Chapter 4 #4
“Their primary residence, yes. They can boast the best wine because we can boast that their vineyards grow on the best land for it.” He was the newest senator, as old as the queen but baby-faced with windswept white curls and dark round-framed glasses.
He seemed honest, as if he wanted to do a good job but hadn’t gotten the hang of casually bragging about his district just yet.
“Oh yes, the wines are sensational. Do they only sell domestically?” the queen asked.
“That I’m aware. They do well enough for it,” Lupin replied.
“No business from anyone in Kespia, then.”
Senator Lupin blinked. “My Light, I don’t follow.”
The queen kept her tone pleasant, likely so as not to alarm him.
“I’m trying to get a sense of the sort of company they keep.
I’m worried about the daughter, mainly, exploring social circles that may not be good for her as an ambitious young woman of means.
I know her mother’s gone, and I’ve grown close to the family. You understand.”
Yemi knew exactly what her mother was doing. If the Drakes did business with Kespia, they could be considered to have allies in an enemy nation. Their senator would likely know about it and even be complicit, which would mean much larger problems for the Crown.
A wave of what looked like relief washed over Senator Lupin’s face.
“Ah! No, no company of Kespians that I’ve seen.
I’d have words with Dorian myself if I’d witnessed anything like that, believe me.
That Dahlia’s a spitfire, though, isn’t she?
I’m sure any trouble she’s getting into is nothing more than we were ever up to at her age. ”
“I’m sure you’re right. Not like it’s treason.” The queen laughed politely.
One of the women from the administrative office came clicking into the hall quickly and whispered into Orie’s ear. Orie nodded her away, then collected her desk and came to whisper in the queen’s ear.
“Hmm. Send for Cutter.” The queen nodded and dismissed her.
“Senators, if that’s all for today, thank you as always for being the voices of our country.
” She raised her arm as if needing to remind them of the direction of the exit.
Senator Lupin looked thoughtful for a moment before kissing the ring and bowing out with the rest of them.
“What is it?” Yemi asked her when they were gone.
“Dorian Drake is here.” The queen sounded amused.
Dorian marched into the throne room, nearly tripping on the heels of the last senator to leave.
His facial expression was one of distress, and he all but collapsed at the queen’s feet with the speed at which he took the knee.
Yemi felt the familiar tension that settled around her collarbone when faced with situations that called for her restraint when she’d rather not give it.
She studied him for any hint that he was here for a reason that might endanger her mother.
“Mr. Drake, take a breath and then tell me to what I owe the pleasure?” the queen mused.
“My Shield, the Qorrea witnessed my daughter’s impertinence yesterday at a taproom, and I’m here to beg your mercy,” he said into the carpet.
“Oh? I’m afraid I don’t quite know what you mean,” the queen lied. “Recount for me what it was that happened?”
Dorian hesitated, his fingers massaging his palm anxiously as he chose his words. “There were conversations about the validity of your rule at the taproom. My Dahlia was seen to participate in them.”
“And do you think that sounds like something we should forgive? Talk of treason so close to our gates? Now, in this time?”
He said nothing. Yemi noticed Cutter and Nova entering and standing in the back of the room.
“Why isn’t she here to beg her own forgiveness?” the queen asked.
“That was my decision. I wanted to beg your consideration, see if you’d be open to amends before I sent her before you. To protect her. I am her father, after all,” he insisted.
“Did she tell you she refused to take the knee when I confronted her?” Yemi asked, careful to keep an even tone.
He looked at her for the first time since entering and then swallowed hard. “She did not.”
“Significant detail to leave out,” Yemi replied. “As if the disrespect was intended.”
The queen nodded. “I have to tell you, I’m disappointed in all of this.
But my Day of Days approaches, and I am feeling generous.
After all, our daughters came up together, did they not?
So bring her to me when you join us for the celebration.
If she offers me amends herself, out of respect for our families’ long alliance, we may be able to dismiss this as a youthful indiscretion. ”
Yemi bristled. When had forgiveness been on the table?
“She will be there. Thank you, My Light. My Shield.” He nodded at Yemi and kissed both their rings before hurrying from the room. Cutter and Nova carefully watched him leave before approaching.
“What was your read of him?” the queen asked Yemi.
“He wasn’t being honest about something.”
“No, he wasn’t.”
