Ban approached the empress' quarters. This used to be a pleasure. He'd normally be coming up with something to tease Enfri with at this time, but lately he walked these last few steps with trepidation. A fear lingered in his heart of what he would find waiting for him on the other side of that door. His friend and sister of the heart? Or a thrall. Didn't help much that he was no better.
The Opals and Peridots in Inaz's royal guard parted for Ban. He was expected. Ban exchanged a nod with Lady Kora Mensc before walking up to the door.
It opened before anyone had the chance to announce him, and Ban felt his eyes narrow at the man leaving Enfri's chambers. "My lord," he said in greeting.
Darian looked over his shoulder into the empress' rooms up until the door shut behind him. When he turned to face Ban, he maintained a smirk, and Ban would bet his last penny that it was a lascivious one.
"My Lord Karst, it's been a span, hasn't it?"
Ban had never received anything but polite friendliness from Darian, but waves take him if he still didn't like the man. Something about him rubbed Ban in every wrong way. "So it has. I was under the impression you left a while ago."
"So I did, and I've just returned to report to Her Majesty. There were a number of things she wanted to speak to me about, and it's the least I can do to oblige her every desire."
Ban definitely didn't like Darian's choice of emphasis. It felt like Darian expected Ban to laugh and join in his merrimentâ some sort of joyboy solidarityâ but Ban maintained a civil if cool facade. "Speak about what, specifically?" Ban asked.
Darian winked and started past him. "It isn't gentlemanly to start gossip. I will ask, however, if you remember our last conversation?"
Ban furrowed his brow.
"I just threw my hat into the ring."
Darian grinned and walked off with his chin held high. Ban glowered after him, then looked to Kora. She looked nauseas, but Ban also noted how her eyes lingered on Darian's backside.
"Is he really that pretty?" Ban asked once Darian was out of earshot.
Kora made a discontented sound. "Would that he wasn't, sir."
Ban raised an eyebrow.
Kora shifted her feet. "The Teranor's the sort that makes you think you wouldn't maybe mind all that much, needing to take a bath after. Got that sense about him. You just know."
"Know what?"
Kora raised her brow pointedly. "You know."
Ban raised his palms helplessly.
"Don't think on it too hard, sir. If it helps, there's the same sense about you, just not oily."
"Um... thanks. I'll take that as a... compliment?"
Kora smirked. "Lady Moon's a lucky lady, eh?"
"I think we're not talking about the same thing anymore." He fought back a blush and nodded towards the door. "If you would, Captain."
Kora signaled for the Opals flanking the door to open the way. After giving Kora a sheepish nod of farewell, he bustled his way in and tried not to look like he was fleeing. It might've been his imagination, but Ban thought he heard a few chuckles through the door after it closed.
Enfri waited in her sitting room. The empress wore one of her more conservative dresses, a pale blue one with a high neck and long skirt. She had her back to him as she paced from one side of the chamber to the other. Enfri held her chin in her fingers, eyes on her feet, and there was a furtive energy to her steps. Ban also saw that her cheeks burned red. To show through her darker skin, that meant it must've been one Hell of a blush.
Ban approached the center of the room as Enfri's pacing took her close by. "I... uh... just saw..."
Enfri swatted him.
"Waves, why?" Ban squawked.
She swatted him again. "Send the Rubies after that man!" Enfri shrieked. "Off with his head!"
Ban felt something flare inside him. He took Enfri by the wrist to forestall further swatting while the other clenched into a fist in anticipation of slaying a joyboy. "What did he do to you?" Ban demanded. "Where's Inaz?"
A throat cleared near to the door to Enfri's inner rooms. Ban looked up and saw Inaz standing at ease with his arms crossed. Mevek the Guardian was beside him and wore a tired expression.
Enfri shook with outrage in Ban's grip. She didn't look up at his face. "He... He... Oh, I could kill him. I do not need this right now! As if he didn't know what I'm dealing with today already, and he gets it in his head to... to..." She screamed in frustration.
Ban let go of her. Something told him that he wouldn't be taking Darian's head off today. The righteous fury he'd built up was tucked neatly away for future use. "Darian made a pass at you."
"I should blustering say so!" Enfri finally looked up at Ban. Her brow was knit together with indignation, and that deep blush had yet to fade. It wasn't often something got her hackles raised this high. "There I was, minding my own business, talking with him about how he means to get his throne out from under Old Fen. We're sitting there on the sofa together with our tea, when... Do you have the slightest inkling of what that reprobate did?"
Ban leaned back. "I think you're going to tell me."
"He put his hand on my knee!"
"The cad."
