Page 20
Chapter
Twenty
C assius watched the other prince’s face as he frowned at Flora. Then he abruptly turned and strode for the door. They heard him speaking quietly to a servant in the corridor.
“He’s always friendly like that,” Flora informed Cassius.
“You will speak of your brother with respect,” the queen said sharply.
“I was just trying to be humorous, Mother.” Flora sounded weary.
“Humor has no place in the conduct of a princess,” the queen declared. “What will your disrespectful ways make our visitor think of our kingdom?”
Cassius eyed her with disfavor. Life in the castle in Dernan really did sound unendurable. Especially for someone as vibrant as Flora.
“I will refrain from expressing my impression of your kingdom, Your Majesty,” he said with chilling politeness. “But I have no hesitation in telling you that my impression of your daughter is that she is the most capable, selfless, honorable, and appealing woman I have ever met, with beauty to match her pure heart.”
Flora beamed at him, which was all the affirmation he needed for his declaration. He didn’t even pay attention to the queen’s response. The prince had just re-entered the room, his bearing still cautious.
“I don’t understand, Floriana,” he said. “Tell me how you came to be a…what did you call it? A bodyguard?”
“Through my magical abilities,” she told him. “But don’t worry about your precious pride. Neither of the royal families I served knew my identity.”
No one looked very reassured, but they gave no reply. A servant opened the door, and a middle-aged man walked in, looking confused.
“You summoned me, Your Highness?” He addressed the prince.
“Why do you look familiar?” Cassius asked, frowning at the newcomer.
“Yes, I summoned you.” The prince of Dernan cast a quick glance between Cassius and the new arrival. “I wish to know if you recognize this—”
“Your Highness?” The man looked Cassius over, his eyes widening. He bowed swiftly to Cassius, then looked back at the other royals. “Your Majesties, this is Crown Prince Cassius of Carrack.”
“You served as ambassador for Dernan in my father’s court.” Cassius’s memory finally came to his aid. “A few years ago.”
The man bowed. “I am honored that you remember me, Your Highness.”
“You weren’t there very long, were you?” Cassius mused. “My father discouraged the existence of the position once he realized you wouldn’t negotiate the export of any chameleon steel.”
The man’s expression was rueful.
“I’m glad you mentioned that,” Flora said. “It brings us nicely around to the reason we’re here.”
“Never mind that, Floriana.” Her brother metaphorically brushed her aside, his eyes eager as he moved toward Cassius. “Your Highness, please accept my apologies for the manner of your welcome. We did not expect you, or you would have been more appropriately received. Please, allow us to accommodate you in a suite befitting your station.”
“Indeed.” The queen joined her son. “We will host a dinner in your honor this evening, Your Highness, and—”
“We don’t have time for all that, Mother,” Flora interjected. “We’re here for our own reasons, and—”
“You have exposed yourself and your kingdom quite enough, Floriana,” the king said crisply. “Your rooms are ready for you, and you will benefit from a period of quiet reflection while His Highness settles in.”
Flora moved to Cassius’s side, slipping her hand through his arm as if seeking reassurance.
“I’m not going to my rooms.”
No one was listening to her, however, the queen already issuing orders to the servant who’d fetched the former ambassador.
“Cassius.” Flora was looking up at him anxiously, her quiet words tumbling over each other. “Don’t let them separate us. Don’t let them hide me away somewhere, or they’ll never let me back out.”
“Flora, they can’t, remember?” He squeezed her hand, his voice as low as hers. “It’s not physically possible.”
Realization came into Flora’s eyes, and he felt her relax against him. She’d actually forgotten. It seemed that being reinserted into the environment she’d fled from had made her forget a lot of who she’d become in the intervening five years.
“I never thought I’d be grateful for the tether,” she murmured.
Cassius gave a tight smile. “It doesn’t matter,” he assured her. “Even without it, I wouldn’t let them separate us.”
It was time to assert himself.
“Please do not make preparations on my account,” he said loudly. “I’m not interested in accommodations or state dinners. I’m here because Flora wished to come, and I accompanied her. But I need to return to my own kingdom urgently, to prevent the schemes of the men who abducted me—men who were not representatives of either Torrens or Siqual,” he added for good measure.
“Floriana, what were you thinking to interrupt the prince’s journey?” scolded the queen.
She nodded to a servant, who moved forward to whisk Flora away. Flora clung stubbornly to Cassius, and he drew her fingers through his arm and into his hand.
“Let me speak more clearly.” His voice was cold and austere. “Flora is my affianced wife and the future queen of Carrack. I will not allow her to be bullied.”
The queen looked offended, but the king cleared his throat before she could speak.
“Your Highness, we were not aware that Carrack sought to make a marriage of alliance with Dernan. We are willing to discuss the possibility, but naturally negotiations will be necessary to establish terms.”
