Chapter 9 #2
Anya’s father sighed. “Archduke, we know nothing of this excess you speak of. The capital’s official mana stone supply is closely guarded and inventoried.
Although, there admittedly is not much to inventory.
We reduced our purchase orders to allow more stones to circulate to the regions.
Today is the first we are learning the true extent of the shortage.
I am afraid we are not in a position to send any meaningful aid. ”
Discord spread among the delegates as the words left her father’s mouth.
“We must prospect for new mines immediately.”
“Perhaps the Centarian islands still hold some value?”
“Someone has to be lying on their report!”
All eyes drew to the Marchioness as she stood.
“I am not lying,” Marg said calmly. “I come from a long line of Elvani people and have been trained in the ways of magic since I was a child. My social events do not use even a crumb of mana stones.”
Cyrus rolled his eyes.
Marg continued, “The plight of the children concerns me dearly, as I am sure it does for you all as well. As such, we should consider every option. Given the reformation of the Church and the return of the Centarians, now may be the time to consider making contact with the Kingdom of Aquillas, beyond the glacial wall.”
Silence hung over the convocation. Anya’s jaw dropped. The people regarded Aquillas as a fairy tale—a storybook setting about their ancient allies.
The ones who abandoned them the moment humans stepped foot on Valerian soil a thousand years ago.
“Absurd! There is nothing but a barren wasteland beyond the glacial wall. You would be sending an expedition to their death!” Lady Pleiades shouted.
Count West joined in. “I agree! This is ridiculous! We cannot use taxes and manpower on a fanciful trip for the sake of one town! We need to focus on breaking new mines here!”
Lord Bryson’s voice broke over the rest. “This isn’t ‘one town’ we’re talking about!
There are dozens of sick children!” He slammed a fist on the table.
The goblets rattled. “For all we know, this could be affecting many more across Valeria. Other regions have enough mana stones to cure one or two isolated cases, but not thirty! And don’t you think the guild investors would have exploited any new mana stone deposits by now? It would be worth a fortune!”
The din of bickering continued. Lord Bryson’s passion surprised Anya. She’d thought he came just for the prestige of being a proxy, but he seemed to have a personal stake in Balcott’s plea. But of course, only a monster wouldn’t care about sick children. This didn’t make him special.
Her parents made the deliberate choice to let the delegates’ frustration diffuse for several more minutes, a tactic they employed in her youth quite often when she would squabble with Cyrus. Sure enough, the arguing slowed, fading into a steady grumble.
Her mother finally leaned over and whispered, “It is time to reassure them, Anya.”
She still trusts me. I can do this.
“Silence.” Anya raised a clawed hand. “Lady Pleiades, there must be a kingdom beyond the glacial wall. The texts from mages in the northern part of Gryphon’s Landing show that the glacial wall has not spread or receded in five hundred years.
This is the doing of magic—magic far beyond our comprehension.
Normal ice does not behave this way. There is something or someone controlling it, and that would take mana stones or strong magic.
Either could help the sick during this time. ”
She turned to Count West. “Count, regardless of whether the illness is isolated to Balcott or not, this shortage puts our entire kingdom at risk. Should storms come or goblins stir, mass healing will be necessary. That is simply not possible at this time. Funding new mines on Valerian soil is a gamble as well. An expedition to Aquillas would serve all of us.”
Lord Bryson stood. “I agree, and I volunteer to lead such an expedition, if it pleases Your Majesties.” He pointedly addressed Your Majesties rather than herself. Regardless, she couldn’t let him on this expedition.
This mission would be hers—her opportunity to help the Centarians and prove herself a worthy heir. His presence would only jeopardize that.
Anya raised an eyebrow. “With respect, Lord Bryson, this voyage needs to be led by a celestial navigator such as myself. Every detail will be vital to our success. This isn’t a week-long voyage back and forth a few times. We are talking potential months at sea.”
