Baisan was right, but getting in to see Tandrin was a little more difficult than I anticipated. He was almost constantly in meetings, and whenever he did have a free moment he disappeared with the queen. Even with Tannix's help, it was a few weeks before I found myself in the king's office. Tandrin was sitting at his desk, distractedly looking over paperwork, I was curled up in the chair, and Tannix was pacing behind me.

The brothers were deep in discussion, and I was trying to patiently wait for my turn.

"I can't spare anyone else. You're staying in Zianna solely to avoid duties back in West Draulin, so you might as well make yourself useful," Tandrin said.

"You think I'm here because I'm too lazy to go home?"

"That isn't at all what I said," Tandrin said. "But you're uncomfortable with your responsibilities. So if you're not going home, do this for me."

Tannix stopped pacing and ran a hand over his face. "Navire, though? What am I supposed to do? I'm not an ambassador, I'm a—"

"Soldier, yes, I know," Tandrin interrupted. "You're also the richest lord in the kingdom, and King Zianna's younger brother."

Tannix groaned. "This is exactly why there's never been a Tandran king or queen, you know. It gives our family too much power."

"Regardless, Queen Navire will appreciate the gesture."

"The gesture? How is sending your brother into a potentially hostile environment a gesture?"

"How isn't it? Besides, Navire hasn't been antagonistic towards us in centuries. The truth of the matter is, we need help. Navire will recognize that the second Deorun is done with us, they'll be the next target. The queen will see reason. You're leaving in a week. You can take your men, or I'll assign you new ones. And I'll give you a translator."

Tannix grumbled under his breath, and for a long moment said nothing. I was about to speak up when he muttered, "As you wish, your majesty."

Tandrin sighed and glanced up from his papers. "Don't be bitter about it. Are you taking your men or not?"

"Of course I'm taking my men. What kind of question is that?"

"And Finn, I assume."

"And Finn."

That seemed like as good a moment as any to speak up. I waved my hand to get their attention. "Can I... say something?"

They both seemed surprised, but Tandrin nodded. "Go ahead."

"Well..." I paused. Even though I had run through the speech multiple times in my head, I was still a little nervous. "Zianna has more or less the same population as Deorun, don't we? So we should have more or less the same fighting force, right? So instead of worrying about Navire—although I do think talking to them is a good idea—you might want to think about your own people for a moment."

Tandrin leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, looking both confused and intrigued. "I'm always thinking about my own people."

"All of them?" I asked, his interest helping me warm up to the subject. "You have armies and guards in every city, you have highly trained personal knights and excellent navies. But they're made up of Telts and Crelans. Your people include Native Zians, and you have to remember that we aren't worthless. We would fight for our kingdom if we were given the opportunity. Prince Kalvahi is counting on us turning against you, and it could happen unless you show the people that you consider them part of the kingdom. Make us feel like we're part of this country, give us the opportunity and the training, and we'll fight with you."

Tandrin was staring blindly at the quill on his desk, deep in thought. Silence settled between us. I resisted the urge to glance over my shoulder at Tannix, and watched Tandrin. Watched the way his expression changed from thoughtful to determined. He looked up abruptly.

"Do you really think people will desert to Deorun?"

The intensity in his eyes caught me off guard. Once, that look would have scared me, but I was used to seeing it in Tannix. "He claims he's trying to free Native Zians. Some people will believe him. Go into the city and show the people that you care about them."

Tandrin nodded slowly. "A rallying call. We have time to train more men, if anyone is willing. I can offer good salaries."

"Can Zianna afford that?" Tannix asked.

"I'll borrow from the big families, if I have to."

"The big families? You mean me. You'll borrow from me," Tannix said flatly. "When I'm financing our navy."

"Not just you. Normally I would borrow from East Draulin, of course, but when we get the city back Mayah will probably need all of her money for repairs. Kitsi and Jak can certainly afford to help out. The Island Lords can help you finance the navy. We can do this." Tandrin suddenly got to his feet. "This doesn't change what we were discussing before, little brother. You're going to Navire regardless. But before that, we're going to go into the lower city and we're going to let the Native Zians know that the Tandran family recognizes them and their worth."