“Naturally,” Cassius agreed coolly.
“We are not in a position to offer our daughter Floriana’ s hand,” the king continued. “But we have another unmarried daughter who would be more fitting for the honored role you propose.”
Indignation swelled within Cassius, but Flora jumped in before he could say something he might regret.
“No.” She was scowling at her parents. “Alianora can’t have him, because he’s mine.”
“Floriana, try to behave in accordance with your station,” the queen hissed.
But Cassius was fighting down a laugh. “She’s entirely right,” he said. “I have no interest in a marriage alliance with Flora’s sister. My interest is solely in her.”
The three other royals stared at him, apparently struggling to believe that the foreign prince could really want to marry the thorn in their side.
“It seems the advantage of an alliance would be all on Carrack’s side, then,” the king said dryly. “We have something you want—two things, I imagine—but I’m yet to discover what Carrack would offer Dernan in the alliance.”
Cassius took a moment to compose himself. His anger was flaring, both at the slight to his much more powerful kingdom and at the way they spoke about Flora. She hadn’t exaggerated when she called herself a resource rather than a daughter. But losing his temper wouldn’t help.
“What’s the second thing?” Flora asked her father. “Let me guess—chameleon steel?”
“We are aware that the Carrackian king has been eager to get his hands on our stores for some years,” her father said coolly.
Flora gave a mocking laugh. “Well go on, then. Show Prince Cassius what he has to gain from an alliance. Give him a tour of your large stores of chameleon steel. ”
“Floriana.” Her brother’s hiss caught Cassius’s interest. He sounded alarmed as well as disapproving.
Cassius looked between Flora and her family. “What is it?”
“A private matter, Your Highness,” the queen said firmly. “If you truly wish to form an alliance around a marriage between yourself and Princess Floriana, your father will undoubtedly make contact with us once you return to your home. In the meantime, the princess will of course stay here, where you can be sure she will be well cared for.”
“I flatly refuse to stay here without Cassius,” Flora said. “And we don’t have time for proper process. The Peninsula is on the edge of a crisis. Cassius and I wish to marry.” She glanced up at him and corrected herself. “We’re determined to marry. But Dernan can’t offer the military support Carrack needs if the continent is planning aggression. What Carrack really needs is an alliance with Siqual. And that’s what we’re here to broker.”
Cassius blinked, trying to look as though he was part of this plan.
“You’ve come to the wrong kingdom then, Floriana,” her brother said dryly.
“No, I haven’t,” she contradicted. “King Aelius needs more incentive to form an alliance with Siqual. And Dernan is going to be that incentive.” She must have seen her brother’s indignation, because she hurried on. “It will be very much to Dernan’s benefit, don’t worry. Carrack and Siqual together have what Dernan sorely needs, but they need a unifying factor to bring them together and point out the benefits of a three-way alliance. My marriage to Cassius will be that factor.”
“How so?” The king was frowning .
“Yes, how so?” Cassius asked, fascinated.
“The chameleon steel,” Flora said. “It’s time to stop pretending.”
The royals stiffened, their eyes flicking to Cassius, but Flora pushed on.
“I’m not the traitor you think me. I haven’t said a word all these years, but it’s time to be candid.” She turned to Cassius. “Dernan has a vast amount of unrefined chameleon steel, as you’re aware. But you’ve been led to believe that they trade it sparingly purely to control the resource and retain its high value. What no one knows is that the real reason is Dernan can’t keep up with the refinement process. Almost all of what’s been refined has been traded. Dernan has very little arable land, and desperately needs the income.” She glanced at her family. “At least, that was the case five years ago.”
“Thanks to Dernan’s innovation, the refinement has doubled in the last five years,” her brother said tightly.
Flora shrugged. “So it’s a slightly larger small fraction of the ore that’s being turned into chameleon steel.”
“Floriana, you disgrace your position by turning on your own kingdom,” her father said angrily.
“I’m not turning on Dernan,” Flora said with a flash of fire. “I’ve had no interest in claiming a position here for years, but I still don’t wish ill on the kingdom. Dernan needs the wealth chameleon steel can bring. It’s your pride that has harmed the kingdom, by refusing to let anyone in on the secret of the refinement, meaning that you can’t barter for the help you need.”
“Pride is something you would do well to have more of,” her mother told her.
“I hate your pride!” The words burst from Flora with a passion that took Cassius aback. “I’ve always hated it. Your pride is what made my life a misery before I escaped, and your pride is what kept me from coming back. I can’t stop you from being ruled by it—I can’t stop Dernan from suffering from your excess of it, either. But I can refuse to be ruled by it myself.”
There was a moment of silence, no one knowing how to respond to the outburst. Cassius felt a heaviness in his chest as he thought of the role his own pride had played in Flora’s considerable suffering. If he hadn’t been too proud to tell his father about the tether and his loss of face in front of the Siqualians, she would never have been so vulnerable. The gossip of the servants and the mistreatment by the court had stung him because, deep down, he knew he was to blame.
