‘What matters of court today?’ she asked. ‘Where is our usual audience?’
Odaka took a step forward. ‘Before any matters of court, Majesty, there is something that requires your immediate attention. To have the customary audience would be inadvisable. The matter is most sensitive.’
Janessa was confused. All matters of state, other than those of the War Chamber, were conducted in public. What could warrant such privacy?
Odaka continued. ‘An envoy has arrived from the White Moon Trading Company. I cannot overstress the importance of his visit.’
The importance was certainly not lost on Janessa. The company was affiliated to the Bankers League — a powerful organisation with members from a number of nations across the Midral Sea, which might hold the key to her city’s survival. If she could persuade them to back her with their money the Free Companies would fall over one another to flock to her banner.
‘I am to deal with him now?’ Janessa didn’t relish the idea of bargaining over the future of her city, her country, but knew she must. This man would negotiate only with her, would accept no intermediary. This was a duty for her alone.
‘He arrived unexpectedly, Majesty, and he has demanded an audience with you immediately.’
This envoy was no king, perhaps not even a noble, but if Odaka was willing to acquiesce to him, he must be powerful indeed.
‘Very well,’ said Janessa. ‘We will speak with him.’
‘I will bring him, Majesty. But remember, he will not offer his coin lightly. This could be a long and difficult dance. A game of strategy, so to speak. Accept nothing until we are sure what he wants in return.’
Janessa nodded.
As Odaka left to fetch the envoy, Janessa took to her throne, flanked by Merrick and Kaira. She suddenly felt sick again, but this was nothing to do with the child growing inside her. Janessa knew the man she was about to meet might hold the key to her city’s survival. She hoped the price for his aid would not be too high.
Odaka soon returned leading a small procession. Beside him was Chancellor Durket babbling on about the history of Skyhelm and the reason for the throne room’s austerity. Janessa hardly noticed either of her advisors though, her attention focused fully on the man they led into the chamber.
He looked harmless enough. Just below average height, with olive skin. He had a headscarf wrapped tight around his head. His robes were black and plain, his hands hidden in their sleeves. As he drew closer, Janessa could see he wore kohl around his eyes giving him a feminine look, though the thin moustache and beard that joined around his mouth showed he was every inch a man.
Behind him walked four men, whom Janessa guessed were his personal bodyguard. They all had identical shaven heads, with matching red tunics and pantaloons that were striking against their dark skins. None of them carried a weapon.
They stopped at the foot of the stairs leading to the throne and Odaka announced, ‘Azai Dravos of the White Moon Trading Company.’
Dravos inclined his head, but kept his painted eyes fixed firmly on Janessa.
‘Greetings, your illustrious Majesty.’ His thick accent dripped with charm. ‘Might I say your splendour was much understated. I have met the queens of every nation in the East, but your beauty surpasses that of them all.’
Janessa somehow doubted that, but she smiled nonetheless.
‘I am sure you flatter me, Azai Dravos. Welcome to my city. I hope your stay will be a pleasant one.’
‘What a magnificent city it is. Would that I could stay longer and sample its many wonders.’
Yes, I’m sure you’d love to stay while my city is besieged. It will be most stimulating.
‘But at least you will be able to enjoy the palace? Chancellor Durket will see you and your men accommodated in our finest rooms.’
Azai Dravos smiled, but a look of discomfort flashed across his face.
‘I regret that I am unable to stay, Majesty. Now, if we might move on to the purpose of my visit …’
Janessa felt her stomach lurch. He was steering this away from her and she needed to be in control. She certainly wanted his coin, and fast, but she couldn’t allow him to dictate proceedings.
‘Nonsense,’ she said quickly, ‘I will not hear of it. Durket, see that our guests are offered all the luxuries the palace can provide.’
‘But-’
‘I will not hear of it.’ Janessa tried to inject an element of command into her words and was pleasantly surprised at the result. ‘You have come far. It would reflect poorly on me were you to leave without experiencing our hospitality.’
At first Azai Dravos looked annoyed, but he held Janessa’s gaze and smiled his reply. He had played this game many times before.
‘On behalf of the White Moon Trading Company, I thank your Majesty for her generosity, and look forward to speaking with her at length … very soon.’
Without waiting for dismissal he backed away with a bow, as did his men. They left with Durket, who continued his prattling as they retreated down the corridor. Odaka moved forwards, nodding his approval.
‘That was well done, Majesty. But Dravos will not be put off indefinitely, and neither do we have the time to allow it. I would suggest a private audience when he is more comfortable. The deck is stacked heavily in his favour; he knows we are desperate and he could demand almost anything.’
‘Which could be what?’
Odaka shook his head. ‘It could be many things: crippling interest on the loan, or maybe future trade deals heavily weighted in his paymasters’ favour. He might even insist on a permanent envoy in your court. Until you can meet with him alone and appeal to his better nature, there is little doubt he will not budge on anything.’
‘But what can we afford to give? You’re right; we have little bargaining room and no time to manoeuvre him into a reasonable deal.’ Things were deteriorating by the moment. Must she act the gambler, with the future of her city the stake?
‘Ultimately we must be prepared to pledge almost anything to save the city. Any bargain struck with a member of the Bankers League will come with a heavy price. But pay it we must, Majesty.’
‘Then there is no choice, is there? A poor hand indeed.’
She spoke to no one in particular.
ELEVEN
He stood at her shoulder, to the left hand of that big stone throne. Merrick had almost laughed the first time he’d done it, the first time he’d stood in that huge throne room protecting their queen. A couple of months back he’d been chancing his arm on the streets: whoring, drinking, gambling. Everywhere he turned people wanted him dead, and he’d been lucky to survive.
Now he was in the great palace of Skyhelm, armoured and armed, a chosen lifeguard of the most powerful woman in the Free States.
Even he had to admit he’d done pretty bloody well for himself.
Kaira stood to the queen’s right — stern, implacable almost. It was a duty to which she was wholly suited. Merrick knew that were Kaira called upon to lay down her life for the young girl that sat between them she would have done it without question.
Well, at least that made one of them.
In the past few days he had seen Queen Janessa preside over her court assuredly. This had surprised Merrick at first, but then he hadn’t really known what to expect. When he first encountered her she had looked like a naive child thrown in with the sharks, but he had come to admire how she handled things — always calm and diplomatic, always taking a measured approach. Had he been forced to deal with half these greedy, clamouring bastards Merrick was pretty certain he’d have told most to go fuck themselves.
He’d definitely got a bad feeling about the foreigner they’d just seen. There was something about Azai Dravos that Merrick didn’t like, and it wasn’t just the perfumed stink. He’d been relieved when the bastard left.
With Dravos gone the Sentinels at the entrance to the throne room had allowed in the usual collection of simpering prigs. Merrick hadn’t quite worked out which one of them he loathed the most yet, but he was getting there.