The Coutneroffer

Chapter 15: The Counteroffer

Silva

We walked a short distance back into the city, just far enough to be clear of the smog and grime. Shaela had removed her sullied gloves and rubbed her hands together. “As soon as the sun passes noon, it’s like all its warmth up and leaves.” She placed her hands in her coat pockets. “Sorry to rush you, but we still have to find our way to your airship.”

I turned towards my best approximation of where Dock Nine had been, and whistled. “Or maybe it will find its way to us.” A moment later, my broom barreled across a nearby roof and placed itself in my outstretched hand. Shaela said nothing. She just stared at the broom. “I did warn you my request might be unreasonable, but I’d like for you to trust me.”

“Trust you how?”

“Trust me that I won’t let you fall off my broom.”

Shaela’s face turned even more white than I imagined possible. “I’ve been on some shady airships, but that... may be a step too far.”

I shifted the broom, sitting on it as it floated just high enough to keep our eyes even, “Would you believe me if I said this isn’t actually the unreasonable part?”

“Is that so?” Shaela blinked slowly, processing my sudden display of magic. “You know I avoided the topic, but I’m not sure anyone, save for the King, knows that Witches actually are magic.” She paused. “You really flew in on this.”

“Did you see an airship?”

“No. I kind of just assumed you had manifested from the mists or something.”

I laughed. Maybe Mother could do something that outrageous, but not me. “I’m afraid not.”

“It explains why you packed light.”

“I could have brought a lot more, you’d be surprised.”

“Is that so? And this is not the unreasonable part.”

“No, I actually thought an airship captain-to-be such as yourself would jump at the opportunity to fly on a magic broom.”

Shaela gulped, “How am I supposed to ride this thing?”

The lieutenant couldn’t see how wide the smile was on my face. It had been ages since I flew tandem with anyone. After I was old enough to fly myself, Virdia stopped tolerating my requests, and most of the youngins would practice or travel with their parents. I shuffled away from the bristles of the broom, making sure there was plenty of space for Shaela, “climb on like a horse.”

“There are no stirrups or reins, you know?” Shaela's voice quivered as she climbed on.

“No... but you have me.”

“What?”

“Put your arms around me and hold tight.”

“I’m sorry?” Shaela began to shift as if to disembark.

“Trust me, this isn’t the first time I've flown with someone.”

Her body weight shifted back, “You can guarantee I won't fall?”

“I’ll do you one better. I can guarantee this flight will end with a treaty ready to be written and signed.”

Shaela didn’t respond, she just shuffled on the back of the broom. “Alright. I trust you.” With that, she squeezed me tight around the middle.

“I’m taking off in three... two... one... now!” We launched into the air. Normally, I’d go for a slow ascent with a new rider, but I wanted to avoid being seen. Shaela squeezed even tighter as we shot upwards beyond the roaming airships, up into the clouds. Finally, I brought us to a stop, floating perfectly still above the city. I peeked back at Shaela, whose head was buried in my back.

“What in Prydah’s name was that!” She yelled, leaning her head away from my back. “Even with a warning, I thought my guts were going to fall out of my backside!”

I burst out laughing, “I suppose I could have given a better heads up.”

“You suppose? This thing is ten times faster than any airship.”

“Really?” I played coy,

“Oh, come now, you saw them lumber about over the city, they can go faster than a crawler, but nowhere near this.” Shaela had lost all decorum, all pomp, in her speech. Her hair was frazzled by the wind.

I let us float there, unmoving. I waited for her to loosen her grip. I wanted her to feel safe again. “I’ll be sure to land us more carefully.”

“You’d better.” Her hands, which had been locked together around my stomach, slid down towards my waist.

Before she could protest, I lifted her hands and then quickly flung my legs one over another, twisting my body so we would be facing each other. “Hello.”

She blushed and pulled her hands away from mine. “So what is the unreasonable part of your request?” The sun had begun to set, and I spun the broom so neither of us would be blinded as we spoke.

“We’ll get to it, don't worry, but for now, I pointed down, isn’t this the sight your parents wanted me to see?” Below us, the city slowly lit up, the electrified streetlights radiating out from the castle. It was like a mirror of the stars above us. “It’s a good thing you don’t get vertigo.”

“I would have flunked out of the Navy long ago if that were the case.” Her eyes shone in what little sunlight was left as she watched the city come alive. “It’s really a marvel. Electricity. I think lights are only the beginning. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could cook or run a crawler or who knows what else with it.” Her eyes move back up to meet mine. “But I really must insist you delay no further. How are we to reach a treaty here, floating above the city?”

---

Shaela

I locked eyes with Silva, determined not to let her deflect any longer. What had she been scheming that would guarantee a treaty tonight, here, higher above the city than I had ever flown? I needed to know, and that need steeled my nerves. I lost sight of the insanity of being suspended by only a broomstick and focused entirely on the Witch seated in front of me. She took a deep breath and then removed her veil. “Silva?” I was stunned. She was beautiful, and, to my surprise, probably not much older than me. She was striking with a well-defined jaw and nose. Her features weren’t Prydannian, or if they were, she was either from the far North or maybe the Midlands. As I stared into her dark eyes, the thought crossed my mind that she could be a Surlander. Though not distinct, she did have some sort of accent, though it was also my first time meeting a Mistlander. North? South? Maybe all mistlanders have this accent?

“I’m speaking to you as Silva, myself. Not Silva, representative of the Mistborn Witches.” She finally spoke.

I nodded, not quite sure if I understood.

“I’ve already contacted the Coven and they are deferring to me on matters of diplomacy with Prydannia and--” She searched for the words, “and if it wasn’t clear I’m frustrated by all the pomp and circumstance I’ve already experienced, let alone what your parents plan to inflict upon my people.”

Inflict. I couldn’t have picked a better word myself. “Go on,”

“So I am going to offer you a counteroffer to the proposal from your initial letter. If you decline, then I will continue negotiations once more as representative of the Mistborn Witches.” She took another deep breath. “Shaela of House MacCrow, will you marry me, Silva the Mistborn Witch?” She presented the pendant she had been wearing when she arrived.

“What?”

“I’ve heard gifts of jewelry are customary in Prydannian proposals.”

“Yes, but usually rings”

“I feel this has more significance.”

“I’d agree, but you’ve just proposed to me.”

“Yes.”

“I--” I thought about it for a moment. Inflict. Silva was taking a risk. She was volunteering herself to fulfill the marriage requirements of the treaty. She was also volunteering me, but she knew that. “What’s your plan if I say yes?”

“We announce our engagement at your parents' ball, and then spend the next six to twelve, to however many moons as we can, delaying the marriage until we figure something out.”

I laughed, “Only planned so far ahead, I see.”

“This solves a lot of our problems. Your parents get to have their stupid ball,” She was speaking even more candidly, “I get a treaty that protects the Coven, and you get to be captain of an airship.”

It made a lot of sense. I only had one concern: “My parents expect an heir.”

A smile from ear to ear crossed Silva’s face. “We can figure something out.” I had no idea what that could mean, “And besides, we can always break off the engagement after I find some way to guarantee the non-aggression pact is upheld, and then you can find whomever you want to satisfy your parents’ obsession.”

I leaned back to think, almost falling from the broom, Silva leaned forward and caught me, pulling me into an embrace. I was flushed as she released me, making sure I was steady in my seat. “Well, you kept to your word.” I locked eyes again. Was I really going to do this? Could I enter a marriage arrangement that may never be? The sun barely peeked over the horizon, and again the purples and pinks of dusk illuminated Silva’s eyes. “Alright, I, Shaela of House MacCrow, will marry you.”

END VOL 1