I dreaded having to schmooze with the nobles and them drilling me about Chadom. Before any of them could reach me, Laira took my arm and guided me out of the hall right after the announcement.

  “Won’t that cause problems?” I asked, glancing back at the sea of silks and jewels.

  “You mean more than marrying a Count out of the blue and announcing a new realm no cartographer has ever confirmed? Yes. It will be a headache, but it’s my problem to solve. Yours is to get me your weapons.”

  I looked at her beautiful face. Laira was holding herself together, but barely. I had piled a lot of trouble on her lap, on top of what she was already dealing with; the two idiots northern Dukes who didn’t like that a woman was ruling the kingdom. She needed help.

  “Let me help you out.”

  “How?”

  “I’ll demonstrate our repeating crossbows to the nobles. That will give them something else to talk about.”

  “We’ll lose the element of surprise!”

  “And without it, you might lose all your support base. Not that you should need them,” I said bitterly. “I know it’s risky, but it’s worth it.”

  “The enemy will be more cautious of us in the future.”

  “That’s not entirely a bad thing.”

  “They’ll be more prepared!” her eyes widened in anger. “Not just Zoran but the internal ones.”

  “That’s the point. Preparation takes time; time I need to build hundreds of crossbows, and Hrodric needs to get rid of the worst offenders in your military. Let the enemy prepare. When they think themselves ready, I will reveal even more surprises.”

  She exhaled in response, squeezing my hand.

  “I hope you are right.”

  While my men prepared for a demonstration, a celebratory feast was arranged for the nobles.

  The first toast came from a well dressed man on the shorter end of height. He lifted his goblet high, grabbing everyone’s attention.

  “My Queen,” he began, inclining his head to Laira with impeccable deference, “and Count Nobart; our newest star among the noble houses. It brings me great satisfaction to offer my humble congratulations on this most… momentous union. Her Majesty has chosen a consort of rare distinction; one whose path to prominence has been, shall we say, atypical in its nature.”

  He smiled at me, very courteously.

  “How inspiring, in these uncertain times, to see a local lord lead a realm so distant that no cartographer has yet agreed on its borders. Such mystery is a fine seasoning for politics, is it not?”

  A polite wave of laughter spread out, while he continued.

  “May the unknown prove no impediment to trust, and may your union bring clarity to realms that until now have stirred only in rumor.”

  “Don’t mind him. Count Falkhart is a close ally of Grauberg,” Laira spoke in my ear.

  At the lower cluster of tables, some of the mid and lower-tier nobles cheered with vigor at every toast. Not because they were well-wishers, but because they saw the change as an opportunity to rise. I wouldn’t mind them rising if they were worthy.

  The military men looked skeptically at me, just like how Hrodric had, trying to measure me. Their scrutiny I could handle, but when it came to social waters, I was like a man who had no idea how to swim. Thankfully I had a lifeguard watching over me; Reshma.

  As I was forced to mingle, two young noblewomen approached me, their robes shimmering like fish scales under shafts of sunlight.

  “My lord Count,” one asked sweetly, “your men are very restrained in their speech and dress. We have never seen knights such as them. Could you introduce us to them?”

  “I’m afraid not, my lady.”

  Their smiles froze. The other tilted her tiny chin.

  “Are they forbidden to speak?”

  Before I could reply, Reshma appeared by my side.

  “My lady, forgive him. My lord feels it would dishonor both you and his men to present them without adequate preparation. He fears they might say something inelegant, or fail to match your grace.”

  The noblewomen’s indignation melted into flattered surprise.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “Oh,” one whispered. “Is that truly his concern?”

  “It is,” Reshma said. “It would be better the eager men enter your presence with some measure of calm.”

  Their faces broke into restrained smiles.

  “Then we shall wait,” they agreed.

  I made sure to stay close to Reshma for the rest of the event. This was not a dance I was proficient at.

  A few paces away, Laira was being inspected under the guise of congratulation by a cluster of dowagers. For what felt like an eternity to me, she dealt with their questions, then approached me, giving me the signal.

  “My Lords and Ladies!” I said out loud, “As you all know, a great danger to the south threatens our realm’s security. To face the menace of Zoran, I have prepared a demonstration. A device that will strengthen our defenses in the years to come.”

  A ripple of muttering passed through the crowd. A weapon demonstration during a betrothal feast broke tradition, and too many people in attendance valued it like priests valued scripture. Some inquisitive souls leaned forward with curiosity.

  The procession moved out into the southern courtyard that was used as the training ground for squires.

  My men came out, disciplined and coordinated. They positioned themselves in a line, facing straw dummies wearing leather armor, and unveiled their crossbows. Their backs to the crowd ensured nobody got too good of a look at the weapons.

  I said out loud, “Let me show you the power of the new weapons that will protect our borders,” and gave the signal.

  The soldiers pointed the crossbows at their targets and began firing.

