Jistan

The warriors’ armor was maroon, with white sun-and-moon sigils on them. Scimitars hung freely from their belts without sheaths, looking wickedly sharp. Jistan didn’t anticipate any trouble, but he still placed a hand on his sword’s hilt, prepping his mana in case he needed to freeze anyone.

One man rode up to Jistan, his bronze skin darkened from the sun.

“Prince Jistan Oriando of Casland,” he said. “I am General Samut, and we are here to escort your group to the palace. Emperor Varo Matik awaits you there.”

Jistan looked over the Zanteon soldiers. “I didn’t expect such a warm welcome.”

“This escort is just a precaution. We weren’t sure how big your party would be.”

“Ah. Well, I’m glad for it. It’ll be protection from any potential unruly citizens in your city.” Jistan kept his tone and face calm, but inside he was a mess of nerves, his stomach churning. He had to look like he’d come with the intention of negotiating peace. It was fortunate his father set this up, because there was no way they could’ve snuck into this secure city.

General Samut led the way through the streets of Hayzir, toward the massive white palace in the center of the city. Jistan hated that they wouldn’t have an easy escape after the heist, as they would still have to get past city patrol even after leaving the palace grounds.

Jistan and his party were flanked on all sides by the Zanteon soldiers. Now that they were in enemy territory, they would have to be more vigilant. Hopefully Emperor Varo would continue adhering to the ceasefire.

The prince noticed that the people here dressed differently, with most of the men in vests and pantaloons, while the women wore colorful scarves over their dresses. Everyone’s skin color in Zanteos was varying shades of bronze, instead of the more varied tones from ebony-skinned to ivory-skinned like in Casland.

People on the streets and in the windows of dwellings glared at them as they passed. One lady rushed her son into the house as he whined because he’d left his toy behind. Another man had the audacity to climb onto a stone statue of Emperor Varo and shout, “Death to all Caslandians!”

Two Zanteon soldiers ran over to grab him and pull him down, dragging him away. General Samut flicked Jistan a sympathetic look and said, “My apologies, the people here can be a bit outspoken about their opinions.”

The prince waved his hand to dismiss the matter, accustomed to negative opinions directed at him. The Zanteon people must’ve been angry about their soldiers dying at the hands of Casland soldiers along the borders. Jistan was angry about that too.

Despite the negativity, Hayzir was not without its beauty. A lovely garden house they passed displayed flowers of various hues growing in large planters and pots. The herbimancer that took care of the plants had outdone themselves. Surprisingly, there were other plants growing in random places throughout the city, even though it had been built in the middle of a desert.

Finally, they rode through an iron gate and into an enclosed tiled courtyard. The palace before them was made of white stone with pillars along the front and arched windows along the second floor. It wasn’t as lavish as Jistan’s home, but it was certainly fit for an emperor. Besides, this was only part of the palace. A lot more had probably been spent on building the labyrinth of the treasure room and the fortress behind the palace. Jistan couldn’t see it from here.

A man in beige robes and pantaloons strolled down the palace steps as Jistan’s party dismounted their steeds. A posse of guards tailed him, their chainmail rattling.

Jistan walked forward to meet the man whose black hair was slicked back with grease, upon which his bulky wool headpiece sat. He had a square jaw, a golden skintone, and dazzling blue eyes. He looked to be in his thirties, although Jistan knew him to be older than his father even. He wondered what Varo’s secret was for such a youthful appearance. And seeing the way Aladia and Qiara gazed at him, Jistan knew this man caught the eyes of most ladies.

“Ah, well met, Prince Jistan Oriando,” the man said, bowing his head as his hands remained clutched together in front of him, hidden in his voluminous sleeves. “We’ve been anticipating your arrival.”

“Greetings, Emperor Varo Matik,” Jistan said, bowing his head as well.

The man smiled. “I’m glad you and your father are willing to discuss peace terms. The fact that you were willing to travel all the way here proves to me you are serious about it. I assure you, everything I request will be reasonable.”

Jistan hoped the guilt wasn’t apparent in his expression as he said, “I hope so, for the sake of the people in our countries.”

“Yes, I agree. I know you would like to wash up from your long journey, and afterwards, you can join me and my family for a late dinner in the dining hall. Your companions may also join us if they so wish.”

