The Dragon Republic. R.F. Kuang

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СКАЧАТЬ benefits of joining an army were also obvious. She’d never have to worry about her supplies. She’d have access to intelligence she couldn’t get on her own. She’d have free transportation to wherever she wanted to go.

      And yet.

      “What happens if I say no?” she asked. “Are you going to compel me into service? Make me your own Speerly slave?”

      Vaisra didn’t take the bait. “The Republic will be founded on freedom of choice. If you refuse to join, then we can’t make you.”

      “Then maybe I’ll leave,” she said, mostly to see how he would respond. “I’ll go into hiding. I’ll bide my time. Get stronger.”

      “You could do that.” Vaisra sounded bored, like he knew she was just pulling objections out of her ass. “Or you could fight for me and get the revenge you want. This isn’t hard, Runin. And you’re not really considering saying no. You’re just pretending to think because you like being a little brat.”

      Rin glared at him.

      It was such a rational option. She hated that it was a rational option. And she hated more that Vaisra knew that, and knew she’d arrive at the same conclusion, and was now simply mocking her until her mind caught up to his.

      “I have more money and resources at my disposal than anyone in this empire,” Vaisra said. “Weapons, men, information—anything you need, you can get it from me. Work for me and you will want for nothing.”

      “I’m not putting my life in your hands,” she said. The last time she had pledged her loyalty to someone, she’d been betrayed. Altan had died.

      “I will never lie to you,” said Vaisra.

      “Everybody lies to me.”

      Vaisra shrugged. “Then don’t trust me. Act purely in your own interest. But I think you’ll find it clear soon enough that you don’t have many other options.”

      Rin’s temples throbbed. She rubbed her eyes, trying desperately to think through all the possibilities. There had to be a catch. She knew better than to take offers like this at face value. She’d learned her lesson from Moag—never trust someone who holds all the cards.

      She had to buy herself some time. “I can’t make a decision without speaking to my people.”

      “Do as you like,” Vaisra said. “But have an answer for me by dawn.”

      “Or what?” she asked.

      “Or you’ll have to find your own way back to shore,” he said. “And it’s a long swim.”

      “Just to clarify, the Dragon Warlord does not want to kill us?” Ramsa asked.

      “No,” said Rin. “He wants us in his army.”

      He wrinkled his nose. “But why? The Federation’s gone.”

      “Exactly that. He thinks it’s his opportunity to overthrow the Empire.”

      “That’s actually clever,” Baji said. “Think about it. Rob the house while it’s on fire, or however the saying goes.”

      “I don’t think that’s a real saying,” Ramsa said.

      “It’s a little more noble than that,” said Rin. “He wants to build a republic instead. Overthrow the Warlord system. Construct a parliament, appoint elected officials, restructure how governance works across the Empire.”

      Baji chuckled. “Democracy? Really?”

      “It’s worked for the Hesperians,” said Qara.

      “Has it?” Baji asked. “Hasn’t the western continent been at war for the past decade?”

      “The question isn’t whether democracy could work,” Rin said. “That doesn’t matter. The question is whether we enlist.”

      “This could be a trap,” Ramsa pointed out. “He could be bringing you to Daji.”

      “He could have just killed us when we were drugged, then. We’re dangerous passengers to have on board. It wouldn’t be worth the risk unless Vaisra really did think he could convince us to join him.”

      “So?” Ramsa asked. “Can he convince us?”

      “I don’t know,” Rin admitted. “Maybe.”

      The more she thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea. She wanted Vaisra’s ships. His weapons, his soldiers, his power.

      But if things went south, if Vaisra hurt the Cike, then this fell on her shoulders. And she couldn’t let the Cike down again.

      “There’s still a benefit to going it on our own,” said Baji. “Means we don’t have to take orders.”

      Rin shook her head. “We’re still six people. You can’t assassinate a head of state with six people.”

      Never mind that she’d been perfectly willing to try just a few hours ago.

      “And what if he betrays us?” Aratsha asked.

      Baji shrugged. “We could always just cut our losses and defect. Run back to Ankhiluun.”

      “We can’t run back to Ankhiluun,” Rin said.

      “Why not?”

      She told them about Moag’s ploy. “She’d have sold us to Daji if Vaisra hadn’t offered her something better. He sank our ship because he wanted her to think that we’d died.”

      “So it’s Vaisra or nothing,” Ramsa said. “That’s just fantastic.”

      “Is this Yin Vaisra really so bad?” Suni asked. “He’s just one man.”

      “That’s true,” said Baji. “He can’t be any scarier than the other Warlords. The Ox and Ram Warlords weren’t anything special. It’s nepotism and inbreeding all around.”

      “Oh, so like how you were produced,” said Ramsa.

      “Listen, you little bitch—”

      “Join them,” Chaghan said. His voice was hardly louder than a whisper, but the cabin fell silent. It was the first time he had spoken all evening.

      “You’re debating this like you get to decide,” he said. “You don’t. You really think Vaisra’s going to let you go if you say no? He’s too smart for that. He’s just told you his intentions to commit treason. He’ll have you killed if there’s even the slightest risk you’d go to anyone else.” He gave Rin a grim look. “Face it, Speerly. It’s join up or die.”

      “You’re gloating,” Rin accused.

      “I would never,” said Nezha. He’d been beaming the entire way down the passageway, showing her around the warship like some ebullient tour guide. “But glad to have you on board.”

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