Chapter 26

I sit at the vanity, inspecting my sharpened and polished blades, waiting on Green Earl Moray's summoning. The two thigh holsters and scabbards are positioned neatly alongside the daggers. I pick up the rare quillon dagger. My thumb runs up to the hilt, brushing against the handle.

The noontide sun shines through all the archways. Sunlight pours into the chambers like smelted gold. I glance back at the smiling reflection in the mirror. I spot a forest-green figure far behind me beside the open entrance.

I drop the dagger back down—it rattles a thud—I swivel around on the backless seat.

"Apologies, Hera," he says, bowing his head. "Green Earl Moray requests an audience with you."

A palace guard. That much is made clear by the intricate threads of his emerald uniform.

My eyes dart back at the daggers. It's clearly too late to take them with me.

I rise from the seat, smoothing out my skirt.

I follow the guard out of my chambers. A metre between us as we travel through the long, single corridor, out of the annex, crossing the bridges. A suspended network of paved plank wood, intersecting between the structures that surround the palace. Today there are noticeably fewer guards and more Terra aristocrats that gallivant amidst the foliage-adorned labyrinth.

A rough hand snatches my wrist—I whip around.

Rimnick.

"Hera Aurora," he says with mutual surprise. His voice is fashioned from inherent devilry. A certain malicious ring to his tenor that solidifies the impression that what he utters will either be callous or deceptive.

I wrench my hand from his. My periphery shrinks as I hone my vision on him solely. I hear the guard march towards me from behind. I toss up a halting hand. The marching stops.

"I have been deprived of the honour of having your audience."

The wind blows its breath in his dirty brown hair, sieved with darker fringes. The hair on the sides of his head is shaved, leaving all the tresses in the centre to cascade over his forehead. His hair parted up the middle.

"Such an honour is reserved for those who are deserving," I say, flashing him an insincere smile. "Herem."

Rimnick lets out a dark chuckle. It sparks a malevolent gleam in those vacuous eyes. A dreary brown, but I swear there's a red like a tint of blood that occupies the place where pupils should be. His face is ever engraved with a smug look, like there's something he knows that I do not.

"You have a sharp tongue," he says. "Be careful or you might see it cut."

I incline my head. "Did you stop me just to pass hollow threats?"

His smirk bursts into a grin; even full, it still looks cruel. "Only the opposite. I wanted to congratulate you and extol your humble efforts thus far. Even Green Earl Moray took a liking to you or..." His gaze trails over me, claiming a long, lingering once-over. "Other parts of you." Normally, when men look at me like that, it rouses my anger. When he does it, it makes me excruciatingly uncomfortable.

I look away immediately. "So, you've been watching me... I'm flattered," I say dryly.

Another dark chuckle. "Everyone is watching you, you are watching the others, and Duce Merian is watching us all. Somehow these idiotic tests, foreign excursions, diplomatic expeditions will somehow prove the worth of a king. So, if I have to play the part. I do not mind putting on a performance."

He takes a forbidding step closer, thinning the air around me. "As I am sure you have as well. I am certain you hide many tricks besides archery. Alas, the Trials will force them all out. Or perhaps." A deadened look shadows his face like the hood of a cowl. "One of us will."

He dips his torso forward into a mock bow, looking up at me haughtily. "Hera."

Rimnick lengthens back to full height and strides away in the opposite direction. His long-sleeved, floor-length jacket billows behind him. It must be some kind of morbid talent to turn a colour as warm and bright as yellow into something gloomy and portentous.

I rotate back around, motioning for the guard to continue.

I am led back into the glistening glass palace. Two levels up, I am ushered to another private balcony, similar in its aesthetic to where we dine. This private balcony, though relatively small, offers a spectacular view that stretches over the Citadel. From here, one can behold the grandeur of public edifices and the quaint charm of residential dwellings, all nestled amidst the colossal trees that wind their way up the landscape.

In the center of this intimate space sits a circular table, neither too grand nor too modest, perfectly sized to accommodate an assortment of choice foods atop its surface. Green Earl Moray sits at the one side with his back towards me. His sprawling antlers soak in the sunlight, each limb basking in the warm beams.

He's overseen by his own guards that wear similar clothes to him. Heavy, long-sleeved brown clothing with an emblem embossed into the material at their rear. A Ficus tree circled by a thick ring. I round the guards to stand at the other side of the table with a vacant seat that I assume is for me. Once I'm in his field of view, all four eyes broaden with excitement. He gestures expansively to me with an irregular-shaped glass of water in his one hand.

"Well, is it not my favourite candidate?" he says with a welcoming smile. "Please, sit and make yourself comfortable."

I nod gratefully, seating myself on the chair positioned to face the placid scenery.

"I'm honoured, only a day has passed and I'm already your favourite," I say. My gaze skims through the options on the table. An empty glass with a platter of both dark purple and luscious green fruits accompanies the large jar of water.

Moray snorts a laugh. His three-talon hand signals to the water with a flourish. His one guard reacts promptly and takes the jar of water, filling the empty glass beside it until the tip. Then he hands it to me.

I thank him with a smile. He returns to his post, both arms folded behind him.

"I prefer you over the others. All of them mouth platitudes, but even inebriated, I could see right through their disingenuousness. They reeked of vice." He brings the glass to his reedy lips and, with one inhale, gulps down half of its content. "Except for Herem Vince, he's a fine lad, that one. He has a glorious vision for this realm, what it can be rather than how it is."

