“I’d prefer to quietly gather forces before making my presence known,” Sespian said. “People have tried to assassinate me before. If I go forward with nothing but this small group to protect me, I’d be an easy target.”
Amaranthe barely kept herself from dropping the rag, propping a fist on her hip, and issuing an indignant response. She wouldn’t be surprised if Sicarius was lurking nearby even now, ready to lift a dagger in defense of Sespian, should anyone raise a hand in his direction. But they could hardly utter the truth, that Forge would print the facts about Sespian’s unfavorable heritage as soon as he stepped forward and tried to reclaim the throne.
Instead, she slid into the seat beside Sespian, so that she too could face the soldiers. “However unintentional it was, you two have been given the greatest opportunity of your lives.”
“We have?” Rudev asked.
Evik didn’t look so surprised. No, his narrowed eyes held wariness. He knew where this was going.
“We don’t want to hold you prisoner here indefinitely.” Amaranthe pointed to the private’s white armband. “We want you to forget Ravido Marblecrest, be the first to join Emperor Sespian’s forces, and stay with us of your own accord.”
“We have to, don’t we?” Rudev asked. “I mean, he’s the rightful emperor.”
Evik licked his lips. “It’s true we owe our allegiance to the rightful emperor, but if we walk away from our unit… I mean, ’course we hope you win, Sire, but if you’ve only got ten people right now, and a bunch of them are women… we could get hanged for desertion if it ends up Marblecrest takes the throne. It’s a real tough spot for us.” Indeed, he glanced toward the door, as if he wanted nothing more than to flee back to his company and pretend he’d never seen Sespian. What he saw gave him a start, and he nearly fell out of his chair.
Sicarius leaned against the doorjamb, hands clasped behind his back, the closest to casual as he ever became, but the ever-present knife collection and the black attire always made him appear menacing even when relaxed, at least to those who didn’t know him. And to most of those who did too. Amaranthe didn’t know how long he’d been there, but Basilard didn’t appear surprised by his presence. She’d been yawning every other second while Sespian spoke and hoped Sicarius hadn’t seen. She didn’t want him to know about the nightmares or her lack of sleep these past couple of weeks-he might see her as less than fit for leading the team, and, for what she planned, she needed everyone to trust her. More than ever.
His gaze was too knowing as it came to rest on her.
Seeking to distract him, she signed, Making guests feel comfortable as always, I see.
His fingers twitched. Yes.
Scrapes and clunks sounded as the soldiers attempted to arrange their chairs so they could still face Sespian but so they could also see Sicarius. Nobody wanted that many knives at his back.
I guess they recognize you, Amaranthe signed.
Sicarius didn’t bother responding. The thought gave Amaranthe an idea though.
“We can understand your uncertainty,” she said, addressing the soldiers again, “but, as you can see, we have powerful allies too.”
“Didn’t think the emperor would employ an assassin,” Private Rudev muttered.
Sespian winced. Maybe that hadn’t been the right tactic after all.
“If you two were the first to sign on to help the rightful emperor…” Amaranthe tried not to feel dishonest in calling Sespian that. After all, she’d yet to hear the news about the research excursion in the Barracks. “I’m certain he’d be grateful. As I said before, you have an opportunity. If Marblecrest wins, and you do your jobs, then that’s fine, no change to the status quo. But if Emperor Sespian comes out on top, and you were among the first to support him, well, I should think he’d remember your names.”
“This is so,” Sespian said.
“Were you to prove yourself exemplary soldiers and invaluable members of the team, I imagine there’d be promotions.” Hadn’t the promise of a promotion enticed Amaranthe to partake in Hollowcrest’s questionable assassination mission once? Even if she hadn’t gone through with it in the end, it’d been an appealing reward to have dangled before her eyes.
Indeed, Evik stroked his chin, suddenly thoughtful. “Like I could be a sergeant?”
“You’d have to prove yourself skilled and dedicated enough for the rank, but that doesn’t sound unreasonable,” Sespian said.
Amaranthe liked that he didn’t over-promise. He could have offered warrior-caste status and who knew what else, but they didn’t know yet if these two were worth such rewards. After all, one was injured-he wouldn’t be marching on the Barracks any time soon-and even before then, they’d been easy enough for her and Maldynado to capture. They were young, though, and wore mechanic’s patches, not the crossed swords of infantry.
“Could I be a sergeant, too?” Rudev asked.
“You’ve only been in the army six months, you dolt,” Evik said. “You barely know which end of your sword goes into the other bloke.”
“We’ll see,” Sespian said.
“Do we stay prisoners if we don’t agree to sign on?” Evik asked.
“Unfortunately, since I’m not ready to announce my return,” Sespian said, “you would be for a short time, yes. You’re free to go after everyone knows I’m in the city though.”
“As long as you’re here,” Amaranthe asked the soldiers, “why not agree to stay and try it out first? We’re going to be bringing more men in, and you’ll be able to see that we’re contenders. You’d have seniority amongst any new recruits, not to mention you can pick your lodgings. There might still be private rooms available.”
“Lodgings here?”
“Until we take over the Imperial Barracks,” Amaranthe said.
“You don’t lack for ambition, do you?” Sespian murmured.
“Probably easier to claim the throne if you’re already there, sitting on it. It might be more feasible to get Fort Urgot now, though, if Ravido is in the Barracks.” She’d need to send someone to scout Fort Urgot and see who was in charge over there. Though these two enlisted men were useful as an early test, it’d make far more sense to take Sespian out and try to win over brigade commanders.
“Sire, who is this woman?” Evik asked.
Private Rudev nodded vigorously, reminding Amaranthe that, though she’d talked her group of men into going along with her crazy plans, women simply weren’t a part of the military or the political arena in Turgonia. These two probably hadn’t taken orders from one since they were prepubescent boys running around their mothers’ houses.
“Ah, she’s my…” Sespian’s fingers groped in the air as he sought an appropriate explanation.
Still leaning in the doorway, Sicarius lifted a single brow, also curious as to the status she’d be granted. Basilard cocked his head with interest. Amaranthe didn’t think Sespian would be naive enough to give her military rank-none of the soldiers, these two included, would accept that-but she would need some kind of authority in the eyes of those who signed on with him. She was about to suggest “personal assistant” when Sespian spoke.
“High Minister in charge of Domestic and Foreign Relations,” he said.
“Huh?” Rudev asked.
Evik cleaned out his ear with his finger. “Is that a…?”
“It’s a Kyattese position,” Sicarius said.
To anyone else his tone would have sounded deadpan, but after a year around him, Amaranthe had no trouble picking up the underlying amusement-or was that bemusement, as in what are you doing, son? A hint of the feeling touched her as well. Sespian’s choice sounded like a fancy title to mean someone who has to do a lot of paperwork.
“It’s a diplomat,” Sespian explained to the scrunched up faces in the room-and Amaranthe as well. She smoothed her own face, fearing her nose might have been scrunched as well. “With a little power. Once I have the throne back-” he was either warming to the idea or getting more into the role now, “-I’ll need to make a few changes to the government to ensure there’s less of a rift between the old aristocracy and the new, self-made entrepreneurial class.”