“You know, considering how vocal you were about your distaste for slavery, the servants here don’t seem to bother you too much,” Yarani said.

I blinked, glancing at the liveried young man who’d just brought tea to the room and then back at my girlfriend, who was leaning against one of the tables strewn with paper dotting the room.

“They’re not actually slaves here, but paid servants,” I said.

“Oh.” Yarani looked a bit sheepish. “Is that on purpose?”

I cleared my throat, scratching my cheek. “Well, I never exactly bothered to hide my opinion of the practice. Even when I was talking to the Adzurian envoy at court the once or twice.”

Yarani snorted. “You’re such a wonderfully honest person,” she said with a grin. “No wonder Elia likes you.”

Before I could answer, the door opened and my other friend wandered inside, his coat looking a bit singed and his hair tussled even as he’d kept a glove on one of his hands. “Slavery in Adzur is actually quite an interesting social and economical issue, considering their political and financial landscape and the standards of education,” Lei said.

I stood up and discreetly moved a stack of folders off the floor with a bit of air qi, sighing at him. “It’s good to see you, too, Lei. Nice to know you remember that we still exist.”

“Hm?” He looked up. “Oh, sorry, Inaris. I suppose I have been gone a lot, haven’t I?”

I rolled my eyes. I’d barely seen him since we’d arrived. I had no clue how he had even managed to find the people or places to indulge his curiosity about their technology, but given the results I’d judged it better to let him be. He could take care of himself, even if it didn’t seem like it sometimes.

“I thought you were all about their formations and electrical thingies,” Yarani said. “Now you’re actually interested in social issues?”

Lei frowned at her and finally took off his coat and glove, throwing them onto a chair. “I can’t exactly avoid the issue, seeing how I’ve been dealing with their companies, and it’s not like I can’t be interested in anything besides a good formula.”

“What were you saying about slavery?” I intervened before they could start bickering in earnest. I’d count it as my good deed for the day.

“I’m sure it has nothing at all to do with Elia talking about justice and rights,” Yarani commented, clearly disinclined to allow my intervention.

Lei looked away. He tried to pass it off as looking for a seat, but I could see the way his face stiffened a little. “Where is she, anyway?”

“Around,” I answered, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes again. “She’ll show up soon, I’m sure.”

“Anyway, the population of slaves in Adzur is actually pretty small and they’re used in very different positions,” Lei said, sprawling into an armchair. “They’re treated well compared to other places, I guess, and when it comes to research they’re often used as accountants or clerks. Probably since they’re supposed to be trustworthy.”

“Trust enforced by the ability to maim them if they cook the books,” I snorted. “Oh well. I guess I get it. With the way cultivation works, I just don’t see it being very effective on a large scale.”

“Why?” Yarani asked.

I shrugged. “Cultivators are dangerous mostly because of their stage, not factors like if they have weapons, and stronger ones are difficult to contain. You’d need to forcefully keep the enslaved population’s cultivation stages down, but that would also make them less useful for most of the tasks you’d usually want them for. Like heavy unskilled labor.” I frowned. “I guess that’s why it actually exists here in Adzur, where manpower isn’t that much of an issue due to the general level of technology, but you might need people for handling machines in factories or doing office drudgework, or whatever.”

“It’s a good thing Elia isn’t here,” Yarani commented. “She’d either tease you mercilessly about your ruminations on society or this would actually devolve into a deep, long-winding debate.”

I sat on one of the elegant tables made of dark wood, sweeping aside a stack of folders, while I rolled my eyes at her. “A dark and terrible future, I’m sure. However would you survive that?”

“That’s easy,” Yarani grinned, “I know more than enough ways to distract you. You make it so simple.”

There was no winning against her today, I decided. My internal font of wisdom called for a tactical retreat.

“And in contrast, your own diplomatic skill is peerless,” I said. “Which I’m sure you demonstrated for the good of the Empire when dealing with the Adzurians. Did you make any progress while we were gone?”

Yarani sat up straighter, shaking her head. “Not much. I did get to talking with some of their business leaders, and was approached by others. I’ve taken notes.” She tapped a short stack of papers on a table besides her. “Most of them seemed cautious about committing to anything, though interest is definitely there.”

“In what?” Lei asked, taking the papers and leafing through them before throwing them back down to scatter on the table.

“Our technology, unsurprisingly,” Yarani said with a sigh. “I’ve also noticed some interest in food, and trade in cloth, wood, and luxury goods. But we might have to make it clear formations aren’t available, first.”

I frowned, tapping my fingers. “There was less interest than right when we first arrived, was there?”

“Yes.” She cocked her head. “You think something changed?”

“It sounds like the government leaned on them.” A small smile spread over my face as I considered my past interactions. “Good.”

“Why is that good?” Lei asked. “Come on, just say it.”

