Duchess of Prussia, who is marrying the emperor in about a week. Relations between Italy and England have been strained for several decades due to the Moghuls reclaiming Constantinople.”
“Moghuls,” he said, blinking.
“Italy liberated Constantinople from the Moghuls three decades past,” I explained. “But seven years ago, the imperator—he’s really an emperor, but for some reason they call him imperator—Imperator Aurangzeb III retook the city. The king of Italy was distraught at this, and asked for aid from Emperor William, but he was busy fighting the war with the Americas, and could not help.”
“You guys had a war with us?” he asked, his eyes narrowing. “Another one?”
“There have been several,” I said, shrugging. “An empire is neither won nor held without casualty. The war with the Americas ended four years ago. However, I should warn you that there are still hard feelings about citizens of the countries who fought against the empire. If it was possible to modify your accent, I would urge you to do so, lest you encounter trouble because of it.”
He straightened up, an indignant look on his face. “I’m not ashamed that I’m American, and I’ll be damned if I pretend otherwise.”
“I’m not suggesting you pretend anything; I’m simply warning you that your accent may cause trouble. If you do not wish to modify it, fine. But don’t be surprised if you find a hostile reaction to it.”
“I’m used to getting flak for a lot of things,” he said with a wry smile that made me want to kiss him.
I ground my teeth against the unruly thought, and poured myself more tea.
“So, back to your problem. You say that unauthorized people on your ship are going to get you into trouble. Is there anything that says you can’t tell this emperor’s dudes that Hallie and I are part of your crew?”
“Unfortunately, yes. The Aerocorps offices have a list of personnel on all ships, and they check all arrivals closely. It’s not just the emperor’s officials who pose a danger—Akbar has been making raids upon Italy in retaliation for the battle over Constantinople, and he has been hitting Rome particularly hard.”
“Akbar is . . . ?”
“Aurangzeb’s son and heir, a ruthless warlord who lets nothing stand in his path,” I said, clearing my throat when I noted how singsong that came out, almost as if I was reciting it. “Of late, he has attacked several Aerocorps ships in the name of the Moghuls.”
“Well, of course he has,” Jack said, nodding, his smile fading. “What else would a ruthless heir do? And you think these Moghuls may attack you?”
“Attack by one’s enemies is always a possibility,” I said, tracing the pattern of flowers on the china teapot.
“That’s a very odd answer,” he said, his eyes thoughtful on me.
“Is it? I hadn’t intended it to be. There is one other threat,” I said quickly. “The revolutionaries who oppose William have, in the past, focused their attentions on matters in England and Prussia. For the last two years, however, they have spread their attacks to include imperial forces in other countries; most notably they have made a number of strikes against ships bearing imperial cargoes. Their raids have targeted the Rome aerodrome three times in the last few months, which is why there are bound to be imperial officials present when we land.”
He looked at me askance. “You have two emperors, a bloodthirsty prince, and revolutionaries? Have you ever thought of writing all of this down? It would make a hell of a story.”
“I am trying to have a serious discussion, Mr. Fletcher. Under the circumstances, flippancy is neither desired or appreciated.”
“Go with the flow, Jack, go with the flow,” he murmured before taking a deep breath and saying, “All right. So there are three threats to you landing safely at Rome.”
“Only two—the Moghuls and the Black Hand.”
“The latter being the revolutionaries?”
“Yes.” I
“Moghuls,” he said, blinking.
“Italy liberated Constantinople from the Moghuls three decades past,” I explained. “But seven years ago, the imperator—he’s really an emperor, but for some reason they call him imperator—Imperator Aurangzeb III retook the city. The king of Italy was distraught at this, and asked for aid from Emperor William, but he was busy fighting the war with the Americas, and could not help.”
“You guys had a war with us?” he asked, his eyes narrowing. “Another one?”
“There have been several,” I said, shrugging. “An empire is neither won nor held without casualty. The war with the Americas ended four years ago. However, I should warn you that there are still hard feelings about citizens of the countries who fought against the empire. If it was possible to modify your accent, I would urge you to do so, lest you encounter trouble because of it.”
He straightened up, an indignant look on his face. “I’m not ashamed that I’m American, and I’ll be damned if I pretend otherwise.”
“I’m not suggesting you pretend anything; I’m simply warning you that your accent may cause trouble. If you do not wish to modify it, fine. But don’t be surprised if you find a hostile reaction to it.”
“I’m used to getting flak for a lot of things,” he said with a wry smile that made me want to kiss him.
I ground my teeth against the unruly thought, and poured myself more tea.
“So, back to your problem. You say that unauthorized people on your ship are going to get you into trouble. Is there anything that says you can’t tell this emperor’s dudes that Hallie and I are part of your crew?”
“Unfortunately, yes. The Aerocorps offices have a list of personnel on all ships, and they check all arrivals closely. It’s not just the emperor’s officials who pose a danger—Akbar has been making raids upon Italy in retaliation for the battle over Constantinople, and he has been hitting Rome particularly hard.”
“Akbar is . . . ?”
“Aurangzeb’s son and heir, a ruthless warlord who lets nothing stand in his path,” I said, clearing my throat when I noted how singsong that came out, almost as if I was reciting it. “Of late, he has attacked several Aerocorps ships in the name of the Moghuls.”
“Well, of course he has,” Jack said, nodding, his smile fading. “What else would a ruthless heir do? And you think these Moghuls may attack you?”
“Attack by one’s enemies is always a possibility,” I said, tracing the pattern of flowers on the china teapot.
“That’s a very odd answer,” he said, his eyes thoughtful on me.
“Is it? I hadn’t intended it to be. There is one other threat,” I said quickly. “The revolutionaries who oppose William have, in the past, focused their attentions on matters in England and Prussia. For the last two years, however, they have spread their attacks to include imperial forces in other countries; most notably they have made a number of strikes against ships bearing imperial cargoes. Their raids have targeted the Rome aerodrome three times in the last few months, which is why there are bound to be imperial officials present when we land.”
He looked at me askance. “You have two emperors, a bloodthirsty prince, and revolutionaries? Have you ever thought of writing all of this down? It would make a hell of a story.”
“I am trying to have a serious discussion, Mr. Fletcher. Under the circumstances, flippancy is neither desired or appreciated.”
“Go with the flow, Jack, go with the flow,” he murmured before taking a deep breath and saying, “All right. So there are three threats to you landing safely at Rome.”
“Only two—the Moghuls and the Black Hand.”
“The latter being the revolutionaries?”
“Yes.” I
Similar Books