Although Tannix was clearly still annoyed about Navire, he smiled. "Time to change history."

Two days later, the brothers and I walked to the lower city. We were joined by Acen and Eppson. Tandrin had demanded a guard, but relented when I pointed out that bringing too many knights would just make people nervous. Just bringing the two captains was the compromise. Tannix and Tandrin had tried to tone down their outfits to fit in a little better, but of course they still looked incredibly rich. The knights, with their swords and knives, weren't exactly subtle, either.

I led the way, keeping an eye out for any trouble as we walked through the gates and into the crowded courtyard. At least Tandrin didn't look like a typical king. He was too young, and could have easily been a noble looking to visit a brothel. I wasn't expecting too much trouble, aside for maybe some braver pickpockets.

We had hardly entered the lower city when Orrun appeared at my side, matching my pace without pausing. "Baisan had us spread the word to other thieves to leave you alone. Most of them will listen to you."

I tried to act like he hadn't surprised me. "We just got here, how could he possibly have known?"

Orrun shrugged. "He has his ways. You know news travels quickly down here. The first rumors came through yesterday, and he's had me, Leker and Castin watching the front gate in shifts ever since. Anyway, he's coming out to watch your speech."

I faltered and stopped, causing Tannix to bump into me. "My speech?"

Orrun took a few steps before noticing that I was frozen, and turned around. He nodded to Tannix, but eyed Tandrin and the knights apprehensively. "Well... yes. The rumors said you were going to make a speech about Deorun, and tell us why we should fight with the king." He bowed quickly and awkwardly to Tandrin. "Your majesty."

Tandrin nodded in acknowledgement. "You're saying Finn should speak?"

Orrun blinked, and I could almost see his racing thoughts flickering in his eyes. "Um... no? I mean, not if... if you have another plan, your majesty, don't change it." He glanced up quickly, an unconscious movement that meant he was probably asking Zianesa for help. "I just... I'm going to go find Baisan. Good luck." He disappeared into the crowd as abruptly as he'd appeared.

Tannix chuckled. "Try not to scare the Native Zians so much, Tandrin."

"I didn't do anything wrong," Tandrin said. "Finn, where are we going?"

"Oh, right. Just up here." I led them further up the street, well aware of the attention we were starting to gather. Tandrin and Tannix ignored the stares they were getting, but the knights were on alert.

The building I was taking them to was one of the taller buildings facing the lower city's biggest square. The first floor was a run-down store, the upper floor was apartments. It was one of the few buildings in the lower city with a staircase on the outside, leading up to a nice flat roof. It was the perfect place to crouch and watch the main gate for rich visitors, and it would be a perfect place to make a speech.

We almost reached the building and its exterior staircase without incident, then someone yelped. I spun around just as Tandrin and Tannix did.

Eppson was holding a young girl, easily pinning her arms behind her back as she struggled against him. I knew exactly how that felt, and I knew exactly what had happened.

"She was trying to reach into your pocket," Eppson said gruffly.

"She was trying to survive," I interrupted, stepping between them. "Just give her some money and let her leave, please. She probably doesn't even know who you are."

"I can't reward her for trying to steal from me," Tandrin said. "But let her go, Eppson."

"Your majesty, please," I tried again. "Just twenty siyas. You can spare that."

"It isn't that simple, Finn."

"Ten?"

"I'm not bargaining with you, Finagale," Tandrin said firmly.

"Five," I said, "Five siyas will buy her something to eat."

"Tandrin," Tannix spoke up. "Don't make him beg."

Tandrin shot him a look, then turned back to me, Eppson and the girl. "Eppson, let her go. She hasn't done anything wrong. Go find the thief named Baisan," he told the girl quietly, "He'll help you."

The girl stared at him with enormous eyes, and the second Eppson's grip loosened, she darted away. I hadn't realized how thick the crowd around us had gotten, and it suddenly occurred to me how many people had watched the exchange.

