Chapter 26: My First Diplomatic Mission

A few days passed.

Which, somehow, felt both incredibly fast and suspiciously productive.

The preparations for our departure were completed during that time.

My preparations, unfortunately, included more lessons.

Leyra apparently took my rapid progress as a personal challenge.

The more quickly I learned something, the more material she found.

Diplomatic greetings?

Done.

Formal introductions?

Done.

Negotiation etiquette?

Done.

How to behave when a foreign noble deliberately insults you while smiling?

Apparently the answer was not, punch him in the throat.

Disappointing, but educational.

Leyra drilled me on Agranian customs, titles, common gestures, diplomatic taboos, and enough political history to make my brain feel like someone had rented it out as storage.

She was a very good teacher.

Annoyingly good.

She could take some ancient conflict involving six noble families, three disputed trade routes, a marriage agreement, and several decades of mutual hatred, then explain it in five sentences.

Meanwhile, the original historian needed four hundred pages and probably died proud of himself.

I respected Leyra's efficiency.

I also respected how easy it was to make her lose that perfect princess composure whenever we were alone.

There were several moments during training when her soft, elegant voice became noticeably less soft after I said something inappropriate.

Progress came in many forms.

Some of the council members visited me too.

Not all of them.

Balder apparently considered direct contact with me optional.

Yori probably believed diplomacy could be improved by replacing parchment with siege weapons.

But Dren, Heim, Feig, Nalrus, and even Garren came by at different times.

That surprised me.

Especially Garren.

The man whose brilliant strategic contribution to international relations had been attacking Agranian merchants apparently had strong opinions about surviving near the border.

To his credit, some of those opinions were useful.

Garren understood the terrain.

So did Nalrus.

Those two knew the region better than anyone else who spoke with me.

The difference was that Nalrus described Agranians as neighbors.

Garren described them like an infestation that had recently learned commerce.

Fun distinction.

Nalrus showed me roads, ridgelines, river crossings, wooded areas, supply routes, and several places where mounted troops could move quickly.

He explained which villages had already been evacuated and which roads merchants were avoiding.

Garren focused more on possible ambush locations, defensive formations, and where Agranian forces usually preferred to position scouts.

Useful information.

Terrible personality.

I could work with that.

Dren gave me advice about reading military negotiations.

Heim focused on political pressure.

Feig mostly explained how Agranian nobles might attempt to provoke me into saying something stupid.

I appreciated his confidence in my ability to do that without assistance.

By the time departure morning arrived, I knew enough about the border to at least recognize the location where I might accidentally get murdered.

Professional development.

Morning light spilled across the castle grounds as I stepped outside.

A small army waited near the main gate.

Not enormous.

Definitely more than a friendly travel party.

Dozens of knights sat mounted on white horses arranged in neat formations.

Silver armor.

Golden lion insignias.

Weapons secured.

Supply packs attached behind saddles.

Every horse stood unusually still, as if even the animals understood they were participating in something official.

Most importantly, they were coming partly because of me.

Which was ridiculous.

Nemris was the one expected to confront an approaching army.

I was the diplomat.

Yet because everyone believed I was a lone Spriggan, the king had apparently decided I required enough armed protection to make kidnapping me deeply inconvenient.

Understandable from their perspective.

Spriggans were powerful.

But alone, they lacked the magical resonance they gained in groups.

So the royal court looked at me and apparently saw:

Important diplomat.

Useful stranger.

Potentially fragile fairy person.

Must protect.

Cute.

If only they knew.

Nemris sat at the front of the formation.

She had changed from her usual golden armor into heavier field equipment.

Still gold.

Still polished.

Still unmistakably hers.

But more practical.

A helmet rested beneath one arm.

Her long golden hair had been secured tightly enough that it would not become a personal enemy during flight.

Her white horse stood beneath her with the calm confidence of an animal that could sprout magical wings and violate several laws of physics before breakfast.

Nemris looked toward the assembled knights.

Her voice carried clearly.

"Once we reach the border, we establish camp immediately."

Every knight listened.

"We secure the perimeter first. No unnecessary movement beyond it."

Her gaze moved across the formation.

"Scouts will monitor the Agranian advance. We do not engage until we know their exact numbers and formation."

Very professional.

Very Nemris.

"Until then, nobody provokes them."

I glanced around.

Garren was not coming.

Excellent.

Nemris continued.

"Our objective is not slaughter."

Several knights straightened.

"We will follow the plan approved by His Majesty and the council."

Translation:

Please allow Nemris to defeat an army without turning it into fertilizer.

Reasonable mission.

Behind us, the royal family had gathered to see us off.

Viar stood with Milfy beside him.

Leyra remained near her mother.

Zeria stood slightly apart, hands clasped behind her back.

For once, she had shoes on.

I almost reported her for impersonating herself.

Viar approached first.

His expression was serious, but not grim.

"Take care."

Simple.

Direct.

Probably the correct thing for a king to say when sending his daughter, commander, and recently hired diplomat toward a military crisis.

Milfy nodded beside him.

"We will await your safe return."

I gave her a respectful bow.

