{"id":7399,"date":"2019-10-06T12:18:49","date_gmt":"2019-10-06T17:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/?p=7399"},"modified":"2019-10-10T13:09:07","modified_gmt":"2019-10-10T18:09:07","slug":"three-princesses-chapter-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/?p=7399","title":{"rendered":"Three Princesses: Chapter 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHAPTER THREE<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Grand Palace was indefensible, but its battlements were breathtaking. The balconies of the Old Palace, only three floors up, were enough to make her head swim. Each of the five stories of the Grand Palace was nearly twice as tall as a normal building\u2019s, so when Pearl and Kreokus stepped out to get some air, she instinctively grabbed for the wrought iron railing that would have kept Viisianar archers from tipping forward and splattering on the pavement below. She did her best to keep her face still, but there was no question her quick breath was noticeable.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is disarming, I am sure,\u201d Kreokus offered as he rested a gloved hand casually upon that same railing. \u201cStill, you were no doubt expecting to meet me before year\u2019s end, regardless, yes? When you returned to Tauriconia?\u201d<\/p>\n

In truth, she had rarely spared more than a fleeting thought for her one-day husband over the previous five years. She could not remember ever being na\u00efve enough to dream of marrying for love. Her station and her own reflection had served as twin reminders that, should she ever marry, it would be a purely transactional engagement. The day she learned of her betrothal, Everia had assured her that Margrave Kreokus was a respected and gentle man that would treat her well. It seemed the most she could hope for, so she put off any thought of that distant future, much as one tries not to dwell on the coming winter.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d was all she offered in answer.<\/p>\n

She glanced sideways at the margrave as she caught her breath. Upon a second look, his dress bore some influence of Viisianar nobility, back when Viisianar nobles existed. If this was the fashion back in Tauriconia, it suggested that the two cultures might indeed be capable of blending, and that Kreokus himself had no objection to it. That boded well. Her eyes flicked up briefly to his stubbled head, and she tried to imagine herself shaving it for him in the morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many servants do you have, Margrave?\u201d she asked, turning to face him. They both kept one hand on the railing.<\/p>\n

He smiled at that. It was surely just the sort of thing a silly girl was meant to wonder about her lord. \u201cI have brought only a bare company with me. Thirty men, twenty retainers and their men, two lieutenants, four spellers\u2026 two handmaids for yourself.\u201d He stumbled a bit on this last point. \u201cThere will of course be more waiting for you at home. No doubt we can acquire more here, should you have need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will have no need, Margrave.\u201d Pearl had started dressing herself the day she learned that Imrell had no such ladies fluttering about her. Pearl had briefly dreamed of being a warrior when she was young, until the first time Imrell knocked her down in the training yard. She still heard the laughter some nights. \u201cTwo will be sufficient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are kind, my Lady.\u201d He nodded at his own statement, looking out over the city. \u201cI had heard as much. That you were kind.\u201d<\/p>\n

She knew he had heard just that, frequently. If a lady was not beautiful, she was called kind. If she was not kind, she was called intelligent. Pearl wondered briefly what it would be like to be called intelligent before she too looked out over the city.<\/p>\n

Ajman had been giant in her memories, but she was only seven when they left. She had expected it to shrink upon returning. The Darida Plains, which had seemed so vast and eternal when she first had seen them, appeared trodden and gray and small when she returned as an adult. They looked mortal. The towns she had seen in childhood had all recovered somewhat from her father\u2019s conquest, yet somehow they had all disappointed. She had hoped for flourishing blossoms in the garden of this new world, this New Orckid. Instead she found various collections of rubble that, even after three or six or twelve years, were still struggling just to clear away the ruins Calphus had created.<\/p>\n

But Ajman. Ajman was so much more than she remembered. The sea of people mixed like magic flowing through the veins of the city. Looking out over it from high overhead like a god, there was not one thing that seemed wrong, not one thing out of place. It was the blossoming peach she had been dying to find, ready to burst with life upon the biting.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, Margrave, forgive me, I am not sure two handmaids will do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d he nodded at once. It seemed that, whether sergeant or margrave, Mornal men were eager for directives, tasks to complete. \u201cWe shall acquire more. Have you grown accustomed to Viisian handmaids? They should be easy to find here.\u201d<\/p>\n

