There was a parade from the harbor of Eri Ranvel to Dilvestrar, of course. An organizer had been dispatched very early in the morning with requests from the Empress Mayasena in regards to her arrival. Caudin had been eager to accommodate her, so he allowed the ostentatious display of jugglers, acrobats, belly dancers, fire eaters, coin flashers, and sword dancers to dazzle his citizens, especially since they threw silver pieces at the feet of the crowds. Anla and Caudin watched from the Psitta Parapet, the low deck that allowed the king to address the crowds gathered outside the front of Dilvestrar.

“I'm thinking she came only to show off,” Caudin joked, clapping as the performers were let inside the gate. “I don't see Maya, though.”

Anla smiled weakly and took his arm as they went inside to the throne room. Al took his place to the right of the throne and Telbarisk stood with the other invitees, including the short council. Twenty-four pairs of guards and handmaidens filed in to protect a woman who wore white from top to bottom and walked alone. Her head was covered and her face veiled, the white fabric encrusted with clusters of diamonds. She stood still, waiting.

Caudin stood and walked forward. “Empress Mayasena, Maya, it is so good to see you again,” he said. “You are welcome in my home as if it were your own. I hope you feel...” He stopped short once he had a better chance to look at the woman. “You're not Maya.”

She curtseyed low and pulled a scroll from her sleeve, unfurling it to read. “Your Radiance, Her Highest Radiance, the Empress Mayasena of Kinto, would ask your forgiveness in this matter. She is here, but wishes for you to find her, stating that the game would be fair if you stayed in the middle and she stayed where she is.” She curtseyed low again and moved to the rear of the throne room.

Caudin blinked a few times, looking back at his friends and colleagues by his throne. He turned back and clicked his tongue. “A game,” he said aloud. “You wish to play a game with me, Maya, like we did as children. Should I point out that I've been tested by my own people, a lot, and it's become rather irritating to me?” When all attending continued to look forward, he sighed and said, “Fine. It's probably the least I can do after the wonderful show you gave my people.”

He put his hands behind his back and began walking up and down the room. “I wonder what you mean by this, Maya. Are you trying to determine if I'm your old friend, if I'm the real Caudin Alscaine? Something else? Maybe you just want to play a game with someone who's your equal. I'll have to ask one of my principals to help me out here, then. No? Not rising to that barb? I suppose it was worth a shot. You used to tease me about being first in line to the throne whereas I was only second. Thought you might find it funny.

“So, we have a false empress, handmaidens, and soldiers. Well, I hope they're not soldiers; bringing soldiers into my throne room is bad form, Maya, and I might...” He trailed off as he stopped. “The orphanage. All handmaidens, please leave.”

As if they had been prepared for the cue, they curtseyed, turned, and walked to the front of the room.

“The last time we spoke, you mentioned how difficult things had been for you. You were thinking about running away. You said, 'I'm going to go where they won't find me. I'll cut my hair short and I'll pretend I'm a boy and go to a boy's orphanage. They won't look for me there.'”

There was a sniff from one of the men, but he couldn't figure out which one. He moved closer to the back and stood there. “I told you that if you ran away, we'd never see each other again, that I'd miss you. You ran away then and hid somewhere in Dilvestrar. When you came out, you said you'd changed your mind and that you wouldn't go to the orphanage.

“I'm so sorry I didn't see you, Maya. I went to Kinto many times, but then I wasn't a prince and I didn't think you'd want to see me.”

He saw her then, one of the soldiers whose chest was jerking in breaths. She turned and met his eyes before running to him. He held open his arms and hugged her tightly. “Caudin,” she said.

“Hi. Welcome back, Your Highest Radiance.”

She laughed and stood back, wiping her tears. “Look at you. You grew tall like your father.”

“You didn't,” he said, grinning.

She playfully shoved his arm. “I can still take you in a tussle, no matter how tall I am.”

“I doubt it. I've learned some things over these years.” He looked up and around the room. “Ah, shall we resume decorum, Your Highest Radiance? I'll give you some time to change and I'll meet you for tea in the Chrysanthemum Room?”

“With pleasure, Your Radiance.”