"Then, when I stopped talking and looked his way, all but shouting with my eyes that he'd best step his stupid backside off, he leaned closer!"
Ban gasped.
"So I say, 'what do you think you're doing?', and do you know how he responds?"
"Not a clue."
Enfri threw her arms out wide, made an unpleasant face, and parodied a male voice. "Your Majesty, I wasn't sure until now, but it's true. You must be the loveliest woman I've ever seen."
Ban wrinkled his nose and looked to Inaz, who sighed and gave a dejected sort of nod to confirm the empress' story. With a wince, Ban returned his attention to Enfri. "Waves take me. Makes you wonder about Reyn, if she ever fell for that garbage."
"Blustering man," Enfri muttered. "Blustering joyboy. Takes a special kind of self-absorbed to talk like that just because he knows he's pretty enough to get away with it."
"Aye, as to that, he does think he got away with it. The way he was talking when I passed him in the hall, he thinks you two are all but courting."
Enfri took in a long breath through her nose to settle down. "Definitely not. Not now, when everything's gone tits up across the Continent."
"I hope you didn't phrase it like that to him," Ban warned. "Any mention of tits aside, men like him get told 'not now' and hear 'maybe later'."
Enfri put her back to Ban. "Maybe I meant 'maybe later'," she said sullenly.
Ban was sure he misheard. "Excuse me?"
"Don't be daft, Ban. Both Reyn and Pacifica ran off, which means I'm fresh out of regents. I need an heir and soon."
"Waves and tides," Ban said. "Are we really talking about this?"
"No," Enfri said, turning to face him. "Too much is happening to get distracted, and picking someone to father my children will have to wait at least until the Spired City falls."
There was a lot in that sentence Ban felt he should comment on. "But... Darian?"
"And why not?" Enfri demanded. "He's a king, or he will be. The kingdoms will be in chaos when all's said and done, so an alliance of marriage will bring stability to the region. If nothing else, he's got attractive bone-structure."
"What about..."
"What about what?" Enfri scoffed. She crossed her arms. "Love? Tried to go that way, but remember how that worked out? Empresses don't get to fall in love, Ban. It's not allowed. All that'll come of it is a kick in the teeth."
Ban shook his head. "You mean for me to believe that getting jilted by Jin is sending you to Darian, legs open? I don't buy it."
"Ban!" Enfri exclaimed, scandalized.
"Enfri! Don't think you're fooling me for a second. I get you're hurt, but you did Jin worse than she did you, and you know it."
Something altogether unlike the Enfri he knew came into her expression. It was a hateful look. Ban never wanted to see Enfri look like that again.
"At the very least," she said in a cold tone, "Darian understands what an empress must be. Jin would've had me stay a sky woman forever."
Ban averted his eyes. He couldn't bear to look at this new side of her. "That doesn't matter, Enfri. What matters is what you would rather be."
He dared to look back at her, and it broke his heart to see what he did. The mask cracked, and there was a girl in pain underneath it. Enfri gripped her skirt in both hands and clenched the fabric in her fists. Then the imperial mask settled back into place.
"I don't get that choice anymore," she said calmly. "I'm the Dragon Empress, and I have to do what's best for Shan Alee. Even if that means..."
"Enough," Ban growled. He rubbed his temples. "Waves and tides, when did everything go all wrong?"
"Somewhere in Ecclesia, I think," Enfri whispered quietly. "I know you're not happy about the choices I've made lately, Ban, but..."
"I'm with you," Ban said firmly, "and I'll stay with you until the end."
Enfri met his eye, and she finally smiled. She looked like herself again. It was a sadder version than Ban would've wanted, but it was her nonetheless. "Consider this your way out, Ban. If you ever feel like you need to leave, you can. I won't hold it against you."
Ban snorted. "It'd have to get a lot worse than this to make me consider it."
"Even if I wind up courting Darian?"
Ban made a disgusted sound. "Don't test that. I know plenty of quality people you could look at before you go for some Nadian scum-bucket." He sighed. "But, aye. Whatever may come, I'm with you."
Enfri bit her lip and looked away. Only for a moment, then the smile returned. She came up to Ban and gave him a hug. "I don't think I've ever said it to your face, but I love you."
Ban returned the hug and patted the top of her head. "Aye, well, you don't always gotta say it to have it be heard. I love you, too, Sissy. Always will."
She pulled back and wrinkled her nose. "Sissy!"
Ban smirked.
"Blustering lout. You and my father would've gotten on too well, and it ticks me off."
It would probably be for the best if Ban didn't laugh at that, so he held it in check. He then remembered the business that brought him to Enfri's rooms in the first place. Ban stepped back from her and made his tone grave. "Sorry, but there's still unpleasant work to see to today."
