Datu Bulan shakes his head. “Chief Naresh is a pacifist. In all his years ruling the Northern Peaks, he has never deployed his army for or against a regime.”
“If I may,” I say, drawing all eyes to me, “we shouldn’t need the Paljorians. So long as your navy can utilize the waterways for travel, we can confront the demon rajah in Iresh before he leaves for Tarachand.”
The prince slumps, as if he should have thought of that himself. My proposal is simple, but our success hinges on us reaching Iresh before the demon rajah leaves. He is taking longer than I anticipated to rally his men and resources. Maybe he is waiting for the raiders to bring him Ashwin and Kali . . .
“Wisely strategized, General Naik,” says Datu Bulan. “The admiral and our fleet will depart in the morning.” Tomorrow? Deploying the navy should take days. They must have begun preparations before our arrival. “I presume your party intends to go with them.”
“We do.” Kali’s tone turns guarded. “What do you require from us in return?”
“My requests will be reasonable, Viraji.” The datu smiles broadly. I understand where Gemi gets her charm, but must he refer to Kali as Ashwin’s intended? “Prince Ashwin, have you ever seen an arctic tiger? Their coats are ivory with charcoal stripes. I traded three barrels of shark fins for one pelt. It’s mounted in my study. You and I will retire there to discuss our terms.”
Ashwin does not refuse. He has little leeway for the terms of our alliance, and the datu knows it. Bulan will walk away from the negotiations table with more than a fair trade.
The datu and Ashwin excuse themselves. Kali watches them leave, her focus so severe I question her ability to drag Ashwin back by sheer will.
Princess Gemi tilts her head nearer to me. “Come walk with me along the shore.”
I search Kali out across the table, eager to leave, but Indah and the admiral have engaged her in conversation. “Thank you, but I’m obligated to stay here.”
“Is your pining stare for the kindred an obligation?”
Gemi is too perceptive. “You aren’t told no often, are you?”
“You’d be the first,” she says, and I exhale a laugh.
“General Naik,” Ambassador Chitt says from my right, “may I have a word? It’s about your family.”
“Go on, Deven,” Princess Gemi says, her mouth upturned. “I’ll watch over the kindred.”
Kali overhears the princess and narrows her eyes at us. I lift a finger to her as I rise, indicating I will return momentarily. Chitt and I stroll down a pebble pathway toward the inlet.
“On my order, Pons has flown to Tarachand to find your family,” Chitt says.
As a Galer, Pons can ride the skies on a wing flyer, the fastest form of travel. We have not had access to the flying contraptions since leaving Iresh. I appreciate Pons’s and the ambassador’s assistance. “Thank you.”
“We’ll keep looking until we find them,” Chitt says. Although we just met, I am inclined to trust his word. He stops at the inlet, the palace lights shining onto the still water. “My friend from Janardan contacted me. A platoon of elephant warriors and bhuta soldiers escaped the demon rajah and are hiding. I may be able to convince them to join the battle in Iresh.”
Manpower from the Janardanian army would be advantageous. “Do you think they could meet us in time?”
“They should. Their troops travel by land barge,” Chitt explains. Tremblers power the stone-wheeled barges that are big enough to carry a herd of elephants. I have never seen one myself, though I have heard they are a sight to behold. “I’d leave in the morning to reach them.”
He sounds uncertain about going. I question why and then realize two things: I am the general of the imperial army and he is offering me his assistance, and he does not want to leave in case my mother and brother arrive. “You should go. We need all the troops we can gather.”
“Do you need to consult with Prince Ashwin?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll leave tomorrow.” Chitt’s gaze skitters to the cove and breaker, then back to me. “One more thing. The sea raiders were spotted offshore west of here. We have increased our lookout guards, but I thought you should be aware.”
I, too, examine the breaker from afar. “Can they get through?”
“There are ways,” Chitt admits, “but Captain Loc doesn’t wish to engage our entire navy. The admiral is aware and has put precautions in place for the voyage. You’ll be safe. I hope and pray that you—” He halts and bows, a swift change to formality. “May the gods be with you.”
“And you, Ambassador.” I watch Chitt go, curious what he stopped himself from saying. I never had a proper father—mine wanted nothing to do with his bastard son. Brac and I have always had that in common. I am not sure how I feel about that changing.
When I return to the terrace, a platter of fruit and yogurt dip have been set out, and Kali, Indah, and the admiral have gone. Princess Gemi is the only one left.
“You just missed them,” she says. “They took the kindred on a tour of the palace.” I start to leave to find Kali, but Gemi grabs my forearm and brushes a finger across my skin. “Stay and have dessert. You hardly touched your supper. You must be hungry.”
I am, in fact, starved. The threat of seasickness prevented me from eating much on the riverboat, and tomorrow, I will be back on the water.
Gemi wears a sly smile as she tops off my wine chalice. “Nush,” she cheers.
In Tarachand, it is rude to refuse a host’s offer of food or drink. Besides, Kali is safe with Indah and the admiral, and I have an unobstructed view of the breaker from here to keep an eye out for the raiders, should they try anything. Picking up my chalice, I return to the table and eat.
5
KALINDA
Shadows swathe my bedchamber. Natesa and Yatin are shut in her antechamber, their supper scraps left on the terrace, deserted beside a lit lamp. I envy their freedom to shut out the world and lose themselves in one another.
Deven has not yet returned. I did not want to leave him behind, but Indah and the admiral suggested they show me more of the palace, and I could not stand Princess Gemi a moment longer. She sat so close to Deven during supper she was nearly in his lap.
A warm gust grazes my ear, but a blizzard rages inside me. I gravitate to the lamp and lean over nature’s flame. My soul’s reflection takes form—a fire dragon. I study the small, serpentine figure for changes since the Voider poured his cold-fire inside me, but it gazes up as usual and awaits my command.
You’re a lovely sight. I reach for the fire dragon, seeking its warmth. I am not afraid of a burn or any other reprisal. Both of us are born of fire, though only one of us is the master.