The power itself does not interest me. But what can be done with it – there I admit to shameful ambition. Times of great change are upon us, and this Empire has stayed settled in its ways for many centuries too long.’ He sighed. ‘I do not know what can be done to alter our fate, but in more than fifty years of life, I have met no other ruler more able to accomplish reform.’
Mara released a quiet breath. For the first time since she had known the man, she realized that she had pierced through his reserve. At long last, she looked upon the real motive that drove her most enigmatic adviser. Master of deceit, Arakasi sat now stripped of deception. His face showed the longing of an excited boy, and with that, she saw also that he cared deeply for her, and would provide her with anything she might ask. At last convinced that Nacoya had been right, that there were limits beyond which no ruler should press a loyal heart to perform, she smiled. In the most banal tone she could manage, she said, ‘You mentioned you had news?’
Arakasi’s eyes sparkled with sudden enthusiasm. He reached for a fruit slice and opened: ‘The magicians have been very busy with a plot of their own, it appears. The rumours are intriguing, and almost beyond imagination.’
Settled back on her cushions in relief, Mara waved for him to continue.
Finishing his snack with a neat swallow, Arakasi licked his teeth, it’s very thought-provoking. The word is that ten Great Ones from the Assembly went through the rift to Midkemia, along with three thousand Kanazawai warriors. A battle was fought, and wild speculation abounds concerning why. Some say the Emperor wished vengeance upon the King of Isles for the traitorous slaughter at the peace talks.’ Here the Spy Master held up a hand to forestall his mistress’s eager questions. ‘That’s not the unbelievable motive. Others say – persons in reliable offices – that the magicians made war upon the Enemy.’
Mara looked blank.
‘The Enemy,’ Arakasi repeated. ‘The one from the myths before the Golden Bridge. Surely your teachers recited stories to you as a child.’
Recalling those tales, recognition dawned. ‘But those are tales!’ Mara protested. She glanced around at the lamps, as if the shadows they cast might suddenly have grown larger and darker. ‘Not real.’
Arakasi shook his head, mystified and excited at the same time. ‘So we thought,’ he agreed. ‘But who can rightly guess what enemies might challenge the Great Ones, particularly since the renegade, Milamber, had his name mixed up in the events? Those myths are older than history, as ancient as the names of the brothers who began the Five Families. How can we judge what is truth in that long-distant past?’
Suddenly poignantly troubled, Mara bit her lip. ‘Kanazawai were involved? Then we can inquire what has passed when I hear from Lord Kamatsu.’ Her thoughts skipped ahead. ‘We could surmise that the Emperor’s interference with the council might have been in cooperation with this action of the magicians.’
‘So I presume.’ Arakasi helped himself to another slice of fruit. ‘But that’s speculation. My sources closest to the Light of Heaven suggest negotiations may be under way for an exchange of prisoners between the Empire and the Kingdom of the Isles.’
‘So the rift is opened!’ Mara cut in. Her voice held a strangely emotional note.
Rightly attributing that to some concern with her barbarian lover, Arakasi coughed lightly. ‘None of what I tell is common knowledge. But it would seem that if you applied again for a hearing in the right places, you might be able to gain the benefits of your trade concessions with Midkemia, at last.’
Mara seemed only distantly interested in a subject that had once been a hot source of frustration. Arakasi tactfully used the interval to clean off the last fruit on the tray. He recalled Mara and Kevin’s discussion of the rift in Kentosani; the subject had revolved around granting the barbarian his freedom. Cued by shrewd intuition, Arakasi knew the idea was emotionally painful.
‘I will probe the issue for you, Lady, and try to find more facts.’
Mara shot him a glance of wordless gratitude. ‘For Kevin’s sake,’ she said in a small voice. ‘He does not deserve to stay a slave.’
As if shrugging off the torments of unseen ghosts, the Lady changed the subject. ‘If power continues to shift away from the council, there will be upheavals. Minwanabi will consolidate his allies and make a bid to revive the Warlord’s office.’
She sighed, frowned, and added, ‘It would be nice if all of us were alive to enjoy the gains of my exclusive trade rights.’ Then her eyes narrowed. ‘You had spies killed under Tasaio’s own roof, you said. Why, then, does our enemy still breathe?’
Arakasi settled his elbows on his knees like a killwing ruffling feathers. ‘My arm is not long enough to reach beneath Tasaio’s roof to take his head – but his servants? They are a long and different story.’
In the soft summer night, under a brilliance of lanterns and stars, he told her.