Enfri smoothed out her dress and let out a sigh. "I suppose so. We have an emperor to welcome, don't we?"
Ban nodded.
"Would you wait outside for a moment?" she asked. "I just need a minute to... compose myself."
"Aye, Majesty. We've a few minutes before it starts."
Ban took his leave. He looked once more towards Inaz before stepping out of the room and received a salute and a nod from both him and his Guardian. Then, he opened the door and shut it quietly behind him.
oOo
Enfri felt breathless as she watched Ban leave. No matter what he said, she felt like she'd damaged something irreparably between them with some of the things she said. What made it worse was that she actually meant most of it.
Perhaps it is jealousy, Shoen chuckled. He grows tired of that eldritch monster he calls a wife and wishes to have you for himself.
Grandfather, Enfri thought in warning, I'll let you say all manner of things about a lot of people I used to care about, but never talk about my First Knight like that again.
There was actually the beginning of an apology before Enfri tore her thoughts away from Shoen. It hurt this time, another sign that she was weakening herself to the spooks' influence once again. Enfri could endure it, because events were moving swiftly to the point where there would be no more need to hide things from Shoen. Very soon, Enfri would have no one left around her who was in on her true plan.
Shoen was probably getting upset with her by now. If he was kicked out of the room enough, he would surely resent the one doing the kicking. Fortunately, Enfri was counting on that.
"Winds," Enfri muttered. "Mevek, would you go with Ban? I forgot to tell him Deebee won't be joining us. He should know as soon as possible."
The Guardian furrowed her brow, but she gave a salute. "At once, my empress."
Once she had left the room as well, Enfri gave Inaz a subtle signal. A moment later, all sound coming in from outside the windows and the other side of the door ceased. Inaz still wasn't the most practiced of sorcerers, but he could place a privacy ward well enough.
"I'm an idiot," she said.
Inaz grunted.
"What? No argument?"
Inaz shrugged. "It isn't my place to say one way or the other, Majesty."
"Is my place." Moon came out from Enfri's bedchamber with little Nikos in her arms. She'd been hiding in there since before Darian arrived, listening in on Enfri's conferences. "Enfri is rocker. Big rocker. Empty green one with empty head."
Moon wore her knight's uniform, which might have been adding to her irritability. She hated wearing that thing. It might've made her look a little more fearsome, but it was countered by how tenderly she held her son. Nikos, for his part, occupied himself by making pleased noises whenever his mother called someone a rocker.
"Which part makes me worse?" Enfri asked sadly.
"Stone-scented red scents of Enfri," Moon said. "Scents really of Enfri. Is no clouds around what he wants from her."
"Nobody likes him at all, do they?" Enfri said. "I mean, really, what has he done to earn everyone's dislike?"
Inaz shrugged. "That sense of entitlement, is my guess."
"Aye," Moon agreed. "Blooded kith speaks unclouded. Stone-scented red thinks Enfri is his because he scents of her. Does not care if Enfri scents of him back."
"Well, at least someone still wants me." Enfri held up her hands before Moon could start in on calling her a rocker again. "I'm sorry. I won't say that again."
"She better not!"
"Alright, alright, I won't."
"But is not just joyboy red." Moon carried Nikos in the crook of one arm while planting the other on her hip. "She speaks clouds at Ban."
Enfri nodded sadly. "You know why I have to. He can't know, Moon. You and Inaz are the only two left with me who know everything. Everyone else has gone to do what they need to."
"Is sad thing," Moon agreed. "Is why Ban should be unclouded. He not ever go far from Enfri."
"It's too risky," Enfri murmured. "Of everyone besides me, he's the most likely to get a spy close to him."
Inaz gave a curt nod. "As you say. Every individual who knows of an operation exponentially increases the odds of it leaking to the other side. With the stakes as high and the enemy as cunning as they are now, only the bare minimum can be kept out of the dark. Us two and the three others may already be too many for the empress to put her trust in."
Enfri appreciated Inaz being circumspect even under a privacy ward. He neither named anyone else in on the plot or mentioned that the purpose they worked towards was to defeat the old masters. He impressed her further with what he said next.
"The Althandi are going to be pulling out every trick they have in this war," Inaz said. "We have to be trickier."
Moon's nostrils flared as she gave Inaz a searching look. She nodded slowly, understanding that he was wary of eavesdroppers.
This is no way to live, Enfri thought. She gave one last prayer while her mind was still her own before continuing with the tasks at hand. Let this work. Please, just let us all make it through this.
