PART TWO: IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOUR FATHER
Aliah's eyelids started to droop. She blinked twice then refocussed on the man in front of her. Blast it, what had she missed? Carsten's ambassador bowed his head and kept his eyes on the floor, waiting for her to speak.
Smiling back at him, she looked over his head at the richly dressed courtiers filling the ancient audience chamber. The rows of wooden seats were full, and the banners of Aria's great noble houses hung from the ceiling, indicating each had a representative present. How could she have dozed off during such an important meeting?
What had they been talking about before her mind had wandered? Ah, yes, trade agreements. They were getting down to the nitty gritty now. How much and at what price were the people of Aria prepared to offer in return for the precious metals and gems from Carsten?