The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (38 page)

“A man of martial background. I respect that,” Phaezut stated calmly. “Let us hope our talks have no need to require his direction. I prefer to avoid conflict. It is why we keep such a close watch on those who enter our borders. Many would come to cause harm to my people if I did not monitor the lands at a constant.”

“I am curious then,” Aiva pondered. “Your people seem quite capable of handling themselves without the need of assistance from other countries. What type of negotiation do you suggest?”

“We are businessmen and women here in Palinon. We like to consider our allies as – trading partners. If you understand what I mean.”

“Yes. You mentioned having arrangements with the pirates, and I was informed of some type of trade agreement in place between them and your people. If trade is what you desire, then we may have a chance at doing business. What goods do you find yourself in need of?” Aiva straightened in her seat, smiling graciously at the maid as another glass of wine was offered. Accepting it, she looked over the fine craftsmanship of the glass, taking note of it for the first time. In the light she could see the glass was not simply clear like those back home. There was a red tint to it, the dyes adding to the contents of the glass, making it appear darker.

Phaezut took another glass of wine for himself, smiling broadly at Aiva, his tiny sharpened teeth catching the flickering light, sparkling eerily. He was like a man with the facial features of a fox. She didn’t doubt him to be capable of being equally crafty and sly as any animal they had encountered since reaching the Palinoen desert. “You have seen our lands,” he stated flatly. With a wide arc of his hands, he gestured to the area around him. “There is little here that we have not been forced to find a means of providing ourselves. We rely on metals, though it is not something which we find plentiful. Much like lumber. And as of late, we have found ourselves particularly in need of grain. Our food supplies have been at a record low and rapidly declining. We are in fear of famine if we are not able to open more trade agreements to keep a ready supply at our fingertips until our own crops have had time to replenish.”

Taking a sip of her wine, Aiva gave a slight nod. It made sense. The climates were less than adequate for providing many types of food. The Feh Noq’s access to water seemed a formidable means of negating that factor, however. “I do not question the direness of your situation, though I feel compelled to inquire. Within the palace walls, I have become aware of your ability to acquire water. Can this water not be utilized to assist in the growth of more crops?”

“Our water supply is brought to us by means of an underground piping system, designed long ago by our ancestors, delivering water from the Ryseu River which runs from Vaeduec into the borders of Palinon along the west. While it is beneficial to our people for many reasons to have this at our disposal, it does nothing to change the richness of our soil. Regardless of moisture, our ground remains burnt. You seem an intelligent enough woman to know that such conditions make growth next to impossible.”

“I do understand. I was merely making an observation of a resource you have access to which, to my knowledge, no other country has yet to achieve.” Aiva nibbled her lip thoughtfully. She was impressed by the advanced society they were surrounded by. These people had the capability of creating a ready source of water, pumped through a complex system of pipes underground. And the detail of her drinking glass indicated it to be handmade. Possibly blown by a skilled Feh Noq glassmaker. To see glass in other colors was not unheard of, though it was rare in the north. She was intrigued to think of what other things these people had discovered far before any other race had even considered it.

But what could she offer this man? Phaezut. The leader of the Feh Noq now admitting to her the delicate state of his country. Metal could be acquired for trade. There was no question on that. Lumber would be more difficult to offer. As a Vor’shai, they disliked to disrupt nature in any way. To destroy the life that produced the energy their people so effectively utilized and revered. Trees which had fallen of natural causes could be provided, but to promise anything beyond that would go against her beliefs.

“I cannot guarantee lumber,” she stated firmly. It was best to make her position known up front. She had seen her parents do the same on many occasions. Laying the groundwork to avoid possible misunderstandings later in negotiations. “Our people are very fond of nature, and all that has been granted to us. However, the other goods you mention would not be difficult to arrange a trade. Metal we can acquire, and crops are plentiful in our land. Grains are simple enough, as well as many other foods which might benefit your people. That being said, this is a business deal. While I enjoy the thought of doing something to help out of the goodness of my heart, I would be a poor representative of my people if I did not ask for anything in return which might benefit them. So tell me. What is it you offer in exchange for our assistance?”

