“Maybe we need somebody to keep us from flying out of control,” Alli said, grinning.
“You’ve always needed that, Alli,” Mari said.
“Yeah, but I’ve got Calu to help with that. Hey, I hear you blew up the rail yard. It sounds like I’m rubbing off on you.”
“Yeah,” Mari said. “I blew up the rail yard. Could you check on Betsy? She was there and—"
“I already heard,” Alli said. “Betsy got a little beat up, but she’s salvageable. By the way, what’s with the fashion statement, your daughterness?” She pointed to the white streak in Mari’s hair.
“It’s not a fashion statement. It’s…something that happened when Alain…saved my life.” Mari sighed. “I thought maybe it would grow in black again, but those hairs are staying pure white from tip to root. And stop calling me that. For once I’d like to not be the one everybody looks to and asks now what do we do?”
“Sure,” Alli scoffed. “You say that now, but in any group you’ll take charge without realizing it. You can’t help it.”
“I’ll prove you wrong! —Professor!” she added as S’san came to the edge of the platform, looking up slightly at Mari. “Thank you for backing me up, but why didn’t you warn me?”
“I didn’t really have time,” S’san admitted. “I did have confidence in you. You have a tendency to search for and find unorthodox solutions, and that is what the world needed on this occasion.”
“I’ve had good teachers,” Mari said, looking over at General Flyn as he came up and saluted her, the concern no longer present in his eyes. She finally understood what that worry had been. “You wouldn’t have stayed, would you?”
“If you had become Empress of the West?” Flyn asked. “No. I could not serve an empress. But my sword will always be at the service of Lady Mari, daughter of Jules.”
“Oh, yeah, just one more regular, everyday Master Mechanic and daughter of Jules,” Mari said. “All of you! Never do this to me again. I mean it.”
“What’s the worst that could have happened?” Alli asked. “You’ve already been dead once.”
“I didn’t die!” Mari’s next words caught in her throat as she saw another person standing behind Alli. “Father?”
Marc of Caer Lyn nodded brusquely, his lips pressed tightly together. He looked…self-conscious. “Mari…Lady Mari—"
“Don’t you dare call me Lady, Father. I’m always Mari to you.”
Her father paused, then nodded, smiling slightly. “I arrived with these others, and…I’m sorry. I should have known that my daughter would be…you.” He looked at Alain, speaking stiffly. “Sir Mage, I apologize to you. If not for you, I would not have had the chance to tell my daughter how proud I am of her.”
Alain nodded in reply. “To my father-in-law, I should be only Alain, not Sir Mage.”
“It will take a while to get used to that.”
“We will hopefully have many years to do so.”
“Where are mother and Kath?” Mari asked.
“Safe in Pacta, since an old fool never acted on his threats to leave there,” Marc said. “I’ll send them a letter letting them know I saw you and that…that you are everything everyone says.”
“We’re going to talk more, Father,” Mari said, smiling through tears at him, “but you can reach them much faster than a letter. Mage Dav? Can you help my father get a message sent by Mage means?” Her father didn’t look thrilled at the chance, but the sooner he got used to being around Mages the better.
She looked out across the room, seeing how many people still wanted to talk to her and Alain. It looked like it would be another long day in Dorcastle.
“Stay beside me,” she said to Alain, grasping his hand.
“Always,” he replied.
* * * *
Only a few days later the healers allowed Alain and Mari to move into something called an apartment but whose size and comfort seemed more in keeping with a suite in a mansion. As uncomfortable as she was with the rooms, Mari agreed to stay because there was literally nothing else available in Dorcastle with citizens returning to the ruins of their homes and every other possible place to live packed to capacity.
Alain went to the door, grateful to be walking again, in response to a hail from one of the guards on duty. He found Vice President Jane waiting, still wearing the same cast but a fresh bandage on her face. “I have news for Lady Mari.”
“Jane,” Mari greeted her, standing briefly before falling back into her chair. “Sorry. Standing is still a little difficult. I haven’t seen you since before the meeting.”
“Which meeting was that?” Jane asked. “The one with my boss, or the one where you decided you wouldn’t be my new boss?”
“Both,” Mari said. “Does everybody know about those meetings?”
“They do. This is a business call, so I will be formal, Lady Mari.” Vice President Jane bowed toward her. “We have received notice that the Imperial delegation will arrive tomorrow. The Emperor sent Camber of Dunlan to lead the delegation.”
Mari shook her head angrily. “Somebody with no Imperial rank or title? Why would the Emperor try to insult everyone here that way?”
Jane shook her head in turn. “You don’t understand. Camber is…Camber. Only people at the highest levels of diplomacy know of him. He doesn’t need any title or rank. Camber is as close to the Emperor as a brother. No one in the Empire has more influence or power short of the Emperor himself. Sending Camber here to speak with you is huge. It’s an acknowledgement by the Emperor that he is dealing with a peer, someone equal to himself, and no Emperor or Empress has ever done that before.”
“Oh,” Mari said. “Now I feel like an idiot for having gotten upset. So, this is a very good thing.”
