“You want to resume negotiations,” Lannahi guessed, growing more intrigued with each passing moment.
Lizaar nodded stiffly. “The guild was supposed to contact me at the beginning of the month. From the fact that they haven’t done so, I infer that they aren’t sure whether the terms they agreed with me still apply.” She clenched her fists. “Or they consider it beneath their dignity to negotiate with a slave.”
Lannahi fell silent, analyzing the information she received.
“I could meet with them,” she said cautiously. “But what about your father? Do you think he will just agree to the new conditions?”
For the first time, Lizaar’s eyes darted away and Lannahi guessed that Mahrur wouldn’t concede easily even to his daughter.
“When you decided to take over this city, you didn’t ask my father for permission.” A blush crept up Lizaar’s cheeks, but she met Lannahi’s eyes again. “Why would you care about his opinion?”
Lannahi stared at her speechless. True, she hoped that Lizaar would be willing to cooperate, but she wouldn’t have thought that the woman’s first demand would be a breach of contract with her own father.
“If Lord Mahrur hears about the agreement with the artisans, he may decide that the treaty is no longer valid,” she remarked when she recovered from her shock. “What will we do with the goldcopper then?”
“The same as if Goldfrost had no trade agreements at all. We could look for intermediaries to represent Goldfrost in the Free Cities. I know one who lives in Alabastertower. We could start there and gradually expand our network.”
Lannahi remained silent puzzled more by Lizaar’s attitude than by the solution she offered. Her proposal was risky not only for the city but also for herself.
“I expect that your father would be displeased with what you just suggested,” she said after a long pause.
Lizaar clenched and relaxed her jaw. “I count on your discretion.”
And here it was. An offer of trust. Though she should be happy, Lannahi felt uncomfortable.
Enjoy it while you can.
“Is someone going to Challenge me at the next Royal Sabbath?” Lannahi asked abruptly.
Lizaar didn’t like the change of subject but answered calmly as if she’d been prepared for it. “Perhaps.”
“Despite my warning?”
Lizaar will die on the day another landshaper Challenges me.
“Perhaps.” Lizaar appeared unfazed, but after a moment she added, “Although I’m sure that if you set a date for the end of my slavery, the landshapers who might be considering it will postpone their plans.”
Lannahi’s stomach tightened, but her lips curved into a smile. “I must admit that I am confused. You are counting on your father’s help and at the same time planning on deceiving him. What should I think about this, Lizaar?”
The blush on the landshaper’s face deepened. “I don’t wish to deceive him. I just want to show him that the old methods sometimes fail and caution doesn’t always pay off. If he realizes that his ideas aren’t the only sound ones, maybe next time he will be more willing to listen to what others have to say.” After a pause, she added with bitter irony, “Though there is a chance that he’s already come to a similar conclusion after what you have done.”
Lannahi found her explanation interesting but still didn’t understand why the woman thought her idea was worth the risk. “What if someone Challenges me and your father finds out about your novel initiative?”
“If someone Challenges you, I will be dead, won’t I?” Lizaar’s tone was innocent but seeing Lannahi’s expression the woman smiled defiantly. “But assuming that I survive… My father is stubborn but not stupid. He won’t terminate advantageous contracts without reason.”
“But he also won’t let you sit on the throne again, right?”
The fire in the landshaper’s eyes dimmed a bit, but she replied calmly, “Either way, Goldfrost will benefit from it.”
The respect Lannahi felt for her grew. Lizaar might not have been ready to die for her city, but she certainly lived for it.
“Two years.” When the landshaper threw her a surprised look, Lannahi explained, “If you cooperate, I will release you in two years.”
It wasn’t a long time for a long-lived fae, but for a proud woman it might seem like an eternity, so Lannahi wasn’t surprised when Lizaar tried to negotiate.
“One year,” she said.
“Two.”