“Only three of my companions will be joining us for dinner. The other three are free to retire to their rooms.” Jistan indicated the three with a wave of his hand. “This is my second-in-command, Raz Wonger; this is Lady Aladia Vizini of Lyndree; and this is Leiam Bahan. I would love their opinions about the peace terms.”

The emperor’s head bobbed up and down. “Of course, of course. Your father assured me you’ll have a very open mind about agreeing to my terms.”

Jistan gave him a tiny smile. “We’ll see.”

Varo bellowed out a laugh, slapping the prince on the back. “A cautious one you are, eh? That’s good; that’s an excellent quality in a future leader.” Jistan and his companions walked up the steps with the emperor, entering the palace. Two guards stood on both sides of the front doors, staring straight ahead. Four more guards followed Emperor Varo closely.

The guards all wore white or black among the maroon of their armor, so they were only lightmancers or darkmancers. Jistan hoped that was the only mancers who guarded the labyrinth too, because Shai could easily handle them. As long as she didn’t encounter another unmancer, she could stop any magic that threatened them.

Emperor Varo left them as a servant ushered the seven companions to the second floor, where they were given guest rooms to freshen up in. Jistan was given a room to himself, while the others were split into pairs. He shared a look with Shai that he hoped conveyed the words good luck and please be careful as she went off to her room. She was to go on a recon mission with Qiara and Tivon while Jistan and the others had dinner with the emperor.

Jistan was brought a basin of hot water and soap to wash himself. He also changed into an orange and gold doublet from his luggage, a dashing outfit for this occasion. He needed to look his best for this peace dinner, even though it didn’t matter how it ended. If Emperor Varo agreed to peace, great, but it wouldn’t affect the job Jistan had come here to do.

After he joined Aladia, Leiam, and Raz, the four of them were led back downstairs and along a wood-paneled hallway decorated with gold abstract designs. Golden sconces were attached to the walls, fist-sized orbs of light hovering over them instead of the usual torches, giving off a dim luminance. Jistan figured some heliomancer was expelling a lot of mana every night to light them, but this was the dwelling of a royal. Royals and nobles were known for using magic for unnecessary reasons.

The dining hall they entered was lit the same way, although these orbs were much brighter. The magical spheres floated freely in the air above one long table in the room. The walls here were glossy wood panels too, where oil paintings hung, depicting scenes of grand feasts and of the Goddess, with her smooth bronze skin and silver hair. In one painting, she was even nude.

Emperor Varo met them again just inside the doors. Behind him, six people already sat around the table, fancy place settings at each chair. Everything shone brilliantly in the light of the orbs.

The emperor led them to the table. A woman sitting at one end rose when they approached.

“This is my wife, Queen Celina,” Varo introduced.

The queen bowed her head as Jistan did the same. She was a petite woman with medium bronze skin and straight black hair down the back of her ivory gown. She had a tight smile on her face, as if she was here against her wishes.

You and me both, Jistan thought. If it wasn’t for his father sending him on this heist, he would’ve chosen to just help fight on the frontline at the borders. But that wouldn’t stop the war. Supposedly, stealing this chest and using the object inside would.

Varo introduced four of the people sitting around the queen as his advisors, and they all nodded their heads in greeting. Finally, the emperor led them to the other end of the table to the last occupied seat. The male sitting here was also dressed in a resplendent doublet, his blue with swirling designs in the fabric.

“And this,” Varo said, smiling proudly, “is my son, Prince Keion Matik.”

Jistan sized up the other prince, who beamed warmly. He took after his handsome father, even though he had brown eyes like his mother. His curly hair was cropped close to his scalp.

Jistan wondered what kind of mancer he was. Aquamancer, since he wore blue? But he wouldn’t always be wearing the color of his ability. The only chronomancer silver Jistan had on at the moment was the chain around his neck.

“Pleasure to meet you, Prince Jistan,” Keion said in a sharp accent.

“Pleasure to meet you too, Your Highness,” Jistan replied. He introduced Raz, Leiam, and Aladia then, and Keion’s interest was piqued as he eyed the darkmancer’s skintight black and white dress.

Jistan smiled to himself. The first part of their plan was already underway.