“Ah, now comes the bargaining,” Phaezut chuckled. “We have many fine goods which are produced here in Palinon by my people. The glasses you drink from now, for example, are only a taste of what we are capable of. If material goods are not your preference, then perhaps there are other avenues which might be of more use to you.” He leaned forward, contemplative, thinking over his words carefully. “The Feh Noq boast some of the most effective weapons for combat. I am aware of your past with the race known as Ven’shal. Would it be safe to assume that your people may require such items? Or assistance in another way to protect against these miscreants? I am not particularly fond of their kind myself.”

“The Ven’shal have not posed a threat to our country in nearly fifty years,” Callum added, his voice catching Aiva off guard. He had been so quiet throughout the conversation. She was surprised to hear him seek to involve himself now, though with the mention of weapons and combat, it was only reasonable to allow him the opportunity to speak. As if reading her thoughts, he glanced over to Aiva with an apologetic smile. “However, it is up to the Princess to decide on the terms.”

Turning back to Aiva expectantly, Phaezut raised his wine glass to her, finishing the final swallows. “What say you then, Princess? What is it you desire most from my people?”

Nothing came to mind. There was no physical item which could be granted by Phaezut that would accomplish the one thing her people needed at that moment. They needed to rescue Shaelyn and the Feh Noq currently stood in their way by keeping them in the city. But etiquette required her to remain. To keep relations friendly. If they upset Phaezut, he would likely make passage to the coast impossible for them. Unless… “You mention the weapons your men can construct. What of your warriors? Do you consider your army strong?”

“One of the strongest, My Lady,” Phaezut smirked. “There is a reason we hold the reputation we do. My soldiers hit hard, and they hit where it hurts most. They know the desert as if it was their own backyard. Within the borders of our country, they are unstoppable.”

“And what of your stance on forming military alliances with other countries? Is this something you have considered in the past?”

“We have had little need to discuss alliances of that nature with anyone before. Our only threat comes from the west where we border the damnable Syet, but we maintain control over the situation, and no one has approached us regarding their squabbles before. What is it you suggest?”

Aiva smiled charmingly, her expression softened. “There is only one thing which my people require at the moment, and it is something only you can offer, Phaezut.” She watched him carefully, afraid of how he might react to her direct use of the name she had heard so many others call him. It felt more formal. More direct. Satisfied that he was not offended, or had shown no indication of such, she pressed onward with her proposition. “We are here because the pirates have something which belongs to us. The terrain of Palinon has set us back and we are at terrible risk of losing our enemy. What I suggest is a military alliance. An offer of assistance between your people and mine. While it is preferred that such an alliance would have no need to surface again, I believe my people would be pleased to know that we have a friend in you and your men in the event of further strife. In exchange, we would provide the food your people require to survive, and our extended offer of assistance if you should ever find need. The Tanispan military is very skilled. Well-trained. Some of the best tacticians in all of Myatheira. An alliance between our countries could be beneficial for us both.”

Stroking his chin thoughtfully, Phaezut appeared to consider her offer. Aiva wasn’t sure how to progress if he denied her. It seemed a perfect arrangement for the Feh Noq. She asked nothing of them other than their current support. They would be under no obligation to provide anything, and in exchange Phaezut would have the food to help his people. He would be a fool to turn down an arrangement so tilted in his favor.

At her side she could feel Callum’s eyes on her. Watching her. She didn’t dare look at him to see what expression might be on his face. A military agreement was stepping into the grounds of his duties. If Phaezut conceded, the negotiation would be turned over to Callum for further discussion. She could only hope that Callum would be capable of holding Phaezut’s interest. Finishing the last of her wine, she sat the glass on the table in front of her, grateful for the steadiness of her hands. The other people had begun to disperse, lost in their own conversations, oblivious to the business conducted there. All she had to do was convince Phaezut that she was confident in her decisions and there would be no question of her leadership. She needed him to respect her. If he considered her weak, he would have no use for her, and could end all negotiation.

