Gerald arrived at Brighton’s opulent palace gates with no pomp or fanfare. Unity’s newly appointed ambassador to the neighboring city-state was a man of middling height, bright blue eyes, and a sharp mind. Alex recommended him to Jason for the role due to us “unwavering demeanor” and told his king that the man was perfectly suited to the role.

He had been a man of noble birth that had been disinherited at the urging of his father’s third wife. Jason was impressed by the well-spoken man upon meeting him, and less than a week later, Gerald climbed out of the carriage door to embark upon his first diplomatic duty.

Well, he thought as he walked through the engraved oak doors of the king’s palace, I didn’t think I’d see the inside of these halls ever again. I’d much rather do it wearing the colors of Unity and my new king than with my lying, cheating, unfaithful father. I wonder if he’ll be at court today? That would make things interesting.

The palace’s chief of staff stepped through the doors ahead of him and announced, “Gerald, Ambassador of Unity.” All eyes in the gallery lining the walls redirected their attention to him, and he calmly walked forward to bow before king Archibald.

“Welcome to Brighton,” the city’s king greeted him.. “I do not believe I am familiar with Unity. Would you tell me what distant lands you hail from?”

“Gladly,” the new ambassador's voice rang through the hall. “Unity is a newly formed nation with its capital in Enderton and its member towns consisting of the following,” he continued, listing off the villages that had joined one by one. The audience’s eyes grew wide, and conversations froze as they heard the announcement.

Without allowing any pause, the ambassador continued, “We wish for peace and continued friendly trade relations between our lands and yours. We will have much to offer, both in terms of trade goods, and exchange of knowledge, over the upcoming years. We would be honored to call your fair city a friend to our nation, your highness.”

The look on the king's face passed through confusion first, then anger, and finally settled on a sneer as he heard the news. “The unclaimed lands? There’s not a town larger than a few thousand in the entire region. You mean to tell me you claim that entire area as your own with such small strength?” The regent finished in a thunderous voice.

Gerald faced the king impassively. There’s still one village not in our nation, he mentally corrected the man, but now’s not the time to point that out. “The nation of Unity banded together to face the forces of the Silver kingdom, your majesty. We were completely successful at ridding their army from our lands. We determined it would be advantageous to remain united to ensure our future security and prosperity,” Gerald finished with a thinly veiled warning.

The angry monarch did not miss the implication. “I will not recognize a band of peasants who think they can craft a crown and form a kingdom. Don’t think I am unaware of what you are trying to do. You probably mobbed some small fighting force from Silver City and are worried about retaliation by an army. You want to ally with me to protect you from their pillaging and plunder,” he pointed at the ambassador, then let out a breath, and sat back on his throne.

“Now, I am a magnanimous king and am willing to forget your pretension. Declare loyalty to Brighton, and I will save you from the wrath of Silver City. Believe me when I say that you will much prefer my reign to theirs.” The king looked around the court. “It appears the Unclaimed lands are destined to be ruled either by the Silvers or by us. I am not inclined to let them have that opportunity.”

Returning his gaze to the ambassador standing in front of him with a disappointed smile on his face, the regent continued. “Go, tell your towns of my offer. I will await your acceptance.”

With the barest of nods, the ambassador turned and strode from the room.

Unnoticed to all, the Marshall of Brighton slipped out a side door.

---

Pierce, head of house Woodmere and Marshall of Brighton, caught up with the ambassador as he was entering his carriage.

“A moment of your time, good ambassador,” the man said in a friendly tone.

Gerald turned and greeted him, a stoic expression masking his face.

“I realize our fair city has not made the greatest impression on you, and for that, I wish to apologize,” Pierce continued. “Would you be willing to join me for tea at my estate?”

The man thought for a moment and then shrugged. “Why not,” Gerald said.

Soon the two were on the veranda at the back of the Woodmere manor, sipping tea in silence.

