'A dangerous drink. What is this one here?'
'Poison whiskey, my lord. An infusion of mountain cobra and sand scorpion.'
'I'll take the rice wine.' He winked and Isla poured him his drink. He squeezed her hand as she passed him his cup, and she walked back to the wall wishing she could say more.
The guests engaged in idle chatter while they ate their first course; vegetables and minced beef rolled in rice paper, crab meat in spiced watermelon soup, and other small servings that decorated their table.
'How finds the Honoured Envoy our food?' the Maha Rama asked as he took a bite of his sliced pork belly, sucking the oil off his fingers. Any hunger Isla had was as soon lost under the sound of his chewing.
'Beautiful, Your Honourable Rama.' Sir Edric managed to say, though his diction made it sound more as though he was complimenting the Maha Rama's beauty. 'Nothing compares to Eastern Isle delicacies.'
'This is but a small taste. The full force of our cuisine shall be met come the Rising Year festivity, to which of course my honoured guests I bid attend.'
'Tell us more about your journey.' The request came from Maharaj Persi, whose voice was a battlecry compared to his father's delicate tone. 'It must have been a hard voyage. I myself am yet to set foot upon the tempestuous sea.'
'Had I only known! Verily would I have bade thee come aboard our magnificent Tempestorm,' added the Maha Rama.
Aldir interpreted the king's words to Sir Edric, who then in halting Srikh said, 'We came aboard a respectable merchant's vessel. One who has had many dealings across the Great Ters Altum.'
In exchange for his assistance, they had promised Captain Stirling precedence for his commerce in the coming trade agreement. Although he was a long friend of Sir Edric's, Osmer Stirling was, after all, still a merchant; and the only help merchants gave came at the promise of profit.
Isla could not fault him for it. She would not have had Bartol's aid, and Sir Edric would not now be here, were it not for Captain Stirling. But neither could she trust him. She could only trust that Sir Edric would not have told him more than he needed to know.
'Ours was an unexpected task, Your Serene and Honourable Highnesses,' Sir Edric was saying. 'It was only the last moment before Prince Dariel agreed to send us off.'
'Agreed?' said Maharaj Persi. 'So this visit is by your behest?'
'I apologise. That is not what I meant at all. Perhaps Aldir can better explain.'
'My lord has long fought to foster better relations with the good people of Surikhand,' said Aldir. 'As Your Serene and Honourable Highnesses must know, many of your people have established themselves in Elingar. There is little love some Elings have for your people there. Thriving though their industries are, often your people are target to the most abhorrent of men, so far that they are from the protection of their Honourable Maha Rama.'
'Verily that pains me to hear.' The Maha Rama picked up his chalice and drank slowly. 'It is beyond my comprehension, the very desire to stray so far. Never has mine own heart longed for the seas and yonder realms. What can I say of my people, but their adventurous spirits? My children, whom for venture they so yearn, even at the cost of their father's safe haven.'
A haven? Isla was thankful for the shadows that hid her. Never mind that he was shifting blame upon the very people who so much as dared to seek opportunity, or freedom, in another realm.
But some people do think of it that way. Her mind was on Phrae; how pleased the girl was for being at the palace. For the opportunity to wed into a greater life. Certainly she isn't the only one with such sentiments.
'I cannot speak as to their motives,' said Sir Edric, Aldir swiftly interpreting his words, 'but I can speak of their results. Over the last decade, their influence has not gone without notice. There is increasing demand for Surikh products. Herbs, spices, coffees, teas ... your finer woods, lighter linens ... our more affluent even take pleasure in your arts and crafts.'
Maharaj Khaisan barely stifled a yawn. Most likely, he was forced to attend under his grandfather's request.
'Our trade have thus thrived,' Sir Edric continued under Aldir's interpretation. 'It is no longer advisable to allow merchants free reign of the seas.'
'For certain,' Maharaj Persi sniffed. 'We know your Eling traders well. They buy our linens cheap and sell their dresses steep.'
'What Prince Dariel proposes extends far beyond protection of market price. With Your Highness's blessing, I would like to discuss how both our realms can benefit from and further cultivate our mutual trade.'