She lifted her hand from the railing to forestall him. \u201cYou mistake me, Margrave. You said you had brought twenty retainers with you, yes?\u201d Before he could answer, she continued, \u201cI shall require some of them, say six, to attend on me as I am reacclimating myself to Ajman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSoldiers, my Lady?\u201d he asked with admirably feigned amusement. \u201cDo you intend to fight a campaign here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI intend to live<\/em> in Ajman. I wish to see this city while I am here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny time you have need of men, simply send word to me, and I shall provide them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s so much bother to you,\u201d she countered with a gracious smile. \u201cBesides, what if my need is urgent?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat need could be so urgent?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you not have urgent needs on occasion, Margrave?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course, but I\u2026\u201d he stopped himself. She stared at him, smiling serenely, for all appearances completely unaware of what he had been about to say. Still, he at least did not say it, and that was something in his favor. \u201cI beg your forgiveness, my Lady. I should have brought more men. I am afraid I have vital need of those I have brought, while we are here, and cannot spare six men for the entirety. Perhaps your father can dispose a company to retain you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d she echoed. Pearl knew perfectly well what the answer would be, if she asked her father to put six men under the command of a woman who had never touched an ax. Worse, she suspected Kreokus knew what that answer would be as well. Her future husband appeared to be subtler and more manipulative than first blush, but at least he was not an utter fool.<\/p>\n

\u201cFret not,\u201d he offered, needlessly. \u201cWe shall not be long delayed. There are a few small storms sweeping up the Whip, but they shall be gone before the week is out, and then we shall begin our journey home.\u201d<\/p>\n

At that, Pearl could not suppress her laughter. \u201cI\u2019m afraid you don\u2019t know my father as well as you might think, Margrave. When he starts on something he is impossible to stop, but once he has<\/em> stopped, starting him again is no mean task. With this renewed talk of a magical kingdom out east, my brother may well be fighting to keep him from turning around and marching straight back to Bazazanil.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well. He is the emperor, ones supposes.\u201d Kreokus was staring out over the tops of the buildings, seemingly at nothing.<\/p>\n

Pearl set her hand back on the railing. It was wrought iron, but another look showed her that the design of the grating was coarse, angled, and thoroughly unimaginative. Whoever had placed this railing, had done so after Ajman had already fallen. No Viisianar had designed this.<\/p>\n

His cheekbones were pronounced, and his chin reasonably strong. His hands, though enclosed in delicate gloves, were large and appeared powerful. He was not young, but the strength of youth had not yet abandoned him despite his sedentary life in Tauriconia. Her watery eyes nearly bored into him, looking for something that stood out, something by which she might be charmed. His eyes were a bluish green; perhaps he had some Titonic blood and might prove to have some hidden quirks or wildness that could excite or even frighten her. That was not good, especially, but it was something. There had to be something. Better even to despise this man, than to think nothing of him. There was nothing worse than adequacy.<\/p>\n

Even as she thought it, the flush crept up the back of her neck again. She remembered the look on his face, when first they spied each other, and realized that these very thoughts must have been tumbling through his head at that moment. He was searching, masking it poorly, but searching for something in her to feel some way about. His behavior now suggested he had not found anything. But then, maybe he was still searching.<\/p>\n

Just now, however, he was still staring out over the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cMargrave,\u201d she pressed, \u201cdid you come here to bring me home to Tauriconia? Now?\u201d<\/p>\n

His stillness was more obvious than a shout. \u201cI should have understood. Of course, you would wish to remain here longer. This is your home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her home, as near as she could tell, was the dark fortress at Bazazanil, but she saw no benefit in explaining that to him. \u201cAjman has changed so much since I left. I wish to understand it better before I leave again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt need not be your last departure,\u201d he shrugged. \u201cReturn with me to Tauriconia. After our first son, perhaps the second, you could come back for a longer visit. The trail to Ajman is much shorter on this side of the continent, and more settled. The coastal way is well patrolled, and the forests are practically emptied of ursiks and wolves. Even a small company could bring you back, whenever you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had trouble hearing him after the mention of children. The morning\u2019s row with Arjallia told her she was unfit to raise a child. Then again, even if only a bastard, she was still a princess, and would likely have very little to do with raising her children.<\/p>\n

Everia was involved enough. The wet nurses and handmaids did most of the caring, but she visited her son and daughter every day and seemed elated at her coming childbirth. She had even fought her husband to bring their son back with her, insisting he would not return to the front until he was old enough to swing a sword. He was already toddling about with a stick in his hands.<\/p>\n

