Chapter Twelve - Politics and Plans

Chapter Twelve - Politics and Plans

Morning came too soon. Over thirty years without coffee and I still miss it dearly. Not the taste, mind you, black coffee to me is basically a punishment game, but I ran on caffeine and I would take it however I could get it. On the other hand, unlike my previous life, I didnt actually have to do much to get up. Aj and Sere more or less hauled my mostly asleep form over to help me bathe and then to help me dress.

I have to confess that when presented with the power and riches of an [Imperial Princess] I wasnt the type of girl to live modestly. I somewhat felt bad about it, but on the other hand, I looked stunning. In particular, I had commissioned a few pieces of jewelry based on a certain theme: the ouroboros. I dont actually remember much about the symbol, I just knew that was the name for the symbol of two snakes devouring each others tails.

I had a couple of bracelets like that, with the eyes of one snake being rubies and the eyes of the other snake being onyx. The dark onyx represented Podi and the rubies represented me, although after I had it made I started worrying about what Podi - or who or whatever had set this system up - got out of it from me. Considering that I didnt really have a choice, I shelved that existential crisis for now and just enjoyed the bracelets.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

They didnt have anything like ouroboros in this world. Not that I had seen so far anyway, so it sparked something of a minor trend after I had it made. The poor reputation of snakes and the somewhat sinister look of the ouroboros stopped it from becoming very popular outside of certain [Priests] though. Which was fine by me, it allowed me to keep it to myself.

I wore a pure white linen dress - there really wasnt any variety of clothing - but was practically draped in gold and jewels. I had gold bands woven into my hair again - that was simply a part of my daily routine - and reflected on the fact that gold was really damn heavy. I suppose it was easier to keep in shape when I more or less had weights attached to all my limbs.

There were other pieces of my own design in my ensemble. In particular, anklets with small bells on them that would chime as I walked. I also had small bells woven into my hair and as earrings. This was, however, not a fashion choice but rather a practical point. My [Muse] Class was geared towards combining forms of art and expression, and I had evolved it in part from my [Musician] Class that involved the use of instruments. I could hardly carry around a harp with me and I cant sing and use a flute at the same time, but bells counted as an instrument and could be small enough to pass for simple decorations.

And of course, what was a dance? What was a song? Dancing, at the end of the day, was artistic movement. Who is to say that someone could not walk artfully? Who is to say I couldnt treat walking and turning corners as a dance? And singing? Artful vocalizations. If I tried to tread the line between singing my works and speaking them, who is to say that my speech wasnt a song?

I had little reason to use my Skills before now. What need have I to use [Imperial Decree] or [Inspiring Voice]? Even if someone was rude to me, in the end they would have to give me what I want. Such was the nature of power, those beneath me had no choice and no recourse save an appeal to my family. Anyways, showing off my Skills would just make my siblings more wary of me.

Now though, I had work to do. Once I was sufficiently awake, I was guided to breakfast with the [Governor]. My bells rang with every step and my Skills were perpetually active. If I had brought attendants of sufficient rank, I might have been having this meal with his family as well. As it was, as a point of etiquette to make sure I did not feel outnumbered or threatened, the [Governor] and I ate alone together. The table set by the [Servants] showed off the wealth of Alaxeria, the strength of its trade, and the bounty of its location. Sea caught fish brought fresh from the harbor, fruits from the orchards that were watered by the delta, wine from the lands across the small sea.

I would have enjoyed it much more if there was not business to discuss, but needs must.

[Governor], while I will deny this if I am ever asked, I do apologize for last night. I opened, knowing that a good relationship with the [Governor] would make my life far easier. As you well know from our former meetings and my reputation, I do not care much for propriety or slights. I prefer to be relaxed and casual with those around me whenever I can, and from that I am sure you can understand that this is a time when I cant.

You need not apologize to me Princess, the [Governor] bows his head slightly. I was in the wrong, but I will accept your apology and thank you for offering it. From our Conversation, last night I am quite interested to hear what you have to say.

I gave a bright smile at that, leaning forward in a way that just so happened to cause the bells in my hair to chime. It should be easy to sell this Amalek, given the gains he stood to make.

I am sure you have heard of my arguments for peace with the HinTye Empire, I took a sip of wine, letting him speculate for a few seconds with just that piece of information before going on. My Great Father has agreed, may he reign in the suns glory. As the [Governor] of a port city, as a [Governor] of THE port city at the entrance to SharonAn, I dont think I have to tell you what that might mean.

