Azraea turned to the two gnomans. While Vinny - actually Verax - was wearing his sharp, fitted uniform, his associate Vidi wore the same clothes he’d had when he fled Kingstown weeks prior. Despite his appearance, Vidi stood with the exact same air of discipline and confidence that Verax did. They waited respectfully at the bottom of the steps leading to her throne, which made them appear exceptionally small. Azraea found that on some level empowering but also somewhat disturbing. She sat down in her throne and gestured to Verax, “Verax Scorpio Vexarius, Legate of the 5th Dexter Legion and Praetor of the 1st Sinister Legion,” she used his now fully disclosed rank, “please, approach the throne again.”
“Your majesty,” He bowed, a perfectly executed, disciplined, clearly well practiced motion, “I apologize for my legate’s appearance. He has come directly from an extended assignment in the east with no opportunity to dress for court. I ordered him to come as he was, because I felt that decorum was less important than punctuality.”
“In this instance I agree, Praetor,” Azraea looked past Verax momentarily, “I thank you for answering my summons, Legate Kaorus, as well as for the assistance you rendered to my kingdom under Praetor Vexarius’ command.”
“I was happy to do so, on both accounts, your majesty,” Vidi said, “And I am glad to see that you are well.”
“Thank you. And, I have already said this to Praetor Vexarius, but I would like to reiterate my gratitude for your empire’s quick response to our need during this time of political instability.”
“Well, we pride ourselves on efficiency, your majesty.”
“Indeed, it seems your people have a unique gift for arriving before anyone knows they need you.”
“Yes, well…” Vidi seemed to take that awkwardly, but Verax simply smirked.
Azraea smiled, “And need you we did. Our kingdom was on the verge of collapse even with the dragon’s use of terror to hold everything together. In our current state an army from a rival nation could easily sweep through and take whatever they wished; the country itself, even.”
“Yes, your majesty, I’m afraid I have to concur,” Verax nodded, “My people stand ready to prevent that though. The safety and security of our neighbors is of paramount concern to the Empress.”
“That is wonderful to hear. So far the Gnoman army has indeed brought stability. And a surprising amount of business. Certainly I’d like to repay her majesty’s kindness. Do either of you have any recommendations?”
Ochsner was not yet a political creature, but she was canny enough to understand the significance of the Gnoman army camped outside the city’s walls. Their country was occupied by a military force that had essentially marched right past whatever defenses still stood at Caelia’s borders. Effectively, they were negotiating Caelia’s surrender to the Gnoman Empire, but Azraea and Verax were discussing it as if she had casually asked for gift suggestions.
“Your majesty,” Verax started, “the Gnoman Empire has succeeded thus far through collaboration and strong leadership. Like any nation, we have friends and we have enemies, but we prefer to have brothers and sisters. The reason I asked that Legate Kaorus come to these proceedings today is so that he may serve as a notarized witness of the Gnoman Empire. As you are aware, I am happy to see our current alliance continue as is, but as an appointed representative of Empress Thessalonika, now witnessed by a notary of the Empire, I would like to formally extend an invitation to your majesty to join the Empire.”
“Ah,” Azraea nodded, “You would have me swear fealty to the Empress then?”
Ochsner saw Verax swallow somewhat anxiously, and Legate Kaorus looked at him nervously. There was a massive army outside the city, but in this room there were two armed swordsmen, an incredibly deadly elf, and a sorcerer. So far, Ochsner had only ever seen Verax and Azraea get along like destined-to-be best-friends-forever; if Ochsner herself hadn’t become so fond of Verax and his countrymen, she might have been jealous. The neutral tone and sudden bluntness of Azraea’s response seemed to have shaken the wagon, however.
Verax pressed on, “Yes your majesty. That is what I would advise. A clear hierarchy keeps the empire strong through turmoil and strife that would tear apart even the strongest of alliances,” he gave the formal line.
“I can imagine that’s true,” Azraea said, “However, in the context of such a great empire, I’m sure many Caelians will be wondering what will happen when the welfare of our one little kingdom and the welfare of Gnoma Magna do not concur. I imagine there will be Caelians wondering whether the Empire would sacrifice the Caelian people for the security or profit of the Empire's founding people.”
Verax didn’t respond immediately, making Ochsner wonder if there was some subtext to the conversation she was ignorant of.
Azraea responded to the pause by adding, “I actually brought these very same concerns to a member of my Queensguard just before the dragon’s death. Didn’t I, Guardsmen Stone?”
Behind Ochsner, Jericho nodded, “Yes your majesty, I recall that conversation well.”
“As you will recall, Guardsmen Stone, is a veteran of the Gnoman Auxiliary Legion, who has served not only under the Gnoman government but alongside citizens from the empire’s member states. Tell me, Guardsmen Stone, now that you have had more time working and fighting alongside Praetor Vexarius, has your opinion on the matter changed since our last conversation?”
“No your majesty,” Jericho said, “As you anticipated, there was some disagreement over how things should be done, but in the end, we all wanted the same thing, and we were able to resolve our differences amicably and respectfully, moving forward with our mission. In my experience, working with the Gnoman Empire and its people is generally the same.”
Ochsner saw Verax break decorum to turn and give Jericho an odd look of surprise and mild confusion.
“Do you have anything to add, Praetor Vexarius?” Azraea asked.
“To be honest, your majesty…” Verax for once sounded like he was struggling to come up with words, “to be honest, the Empire – like any sovereign nation – will always put its own welfare ahead of its allies. However, it protects its member states as equal parts of itself. Individual states may sometimes have to make sacrifices for the greater whole of the empire, and certainly there are times when people disagree over the necessity and scale of those sacrifices, but it is not the belief of the empire that any state should be exploited for the benefit of another state. My request is that Caelia would be more than just an ally, it would become a part of the Empire itself, and while we are a diverse collection of peoples with our own, varied interests… we look after each other.” He then added, “And I can personally vouch for Empress Thessalonika, and honestly say that her wisdom and character are superior to my own.”
Azraea smiled, her demeanor seeming to warm once again, “Well, I do believe that you are an exceptional judge of character, Praetor Vexarius, and I have not yet become so intoxicated with power that I am unwilling to forfeit a measure of it to someone older and wiser. However, binding the fate of my successors to that of hers does concern me. I have come to appreciate your empire today, but I wonder what it will become tomorrow?”
“As do I,” Verax raised his chin slightly more, “As should any man or woman who loves their country. That’s why the legate and I are here. That’s why I’m asking you to join us. Our empire needs people of good character to keep it strong.”
Azraea sat, looking him in the eye silently for many seconds, and then finally said, “Praetor Vexarius, you are a wonderful liar, but now that I’ve met the real you, I think maybe that honesty does suit you better.”
Ochsner saw Verax calmly let out a withheld breath, “You won’t meet the ‘real’ me until you come visit my family in Tulusa.”
“Ah, then I suppose we will have to join the empire, for the wonderful travel opportunities it offers if nothing else,” Azraea laughed, “We must discuss details of course; currency, taxation, conscription, laws, certainly, but barring any irreconcilable differences, you may know that my answer is yes. And I look forward to meeting the empress personally.”
Verax felt the tension in his spine release as he began to relax, but an aggressive voice from the side of the room interjected itself, “This is a significant decision for her majesty to make unilaterally.”
Ochsner saw Kaira tense; it was her mother.
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