Empress Taurisa had been quite motherly, as she understood, and played with her children often, Everia especially. That was not a path she desired, however. After the Conquest began, Taurisa seemed to be pushing out a child every other year. She must have been constantly in bed: recovering, screaming in pain, or hopefully screaming in ecstasy every once in a great while. It all ended when Calphus impregnated her immediately after Fostus\u2019 birth, before she had recovered. Imrell\u2019s life had been her death, because Calphus the Conqueror could not wait.<\/p>\n

Was Kreokus a man who could wait? She wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand you are taken aback,\u201d he said, but she would not let him continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand you as well, Margrave, but sadly understanding and accord are not the same. My father is old,\u201d she added, suddenly inspired. \u201cHe seems hale and hearty, but I\u2019m sure you heard him coughing just a moment ago as well. Suppose he were never to leave Ajman. If I left now, it would break my heart. History, moreover, would remember me as a loveless daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd not a loveless wife?\u201d he countered, quickly. It was sharp, though not maliciously voiced, so she answered him with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not your wife yet, Margrave, but I am a daughter. I will remain in Ajman until my father departs for Tauriconia.\u201d<\/p>\n

For scarcely an instant, she thought she saw a gray of anger run across his face, but if it was there it vanished immediately. He grinned in defeat, nodding. \u201cYou are not yet my wife. Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d she echoed.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well. We shall remain in Ajman. I will speak with the Emperor. Perhaps we may be wed here and return to Tauriconia as man and wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

She kept her smile frozen on her face, turning back out over the square. \u201cPerhaps. The Emperor is a stubborn man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFear not, my Lady. I think I am coming to understand him better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Understanding him was never the challenge. Calphus was a remarkably simple man.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is all so sudden, Margrave. I had not thought to meet you until year\u2019s end, and perhaps another year after that before I should become your wife. This is a fortune I had not contemplated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it not please you?\u201d<\/p>\n

That was a critical question. Should she voice her apprehension, or flatter him with the expected niceties? If she were pleasant now, bowed and smiled and told him what he wanted to hear, he would expect it henceforth. No, better to risk understanding one another. If he found her frankness unpleasant, then, they would be equally miserable together.<\/p>\n

\u201cMargrave, I met you not thirty minutes ago. You would not expect me to judge a house\u2019s worth in so little time, let alone the man who lives in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely you will not go against the Emperor\u2019s will?\u201d<\/p>\n

Surely. Surely no one would do that. No one by Imrell. And Igetus. And Fostus. And sometimes Tortorus.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely. We are betrothed, by the Emperor\u2019s command. But you did not ask me if I would consent to wed you. You asked me if I was pleased, and that is another matter altogether.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled again. \u201cTrue enough, sadly.\u201d<\/p>\n

His hand was resting on the railing. Fighting the flush against her neck, she reached over and place her hand on his. \u201cMargrave, it is good of you not to stomp and fight me on the matter of returning to Tauriconia. But we both know you had no power there. I am not your wife, and unless my father commands me otherwise, I may stay where I please.\u201d His eyes narrowed at that, confirming her suspicions that he had already brought this up to her father, and had been rebuffed. \u201cYou are as new to me as I am to you. I require some token, some proof of your trust, before I can judge the sort of man you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

His hand had tensed when she touched it, but he did not pull away. \u201cWhat assurance do you wish, my Lady?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled serenely at him. \u201cI require a company of retainers, say six men? To escort me about Ajman.\u201d<\/p>\n

That blink of irritation swept past his face again, before another smile appeared, the most genuine she had yet seen. \u201cI must discipline my missives. No one had thought to warn me of your wit, my Lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf your missives were clever enough to spy my wit, they would be wasted as missives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFour men. I cannot spare six\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you leave me so lightly guarded?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have some special need to fear these streets you love so?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOhhh Margrave,\u201d she chuckled, \u201cyou are but newly arrived indeed.\u201d But then, so was she.<\/p>\n

She could see him thinking of countering with five, but his pride prevented him from haggling so meanly. \u201cSix men. They shall report to your estate at the Old Palace tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Margrave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel we know each other so much better already, my Lady. Please call me Kreokus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you wish, Kreokus.\u201d The name sounded awkward in her mouth. Not strong enough to be a true Mornal name, though it absolutely was, nor light enough to float on the tongue as Viisianar names did. Still, it was a name. \u201cYou may call me Pearl, if you wish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thank you, Princess Pearl.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first genuine laugh of the day burst from her lips then. \u201cThat, you may absolutely not<\/em> call me, Margrave. Kreokus.\u201d It felt better saying it the second time. That was life, she supposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, my Lady. Pearl.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were both smiling lightly when they returned to the vast hall on the second floor. The news had come as a shock, and in truth an unwelcome one, but she knew it could have gone far worse. And if she still felt nothing for this man who would one day share her bed, perhaps that was indeed better than contempt.<\/p>\n

