Chapter 309: Chapter 261: The Empress’ Engagement

There were many days when restoring Rājadhānī seemed impossible, let alone healing Ichi Island of the many wounds inflicted by Magni. And there were only so many hands and eyes that Naeemah could employ to assist her. 

While volunteers were readily available in the capital city, repairing the smaller towns was a slow and grueling prcocess. The denizens of Ichi Island fell on two sides of the coin. One collective feared the guards Naeemah sent out to maintain the fragile peace among them. The other sought blood in return for the Ejderha’s transgressions. Destroying the cages proved difficult, as the latter among them demanded they be used to imprison the remaining Ejderha.

And the citadel… The citadel was still draped in Magni’s influence. Hundreds of golden dragon statues remained unmelted, expensive suits of armor and a plethora of weapons untouched. While all would eventually fetch a high price, moving them all through the reestablished trade line was a tedious process. Aliye, Sheila, and Pari had made good on their word, reporting back to Naeemah and requesting more to trade in a timely manner, but their merchandise was heavy, and they could only repurpose so much at a time.

Which also left the matter of the Encroachers in the training grounds.

Naeemah stood beneath the awning’s shade at the opening to the fields. Jeenie tended to each cage with purpose but was kind and considerate in her movements. Even when she interacted with long-fanged beasts and Encroachers with poison-tipped spines, she had a caring word and a soft touch to spare.

When Naeemah had first commanded they be returned to their homes, Jeenie hadn’t taken it well.

Perhaps it was short-sighted of me to wish. Krethik had always warned her about acting on impulse. The desire to see his will restored to the island was, at times, overwhelming. Or is it my will?

“Good morning, my lady,” Jeenie said, jogging up to meet Naeemah with a deep bow. “My apologies, I didn’t see you there.”

Something in Jeenie’s laggard gait and stilted bow caught Naeemah’s eye. Her gaze traveled down the woman’s white dress before settling on the gentle protrusion of her stomach. Naeemah’s eyebrow raised in surprise before she could stop it.

Jeenie caught Naeemah’s stare, and a deep blush tinted her tan face. “I-I… Well, Matt—” she stammered, embracing her midsection. Her tail flicked side to side in panic, and her ears flattened against her head. “We, uh, we just—”

Naeemah raised a hand. It was none of her business, even if she disagreed with Jeenie’s choice. “Are you certain that it is wise for you to work?”

At that, Jeenie snapped straight to attention. “I feel perfectly fine, my lady. Better than ever.” A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. “Just one more little one to take care of. But she’ll be able to help me with the Encroachers.”

“That’s why I’m here.” Naeemah rested her arm at her side. “I’ve had ample time to consider your advice. You were correct. Returning them home was not the answer.”

Jeenie beamed and exhaled so deeply that her shoulders slumped. “Thank you, your majesty. They’re like family to me.”

Naeemah nodded. “I can see that. However, there must be a better way for us to keep them. These cages seem too small.”

“That’s something I’ve thought about for a long time.” Jeenie clapped her hands to her chest, and her ears perked. “I have some suggestions if you’d like to hear them.”

“Yes. Please.”

“Magni built so many extensions off of the castle. This one, the dueling grounds, a meeting plaza. I’ve wandered a bit, and it doesn’t seem like any of them are used anymore.”

“You would be correct. Most of the additions that he made are superfluous.”

“Then let’s turn some of them into habitable areas for these guys.” Jeenie motioned behind her. “We can dig water holes, plant more trees, and build gates from some of the metal I see you all melting down all the time.”

“Golden cages?” Naeemah wrinkled her nose. She was working day and night to remove them, not add more. Not even for Encroachers.

“No, none of that. Just iron, copper, or anything you have left over would be just fine. And we don’t need full cages, just gates to separate off territories.” Jeenie’s grin grew, and she glanced over her shoulder. “I promise not to put the ones that’ll eat each other side by side.”

“And you believe it will be enough? The Encroachers will not escape?” Visions of the pair of sitherslisks breaking through the door and sinking their dozen razor-sharp teeth into the castle’s servants plagued Naeemah’s mind.

“They don’t want to.” Jeenie shrugged. “In here, they have food, water, shelter. They could be much happier right now, but they still trust me.”

“Um, excuse me? Your Highness?” A kitten stepped into the sunlight and quickly bowed her head. 

Naeemah had only ever heard her referred to as ‘Pebbles.’ Whether that was her real name remained to be seen. “Yes?”

“There’s someone here to see you.” Pebbles scratched behind her ear, flicking a tiny bug from her unruly black and orange hair. “Mama— erm, I mean, Mother told me to come find you. I think it’s important.”

“Thank you, Pebbles,” Naeemah said.

Jeenie smirked, but the child grinned wide. “Of course, my lady.” She turned heel and vanished back into the castle.

