“It must have been very loud in Rubycrest if you decided to seek peace right here,” she said, letting amusement resound in her voice. “Right now.”
Nazarr didn’t bat an eyelid. “We have some ideas that we would like to practice before we present them to the world.”
Lannahi chuckled. The couple’s cheerful attitude was a pleasant change after so many hours of watching the grim faces of the landshapers around her.
“You will make my evening more pleasant if you play during the evening meal,” she finally said.
She wasn’t sure if allowing the spies to remain was a good idea, but if she played it right, she had a chance to turn the situation to her advantage.
Nazarr showed his teeth in a broad smile. “With pleasure, Your Highness.”
The bow he and his wife gave her was not only deep but also seemed sincere.
They are probably relieved that they don’t have to pretend to be gloomy in front of me, Lannahi thought with a strange mixture of sarcasm and excitement.
Enemies who knew music.
This could be interesting.
Chapter 13
When the servant finished ladling the soup from the tureen, Lizaar began to eat without waiting for a signal from Lannahi. All dishes were tested by Blann before leaving the kitchen and transported to the dining room by Souhi’s enchantment so her role as food tester was symbolic, but Lannahi didn’t doubt that the former queen would have shown a similar attitude even without these safety measures in place.
I don’t need poison to destroy you, she seemed to say.When I attack, I will do it looking you directly in the eye.
Though regular contact with Lizaar wasn’t among the most pleasant things on her list, overall Lannahi admired her attitude. Strength and pride were always awe-inspiring, but she was especially grateful for her directness. Open hostility was better than a covert one.
Besides, it was fun to watch Lizaar try to pretend that the food prepared by Blann didn’t impress her.
“I’ve read the trade treaties,” Lannahi said to Varrdan, “and I’m curious if there is any particular reason why the promised amount of goldcopper to buyers from Winterfort and neighboring areas is so high and its price so low.”
Lizaar looked up before quickly lowering her gaze back to her bowl. Varrdan looked at Lannahi as if she wasn’t sure if she was joking. Considering that Lannahi had been leaving most issues and petitioners to them without any interference, their surprise was understandable, but Lannahi had to suppress a grimace anyway. The landshapers didn’t believe that she could be a competent ruler. They still saw her primarily as a singer who overreached and would, one day, be punished for her ambitions.
“Goldfrost exists due to the engagement of the King of Winterfort, who has provided considerable resources in the early days of the city,” Vardann said. “It’s only natural that he and his allies received preferential terms.”
Lannahi ignored her condescending tone and asked, “But isn’t this slowing down its development? I understand that Lord Mahrur wants to recoup what he invested, but it causes Goldfrost to lose the capital that could be used to create more profitable opportunities elsewhere. The larger profits could not only be reinvested in the city’s development but also used to pay off old obligations more quickly. I assume that the king is a patient man since he is willing to wait several long years for full reimbursement of his initial investment, including interest, but even he will be glad if the repayments are fulfilled in a speedy manner. Am I wrong?”
“You are not, Your Highness.” Varrdan’s smile was as polite as it was indulgent. “But you are only considering the optimistic scenario. Finding new and more profitable avenues is not as simple as you may think. Using tried-and-true methods and networks can and does stretch theinitialdevelopment of a city over time, but it also reduces the risk of stopping it altogether.”
Overall, the chancellor was right. Goldfrost didn’t have to worry that its goldcopper wouldn’t sell, which meant that the city’s development was slow but stable. Besides, no obstacles were stopping them from seeking new opportunitiesafterpaying off the debts. It was a reasonable plan that provided benefits to all parties involved. But why did Lizaar choke her spoon tighter and tighter with every word Varrdan said as if she felt like throwing it at the chancellor?
For a while, Lannahi ate in silence, pretending to consider the chancellor’s words. “If trying out different options and taking risks is an optimism,” she said eventually, “then what is the assumption that circumstances will not change?”
Vardann blinked. For a moment she seemed confused, but even when she fully realized the meaning of Lannahi’s words, she had no answer.
Lannahi smiled. “You and Lord Mahrur are thinking in the long term. I guess this is a natural way of looking at the world for people living in cities that their Rulers lose and winsymbolically.”
Varrdan’s sour face was a fair reward for putting up with her condescension, but Lizaar’s calculating gaze was a surprise as much as when she opened her mouth and said, “You assured us that you care about the welfare of Goldfrost and its development, but you haven’t yet mentionedyourplans for the city. Perhaps you would like to share yourperspective?”
Lannahi’s pulse quickened. Despite the landshaper’s defiant attitude, she saw her question as an opportunity.
This was what Lannahi was waiting for.
“From my perspective,” she said calmly, “Goldfrost is a small point on the edge of the map connected to Winterfort by a line so thick that it could be considered a part of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if its king… or queen thought of it that way.”
Varrdan gasped, indignant. Winterfort was ruled by Lizaar’s father, not some queen.
Yet.
