Chapter 1: The City of Glass

The two assistants of the governor stood in Bârladeanu’s office, silent and waiting for a reaction. They were waiting for their mistress to finish reading their report. The stern-looking Dravki, with dark brown hair tied in a knot at the back of her head, sat at the massive fig wood table, reviewing the collection of information about the high guests who would soon arrive and sipping on the glass of water she always kept close by. Like soldiers waiting for their marshal, Violeta and Niculaie stood stiffly in one place, waiting for their mistress’s judgement. Finally, she removed her wire-rimmed glasses and put the folder with the documents away.
A wave of relief went through the two assistants. But then the governess leaned her elbows on the table, interlocked her fingers, and looked intently at the two assistents. “I want you to make sure that all facilities are equipped to their satisfaction while our guests are still on their way here.”
Niculaie was about to say something about how Bârladeanu actually wanted to take care of this himself while both aides were in the archives, but Violeta cut him off: “Of course, we’ll also go through the supply rooms again in case anything is missing.”
Bârladeanu nodded. “If so, then leave the bill in my office.”
Violeta and Niculaie bowed, but the young nobleman couldn’t resist asking, “And what will you be doing in the meantime, my lady?”
Bârladeanu looked at the young man from beneath a raised eyebrow. “I, my dear Iliescu, will attend to more important matters!” she said dismissively in response to his question. Niculaie wanted to reply again, but he noticed Violeta’s angry gaze from the side. “I will write some letters again, together with Magistra Cantrell, in case your curiosity is so great. I want not only King Albeşcu to be informed of every little detail of the negotiation, but also our nearby neighbours and the church in the West. The human grand king from the Westerlands has been quite quiet about the rumours from Meridia so far, but the royal family from southern Tarmenia and even the arch-ascetic of the reformers have repeatedly made inquiries to me about events in otherwise quiet Meridia.”
Niculaie and Violeta looked at each other briefly. The young woman’s curiosity was now also piqued. “So, will we be receiving more guests?” she asked cautiously.
Bârladeanu almost snorted disdainfully. “Cantrell is not as narrow-minded as the other clerics of the church, but the reformers will certainly not participate in any meeting where a member of the Divine Right is present. Similarly, the nobles of the Westerlands, who are too caught up in their own unimportant conflicts, would not tolerate sitting at a table with their rivals, even if it was not about them for once!” She shook her angular head. “They are all just petitioners who want to be kept up to date. Not much can be expected from the West.” A tone of disappointment was evident in the governor’s sentence. Once again, Niculaie and Violeta’s eyes met, unsure of how far they could go.
Finally, Niculaie mustered the courage to ask, “And what do they want to be kept informed about?”
Bârladeanu narrowed her eyes and stared at the two assistants as if thinking. Then she seemed to shrug her shoulders and revealed: “Have you heard of unrest in Meridia?” Both nodded. “Unfortunately, they are not rumours spread by overzealous merchants, even though our king would like it that way. Something has happened, not too long ago, within the borders of our neighbours. A possible rebellion and domestic tensions. The Hesha have been expelled from their own cities and are now seeking allies in the West. That is why they come to Zloka. A summit of the Eastern countries. They are looking for a way to regain control of the city-states, currently held by an unknown third party.” Bârladeanu stood up from her table and gestured for the two to leave. “And now go and do your tasks!”
The adjutants bowed to her and left, leaving the rather exasperated Bârladenau to herself.