“Think about rehousing the Encroachers, my lady. If we’re going to keep them here, they deserve better.” Jeenie touched Naeemah’s shoulder. “You’ve done as much for the rest of us.”

“That is kind of you to say, thank you.” It was a relief that someone noticed her work. “I will return soon.”

“Great. And, um, don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay.” Jeenie touched her stomach, then licked her lips. “If, um, if you hear from him… Tell Matt I said ‘Hello.’” She lowered her eyes and toyed with her hair. “And he should come visit sometime.”

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Naeemah blinked and swallowed her initial response. “Of course. Thank you, Jeenie.” A blend of not wanting to hear any more of Jeenie’s exploits with Matt and the anxiety of an awaiting guest hastened her steps in returning to the citadel’s main hall.

But she was not expecting the person who awaited her.

A straight-backed woman stood stalwart at the center of the room, wearing resplendent white robes embroidered with golden thread. More than a dozen tiny sapphires sparkled in the curled tendrils of her dark hair. Piercing blue eyes the color of a cloudless sky peered through the golden mask of Saoirse’s aspect.

“Your grace,” Naeemah doubled her steps down the dais and fell to one knee. “To what do I owe the honor?”

“Naeemah, please rise,” Saoirse’s prophet said. She raised her arms and opened her hands so that her palms faced the ceiling. “Saoirse blesses you this day. Truly, it is my pleasure to be here.”

Naeemah stood, searching the filigreed mask in search of a piece to focus on that wasn’t the prophet’s gaze. It was disrespectful to raise your eyes above a Prophet of Saoirse’s chin, but her eyes seemed to glow. It was uncanny. “How may I be of assistance?”

“I mean not to interrupt your duties, Lady Naeemah. I was dispatched to your city when one of our order reported the results of Magni and Cailu’s duel to Queen Nehalennia. It is my task to ensure that all was carried out accordingly.”

There were rules, both written and unspoken, commanding a prophet’s authority and the consequences of questioning Saoirse’s chosen. But that did not stop Naeemah’s curiosity from burning words into her tongue. “May I ask how?”

A slow smile spread across the prophet’s lips, though it never seemed to reach her eyes. Her white teeth glittered in the lamplight, and she clasped her hands against her robe. “While it is not in my interest to share that information, your understanding in this matter is appreciated. I have already collected a vast amount of information from the residents of Rājadhānī, and my investigation will end with a simple sweep of the castle. I assure you, it will take very little time.”

The smile on her face was more than amusement. It was a warning not to question her further. Will Cailu be tried? That wasn’t for Naeemah to know, but the thought needled her heart. “As you wish, your grace.” She moved aside and returned the small nod of understanding from the prophet. Naeemah would not stand in her way.

For the next hour, Naeemah did her best to keep her mind and hands busy. But she found herself falling back into the hard-won habits of an [Assassin]. While changing into [Combat Mode] would likely see her arrested, she could still silently follow the prophet from a safe distance through the castle. No one knew its corridors and dark corners as well as she.

The prophet asked a few questions of the servants of the citadel before calling on Svarga.

Curious.

Svarga led the prophet to Magni’s bookkeeping room, where they seemed to spend the most amount of time. Their conversation was low and quiet—too hushed for Naeemah to hear, which was unusual. Svarga left the prophet on her own, closing the door behind her before marching straight to where Naeemah stood in the shadows.

Naeemah’s eyes widened, but Svarga placed a finger to her lips and gestured for them to return to the main hall.

“Did she know that I—” Naeemah began. Her face began to flush with panic.

“No, my lady. But you are not the only one who enjoys secretly having their ears to the walls.” Svarga smiled wryly.

Naeemah closed her eyes and breathed deep. “Why is she here?”

“A duel between men is unprecedented.” Svarga shrugged. “In perfect honesty, I expected the queen herself to appear in our halls. There are a number of codes and laws to be followed in situations such as these.”

“Hm.” Naeemah considered her explanation. It made sense. A Prophet of Saoirse would be the second best person to investigate matters beyond the queen. Perhaps I am acting out of line. If Cailu needed a trial he would have written, or in dire circumstances he would have sent Matt or Tristan to tell her. 

Wouldn’t he?

“Ah, you are both here. Very good.” The prophet appeared in the main hall once again, wearing the same sharp smile. “I am finished with my research. Thank you for your time and understanding in this matter.”

“Your grace, you must have traveled very far. You are welcome to rest and regather your strength here if you so wish,” Naeemah offered.

“While your kindness is noted and appreciated, that will not be necessary.” The prophet raised both hands and muttered a quiet incantation. As the white portal split the air, Naeemah noticed a worn leather tome in the prophet’s hand. “I shall be in contact should I require anything else.”

“Your grace—” Naeemah moved to stop her.

The Prophet of Saoirse stepped through the portal and vanished.

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