Page 100 of Kingdoms of Shadow and Ash

FYIA JOINEDCAL IN THEtavern, along with what seemed to be the entire town. The mood was strange, both somber and buoyant … maybe because Cal was buying for everyone.

'My people are sending an airship to collect me,' said Fyia, perching on the stool next to his at the bar. 'The Emperor has attacked my lands, and is demanding an audience.'

Cal nodded, then knocked back a large measure of clear liquid.

'We don't have much time … they'll be here soon.'

Cal turned his head away, facing the packed room behind. 'Another!' He shouted, and the room cheered in reply.

'We should agree how our lands will work together …'

Cal nodded, but still he didn't look at her, and a prickle of annoyance ran down her spine. The events of the morning must be taking a heavy toll, but they had responsibilities … there was no time to wallow.

'I think the Emperor's looking for the dragons too,' she said sharply.

'Makes sense.'

'Can we speak privately?' said Fyia. She was uncomfortable with the number of eyes watching them, the number of ears straining to hear their words.

Cal pushed back his seat, the wooden legs scraping across the floor. He grabbed a bottle of something amber colored and carried it with him as they descended to Fyia's room below the snow line. Edu, Aaron, and Zhura followed behind.

The room seemed small by the time the five of them were inside, and Fyia felt the loss of the windows, the space claustrophobic. 'We should hash out the bones of the agreement between our kingdoms,' said Fyia, sitting on the wide windowsill.

'There's to be an agreement between our kingdoms?' said Zhura, sending Cal a questioning look.

Cal held her gaze for a beat and then nodded.

'We need time to discuss this,' Zhura protested. 'You can't expect us to agree to terms set out over the course of a single turn of the clock.'

'Of course,' said Fyia. 'I would never expect that, but it would be helpful to find a starting point … something we can take to our people as a sign our alliance is real … beneficial to both sides.'

'What do you propose?' said Cal, turning his weary gaze to Fyia.

Fyia faltered. His vibrance was gone, even if strength still shone in his eyes. She wished they could speak alone, to discuss his proposal, but there was no time … and she hadn't had time to think about it. She barely knew anything about the Black Hoods, or Cal, for that matter.

Maybe he'd used her as a convenient way to find the dragon scales, and the rest was nothing but a game … Usually, she refused to trust anyone until they'd been thoroughly tested, and Cal's motives were unclear. She believed he wanted what was best for his people, and he wanted the dragons to return to unfreeze his kingdom, but would he turn on her if it suited him? How could she tell for sure? A marriage might suit them both now, but what if their interests diverged …?

'I propose trade,' said Fyia, 'and technology. We will keep your secrets, and will open a formal trade corridor between my lands and the lands of the Black Hoods. We will help you keep animals and grow crops indoors, in heated buildings and glasshouses.'

'We tried that already,' said Aaron, 'but seeds are crafty buggers … they know it's frozen solid outside.'

'Our lands have cooled also,' said Fyia. 'We have learned a great deal, and will be happy to share that knowledge.' Although Fyia could well imagine Venir's outrage when she instructed him to share his hard-won secrets with the infamous Black Hoods.

'And in return?' said Zhura, full of suspicion.

'You will help us build a strong relationship with the Fae'ch. Help me discover what they know of the dragons—if they also found a metal ball in place of their egg—and help convince them to unite with us, so we may return the dragons for the benefit of us all.'

'Why would we help you?' said Zhura. Her gaze flitted from Cal to Fyia and back again.

'Because you wish to restore your lands to their former glory,' said Fyia, 'and without the dragons, you have no hope of doing so.'

'As soon as you have the dragons, you could betray us,' said Zhura. 'How do we know we can trust you?'

'The same way I know I can trust you,' said Fyia. 'Because it is in my interests. If we are successful in uniting the Five Kingdoms, and return the dragons to our lands, but then the union were to crumble, we must assume the dragons would leave once more.'

A knock sounded from the door, and Rouel stepped through when Aaron swung it open. 'Your Majesty,' said Rouel, 'the airship is in sight.'

Fyia nodded. 'Thank you.'

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