“It means they want something from us,” I explained with a sigh. “They want me to go to them rather than deal with corporations.”

“Well, that’s easy,” Lei scoffed. “The sea dragons.”

There was a moment of silence, as we both turned to stare at him. “You think?” I asked.

“You’re the only person who made a deal with them recently,” Lei said, rolling his eyes. “Adzur is surrounded by ocean. I don’t know how much of their technology they would value as worth an introduction to the sea dragons, but come on. Eldritch allies that’ll gobble up Zarian ships if the Dominion tries to get grabby? Of course they want that.”

I blinked, then conceded his point with a nod. “Right. It’s possible. Anyway, that just gives me possible leverage. I doubt the sea dragons would be pleased about me passing their contact info around like a scummy advertiser, but as long as I don’t promise them anything, it’s not my problem.”

Yarani frowned again. “I think you’ve lost me there.”

I hopped down from the table and gave her my best roguish smile. “I have a confession to make to you, sweetheart. Your efforts are of less critical importance to the fate of the nation than it might seem. I don’t actually care all that much about getting Adzurian technology.”

Now it was Lei’s turn to stiffen in surprise. Yarani cocked her head. “You don’t?” She sounded doubtful.

“As long as the Zarian don’t get advanced technology, we’re not losing anything.” I shrugged. “We already have the technological edge over them. Adzur is where they might balance it.”

“You want an embargo on them,” Yarani realized.

“Got it.” I smiled. “Now, as much as I’d like to stay and chat, I do have an appointment with the prime minister. Either of you can come along, if you want, but please not both. This is kind of important.”

They both caught the dig and started scowling at me. “I’m busy,” Lei proclaimed.

“Me too,” Yarani said. “Since someone clearly doesn’t appreciate my work, I’ve found something else that needs doing.”

I shrugged and half-waved at them as I turned to leave. “Have fun, then.”

Out in the corridor outside the suite, I found a detachment of guards waiting as my escort, with Aston unsurprisingly among them. I nodded at him and started walking, but we’d barely taken a few steps down the corridor before a side door opened to let Elia out.

“Going to the prime minister?” she asked. “I wonder if he’ll be as much of a liar as politicians are supposed to be. Should be interesting.”

I smiled as she fell into step beside me. I didn’t thank her for the help, although we both knew that was why she was coming. But if she wanted to pretend it was a whim, why argue?

The way to his office wasn’t empty, of course. We took a tunnel leading between rock and the mortared stone of Adzur’s bridges, built upon caves that had long been surpassed in scope and extent, with my guards escorting us. On the grounds outside and the halls of the prime minister’s seat of governance, Adzurian guards kept watch and officials and lobbyists followed us with their gazes. I could almost hear the wheels turning in their heads, trying to reason out the details of our visit and find a way to turn it to their advantage. I ignored them and tried to shut out the murmur of conversation. I’d somewhat gotten used to this kind of attention back in the Empire, but here, where I was new and foreign, things felt different, more tense somehow.

I only realized as we approached the prime minister’s office that I was subconsciously reacting to the perception of a threat, of danger, if a subtle one. We weren’t home, and I wasn’t these people’s guarantor of a better, or at least stable, future, however uncertain that might be. No, here we were the face of an empire so great it could fit their own lands and little games of power inside several times over without needing to make room. A giant that was, if not sleeping, then dozing while only occasionally cracking an eye open at them. Adzur was hardly weak, and any one power making an outright play for them would raise others’ ire. But, admittedly, the political landscape was shifting faster than it had in decades, and the Empire might well come out of these years stronger than it had ever been, or bloodier. To them, I was a threat. It felt odd, realizing that.

I was shaken from my thoughts as an aide showed us into the Adzurian premier’s office, without needing to wait. The middle-aged man with gray streaks and keen dark eyes had the look of an experienced statesman. He bowed shallowly. “Imperial Princess Inaris. Welcome, it is good to meet you.”

I bowed back, matching his own angle in what I was now more aware was a courteous gesture. “Premier Akind’la. It is a pleasure to meet you, as well.”

“Please, be seated,” he invited us.

We took our seats, two guards staying watching the room while Aston stood at my back and slightly to the side. Servants arrived with refreshments, but I declined. “This is Elia of Arialko,” I introduced.

The politician nodded at her and watched us with sharp eyes. “Some might see bringing a truth-teller to such a meeting as offensive, Your Highness.”

I gave a small smile, aware it didn’t reach my eyes. “Some might say that would only matter to those who are intent on deception, Premier. Regardless, Elia is my friend, and not here as a tool of negotiation. She is more familiar with your land and customs than me, so I’m grateful for her help.”

He nodded. It didn’t look like he believed it, but he clearly knew it wasn’t worth making an issue of it. Bringing her presence up at all had likely just been a probe.