Tandrin watched her until she was out of sight. "Finn, you and I are having a talk back at the castle, and you—" he glanced pointedly at Tannix, "—are not allowed to be there. Let's go, Finn. We need to do this speech before something bad happens."

There was an uneasy tension in the air. Half of the crowd was staring at Tandrin hungrily, and half the crowd was glaring at Eppson. Acen had shifted to stand slightly closer to Tannix. I turned to continue leading them, only to be met by another wall of people. I was starting to doubt my insistence that we didn't need to bring guards. Maybe Tannix could wander around the lower city with relative anonymity, but apparently Tandrin couldn't.

"Finn," Tandrin said, as a particularly brave man reached out to stroke his arm. "We need to go."

"I know." The crowd wouldn't exactly part for me, so I gestured at Acen. "You need to walk in the front, and—"

"Follow me." Castin was suddenly beside me. He nodded quickly at Tannix and Tandrin, then turned to plunge back into the wall of people. The crowd parted for him, and we followed him single file. When we finally reached the staircase, I wasn't surprised to see Baisan standing a few steps up, with his arms crossed.

He descended and stepped aside so we could walk past him. "We'll make sure no one follows you."

"Thank you," Tandrin said. "Castin, I'm glad you're looking well. How's the baby?"

Castin was so surprised it took him a moment to come up with an answer. "Oh. He's fine. Thank you, your majesty."

Tandrin smiled. "Good. And Baisan, I told that girl to find you. I couldn't do this in front of the crowd..." he trailed off as he dug a handful of coins from his pocket and dropped them into Baisan's hand. "Buy her something to eat once you find her."

Baisan nodded in a shallow bow. "I will, your majesty."

"Excellent. Again, thank you. Tannix, let's go." Tandrin started up the stairs. Eppson followed him immediately, and then Tannix. Acen hesitated to pull a knife from his belt and offer it to Castin, hilt-first. Then it was just me standing at the bottom of the stairs with my brothers.

I looked at Baisan. "What if this doesn't work? What if nobody believes him?"

Baisan glanced down the alleyway, where some of the crowd still hovered as they tried to watch the king as long as possible. "He's a rich Telt who isn't even from Zianna," Baisan said. "But if he comes across even slightly as sincere as Tannix does, I think he'll convince people. We know he's a good person, he just has to show everyone else. And if all else fails, you're not a rich Telt."

"So you think I should talk?" I asked. Our world had certainly changed, when here I was asking Baisan for political advice.

"I think if you talk, you could change the outcome of the war," Baisan said slowly.

I didn't like the idea of my actions having that much of an impact. "I'm a thief."

Baisan shook his head. "You're the greatest thief in Zianna. People know who you are. You should catch up," he added, nodding towards the stairs.

With those words echoing in my head, I ran up the staircase.

Tandrin and Tannix were exchanging a few words on the roof. The knights had taken up posts on either side of them. I joined the brothers just as Tandrin was saying, "—never needed notes for a speech. I'm a natural. Usually." He paused to take a deep breath. "All right, let's do this. You two are standing up front with me, a show of solidarity. Come."

Tandrin was obviously nervous, but as soon as he was in view of the people, his whole demeanor changed. He grinned and raised his arms as the Native Zians hesitantly cheered for him. From above, the crowd looked enormous. People filled the main square and spilled onto the surrounding streets. As far as I knew, a king had never visited the lower city. It was worth dropping their work to see what was going on.

Tannix stepped up to Tandrin's right and crossed his arms solemnly. On Tandrin's left, I tried to copy his stance.

"People of Zianna," Tandrin called. Below us, his words were repeated so people further back could hear them. "I am King Tandrin, previously of West Draulin. I realize, in the past, we Teltans haven't treated you the way we should. But it is time for this to change. We are all Ziannan citizens, be us Native Zians, Teltans, Crelans, or any of the other people who live in our kingdom. King Deorun has waged war against all of us! He tries to claim that he's doing it for your good. That he'll treat you like brothers and sisters, but this is not true. Deorun will come, and they will treat you just as my ancestors did."

Tandrin's gaze briefly darted to me, and I nodded encouragingly. He was doing well, people were quietly listening and staring up with rapt attention.