Enfri went to her writing desk and gathered up an inkpen and a sheet of paper. She scratched a brief note. "It doesn't matter if anyone sees this one, Inaz. Just make sure it gets to Hugin. If anyone asks, just say I'm very interested in Mistress Obuu's thingy-jig."
Her bodyguard came closer and took the note from her hand. He folded it twice before tucking it behind his belt. "Which is true, more or less."
"In either case, we'll need it for the Spired City's mist ward. Cathis told me a lot about how it works, but I didn't get everything about it before he ran back to the Spired City."
Inaz frowned, and it was mirrored by Moon. Neither of them were fond of that particular part of Enfri's plan, and she couldn't blame them. People were going to die because of it, and Enfri may as well be the one to swing the axe down on them.
"Could you take it now?" Enfri asked. "Mevek can guard me during the reception."
Inaz's mouth pulled into a line. "Aye, Majesty, but it's the imperial champion's duty to be where the empress is in the most danger."
"I don't think I'm in danger," Enfri said. "Garret needs me, right?"
He sighed. "As you say, Majesty, but I'll step double-time so to get back as soon as possible."
Enfri thanked him before he took his leave from her chambers. Once he was gone, Inaz's privacy ward faded.
Moon watched Inaz go. "blooded kith has nice scent," she said. "Scents of sky blue. She has nice scent, too."
"I should meet Xira one of these days," Enfri said. She felt her hands tremble as she wrote out another note. This one was lengthier, a full missive. It didn't speak of her plan outright, but the orders contained within would definitely lead a thrall to the conclusion that Enfri wasn't on their side.
Moon came up behind her. She craned her neck to look over Enfri's shoulder. "And this?"
"This one..." Enfri felt the sudden need to wipe at her eyes. "This one's for Ban." Enfri rolled the missive, dripped sealing wax onto it, and pressed her seal. She turned and held it out to Moon.
"Uncloud?"
"Will you give this to him? Not yet. When..."
There was a sudden look of apprehension on Moon's face. "When... what?"
Enfri turned away, unable to face her. "I... think you'll know."
Moon looked angry now. "Nay! What does Enfri sight on this path?"
There was much Enfri wanted to say to Moon, but with the privacy ward gone, she didn't dare. That was a large part of why she waited until Inaz was gone. She knew it was cowardly to avoid explaining herself, but Enfri was surrounded by fear with very little left to fight it back.
So much to say, because Enfri didn't have much hope of seeing this through to the end. Enfri knew nothing guaranteed her survival, so she made certain the man she trusted most would have what he needed to see it through where she failed. Because no plan could stop the inevitable from happening, and Enfri had already missed her one chance to stop it. Her path would cross with Jin's again.
A contract went unfulfilled a year ago, and it was certain that Jin wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
There's worse ways to go, Enfri thought. If I'm allowed to choose, I'll always choose her. Even for that.
Moon tried pushing the missive back into Enfri's hands. "Is black scent on Enfri. Black and wrong. Am not..."
"Please," Enfri whispered, her voice hoarse. "Moon, I... I never wanted any of this. I just wanted..." She stopped herself before she said anything that would betray her.
Moon pulled her into a hug. Nikos squealed happily, unaware of the distress Enfri or his mother felt. When they separated, Moon took the missive with her.
"I will do this thing," Moon promised, her voice thick with emotion. She held the rolled missive to her heart. "For Enfri, because I love her. She is my friend. First slayer I ever sight as kith. Is sacred thing."
Enfri nodded, unable to get the words of gratitude out. She laughed self-consciously and ran her hand over Nikos' head. Sniffling back tearsâ the last thing she wanted was to ruin her cosmetics before a public appearanceâ Enfri leaned forward to press her forehead against Moon's.
Moon took in a deep breath to brace herself. "I should return to my Bastion," she said in her mortal dialect, then took a step back towards the door. "Find somewhere safe to put this. I promise, Enfri, I won't give it to Ban until... until I'm sure he needs it."
oOo
Ban rubbed at his nose and felt like a sneeze was creeping up on him.
Mevek stood across the hall from him with her arms crossed. When Inaz left the empress' chambers bearing a note for Hugin, Mevek remained behind to oversee the royal guard. She hadn't said a word since conveying Enfri's message that Deebee wasn't going to come to the reception.
Ban didn't blame Deebee for that. Waves, not in the slightest. He found his eyes drifting often towards the rookery door while his heart sank into his stomach. It was unimaginable, the hardship Deebee and Kimpo were going through. The Gambler had yet to stir within his egg again, and it was all but certain he would never see the world outside his shell. Ban gave thought towards telling Kimpo that she should also excuse herself from duty when the rookery door opened.