“Yes.” Jane looked at Alain. “Camber is famously inscrutable. You will have your Mage with you when you speak with him?”
“Of course I will.” Mari studied Jane. “How are your bosses feeling about me these days? I saw the First President of the Confederation yesterday and he was happy and cheerful and respectful and looking at me like I was a poisonous snake. I guessed then that he’d heard about the second meeting.”
“They are all scared of you,” Jane said. “I am hearing that, as they consider the outcome of that second meeting, they are also all coming to realize that if you were what they feared, they’d already be gone. They still worry about the power and influence you have over their people, though.”
“I’m keeping my promises, Jane. All of them.”
“Thank you, Mari.”
* * * *
That night Alain roused to see Mari sitting in a chair, the room dark, gazing out a window at the stars. “Are you well?”
She nodded. “I was just remembering.”
“Sergeant Kira?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“Yes. Her, and others. Are you sure there’s a next dream, Alain?”
“I am certain,” Alain said.
“I think I’m always going to be on that battlement, Alain,” Mari said. “Some part of me, forever standing on the third wall with Sergeant Kira.”
“But also forever with me,” Alain said.
“Well, yeah, that goes without saying.” He sat by her and they watched the stars until Mari fell asleep, breathing peacefully. He carried her to bed, hoping there would be no nightmares to torment her sleep later.
* * * *
The next day Alain sat next to Mari, beside a fine table slightly scarred from the recent battle. There was one other chair on the far side of the table. The room they were in was not very large, but big enough to feel comfortable. There were no windows that might have provided someone with a means to eavesdrop on the words spoken within. The walls were bare except for lamps that burned oil. On the table lay a map of Dematr.
The door opened and Mari struggled to her feet with Alain’s help as the head of the Imperial delegation entered alone. Camber was tall, thin, his hair very short and graying except where it had turned w
hite at his temples. His suit was of fine quality but in no way flashy or attention-grabbing. Alain watched him, noticing that as Vice President Jane had warned, Camber had a remarkable ability to hide his feelings.
Camber walked up to the table and nodded politely to Mari.
Mari sat again with obvious relief. “You’ll have to forgive me for not standing longer.”
“Not at all,” Camber said, taking his seat. Alain noticed that his voice also displayed noteworthy control. “I am honored that you stood for me, given your recent experiences. How do you wish to be addressed?”
“Lady Mari is fine. Or Master Mechanic Mari if you prefer. This is Master of Mages Alain.”
“Master of Mages Alain’s name and reputation are well known,” Camber said, resting both of his hands on the surface of the table and looking steadily at Mari. “I am Camber of Dunlan, representative of the Emperor. It is the Emperor’s wish that our differences be resolved as quickly and effectively as possible.”
“If the Emperor wants peace, that shouldn’t be a problem,” Mari said.
“And in exchange?” Camber asked.
“Not much. The Sharr Isles need to have their independence restored, and all Imperial forces withdrawn.”
Camber eyed her. “The Emperor knows how well the Sharr Isles would serve as a base for attacks on the Empire.”
“The treaty can guarantee the neutrality of the Sharr Isles, with all parties enforcing that,” Mari said, glancing at Alain to make sure she had said it right. “No military bases there for anyone. I know that’s what the people of the Sharr Isles want.”
Camber pondered that for a moment. “Done.”
“And I would like a non-aggression agreement,” Mari continued. “Everyone promising not to attack the others.”
Camber’s gaze on her was intent. “You wish to bind not just the Empire but also the powers of the West to not launch wars of aggression?”
“Yes.”
“Lady Mari, I know you are aware that the Empire is temporarily in a weakened position. I know that there are those in the West who would like to take advantage of that. I have seen your army. It is more than impressive. You have power and opportunity.”
Mari shrugged, wincing slightly as the motion tugged at her chest. “I also have common sense, and a desire to avoid useless wars.” She gestured toward Alain. “And a husband who gives good advice. You know how the Great Guilds remained in power as long as they did. It was only partly because of the Mages’ ability to use spells and the Mechanics’ control of technology. They leveraged that power, by getting common cities and states to do their bidding.”
Camber watched her without saying anything for a moment. “As the Empire recently did? I assure you that the Empire had larger goals.”
“I’m sure that the Empire did,” Mari said. “For centuries everyone has had larger goals, and the Great Guilds have played them against each other, getting one city or state to attack another to further the goals of the Great Guilds. But if the Empire and the states of the West agree not to conduct offensive wars, what remains of the Great Guilds will be denied that tool. There will be little chance of them sowing further chaos in this world.”
Camber glanced at Alain, then back at Mari. “You include yourself in that? As one whose power could be used for others’ ends? And therefore would vow not to use the army of the daughter against the Empire?”
“Yes. Not for a war of aggression. As long as the Empire promises not to attack anyone else and abides by its promises.”
“The Empire would retain the right to self-defense?”
“Yes.”
“And the other powers of the West would also agree to this?”
Mari nodded. “Yes.”
Camber paused. “You are giving the Emperor what he most wished to have, and at little cost. Why?”
