Of Kings and Killers (Elder Empire Sea #3) - WIll Wight Page 0,6

but we have to pursue a working relationship. It’s with them or with Kthanikahr.”

He evoked the Great Elder’s name in order to scare them, but Kern only held out a hand as though to tell him to settle down.

“The cornerstone of any agreement will be the Regents,” the Champion said. “We will rely on them to hold the Guild Heads in line.”

“Then how do we stop them from taking over?” Teach asked.

“How are we stopping them now?”

It was the nightmare of all the Imperialists that the Regents might fly in and destroy them at any moment. They had only speculation why it hadn’t happened already; for one thing, the Regents had all expressed reluctance to lead the Empire. Maybe they were holding themselves back.

Calder believed that the ancient Soulbound were being cautious. They were powerful, certainly, but that didn’t mean they could ignore several powerful Guild Heads and a collection of Champions.

He had plenty of time to consider his personal beliefs in silence as the Guild Heads continued the discussion without him.

He’d known what he was signing up for when he allowed the Guild Heads to use him as a banner despite his relative lack of influence, but them openly ignoring him was starting to ignite his anger.

As Sadesthenes had once written, “A true leader’s words are not easily ignored.”

Or as Estyr Six had put it, hundreds of years ago: “If you’re not giving the orders, you’re not the one in charge.”

“I don’t know that I can meet face-to-face with the Regents,” Calder said. “I’ve had my share of…dark dealings.” He focused on not rubbing his forearm, where Kelarac’s six-fingered handprint was burned into his skin.

The Guild Heads looked to him, then one by one dismissed him.

“With Elders?” Cheska said with a snort. “I’d like to see them find a single Navigator who hasn’t.”

Teach glared at him. “Keep it to yourself.”

Bliss examined the back of her fingernails as though checking to see which she should chew next. “I have one of Tharlos’ bones in my pocket. You have an Elder chained to the bottom of your ship. A ship you stole from us, by the way. I worked very hard on that ship.”

She glared at him, though it had happened eleven years ago.

Kern laced blunt fingers together. “If the Regents can Read shady backgrounds, I’d say we’re all in trouble.”

“Do you think they can see into our pasts?” Bliss asked curiously. “I don’t imagine that would be very pleasant for them.”

Calder wasn’t sure it was possible to overestimate the Regents. He had something of a reference for the Emperor’s powers from the Imperial relics he had Read in his past, and the Regents were supposed to be his peers. Especially Estyr, who was held up in both myth and history as the Emperor’s equal.

“Whether they can or not, anyone in the same room with them is at risk,” Teach said. “We’ll have to hold some Guild Heads in reserve or find a way to meet with only one Regent at a time.”

Calder hadn’t seen the moment when the momentum of the conversation shifted, but it had. They were suddenly talking as though the peace meeting was a foregone conclusion.

He had gotten what he wanted, but not due to anything he’d done. They saw him as a mask they could wear.

“Trenches are dug one shovel at a time.” Laius the Younger.

Calder pulled out his spyglass and took another look at the coronation. His body double had taken up a seat on a prop throne—he could see only the man’s ornately covered knees—and a spokesman for the Imperialists had taken center stage, addressing the audience in his name.

The people gathered below would see Imperial Steward Calder Marten sitting silently in the background as the Guilds spoke for him.

And so, Calder thought, art imitates reality.

It took all of Calder’s authority to get someone to bring Jerri to him.

He ordered the Imperial Guard to fetch her from the dungeons, but at first they flat-out refused. He had to strong-arm them with threats of reporting them to Teach or reassigning them before they would listen to him.

Even then, they insisted on precautions. Calder didn’t object.

She would be searched in the dungeons to make sure no Elders had spirited her earring to her. Imperial Guards with enhanced senses would search her for any weapons or alchemy while Readers checked her for dangerous invested items.

Her hands and ankles would be tied with invested silk, as was the custom for noble prisoners in the Imperial Palace. Her skin