Chapter 2
Istal was a frontier military city Eimarille had first seen as a child, when Innes had helped steal her out of Amari on a train heading west. Growing up, Eimarille had focused her attention on the Daijal court and all the many bloodlines that paraded through the palace in New Haven. Some had longstanding ties to Istal, many of them military men and women, all of whom had been quietly grateful for the respect she had shown their duty to country.
The Daijalan officers who joined herself, Terilyn, and Kote for a command meeting in Istal that day all wore their ranking pins with pride and saluted her when she swept into the large room. The space was grand, all dark wood and rich carpeting, with a window that overlooked the parade grounds outside where soldiers performed drills. Oil paintings depicting victorious battles hung from the wall while the flags of Daijal and Ashion were positioned on poles at the end of the table, joined by the Urovan flag.
Half the table was filled with Urovans, most from the diplomatic corps, but several officers from that northern country had also joined them. The contingent was led by their ambassador, Maksim, a man who belonged to Eimarille more than he ever would anyone else these days. Hidden beneath the fur-lined brocade jacket Maksim wore were the scars of a rionetka. He'd been the first one Eimarille had ever seen made, a living embodiment of control, and she held the strings.
Maksim stood at her arrival, smiling warmly across the table at her. "Your Royal Majesty."
"Ambassador Maksim." She smiled at everyone after that greeting, giving a graceful little nod as she took a seat. "My thanks to you all for making yourselves available on such short notice."
She and her entourage had been in Haighmoor a few days ago, having flown to Istal on the royal airship that morning. Lisandro was ecstatic to be around so many soldiers, having a fascination for them that she gently encouraged. When he was older, after he completed his general schooling, she'd let him join Evergreen if he liked. The military school back in New Haven was the premier education spot for officers, and Eimarille knew it would only instill a sense of duty in Lisandro his father had never found.
For now, her son was safely tucked away in the visiting quarters of the garrison, watched over by his attendants, the royal guards, and a Blade who had met them at the end of the gangplank when they'd docked in the airfield. He was safe, but Eimarille always worried about her son when he wasn't by her side.
"High General Kote updated me when we were in Haighmoor on the status of the front lines in the east. To that end, I am here to talk about our southern efforts and our foray into the Gulf of Helia." Eimarille looked across the table at Maksim, meeting his gaze. "I understand we are to expect another flotilla of submersibles to take up position in the Gulf of Helia. What of the rest of your fleet?"
"Our icebreaking ships are carving a path through the ice floes of the Northern Tundra in the east. When it is open, the fleet of submersibles will make their way to our agreed-upon eastern targets," a Urovan officer said. Judging by the gold ranking pins on the lapels of his coat, he was a captain who most likely commanded a submersible.
"How long until the path to open water is completed? We are already at Fifth Month."
"At least another month. We had a harsh winter, and the ice is slow to melt this year, but we are still within the approved timeframe. Once the way is cleared, the submersibles will be prepared to launch from Matriskav at your command. It will take several weeks to reach their assigned targets as they must move carefully so as to not be discovered once they make it up the rivers."
Eimarille nodded before glancing to her left at where Kote sat. "Your thoughts on this course of action?"
"The Urovans have proven to be worthy allies, my queen. The targets were well thought out on their end and will only aid our efforts on land. I and my fellow officers have no concerns about their command decisions," Kote said.
"Excellent. And what of our southern border?"
"Vezir Joelle has requested additional troops, but to deliver those numbers requires reassigning some companies," another officer said. She was looking at her notes, the paper marked up with the Secured stamp that limited who had the authority to view it. "We wanted your approval to do so, as we're unsure if you have any ongoing communications with the vezir we should be aware of, my queen."
Eimarille was careful to keep the distaste off her face at the mention of vezir Joelle Kimathi, of the House of Kimathi. Joelle was a needed ally, but she'd overstepped herself more than was helpful last summer. She'd never managed to claim the Imperial throne during the Conclave of Houses, which had forced Eimarille to settle on her fallback plan, one that didn't have Solaria as her country's ally through Joelle as the Imperial empress.