“What was all that? Did you mean it when you said you’d forgive her?”
“Of course not,” the queen said dismissively before turning to Cutter. “What did you find?”
“We found five who were present in the group per Ennova’s observation—four low rank, one captain, all from the same company. They’ve been transferred to interrogation for the names of the others,” Cutter explained.
“You have three days to get those names.” The queen stood with some effort but declined Cutter’s gesture to help her down the stairs. “While the Drakes are here for the party, I want their little insurgent cell dismantled before the sun comes up.”
“Wait, that’s it?” Yemi asked as they trailed her to an antechamber where Lord Cerro was waiting alongside a clutch of rumpled, nervous-looking men who smelled even at this distance as if they might be fishmongers.
“We can’t kill them outright and risk our relationships with the rest of Ixia’s influential families, Yemaya.” The queen sighed. “That’s how civil wars get funding. We eradicate their base, we eradicate the means they have to act on their rhetoric.”
“My Queen, chances are the Drakes radicalized people who were already malcontents. Even if we collapse this cell, they’ll always be able to find new recruits,” said Cutter.
This was a surprise; he’d never even come close to siding with Yemi on anything over the queen.
Nova looked just as shocked but made a point of staring at something on the floor near her shoes.
“There has to be punishment. At least revoke their Green Zone permits. Cut off their access to our soldiers,” Yemi pleaded.
The queen peered at them all from the black emptiness of the mask’s eyes.
“I see we’re ruling Ixia by committee now?
” she said with a noticeable edge to her voice.
“Very well. Orie, pull the Drake permits, but after the party. Restrict all vending to the north and look into wresting their energy assets. We’ll make them a public utility under the Crown, provided the intelligence we’re able to secure can justify it.
Yes, Lord Cerro, what can I do for you now? ”
Cerro had crept forward and was now standing close enough to tower menacingly over everyone but Cutter.
“My Light, Chairre’s Bay Counsel came to me again about the fish. We were hoping for a moment to discuss how best to remedy the ongoing disruption of their livelihood.”
The queen nodded in their direction.
“I swear, if you have promised them anything…” she threatened in a low voice.
“Nothing more than Your Majesty’s compassionate attention,” Cerro assured her. “Though, perhaps selfishly, I do hope what you hear today might sway you to finally become more active in the order.”
“My Lord, perhaps a little less honesty about your ulterior motives would get you further?” Yemi suggested.
Cerro chuckled, a dry, rattling sort of sound. “I am a priest, My Qorrea. By definition, an honest man.”
“Mm,” Yemi grunted, squinting skeptically in lieu of protest.
“Right. Well, let’s get on with it,” said the queen. “Orie, a sandwich or something immediately after, if you would. I’m starving.”
“Kitchen’s already on it, My Light.”
“Brilliant. Daughter.” Yemi’s mother gave her a pointed, somewhat defeated look. “Please.”
Yemi blinked as her mother walked away with Cerro and Orie in tow. “ ‘Please’? Please what?” She frowned.
“You know what,” Nova chided.
“Why would I know what that means? Please isn’t a directive.”
“Isn’t it?” said Cutter.
Yemi rolled her eyes and waited for her mother to disappear behind the closed doors of the chamber before turning to Cutter.
“I’d like to speak with the prisoners,” she said.
“That. She meant please don’t that,” said Nova.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Cutter replied with a bit of a sigh, as if he’d known she’d ask and he’d have to refuse.
“Things get a little… sticky in the prisons where treason’s concerned,” Nova added.
“Before it gets sticky, then,” Yemi said.
“You make that request in front of the queen, and it will be my honor to oblige,” Cutter offered.
Yemi rolled her eyes. There was a reason she’d waited, after all. She was grown, of course, and could reasonably do anything she wanted. But it was one thing to have to crawl out from the shadow of your mother, and another thing to have to crawl out of the shadow of the queen.
“Thought not. The interrogators will retrieve everything we need. And I’m sure you’ll find a way to get access to that information when it comes out.” Cutter bowed.
“Hmm,” Yemi grunted, taking it as a challenge, then changed her tone to something almost downright chipper.
“Well, if anyone has any mundane duties they need me to fulfill or news to share that I don’t have to sneak to get, I’ll be in my office.
” Developing her pictures from the naval exercise would do to kill time, at least.