Her father was coughing again as they stepped in. \u201cThey\u2019re my damned sons,\u201d he was trying to bellow between chokes. \u201cI ought to ride back out there and knock their heads together until they see sense. Tortorus is the oldest, he gives the orders. The end!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pelcian stabbed his finger on the table as he said, apparently not for the first time, \u201cYou\u2019re already sending troops back to the front. Tell them they are to obey Tortorus only. Simple as that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf men did as they were told, we should not be in this dilemma,\u201d Neevius countered, also seemingly not for the first time.<\/p>\n

The Emperor looked for a moment like he might cough again, but instead he brought two massive fists down onto the plinth. \u201cDammit!\u201d he roared, \u201cI want this settled. Now! Say something new or get out!\u201d<\/p>\n

They paused. Both lords looked about to exit. \u201cHow old is Tortorus\u2019 daughter?\u201d asked Igetus, who knew perfectly well how old everyone was.<\/p>\n

The Emperor pierced him with his eyes. \u201cSame as his third son. Twins,\u201d he spat. Calphus\u2019 twin sister had stolen the crown from him back in Mornalith, nearly fifty years ago. Supposedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen she would be\u2026 ten? Twelve perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo young.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA betrothal is not a marriage,\u201d Igetus said, gesturing at Pearl and Kreokus. \u201cOffer her hand to a Margrave of standing, whoever has the most power. Angulan, I suggest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not Gokmian,\u201d Neevius chimed in, eager to seem like he was helping.<\/p>\n

Calphus growled at that. \u201cGokmian is near as old as I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd famously unmarried by choice,\u201d Igetus added slyly. \u201cAngulan is more junior, but his star is rapidly rising. Most of the more senior lords are already married or betrothed. And Angulan is ambitious. I\u2019d wager he\u2019s largely responsible for Fostus\u2019 recalcitrant attitude. Offer him little Galla, and he\u2019ll fall in line at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calphus shook his head. \u201cIf he\u2019ll have her. And if Tortorus agrees. You don\u2019t make alliances with your own troops. You command them. If they disobey, you cut their heads off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Igetus nodded. \u201cPerhaps you mean to save Galla for an alliance with this magical kingdom we are about to destroy. Or perhaps you hope to wed her to some Viisianar slave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t counsel me, boy!\u201d Calphus roared at the man who had been counseling him for twenty years. \u201cI was winning wars half a lifetime before I ever spat you into your mother! Brave me like that again and I\u2019ll break your skinny neck in half!\u201d<\/p>\n

Igetus stood, and nodded, but did not answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not wed her to Vaina?\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone turned to stare at Pearl. Kreokus, unconsciously she hoped, took a step or two away from her.<\/p>\n

The Emperor coughed again, then growled, \u201cI want to wipe out the Vainans, not breed more of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Excellency,\u201d she said, \u201cdo you know who the Sheshai are?\u201d<\/p>\n

He rolled his eyes. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t know who the Sheshai are. Why don\u2019t you enlighten us all?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey lived on the River Chuer, between here and Bazazanil. Arjallia\u2019s tutor taught us about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Emperor rolled his entire head this time. \u201cI am not a ten-year-old girl. I have more important things to contemplate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arjallia was twelve, not ten, but Pearl chose not to press this point. \u201cConquest, yes? The ancient Viisianars conquered the Sheshai around fifteen hundred years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what does that have to do with today, girl? Get to the point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey didn\u2019t conquer them with steel. They conquered them with marriage.\u201d She waited, but when her father at last failed to interrupt her, she continued. \u201cEmpress Gilliaan offered her second daughter to the king of the Sheshai to unite their nations. The king allowed her to march her troops through their territory. By the time Gilliaan\u2019s grandson became king, the Orckid Empire surrounded the Sheshai, and their armies were commanded by her own blood. In two more generations, the Sheshai swore fealty to Orckid. Two more after that, and they were intermarrying. Nowadays, all trace of the Sheshai are gone. They are a part of Orckid now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Emperor\u2019s mouth was twitching. He wanted to say something, she knew, he wanted to beat down her idea, but could not think of anything. Finally, he sneered, \u201cYou would offer your niece to some dirt-eating savage? To ride her like a horse before she comes of age and eat her in the winter after she\u2019s whelped for him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Excellency, please,\u201d Neevius wheedled, \u201cthere is a lady in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. No!\u201d he bellowed, happy to have something to yell at. \u201cShe wants to make policy, let her make policy.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was only then Pearl noticed that Imrell had left, probably bored with the talk of strategy. Sergeant Barim and Corporal Hathmet were still there, staring at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to your spellers,\u201d she continued, \u201cVaina is not composed of dirt-eating savages. They are a great kingdom, almost the equal of the empire you have conquered. Almost,\u201d she added. It would not do to make this victory seem greater than his own. \u201cSurely Galla is worthy to wed the prince of a magical kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Emperor hummed for a bit, but the hums soon turned to growls. \u201cThat still doesn\u2019t tell me what to do about Fostus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Igetus broke in there. \u201cIf Tortorus is commanding an alliance, then any advances Fostus orders would be treason. He could have the boy locked up.\u201d<\/p>\n