"Don't give me that look, little warrior," Kimpo said. There were bags under her green eyes, and her stride had lost much of its confidence.
"No point saying it when you already know what I mean to say."
Kimpo came to her customary place at his left. "And no point giving the answer you know is coming."
"How're the other little ones?"
"Gorging and resting. They've a lot of growing to do. Anura and Sooji keep turning themselves into puppies on accident, and it's all I can do to get them back into order."
Ban blinked. "Polymorphy's not a learned skill?"
"Flames, no. It's nothing like flying or spellcraft. A hatchling changes shape as easily as breaking wind. It's getting them to stay dragons that's the hardship."
"And your mate? How's Deebee doing?"
Kimpo turned her head away. "Well enough, all considered."
"Waves, don't tell me you two are quarreling."
"Of course not," Kimpo snapped. "My Storyteller is dealing as best she can, and she will always be able to rely on her Huntress to support her. She is simply..." Kimpo grimaced. "She is simply dealing with the situation."
Ban frowned. It wasn't often he got the feeling that Kimpo was lying to him, and when he did, it was usually over silly things she was too embarrassed to give voice to. This time, Ban had the distinct impression it was more than that. He barely noticed a slight drain on his ether before a deluge of realizations came upon him. Off-hand comments the Storyteller had made, distant looks she'd given towards an empty place in the midst of her found family, and everything Ban knew of the Eldest of silvers, it all hit Ban at once and brought insight with it.
His jaw slacked open. "She isn't actually..."
The Huntress' eyes snapped towards him with a fierce glare. "Not another word, little warrior. Not one."
"Kimpo."
"I said to leave it," she said firmly. "Blazing hydromancer. If I'd known how difficult it'd be, tied to that elder magic of yours, I'd have given a second thought towards this bounded business."
"Come off it," Ban said. "Second thought, a third, or a twenty-fifth, you'd still be here." When he received no argument, he pressed further, but Ban was mindful of what he said while in earshot of Mevek and the royal guards. "I'm going out on a limb to guess you think she hasn't thought this through."
"I'm against it," Kimpo confirmed in a sullen tone. "My Storyteller has more faith than I do, even though I suppose it's earned."
Ban considered and even put his hydromancy to work. The drain was light before he received his answer. "I can't say it'll work, but Deebee isn't wrong to try. She'll be alright."
Kimpo sighed. "Flames see it so." She glanced his way. "Thank you, love. I know you don't like using the insight."
"For things like this, I don't mind spending a few minutes in my memories later on." He spotted Mevek out of the corner of his eye. The hellebore dragon was eyeing the pair across from her, but she held her tongue. Ban didn't want to say more what with the tensions in the palace lately, but he could ask Kimpo more about this later. For the rest, he felt he could guess.
Deebee wasn't just taking a break from her duties, she was gone. And furthermore, Enfri was unaware of what her silver was up to. Ban felt a conflict of interests rearing its head, but so long as Deebee returned soon, he'd keep his mouth shut on the matter. He owed Kimpo at least that much.
The next few moments passed in silence before Odjualla Weaver entered the hall. She came escorted by a pair of Inaz's crewmen. Enfri's handmaiden wore a lovely dress in dark green and silver, one befitting an empress' attendant at a formal event. Her dark skin, green eyes, and short-cut golden hair matched well with the dress, and Ban couldn't help but notice that the end of pregnancy agreed with Odjualla's figure. One would never be able to guess just from looking at her that she wasn't a highborn lady and was instead an untitled mother of four.
Ban bowed his head to Odjualla as she approached the end of the hallway. "Spirits' blessings, Goodwoman."
"And you, Marshal. I hope the young lord is doing well."
"Stronger every day. Same for yours, I trust?"
"As you say, my lord." She looked at the door to Enfri's chambers. "Her Majesty asked I not help her get ready for the event. Is she not in good health?"
Ban considered how to word it. "Just a lot on her plate. More meetings than she can rightly see to in a day. She should be out at any moment."
He was proven correct almost immediately. Enfri left her chambers and was greeted by the twin rows of royal guards snapping to full attention. Her expression brightened a little when she saw Odjualla waiting for her.
"Majesty," Odjualla said, dipping into an elegant curtsy.
"Winds, you look phenomenal," Enfri said.
Odjualla cast a critical eye over Enfri's attire as she straightened. "I feel a little overdressed. I was under the impression we were receiving an emperor."
There was a distasteful curl in Enfri's lip as she replied. "Last I saw of that man, I had him in chains. Might be petty, but I'm not about to dress up for him."