“Tacticians, hmm?” Phaezut let his gaze settle on Callum once again. “Do you consider yourself a skilled tactician, Prince?”

“I would not be Captain of the Royal Army if I was not, Sir,” Callum nodded. “Such a position is not presented to a soldier so easily. Prior to my holding the title, it was once bestowed upon our current Queen, Leyna Levadis, during the war against the Ven’shal. Before that, it was held by my own father, now the General. If there is no one considered worthy of the role, then the position remains empty. I am the first to hold the honor in almost fifty years.”

“And how is it determined whether a soldier is worthy of such a prestigious title?”

“They must prove themselves in the line of duty, Sir.”

“You say your Queen held the position?”

Callum chuckled, revealing a lack of intimidation at Phaezut’s persistent questions. “It is a long and complicated story, but prior to her marriage to King Thade, she was one of the finest warriors to ever grace the Tanispan army. She was trained in the art of combat by my father. As was the Princess,” he gestured to Aiva, “Queen Leyna took three poisoned arrows, fired from the bows of the Sanarik warriors, which had been aimed to kill both of the previous Queen’s sons while at war in Siscal against Namorea.”

“An admirable act,” Phaezut nodded. “On the other hand, you appear far too young to have seen much in the way of war. Tell me of your qualifications.”

“I was Commander on one of the defending ships in Siscal which took down an enemy vessel threatening the shores. The pirates have been pressing on the Siscalian people, kidnapping their citizens, and selling them into slavery upon reaching Luquarr. Making a profit off the misfortune of their victims and their families. Much the same as they are attempting to do with Princess Aiva’s sister.”

“And you are charged with her rescue?”

“I am. Unfortunately, their trade agreement with you allowed them to traverse the desert with far more ease and efficiency than we have managed to this point.”

“Come.” Phaezut rose suddenly, motioning for Aiva and Callum to follow. “We will discuss this in more detail, Prince. It is time for me to test you now. It seems your Princess is just as persuasive as you implied. Let us see if you are as intelligent as she claims.”

Hesitantly, Aiva moved closer to Callum’s side, wrapping her arm around his to avoid separation. She hated the anxiety building inside at Phaezut’s failure to give a direct answer to her offer. If he was going to help them, they needed to know now if they were to have any hope at reaching Luquarr before Ireni had a chance to arrange sale of Shaelyn to one of their slave owners. Aiva shuddered at the thought. No. They would find Ireni. And she would be killed for the insult she bestowed upon the Levadis family.

Phaezut led them around the courtyard path, motioning toward a small table situated amongst one of the well-tended flowerbeds, tiny petals of varying shades of red and pink adding a splash of color to the scenery. As they drew nearer, Aiva recognized the table to be decorated on top by square markings similar to that of a human chess board, though the pieces resembled a game more familiar to the Vor’shai. A variant of the human version, created to suit the Tanispan culture. “Have a seat,” Phaezut waved Callum toward one of two tiny stools arranged on either side. “I acquired this game during a trade with the pirates years ago, here in the city of Lemahic. They told me it was a game of strategy played by the Vor’shai. If you will indulge me, Prince.”

Posture erect, confident, Callum settled on the small seat, knees bent awkwardly to keep from bumping the underside of the table. He stared down at the board, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Curious, he reached toward one of the pieces, lifting a tiny white figurine shaped like an archer. “I was unaware such a game was played outside the Tanispan borders,” Callum mused, setting the figurine in place atop the board. “Did the pirates tell you anything more of the game?”

“I am aware of the rules, if that is your inquiry,” Phaezut smirked. “Losuvas, they called it.”

Satisfied by the answer Callum nodded, eyeing the board carefully. “Named after the first General of the Vor’shai army. One of the most revered tacticians in Tanispan history.”