He grunted amusedly. \u201cHe\u2019d like that. He\u2019s got three sons of his own, and another on the way. That brother of his is living on borrowed time.\u201d If Igetus had any objection to hearing his younger brother\u2019s death predicted so casually, he did not display it. \u201cVery well,\u201d their father agreed, looking to his second son, \u201cGet some spellers on this. I want to know what sort of people we\u2019re leasing our family out to. And make sure everyone in this room stays silent.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Emperor swept away without another word, Palcian and Neevius and their men scurrying off. Igetus favored her with a half-smile and a nod before departing for his own work. Pearl turned to Kreokus and found a renewed estimation sitting baldly on his face. \u201cIt is good to meet you, Margrave. Kreokus.\u201d<\/p>\n

He swallowed. \u201cAnd you, Pearl. My Lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pelcian had taken his men, and consequently Pearl\u2019s escort, back to the Old Palace, so it was agreed that Kreokus would assemble her six men today and have them take her back. In the meantime, she had one of her father\u2019s servants direct her to the famous Tearfall Gardens on the first floor.<\/p>\n

Like everything in the Grand Palace, it was enormous. A foundation had been dug twenty feet into the earth, then filled with soil from the fertile lands along the Whip. Tons upon tons upon tons of soil had been hauled centuries ago, then plants from all over the known world had been transported there. Mild, rolling hills were split by a small stream. She could hear the rush of an actual waterfall, but the garden was so enormous she could not see it.<\/p>\n

Her eyes fall upon a bank of bleeding heart flowers in pink, red, and blue, opening gorgeously in the springtime air. Her attention was soon drawn upward.<\/p>\n

She had heard the wisteria described, but the words had utterly failed. Its dark, twisting branches seemed to dance in on one another, making love beneath the breathtaking canopy of deep purple blossoms, which lhung like vines from the highest branches. The longer she looked, the more the arms resembled people of various shapes, joined, at once ecstatic and at peace. Were she an empress, she would choose such a tree for her throne, her palace, and she would never march out in conquest. Nothing greater could be achieved.<\/p>\n

Just beyond the wisteria was a kind of oak tree whose branches burst out in all directions, bright green moss crawling merrily all over. It looked the sort of place children would love to play, climbing and leaping from branch to branch, squealing in delight and wonder.<\/p>\n

Beyond that was a small patch of tall, straight trees, whose barks were streaks of a dozen different colors. Past that, a stout maple whose trunks had spun into a low whirl and spread out an enormous fanning canopy, crowned with leaves of pink, peach, fire, frost, emerald, and lily white. The whirl was so broad, someone could sit upon the low slung trunk if they wished.<\/p>\n

Everia was sitting there now.<\/p>\n

She had not yet noticed Pearl. She was leaning against one of the great whirling branches, her eyes closed, a single hand resting on her great belly. The child would be due soon.<\/p>\n

Pearl walked closer, until she feared she might startle her sister, then cleared her throat softly. Everia\u2019s eyes flew open so suddenly, she almost looked as though she had been stabbed. Then their lids softened, she looked around, and her gaze fell on Pearl. \u201cYou\u2019ve come,\u201d she smiled warmly. \u201cIs Arjallia here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid she\u2019s back at the Old Palace.\u201d Thoughts of the morning\u2019s fight returned unbidden to her mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother day, perhaps.\u201d She was gently rubbing her belly, looking around at the garden\u2019s splendors. Pearl glanced about and saw a patch of little sunburst flowers, their petals blue, green, white, and black. \u201cIsn\u2019t it lovely?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should have come earlier. Every day.\u201d Words were so powerful. Magic was so powerful. The Viisianars had ruled this continent for a thousand years because of the power of their written spells, the power of recording and describing things, and using those sounds and those symbols to create effects in the real world. Yet how could a spell compare to these lives, these forces, that seemed to grow so effortless out of the ground?<\/p>\n

