As part of their plan, Maya reached into the pocket of her trousers, and then frowned. She theatrically patted her pockets, and then turned a shame-faced look on them all.
“Forgive me, my lords, but it appears that I have left my device in my lab.” She turned to Vennela. “Please, get me the device in the safe under my workbench.”
As Vennela departed, Maya met Luka’s eye. The whole thing had been planned, in reality, she had the device with her in her other pocket. The subterfuge was to ensure that each of the foreign ambassadors knew where her invention was being stored—in her lab, under her workbench.
As soon as Vennela had returned, Maya took the tray from her with a smile, and placed the little box on it on the table before her. She clicked it open, and while the lid hid her hands from the room, she put her hand in her pocket, and placed her device inside the box.
“Now, time for the demonstration,” she smiled. Maya turned the box for everyone to see. “This device uses a combination of magic and steam-powered technology to allow two people to communicate with each other, no matter where they are in the world. It is lightweight, easy to use, and completely secure."
The lords murmured amongst themselves, clearly impressed by Maya's invention. But Maya’s attention was divided among each of them as she tried to figure out who was the spy who had been trying to steal her invention. She scanned the room, trying to spot any suspicious behavior, but everyone looked equally interested in her presentation.
Maya turned the device on and tapped on a key. It was the signal for Volkov to start speaking.
“Good evening,” he murmured, and the lords in the room jumped.
“Where is that coming from?” one of them muttered, while another stared at the box in delight.
“You’ve modified a Daywalker communication spell,” Lord Erlan said, smiling delightedly. “I would never have thought of such an application of our magic. I am most impressed, Lady von Rakhmonov.”
“But it is still dependent on a crystal to store the magic, is it not?” Lord Ryu sniffed, looking unimpressed. He shrugged. “It’s a nice device, but not very useful, I should think.”
“On the contrary,” Lord de Montefort said. “This could change the way wars are fought.” He looked at Maya with a new respect in his eyes. “This is very good work, my lady.”
“But it isn’t just war that this device could revolutionize,” Lord Phillip said, smiling. “Think of all the good it could do.”
“An information network across the Four Kingdoms,” Prince Ilya said, his eyes shining.
“News of the weather along ports and the coasts,” Luka said, looking significantly at Lord Erlan, who nodded enthusiastically.
As the lords began to discuss her invention, Maya smiled. The trap had been set. She’d enticed them all and made it clear where the device would be stored. Now, she just had to give the spy an opportunity.
And she had just the thing. She caught Luka’s eye and nodded. They’d discussed it last night with Stoffel and then sent a letter to the Crown Princess, informing her of their plan.
“My lords, if I may have your attention,” Luka said, raising his hand for quiet. The room slowly fell silent as they all looked at their host.
“Seeing as tomorrow is the last day that I will be hosting you, I would like to end our first summit with a celebration of our successful partnerships.” Luka smiled. “There will be dancing and feasting, enough for you to fill your hearts with our hospitality. Let no one say the Drakkans are poor hosts.” He turned and looked at them all. “Tomorrow, Kamenev Castle will be holding a feast.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“A feast?” Baron de Montefort said. He looked put out. “But whydancing?” he muttered, in a low voice.
Luka sighed. He had grown to like the plain-talking lord, and he hated having to lie to the man. If they had met under other circumstances, he thought they could have been friends.
Maybe they still could be—as long as he wasn’t the spy.
The Baron had been sincere in his efforts to negotiate trade terms with the kingdom, and Luka knew his father would be pleased with the results of the talks with Merovia.
Luka knew that the treaty he had signed with Merovia was just the beginning, and that much work lay ahead to ensure that it was implemented effectively.
His talks with the Elves had been similarly successful. Lord Erlan had agreed to open trade routes with Kamenev, giving his province exclusive rights to trade stone and granite with the Elves.
“It was your request for your injured horses that won us over,” Lord Erlan had said to him at the end of their negotiations. “Your concern for your equine companions proved that you are a man of honor and integrity. The Twilight Throne would be honored to partner with you.”
Luka was pleased that the summit had been a success, and although he cautioned himself that he was being overly optimistic, he hoped that it would lead to a new era of cooperation and prosperity among their lands.
He hadn’t thought his attempts at diplomacy would be successful, when his father had written to him, giving him leave to negotiate with the Elves and the Merovians, he had been astounded. He had half expected that the Tsar would send his most trusted diplomats to the summit to handle the negotiations, but the amount of trust his father had placed in him had surprised him. He’d wondered then if he would be able to live up to the expectations, and he was pleased to find he had done well.
He looked at Baron de Montefort and shrugged. “My people expect it,” he said, and the man nodded resignedly.