He flashed a fanged smile and refused to address her comments. “Your Majesties, I would be remiss not to implore that such a navigator be accompanied by Valeria’s finest. These are unknown territories we are talking about, not teatime among noble folk. This is no job for a princess.”
That did it. Any semblance of pity she felt for him evaporated. Of all the cheap tricks, he was trying to play to her parents’ fears to keep her out of the equation.
Anya fired back, “Precisely. Uncharted and unknown, requiring navigation of a celestial and diplomatic nature. Something that, given your extreme lack of tact before this Council, you appear wholly incapable of.”
“I am an experienced strategist, Your Majesties. There is no need to endanger Her Highness like this,” Lord Bryson protested, gesturing to her.
“Strategizing ways to kill, perhaps. And if you believe approaching Aquillas with pointed blade to be the best strategy, I am afraid your level of experience borders on the imbecilic.”
Lord Bryson clenched his jaw and spoke through gritted teeth. “I beg your pardon—”
“Silence, both of you!” Her father brought a fist down on the table. Her ears grew hot. All eyes were on her and Lord Bryson. “I do not know what is going on between you two—”
“There is nothing going on!” Anya and Lord Bryson protested in unison. Their eyes met, then quickly darted away from each other, finding solace upon the King.
Her father eyed each of them in turn with an air of suspicion.
“As I was saying, we do not care what your personal issues are with each other.” His gaze shifted back to the Council as a whole.
“Princess Anya and Lord Bryson proved an effective team during the Centarian evacuation. A month-long voyage arriving ahead of schedule is nigh unheard of, but the Princess’s knowledge of celestial navigation made it possible, and the Centarians we have met with spoke very highly of Lord Bryson’s leadership. ”
Marg raised her hand to speak. The Queen nodded to her.
“Your Majesties, if I may be so bold, it would be my honor to accompany Her Highness to Aquillas. I am trained in offensive and defensive magic, and am an experienced leader as well.”
Marg winked at Anya. Anya smiled as her parents whispered to each other, inaudible under the rumbles from the delegates. She could always count on Marg. An expedition with Marg, Blackbird, and the crew of the Lupus Star would be a dream.
Anya tensed as Cyrus cleared his throat. That mangy coyote had been far too silent. He may be Elvani, but he attacked her character like a canine hiding in the shadows.
Her father turned to Cyrus. “Yes, Count Scorer?”
Her cousin preened his golden locks as he stood.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” A wicked smile curved his lips, dripping in faux pleasantry.
“Since magical enchantments guard the glacial wall, as Her Highness mentioned, I believe it would be safest to rely on the tried-and-true blade over magic. If the Marchioness runs out of mana, Her Highness would be a sitting duck. With Lord Bryson, her protection is all but guaranteed. And rest assured, if Her Highness goes on this expedition, I am prepared to handle her responsibilities here.”
Cyrus was…supporting her? Sort of. That was a first. She thought he’d try to insert himself in the mission in her place.
Him recommending Lord Bryson over the Marchioness made sense.
Suspicion prickled her nerves, but she took a sip of water and banished the thought.
It was best not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Anya didn’t like the idea of Cyrus having his slimy hands in her duties, but it couldn’t be avoided.
Her mother cleared her throat. “Thank you for stepping up, Count Scorer. Delegates?”
The delegates continued rumbling amongst themselves.
“Delegates!” Her father slammed a fist on the table, silencing the hall.
“We will utilize a two-pronged approach. Wage incentives will be offered to those who prospect for new mines. With promised pay for their efforts regardless of the result, such an endeavor will no longer pose a financial risk to workers’ families.
And while we pray new deposits are discovered—” He took a deep breath and looked to Anya.
He was trying to appear confident, but his eyes betrayed his anxiety.
“The Princess and Lord Bryson will command a small expedition party to the Kingdom of Aquillas and establish a new trade route. Count Scorer and the Marchioness will handle all the Princess’s duties until her return. ”