Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles #4) - Ilona Andrews Page 0,84

gotten used to high-stakes negotiations.

A vampire retainer delivered pitchers of green wine and red spiced juice along with platters of baked snacks and artfully arranged fruit and vegetable slices, and withdrew. It felt like an odd tea party. Here she was serving cosmic cookies and wine to a queen of enlightened predators and the head of a clan of ruthless assassins. Nothing much at stake except an interstellar alliance. Whee!

Maud sipped some juice. This would have to be done very carefully. If she offered either of them a finger, they would bite her entire arm off. No time like the present.

“Have you rested from the interstellar travel?” she asked. “I always find being planetside to be a relief.” Not the best opening, considering they had both been on the planet for the last two weeks, but it would do.

The tachi queen glanced at her. “This planet is rather beautiful.”

“I do so enjoy being planetside,” Nuan Cee said. “However, as regrettable as it is, one must commit to the unpleasantness of space travel to pursue one’s goals.”

So far, so good. “I do wonder how space merchant marines do it. Long voyages, expensive cargo, and I hear there are pirates in certain quadrants.”

Nuan Cee’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes. One does have to make sacrifices in the name of profit.”

“Or scientific achievement.” The tachi queen speared a cookie with a long talon. “The quest for knowledge cannot proceed without the fuel of labor.”

“It always rankles when opportunistic beings attempt to cash in on the labor of others.” Maud studied the contents of her glass. “Some of them go so far as to plan to invade their hosts’ strongholds and claim them for their own.”

“It is both unfair and predatory,” Dil’ki said. “Should we witness such an act, of course, we would be obliged to intervene.”

“Indeed,” Nuan Cee said. “But then there are personal costs to consider. Such assistance often results in tragedy for those who offer it.”

They didn’t even bat an eye. Both the lees and the tachi either knew what the Kozor and Serak were planning or strongly suspected. And Nuan Cee had gone straight for the jugular. “We could all die if we help you.” Yeah, right. She would have to choose her words carefully.

Maud smiled. “If one were to provide a safe harbor, a protected haven, for courageous seekers of wealth and knowledge, perhaps new routes could be plotted to take full advantage of it and the great gains for all would dull the pang of tragedy.”

Nuan Cee sat up straighter. “If such a harbor were to appear, one would be a fool to not take advantage of it.”

Maud pretended to toy with her glass. Ilemina was very clear on what could be promised.

“A safe harbor in space has three major applications. First, it is a base of scientific inquiry, a natural gathering place where multiple species could come together in comfort and security to share their findings. Second, it is a hub of shipping and supply, a port where cargo can be bought, sold, and moved, and weary sailors can rest before resuming their journey. Third, it is a military installation, equipped to repel attacks and shelter those within. The military might of the Holy Anocracy, and House Krahr in particular, is unmatched. If only suitable partners could be found to fulfil these other roles.” Maud sighed. “Of course, such cooperation could only be possible if iron-clad alliances could be agreed upon, and financial and other obligations were determined and evenly assumed by all involved, and only after an instance of spontaneous mutual cooperation had occurred.”

The queen’s color darkened. “An even contribution from each species would only be fair. Such a place would require advanced technology and modern construction to be truly effective.”

“And of course, it would require a sufficient infusion of capital coming from a partner intimately familiar with the peculiarities of space trade.” Nuan Cee bared his teeth in a quick smile.

“If such plans were to be put in writing, in secret, of course, progress could be made on the path of mutual benefit.” There, she laid it out. Help us retain the battle station and we’ll get the ball rolling on the trade station, provided you agree to military alliances.

Nuan Cee turned to Otubar. “Does the Under Marshal agree?”

Oh crap.

Otubar stared back at the Merchant. “I’m standing here with her, am I not?”

Maud had to seal the deal. She nodded at the retainer waiting at the other end of the plaza. The woman disappeared behind the