Ban raised an eyebrow. Wasn't Garret supposed to be their liege now?
Enfri caught the look on his face. "You know just what kind of filth he is, Ban, so don't sit there wondering why I wouldn't want to wear a low neckline around him." She motioned for Lady Kora and Mevek to come to her side. "For that matter, I don't want anyone to get inside his reach. I'm warded, but who knows if that'll stop domination."
Odjualla shivered. "If you think it warranted, Majesty, there is still a supply of oren."
Enfri hesitated before giving her refusal. "No, I don't think so. I have to believe Garret won't risk pulling a stunt when half my forces are surrounding him. He might be a madman, but the old master inside him isn't. Carinae will keep him in line."
Ban had misgivings about relying on a demon to bring restraint to the situation, but it was what it was. He also didn't blame Enfri for not wanting to touch oren again. She'd done so once before, and the experience left both her and Deebee bedridden for a week. To his knowledge, Enfri remained the only person to ever survive oren withdrawals.
Well, there is one other, Ban remembered. He still hadn't had time to put much thought into the things he heard while Jin was out of commission in the guest quarters. Hydromancy might've been able to give him something about it, but he had a feeling the answer would only come with a heavy cost for him to pay. Jin was the toughest woman Ban knew, but even he had to admit she shouldn't have survived the oren withdrawals with willpower alone. There was something more to it. For the moment, he would just chalk it up to the collective faith of everyone believing there was nothing in the world that could kill her.
"Coming, Ban?" Enfri asked, jolting him out of his distraction.
"Aye, Majesty. As you say."
"Let's hurry," she said while giving a backwards glance towards her chamber door. It gave him the impression that she wanted to get him away from there for some reason. "The People of Jade will arrive any moment."
Ban dwelled on it as he accompanied Enfri to the reception hall. He listened with half an ear to Odjualla running Enfri through the Jade Empire's protocols. Also to Enfri stating that if Garret wished to be received in the Five Kingdoms, he'd be received in the manner of the Five Kingdoms. A part of Ban wondered why Enfri was playing things so heavy-handed now when she hadn't while surrendering to the executor. The whole affair left a sour taste in his mouth.
No disrespect intended towards Odjualla, but she wasn't Ban's first choice for coaching Enfri in diplomacy. Not by a long measure. It should've been Pacifica or Reyn at the empress' side. Ban rubbed at his forehead and tried not to think too much about it. He settled for praying that those two were well and that Starra could keep them out of trouble.
Kimpo's elbow dug into his ribs. "Focus, love," she said. "We need you here, not a thousand leagues away."
"Aye, I'm here," Ban murmured.
Kimpo frowned.
"I'm here," he repeated. "Just a lot going on right now."
She grunted. "Understatement."
They entered the reception hall and found it to be filled nearly to capacity. The far end of the room was cleared, awaiting the empress' retinue. Eighteen of the twenty-two remaining Dragon Lords were waiting, nine to either side of the room. They and their bonded partners saluted as the empress came into the hall. The rest in attendance were members of the Aleesh nobility. Ban saw Lord Seifer the Nolaas and his eldest daughter Shaan, Therrak Velahrai and his wife, the Corwyns, Stroms, Brandyns, Thaans, and members from the rest of the houses. Every title-holding citizen of Shan Alee was packed into the hall so that they could bear witness to their empress bending the knee to a demon.
Yes, it was a very sour taste in Ban's mouth.
It hit Ban suddenly, the sensation that something was wrong and out of place. Not something there that shouldn't have been but rather someone who should have and wasn't. Ban scanned the crowds as he and the others walked through them, trying to catch a glimpse of one face in particular.
They came to the far side of the reception hall before Ban could find who he looked for. He was about to lean to the side and ask Enfri about where the Knights of Alinwé were when the doors opened again. Ban straightened as an attendant announced Shan Alee's guests. It seemed Enfri had arrived just in the nick of time.
The Glorious Emperor swept into the reception hall with a laugh. He held his hands out wide to display the clawed rings on his fingers. Head and face uncovered, dressed in a resplendent robe of golden silk, Ku Garret Merovech acted like he owned the place.
Ban struggled to stop himself from sneering. He had a lot of bad memories associated with that cockroach. A lot of people here had a lot of bad memories. Ban could sense Kimpo clenching her fists.
Garret was flanked by fourteen men in white robes and white veils. These were the Devoted, a relatively new order in the Jade Empire. Ban wasn't clear on the details, but he knew Ku Ji Min was behind their formation. A sort of royal guard, they each carried a flintlock rifle on their shoulder.
