—VERNIERS ALISHE SOMEREN, A HISTORY OF THE UNIFIED REALM: INTRODUCTION, GREAT LIBRARY OF THE UNIFIED REALM
VERNIERS’ ACCOUNT
“Did she know?”
I watched the harbour as we drew near, its vastness testimony to Alpira’s origins as the greatest trading hub of the lower Boraelin. It stretched in a broad curve some three miles long, piers and moorings beyond counting, and many ships, more than was usual in fact. As we drew closer I noted most were warships, an army of labourers at work on every vessel, steel plating hammered onto hulls and mangonels hauled into place.
Empress Emeren calls her fleet to the capital, I deduced. For what purpose?
“My lord?” Fornella prompted. Her rapidly greying hair was tied up today, drawn back from her features, which remained handsome despite the growing number of lines. With her plain dress and tightly wrapped shawl she conveyed the appearance of a comely matron, those ashore perhaps mistaking her for the captain’s wife. The thought provoked me to a short laugh.
Fornella frowned in annoyance but refused to be diverted. “She did, didn’t she? She knew about you and the Hope.”
I shrugged, giving a slight nod. She glanced at the captain and edged closer. “Pay the pirate to take us away from here.”
“We have a mission to perform, Honoured Citizen.”
“Not at the expense of your life.”
“I gave my life to the Emperor. The law decrees I now offer it to his successor, along with my wise counsel.”
“You really imagine she’ll listen?”
“I know she will. What she does afterwards is more of a mystery.”
We docked at one of the minor berths near the northern edge of the harbour, the captain being obliged to pay double the normal mooring fee to a harassed junior port official.
“I’m on official business from the Unified Realm and the Meldenean Isles,” the captain growled. “That’s got to be worth a discount at least.”
“You’ve also got a hold full of spice,” the young official replied. “And space is at a premium.” He handed the captain a chit for the berth then held up his hand in expectation.
“Is there a problem?” I asked, moving to the captain’s side.
The young man stared at me for a long moment, retreating a step with rapidly paling features. “You are Lord Verniers,” he breathed.