  The thwip thwip thwip of loosed bolts was followed by ka-chak ka-chak of the cocking levers being pulled. The sounds went on and on, until they became a symphony. Bolts filled the air, easily penetrating the brigandine armor and digging deep, turning the targets into hedgehogs.

  I looked back at the nobles, who were staring at the targets slack-jawed. Some smiled and clapped with genuine admiration. They would have to be scouted.

  General Hrodric, Oberstein and Ragenwald, standing next to me, hid it better than most, but their eyes betrayed their shock. Knowing was one thing, experiencing another. I could see them realizing the end of light armor. Skirmishers and raiders would face massive casualties, giving defenders an upper hand, which we sorely needed.

  As my soldiers covered the bows and walked out, a knight spoke up. “A peasant with such a device,” he spat, “might slay a knight, denying him his right to honorable combat. It undermines the very order of our realm.”

  “We are facing an enemy with at least ten times our population, sir. That threatens our very survival at this moment. Don’t you think we should focus on that first?”

  I was about to say Honor and a few knights won’t slay them, but managed to stay my tongue. No need to inflame them further.

  I addressed the crowd, “As your Prince Consort, I will dedicate myself to the security of the realm. No matter how fat the Zoran Empire has gotten from swallowing other kingdoms, it will find Nanon to be an insurmountable challenge.”

  That drew muted applause. Some people approached me with real questions.

  “Who controls production?”

  “How many can be made in a week?”

  “How reliable is it in the rain?”

  Their questions revealed what they feared most: a weapon that could shift the power from lance-bearing nobles to rank-and-file infantry.

  Thankfully Laira pulled me away.

  “That should keep them off your backs,” I said to her, as we walked back to the hall.

  “Thank you, it will at least reassure my supporters,” she said, giving me a peck on the cheek.

  “I’m more excited about the people who looked jubilant. More people for your camp.”

  “I think they are just opportunists, dearest.”

  “As long as the cat catches mice, I don’t care whether it’s black or white.”

  She laughed. “Mine is a useless boy who does nothing all day, but I get your point.”

  As the feast went on, alcohol loosened tongues. The knight from earlier approached me.

  “A nobleman,” he declared loudly, “commands, not crafts. You wield tools fit for commoners, my lord. Hardly the bearing of one who would sit beside our Queen.”

  The hall quieted.

  “I think some loss of dignity is worth the safety of our entire realm, sir. Or would you rather die saying, ‘at least I didn’t lose my dignity.’ Would that be worth losing not only your life, but also that of your family?”

  “Are you threatening me?” he asked, ice in his tone.

  I clenched my teeth. I am an engineer damnit, not a diplomat.

  “Of course not, Sir,” Laira interjected. “His Excellency meant at the hands of our enemies. His prime concern remains the safety of all our people. Sometimes that demands certain compromises.”

  The knight bowed stiffly under her gaze and retreated.

  As the feast waned, nobles drifted toward their waiting carriages, whispering no doubt of new alliances and plans.

  “What do you think?” I asked Laira.

  “Some saw threat, some opportunity, but my supporters are relieved.” Laira answered.

  “Quite a display, Your Highness,” Hrodric said out loud as we entered the Council chamber.

  “We’re not married yet,” I replied.

  “It’s just a formality now. You have already cemented your position with that display, but,” his eyes narrowed, “that is not the weapon that Her Majesty alluded to before, is it? The wall-destroyer?”

  I visibly cringed at that. “It’s best you don’t speak of it to anyone, General. Let the enemy think they have already assessed our strength. The thunder weapons are our surprise and should be kept under wraps as long as possible.”

  He nodded in understanding.

  “Why did you not invite the General to the private demonstration?” I asked Laira.

  Her face darkened. “That would have been callous. He was mourning the recent loss of his second son.”

  “My condolences, General,” I bowed.

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” he replied, voice hitched. “His troop came under attack from the Nogalese, and the local soldiers that came to his rescue were very poorly armed. I suspect corruption played a part in his demise.”

  I schooled my features. So that’s why he agreed to follow my plan so quickly.

  “Hopefully your search for NCOs also reveals the parasites responsible.”

  “I have some suspects. I just couldn’t do much about them. Thanks to you and Her Majesty, I am now free to deal with them.”

  “Do you need anything else before leaving?” Laira asked.

  “Yes,” I replied. “Lord Oberstein, can you discreetly begin searching for sources of guano?”

  “Guano?”

  “Large deposits of bat or seabird droppings. It’s an excellent fertilizer.”

  “Look for fertilizer, discreetly?” he asked, puzzled.

  “Yes. The search must remain secret.”

  He nodded hesitantly.

  “How’s the treasury?” I asked Laira.

  “It was fine, until I found out about the theft of a year’s worth of copper, then gave you tons of it, along with that massive ‘reward.’”

  I placed a hand on hers. “It was necessary, dear. It will pay for itself in our security, and more. I promise.”

  “I hope so. Are you sure you can’t wait a few more days? My uncle arrives soon.”

  “I’m afraid not. The situation in Nobart is already volatile. I need to fix that and prepare gifts for our wedding.”

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