Ban glanced to where Lord Haldi and Lady Huunaa stood with their respective families. They'd hidden among the Devoted, if he heard right. Huunaa had a stony look on her face, and Lord Haldi gripped his husband's hand tightly as if seeing those uniforms brought back ugly memories.
The final members of the Glorious Emperor's retinue were his adopted family. Ku Ji Min, the Glorious Executor, walked behind and to the right of Garret while still donning the wraith-like robes of her office. The second and final attendant was Prince Ku Ji Soo, a boy of ten, Garret's adopted son, High Admiral of the Armada, and heir apparent of the Jade Empire. He, like his sister and every other Person of Jade aside from the emperor, hid his face behind a veil. His robes were a dark blue, trimmed with white and silver.
"Ah, sweetling," Garret crowed, "so lovely to be in your beauteous presence once again." He capered, the floundering lunatic. He legitimately capered. "I'd say it was wonderful to see you again, but..." He tapped a clawed finger to the corner of his clouded eye and chuckled.
Enfri's face remained impassive as she dipped into a low curtsy. Everyone, Ban reluctantly included, followed suit with a series of curtsies and bows.
"Your Majesty," Enfri said, "welcome to Shan Alee."
"Oh, tut tut, sweetling. No need to be so formal." Garret and his retinue came to a stop seven paces from Enfri's group. "This is a grand day, after all. A marvelously grand day. You should smile. I can tell you're not."
Enfri held her tongue. Either because she was as put off by Garret's antics as everyone else or she was just flummoxed as to how anyone was supposed to respond to such idiocy.
"Imagine!" Garret shouted suddenly. He spun in place so as to gesture to everyone in attendance. "Half those here bore witness to our last meeting. You told me then I'd committed grave crimes. Grave crimes, of all things." He chuckled again. "Now, look at us. Joining in common purpose to right the wrongs of the world. It's ever so... providential." He grinned. "That means it's meant to be, sweetling. From the very first time I lay eyes on you, I knew that one way or another, someday, you would be mine."
Ban bristled. So did half of the nobility and every last one of the Dragon Lords and their partners. Enfri opened her mouth to speak, but Garret raised a hand to silence her.
"Ah, but you must be confused. I should have accounted for that. We can't all be divine, after all. Clearly, you've forgotten one of the most important parts of our negotiated accord. The most important part, by my reckoning, and as my lovely daughter so loves to tell me, my reckoning is infallible."
Enfri frowned. "Our accord?"
"Indeed, sweetling! Indeed!" He approached another pace. "The accord negotiated between you and my past life. Please don't pretend you've forgotten."
Enfri blinked rapidly, clearly having no idea at all of what Garret was spewing. Ban prepared to step between her and Garret if he dared to take another step closer.
"I'm shocked. Shocked and appalled. This, after Ku Jun Seo was so pleased with the strides he made with your sexually repressed first minister. The agreement was, sweetling, that the Dragon Empress and the Glorious Emperor are to be bound in wonderful, blissful matrimony."
Murmurs sounded from all corners of the hall. None of them seemed to take Garret's words as a good thing.
This time, it was Enfri who took a step forward. Ban knew that look on her face. She was livid. Ban was strangely glad to see it.
"How dare you?" she demanded. "There was no such agreement, especially not after the Jade Empire slaughtered the Aleesh delegation! You attacked us for no reason at all! You killed my friends, and you still have this idiot idea I'll ever marry a treacherous..."
Enfri cut off as the Devoted clicked back the flint hammers on their rifles. The entire room fell into a dreadful silence.
Garret's smile was the very soul of malice. "Infallible, remember? My people do so abhor when someone dares refute the divine word of their emperor. I have said it, therefore it is truth. My word is reality itself."
Enfri took in a deep breath through her nose, and she said nothing.
"The Dragon Empress will wed and bed the Glorious Emperor," Garret said as he strode closer. "I will take her... vigorously."
Enfri trembled with outrage, and Ban reached for his half blade. Oh, this was going to be bad, but it would be worth it if he could take Garret's head off before he was shot down. That righteous fury he built up for Darian was about to go to someone more worthy of it.
Garret bent at the waist to bring his face level with Enfri. "Fortunately for you, sweetling, you're not the one I mean to put my heir into."
Enfri blinked.
Garret laughed. "Disappointed?"
She very nearly decked him. Anyone who wasn't blind could see it. "What are you babbling about?"
Garret leaned forward until Enfri could surely feel his breath on her face. "As of right now," he said quietly, "you are no longer the Dragon Empress."
Ban did draw his half blade then, and several of the Dragon Lords followed his lead. He spun his head, searching out the face missing from this reception one last time. Desperate, because insight told him he was a fool for not seeing this coming sooner. He didn't pay any attention to the Devoted aiming rifles in his direction, either.