I could practically see the greed in his eyes. A real peace with the HinTyes? Trade would increase massively between our empires. Goods that we have never seen before will flow through Alaxeria and Almalek will be able to pocket a slice of all of it.

The second thing I learned was something I had known all the way back in my first life. But there is a difference between learning something in a textbook and experiencing it, worlds of difference in fact. I am being punny to prevent myself from shredding these very valuable maps to pieces, because they were less an accurate representation of the area and more of a vague set of guidelines.

I had imagined, in the back of my head, that Classes and Skills would make up for the lack of technology in this sector. I was very wrong. Being a [Mapmaker] or a [Cartographer] helped you make maps, sure. But they actually had to go to the places and travel to make the maps, and between the desert and monsters that wasnt as easy as it sounded at first.

Regardless, with the [Governors] backing, I had the resources I needed for the journey. Of course, the palace would reimburse him the cost of anything I needed but there were things that could not be purchased outright. Namely, the support of the [Governors] staff. Probably anyway, I havent actually tried bribing them, I would feel kind of awkward doing it. It was a lot less awkward taking a bribe than offering one, to me anyway.

I would be going out with a caravan, visiting the two towns between Alaxeria and the border fort and the border fort itself. It would be a week there and a week back, burning a third of my time away in the desert sun. Not to mention, I had to leave enough time to get back to the fort again to meet the [Prince], which was eight days from Kaire. If I did my math right, despite my head spinning from the maps, I would have eighteen days in Kaire to arrange everything on that end. I had to hope that would be enough.

And your [Messengers] can truly make the journey so fast? I ask skeptically, as we talk about the supply plan. I mean no offense, but surely they cant be such high level as to make the entire journey in a mere two days.

Their levels are particularly high, Almalek responded with pride. Away from SharonAn, messages can only travel by land, so they get plenty of practice. Additionally, for this I will have them supplied with stamina potions.

Truly? Are you not worried they will simply run away with them and sell them? I was shocked, stamina potions are worth many times their weight in gold. The ingredients for them could not be grown in RaSharon and they were supposedly very difficult to make. Trusting any single person, let alone one who could outrun anyone sent to pursue them, with such a treasure was madness.

As much as I dislike the practice, I will have their families held hostage at the time, Almalek replied calmly, inadvertently reminding me that there were few problems that couldnt be solved by the application of violence and suffering. If they do their job, they will be well paid for their work. If not

Try not to choose any [Messengers] with marital problems, I manage to joke, if barely. As long as the [Messengers] do their jobs, nothing bad will happen to anyone. Still, before I leave from Alaxeria allow me to meet with them. I have some Skills which might help prevent any problems, although by the time the [Messengers] are traveling the effect will not be terribly great.

And, with so much depending on it, I would be amenable to loaning some of the armys chariots to make certain everyone stays in line, I finish, pained to say such a thing. I had originally planned to order some of our most powerful force, our [Charioteers], to be in the area as a deterrence to bandits. I would have to get Fathers permission, but a force of fifty was a paltry sum. If I asked nicely, he might give that much to me as a simple gift instead of a loan. However, the idea of them chasing down deserting [Messengers] was making me feel sick. Ideally, however, with all of that to keep people in line, none of it would actually have to be used.

Princess, I hesitate to ask but have you ever travelled through the desert before? Almalek asked rather hesitantly.

Yes, but never a journey like this. I answered, thinking of the uncomfortable day trips I had taken to various religious sites that were further away from SharonAn. Why anyone would do anything away from the river, I could not fathom.

Then you should take this, he said, handing me a jar of something. It will help prevent your skin from tanning and burning during your travels.

Thank you, you are most kind. I accepted the Sunscreen? Aj and Sere probably had some Actually, the lotion they applied to me after the bath probably included this in it. It would explain a lot about why my skin was slightly lighter than most peasants. It wouldnt do for them to realise that the blood of the gods could get burned by the representative of Emre after all!

I would not, of course, be using the [Governors] gift. For all I knew, it was an addictive drug of some kind. It wouldnt be the first time someone had given a cosmetic gift with such a trap in it in the court, and I might work with Almalek, but I would never be able to completely trust him. He was the kind of man who would always want more insurance in addition to more wealth and power.

For now though, I was heading out into the desert to visit the villages on the way to the fort.