Chapter 22 #2
“Another reduction so soon could be cause for alarm. I wish to avoid it at all costs. Can the reservoir withstand my decision?” I asked Mina, hoping her calculations wouldn’t say otherwise.
“For a few months at best, brother. I do not believe it wise to press beyond that timeframe without sacrifices.”
“Can we begin to ration the sentries?” I proposed, knowing the answer before Orin confirmed my fears.
“While our numbers have withstood the increase in attacks, we have not been without damages. If we ration the Watch, healing the injured will slow if not diminish in the case of those significantly wounded. We must keep them healthy and strong to honor the treaty. If we can’t protect them, then our presence will be most unwelcome. ”
“And if we can’t protect them, then Vassal donations and recruitment efforts will no doubt lead to exacerbated shortages,” Mina added, concerned.
I sighed and rested my elbows on the table, running my fingers through my hair and trying to think. My hand cradled my forehead, and I massaged my temple.
“Tyber, what of the false blood?”
“Your Majesty, it has not been a priority for some time, so little promise has come from our efforts. In comparison, we’ve made great strides on the weapon.”
“What weapon?” Esiree chirped.
“While I was away, I was scouting nests south of Muir. We’ve been trying to locate as many as possible, get a firm grasp of the cave systems and underground networks they’ve established. It’s best if we test the weapon with smaller ones first before—”
“—Before what?” she interrupted.
“Before we attack the Hive directly. The Parcaetes have created a poisonous smoke that we can detonate inside of their nests. We’re fairly confident it will eliminate the weakest among them, but we’ll be lucky if it stuns the strongest long enough for us to put them to an end.”
“That’s amazing!” Esiree resounded, her voice exuding excitement. “We need to test this immediately. The humans would help!”
“Your Majesty,” Tyber tried to interject without quelling her enthusiasm, “The method is not proven—it’s inexact. The size and depth of the cave matters, and the temperature and moisture will impact its success. There is no way to be certain of its reliability without these tests.”
“Then return to Muir; you must begin the tests right away. Lives hang in the balance daily!” she declared urgently. And we all felt that immediacy. In more ways than one. But if only it were so simple.
“We can’t keep returning to the territories without drawing watchful eyes. We scout during the daytime to ensure our safety from the Forlorn. When we have to navigate the sporadic days of sunshine, we must take shelter just like the sentries. And for that, we need the humans to welcome our visit.”
“What if I go with you?” she proposed. My mind was struggling to conceive how that would be helpful to us. When she was met with our silence, she expounded, “Has a queen never toured Devana?”
Mina snorted. “Of course not. Are you mentally unwell?”
Esiree inhaled deeply, releasing it in a long sigh, no doubt trying to collect herself from lashing out at my sister. I couldn’t help but be impressed with her restraint.
“You need a reason to be in the territories, to scout and perform tests without suspicion. Which means you need a distraction. Something that’s never been done before and will keep their attention.”
“We’re listening,” Orin offered, his interest unusually piqued.
“Tell them the queen is touring Devana while executing a formal census. They’ll be honored by the visit.”
Orin looked at me with a questioning raised brow. “A census?”
“With all the losses from years of attacks, do you even have accurate counts of your citizens? Until recently, Leto wasn’t even a territory for which you had true oversight.
Tell me, lady of the ledger, would your reports benefit from that kind of knowledge?
” she prodded Mina, knowing that we certainly would.
My sister, ever intent on being a curmudgeon to Esiree said, “And you think the people are going to, what? Just let us count them so we can eat them later?”
Orin shook his head in dismay, beginning to feel the unyielding tension of these two women that I too was afflicted by.
“No, you twit!” Esiree slammed her hand on the table, shocking even me.
“I am there to get a census and ensure the humans are well fed, well cared for. That anyone whose crops did not reap would be afforded food, paid for by the king’s treasury,” she added, looking over at me to see if she had crossed a line.
When I did not disagree with her, she continued, “My census tour is a gesture of good will, as well as a ruse for your tests.”
Mina twisted her gaze toward me. “Are you really going to allow this? The only skill she has is consorting with our less-than-desirable cousin, and now we’re going to let her galivant around Devana while draining the treasury? We’ll find another way, dear brother, please don’t be foolish.”
“We vote,” Tyber offered diplomatically. “All in favor of pursuing the tour, knock.”
I immediately balled my hand into a fist and knocked against the wooden table.
Tyber followed suit. When Esiree realized how the votes were taken, she quickly mimicked our motion.
Mina rolled her eyes in disgust, ignoring the vote altogether.
Orin glanced hesitantly between my sister and me before lifting his hand and giving the final knock that would seal our decision.