Ruler of the Realm

Seventeen

‘What sort of new relationship?’ asked Mr Fogarty suspiciously.

Blue looked at Pyrgus who said, ‘Lord Hairstreak thinks it would be in everybody’s interests if the Faeries of the Night and the Faeries of the Light signed a non-aggression treaty.’

Everyone in the room looked at each other. Most showed shock, with a liberal sprinkling of disbelief. After a moment…

‘On what terms?’ asked General Vanelke.

Pyrgus still wasn’t sure how he felt about any of this. He mistrusted his uncle almost as much as Blue did, and the ease with which Hairstreak had snatched him left him more shaken than he was admitting. He shrugged.

‘Basically each side agrees not to go to war with the other. If there are disputes, we settle them by negotiation or arbitration. He says the details can be worked out later, but if we agree the principle now it could open up a whole new era of cooperation that would benefit both sides and put our historic disagreements behind us. His words. More or less exactly.’

Fogarty said, ‘Do you believe him?’

Tricky question. Nobody in their right mind would trust Lord Hairstreak further than a perin’s spit. But at the same time he’d seemed genuine. Pyrgus shrugged again.

‘I tell the tale as told to me.’

‘What’s your opinion, Gatekeeper?’ Blue asked.

‘I’d want to think about it,’ Fogarty sniffed. Then added, ‘But as a general principle, I wouldn’t trust Lord Hairstreak as far as I could throw a sack of dog crap.’

Pyrgus glanced at him in admiration. Analogue World similes always seemed a lot more colourful than the ones used in the Realm.

‘I think we should talk to Lord Hairstreak,’ General Vanelke said, unasked. He glared at Fogarty. ‘As a general principle, I believe talking is preferable to war.’

‘General Creerful?’ Blue asked.

‘On balance, I agree with Vanelke. What harm would talking do? Both sides could take endolgs as a token of good faith.’

The idea appealed to Pyrgus, who liked animals. ‘Henry’s endolg’s still in the palace, isn’t he?’ he asked Blue. ‘The one you made a chevalier?’

‘I’m not convinced I should meet with my uncle,’ Blue said, ignoring him.

General Ovard said, ‘The details would be worked out by civil servants on both sides. You wouldn’t have to be involved until the formal signing.’

‘Assuming there is a signing,’ Madame Cardui murmured lazily.

‘So you’re also in favour of talks?’ Blue asked, looking at General Ovard.

Ovard nodded. ‘Yes.’

Blue took in the sober faces. They were all so mature, so experienced. Even Pyrgus was older than she was. Talks seemed reasonable. But suppose it was a trick? Hairstreak was capable of any deception. Her whole instinct told her not to trust him. Yet all three of her military leaders were agreed there should be talks.

In that instant, Blue suddenly saw her life as it might have been. If her father had lived, or Pyrgus accepted the throne, she’d have none of these worries now. She’d have time for the things she really enjoyed. She was a girl, for Light’s sake. She should be thinking about clothes and music and seeing the world. She should be thinking about romance. She should be thinking about… Henry. It was brutal that she should be facing life and death decisions about the future of the Realm.

Brutal or not, the life she was leading now was the life she’d chosen.

After a moment, she said, ‘Thank you, Generals. I should like to discuss the matter further with my political advisors. I’ll speak to you again when a decision has been made.’ There was not a flicker of expression on her face as she added, ‘In the meantime, I want you to make preparations for a military strike against Yammeth Cretch.’