The throne room is full as Inkga wheels in my chair. The people are restless—noisy and writhing. There are three unbreakable lines of guards, and more surround me, including Jaku. They must be almost all the guards we have for the palace.
I wanted to bring Puneah but didn’t dare expose her to such a large, and probably hostile, crowd.
The room isn’t as full as I expected. There are lots of people, but about half as many as at the last meeting I had in here. Not all the Kurah are here, but I’m glad those who came did, even if they’re loud.
I’m rolled into place where the thrown used to sit. Someone smart must have removed it—probably one of my ladies-in-waiting. I wait for the people to settle, but the noise continues building. It would be good if there was a way to amplify my voice.
Yelling as loud as I can, I say, “My people, I brought you here today to discuss your needs.”
No one pays me any attention. A guard I don’t recognize says, “Maybe we should have you drink the Mortum Tura. That way, they can see you are meant to be the queen. That might quiet them.”
“No,” Jaku and I say at the same time.
The guard raises his eyebrows but doesn’t press the issue.
What can I do to get their attention? If I had my full capabilities, I would throw my dagger over their heads.
“Silence,” Nash calls out from somewhere behind me. The crowd simmers, though there’s still some noise. “The queen wishes to speak with you.”
The crowd simmers, though there’s still some noise.
I have the urge to run away. Good thing I’m stuck in this chair, or I might do it. I don’t know how I’ll convince them to release their goods to the Medi and Poruah. Because this is something that has to happen. “I know you have issues with your taxes being higher, and that is what we’re here to talk about.”
I take a deep breath. “I know your grievances, and I understand that taxes are a burden you haven't had to shoulder until I came to be queen.”
“That’s right,” yells a man in the front row. “What are you going to do to fix this?”
“We are working on plans to ease your tax burdens.” I put as much sternness into my words as I can. “But we will not—I repeat, not—give in to threats. If you want your taxes eased, you must return to selling your wares and helping those who aren’t as fortunate as you.”
“Why should we?” a woman several rows back yells.
“Because it’s the right thing to do.”
“Right for who?” Another woman from the crowd calls out. “You? The Medi and Poruah? Not for us. We demand you lower our taxes, and lower them now.”
How do I handle this? How do I help them see? Or is harshness the only thing they’d understand?
If Daros was the ruler, he’d beat them or kill them into submission. I don’t want to go that route, but I do want them to grasp how serious I am. “I promise you again that we are working hard on making sure your taxes are lowered. There will be arduous times ahead, but if we work together, we can make the best of a tough situation. If you continue to threaten and demand, I will no longer fight for you.”
“Why should we listen to you?” a male calls out.
“Because I am your queen.”
Silence rains down for the first time since I arrived. The Mortum Tura might have worked better and faster, but they are calming down. “You will open trade, or you will face the consequences,” I say.
I’m about to tell Jaku I’m ready to go, when I feel a little funny. It’s always hard to move, but this is almost like I can’t move at all. Like I have no control.
Like the First Queen has taken over.
No.
I fight against her, to prevent my lips from opening, but they do so anyway. “One more thing. I declare that my Head Advisor, Nash Zorris, and my Head of Guard, Jaku Hanka, are both to be stripped of their jobs and imprisoned. Nurf Pluno will be my new Head Advisor.”
I strain against her control. I can’t let her do this.
“Furthermore, I order the death of Daros Durkin.”
I’m finally able to clamp my lips shut. I try to open them again, to take back what she said, but they won’t budge.
Guards head for Jaku and Nash. I look on, agonizing over their imminent capture, as they both stare at me with shocked expressions.