“I hope you have enjoyed your time in Adzur so far,” he said.

I smiled and gave pleasant affirmations. From there, we segued into small talk and slowly but surely approached the matters we were actually interested in talking about. It wasn’t just to get the conversation started. While we talked, we were sounding each other out, feeling for our attitudes towards our nations and our interlocutor, trying to establish a dynamic. Well, tried to at least, it didn’t really seem to work. Perhaps the cultural expectations were too different. Or I just suck at small talk. Elia didn’t say much, preferring to let me talk. Lucky her.

I still didn’t get a good idea of what he wanted, although I was pretty sure he did want something. There was an underlying tension to him, to the way he held himself and the slight hesitation before he spoke when he looked at me.

“I have to admit, what I’ve seen of Adzurian technology certainly lives up to its reputation, although I haven’t gotten a closer look at the real deal,” I said.

He raised an eyebrow, just slightly. “You haven’t? I though seeking it out would be a priority.”

I smiled slightly. “Oh, I certainly wouldn’t mind taking a look at some of your more inventive workings. But for all my interest and enjoyment, my duty has to take precedence. There is a war on, after all.”

“Of course,” he agreed. “But I cannot imagine your journey here was without purpose with respect to your duty.”

“Of course not. I’m sure any ties I forge here will be quite valuable, and, without undue flattery, we all know of Adzur’s strategic importance.”

He smiled. “You do realize that we have safeguarded our neutrality quite jealously in the past.”

Elia shifted beside me, a faint frown on her face. That was enough to have me on my guard. “I know.”

“But I hear you already have experience in dealing with entities that are famously unwilling to take part in concords or alignments of power,” he continued.

“And that has raised your interest, has it?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, we are quite interested in that matter.”

“So, the sea dragons.” I regarded him for a moment. Looks like Lei was right. Oh well. He’s not getting out of diplomatic work next time.

“Quite right. It is quite a feat to talk with one of them, let alone come to an agreement with their kind.”

“Even if I was inclined to help someone else attempting to copy that feat,” I said, trying to be careful with my words, “it might not work. They are not dumb beasts who come when called or take other people’s orders. Of course, in principle I could certainly arrange an introduction, perhaps even pass along a few tips.” I paused. “But, you understand, that is not an easy decision. The perception that I am using their friendship would carry large costs to me and the Empire.”

The prime minister smiled, which didn’t hide the calculating gleam in his eyes. “I’m sure they would not mind too much. After all, we only have the best of intentions. But, of course, it is understood that such a favor has its worth.”

“I’m glad. Now, as it happens, we were talking about the war the Empire is fighting to defend itself from Zarian aggression.”

“You would not want access to formation patterns or technological blueprints?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I shook my head. “To be perfectly honest, I am not a company, and my interests here are primarily political.”

“That is good, Your Highness.” He smiled again, although this time there was a shadow to it. “That will be easier to arrange.”

I narrowed my eyes. “As we are currently threatened by Dominion aggression, making sure they cannot escalate their threat is a concern. Zarian formation craft, let alone mechanical or electrical engineering, is clearly inferior to Adzur’s. Therefore, there is clearly temptation to … acquire some help against our own efforts.”

“I see.”

“Not to mention that the sea dragons do consider me their friend, as I mentioned. It would be hard to explain why another who I would like to be a mutual friend is dealing with my enemies.”

There was a hint of mirth in his eyes now. “You are speaking of an embargo.”

I inclined my head in affirmation.

The premier shook his head. “I fear that we might be seeing the same matter from different perspectives, my princess.”

Before I could ask what he meant by that, Elia sucked in a breath and sat up straighter. She cursed in what sounded like a related language to Zarian. “You already made a deal.”

The Adzurian nodded. “We were approached before, by an offer hard to refuse. I fear, my ladies, that an embargo is already being prepared.”

I stilled, grinding my teeth for a moment. “They’re pushing for an embargo on the Empire?” I couldn’t quite keep my voice down, and took a deep breath to refocus. I might have been too late. Damn it. “What sort of offer?”

He smiled again. “I cannot disclose the details of private negotiations, I am afraid.”

“And yet you still want to ask me for access to the sea dragons,” I stated, then shook my head. I had to make an effort not to clench my fists. “I see this talk is not going anywhere. We are done here, Premier.”

“Your Highness, are you sure?”

I’d already stood up and was turning around, Elia following my lead. “Quite. Have a pleasant day, Premier.”

Without another word, I left his office, taking another deep breath. He was probably trying to play me off against the Zarian. I could have stayed longer and tried to salvage something, but I had a feeling I’d only be risking digging myself deeper. I needed to regroup and reassess.

“Well,” Elia said. “He might not have been too much of a liar, but he’s kind of a jerk, anyway.”

I snorted a laugh, and hurried my steps back to our quarters.