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And more guards line the walls nearby, ready to pounce should anything happen.
Kellyn is here as an incentive for me to behave.
When the next group of nobles reaches the dais, Ravis greets them warmly. “Lork and Vanya! My friends, welcome to my party.”
“Prince Ravis.” The man, Lork, nods.
“My prince,” his wife echoes.
Insects crawl down my spine at the proximity of more people, and I wish this chair would swallow me whole.
“Do enjoy yourselves tonight!” Ravis says. “As two of my mostloyal supporters, I hope you’ll consider tonight’s revelries as being held in your honor.”
Lork shifts his weight onto his other leg. “About that, Prince, I’m afraid we can spare no more financial aid in your efforts. I’m sure you’ll understand, given that we’ve donated more than anyone else and have yet to reap any rewards.”
Vanya takes her husband’s arm, offering him her silent support. They both eye the prince, unafraid of his response.
Ravis has gone still. So still that I can’t tell if he’s breathing for a moment.
“This is most distressing news,” the prince says after a moment. “When we are so close to achieving the whole of Ghadra.”
“A pile of swords does not equate to more land in my name, Prince,” Lork says. “Nor slaves to work said land. I’ve had a talk with the other upper nobility. They are also inclined to withdraw their gold. We will not be able to support our own staff and households much longer at the rate you wring us dry.”
“And,” Vanya adds, “when you throw such opulent parties that do not bring us closer to our goal.”
“The party, Duchess, was financed by the crown,” Ravis says through clenched teeth. “The gold from my supporters goes to the army. Men need to eat. Swords need to be sharpened. You understand.”
“I’m afraid all I’ve seen is a lot of talk and no action.”
“No action? Well, let me introduce you to my newest hire. Ziva, tell the duke and duchess what you do.”
My mouth goes dry. An invisible hand squeezes my heart within my chest. I can barely focus on what the prince has said, the panic is so strong.
The two nobles turn to me, and the sensation only grows worse.
“Ziva,” Ravis prompts, the threat clear in his voice.
“I—I make weapons.” My voice is no more than a squeak.
“You’ve hired another smithy,” Vanya says, unimpressed. “Really, now, Prince. The promise of action has been too long coming. This does not help things.”
Ravis glares at me, and only then do I realize the vital piece of information I left out.
“Magic!” I blurt a little too loudly.Pull yourself together, Ziva.“I make magic weapons.”
The duke and duchess say nothing for a moment. Then Lork’s eyes glance at Elany before returning to me.
“Magic weapons?” he repeats.
“Yes.”
“What do they do?”
The spaces beneath my arms start to sweat. Everything is too hot, yet I still wish for more fabric to cover myself.
“Um, all sorts of things,” I say. “For the prince, I’ve been making swords that can’t be broken and never need to be sharpened. I also made blades that return to the wielder’s hand immediately if they’re disarmed.” I rack my brain for any other safe details. Ravis knows about my hammers and Kellyn’s sword, so I mention those as well.
The nobles eye me with suspicion, as though they think I’m some sort of trickery drummed up by Ravis to fool these idiots into giving him more money.
