Chapter Thirty-Three: Freedom
In which Ian suggests that the Esparan empire might pay a high price for executing Xian.
Ursula gasped, but d’Tarjian didn’t spare her a glance. He folded his arms over his chest. “Crimes against a merchant ship? What is this?”
“Sabotage. Xian has admitted to damaging the ship we arrived on. He will owe the merchantman reparations, and the Eiryan crown will have an interest in prosecuting him as well.”
Xian’s face had paled. “Your highness—”
But d’Tarjian cut him off with a terse gesture. “Why is this?”
“All merchant ships are In Eiryan Service,” Ian said. “The ship is always chartered as a naval ship, even when sailing on merchant voyages. My father will wish to see that Xian is punished for his crimes against the crown in Eirya.” He paused. “I appreciate your complaint, my lord, but if you damage Esparan relations with Eirya, you will call down the wrath of my father’s government on your head.”
One corner of d’Tarjian’s mouth lifted in a sneer. “And I should fear the threats of a prince from a half-frozen island in the northern seas?”
“That is, of course, your concern. But should you proceed with this execution, I’ll demand audience with your emperor and take my complaint to him.”
d’Tarjian’s voice took on an edge, and his face hardened into fierce lines. “You push too far, your highness.”
“Do I? I believe I outrank you, even in Espara. Would your emperor be so foolish as to anger my father? Your government relies on Eiryan steel, gold, wool, gems. I can’t imagine the empire would want to lose those resources.”
“Perhaps the empire could simply crush Eirya and take what it wishes.”
Ian snorted a laugh, but his stomach roiled behind the bravado. “Forgive me, my lord, but nary a month goes by that the Eiryan navy or one of her merchants doesn’t have to rescue at least one Esparan ship from pirates or storms in the northern seas. Your navy is hardly equipped to conquer my little half-frozen island. You can’t even reliably make it past Taura."
d’Tarjian’s face flushed red under dark skin. “He owes me,” he said. “He owes money.”
“I will pay it.”
The chancellor raised an eyebrow. “It is a considerable sum, your highness.”
“If I cannot cover the debt from my own coffers, I will pay you with ivory.”
d’Tarjian’s startled. “Ivory? From what?”
“The tusks of sea animals.” Ian shrugged. “I told you—I’m the Duke of the White Isles. My shores are rampant with walruses. The people butcher them for meat and oil, but they rarely use the tusks. I will send you as many as you require to make up the difference—paid for according to the market value, of course.”
“Of course,” the chancellor said. He folded his arms and turned to Xian, who had affected the best gaming face Ian had ever seen. “You must swear to me—if he pays your debts and I let you go, swear to me that you will never return to Espara. And I will have the word of your diplomatic corps as well. You will promise me this, yes?”
Xian inclined his head, but Ian noticed the slight tremor in his hands. “I swear it, my lord.”
d’Tarjian turned back to Ian. “How will you have this money delivered?”
“Do you trust an agent of the kirok?”
“The kirok?
Ian gestured to Ursula, who approached slowly. “Can we agree to trust a saya of the holy kirok? I would send her to Eirya to deliver word to my father. Your money will come back to you on the first royal Eiryan ship that ports in Barlena’s harbor.”
d’Tarjian’s mouth tightened. “I am ever in the service of the holy kirok,” he said, finally. He inclined his head. “I’ll have a list of his accounts drawn up. You’ll send him back to your father as well?”
Ian hesitated. “He still needs to check in with his superiors in Tal’Amun. I’ll take him there first.”
“And do I have your word as an Eiryan prince of the realm that he will not set foot on Esparan soil again?”
Ian inclined his head. “I will send my word in writing, my lord.”
d’Tarjian stepped over to Xian and drew a blade from his belt. “Your friendships have served you well once more.”
Xian inclined his head. “I am a man most fortunate to be shown this mercy.”
“Mercy. Hmm.” d’Tarjian lifted Xian’s hands and sliced the ropes off. “My capacity for mercy is greatly limited, Xian. Do not test those limits.”
Xian rubbed his wrists. “No, my lord.”
d’Tarjian motioned to the guards. “Escort them to the sayada. I have no desire to entertain them any longer.” He stormed from the room, his robes billowing behind him.
The guards ushered Ian, Xian, Ursula, and Donal from the room and down the long, winding corridors of the emperor’s palace. Ursula fell in step next to Ian and took his hand. “What do you intend for me to do?” she whispered, her voice ringing with a mild edge of panic.
“You wanted to go to Eirya? I’m giving you a chance.” He wrapped her arm around his and patted her hand. “You’ll have a letter from me with my seal. My parents will welcome you, and they’ll see that the money d’Tarjian requires is sent in due course.”
She frowned. “But—”
“We’ll discuss everything at the sayada.”
When they arrived, Ian found Melik pacing at the gates of the sayada. A look of relief passed over the freelance’s face. “Thank the gods.”
“I’m flattered you were so concerned for me.”
“Not for you—you haven’t paid me everything yet.”
Ian rolled his eyes. “Is everything thing in this accursed country about money?”
“All of the important things,” Melik said. “Where’s your young friend?”
“Back on his ship, where he belongs.”
Melik folded his arms and nodded toward Xian. “And is this the man you’ve been so worried about?”
“It is.” Ian gestured to the sayada gates. “We need to see the sayana. There are arrangements to be made for passage to Eirya.”