“Because I know what would happen if any part of the West attacked any part of the Empire,” Mari said. “Any victories won by the West would be temporary and very costly. Further war would serve only the interests of what remains of the Mechanics Guild. And because I know that everyone involved in the treaty would be more likely to abide by it if it serves their own best interests.”
Camber looked at Alain again. “Master of Mages, you have seen that the leaders of the West will follow such a treaty?”
“Yes,” Alain said. “Some see the wisdom in it, but all know they must abide by its terms. Lady Mari will condemn any attack in violation of such an agreement if it is made.”
“Done,” Camber told Mari. “You do not demand actions against the leaders of the Mechanics Guild?”
“I suspect,” Mari said, “that things aren’t going so well for them already. They no longer have a monopoly on technology. They’re much weaker. And their only remaining refuge is within the Empire’s protection. What could I demand that would be worse than what they are already going to suffer?”
“You could demand their deaths. Others in your place would.”
Mari shook her head. “The people I have fought think nothing of ordering the deaths of others. I will not become like them just because I might have the power to demand such measures.”
Camber studied her. “And if those leaders of the Mechanics Guild continue to threaten you and those you love?”
“Then I will reconsider what steps may be necessary,” Mari said. “I think I have proven that I make a good friend and a dangerous enemy.”
“You have.” Camber smiled slightly. “Your information regarding the leaders of the Mechanics Guild is accurate. The Mechanics Guild will from now on be bound by what the Emperor decrees. They will receive orders, not give them, and obedience will be demanded. Their change in status will not be a pleasant thing for those former masters of the world. The Emperor asked me to inform you that he will not tolerate actions by them against a friend such as you.”
Mari raised her eyebrows at Camber. “Friend?”
“As you said, Lady Mari, you have proven that you are not an enemy anyone should want. The Emperor hopes that our future relations will be based on mutual friendship and respect.”
Mari gave Alain another glance. He nodded to let her know that Camber was not lying, though it was not easy for Alain to tell with this man. “The Emperor respects strength,” Alain said.
“He does,” Camber replied. “But not strength alone. Strength wisely employed.”
“Then we’ve addressed the biggest things,” Mari said. “The issues on which we need agreement from leaders in the West. The details can be worked out, but if the Emperor will accept those terms in a binding treaty, we’ve done the heavy lifting.”
“You are a poor diplomat, Lady Mari,” Camber commented. “A good one would have drawn out this discussion for many days and demanded many more concessions, and in the process achieved far less.”
“I’ve got my priorities straight,” Mari said. “And I don’t play games when the lives of other people are involved. There are two issues of personal interest to me that I want to also discuss, though. The Mechanics Guild has a prison at Longfalls, in Imperial territory. Would the Emperor agree to taking over that prison, and freeing everyone locked up there, letting them go wherever they choose?”
“The Emperor has promised protection for the Mechanics Guild within Imperial borders,” Camber noted.
Alain spoke. “Will the Emperor permit the Mechanics Guild to retain places within the Emperor’s domain that the Guild alone controls?”
“No.” Camber nodded once to Alain. “The Emperor has already resolved to do the thing you asked,” he told Mari. “But he will do it because he must, in order to protect all within his lands. There may be Imperial citizens within that prison. All will be released.”
“Good,” Mari said. She hesitated, finally drawing out a document that Alain knew. “There’s another matter, pertaining to Marandur.”
“Ah, yes, Marandur.” Camber smiled slightly once more. “You know that there is no means for the Emperor to pardon the
offense of going to Marandur? That any who go there must die?”
“Why does that amuse you?” Alain asked.
“Because the Emperor has already decreed that both incidents where you,” he gestured toward Mari and then Alain, “went into and left Marandur, never occurred. If the ban was not violated, no punishment is called for.”
Mari eyed Camber skeptically. “What about those who were with me?”
“Who were with you in incidents that did not happen?” Camber said. “Imperial records are being changed to reflect that reports of your entering and leaving Marandur were false. Officially, your offenses never took place. It is still on record that you and certain companions entered Imperial territory without permission, but that offense is a minor one and easily pardoned.” He produced a document sealed with wax. “Such a pardon has already been signed, for you and all others involved.”
Mari gave Alain a questioning glance and turned back to Camber. “What about all of those stories the Empire kept spreading about me being the Dark One, and that was why I came out of Marandur?”
“Those rumors actually started spontaneously among the Empire’s citizens, who have long entertained and frightened themselves with stories of Mara the Undying. Encouraging those rumors and fears seemed like a clever way of dealing with your actions,” Camber said. “We didn’t realize how hard neutralizing you would actually be. If neutralizing you is possible at all. But then you not only won here, but rose from the dead.” He gave Alain a longer glance. “With assistance from a Mage. Those events are too close to the stories about Mara the Undying for anyone’s comfort. I assume that you do not wish to be seen by others as Mara herself, lusting after power and the blood of young men? I did not think so. Regaining control of that narrative will not be easy, but we will try. It does not benefit the Emperor to have his subjects worried that the Dark One is loose and might someday return to share his throne.”
“I assure you that I have no interest in that,” Mari said. “I’ve already got the only man I want. So the Empire will actively discourage any stories linking me to the Dark One?”