“Merchant Valdrec!” Trianite walked out of her throne room and glided into the grand lobby. I had never seen the Goddess up close before. Most regular people had only the pleasure of interacting with her priests or her representatives, but there she was, just a few feet away.
Hesitating, I leaned my head to the side. Why am I here? I shouldn’t be here. Am I really that important now? I was stunned. I took a step back, unsure of what to say or do. But all of my lingering worries dissipated the moment she laid eyes on me. She smiled. It was new—euphoric—like being seen for the very first time. My chest burned in response.
Trianite turned from me and magically I could breathe again. She waved at the mercenary lords next, then finally looked at the man himself.
“My lady, you are stunning today, as usual of course. May I?” She nodded before Valdrec hugged her. “How are you doing? Well, I hope. Though, I have heard...”
“Ah, that is… It is up for debate. You have heard correctly I am sure. Thank you for asking, regardless. The government—my advisors… You must have received my letters.”
“Your letters are a blessing. Always.” He signaled for us to walk. “That is why I am here, if you would believe it.”
“Ah, yes. I assume you are talking about the last one,” Trianite ambled toward the stairs, naturally taking the lead. “Follow me,” she instructed.
“My second-in-command in training…” Valdrec winked, “will be joining us today. I hope you don’t mind. The rest, however,” he used his index finger to point at the floor. “Stay. Put.”
“Yes, sir,” the mercenaries and servants nodded, lining up along the wall.
Valdrec jostled toward the doors at the base of the stairs. “Please, let me get that for you,” he said, then opened them for his queen.
“Thank you.” Her voice was soft like whispers drifting along the night sky.
Trianite ascended the stairs ahead of us. Feet tapping lightly on the steps, she soared up each one smoothly and with ethereal grace. I had just stepped to follow her when Valdrec stopped me at the base of the door. Grabbing me by the collar, he hissed in my ear, “Stay quiet. Do not screw this up for me.”
He was dead serious. Any lingering semblance of kindness he’d shown that boy had been wiped clean from his face. This. This is the Valdrec I know, and hate.
His eyebrows like daggers pointed down at the firm line of his mouth. He tightened his grip, cinching the collar of my shirt, making it hard to breathe. I nodded and wheezed, shaken by the look on his face.
“Good,” he pushed me toward the stairs, “I don’t want any trouble.”
Of course you don’t. Ha, I knew it was all an act.
Once on the second level, we toured the area, sticking close to the railing. Trianite walked between us, her hair flowing out behind her in neat waves. As we walked, she told us of the many problems that plagued her these days.
“Border skirmishes with the Shadows.” she narrated. “They have amassed a force on New Terraville and my resources have been stretched too thin. Oh, those Shadows! They’ve bested me at sea.” She sighed down at the city below. “I must reclaim my Navy. I just can’t seem to find the proper funding.”
“Yes, I was deeply concerned when I first heard you say that, my Lady,” Valdrec responded. “The Shadows are horrible, just horrible, eh? Nasty business that. We can’t conduct trade because of their constant raids. But I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors on the streets…” He patted his chest. “I know how to deal with them.” Behind them, I clamped my jaw shut to keep quiet.
“Yes, so it would seem.” Trianite hummed.
“I have a few ways of keeping them at bay,” he shrugged. “And I believe, with my tactics, I can keep them away from the border as well.”
The way she tilted her head told me she was more than a bit skeptical of Valdrec’s claims. Hell, who could blame her? Even I was. Dante’s pirates are one thing, but stopping the entirety of the Shadows’ army? Valdrec must have a few more tricks up his sleeve that I don’t know about.
“Interesting…” she curled her index finger and brought it to her chin, pondering the idea. “Tell me. How exactly will you keep them away?”
In the blink of any eye, Valdrec’s whole demeanor changed. His shoulders squared, and his strides lengthened, exuding confidence with every purposeful step. His words flowed smoothly, leaving no room for skepticism. I found myself paying close attention. It’s like his energy became magnetic. I couldn’t resist even if I wanted to.
“Excellent question, my Lady! You see, most don’t put in the effort like I do. Zul for example.” He laughed boisterously. “That’s why they replaced her with me. I know what I’m doing. I can help you, my Lady. Who else can say the same?”
With his hand, he flattened his shirt, and stepped forward. Trianite tilted her head a bit as Valdrec cleared his throat, pleading with his eyes. “My Lady, I came before you today not just as a merchant, but as someone who envisions a shared destiny for us, and for the realm you hold so dear. I didn’t come here to dazzle you with fancy words or promises I can’t keep. The Shadows are a problem. I know it. I’ve seen it firsthand. They’ve cast a veil of uncertainty and fear over our lands for far too long and it's time we put an end to it. I’ve got a plan—a good one, I can assure you.
I’ve got the wealth, the connections. My business is thriving! I’m not another one of those smooth talkers who are only after you for money or fame. No, I don’t simply want a small slice of the action. Not at all, my Lady. I’m here to offer you a vault of solutions. From what I’ve seen in all my years of experience, the open seas need a hero, and I’m ready to step up.”
He turned to me then, catching me off guard. “My employees are equally as capable. You see, my partner here has been in the Subcontinent for quite some time. He’s gotten awfully familiar with the markets there, as well as our trade routes along the Sashan Sea.”
Trianite’s attention shifted toward me, her godly gaze boring deep into my soul. My stomach fluttered under the weight of it and I tensed.
What do I say? Do I tell the truth? Do I tell her about the Shadows? Is that one of her powers? Can she sense the truth? Momentarily, I glanced away from the piercing eyes across from me, seeking refuge in the far corner of the room. Instead, Valdrec caught my attention. I saw his lip curl, just slightly. He raised one finger up to his neck, and slid it along so subtly I almost didn’t understand the gesture. But I knew what he wanted. He wanted me to lie. How am I supposed to lie to a Goddess? What if I just nod? Yeah, that’s perfect. That’ll be enough. And so I did.
I could almost feel the disappointment seep out of Valdrec. “Say more!” He seemed to yell at me. “Spit it out! Convince her!”
I took a deep, deliberate breath, a silent plea for guidance and strength.
“Yes, um—” I cleared my throat. “Yes, my Lady. Everything from Swayloch to Fort Nacre. Like the back of my hand, I know the best way to get there, I know who needs what. I even pushed the Shadows away from raiding the coastline once.”
A small smile of approval graced Valdrec’s lips before he quickly tucked it away. With his full attention back on Trianite, he continued his boasting, “People like him,” he crooned, “are all across my network. I only hire the best, after all. That is why I am offering my services to you: to stop the Shadows, both on land and out at sea.”
“Your services? I’m not sure what you mean.” Trianite raised a brow. “Be frank.”
I could barely hear them over the sound of my beating heart thudding in my chest. I really had prevented the Shadows from raiding the coastline, but what killed me more than anything was hiding my affiliation with them. I didn’t lie to Trianite. Everything that I said was true. Everything. So why do I feel so… disgusting?
“I am asking to join your government.”
Wait, what?
The words hung in the air. It was as if the entire room had been plunged into an unsettling silence. Shock rooted me to the spot, while my mind whirred with a myriad of emotions, and the weight of the news slowly settled on my shoulders. The government? He wants to join the government now too?