Maya left with her handmaidens that were taking up an entire wing, two floors. Caudin left out the other room, speaking with his secretary. The group around the throne looked at each other. “Well, that was...interesting,” Jemerie said.

“What the hell was that?” Rogesh asked. Anla left the room quietly while the rest of the men stood.

“Caudin always spoke highly of Mayesena,” Al said. “Most of the anecdotes involved how they played with each other. And the Empress is known to be a bit mischievous. I suppose this was her way of introducing herself to Caudin again after all these years as the same person she always was.”

“I would have been nice to know what they said to each other. I don't speak Kintonese.”

“Well, I apologize if it was unusual, gentlemen. Feel free to enjoy yourselves in the Liansh Room. I'll have refreshments brought in due time. You're welcome to stay for any other events. I've been told the Empress brought food and entertainment for this evening.”

“Thank you, Emrys,” Jemerie said as the remaining Principals slowly left the throne room.

Brevairn moved next to Al. “Have you spoken with him yet?”

“Mmm, not yet. I figured he would be in a better mood to take the news after his visit with the Empress.”

“One month.”

“It'll be before then.”

Al wasn't particularly hungry, but he did spend almost an hour speaking with the Principals, guests, and a few members of the Empress's retinue who joined them. He wanted to get some work done, but realized it would be more important to solidify relations between the Empire and Arvonne. He introduced Telbarisk to the group of both men and women, explaining their relationship to the King and regaling them with tales.

It was almost dinner when he went to check on Marnie. He stepped into the Hall of Ancestors and almost tripped when he saw the scene in front of him. On one of the many round settees sat Anla, her back straight, her hands in her lap as she gazed out the two story window onto the gardens. He knew that Anla was considered by most to be beautiful, and it was something he could appreciate with the detached respect of a brother, but never had he seen the elements at work like this, for her or any woman. The sky off in the distance was cloudy with a champagne sunset, the evening rays piercing the room. She seemed perfectly posed to consider the heavens in her cream gown with gold paisley print, her hair curled and swept off the nape of her neck under a hat with young pheasant feathers. Al had known wizards that would give their dominant hands to paint that vision.

Since no one was within earshot, he said, “Anla, I thought you'd be with Caudin and Maya by now.”

It took her almost a half-minute to pull herself from her thoughts and turned to him. “I wasn't invited.”

“I'm sure they're reliving fond memories and lost track of time.”

“Or making big plans for the future.”

“Yes, well, we hope so. Arvonne is picking itself up, but trade agreements with the Empire would be a great boost to the economy. Anything that joins the two together would be great.”

“Anything...yes,” she said softly.

“I'll see you at dinner shortly?” he asked. She rose and walked away. “Anla?”

Anla didn't go to dinner. She didn't join anyone at the party that evening. For the first time in her time living in Dilvestrar, she didn't sleep in Caudin's bed. Not that Caudin noticed; he was helped to his room past midnight, stone drunk. She knew that because she couldn't sleep and had been curled in an armchair in her room when he had arrived noisily to bed. He had once told her he needed her to sleep comfortably, something that had happened when they were just traveling companions sleeping in the same bed to save money. She kept hoping he would call out, wondering where she was, but he didn't. Because, she realized, he didn't need her anymore.

She had found peace in the little chapel, so she dressed early and spent her time there after a sleepless night. She still didn't know what she was doing, but so long as she stayed warm, she stayed there. As she was walking back, a harried looking valet walked brusquely to her. “'dem, the King wishes to see you.”

“Thank you,” she managed to say. “Where is he?”

“He's in his apartments, in the Waishki Room.”

“Thank you. I'll see myself there.”

He gave her an odd look, but bowed and left.

Every step was enormous, though she felt light and dizzy. Whatever the outcome, it was going to be over with soon enough. She was prepared to accept the decision they had made. It would be best for the country and everyone's future.

But, she loved him. She still wanted to be his wife and the mother to their children, who would go on to rule Arvonne. She didn't want to share him. She didn't want to wait for him to return home from Kinto.

But, this is what the country needed. People still starved and died of disease. They needed the Empire to help them, to accept trade deals and establish routes and buy their surpluses.

But, she had fought so hard to be with him.

But, this was bigger than her.

