There were mixed frowns and smiles around the table. Some lords whispered to each other. Domenic turned to me. “Lady Amalia, in your capacity as acting Serene Envoy, I ask you to bear witness that as of this moment I order all taxes on Raverran merchants to cease, and all Raverran trade privileges to be restored. I also formally welcome the Serene Envoy back to my court and to this Council. Now that Lady Savony’s treachery has been brought to light, there is more reason than ever to renew our friendship with Raverra. Ardence stands ready to abide by the Serene Accords once more.”

No outcry followed his words. I felt as if the Graces had lifted a heavy pack from my back. “Thank you. On behalf of the Empire, and on a personal level, I am very glad to hear it.”

Zaira lifted her head from her arms and winked at Domenic. He barely caught himself before winking back.

“I will, however, also request aid from the Empire in addressing the difficulties we face.” Domenic’s face brightened. “Perhaps the artificers among the Falcons could work on correcting the River Arden’s course, for instance. I might have some ideas for a series of artifice locks to ensure sufficient depth in the problematic parts of the river.”

I ached to find paper and pen to sketch out concepts with him. Then I thought of Istrella and smiled. “I know an artificer who might enjoy that challenge very much. I’ll pass along the request to the Empire and the Falcons, and urge them to accommodate Ardence in this matter.”

A noble demanded to know what would happen with debts owed to Prince Ruven, since his welcome in the Serene Empire was now dubious at best, and the conversation shifted to a discussion of whether the Empire might, under the circumstances, offer relief from those debts. No one challenged Domenic’s decree that Ardence would again abide by the Serene Accords. It was done.

Zaira nudged me in the ribs. “Guess I don’t get to set anything on fire today after all.”

“It doesn’t sound like it,” I whispered back.

She yawned. “Remind me why I’m at this boring meeting again?”

I flicked my eyes toward Domenic. “To ogle a viscount. Or a duke, rather.”

“Oh, right.” She grinned, leaned back with her hands behind her head, and proceeded to do just that.

So it was that two days after the Council of Lords meeting, we prepared to leave. I was well enough to travel, and our work here was done. Lady Terringer had recovered from Ignazio’s poison, and had resumed the duties of Serene Envoy. The River Palace swarmed with all the activity surrounding a ducal funeral and a ducal coronation, and we were not required for any of it.