Nuriya's body felt like a sack of nails. She could hardly muster the strength to lift her aching fingers and without Kairm's help she never would have gotten here. If she tried? She'd be crawling on the floor like a caterpillar.
Thankfully, it didn't get to that.
She squeezed her hands on her lap together in anticipation. With everything she found out her fiance and her brother were hiding, this meeting might very well be the one that determines her future.
"We need to talk about what will probably happen once Nuriya's in Catzali," Valri began. "How long do you think that knockout spell will last?"
"Not too long," said Nuriya. "They should be awake now."
"Then, they're probably on the move now," replied Valri. "Ul-Sasan will take the case to my father…He will most likely plead for permission to have you executed. This time by imperial edict."
"..."
"I? Of course. Will refuse to give you up," said Valri. "Catzali will be your home for the time being while this mess gets sorted out."
Nuriya closed her eyes and pinched a bit of cloth from her dress. After four breaths, she had regained herself and listened on.
"That bad, huh?" Nuriya said with a sardonic smile.
"You're going to be safe in Catzali, Niya," Isetzar added. "Trust Valyun."
Nuriya nodded. And, then asked: "I do. I trust Valyun and I trust you too, but can you tell me who I am now? Why must I be killed? And what exactly was that vision I saw in that ball?"
Isetzar faced his sister and looked into her eyes. He closed his and quickly scratched the right side of his chin with his left hand.
"I'll tell you everything I told everyone else," answered Isetzar. "You? Were a fallen holy maiden. I was your guardian. Your name then was Arue. In the first life I can remember? Your life alone threatened the rule of the god-kings. They succeeded in killing you. And me. Eventually. And since then? Throughout the centuries they've hunted for you to prevent you from doing that again. I became a harqa? To serve you better. And to make sure that I protect you every time you are reborn. Our father found out about this, but didn't care: he lost his life trying to keep your secret hidden from those who meant to report you to higher powers."
"I see…"
Nuriya looked at everyone. "You'll…always be by my side?"
"We've been together for centuries, Niya…Always." Isetzar smiled warmly.
Nuriya felt assured, despite everything and finally nodded happily.
Valri looked at them and smiled, his finger twitching a bit.
"I also have an idea on what reason I could use to get the House of Sasan off your back," the prince added. "Which now leads me to my second matter I wish to discuss and the reason the panzas are here."
Valri points to the map. "This is why this map has been laid out in front of all of you."
Everyone nodded in agreement and directed their eyes towards Valri's hands on the table.
"This is the span of the Ursan Empire," Valri swept his hand over the image. "Over here? Next to the Serene Sea, and protected by three rings of twenty-four meter concentric walls? Is Novrada.
"Across the sea? West of Novrada? Are the forests and mountains of Sali, a small private province in the country of Vasinali, called Alruna by the locals, currently under imperial control. That's where you two come from."
Valri pointed to Nuriya and Isetzar. "And you're not alone."
"In many, many places all over the west. We have many beyza governing over what are essentially Ursan colonies in still independent countries. The only reason they're not being expelled is because of Ursan's current power, and the fact that the rulers of these lands would rather befriend us, than fight us. Also, it helps that all people of beyza rank are taken from local populaces. And in the case of the House of Sasan? A lot of them for over centuries now."
Valri's smile dropped. "That…might be changing soon."
The prince took a small piece of paper from his sleeve and threw it on the table.
"There's going to be a coordinated attack. We've intercepted a coded message from the King of Imaria to one of the qalcidzai (great lords) of the empire. Namely, my uncle: Valzar Cidza."
"!"
At once, Nuriya caught the gravity of the charge and the threat.
Lord Valzar was a hero of The Crucible, and since succession wasn't guaranteed by birth order in the House of Ursur, he was actually a favorite of many to succeed as emperor. He was a mighty warrior and a great general.
He was also a mage.
A good one.
And like Emperor Valgad, personally trained by her grandfather, Azatzar Ul-Sasan.
She had only caught glimpses of him. But she could remember him visiting the manor to pay respects to his old master from time to time.
The reason Valzar wasn't chosen for the office was simple: he refused. He freely left the throne to his brother and basically sent himself on a self-imposed exile from Novrada to the northeastern most region of the empire.
And now, if that is indeed what that message said, the Great Lord of the East is working with foreign western kings.
"But, why?" Nuriya asked.
"No idea. I never took my uncle for the treasonous sort. What about you Setzya? I know you've done your share of snooping around in the Capital. What did you find?"
Eyes now shift over to Isetzar.
"Nothing scandalous or overtly treasonous was ever heard, but Lord Valzar's discontent with the status quo is evident among those who love him in the Capital. He doesn't have too many supporters: only about an eight of the nobles and about a tenth of the masses, but what little support does he possess? Is solid. He's also been buying a lot of charcoal and sulfur over the last year."
"!"
Eraim was alarmed.
"Charcoal and sulfur?"
"Yes, dear panza,," Isetzar smirked. "He's also been inviting more and more dignitaries from Sinjya and Burhast."
"...."
Everyone paused and Eraim bit one of his knuckles as thoughts raced inside his head.
"Everyone calm down," Isetzar put his hands up. "I agree. It looks bad for Lord Valzar. But for all we know he could simply be resupplying his bases. He has the largest number of forts to maintain among the qalcidzai. It's not too surprising he'll need to make more powder for his cannons. It may not be related to this message at all."
"Ok. Let's cut to the chase then. What do you think, Setzya?" Valri asked. "Can we trust my uncle or not?"
"Like you said, he never struck any of us as the treasonous sort. But, if it's true…and he is moving against the empire?" Isetzar calmly looked into Valri's eyes. "I think he's doing this for the same reason you're making moves against your father right now."
"Valyun?" Nuriya said. "What does Setzya mean?"
"My father…is making a mistake."