But...She couldn't breath. The dizziness was so strong that she found a doorway and slumped down, struggling to unbutton her blouse. Her breath came raggedly, her airway too small. She felt as if she were dying, like she was drowning on land.

Tears streamed down her face as she realized that she was dying. She was leaving Caudin. The baby wouldn't be born. She was letting down her people. Breathe, she thought, gasping for air. Breathe.

It returned slowly in painful gasps. When she could finally breathe deeply without fear of her air being stolen again, she stood up and saw her reflection in the brass of the knob on the door. She was a mess. She did her best to wipe the staining cosmetics from her face. She buttoned her dress and tucked her hair back into place.

The hallways was still, a small miracle in a busy palace. She took a few deep breaths. This has to happen, she thought. This was always for the best. He will be happy and that's all that matters.

The laughter of a man and a woman spilled out of the door to the Waishki Room. The doorman nodded, opened it, and announced, “Her Royal Higness, Queen Anladet of Arvonne.”

Caudin finished his joke and they laughed as they rose to greet her. She curtseyed low and said, “Yes, I agree.”

“Agree to what, ainle?” he asked.

“The merger. It's what's best for everyone, so I will accept whatever terms you have come to agree upon.”

“What is she talking about?” Mayasena asked. Anla looked up the Empress. She was rather plain, though she had an authoritative air about her. Her aquiline nose and bony figure lent to that, though she pushed up her spectacles with a quick, nervous jab. Her white dress made her look severe, but the embroidery of the Empirical flower-sun in several colors made her more approachable.

“I don't know. Anla, what merger? Do you mean our trade deals, because I don't think that affects you very-”

She licked her lips. “The merger between Arvonne and the Empire. Arvonne will become a part of the Empire and you two will rule.”

“I...I have no idea what you're talking about, Anla,” Caudin said. He murmured, “I'm sorry about this,” to Maya, who was studying Anla closely.

“You're going to leave me and move to Kinto and I'm going to be alone.” She blinked in confusion. It made sense.

“No, Anla, I said I wasn't going to do that. I don't know where you got this idea from.”

“You love her, you said you did,” she protested.

“She's my friend!” he said, annoyed. “Did you think I was going seriously leave you and our child and Arvonne after fighting so hard for all of it? And why would I leave now, when things are still not stable?”

“But...you don't need me...the maids said you were sleeping with...with...”

Caudin took a deep breath. “Why are you listening to them? They gossip about me because they do it for everyone. Al's apparently having affairs with three different maids, all at the same time. Al, Anla, Al is having affairs according to the rumors. Listen, because I know it will mean something to you: I'm not tumbling with anyone but you. I love you and I have no interest in anyone else. Even if I did, I'm done hurting you.”

He turned again to Maya. “I am so sorry about this. I'm not sure what's passing.”

Relief flooded Anla too quickly. She had to grip the chair next to her to keep from collapsing completely. The room blurred and sounds muffled. There were dark shapes around her, then something cool on her neck. Someone picked her up. Hands clean, but rough with old calluses moved hair off of her face. Then, his face was in front of hers, deep blue eyes, heavy lashes, light brow, small nose, strong chin, and the beauty mark under his left eye. A comfortable pattern, though normally he was happy. There he looked...worried.

“...something, Anla. Please? Tell me you're okay,” he said.

“I'm okay,” she said as he sighed.

He kissed her, then held her against his chest. “You scared me. Are you all right? Is the baby all right?”

She nodded.

“Did you sleep last night? You have dark circles under your eyes.”

She shook her head.

“When did you last eat?”

“Breakfast.”

“Okay.”

“Yesterday.”

“Breakfast yesterday? And you didn't sleep. No wonder you're hysterical.”

A fan rapped Caudin on the arm. He turned to see Mayasena crouching down in front of the chaise Anla had been laid down on. “She's pregnant, you idiot. This likely isn't a passing issue. This has been festering for some time.”

“No,” he said, sitting up. “We caught her insecurities before. I've been watching her.”

“Apparently not well enough. Anladet? Hi, I'm Mayasena, Caudin's childhood friend. How are you feeling?”

“Embarrassed,” she murmured.