Everia\u2019s smile brightened at that. \u201cThey are beautiful, aren\u2019t they.\u201d She gestured fluidly to a fire totem, whose four branches twisted together in a spiral up sixty feet before its willowy branches collapsed all the way back down to the ground, alive with orange and yellow blossoms. \u201cThat tree is five-hundred years old. The Viisians dug it up from a place called Yaalk, far to the south. It was enormous, even then, yet hundreds of men worked months to bring it here, to plant it in the soil, in the hopes it would flourish. It the hopes it might someday bring us joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

A feeling of cold passed over Pearl\u2019s brow. The morning\u2019s sweat had dried on her face, producing a light chill. She looked around at all the divine plants that defied explanation. \u201cAre any of these native?\u201d<\/p>\n

Everia tittered lightly at that. \u201cNo, of course not. What would be the point of bringing something in here, when you could just go outside and see it anywhere?\u201d She pointed delicately to the wisteria, which already seemed miles away with the great beauties between it and them. \u201cThat one is from Samaya. It\u2019s even farther east that Vaina, a place of swamps and poisonous wyrms and fish with spines on their fins. Even the flowers there can be deadly to touch. But a troop of hundreds of men reached it, pulled it out, and brought it here. It\u2019s over seven-hundred years old.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder how they feel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey?\u201d she asked, bemused. \u201cI imagine they\u2019re all dead by now, Pearl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThem,\u201d she gestured around them. \u201cBeing dug out of their homes and brought here. No one asked them what they wanted. And now they\u2019re here, so we can look at them and say how beautiful they are. I wonder what they would have said, if they\u2019d had a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everia laughed demurely at that, her voice like a bell. \u201cPearl, trees don\u2019t have feelings. They can\u2019t talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she agreed. \u201cThey can\u2019t.\u201d She took a moment to rub at the dried sweat on her face, and her hands came away wet. She touched a finger to her eyelid and realized she was crying.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded again. \u201cHow are you feeling? Is the baby well?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled wide, rubbing her belly again. \u201cQuite well, thank you. It\u2019s a boy, I know it. He may well be an emperor someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were a lot of other Mornal men whose corpses that child would have to step over before calling himself an emperor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you like this place. Ajman, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stifled another delicate laugh. \u201cFor me, Ajman is here. And the palace, but mostly here. These gardens. Bazazanil was,\u201d she furrowed her brow, \u201csafe. It was good. Always nicer than life on the march. But this. I would dream of these gardens. Every night in Bazazanil, while Virogus was, while my husband was\u2026 when we were sleeping, I would dream of these, hoping I might someday return.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearl looked back at the moss-covered oak again. \u201cI\u2019m not sure we\u2019re welcome here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of Arjallia\u2019s servants ran away. She said she didn\u2019t want to be an Orckid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everia\u2019s eyebrows fell at that. \u201cI suppose she doesn\u2019t have to be, if she doesn\u2019t want to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a slave. And she ran away. Just because she didn\u2019t want to be called the same thing we\u2019re called.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everia considered that a moment, then shrugged. \u201cI suppose there are all sorts of strange people in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

A giggle sounded from a ways away. Everia\u2019s children, a boy and a girl, were being ushered in by a Daridan woman in a long linen shift and purple skirt. The little boy ran over to the oak and started climbing on it. \u201cBe careful now,\u201d Everia called after him. The girl ran up and tried to crawl in her mother\u2019s lap, but settled for sitting next to her and nuzzling under a breast. Everia wrapped an arm around her daughter, the other still on her unborn child.<\/p>\n

Pearl glanced briefly at the Daridan servant, who was already backing a respectful distance away. \u201cI guess I wonder if she didn\u2019t have a good point. About the empire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everia laughed again, as beautiful as magic. \u201cHow can you think that of the Empire?\u201d she asked incredulously, taking her hand away from her belly and placing it on the trunk of the whirling oak. \u201cLook at the beautiful things we\u2019ve built.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CHAPTER THREE The Grand Palace was indefensible, but its battlements were breathtaking. The balconies of the Old Palace, only three floors up, were enough to make her head swim. Each of the five stories of the Grand Palace was nearly … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[39,17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-atlan-stories","category-stories"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9u111-1Vl","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7399"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7399\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7409,"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7399\/revisions\/7409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}