The Pirates of Pacta Servanda (Pillars of Reality Book 4) (42 page)

Mari couldn’t help smiling. “Yeah, that’s me. Absolutely perfect, and a model for princesses everywhere. Do
not
nod, Alain. Did you find any more of Raul’s people hiding out there?”

“About twenty in various locations,” Alain said. “But none of them lied when they said they had been forced to join the warlord’s army. The commander of the town’s forces let them go. Most of them. Four said they had nothing left and asked to join the town’s defenders.”

Sien finally sat down, looking at Mari and Alain. “You have given us much. What can Tiae give you besides workers and soldiers?”

Mari bit her lip, hesitant to bring up what she really wanted. “Princess, I’m a Mechanic. I have a lot of training in how to fix things and build things. Machines. And the nice thing about machines is that even though they are often temperamental in their own ways, and each can have its quirks, one machine of a certain type is just like every other machine of that type. But I’ve been, more and more, having to work with people, and people are…really complicated. Alain can tell me if someone is lying, but what about people who think they’re being truthful when they tell me something that isn’t right? What about people who know how to twist the truth?”

“You’re talking politics,” Sien said. “I imagine that every ruler of the common folk, no matter how elected or appointed, has greeted the news of the daughter’s appearance with thoughts of how they could use the daughter to their own ends. If you’re claiming that you have no skills to motivate and inspire, I must disagree, but if you are worried about those who will try to manipulate you for their own power and profit, you have every right to be concerned. I’m afraid that I have far too much experience in dealing with that.”

“Can you help me?” Mari asked. “Alain and I? Help us with the politics?”

“The Princess of Tiae become political advisor to the daughter of Jules? How can you trust me, Lady Mari? Do you not realize I would do anything to help Tiae?”

“No,” Mari said. “I don’t think you would do anything. I can see what this town is like. I’ve also seen places like Marandur, and I’ve dealt with the Senior Mechanics. I know what people who would do
anything
are like, and what their works are like. You’re not one of those people.”

Sien did not answer for a long time. Finally, she nodded. “Thank you. I often fear what I could become. What I could become for the best of reasons. Yes, Lady Mari, I will be happy to advise you in matters political, and perhaps help keep the vipers from whispering in your ears those things that benefit only them.”

“Can you just call me Mari, Princess?”

“Can you just call me Sien, daughter?”

Mari laughed, finally feeling her depression after the fight lifting a little. “That’s a deal.”

“And what does Sien call Mage Alain?” the princess asked.

“To friends of Mari,” Alain said, “I am Alain.”

“Then, Mari and Alain, let us go down to the streets and join the people who are celebrating the beginning of the rebirth of Tiae. It is a lean celebration, given how little we have, but no less sincere for that. And afterwards we will speak with each other of the impossible things we are going to do together, restoring my country and bringing peace to its people.”

“And overthrowing the Great Guilds and bringing the new day,” Mari said.

“And stopping the Storm before it causes more grief,” Alain said.

Princess Sien shook her head. “You two don’t dream small. I don’t know if I’ll be able to help you as much as you will help me. Can you change the entire world alone, Mari?”

“No, of course not,” Mari said. “But I don’t have to do it alone. Alain’s helping me get it done.”

I remain indebted to my agents, Joshua Bilmes and Eddie Schneider, for their long standing support, ever-inspired suggestions and assistance, as well as to Krystyna Lopez and Lisa Rodgers for their work on foreign sales and print editions. Thanks also to Catherine Asaro, Robert Chase, Carolyn Ives Gilman, J.G. (Huck) Huckenpohler, Simcha Kuritzky, Michael LaViolette, Aly Parsons, Bud Sparhawk and Constance A. Warner for their suggestions, comments and recommendations.

THE PILLARS OF REALITY

The Dragons of Dorcastle*

The Hidden Masters of Marandur*

The Assassins of Altis*

The Pirates of Pacta Servanda*

Books 5 & 6 forthcoming

THE LOST FLEET

Dauntless

Fearless

Courageous

Valiant

Relentless

Victorious

THE LOST FLEET: BEYOND THE FRONTIER

Dreadnaught

Invincible

Guardian

Steadfast

Leviathan

THE LOST STARS

Tarnished Knight

Perilous Shield

Imperfect Sword

Shattered Spear

PAUL SINCLAIR/JAG IN SPACE

written as John G. Hemry

A Just Determination

Burden of Proof

Rule of Evidence

Against All Enemies

ETHAN STARK

written as John G. Hemry

Stark’s War

Stark’s Command

Stark’s Crusade

SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS

Ad Astra*

Borrowed Time*

Swords and Saddles*

STANDALONE NOVELS

The Last Full Measure

* available as a JABberwocky ebook

This ebook has been brought to you by JABberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.

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