A problem, to be sure, but Eimarille excelled at overcoming those. Presently, the Legion guarded the border that ran through the Southern Plains between Solaria and Daijal and Ashion. The southern part of the continent belonged to Solaria, though not all the land was safe to travel through. The Wastelands were a breeding ground of spores and revenants, and she knew wardens hadn't left those borders the way they'd left Daijal.
"My communications with vezir Joelle have no bearing on this decision. Spare who you can to head south and shore up that border. We need to maintain our defense there. I'll leave the details to High General Kote," Eimarille said.
Kote nodded. "I'll see it handled after the meeting. We have war machines coming off the production line we can send south to hold the line."
Companies owned by Daijalan bloodlines and merchants had thrown their support into the war effort back home. Steel and clarion crystal remained in abundance and were being transported weekly to the factories in the middle of Daijal churning out weapons, ordnance, automatons, and transport vehicles. War was expensive, but the Daijalan parliament had put forth a new tax break bill that was being lauded in the business circles.
It didn't matter that E'ridia and Solaria had embargoed trade with her country. Daijal had stored up what it needed for the war effort over the years, and Urova's clarion crystal mines were open to Daijal's needs. The war might not be won yet, but they were in the best position to see it finished before the end of the year.
"What of the Tovan Isles?" an officer farther down the table asked.
Maksim waved off the question with an imperious hand. "The Tovan Isles are more neutral than even E'ridia claims to be. They will not give aid to those of us on land."
"But if they do?"
"Then we will sink their ship-cities."
A few Urovan officers banged their fists on the table in agreement, prideful in their people's underwater sea prowess. While their expertise in navigating freezing waters beneath the ice floes that lined the Northern Tundra was great, Eimarille knew it wouldn't exactly translate to open-sea warfare. The Tovanians and their ship-cities were the undisputed rulers of Maricol's oceans and seas. Conquering that country wouldn't happen until after she'd claimed the continent, and it would take a different plan of attack than what was currently on the table.
The meeting lasted for quite some time. An aide came in halfway through with tea for everyone, the conversation momentarily paused as they took a brief break. Eimarille never left her seat, and neither did Terilyn. Eimarille was aware of the glances thrown her Blade's way. It was atypical that a lady-in-waiting would attend such a high-status meeting, but no one commented on her presence. Some eyed her with enough wariness that Eimarille knew they must be aware of Terilyn's true calling.
When the meeting commenced again, Eimarille was content to let Kote take the lead, solidifying the working relationship between the officers of both countries. Typically, a monarch wouldn't be so involved. Certainly, Bernard had never cared for the details when he'd been king. He'd issued the orders he liked, expecting to be obeyed, and it had been the duty of the military commanders to execute them.
But he'd never had respect for those in the military, and neither had Wesley. Eimarille knew their worth, though, and that meant she never contradicted Kote's decisions. The high general knew war, and the rest of the high-ranking officers trusted his command. His social status had certainly increased, and the gushing news stories of his command had many women and some men asking for him to dance at the balls he could find the time to attend, usually at her urging.
Eimarille knew he'd have plenty of admirers at the one occurring tonight. The fight in the east would give them victories, but the ones at home were just as important. Which was why, when the meeting ended, Eimarille opted to return to their quarters to check on Lisandro before getting ready for the ball and perhaps, if time allowed, a moment of respite with Terilyn.
The ball was set to occur at the home of the Khaur bloodline. They'd only had half a week's notice to prepare for such a grand occasion, as Eimarille's travel schedule was closely guarded information. Terilyn had dispatched royal guards and a Blade to oversee the estate's security that morning, ever diligent about Eimarille's safety. The Khaur bloodline had offered her a wing to use in their estate, but this close to the central border and Ashion meant Kote had requested she stay in the garrison, surrounded by soldiers to keep her safe.
Eimarille's private rooms were guarded by soldiers and a magician who had orders from Terilyn herself to let no one pass. Innes seemed quite content to continue sipping his brandy in the room that acted as a parlor, cravat undone and shirt unbuttoned at the top, revealing a hint of the Viper constellation tattoo on his pectorals. The brilliant golden lines never ceased to catch Eimarille's attention, the aether that burned in them similar to the starfire she herself could summon.