"I want to change things," Tandrin continued. "I want to be the king who mends the rift between us. I thought my efforts would have to wait until after the war, but I've recently been given some very good advice. With your help, we can begin to mend the rift, and mend our kingdom, as we work together to protect it from Deorun. At the moment, I can't promise to give everyone money, or immediately change the way we all live. I can't start restoration on your temple in the upper city. But I can offer you the respect and protection every one of my citizens deserves. I can offer you the chance to fight for your kingdom. To those willing to enlist, I promise training and good quality weaponry, and a regular soldier's pay. This is war, and I won't lie to you by saying we will all survive, but I can promise you that your families will be taken care of if Siour finds you on the battlefield."

There were some cheers. The promise of proper pay, and acknowledging our gods, meant quite a lot. But there was still some hesitation. I wondered if they were afraid of going to war, or afraid of trusting Tandrin.

He looked at me again. "Anything to add?" Behind him, Tannix smiled at me.

I didn't have a plan, but Baisan's words repeated themselves in my head. If this was the turning point he thought it might be, I had to do it properly. I silently asked Zianesa to help me as I climbed onto the short wall that surrounded the roof.

The last time I had held a crowd's attention, I had a noose around my neck. This crowd was much bigger.

"Some of you know who I am," I began. "Maybe you've seen me in passing. Maybe I beat you in a game of Stampede, or sold you some..." I was very aware of the four men behind me. "... stolen goods. Maybe I've stolen from you. Maybe you've heard about the Zian thief who managed to avoid being hanged. But no matter how you might have heard of me, one thing is clear. I grew up here, on the streets. Like everyone in the lower city, my life was filled with hardships. We can't change what happened in the past, but we can change what happens in the future. We can put those hardships behind us. The king is right. King Deorun is attacking all of us. He doesn't care whether we're Zians or Telts. He wants to get rid of, or control, all of us."

There was some chatter below me. Faintly, I heard one voice yell, "Deorun is going to kill the Telts!"

I waved at the four men behind me, well aware, without having to look, that they had all tensed at the comment. Then I raised my arms like Tandrin had, and gradually the crowd fell silent again.

"Yes," I agreed. "King Deorun wants to kill all the Telts in our country. But what will that leave us? We're not going to be respected or treated any better. We'll be ruled by Deorans instead of Telts. Right now, we have a king who is interested in changing and learning. We have a king who came to the lower city to talk to us all directly. Zianna is our kingdom! It was our kingdom long before the Telts arrived! Are we really going to trust them to defend it without our help?"

More cheers, but with real enthusiasm. Zianna was our kingdom.

"Well done," Tandrin said. "Get down." As I hopped back down, Tandrin stepped forward again. "For the next few weeks, there will be soldiers posted by the gate. If you would like to enlist, speak to them. When you start training, your weekly pay will begin. Thank you for your attention, and may Zianesa bless us all in the coming war. Let's go," he added more quietly to us, but it was hard to hear him over the new cheers from the crowd.

We swiftly made our way down the staircase. Baisan and Castin were holding back the crowd at the foot of the stairs. Eppson pushed his way through first, carving a path just because he was such a large man. People wanted to see Tandrin. They called out to him and tried to touch him as he followed his guard.

Acen ushered Tannix along next, and I was about to follow when Castin caught my arm. Acen and Tannix paused.

"I'm going to enlist," Castin said quietly, with a glance at Baisan, who was still managing the crowd. I had the distinct feeling that Baisan didn't know about this plan yet.

"Finn," Tannix called back. "We need to follow Tandrin."

I wanted to stay and talk Castin out of his idea, but part of me knew I wouldn't be able to. Baisan or Stria, maybe, but Castin wouldn't listen to me.

Tandrin and Eppson were getting further ahead. I turned back to Castin. "Talk to Baisan."

Castin almost smiled. "You're hoping he'll change my mind."

"Finn," Tannix repeated.

"I'll visit you when you're training." It wasn't the right thing to say, but I didn't know what was. So I pulled away from him, hopped down the last few steps, and let Acen herd me after Tannix.