Shadows in the Smoke - 20 - Please May I Go?

"Prior to the revolution, Itrian Arcanists enjoyed unwarranted privilege and power in the same way as Chartered Mages do in the Empire today. Given this, it is is perhaps surprising that so many of them sided with the People. However, the fact is that when it comes to magic, the Republic's practitioners have only increased in number and skill since the revolution as liberty and equality have allowed them to flourish."

The Struggle for Freedom by Bjarne Midthun

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That night, back in the People's Palace, Ester lay in bed, staring up into the dark. She just couldn't get what she'd seen out of her mind. Young women, just like her, preparing to go out and fight for the Republic. Hundreds of Arcanists and apprentices chanting Sigrid Lindholm's name over and over again.

It wasn't fair.

All she wanted to do was to serve the Empire. To go out and defeat Her Eternal Majesty's enemies, to save people from danger. Whether that was the undead, bandits or even the Republic. Yet the Empire didn't want her help. Every time she'd tried to learn how to fight at the Academy, she'd been rebuffed, even punished. Mages like Mohsen sneered at her. Even Master Tabasi could hardly restrain himself from lecturing her about her desires.

Sonja's words echoed through her head again. 'If a woman wants to fight to improve the world, then we do not say know your place. We say thank you.'

The Republic had killed their king, brutalised their people and tried to bring down the Empire. They'd also been nothing but friendly and respectful to her. She'd been treated more like a respected peer by the Republican Arcanists than anyone ever had in the Empire.

No. Ester sighed and shook her head. That wasn't true. She was just letting her frustration get to her. Plenty of people in the Empire respected her. Leixu was a fellow Mage and he'dlistened eagerly to her stories and wanted more. Lord Hatami had spoken to her like a true soldier. Even Velxe, irritating and full of himself as could be, did his best to support her.

She needed to remember that the Republicans were the enemy. Or, even if they were no longer enemies, they certainly weren't friends of the Empire. There were plenty of people in the Empire who respected and liked her.

Ester took another deep breath, held it for a second, and then let it go. The Republicans must be going out of their way to look good to her too. Just like she was being as diplomatic as she could, they would be trying to give her the best possible impression of the Republic. Complete lies didn't work though. Sigrid Lindholm clearly was respected. Obviously the Republic was excellent at crafting lies to lead people astray, but they wouldn't have invented a whole graduation ceremony and war hero, just to impress her.

The war must be real too. Or else Lord Hatami would have said so.

Her mind went back to Lindholm. Her story was… romantic was the wrong word. Compelling maybe? A hero coming out of obscurity to fight for her nation and protect it during a desperate war for survival. It was as exciting as anything in the books Ester had read.

There was something about the war too. A small nation, fighting desperately for its survival against an enemy that embodied true evil. As Lord Hatami had said, while the Republic might be opposed to the Empire, ultimately it was still human. It deserved help, the living needed to stand together against the dead and she was glad the Empire had recognised that.

For a moment, Ester almost wished that the Empire was facing a proper war. Then maybe she'd be given the opportunity to really show what she could do. That would be wrong though. She didn't even want the Republic to face that kind of suffering, let alone on the Empire.

She rolled over and clutched a pillow to her. She needed to think. Sir Vitaly had given her instructions on what to do in the Republic and she had to keep that in mind. However annoyed she was at the world, she was loyal to Her Eternal Majesty. That didn't mean she couldn't choose how to achieve those goals though.

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The next morning, Ester went to see Lord Hatami.

"Lady Mazar, your request to see me was a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?" He took a sip of the tea prepared by his servant and smiled faintly.

"Thank you for seeing me so quickly, Lord Hatami." Ester took a breath. Hopefully this would work. "First, let me give us some privacy. Gewaaj xabehr'fa do'aelt ai'bagraig." Silence settled around them as the sounds of the palace cut off. "I have been thinking about the best way to serve the Empire during my time in the Republic, my lord."

"Oh? You are not satisfied with your work with the Nilrava Police?"

"Well," Ester hesitated. She didn't want to sound ungrateful. "It is interesting and valuable work, but I feel like I have little to learn from them. Also, they have not called me back recently. I am not sure why."

"Mmm, yes. I may have an idea. As I mentioned last time we spoke, there have been several deaths in Nilrava. Those have continued over the last few days and include some quite senior Republican officials I understand. Obviously my information is somewhat limited, particularly as they have been at pains to keep the deaths secret," a small, smug smile crept across his face. "However, I do know that the deaths appear to be natural, but that the Republicans are boiling around like a kicked over ant nest."

"So you do not think they were natural?"

"Several at once? No, and neither do the Republicans. Which most likely means enemy action."

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Did that mean that she'd be pulled back into 'forensics' with Lena? Ester's heart sank slightly. Not that it wasn't interesting, but it would ruin her plan.

"But they do not want us to know about it, my lord?"

"Indeed not. It is likely far too political for them at this point. Fortunately, I do not rely on the Republicans for information."

"Yes." Ester took a breath. "Given that, my lord, it seems unlikely that they will want me to be involved."

"No, I would think not. So what is your cunning plan, Lady Mazar?" He held a hand up before she could answer. "Do not try to pretend you do not have something on your mind."

Ester resisted the urge to grimace. Was she that transparent? "I would not say a cunning plan, my lord. Rather, I was thinking of how best to serve the Empire."

"Of course," he smiled, "I was just indulging in a bit of humour. Please, Lady Mazar, continue."