'You stand to benefit much from Surikhand.' Maharaj Persi stirred in his seat. 'His Highness will not say it, but I certainly will. You wish us to open our ports to you. Fools we are not; we know we are the gateway to the rest of the Eastern Isles. You wish to set your roots upon our harbours and thence spread your branches. But what can you offer Surikhand in return?'
Sir Edric smiled, unperturbed though the maharaj looked at him with the righteous air of one who had caught another in a lie. They spent the hour with talk of mutual protection, potential trade arrangements, and other tiresome details that made Isla feel as though she were back in Master Chendra's Intercontinental Trade lecture.
Her concentration was ebbing. She shifted the tray to her less aching arm and let her eyes rove around the hall. The second meal had long been served, the third and final course was well on its way, and they were yet to conclude. Isla noticed Maharaj Khaisan staring glumly at his cup and quickly made to replenish it.
'... and Biripor will see the same growth and prosperity as Elingar's very own port city of Ayresmoor,' Sir Edric finished. 'Our business here will attract your Eastern Isle neighbours. No longer will they make straight for the ports in Godsthrone and Terra Sol, when Surikhand is so much closer. Biripor will become a hub.'
'Is this not the most dull thing you have ever witnessed?' Maharaj Khaisan mumbled at Isla as she poured him his sugar cane extract. He did not even look at her as he said so, and she only responded with a deep bow before backing away into her wall.
But even so. The crown prince had spoken to her.
If Phrae only knew ...
The girl was still awake when Isla returned to her sleeping quarters, stiff and torn after hours of standing.
The meeting had lasted well into the night. Isla had waited with the other serving girls until the three royal highnesses retreated. She had almost succumbed to tears when Aldir and Sir Edric withdrew through the giant doors, but as Isla was walking back towards her asraam, Whitebill had found her, a small letter in its claws. Under the secrecy of night, Isla had taken it and replaced it with one of her own.
Presently, she shed off her frock and climbed into bed, feeling Phrae's sharp eyes on her the entire time.
'You're so very late. You'd never survive tomorrow's lesson.'
Isla pulled her blanket tight around her chin and turned away. Sir Edric should now be reading the note she had passed on through Whitebill. She imagined the two of them hunched over her letter. At least they would be pleased with news of Prijsti.
She looks for you at the servants' district, she had written. But for her list of suspects, she had been careful not to include any names. Even in the unlikely event that Whitebill was intercepted, they would not be able to trace the letter back to her.
'The kitchens are not that important, Lilja.' The room fell into darkness as Phrae snuffed out her candle.
'I don't have the energy for this. And you'll wake Tran.'
'Always thinking of others. What about yourself? You're failing miserably in all your lessons.'
'Which saves you the effort of sabotaging my work. You can hardly speak, besides. What are you still up for? Memorising the entire Tides and Times of Surikhand?'
Phrae scoffed. 'Some of us can't coerce a nobleman into marriage.'
Isla was too tired to set her straight. Something dropped onto the mattress beside her. There was a burst of warmth and immediately she was basking in Pepper's familiar yellow glow. She took out Aldir's letter and read under her blanket.
'Does that lizard ever sleep?' She barely heard Phrae's complaint. Isla was already far too immersed in Aldir's message.
Noi was unhappy, but safe. She did not take well to being left behind, âbut she had to be, Aldir had written. Now she continues Sir Edric's work in his absence. As much as she can, at any rate.
The thought amused Isla.
Sir Edric had spent years petitioning for the acceptance of fugitives seeking refuge in Elingar. In fact, weren't it for his political involvement, he would never have been court-martialled and stripped of his position as Knight Protector.
Though his being in Surikhand was primarily to assist Isla, not only could he now rescue his long-lost love besides, it was also the perfect opportunity to further his political agenda â and with his crown prince's blessing no less. What was it the Elings say? Two wicks, one flame.
Speaking of flame. Isla read over the letter once again, satisfied that she had not missed any hidden messages. It ended with Aldir warning her that this would be the first and last time they could send messages through Whitebill. It was simply not safe. She folded the note and passed it on to Pepper.
'Find somewhere safe and burn it,' she whispered to the element. The note had been written in Eling, but it was always safer to destroy any potentially damning evidence. Pepper took the paper in its mouth and scuttled away.
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