She hated the idea of speaking to the man who had mandated her marriage. It felt a little too much like tempting fate. As though he might forget if she took a backseat. The trouble was, she knew he wouldn’t. So she may as well get on with things. She approached the desk of his main chambers.

“Tell the Emperor I request a meeting.” Alsace stood before the newly installed Secretary of Administration. The man did not look like any kind of administrator she had seen before, as his hands looked too big to hold any sort of quill.

The dark sturdy desk at which he sat may as well have been made of matchsticks. He was apparently from the northern reaches of the Empire, where he was not exceptional amongst his own kind. Mighty though there kingdom was, apparently they had no ability to master essence. When Eradin had sought to conquer, they worshipped him as a god with only the smallest gesture of power. At least that was the gossip amongst the palace staff.

The man shuffled some paper around and then brought out a book filled with crossings out and red markings. “His Eminence has nothing this week. Could you wait until next week?” The man’s eyes had no pupil, but were all a light shade of blue. Alsace momentarily stopped in her tracks. He was not dismissive as the others were. He was simply reading what was in front of him. Dealing with facts rather than puritanical belief.

Alsace paused for a moment to consider her next words. When they were looking down on her as an upstart, it was easier to deal with in a way. But the Administrator simply looked at her, waiting for a response. There was no judgment of any kind.

The door to the Emperor’s study opened and Horace walked out. He looked his usual sort of weasel like self, but Alsace was sure there was a look of displeasure hiding in there. Over his shoulder, Alsace clocked eyes with Eradin and then the door shut before she could do anything.

“I wouldn’t worry about her Cormac, just put her to the back of the queue.” He snivelled as he walked past.

“Erm.” The big man started flicking through the diary, whether to find out what that date might actually be or as a diversionary tactic, she couldn’t be sure.

“No need for that Cormac. Send her in.” Eradin’s voice spoke as clearly as if he was next to them, but the door remained shut.

The huge northerner flicked back to his original page and he watched as Horace walked away. Then he stood up and headed toward the study door. He turned to face Alsace and smiled, then he opened the door for her. He looked a little embarrassed to have been caught up in something.

“Thank you Cormac.” She said as she walked underneath his gargantuan arm which was still holding the door.

“You’re welcome my lady.” He replied.

The study in which the Emperor was spending more and more of his time lately was beginning to look rather more like a depository of lost books. Tables were full, maps of the Empire were strewn on the walls and the ornate furniture was all but lost to the paper. Eradin was clearly looking for something.

“Well isn’t this a coincidence? I’ve just had Horace in here complaining about you and here you turn up. Your ears must have been burning.”

Dariea had found herself staring at one of the maps beside Eradin. She had seen some before since she had been in the palace, but she was always shocked by the size of the lands outside of the Empire.

She pulled herself back to look at Eradin. His eyes were narrow and his jaw set as he examined her. “Yes I’m sure he has. Perhaps he could serve you better at your side, or in some other role. Far away from me.”

The Emperor laughed and stood. He walked over to the map which Alsace had been examining. “I’m sure you two will get on just fine in time. You are more similar than you would like to believe, I think.” Alsace felt herself rising to the comment. Knowing this would be a mistake she took a deep breath. The Emperor had been true to his word, he hadn’t treated her badly in exchange for her help with the Slum army.

“Do you know why we don’t allow the teaching of those cities and kingdoms outside of the Empire to everyday citizens? Both here in Qursa and elsewhere? Even where neighbouring cities would traditionally be considered trading partners?”

Alsace shook her head. She had often wondered after seeing the maps in his study and elsewhere in the palace. But while living in the Slums it had largely never come up. “No, your Excellency. I presume it is for the good of our society in some way.”

Eradin continued to stare at the map. He tapped his finger lightly against his lips. “That’s a good answer. One I have come to expect from someone as switched on as you, Alsace.” He took a step closer and tapped at a mountain range far away to the east which Alsace hadn’t even looked at. She looked at the Emperor’s finger and saw the elegant lettering, ‘The Alliance of the States of Molinia’ in fine black ink.

“It is because these states are either hostile to our Empire, and so to avoid panic spreading throughout our lands, we keep the information to only those who need to know. Alternatively it is because, like our friend Cormac out there, those societies do not practice the use of essence. Or they count it as heresy. And so we wall ourselves away from them, to save our citizens from unnecessary harm should they use their power in an attempt to treaty with such people. So we restrict knowledge and travel.”

Alsace looked again at the map. It seemed unbelievable that in such a world the size of that, the people of Qursa could be hated or at risk from everyone else. She didn’t believe it. She couldn’t, or what would that spell for Jano? Her stomach tightened and her resolve was strengthened at the very thought.

“It sounds like you do what you do to protect us and I don’t believe anyone could disagree with that.” She lied.

“Perhaps you should tell that to your husband and his master.” He snapped. His eyes were quickly filled with rage though the rest of his body barely moved. He waved it away and began to laugh softly. “Apologies. I did not mean to bring up such antiquated business. I know the efforts you have given to our cause. The very fact Horace hates you as much as he does makes me trust you all the more. He has always looked out for himself that one, but that is useful in its own way. What was it you wanted to speak to me about?”

He looked as calm as he did before the outburst. As though it was all in her head. Alsace forced herself to remain stoic and neutral throughout. It wasn’t hard. She had done it her entire life for people who though they were her betters.

“I came with a request. Our soldiers are improving every day. I thank you for your help with your own generals, their advice has been invaluable. I believe that our soldiers would have much greater loyalty in battle if we gave them more of an incentive.”

The Emperor waited and listened. His face was inclined slightly. “Are you asking for more money?”

Alsace paused for a second. “Yes. Though not just that. Everyone who fights in the Slum Division should be given a strip of land sufficient to build a home and plant some crops. Nothing which would allow self sufficiency, but enough to keep them out of absolute poverty on their return.”

Eradin looked resplendent in his pure white robes. He wore a cheeky grin as she spoke, which almost unsettled her enough to stop speaking more than once.

“And why would I agree to this?” He asked, though his voice wasn’t as dismissive as she thought it could have been.

“Well, our soldiers know they are at the bottom of society. Many have been forced out of their semi permanent homes in the Slums due to the expansion of the Middle. If we give them a small slice of interest in what we are fighting for, we give them a reason to fight.”

“They already have a reason to fight. It’s because I told them to.” He said.

“That is true. But I was discussing some of Horace’s objections with your generals. And they believe this would stop any mass desertions in the field of battle.”

“Hmm. Fine. I will think on the matter. In the meantime, you may inform your soldiers that they will receive an extra silver piece on their pay from today only. Come back to me with a costed plan of your proposals.”

“Of course your excellency. May I also add, that although I have great faith in your army and the Slum Division. I expect that if we are to see battle, the Slummers will be the first to fight.” She hated the words she was about to say and steeled herself. “And to die.”

Eradin grinned at this. It was unsettling to say the least but Alsace persevered. “And so the plot we are expected to provide will be much smaller than we need to initially promise.” She finished.

The Emperor clapped his hands together and began to laugh. “Well well well Alsace. Perhaps Horace is rubbing off on you after all. I understand your point and I believe I have to agree.” He looked back at the map and then turned back to Alsace. “Fine. An extra silver piece on your pay and I promise to honour your property plan. We can work the details out when you bring me your first draft of the plan.”

Alsace bowed. “Thank you, your excellency.” She turned and began to head out of the study. As she approached the door, his voice whispered into her ear, though Eradin himself didn’t move.

“If you keep this up. We might have to revisit your initial deal.” Alsace paused briefly. She curtsied but dared not turn around. Then she walked out of the study as carefully as possible.