was three
days more before Aryne could leave her tent for more than a few moments at a
time. It was three days later that we performed a necessary but terrifying act.

Moving into the
palace.

It had to be
done, of course. It was just that it seemed to me such a dangerous step,
putting Aryne smack in the middle of a group of people who’d been working
against her, one I wanted to put off for as long as possible. The Commissioner
had gone through the palace and had thrown out – I hoped they were only thrown
out – anyone he didn’t like the look of. The structural damage that could be
swiftly repaired had been done so, that which couldn’t was cordoned off for
later work. There was no reason for further delay.

Damn it.

As we rode
through Erstwhile, we were once more watched by what felt like everyone in the
city. There was some chatter, we didn’t have to endure the same unsettling
silence we’d experienced during our first journey through the streets, but it
was discomforting to feel so many eyes upon us. No one looked thrilled to see
us.

But no one was
throwing anything at us, either. Perhaps that was the best we could expect
right then.

Taro and I were
given a suite, one considerably larger than the one we had had before.

We were back at
the palace. I felt like we’d gone in a circle.

“I’m still not
having sex in this place,” Taro announced.

“No kidding.”
The place would always feel off to me.

We were left
alone until the supper bell rang. We were directed to one of the smaller dining
rooms. At the table were seated Aryne and Druce, the Premier Pair, the
Commissioner, Natson, Murdoch, and Browne.

And Lord Firen.
Interesting.

The cutlery was
only what was essential for consuming dried fruit, bread, cheese, and fish
soup. A very simple meal. No wine.

“I think we
should get started right away,” said Aryne. “We need to start working on how to
fix everything, help everyone find their lives again. Many have been stripped
bare, many have lost family members. We need to make sure everyone survives the
winter.”

“And how do you
propose we do that?” Firen asked coolly.

“I don’t know
yet,” Aryne responded smoothly. “We don’t know the extent of the damage, or who
has suffered the most.” She really could fake an appearance of confidence when
she needed to. “You all represent certain people whose needs have to be met, or
know others who do. I need as much information as possible to pick the best
Council – ”

“You plan on
replacing the Council?” Firen interrupted.

“It will depend
on the nature of the current members and the advice I receive.”

“But there will
be an immediate coronation?”

“Not yet. I
think people should have more time to get used to the idea of my being here
before I receive the crown.”

And those who
had been won over by Green with jewels and promises needed to be persuaded that
Aryne could do better.

“I think
Solicitor Natson can be trusted to hold the Crown’s responsibilities for now.”

That sounded so
wise. It was eerie hearing that from the person who’d introduced herself to me
by trying to steal my purse.

“Very good, my
lady,” said Firen.

The rest of the
meal was spent discussing ideas about the best way to get useful information
assembled as quickly as possible, especially from the remote areas. There were
suggestions concerning names and the best means of communication. Fresh ideas
were offered and adjusted or turned around or thrown out. I actually found it
kind of interesting, gods help me.

The deference
shown to Aryne made her seem like a completely different person. I felt like I
didn’t know who I was looking at.

At the end of
the meal, Aryne said, “Will Source Karish and Shield Mallorough accompany me?”

“Of course,” I
said.

No one left the
table until Aryne, followed by Druce, Taro, and I, had exited the room. It felt
so awkward. I couldn’t think of what to say. Neither could anyone else, it
seemed, for we were all silent as we climbed stairs and traversed halls to a
suite I’d never seen before.

I didn’t really
get a chance to look at it, at first, because as soon as the door was closed,
Aryne gasped and leaned against the wall. “Think they noticed I had no idea
what I was doing?” she asked in her Flatwell accent.

Thank Zaire.
There was the girl I knew.

Taro grinned and
pulled on her braid. “You were brilliant.”

Aryne collapsed
into the nearest chair and rubbed her face.

“Are you sure
consulting with Firen is a good idea?” Taro asked. “I’m certain he was loyal to
Gifford until he realised Green was the horse to back, and then to you when
Green’s light began fading.”