“Don't be. I'm glad you said something instead of bearing it in silence. I hope this means something, but you don't have anything to worry about. I have three countries to oversee and that is far too plenty as it is. I'd like to help Arvonne, yes, but I have no interest in ruling it. And Caudin is my friend. Why you're in love with that blockhead is none of my business. I'm sure you could have anyone in the world.”

“Let's not give her any ideas, Maya.”

Anla met Maya's gaze, a realization forming. “You took the white for him, though.”

“I was devastated. He was going to be my husband and he was my dear friend. I never found anyone else to replace him.”

She sat up a bit more. “That's a lie.”

Maya looked surprised. “Anla!” Caudin said. “That's...wait. You weren't devastated?”

“She was. It was the last part she was lying about.”

“How does she know that?” Maya asked, looking over at Caudin.

Caudin crossed his arms. “Go ahead and tell her, since you let that out, ainle.”

So, she explained to the Empress what a baerd was, about her upbringing, the laws surrounding it, and what it meant she could do. When she was finished, Maya sat in her chair and chewed on a lacquered thumbnail in thought. Finally, she looked at them and said, “Direct diplomacy is the best, then. You'd be able to hear the deceit in my voice and it would get us nowhere.”

“You should know that you never had to lie.”

“Caudin, it's been twenty years since we've seen each other. People change. And while you've been out of the politics for that long, I haven't. You weren't scrutinized, doubted, watched. You didn't have to fight to rule. There are so few people I can trust and almost none I can trust completely.”

“I see,” he said, disappointed.

Her eyes flashed as they met his. “Don't be upset, you don't know what it's like to hide secrets.”

He laughed bitterly. “I don't know how to keep secrets. Hmm.”

“This isn't a joke. I-.”

“Do you want to know where I was the last twenty years? I was a trirec, Maya. An assassin, a thief, a spy. There was nowhere safe for me to go and all the options were gone, so my butler threw me into Arvarikor. I survived, I flourished, but I could never be me. So don't preach about keeping secrets. I kept Caudin dead for eighteen years.”

“Oh,” she said. She looked at Anla.

“I had no idea who he was until the day we married. He wore a mask for a long time. Somehow I still fell in love with him.”

Maya nodded. “I took the white because I was devastated, but that was when I was twelve. I kept it because people didn't question a widow, even though we weren't married. They respected my grief. But, while I miss you, I moved on from the tragedy. I kept the white because it meant I didn't have to marry. As first-born, I arranged the marriages for my younger siblings and they gave me the Empire. Very few challenge my marital status, but whispers get back to me. They want to know when I'll have an heir. And I can't answer that question because I know they won't like the answer.”

“What's her name?” Anla asked softly.

Maya jabbed her spectacles. “Nacilene. She's here, if you want to meet her.”

“You're a Sapphist?” Caudin asked.

“I apologize for using your tragedy as a screen, but it became necessary when I realized I just could not be with a man. I've tried, trust me I have, but the misery was too much. I've given enough, haven't I? My privacy, sense of well-being, dignity. I can't give them everything.”

Caudin started laughing. Maya's face was stormy as she glared at him. “I'm sorry,” he explained, “but I'm relieved. I spent so much time thinking about you over the years and how terrible I was for never finding you, for letting you know I was alive. We were promised to each other, yet I couldn't even send a letter to you. I was shipwrecked in the middle of the Gamik Sea and I thought of you. But, you see, it wouldn't have worked out. Maybe we would have had a good partnership, but not behind closed doors. It was better this way.”

“You're right. I can imagine things growing sour between us. I would have tried harder for you, but it wouldn't have ended well. Not with heirs, I don't think.”

The room grew silent as they considered everything they had shared. Finally, Mayasena spoke again. “I also have to admit that this trip wasn't solely to rekindle our friendship or to negotiate trade deals. I am sorry to ask this of you, but I need an heir...”

“You...you want our child?” Anla asked.

“Not your first!” she said quickly. “And not your second. Perhaps a daughter, someone who is destined only to bear children, but could be so much more. And not immediately. We would have her make visits when she was young, for longer periods as she grew older, and I would groom her to take my place as my adopted daughter.”