“It’s so good to finally meet you,” Aladia purred to the Prince of Zanteos, playing her part. “I heard you were the most handsome man in the country, and I’m glad the rumors were true.”

“Oh, nonsense,” Keion said. “You are the ravishing one.” He kissed the back of her hand, and she giggled.

Jistan refrained from rolling his eyes. You can have her, Your Highness. But only after she helps me steal from your family.

Emperor Varo gestured to a chair. “Please, have a seat next to mine, Prince of Casland. Your advisors can take the other seats.”

They all sat down, and Aladia made sure to get a seat next to Prince Keion. Jistan gave her an approving nod.

Varo picked up a tiny gold bell after he sat down and rang it until servers started streaming into the room, bringing in trays of food. The dinner was quite grand but foreign compared to what Jistan was used to in his country: lamb chops smothered in a thick sauce, spiced sausages, rice pilaf, cauliflower, various cheeses, and pita bread. Jistan’s plate was full after sampling a little of everything the servers offered. He hadn’t realized how famished he was after eating only traveling food for the past couple of weeks.

There was some small talk between him and the emperor throughout the meal. The prince’s eyes kept flicking over to Aladia, who was chatting up Keion. Jistan knew they had to play this smart and take their time, but he was impatient with it all. He wished he could just freeze everyone in this room and go search for the key, but they wouldn’t stay frozen for long. And any palace servant could walk in and see the royal family frozen, then alert the guards.

Their plates were almost clean when the emperor finally said, “So, my peace terms. Are you ready to hear them?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Jistan told him. “Has my father heard them yet?”

“Yes, he knows all the details. I made him promise to let me explain them to you myself. All you have to do is agree and sign the treaty one of my biomancers drew up this morning.”

“Alright. Let’s hear them.” Jistan wiped grease from his mouth with a napkin.

Varo snapped his fingers, and a servant with a long black beard and mustache approached the table, handing a parchment to the emperor. Varo cleared his throat and began reciting:

“All Casland soldiers must cease fighting along the border between your country and Zanteos. Mine will do the same. I understand our soldiers will still be fighting along the borders of Irisei, Qodoth, and Estovia though.”

Jistan nodded. “Done.”

“I also agree to lend my soldiers to your cause against the other countries, as long as you agree to help us fight Irisei and Estovia along our borders as well.”

The last few terms were minor, like establishing trade between their countries. When Varo was done, Jistan sat back in his chair, grabbing his goblet of ale and swishing its contents. “Those terms sound reasonable. But I want to add that you must send some of your people to help repair the damage done to my villages near the border. Your soldiers killed many and destroyed much. Also, I was hesitant to agree to peace terms after your soldiers ambushed me and my party on the way here.”

“I assure you, Your Highness, I did not authorize that ambush,” Emperor Varo declared. “The general who ordered that attack acted on his own, and he will be heavily punished for it. I also agree to send soldiers to help restore your villages.”

Jistan was a little surprised this was going so well. Varo really did want peace, and he seemed like a good man. It gave the prince pause, but he doubted that if he told his father about this, he would change his mind about the heist.

Still, what if there was a way to end the strife along the borders without using the object inside the chest?

“I want reparations for the families of those who lost loved ones as well,” Jistan added. “Only the civilians, not the soldiers. I’ll do the same for your people.”

Emperor Varo frowned. “I suppose that can be arranged, but we’ll have to work out the details of how much would be sufficient. And it would have to be over a certain amount of time, since the Crossover War is hitting our coffers hard.”

“Yes, we can work out specifics tomorrow. Is that all?” Let this meeting be over, Jistan thought.

“I believe so.”

“Excellent. I will consult with my advisors and contact my father about the terms. Tomorrow, I’ll let you know of any amendments he would like made, and then maybe we’ll be able to sign the treaty so we can leave the day after tomorrow.” And hopefully with the Obsidian Chest.

“Sounds fair. Would you care to join me for a drink in the parlor?”

“Um, actually, I was hoping to turn in early.”

“Wait, before we do that,” Aladia said, “maybe we could spend some time getting to know Prince Keion? He could take us on a tour of the palace.” She batted her eyelashes at him.

“Certainly,” Keion said with a smirk, looking her up and down.

Jistan grinned. Perfect. Step one of their plan had been set in motion.

Now he hoped Shai was having success with her assignment.