I should've known, Ban berated himself. I should've known she was going to make her play!
"You're not the Dragon Empress anymore," a voice boomed from the entryway. It's owner strode in between the Devoted. She was dressed in a bare minimum of scarlet and golden silk, each step made with a sway in her hips. Every eye in the hall fell on her and couldn't be torn away.
Enfri gaped, unable to find the words. A shadow passed behind her eyes, one that made her shudder.
"I told you before, Enfri," Elise said as she came to stand beside Garret. "I am the Dragon Empress, and now I have an armada even you fear at my back."
"My bride-to-be is correct, sweetling," Garret said. He took Elise's hand and held it up between them. "I'm afraid our alliance will hinge on this provision. My empire will only allow yours to exist if it's led by an empress I respect. So sorry to say, but that isn't you. Luckily, you've the most gorgeous aunt imaginable who actually fits the role." He raised his other hand as if to give an order. "Unless you'd rather I just have my armada fire on your city until it's dust right now, of course."
Enfri hardly seemed as if she was listening. She could only stare at Elise with a look of utter heartbreak plain on her face. "You... Again? You betrayed me again?"
Ban watched as what almost looked like regret passed behind Elise's eyes. It disappeared so quickly that it might never have existed in the first place. "You're too naive, girl. You should've known I wouldn't sit by and let you tarnish what it means to be Aleesh. This isn't the reception you thought it was gonna be. This is where you finally relinquish the title you never deserved. Don't make it harder than it has to be."
"Like Hell," Ban growled. He came to Enfri's side and raised his sword. "Get back on your boats, or I'll send you both to meet Sol."
The expression on Garret's face changed. It was sudden and drastic. The flamboyant fool vanished and was replaced by an emperor. One who spoke with a voice of jade and glory.
"Remove that great name from your unworthy tongue, primate," Carinae said. His blind eyes locked onto Ban. "You are a sword. Nothing more. Should it be flawed, a weapon may be discarded."
Ban felt something claw at his leg. He looked down and saw Enfri gripping the fabric. She was trembling.
"Ban," Enfri whispered, "stand down."
"You can't be serious!"
"Stand down, Ban!" Enfri screamed. She looked up at him with tears welling in her eyes, then looked to the Dragon Lords begging to fight for her. "All of you, stand down!"
Garret smirked as everyone obeyed her.
Enfri turned to face Ban and hung her head. "It's over. It's done. She outplayed me, but I can't lose you, too. I can't lose everyone. Not now, after everything we gave up."
Ban whispered her name.
She didn't meet his eye. "This way, I'm the only one who has to give up anything. That's what matters now. It's the only thing that ever mattered. Keeping our people safe, right?"
Ban looked towards the monsters standing a pace away. They watched him, Elise guardedly and Carinae with naked hostility.
Enfri clung to him so tightly. She shook so terribly. Ban wished to be able to carry her away to somewhere she could be safe. He wanted nothing more than to protect his little sister from this. But he couldn't. She was tied to this place, trapped by her convictions.
And so was Ban.
"Aye," Ban whispered, and he felt his heart clench as the words left his mouth. "As you say."
Elise let out a quiet breath of relief. It seemed she wasn't as confident in her position as she tried to let on. Ban was pleased by the notion that he could still scare her.
Garret blinked and turned his head from side to side in apparent bafflement. "Drat. Did my benefactor swoop in? Awfully sudden of him, but that is his prerogative, I suppose." He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. "So, what did I miss, dove? We blasting her away or having a party?"
"No party, fancy man," Elise said. She kept her eyes on Enfri as she spoke. "I'm not much in the mood for one."
"Ah, well, is there to be a ceremony of a sort then?"
"No need," Enfri said. She wiped at her eyes with a sleeve before facing Elise again. "Everyone's already here. They all heard. They all know. If there's nothing else you need, Your Majesty, I'll take my leave."
Elise nodded in indication towards a side door. "To your chambers, girl. I'll find you later." She looked at Ban. "You're not dismissed just yet. I need words with you about my knights replacing hers as the Dragon Lords. Can I count on you, Lord of Rubies?"
Ban felt Enfri pull away from him. She gestured for Odjualla to remain and walked with a defeated slump in her shoulders. It almost looked to Ban as if she had a crooked spine. Alone, Enfri left the reception hall.
"Your empress is speaking to you," Garret chided. "I suggest you answer her."
Ban tore his eyes from Enfri and faced the empress. "Aye, Majesty. Again and forever."
END OF ACT TWO