Page 3806

She could work around that, though. Just as she’d done countless times before. It was just a matter of staying vigilant and prepared. That was never going to change, even if these two somehow did.

‘Perhaps I could offer you both a precious relic,’ she said.

‘Oh?’ said Morgunov with obvious interest. ‘I do always love those. What did you have in mind?’

Ideally, such gifts would be valuable but not dangerous. And in Morgunov’s case, it would be better still if it was something that would keep him busy for a while, too. That was usually asking too much, though. From her observations of him, technical complexity was what usually acquired his interest, but it was danger that maintained it.

‘Before I go into that,’ she said, ‘understand that I will be wanting much more than a mere ceasefire.’

‘So dinner and a movie, too?’

‘Amusing. But no, darling. I will want treaties. Written and signed. For every nation currently involved in this conflict.’

‘Mm, sounds like a lot of work. Better be some darn good relics if you’re askin’ for all that.’

‘And how many years of non-aggression will you be seeking from these nations?’ said Dozer.

‘The number is negotiable, as always. But given both of your track records with breaking terms, I am thinking that the punishment for not upholding them this time around should be quite severe indeed.’

‘“Our” track records?’ said Dozer. ‘And what of yours? Or Sermung’s? You speak as if you have spotless histories, when you certainly do not.’

‘Now, now,’ said Morgunov. ‘Let’s not go down that road. We may have plenty of time on our hands in here, but if we start arguing about that stuff again, I’m sure we’ll all still manage to die of old age before reaching any kind of agreement.’

How uncharacteristically reasonable of him. Sai-hee could hardly contain her surprise. ‘Nibas. You had a passing interest in Rainlord culture, did you not?’

‘I did. Why are you bringing that up?’

‘I have a fragment of the Fountain of Lhutwë. I thought that might serve as your relic, if you are interested.’

‘Oooh...’

‘And for Medan, I thought--’

A sudden tremble cut her off. It wasn’t terribly violent or enduring, but given the mysterious nature of this Void State, she couldn’t help but be distracted.

‘What was that?’ said Morgunov. ‘Not another new arrival, surely?’