He would make a good negotiator, Pierce thought. Few men are comfortable in silence. He chuckled out loud, drawing the gaze and a hint of a smile from the man across from him. I suppose that is why he is here, though. To negotiate some semblance of a relationship with us. I can’t say the king is wrong with his assessment, though. It is likely better for us to simply take direct control over the towns of the unclaimed lands.

We know the silver Kingdom was planning on attacking us anyway. With the pretense of civility all but gone, there’s nothing that will keep the towns between us out of one of our hands.

Pierce set his tea on the table in front of him. “You look vaguely familiar to me,” he commented. “Have we met before?”

“We have,” Gerald said. “You may know me by my former house name: Sinwell. I simply go by Gerald, now.”

Ahh, yes. That was quite the scandal when his step-mother caught him with… well, no need to remember all the sordid details of that affair. With how rapidly his father disowned him, I almost questioned the legitimacy of the charges. But he’s certainly matured from the spoiled teenager I met all those years ago.

“You’ve moved up in the world,” Pierce commented.

“I have,” Gerald replied neutrally. “And I was lucky to move to Enderton when I did.”

“What can you tell me about the area?” Pierce asked, somewhat bluntly.

“I was told I could be rather open on that subject,” Gerald stated, “so I do not mind discussing that with you.

“Enderton was a rather unremarkable village a year ago. Now, more people show up every day for the promise of well-paid work in one of the multiple industries there. The little town you might have visited in the past is quickly becoming a small city,” the ambassador explained.

“We have a more significant military force than you would think,” he continued, “though I will not speak further on the subject. We are confident in our ability to maintain the integrity of our lands, though we will continue to hope for peace with all our neighbors.”

“I understand,” the head of house Woodmere said, though he was skeptical of the strength claimed. “I would love to know more about your king if that is something you are able to share.”

“King Jason is a man of many ideas,” Gerald started, “and something of a practical philosopher. Unlike most men of that group, his ideas seem to have real bearing on the world and how life may be improved. I do not know of another man who would be able to harness the power of water to enable men to cut logs into straight boards faster than a dozen normal men.”

“That sounds rather incredible, if strange,” Pierce replied.

“It is certainly unlike anything you have seen,” the ambassador said. “He does seem to be obsessed with water-power, as he calls it. Soon we will have water whenever we want it, without drawing it from a well, within our houses.”

Pierce sat up and paid even closer attention. “I see the utility in that. Do all of his ideas result in a reduced workload? And even more people are headed to Enderton for more work?”

Gerald thought for a moment. “No, not everything is aimed at reducing the need for labor,” he said. “Some have other utility. But our world is changing.”

The ambassador stopped as a butler stepped through the door. Pierce looked toward him with a questioning glance.

“The merchants you were expecting have arrived, my lord.”

The merchants? Pierce wondered. Oh! The ones with the mirrors!

“Would you mind if I accept this delivery, ambassador?”

“Not at all,” Gerald replied.

Earna and Edvin were ushered into the room, and they bowed to the head of house Woodmere.

Pierce stood and greeted the two. “Welcome again. Were you able to procure the second item?”

“We were, my lord,” Edvin replied and presented Pierce with an ornate box. Opening it, the Marshall peeled back the cloth covering the mirror and quickly inspected it. “Marvelous. If you have any other uncommon goods you’d like to sell in Brighton, please think of me.”

“Much appreciated, my lord,” Earna spoke. “Have a good day, my lord,” she bowed to him again. “Good day, Gerald,” she nodded at the ambassador.

“Oh? You know each other?” Pierce asked, his sinking heart making the intuitive leap before his brain caught up.

“Yes, my lord. We met in Enderton, our home town,” Edvin replied.

If these marvels are from Unity, what else of these stories are true? Pierce wondered. Moreover, how am I going to give one of these as a present to the king, when he just belittled and threatened their home as insignificant?

I’m going to have to talk to the king and tell him there’s more going on than we knew. We don’t want to act hastily.

“Please accept my hospitality and stay the night, ambassador,” the Marshall improvised.

Gerald didn’t bother to hide his smile.