And yet somehow, not only did she forgive him, but she loved him in spite of it.
He didn’t deserve her, but he wasn’t going to turn away his good fortune. Whatever plan she had to make their union possible, he was behind it without reservation.
“What is the limitation in the refinement process?” he asked, when it was clear none of her family would respond to her accusations about their pride.
“A couple of things,” Flora said, turning to him in relief at the topic change. “One is space. The chameleon steel has to be refined at very high temperatures, but the influence of fire destroys its magical properties. It has to be sunlight. Sunlight can be channeled through magically enhanced glass panes in order to be hot enough. But the area of Dernan that gets sufficient sun for the exercise is very small. And it can’t be dedicated solely to refining the ore. It’s the kingdom’s most arable land and is needed for farming. Thus the refinement process is slow.”
“You share our secrets very freely for one who claims no belonging to Dernan,” her brother said through clenched teeth.
“Cassius can be trusted,” Flora told him. “He won’t use the information to exploit you. If you would put aside your pride for five minutes, you’d see that cooperation with the other kingdoms will drastically increase the benefit Dernan derives from the chameleon steel stores.”
Cassius considered her words. “Do you suggest that Carrack offers use of a patch of land as part of the alliance? It could be considered, but it won’t be a large space. Our sunniest regions are also our primary farmland.”
Flora shook her head. “No, Carrack’s land isn’t needed. I’ve given it a great deal of thought over the years, and there’s a perfect solution. The desert in Siqual’s northwest. It’s very sparsely inhabited, with huge swathes of unused land. And it gets near constant sun.”
Her father opened his mouth, paused, then closed it again.
“Carrack has put in a lot of work already towards an alliance with Siqual,” Flora went on. “They will be in a better position to negotiate an agreement. But that’s not your only role.” She smiled up at Cassius, who was watching her with intense focus. “We also need your cobaltite.”
“Our cobaltite?” he repeated, startled. “But it’s not a valuable ore at all.”
“That’s because its full potential hasn’t been explored,” Flora informed him. “The chameleon steel, once melted by sunlight, has to be poured into a stone mold. Don’t ask how we know it has to be stone, it’s been a tortuous process to figure it out over the years since chameleon steel was first discovered. But the stone requires certain properties, including a high level of resistance to heat. Most molds break after one use, which, again, makes the refinement process incredibly slow. Based on the research I did at school, I think cobaltite would be able to withstand the refinement process without breaking down. But Dernan has not a speck of cobaltite to be found within its borders.”
She turned to her parents. “The way I see it, if Carrack brokers a deal with the Siqualians to use their land, and agrees to provide cobaltite for the refinement process, Dernan will be doing very well for itself out of the alliance.”
“Naturally Carrack and Siqual will both expect a significant increase in the import of the refined chameleon steel,” Cassius chimed in. “But we will be willing to pay a fair price for it, and I imagine Siqual would as well.”
“Dernan’s prosperity could only increase,” Flora informed her parents. “And,” she added innocently, “you would be rid of me forever, in a very respectable way.”
Her father didn’t look impressed by that last comment, but his expression told Cassius he was considering the proposal.
“I don’t see why any marriage is necessary to the proposal you’ve made, Floriana,” the queen commented.
“It is absolutely necessary,” Cassius said. His tone was brutally frank as he added, “I had no interest whatsoever in pursuing an alliance with Dernan before learning Flora’s identity. The chameleon steel would be a welcome import, but it is not sufficient to form the basis of an agreement. As Flora said, our marriage would be the centerpiece of the alliance. Without it, Carrack will withdraw from the arrangement altogether.”
The king and queen exchanged glances, and Cassius continued.
“The circumstances are irregular, but it cannot be helped when my kingdom is on the brink of war. Details can be finalized later, but I need an answer as to whether Dernan is open to the proposed alliance.”
“We are willing to consider it,” the king said with dignity. “But I will not commit my kingdom to a war.”
“No one expects that, Father,” said Flora. “Dernan’s army isn’t tempting anyone into an alliance. It’s Siqual’s army Carrack needs.”
“If we act swiftly, my hope is that it won’t be necessary for any armies to gather,” Cassius said. “All I ask from you now, Your Majesty, is a letter to my father, bearing your royal seal, indicating your willingness to consider an alliance upon mutually agreeable terms relating to the export and import of cobaltite and chameleon steel, and formalized through a marriage between myself and Princess Floriana of Dernan.”
It was too much to hope that the king would immediately pen the required missive. But by drawing on all his diplomatic skills and feigning a patience he didn’t feel, Cassius was able to persuade the king to open negotiations with King Aelius. Many questions had to be answered first, and a formal lunch endured, all while Sir Keavling made who knew what progress on his plans. But finally, just before the dinner hour, Cassius had the desired letter in hand.
