Page 155 of A Reign of Embers

“Well, I’ve learned to trust your strategies.” She pats my arm. “Go lead the way, and we’ll find out what the future holds.”

Lorenzo ducks past the flaps and makes a quick gesture to me.Everything’s in place.

I square my shoulders and move to join him. “Let’s reshape the empire.”

Beyond the tent stands a tall platform that was constructed yesterday for our purposes. I climb the steps with Lorenzo beside me and my guards at my heels.

My other husbands are waiting for me on the smooth wooden surface above. Raul, Bastien, and Marc fall in to flank me, Marc in the new uniform I had commissioned for him that elevates him beyond the rank of guard. We haven’t settled on a definite title for him yet, though I’m partial to Imperial Protector.

As I move across the platform, a soft twinge passes through my belly. The medics who inspected me after the battle were startled to discover that a small chunk of my liver had vanished. My repayment for the magic I worked with Marc and then Bastien, I suppose.

I’m lucky it was an organ that can adapt to such a loss.The gods looked kindly on me. I’m the only one among us who extended my gift so far I evoked another sacrifice.

Before me, on the sprawling plains that stretch beyond this side of Dariu’s capital, thousands of citizens from both the city and the surrounding countryside have gathered to hear my announcements. Many of the curious gazes linger on the marble coffin placed at the front of the platform.

I fasten my amplification charm to the bodice of my dress and nod to the cleric and devouts in Sabrellian red who’ve been waiting off to the side. They ease a little closer.

Clearing my throat, I lift my hands toward my audience. “Greetings, my people of Dariu—and wherever else you may hail from. It’s wonderful to see so many of you gathered here today to welcome in what I hope will be a long-lasting time of peace and prosperity for all of us.”

Those words are enough to provoke an initial cheer. Most of my audience are Darium, but a few soldiers from the outer territories have lingered since the battle last week, perhaps to report back to their respective royal families.

I step forward so I’m right at the coffin and cast a solemn glance down at it before lifting my gaze to the masses again. “First today, we must recognize the sacrifice of Tribune Valerisse. Her methods may have been misguided, but there’s no denying that she was dedicated to protecting the empire. I wish we could have worked together rather than being at odds. I’m grateful that her commitment allowed me to demonstrate my own.”

At my beckoning, the Sabrellian cleric and his devouts surround the coffin.

I tap my fingers through the gesture of the divinities. “I give the tribune’s body over to the representatives of the godlen she served so avidly, to be offered a hero’s entombment. Before the gods, I thank Sabrelle for sending such a worthy challenger, who pushed me to expand my ownmight and understanding. May our godlen of war continue to ensure all our rulers are worthy of this realm.”

As the last words fall from my lips, the sunlight wavers at the edge of my vision. I get a fleeting glimpse of a circlet of glowing red descending toward me, as if to rest on my head atop the crown I’m already wearing.

My heart skips a beat. Sabrelle appeared to recognize my victory on the field the other day, but I haven’t been sure the godlen had completely set aside her animosity. It seems my act of honoring has earned even more good will than I hoped.

Or perhaps, just like the people they watch over, our deities sometimes need a little time to fully adjust their thinking when they realize they’ve been wrong.

No gasps or murmurs follow the omen. I don’t think it appeared to anyone else. It was an acknowledgment just for me.

The red-clothed devouts heft the coffin between them. Their cleric leads the procession off the platform and to a waiting cart behind a crimson carriage.

Sabrelle’s blessed armband goes with them, hidden in a locked compartment within Valerisse’s final resting place. I suspect it’s best for all of us if it’s never unearthed again—and possibly the godlen agrees with me on that point now.

I sweep my arm toward a marble tower poised off to the side of the platform, this one only ten feet tall—but it’s just the beginning. “To all the other heroes who fell on the battlefield, I’m erecting a memorial in their honor. This obelisk is only the peak of it. The full structure will be three times as tall, to stand in the center of Vivencia’s main square, with the name of every man and woman we lost carved into it.”

The dove-pale stone with its ruddy veins feels like an appropriate material to represent the final compromisebetween pacifism and violence. I can’t stop my gaze from flicking over the smooth surface as if I could read the names from here.

I wish I could do more for Kassun, Pierus, and the others who gave up so much to see me survive.

My throat tightens. I clench my hands against the pang of loss.

But maybe the best thing I can offer them is to carry out all the good I hoped to do for the empire as soon as possible.

I pull my posture straighter to address the crowd again. “The trials we’ve faced over the past few months have also brought one very important fact to light. In Dariu’s time of need, all of the outer kingdoms risked life and limb to come to our aid and support the imperial family. Rione, Cotea, Lavira, Goric, and Accasy sent all the soldiers they could despite the threats they’d faced from Valerisse’s forces. Let us hear a cheer for them!”

As the chorus of whoops and eager shouts ripples through the crowd, I check to confirm that the expected tables have been set up around the edges of the gathering. Dozens of palace staff wait to dispense the goods we’ve carried out here.

I spread my arms in a gesture of munificence. “After seeing the other countries of the empire prove their allegiance so emphatically, we are going forward from today with a new mandate of peace and friendship between us. From this day onward, the royal families of each kingdom will govern their own territories, collaborating with me, my daughter, and future emperors and empresses to come to ensure all of the empire thrives!”

The cheers that meet that proclamation sound more hesitant, but I press on before any doubts can set in. “The princes of those realms will remain here in Dariu as confirmation of our collaboration—and as my devotedcompanions. Their families have sent a bounty of gratitude for all of you to enjoy! Let us all now partake of their generosity.”

I point out the sets of tables one by one. “Please feast on the delicacies each kingdom has provided: rye crisps with coconut jam from Rione, the finest ale from Cotea, stuffed figs and cheese croquettes from Lavira, cured mutton from Goric, and roasted lacquernuts with sips of creekvine wine from Accasy. While you eat, some of Rione’s best musicians will delight our ears while a delegation from Cotea shows off their newest innovative tools that we’ll soon all make use of.”

---