"My utility here is limited. However, I know that the Empire wishes to obtain more information on the Republic's capabilities in war. I doubt that the Republicans will want to show me their true capabilities, for obvious reasons. However, I can think of a better way to get this information." Lord Hatami's expression didn't change, so Ester ploughed on. "They are fighting a war for their survival, so they need all of the help they can get. We want to find out more about how they fight. I was thinking that I could offer to go to their frontlines to see the dangers of the Lands of the Dead for the Empire. They might say yes because, well, they need the help and having a Mage there would be useful…" Ester trailed off under Lord Hatami's gaze.

"Have you not had enough of the undead after that mess with the Marcnis?"

Ester shook her head, her heart sinking at his tone. "Of course I do not wish to encounter more of them, but I am willing to face them if it furthers the Empire's goals."

"Hmm. How exactly do you envisage this working?"

"My liaison, Sonja Rosholt, introduced me to Sigrid Lindholm. Have you heard of her?" Ester held her breath, this was going to be the making of her proposal, or possibly its breaking.

"Yes. The war hero."

"Exactly, I think she has a favourable impression of me." That was more than stretching the truth, but as long as Lord Hatami didn't know that, she'd be fine. "She is one of their most skilled fighters and is leading development of their tactics against the undead."

"I see." Ester couldn't read anything from his tone, but at least he wasn't saying no.

"She is also rumoured to be the next person to join the Republic's Central Committee." That got Lord Hatami to raise a single eyebrow. "I propose that I request to accompany her to the frontlines, we can say it is to foster better understanding with the Republic and observe the threat of the Liche Kings. These seem like worthwhile goals in themselves, but I do think that my chances of discovering useful information on the Republic's own magical capabilities are far higher doing that than sitting here waiting for the furore over the deaths of their officials to die down."

Ester clasped her hands together in her lap to stop herself from fidgeting. This would be the moment of truth.

"An interesting proposal." Lord Hatami leant back. "I had not been aware of Lindholm's potential promotion, so it seems you have already found some useful information. She is something of an enigma to us in fact. We have not been able to discover much about her beyond the publicly disseminated Republican propaganda. However," Ester's stomach lurched, "I do have a duty towards you and every other member of this delegation, I cannot simply put you in danger."

"I am a Mage not a child!" Ester forced her anger back under control. "My lord, I am just trying to do my duty to the Empire, I would not put myself at unnecessary risk." A thought occurred to her. "Anyway, we have already had assassins target the delegation on the way to Nilrava and someone is running around this city, killing people. I am not sure it would be any safer here."

Both eyebrows went up. "I am not sure I quite agree with that. However, as you say, ultimately you are a Mage and I accept your point about the best way to serve the Empire. Just please do not do anything reckless. There are a number of powerful people who would be annoyed with me if you got yourself killed." He paused. "Anyway, if you are going, then I am sure you will get some very interesting intelligence. I wonder if they will send you by railway?"

"Railway, my lord?" That wasn't a term Ester had heard before.

"Yes, a new form of transport that they seem to be developing here in the Republic. They use some kind of mechanical device to move carts along rails more easily than horses. I confess I do not know much about it, but it will be interesting to hear your impression of it when you return."

"Of course," Ester bowed her head in acknowledgment. "I shall be sure to look out for these railways." It seemed like a bit of a dull idea, but she'd do her duty, especially since Lord Hatami wasn't trying to stop her from doing what she wanted.

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Ester practically bounced up to Sonja's office, before composing herself under the disapproving eyes of Citizen Ina and making a more dignified entry.

"Ah, Ester." She looked up from the papers she was reading. "You asked to see me?"

"Yes, thank you, Sonja. I had a request to make."

"Oh really?" If Sonja was surprised by that, she didn't show it. "Please, have a seat and tell me. I'll do my best to accommodate it."

Ester carefully sat down and smoothed her skirts. She'd need to approach this conversation differently to the one with Lord Hatami.

"I had been thinking, after the visit to the People's College of the Arcane and everything you showed me there. It was very interesting and it gave me some ideas." Some flattery wouldn't hurt. "The way the Republic uses women as well as men is fascinating and perhaps something the Empire can learn from. In the spirit of friendship, I also believe that we should learn more about the disgusting attacks on the Republic by the Liche Kings. It is easy for the Empire to be less concerned than it should be, when we have no way of seeing what the Republic truly faces."

Sonja nodded encouragingly.

"I was thinking that it might help to deepen ties between our nations if I was to see the best of the Republic and the worst the Liche Kings have to offer. I would be able to report back to the Empire on the threat that is faced from them and help people to understand their true nature."

Sonja thought for a moment, although there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You do realise that I, the Republic, couldn't guarantee your safety there? That's not a threat, of course, we would make every effort to ensure it. It's just that the frontlines are an inherently dangerous place and you'll be as much of a target as any Citizen. Would you Ambassador not object to that?"

Ester's heart leapt. She was actually considering it! "I am a Chartered Mage, the Empire is not as rigid as you think it is." Or at least Lord Hatami wasn't.

"Mmm. Well. Perhaps it is not such a bad idea. Things are quite busy here, a lot of boring paperwork I'm afraid, so we can't give you as much attention as we'd like and I can see the benefits of you visiting the front. Yes. You would need to be adequately protected of course. If you did get hurt it would potentially hurt relations with the Empire. A proper guide too. Hmmm."

Ester kept quiet as her heart thundered in her chest. Sonja was actually going to accept her proposal! She might even reach the conclusion Ester wanted without being prompted.

"Arcanist-Colonel Lindholm will be returning to the front in a couple of days." Ester forced herself not to grin triumphantly. "She will be able to arrange for you to see what you need to see and for your safety too. Indeed, that would work." She looked back to Ester. "Leave this with me, but be ready to leave on short notice."

There was no reluctance in her tone, in fact as Ester stood and bowed, Sonja looked quite delighted.

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