Mrill watched quietly as tension built on the bridge, probing the minds of everyone present, one at a time, to better assess the situation.

Peter jerked his arm free from Juden’s grip.

“I was not captured,” he said. “I agreed to come here to parley with your captain.”

“Actually,” said the archmaster, “it was I who wished to speak with you.”

Peter threw a confused look at the man. “And you are?”

“That’s Tellus Nell,” cut in Val. “The archmaster of the Outer Expanse.”

“Oh.”

Nell looked toward Val, then back at Peter. He nodded.

“It is I. Now, could I have a word with you in private?”

“So long as my friends and my sister are not harmed.”

“That will depend on the answers you give me. But, for now, they are safe. Come.”

When Peter did not move, the archmaster looked back at him with an annoyed expression.

Peter pointed at the guards, who still held their weapons aimed at his sister.

“Is that what you call ‘safe’?”

Nell grunted. “Stand down, soldiers.” The guards obeyed. “Now will you come?”

Peter glanced back at Val, then nodded at the man. “Mrill comes too, just so you know.”

He pointed at the blue-skinned woman. The archmaster grunted and shrugged, then walked off.

The two of them followed, along with a dozen soldiers.

They went down a hall and into a large meeting room. Most of the guards remained outside, only two staying with their master.

Nell motioned for his guests to sit as he did so himself.

“What is this about?” asked Peter.

“Politics.”

“I don’t do politics.”

“I am well aware.” He stared at the rebel for a moment, then glanced at the woman. “Can she be trusted?”

“She has a name,” Peter snapped. “And yes, Mrill can be trusted. Can your men?” He jerked his chin toward the two guards who stood in the back.

Nell snorted. “You may want to drop the condescending tone, boy.”

“That’s rich coming from you.”

The two stared at each other in silence for a moment.

The archmaster leaned back in his chair, a slight smile forming on his lips.

“Not many know this, young lion, but Gnorlia has dreamed of independence for generations.”

“It is not the only world to have such aspirations.”

“Indeed. And, as you know, to voice such aspirations, as you put it, would be tantamount to treason in the eyes of our beloved Emperor.”

“If you are hoping for my help to break from your chains, you misunderstand my cause.”

“Do I? Is your cause not to break everyone’s chains? To set the entire Imperium free from tyranny?”

Peter frowned. “I strike at Imperial forces. I have no power to free you. Only your people can do that.”

“And suffer the same fate as Qevahr?”

“Is it not too late for such concern after you’ve sided with them?”

Nell scowled. “That was the doing of a single individual.”

“And the undoing of a civilization.”

He stared at the younger man. “You do not believe that.”

Peter crossed his arms. “Does it matter what I believe?”

“Why do you fight me?”

“I do not fight you. My grievances are with the Emperor, not with a Gnorlian archmaster. But still, I do not hear what it is you expect from me.”

The man drummed his fingers against the surface of the table, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“It is rather what you can expect from me which I would like to discuss.”

Mrill could read the surprise on Peter’s face as plainly as she could read it in his mind.

“Expect from you?”

The older man nodded. “I will give you what you need to grow your army. Weapons. Shields. Food. Medicine. You name it, it’s yours. I could even provide a new base of operations, should you need one.”

Peter stared at Nell. “And what would such generosity cost me?”

Nell smiled. “Nothing. What you do is valuable to me. I need you to keep doing it. Keep the Emperor on his toes. Keep him distracted. Everyone wins.”

“Except the Emperor,” muttered the young rebel.

“Naturally.”

Peter glanced at Mrill.

She could read the question in his mind.

Was the man honest? Did he mean what he said? Were there strings attached?

There always were strings attached, this much she’d learned the hard way. And as she dove into the archmaster’s mind, she saw schemes within schemes—so complex she could not unravel them. But when it came to his words, regardless of what triggered them, they were sincere.

So she looked Peter in the eye and, expressionless as ever, nodded.