Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera #3)(37)

"I apologize for the length of the trip," Lady Aquitaine said after a few moments. "But the high winds are always tricky at this season, and this year they are particularly dangerous. We must therefore fly much lower than we usually would."

Isana did not voice the thought that it was still a great deal higher than a walk along the ground. "Does it make a difference?" she asked, without opening her eyes.

"It is more difficult to stay aloft closer to the earth, and more difficult to fly quickly," Lady Aquitaine replied. "My Knights Aeris must count the journey in miles instead of leagues, and given the number of stops we must make to visit my supporters, it will take us a great deal longer to reach our destination."

Isana sighed. "How much longer?"

"Most of three weeks, I am told. And that is an optimistic estimate that assumes fresh teams of Knights Aeris await us at way stations."

Three weeks. Rather too long a time to pretend to be asleep without openly insulting her patron. Though Isana knew her value to the Aquitaines, and knew that she could afford to avoid the usual fawning and scraping such powerful patrons required, there were limits she would be ill-advised to press. Consequently, she opened her eyes.

Lady Aquitaine curled her rich mouth into a smile. "I thought you would appreciate the information. You'd look rather silly sitting there with your eyes closed the whole way."

"Of course not, my lady," Isana said. "Why would I do such a thing?"

Invidia's eyes hardened for a moment. Then she said, "I am given to understand that you plan a small reunion with your family in Ceres."

"After the meeting with the League, of course," Isana said. "I have been assured of alternate travel arrangements back to Calderon if my plans should inconvenience you."

Invidia's cool features blossomed into a small, even genuine, smile. "Hardly anyone fences with me anymore, Isana. I've actually looked forward to this trip."

"As have I, my lady. I have missed my family."

Invidia laughed again. "I shall ask little of you beyond our visits with my supporters and the League meeting," she said. Then she tilted her head to one side and leaned forward slightly. "Though you have not been apprised of the meeting's agenda."

Isana tilted her head.

"Gracchus Albus and his staff have been invited to attend."

"The Senator Primus, " she murmured. Then her eyes widened. "The emancipation proposal to the Senate?"

Lady Aquitaine sighed. "If only the rest of the League perceived the significance as well as you."

"They should spend time running a steadholt," Isana said, her tone wry. "It makes one acutely aware of the extended consequences of small but significant actions."

The High Lady moved one shoulder in a shrug. "Perhaps you are correct."

"Will Gracchus support the proposal?"

"He has never been a foe of the abolitionist movement. His wife, daughter, and mistresses assure me that he will," Lady Aquitaine said.

Isana frowned. She disapproved of such manipulations, though it was the Dianic League's first and favorite tool. "And the Senate?"

"Impossible to say for certain," Lady Aquitaine said. "There is no knowing what debts may be called in on such an important issue. But enough to make a real fight of it. For the first time in Aleran history, Isana, we may abolish the institution of slavery. Forever."

Isana frowned in thought. It was indeed a worthy goal, and one that would rally the support of folk of conscience everywhere. Slaves in most of the Realm faced a grim lot in life-hard labor and little chance of ever working their way free, even though the law required owners to sell a slave's freedom should he ever earn his (or her) buying price. Female slaves had no recourse to the uses their bodies were put to, though neither did males, when it came to it. Children were all born free, legally at least, though most owners employed various forms of taxation or indenture for them, which amounted to outright enslavement from birth.