"Hopefully with significantly less war attached."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"That would be preferable."

Leyra stepped forward next.

Today she wore a pale lavender dress, elegant enough to remind everyone that the woman underneath it had definitely never participated in underground cage fights.

Allegedly.

"This will be your first mission representing Inizio."

I looked at her.

"Nothing stressful."

"No."

"Just two kingdoms approaching war."

"Precisely."

"Very relaxing."

Leyra's mouth twitched.

I rubbed the back of my neck.

"I'd settle for doing decently."

"You will do better than decently."

No hesitation.

That caught me.

I looked at her.

She was watching me differently.

Something behind the princess expression.

Something she clearly did not want to say with her parents standing several steps away.

Her hands tightened slightly against the front of her dress.

"Be careful."

That was softer.

Not formal.

Not teacher talking to student.

I smiled.

"I will."

Leyra hesitated.

Her eyes briefly moved toward Viar.

Then Milfy.

Then back to me.

"I'll be waiting for you."

A pause.

"For another dance."

Ah.

There she was.

I smiled wider.

"Now I have motivation."

Her cheeks gained the faintest touch of color.

Viar cleared his throat.

Loudly.

Leyra froze.

I looked at the king.

He was staring at his daughter.

Not angry.

Just fatherly.

Very fatherly.

The kind of expression that quietly reminded everyone present that he owned armies.

Leyra stepped backward.

Viar sighed.

"Perhaps we should leave them to prepare."

Leyra gave me one last glance.

Then turned.

Milfy followed her.

As the queen passed me, she looked directly at my face.

Then at Leyra walking away.

Then back at me.

A knowing smile slowly appeared.

Oh.

No.

Absolutely not.

That woman saw too much.

I gave her my most innocent expression.

She looked even more amused.

Terrible.

Viar remained another moment.

His gaze moved between Nemris and me.

"Return safely."

Nemris bowed her head.

"Of course, Father."

I nodded.

"That's the plan."

Viar gave us both one final look.

Then walked after his wife and eldest daughter.

That left three people.

Me.

Nemris.

Zeria.

And, technically, an entire formation of knights pretending not to listen.

Zeria approached.

Her usual cheerful expression had returned, but it was quieter than normal.

Less playful.

She stopped in front of me.

"I am certain you can handle this."

I folded my arms.

"That's reassuring considering this whole thing was your idea."

She smiled.

"Mostly."

"You designed the plan."

"Yes."

"So it will definitely work."

Her smile weakened slightly.

"Not definitely."

I raised an eyebrow.

"That's not the confidence I ordered."

Zeria looked toward the distant castle walls.

"I saw possibilities where it fails."

There it was.

Great Sage.

Not playful Zeria.

Not the woman who had climbed onto my balcony and discovered several exciting uses for curiosity.

This was the strategist.

"What kind of possibilities?"

"Variables."

"Helpful."

She frowned at me.

I smiled.

"Sorry. Continue."

Zeria lowered her voice.

"People make decisions we cannot always predict."

Her blue eyes returned to mine.

"Weather changes. Scouts miss information. Someone misunderstands an order. One frightened soldier attacks too early."

She paused.

"Even the brightest mind cannot account for every possibility."

That was not comforting.

"So things could still go very wrong."

"Yes."

"Excellent pre-mission speech."

"I am being honest."

"I know."

And that was why I appreciated it.

Zeria would not pretend her plan was perfect simply because she created it.

She believed in it.

But she understood uncertainty.

Probably better than everyone else here.

Her expression became more serious.

"That is why I need something from you."

I tilted my head.

"What?"

"Stay close to Nemris."

I glanced toward the Lord Commander.

Nemris was speaking quietly with one of her officers.

Zeria continued.

"If anything unexpected happens, protect her."

I looked back.

There was no playful innocence in Zeria's face now.

She cared deeply about Nemris.

That much had been obvious from the beginning.

"You're worried."

"Yes."

"About Nemris?"

"About everyone."

A small pause.

"But especially her."

Fair.

Zeria had practically climbed Nemris like a tree when she returned from fetching me.

Their relationship ran deeper than official titles.

I nodded.

"Then count on me."

Something in Zeria's expression relaxed.

She reached up.

Her fingers gently tapped my cheek.

"I already do."

I smiled.

"Careful. People keep giving me expectations."

"You enjoy attention."

"Correct."

Zeria giggled.

The sound brought some of her normal warmth back.

"With you there, the chance of success rises dramatically."

I sighed.

"More expectations."

"Many."

"Wonderful."

Behind us, Nemris called out.

"Are you two finished whispering?"

I looked over.

She had one eyebrow raised.

Zeria immediately turned.

"Nemris!"

Then she ran.

Not walked.

Ran.

Straight toward the Lord Commander.

Nemris barely had time to react before Zeria wrapped both arms around her.

Several knights behind them suddenly became fascinated by distant architecture.

Very professional.

Zeria squeezed.

"I'll miss you!"

Nemris's stern expression softened instantly.

She put one arm around Zeria.

"We won't be gone long."

"You don't know that."

"Lady Zeria."

