This was beyond the pale. Dispersing a protest was one thing, but doing it with swords? And executing surrendering people in the streets? Asva wouldn't have believed that – even of them – if she hadn't heard it from a few sources.
She'd been on the ship for days, not wanting to depart without knowing whether the travesty would actually occur. She hadn't expected this. How could the other countries tolerate it? Why hadn't they denounced it?
Calming her temper, she reminded herself it could still be days before some countries heard. It had barely been hours. Their representatives could have spoken out, were they not held on so tight a leash by their advisors.
She focussed on the sway of the boat under her as she stood on deck. Her eyes concentrated on the hypnotic sway of the stars reflecting on the ocean as she faced away from the city.
Even if the leaders didn't react, would the people be as quiet? Or could similar protests occur elsewhere? This news wouldn't be suppressed. It shouldn't be. She’d see to that if no one else did.
Did she want protests, if they could suffer the same fate? Not if there were another way to deal with the guilds. But she'd feared there wasn't.
They were taking power, and this was the result: the way things would be when they gained absolute control. When a king ruled there existed a contract between him and his people, wherein they fulfilled their roles – kept the kingdom alive – and the king protected them. Between the guilds and the people was a different contract: as long as the people remained in their employ, they could do with them as they wished.
Was open warfare the only option? And could it be won?
Feeling a chill not entirely due to the night breeze, she descended below decks. She'd need to decide whether to stay and attend more meetings, or return home. Would they even discuss what had happened? Would they do anything about it if they did? Maybe she'd invite one or two on board to discuss the situation. Without their advisors.
She tensed on entering her cabin, sensing she wasn't alone. She almost called for a guard when she recognised her visitor.
'I thought our business concluded,' she said after composing herself. 'I also seem to recall hearing someone was arrested in possession of a flag similar to the one I gave you, and sent to Firepeaks prison.'
'It wasn’t to my tastes,' said Thjorn. His voice had a sharp edge of suppressed anger.
'I was also confused on hearing you'd been stopped on suspicion of planning to steal a book. The book in question being one you already had.'
'Mistaken identity.'
She considered calling the guard again. He was an escaped convict, as unbelievable as the idea of escaping Firepeaks sounded. But he'd proved useful, so she'd allow him some lenience. Provided he didn't get too close.
'I have another deal to offer,' said Thjorn.
'And what would that be?'
'I need to get into Volthus. Due to the aforementioned misunderstandings, my face may be unwelcome during the heavy security of the Tournament finals. Being among your entourage would exempt me from such concerns. At the docks, at least.'
'I don’t attend the Society's Tournament,' said Asva. She hadn't bothered since she'd been old enough to associate it with the Society. Her brother went as Irnskyl's representative. He'd also persuaded her father against plans to ban the Tournament from their borders, which she'd admit might have met resistance from the people.
'Then go there to attend a meeting.'
'A meeting with whom?'
'The Society's other source of arvinim.'
That got her attention. 'You know who they are?'
'Yes.'
'Did you know who they were when last we met?'
'Not for certain,' said Thjorn.
And since that hadn't been part of the deal he could have asked more for the information. But a meeting already arranged in exchange for transportation, even if it meant travelling to the heart of the Society's empire?
She doubted he'd part with the supplier's identity without the passage, so he probably wouldn't reveal it until they reached Volthus.
'That could be useful,' said Asva.
Thjorn shrugged. 'It's not as though I'm offering a way to avoid having the Society or Alliance as your customers.'
'Knowing where the other arvinim is coming from is plenty. And that they're willing to talk is something. What did you have to offer to get them to agree to it?'
'Not revealing them as the source to the rest of the world.'
She nodded. That could be useful, although she wasn't sure why they'd desire secrecy.