“Given the lateness of the hour, you will of course spend the night with us,” the queen said graciously.
“I can’t afford to delay,” Cassius said. “I must return to Crandell immediately.”
Flora laid a hand on his arm. “I know you’re eager to stop Sir Keavling,” she said. “So am I. But we can’t take half a plan to your father. We need to be able to tell him that Siqual is on board.”
Cassius groaned. She was right, but it would take so long.
“There’s something else.” Flora had stepped closer to him, her murmur low. “Something I didn’t mention.”
“What?” He searched her eyes.
“If we can get formal acceptance from the Siqualian king to enter into the alliance…”
His breath caught as he took her meaning. “You think it might be enough to break the tether?”
“Maybe,” she said. “The terms of it were an alliance with Siqual, weren’t they?”
He considered it. “I think the terms were specifically a marriage alliance.”
Flora shrugged. “We’ve just said that our marriage will be the centerpiece of the alliance.”
A smile grew slowly on Cassius’s face. “We won’t know until we try.” The lighthearted moment swiftly dimmed. “I wish we weren’t going to be so delayed returning to Crandell, though.”
“Actually, we might not be.” Flora grinned. “I have another secret up my sleeve.”
Cassius eyed her uneasily. “I’m not sure how many more I can take.”
“You’ll like this one,” she told him. “I promise.” She turned to her parents. “Well, we’ll be leaving now.”
Her mother protested. “You can’t ride out an hour before dark. It makes no sense, Floriana.”
“We won’t be riding,” she said. “Or at least, not a horse.” Her face was brighter than Cassius had seen it since they entered the kingdom. “This is exciting. It’s the one thing that made me sometimes feel sad about leaving Dernan forever.”
She seized Cassius’s hand and strode onto the balcony of the room where they were gathered. He watched, bemused, as she began to twirl her hands in a graceful rhythm.
“What are you doing?” Cassius asked.
“I’m going to magically enhance my whistle,” she said. “It doesn’t require much magic. It’s about the intricacy, not the volume of it.”
Next moment, she let out a high-pitched, melodious whistle. Her eyes were fixed on the sky, so Cassius looked that way as well, feeling apprehensive.
Within minutes, an enormous shape appeared in the darkening sky. It hurtled toward them, requiring Flora to jump back as it came to a graceful landing on the stone balcony.
Cassius drew in a sharp breath. “Is that…”
“A griffin,” Flora finished, beaming at it. “My griffin.”
Cassius stared at the creature before him. It had the back half of a lion, complete with swishing tail, and the head and taloned legs of an eagle. It was folding its enormous wings, its mismatched feet prancing forward so it could nudge Flora with its beak.
“It’s…bigger than I expected,” Cassius said faintly.
Flora nodded, idly fending off the griffin’s beak as it pushed her backwards in its enthusiasm.
“Yes,” Flora agreed sagely, “people talk about griffins as lion eagles, but they’re far bigger than either of those creatures.” She beamed at the half-bird, half-feline. “I’ve missed you, Griffy. It’s been a long time.”
“Griffy?” Cassius raised an eyebrow.
“In my defense, I was ten when I first found him at the cliffs and started befriending him,” Flora said. “They don’t trust you quickly, griffins. It took close to five years before he decided to recognize me as a friend. But once they accept you, they’re loyal to you for life. ”
“Is this how you fled last time?” The indignant question came from Flora’s mother.
“Sure is,” she said cheerfully, stroking the creature’s feathers as it craned its neck for a better angle. “He carried me all the way into Torrens. He didn’t much like it, though. They prefer to stay within Dernan, I think. I did once try calling him from Siqual, but I could tell that my whistle didn’t reach him.”
“I knew we shouldn’t have allowed you to accompany your brothers on all those surveying trips to the clifftop mines,” the queen said in frustration.
“It was the only freedom you ever allowed me,” Flora agreed. “And it was enough for me to unlock my cage.” Her boldness was returning as the prospect of departure neared. “See you when it’s time to finalize the alliance, I suppose.”
With that heartfelt farewell, she climbed onto the railing of the balcony, using it to scramble onto the griffin’s back.
“Come on, Cassius.”
“Surely it can’t hold us both,” he said, staring at it uncertainly.
“Of course he can.” Flora’s hand was extended in an invitation. “He’s a magical creature, Cassius. His strength and speed don’t follow the normal rules of the animal kingdom. He’ll get us where we need to go.” She flashed him a grin. “Just don’t fall off.”
On those encouraging words, Cassius seized her hand and hoisted himself up onto the griffin’s back. Ignoring her family’s vehement protests, Flora murmured to the beast, and a few moments later, it had launched itself back into the sky, carrying the two humans southwest at an impossible speed.