Zeria buried her face against Nemris's neck.

Nemris closed her eyes briefly.

"Everyone is watching."

The nearby knights looked even harder at absolutely nothing.

I almost laughed.

Zeria rubbed her cheek against Nemris.

"You smell like armor."

Nemris sighed.

"That is because I am wearing armor."

"I know."

"Then why mention it?"

"I'll miss the smell."

Nemris actually looked embarrassed.

Very slightly.

Beautiful.

Eventually, Zeria released her.

Nemris rested a hand briefly on the top of her head.

"I'll return."

Zeria nodded.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

That seemed enough.

Nemris turned toward her white horse.

She placed one boot into the stirrup and mounted smoothly.

Her horse barely shifted.

I looked at Zeria.

She looked back.

Her smile returned.

"Come here."

Suspicious phrase.

Always suspicious.

I approached anyway.

"Important Great Sage advice?"

"Very important."

She motioned me closer.

I leaned down.

Zeria's expression became mischievous.

Oh.

I knew that face.

Before I could ask anything, she lifted herself slightly on her toes.

Her lips touched mine.

Short.

Soft.

Gone before my brain had enough time to fully enjoy it.

I blinked.

Zeria landed back on her heels.

Her cheeks were pink.

But she looked extremely pleased with herself.

"That was the important message?"

"Yes."

"Very educational."

She giggled.

Then jumped backward before I could catch her.

Coward.

Zeria waved while walking away.

"See you."

I raised one hand.

"Yeah."

She kept moving backward for several steps.

I smiled.

"See you soon."

Then she turned and headed toward the castle.

I watched her leave.

When I turned back, Nemris was looking at me.

Ah.

Right.

She had eyes.

Her eyebrows were furrowed.

Not furious.

Not shocked.

Just...

Observing.

Judging.

Processing.

She had definitely seen the kiss.

I smiled.

Nemris looked away.

No comment.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

I approached the mounted knights.

Several horses waited.

I looked around.

"Which unfortunate person is stuck with me?"

Nemris answered immediately.

"You are riding with me."

I stopped.

"Oh."

Her gaze returned.

"Problem?"

"Absolutely not."

"Good."

That sounded almost aggressive.

I approached her horse.

Nemris extended one hand.

I took it.

She pulled while I stepped into the stirrup behind her.

Settling onto the saddle reminded me of my previous experience with magical horse flight.

Specifically, the part where my soul had spent most of the journey trying to leave my body through my mouth.

Wonderful memories.

Nemris took my wrists.

Without looking back, she placed my hands around her waist.

Directly against the armored sides of her hips.

I raised an eyebrow.

She could not see it.

Unfortunately.

"Hold there."

"Strict instructions."

"Yes."

"Should I sign anything?"

"Caled."

"Understood."

She lifted her helmet.

Slid it over her head.

Then adjusted the reins.

Her voice came slightly muffled through the armor.

"Hold tightly."

I looked at the formation.

Every knight was preparing.

Armor secured.

Reins held.

White horses shifting beneath them.

I took a slow breath.

"Here we go again."

Magic answered.

Light spread from the horses.

White energy formed along their sides.

Then wings burst outward.

Large.

Brilliant.

Made of concentrated magic.

Dozens of glowing wings extended at once.

The courtyard filled with light.

The horses crouched.

I immediately tightened my arms around Nemris.

She glanced slightly over her shoulder.

"Ready?"

"No."

"Good."

The horse launched.

My stomach stayed behind.

Wind slammed into me.

The castle dropped away beneath us.

"WHY ASK IF YOU DON'T CARE?!"

Nemris's answer came through the roaring air.

"Courtesy!"

"This is not courtesy!"

The formation rose together.

Dozens of winged horses climbed into the morning sky.

The capital spread beneath us.

From above, Inizio looked even larger.

The inner castle dominated the center.

White towers.

Golden roofs.

Courtyards.

Walls.

Beyond that, streets branched outward through dense districts.

Markets became patches of color.

Parks became green squares.

The outer walls curved around everything.

Beautiful.

Terrifyingly far below.

I held Nemris tighter.

"I STILL DON'T LIKE THIS!"

"Then close your eyes."

"THAT MAKES IT WORSE!"

Nemris pulled the reins slightly.

The horse accelerated.

I immediately pressed closer against her armored back.

"YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!"

"Maybe."

I stared at the back of her helmet.

Oh.

She was learning.

That was dangerous.

The other knights accelerated with us.

Soon the castle fell behind.

Then the capital.

We passed over the outer walls in seconds.

Fields opened beneath us.

Roads became thin lines.

Wagons looked like toys.

Villages became clusters of tiny roofs.

The entire kingdom stretched toward the horizon.

Wind pulled at my clothes.

My fingers remained firmly locked around Nemris's armored waist.

Eventually my stomach accepted that screaming internally would not return us to the ground.

I looked ahead.

The border waited somewhere far beyond the visible landscape.

Agran.

An approaching army.

Nemris's impossible mission.

My parley.

And whatever variables Zeria had been worried about.

I breathed out slowly.

This was really happening.

My first mission as a diplomat.