Legend of Ransera

"No, your Majesty," she said, "I do understand that."

Kala glanced at Aoren and put a soothing hand upon his arm. She would not let that happen, though she could not yet tell them what other powers Mother Naori had given her.

"'Tis fortuitous, then, that I am still young and needn't consider marriage yet. Nor children. And the sooner I master Garel's process, the sooner it becomes an option on the table to be enacted when the time is right." Starfall was remote and secretive. She could give her mother wings, give Aquilios' future wife wings and then their children would be of the feathered Avialae. The process could begin quietly. And it might as well—Starfall was defensible and it was where she would go to ground if she felt threatened.

But otherwise, she listened. She was intelligent, but Sahfri was wise and a more political animal than she was. If they could be aligned, they could support each other for the benefit of Kalzasi and, ultimately, all Avialae. She wanted to ask who would become the next Shokaze, assuming Sahfri had an idea how things would play out, but she bit her tongue. It wasn't hers to know.

When the Iron Queen-Regent changed the subject, Kala didn't interject. There would be time enough for these things, she assumed, in coming days. Pale eyebrows rose at her solution to the problem of Kala's security. So much for Starfall's anonymity, but that was already threatened by her wings, her as yet hidden divinity, and more. Akshara and Aquilios would just have to take after their Briathos liege as double down on their secrecy, and perhaps eventually, Kala would be unable to spend much time with her family at home lest she draw undue attention there when it would have to be focused upon her in the capital city.

It was an honor, but she knew that Sahfri was making a political decision, not giving her a gift because she liked her. All the same...

"I accept this honor. Thank you, your Majesty." She bowed, treating it as a gift as well as a political decision. She would have to rely upon Bryony again when it came to Starfall's affairs if her attention would be on the Kalzasern treasury. She would be occupied, but it would also be dishonorable to take undue advantage of her new position solely for Starfall's gain. But the soon-to-be Minister of Finance could, at least, grease the wheels for conversations between Speaker Veyl and Starfall's own factor.

"I will do what I can to do right by the office." Kala was only twenty, but she was confident that she could master the macroeconomics as she had the micro. This would keep her closer to Marda Ahtivan, as well, which felt right now that there was a bond between them. Perhaps she could even use her nascent divinity to beseech Avenna for Her blessings. If Kalzasi could come to economically dominate Karnor now that Zaichaer was no longer a rival, it would put them in a much better position to defend themselves from all comers. "When you make the announcement, I will confer with Lord Minister Tianoch about a timeline to prepare me for office and his retirement. I will also solidify Starfall's interests in Gel'Grandal in order to supply intelligence from within the Imperium. And I will contact Sentinel Phocion in Solunarium in order to maintain relations with that state. They cannot side with Zaichaer now, but it would behoove us to remain an attractive option for alliance."

At that, she ceased to speak. Sahfri likely had a full slate to deal with and Kala would too now that things were happening.

"I have added to your load. For that, I apologize. I will endeavor to mitigate that as best I can."

Kaus could be her bodyguard in fact now that she would have such a governmental position. She could hire the Silver Wings on a functionally permanent contract. Soon enough, they might have her emblem whenever she figured out how to give it. Friends and mercenaries now, later a holy order, perhaps. And if she made them all a part of a Coalescence, they would all of them be stronger for it, and unified, which gave her an ever more comfortable feeling.

Unity with her people; unity with Great House Novalys, with Great House Briathos.

Kala could do this.

“I wonder, Lady Kala, will you remain so stalwart in the face of grander politics than the insular matters of House Leukos?” Sahfri finished penning her message, grabbed a bit of wax and went through the process of applying her seal to the paper. She rolled it up after ensuring the wax had dried. She took a bit of black ribbon and applied it to the paper.

“The Crown must often engage in matters that humbler minds would find…distasteful.” She spoke the word carefully. Aoren rest his hands at the small of his back, his posture indicating that while he might have disagreed with how Sahfri was presenting her statement, he knew what she meant.

“I am curious. What, I wonder, would you play party to in order to ensure a unified and independent Karnor?” Sahfri quirked a brow as she rose to her feet. She glided forward. As she neared she extended the paper to Kala.

“Your letter of appointment, Lady.” Once it was taken, Sahfri looked to Aoren who gave Kala one last slight bow at the waist before taking Sahfri by the arm and escorting her out of the room. They were an odd pair. Aoren was clearly disturbed by some of the things that the Iron Queen had either done or permitted to happen but remained loyal to the family that had taken him. Though it was clear he was taking up the reins of leadership among House Novalys, there existed some manner of understanding between the First Husband of the Shinsei and the First Wife of the former Shokaze.

“To the Chief Minister of Finance,

Mother Naori is most gracious. It would seem that a promising student of economy has presented herself to our court. Please direct her in the ways of the Crown’s coin in such a manner that is befitting the legacy of your station. Know that she has our support and comes with the attention warranting such an up and coming noblewoman. We expect her to be educated in the nuance of what is required to see to the treasury needs of the realm.

Let it be known across the ministries that Lady Kala Mizal Leukos has received appointment to the station of Vice-Minister of Finance, 2nd Deputy. She shall assume, after proper orientation, the duties of overseeing the Finance Ministry, Department of Trade, Karnor Region and all that is required of said station.

We know that she is now in capable hands. We trust that after proper assessment, Lady Kala will prove to be a valuable asset to the realm.

Signed,
Sahfri Andara d'Larienne Novalys”