Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles #4) - Ilona Andrews Page 0,81
can pound the planet to dust. Even the full power of our fleet might not be enough.”
“They don’t have to face the fleet,” Otubar growled.
“He’s right,” Arland said. “If they gain control of the station, they can hold the planet hostage while they clear the system.”
Maud blinked. “Did you actually put a warp drive on that thing?”
“Of course we did,” Ilemina snapped. “What good is a weapon if you can’t move it where your enemy is?”
“It’s a bold plan,” Soren said. “If they pull this off, they would be untouchable. The bragging rights alone would guarantee them a seat at the big table.”
“They would still have to take it from us,” Karat reminded him. “The only way for them to get on to the station is through the wedding boon.”
According to tradition, the couple about to wed could request a small favor from their hosts. To deny the boon was the height of rudeness.
“They will request that the wedding be held on the station,” Karat continued. “We deny the request. Problem solved.”
“On what grounds?” Ilemina asked.
“On the grounds that we know they’re up to something.”
Soren heaved a sigh. “So, you want to accuse our honored guests of plotting behind our backs. With what evidence? Do you have any proof to support your baseless claims?”
Karat opened her mouth and shut it.
Her father nodded. “Silence that speaks volumes. We have no proof, only guesses, deductions, and suspicions. Furthermore, we already permitted them to tour the battle station when they arrived. We can’t claim that it’s forbidden, unfinished, or secret now, because we invited them for wine and pastries on the observation deck.”
Of course they would invite the rival Houses to tour the battle station. Look at our big new super-awesome weapon. Behold the might of Krahr. We are the greatest and you could never compare. Ugh.
“If we refuse to grant the boon,” Soren continued, “we would have to do so without any explanation. At best, we would be viewed as discourteous and uncouth. At worst, timid and cowardly. How could we, with all our might and our planet only a shuttle flight away, be so wary of two hundred wedding guests? Even if we do refuse to step into the trap, they score a wounding blow.”
He was right. Reputation was everything. It wasn’t enough to stop the scheme. House Krahr had to do it in a way that brought them credit.
“There has to be more to their plan,” Arland said. “Some scheme, some ploy to minimize the risk. There’s something we don’t know that makes them think they could win. And they view the aliens as a wildcard.”
“Both the lees and tachi have battle ships in orbit,” Maud said. “Between the two of them, they pack a lot of fire power. The tachi have the technological superiority, and the lees fight dirty and hold grudges for generations.”
Ilemina bared her teeth. “The pirates are afraid the aliens will come to our aid. What kind of world is it that a vampire from another House is my enemy and bugs and Merchants are my allies?”
Soren turned to Maud. “Would they help us?”
“Hard to say,” Maud said. “I’m leaning to yes. If you promise them the trade station, then definitely.”
“The plan you’re contemplating requires a military alliance,” Ilemina told Soren. “Do you truly want this? An alliance of one House and another species against other Houses has never been done. How would this be received by the rest of the Anocracy?”
“How would the end of our House be received, my lady?” Soren asked.
Maud took a deep breath. “The rest of the Anocracy doesn’t have to know whether this alliance was forged before the other houses broke the rules of hospitality or after.”
Ilemina pivoted toward her.
Maud met her gaze. “The Kozor and Serak will request to hold the wedding on the battle station. By virtue of their presence, the lees and the tachi, honored guests of House Krahr, would be invited to said wedding. If during the ceremony, the other Houses commit an act of treachery and attack their hosts, it would be only natural for the lees and the tachi to defend themselves against a common threat. If, in the course of such a battle, they are so impressed by the might of House Krahr that they seek an alliance, who could blame them? And wouldn’t House Krahr, moved by their bravery, then be honor-bound to accept such an alliance, if for no other reason than to compensate for the danger the guests had experienced?