Page 287 of The Priory of the Orange Tree

“If this one who stands beneath your throne may speak, Your Majesty,” Thim chimed in. The Unceasing Emperor inclined his head. “I am a privateer in the employ of Queen Sabran.”

“A Lacustrine seafarer in the employ of the Inysh queen. This is indeed a day of surprises.”

Thim swallowed.

“We were stranded by a storm on Feather Island, where my captain and crewmates are still marooned,” he continued. “Our ship was captured by the noble rider of Seiiki, who chased thePursuiteastward. We freed Nayimathun, the exalted dragon, and she carried us to you.”

“Ah,” the Unceasing Emperor murmured. “Tell me, Lady Tané, did you find the so-called Golden Empress?”

“Yes, Majesty,” Tané said, “but I left her alive. My purpose was to free my esteemed friend, the shining Nayimathun of the Deep Snows.”

“Majesty.” Thim went to his knees again. “This humble one pleads with you to send the Lacustrine navy to assist Captain Harlowe, and to retrieve his warship, theRose—”

“We will speak of your crew later,” the Unceasing Emperor said, with a wave of one hand. A broad ring encircled his thumb. “For now, I will hear the message from Queen Sabran.”

Skin prickling, Loth drew in a deep breath through his nose. His words would dictate what happened next.

“Your Imperial Majesty,” he began, “the Nameless One, our mutual enemy, will soon return.”

No reply.

“Queen Sabran has evidence of it. A letter from one Neporo of Komoridu. He was bound with the celestial jewels, which I believe are known to the dragons of the East. The binding will end a thousand years after it was made, on the third day of the coming spring.”

“Neporo of Komoridu is a figure of myth,” the Unceasing Emperor stated. “Do you mean to mock me?”

“No.” Loth dipped his head. “It is the truth, Majesty.”

“Do you have this letter?”

“No.”

“So I am to trust your word that it exists.” The corner of his mouth gave a humorless twitch. “Very well. If the Nameless Oneiscoming, what do you want from me?”

“Queen Sabran wishes us to face the beast on the Abyss on the day he rises,” Loth said, trying not to rush his words. “If we are to do this, we will need help, and to set aside centuries of fear and suspicion. If Your Imperial Majesty will consent to intercede with the dragons of the Empire of the Twelve Lakes on her behalf, Queen Sabran offers a formal alliance between Virtudom and the East. She begs you to look to what is best for the world, for the Nameless One seeks to destroy us all.”

The Unceasing Emperor was silent for a very long time. Loth tried to keep his expression clear, but there was sweat under his collar.

“This is . . . not what I expected,” the Unceasing Emperor finally said. His gaze was piercing. “Does Queen Sabran have a plan?”

“Her Majesty has proposed an attack on two fronts. First,” Loth said, “the rulers of the West, North, and South would join their armies to take back the Draconic stronghold of Cárscaro.”

Even as Loth said it, the face of the Donmata Marosa rose unbidden from his memory.

Would she survive if the city was stormed?

“It will draw the eye of Fýredel, right wing of the beast,” he continued. “We hope that he will send at least some of the Draconic Army, to defend it, leaving the Nameless One more vulnerable.”

“I presume she also has a plan to drive back the beast itself.”

“Yes.”

“Queen Sabran is indeed ambitious,” the Unceasing Emperor remarked, one eyebrow rising, “but what is it she offers my country in return for the labor of its gods?”

As their gazes met, Loth suddenly remembered the glassblower in Rauca. Bargaining had never been his strong point. Now he would have to barter for the fate of the world.

“First, the chance to make history,” he began. “With this act, you would be the emperor who bridged the Abyss. Imagine a world where we can trade freely again; where we can benefit from our shared knowledge, from—”

“—mydragons,” the Unceasing Emperor cut in. “And those of my brother-in-arms in Seiiki, I presume. The world you paint is beautiful, but the red sickness is still as much a threat to our shores as ever.”

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