Interview with the God-Empress (Part Nine)
"If you disapprove of what they're doing, there must be something you could do. Defect, for example."
"Defect? Do you have any idea how much paperwork is involved in a defection? I wouldn't put those poor bureaucrats to such trouble." He looks amused at that. "Now, Your Royal Highness, I would prefer it if you didn't get me ritually strangled to death with a silken cord. By which I mean: would you mind if we talked about something else? The weather, perhaps. Or your uncle's latest squamous creations. Anything that isn't likely to end in my incriminating myself. I'd hate to be summoned back to Tolmar and 'forcibly retired'."
"Very well." You nod. "Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. This conversation has been most enlightening."
You bid farewell to the Aspiti ambassador, return to your own table and settle down to wait. Soon, Varaglok of the Khabandari tribe goes for his meeting with the God-Empress, then Falin Dero goes a little while later, then Jarranda and Ralena, and finally Melifors Quistano. He gives you an insouciant wave as he passes by. Then, you have to wait another half hour before it's your turn. In the meantime, you amuse yourself by considering which of the servers is most likely to be a spy.
'All of them,' you decide, after much thought.
'No doubt all of them report to the living goddess everything they see and hear.'
At last, you are summoned into the presence of the God-Empress, Avanna Amranth. One of the servers leads you to the throne room, which is the most ornately and opulently decorated place you have ever seen: every available surface is covered in mosaics, tapestries, carvings, gemstones, mirrors, precious metals moulded and sculpted into various artful shapes, so much lavish finery that it hurts your eyes to look at it. It's as if you've stepped into a jewellery box. There are a few guards and attendants standing here and there, but otherwise the room is largely empty. Hundreds more people could fit into this space, if they needed to, but this is a relatively private audience. Even with Jana, Catharne and Raef accompanying you, you feel rather exposed.
The God-Empress herself is lounging on her golden throne and appears to be perfectly at ease. You think she must be a beautiful, stately woman, much taller than any mortal man or woman you've ever met, but it's hard to be sure. She shines even brighter than the gold she's sitting on. Except for her eyes, which are dark pools of age and wisdom. As far as you can tell, she's dressed in an elaborate robe of the type worn by Avanni women of high rank during formal situations. Atop her head, she wears a ruby tiara.
"Welcome," she says, in a warm contralto that seems to resound through the silence like the ringing of a bell. "Welcome, Chosen of Mishrak."
"Thank you for receiving me, Goddess of the Avanni," you reply, curtseying to her.
"I'm sure you have many questions, as well as the request you came here for. You may ask."
You take a deep breath. "First of all, on behalf of the Coalition I represent, I had hoped that you might be persuaded to end all trade between the Avanni Empire and that of Aspitolm. We are winning the war, slowly but surely, and we hope that by depriving our enemies of their sources of wealth and materiel we can achieve our final victory much sooner. For centuries, the Aspitis have been the main proponents of the slave trade. When they are defeated, we will be a step closer to ending the vile practice of slavery once and for all. The world is changing, day by day, and with your help we can make sure it changes for the better."
"The Aspitis have historically been enemies of the Avanni," says Avanna Amranth, meditatively, seeming to gaze past you and into the mists of distant memory. "There was a time when they invaded and conquered all of the north-east coast, including the great city of Bakhasis. So, we bided our time and a few decades later we repelled them, reclaimed all the land we'd lost, and forced them to flee across the sea, back to their island home. I wondered if we should pursue them, but decided against it. They were still a mighty empire with an enormous fleet of warships whereas we had hardly any. It was a war we were certain to lose. We could only ready our defences and make sure that if they invaded us again they would regret it. In the centuries since then, they have tried to gain favour with us, to pretend that we were never at war and that we can be friends. Never mind that they would gladly conquer us – all of our lands – all over again if they had the power." There is a pause. "I'm surprised you haven't asked us to join your coalition. The Aspitis were quick to ask us to take up arms against you, even before they realised they could lose the war."
"The Avanni Empire would of course be welcome to join the Coalition, if they wished to do so," you reply. "But it seemed too much to ask for. War is expensive. Its cost is not just money but the lives of soldiers and innocent bystanders. I would not ask you to spend the lives of your people unless it was for a cause you – and
they – believed in. Besides, it was recently pointed out to me that the Kingdom of Rivayne has more than enough soldiers to defeat the Aspitis on the field of battle. What it lacks is way to utilize its strengths, to bring its soldiers to where they are most needed, and take the fight to the enemy. I suspect that more soldiers wouldn't make much of a difference and wouldn't solve the underlying problem. On the other hand, if you were willing to let us hire several dozen warships and skilled sailors to crew them…"
The God-Empress laughs warmly at that. "Your name is Elys Allardyne, yes? Chosen of Mishrak, Princess of Ismar and Windskil, and many other things besides. I wonder how much your legend will grow, given enough time."
Unsure of how to react, you murmur, "Um… thank you?"
"I dislike the fact that certain of my people seek to profit from the war with Aspitolm," she says. "There will be no more trading with them. Not until the end of the war and the beginning of a new era."
"You are most gracious, Your Majesty," you say, bowing your head to her.
"And I should thank you for the aid you have given my loyal subjects in Dharta Thennir," she adds. "Especially with regards to freeing their mother goddess. A heroic deed worthy of an epic poem, I'm sure."
"I'd like to think so," you admit.
She gives you a thoughtful, considering look. "Now, while you're here, is there anything else you would like to ask me?"
What do you want Elys to say next? What questions do you want to ask?