“He’s watching
his own skin, is right,” she agreed. “But I think he knows everything. I don’t
know that he’s committed any crimes. He wasn’t even part of the fighting force.
He was the one to propose that the code be turned into a contest, giving me an
opportunity to demonstrate my worth. Many will see that as loyalty. If I don’t
honour that, people will think I’ll turn on them, even those who help me, as
quickly as Green had. I can’t punish him just because I don’t like him. But I’m
not going to let him run around, doing who knows what outside of my view. It’s
probably better to keep him close, to keep him under watch.”

“You’ll have a
lot of people to watch,” Taro warned her.

She grinned at
him. “Kai, but you’ll help me, right?”

“Of course.
Until we go back to Flown Raven.”

Aryne jolted
straight up in her chair. “I thought you were staying here!”

And the
surprises just kept on punching me in the face.

“Flown Raven is
our post,” Taro reminded her.

“You were
replaced,” Aryne pointed out.

“For reasons
that are no longer relevant,” I said.

“And the Triple
S council has told you that?”

“Well, no. But
it’s only logical.”

“You can’t go!”

Taro raised an
eyebrow. “Are you ordering us to stay here?” His voice carried a warning edge.

“I’m asking
you,” she said in a soft, uncertain voice. “Please. I can’t do this by myself.”

“You have
Druce,” I reminded her sharply.

Aryne whipped
around to look at her Source, her expression apologetic.

Druce shrugged
it off. “I know what she means,” she said easily. “We’re just out of the
Academy. We’ve been watched and controlled all the way here. And now we’re
supposed to just take everything over? It’s ludicrous.”

“How is it less
ludicrous for us to be involved?” I asked. “You two have spent years training
for this.”

“Everyone knows
that you’re the best Pair,” Aryne countered. “You’ve been everywhere. Everyone
knows you do things for regulars that you don’t have to do. You’ve got
connections to everyone. Taro’s cousin has the largest estate, part of which he
gave to her. The Malloroughs are one of the most successful and highly
respected trading families. Everyone knows you were favoured by Empress
Constia, and everyone’s starting to like her again. What Pair would make more
sense?”

All right, so
the idea did have a sort of logic to it. In theory.

“And it’s not
like before. If Erstwhile is going to suffer events, it needs a Pair. It
wouldn’t be a frivolous post.”

But that wasn’t
what she was really after. She wanted us to get in involved in political
things.

“Please don’t
leave me,” she said. “Again.”

I glared at her.
“Guilt is a tool of the weak and the underhanded.”

Aryne was
unrepentant. “Kai, but did it work?”

Yes, damn it. I
couldn’t even claim to have to think about it. I didn’t know the first thing
about ruling anything – the very notion was ridiculous – but if being there
would help Aryne in any way, of course I had to stay. There was no other
choice.

And while I had
come to think of Flown Raven as home – aside from the Academy, it had been the
place I’d lived the longest – I didn’t like how it had isolated Taro and me. So
much had gone on in the rest of the world without us even knowing.

“Don’t get
excited,” Taro said. “It’s up to the Premier Pair to place Pairs. Unless you
plan on stripping that authority from them.”

“Of course not.”
But she was smirking. Little brat.

“You should ask
them as soon as possible,” I said. “Before they start making their own plans.”

“I’m not going
to ask them. You are.”

“It’s your
responsibility to make that request.”

“Don’t you think
they’ll find it less obnoxious if it came from you? I don’t want them thinking I’m
throwing my weight around, trying to tell them what to do.”

“So you want
them to think
we’re
throwing
our
weight around?” Taro demanded.

Aryne granted
him a beguiling smile.

Taro rolled his
eyes.

Neither of us
had a spine. It was pathetic.

Taking my own
advice, we went straight to the rooms the Premier Pair had been housed in. They
were in Zoffany’s suite, which was considerably smaller than our suite. I found
that inappropriate, Taro and I having grander quarters than the Premier Pair.
Zoffany was reading a book and Sato was sitting at a desk covered with paper.
Writing reports, I’d wager. I liked the idea of the Premier Pair having to
write tiresome reports as the rest of us did.