Both Caudin and Anla were stunned. They looked at each other as Anla placed her hand on her stomach.

“I don't want you to make this decision because of our negotiations,” Maya said. “I will still lift the embargoes the Empire had and resume trading with Arvonne. I admit that I will promise more if you say 'yes'. We've discussed your grandfather's involvement in the Coup and the recent attempts on your life. I can guarantee protection for the future, a dozen saltiva morims at your disposal, guards...counter measures.”

“You do know that I'm a duchess and that our children will only be quarter-blooded,” Anla pointed out.

“Yes, and if my countrymen have accepted my 'chastity' thus far, then they'll accept this situation as well.”

“Why not one of your relatives, a niece or nephew for your crown?”

“It's in the Noh Amairian Accords,” Caudin answered. “Empires are tricky. They are legal, but each child's offspring must remain in that country's family. It stops the empire from perpetually existing. She has to create her own family and can't rely on her brother or sister's.”

“It was near-sighted of me,” she admitted. “I assumed that I could get whatever I wanted if I made Kinto strong enough. I didn't think about what would happen if I couldn't give Kinto an heir.”

“We'll have to think about your request,” Caudin said.

“Of course! We'll continue everything as planned.”

They spoke of times past, Anla content to listen to the mischief her husband used to get into. She was surprised to learn that he had spent almost as much time in Kinto than he had in Arvonne past the age of six. He spoke the language well, to the point of idiom, and taught Anla a few saucy phrases that had Maya's lip curling in amusement.

But, the mood was different. Each of them had learned something new about each other and they needed some time apart. Sensing this, after an hour Maya suggested she check in with her administrators for a short while before dinner.

Anla and Caudin ate their lunch together, just the two of them. They said nothing until after their main courses were served.

“Why didn't you say anything?” Caudin asked, leaning across the table to meet her eyes.

“I didn't want to bother you or spoil your time with Maya.”

“My time would have been spoiled far worse if something had happened to you. I told you being a queen would be difficult. I told you to come to me if you needed to talk about issues.”

“And I told you I would learn anything, bear any hardships, if you would return to Arvonne and take your place as king. I'm keeping my promise.”

“You can keep your promise and also find ways to be happy, ainle. You don't have to suffer in silence under the weight of the crown.”

She nodded, but she still didn't understand, so she changed the subject. “What are we going to do about Maya's proposal?”

Caudin sighed and sat back in his chair. “I have no idea. How do you feel about it?”

“The idea of giving away a child seems painful to me,” she said, placing her hand on her stomach, “but it wouldn't be that, would it? It would be more like an apprenticeship for a powerful position.”

“It would mean that one of our children would no longer be ours. A child who you birthed and we raised would be a Kiprassi, not an Alscaine. Maya would be her mother. We would see her do well from afar, proud for her, but not of her.”

“If Petulet had lived, what would you have wished for her? To be wed to a prince or to be able to forge her own destiny as Empress of the Southern Empire?”

“I think it would depend on what kind of woman she would have been. If she had been like my mother, no. My mother was happy at small gatherings and couldn't do much more than lead her household. Any more than that and she would have been miserable. It was just who she was.”

“It would be unfair to force a child into a life that she doesn't want. We should let the choice be hers and hers alone.”

“That doesn't sound fair to Maya. She could invest a full decade of grooming our daughter with plenty of other promised boons to Arvonne, only to have her say 'no'.”

“We will have to work out something between the three of us that works in everyone's favor.”

“But you are arguing for this, then?”

“I am arguing for one of our children to be given greater possibilities than she normally would have, yes.”

“Then...yes, all right. My gut reaction was to let you decide, so this is what we'll do. Now, what can I do to help you now?”

She put down her fork and thought about this for a few moments. “I'm unhappy doing nothing and being away from you. I know Alistad said rest is important, but I think I have too much of it now. I don't mind going to meetings. In fact, I kind of like it.”

“Well, that makes one of us. Perhaps I can send you in my stead from now on.” He gave her a boyish smile. “Anything else?”

“I'd like to speak with Maya tomorrow. Just her and I. I'll tell her about our decision and explain our terms.”

“I'm surprised that you want to speak with her, but I think if it brings you two closer, then it will be a good thing.”