She immediately dipped into a deep curtsy, subjugating herself to the only person she had ever lowered her gaze to. "My lord."
Innes raised his hand and curled his fingers at her. "Come here, my child."
Eimarille rose from her curtsy and approached the sofa, settling herself beside Innes. The Twilight Star set his brandy aside on the low table and shifted on the cushion to face her. His face remained exactly as it looked when she'd first met him as a ten-year-old child, all sharp features, blond hair, and blue eyes, with the burn of starfire in his veins.
Innes was forever born of the aether, as all Star Order scripture espoused. But he felt real to her when he took her hand, giving it a squeeze, and offered up a smile that made him oh so human there in that room. "Your prayers have been only for your people lately."
"We are at war. Of course I pray for them," Eimarille said.
"The mark of a good queen." Innes let her hand go to curl his fingers over the point of her chin, holding her still as he studied her face. "But the war is not all that you are worried about."
"The starfire throne is not under our control, even if Amari is."
"Aaralyn is not yours to worry about."
The North Star guided Ashion, her claimed country, and Maricol as a whole. Eimarille used to pray to the world's guiding star when she was young and still called her birth country home. Innes was who she prayed to now, but for all his power and influence, his wife was the apex of Maricol's religion, and Eimarille knew they had to tread carefully. "I would go to Amari and claim my birthright."
Innes' hand moved to frame her face, and he leaned forward to kiss her other cheek. His lips were dry and warm against her skin, the touch of an indulgent father over anything else. Innes might not have raised her, but he'd dipped in and out of her life over the years, a reminder to those who'd controlled her before she controlled herself that she wasn't to be harmed.
"Your birthright needs no claiming. You've had it all your life. It is reunification of all of Maricol we must prove. Your bloodline will sit on the starfire throne in due time. Until then, let your high general here wage your war."
Out of the corners of her eyes, Eimarille saw Kote bow deeply. "You honor me, my lord."
Innes nodded before drawing away from Eimarille. "I understand you have a ball tonight."
"There are chains to break. My love does so enjoy such activities," Eimarille said lightly. She reached for Terilyn without looking, smiling when the other woman took her hand. Eimarille got to her feet so she could more easily kiss Terilyn on the cheek.
Nathaniel Clementine's stolen memories had been more than useful to their side. The cogs he'd been responsible for had led them to others in the Clockwork Brigade. Eimarille's spies and Blades had been breaking chains since last summer. Meleri might have sent her cogs a warning. Many may have gone on the run if they hadn't outright joined Ashion's war efforts, but many others had paid the ultimate price for siding against Eimarille.
She doled out punishment in increments, knowing that to raze the Clockwork Brigade to the ground immediately would risk losing potential information. So she'd taken her time, allowed Terilyn to uncover those still in positions of power and send Blades to monitor the traitors. Eimarille had been grudgingly impressed with the reach Duchess Meleri Auclair had obtained over the years. Some cogs had worked their way deep into Daijalan society, and tonight, she was set to rectify that betrayal.
An important fact about war Eimarille had learned was one had to get the strategy and overall decisions right. War for war's sake would earn her no goodwill with the people she ruled. There needed to be a goal, one worthwhile enough for people to die for, and sometimes society needed to be reminded about the enemy up close and personal.
"I'm sure you will all enjoy tonight," Innes said as he stood.
"Will you be joining us, my lord?" Eimarille asked.
Innes did up his shirt and cravat, a smile tugging at his mouth. "I am expected elsewhere, but I am certain I'll hear your guests' prayers tonight."
Eimarille and Terilyn curtsied as Innes left, while Kote held a salute with straight-shouldered precision. The door clicked shut behind the Twilight Star, and Eimarille let out a slow breath, the heavy presence of a star god fading from the room. Terilyn touched a hand to her elbow, and Eimarille glanced at her lover.
"Come, let us prepare for tonight," Terilyn said.
Kote left with a quiet goodbye, leaving them in the care of the servants who had traveled with them over the last week. Eimarille didn't mind, for Terilyn stayed by her side, and she would never tire of such company.