My smile perseveres. "I can agree that it is wise to look to the future. And hopefully, I will be in yours." I take a sip of the water, but once the refreshing cold touches my tongue. A sip turns into a long draw, vacuuming more than half of the water.

"Hm," he hums thoughtfully. "Herem Dario presented me with a similar proposal. He owns mainly farmlands, but his holdings do include vineyards. And I know they are well taken care of since his Regnum is supplied with our very own earth globs."

I replenish my lungs with a deep inhale, placing the glass down beside me. "What sets The Merchant apart is not just the quality of wines, but unique access to vineyards and producers that others simply do not have. You see, The Merchant's maritime trade allows him to forge relationships with noblemen who own flourishing holdings with vineyards, ensuring that we have access to the finest grapes and the most exclusive vintages."

All four of his eyes set on me. "Access to such exclusive sources is indeed a compelling argument," he admits. "But what about price? I have other offers on the table, and I must ensure that I am getting the best deal possible."

"I understand your concerns, and I assure you, he is prepared to offer you a very competitive price. His extensive network of suppliers allows him to negotiate favorable terms, ensuring that you receive the finest wines at the best possible price."

He considers this for a moment. Finally, he nodded. "Very well, I am willing to entertain your offer. But I must insist on a trial shipment to ensure the quality of your wines meets my expectations."

I give him a whole-hearted smile, knowing that this was a small price to pay for securing such a lucrative deal. "Of course. I am confident that once you taste the quality of our wines, you will be eager to enter into a long and prosperous partnership."

"For an associate, you seem to know much about this merchant and his enterprise."

Suppressing my own smirk, I say, "It's good business to know about good business. And his is the best. There is a nobleman west of Dawegelia. Like many others, his produce has maintained health throughout the cycles without the need for earth globs. And he has been inventive over time, instead of isolating his harvest. He merged them."

I look back at him, and a smile of intrigue expands on his face.

I lift my bare leg from out of the slit, crossing it over the other. "You see, he found ordinary wine dull. So, he incorporated various fruits into the wine, wild berries, pinket, mulkap, and many others to create a medley of taste. With a sweet citrus zest to diminish the natural bitterness. Fresh bottles that come in many flavours."

If it's even possible. His smile stretches further. Moray shifts his torso to the one side, facing me. He rests his elbow on the head of his chair, the glass of water dangling from his hand. "I will send a representative to this merchant and scout the holdings he has access to. If I am pleased by their report, I am more than eager to foster a new alliance with The Merchant. But to protect my interests, I will supply him with Cosian." Holding the glass, he lifts one talon to point it at me. "Earth globs are like fertilisers. Greatly enhanced to nourish the soils and promote faster and excellent plant growth. If the Black Death has reached that far in the realm, all the earth globs in the world will not aid you."

I lean back into my seat, twisting my shoulders to face him. "I assume Cosian can?"

He bobs a bouncy nod. "Cosian's magic is light as fine powder that will provide a layer of protection over any crop. Because this Black Death is most certainly being done by dark magic. Powerful as well, since it's claimed the lives of many farmlands from the time of your advent until now."

"I see that this peril threatens us all."

"I will arrange to send over all documentations to this merchant."

"He owns a fleet of ships scattered throughout Urium, but he hangs his hat in Armathis. With my inscription, so he knows this offer is true. I will give you the location of his primary ship."

Moray extends his arm, holding out the glass to me. I pick up my own to clink it with his in jubilee.

Moray glances over his shoulder and says, "Ulake lem tum vas norwa."

Shortly, one of his guards appears on my other plank and presents me with a wooden-like ring. I take it, looking back at Moray questioningly.

"To signify our newfound alliance," he enlightens. "It's a way to represent our union, but it doesn't limit you to only me. You may enlist other potential purchasers once I sample the first supply. I will personally endorse you to other Green Earls that are... like-minded to me."

I take a brief moment to study the ring. It's not wood per se, but it's like thin ropes of vines that form this crosswise look in the shape of an X. I slide it on my middle finger and seconds later it thaws into my skin, imprinting the patterned version of the ring as a tattoo; dark brown with two interwoven bands, and within them, it appears to be the design of his emblem. The same that both he and his guards bear.

"Uh..." I struggle off. My eyes locked on the permanent-looking tattoo. "Is this permanent?"

He nods casually. "It will endure as long as our alliance holds, if it succeeds your death. Then yes, it's permanent," he says with pure nonchalance.

Apparently, it must be a common custom to brand, or mark their partners with tattoos without their knowledge or even a simple warning. By the way, if it will concern you. Once you put on the ring it will morph into an everlasting tattoo, like we are now betrothed.

"It has been a pleasure, as always, Hera," he says and stares off into the distance. "If your merchant accepts, by the time you return, hopefully with a crown on your head. I will supply him with the first delivery."

"And you as well," I say. I rise from my seat, ready to depart. "I hope your scout delivers good news and if it does. May I ask if you inform me?"

He nods eagerly, whilst he speaks, I round the vacated seat.

"As you wish, and many good fortunes to you during the tournament at tomorrow's noontide. I hear this cycle will be a heart-stopper."

I break to a halt. I rotate my head to look back at him.

"What tournament?