Chapter 94: New Connections Part 2

Crysabel fussed with the finishing touches on the gown Cal was wearing to the Lord Admiral's Summer Ball.
"It is too bad you keep your hair so short; there isn't much I can do with it."
"That's entirely the point." Cal grinned. "I don't have the time to fuss."
"It suits you." Crysabel poked through the jewellery box on Cal's dresser. "You must have something to add.
"I'm not much for jewelry," Cal shrugged. "Most of those were my mother's and I can't bear to get rid of them."
"What about this?" Crysabel held up a tiny lens set in brass hanging from a chain.
"Pentam gave that to me." Cal took the chain and looked more closely at the lens. "I used it to see tiny details for my sketches; when I came ashore I must have put it in the box."
Crysabel slipped the chain over Cal's head. It gleamed on the black satin bodice.
"Perfect." She gave Cal a push. "Your coach will be here. Go on. Pentam and I will arrive fashionably late and probably leave unfashionably early. But I have to see you turning heads in this gown."
Cal rode alone in the coach to the Lord Admiral's city home. She stepped out at the bottom of a long flight of steps, a lantern placed on each one. By the time she'd reached the top, she was thinking of ways to make stairs easier. A servant escorted her to the entry of the ballroom where she was announced. As she had planned, there weren't many people there yet and none paid her any attention, but thankfully, neither did they snub her. She found a corner and watched as more guests arrived. The room filled with people and conversation. A few people came over to talk to Cal, most to ask how she was managing since her father's death.
Hyansea entered on the arm of an older man announced as the Ambassador. From the way they moved, Cal guessed they were in formal mode for the night. Her stomach growled, so she wandered past the buffet table and picked up a little to calm her stomach, and a glass of wine to calm her nerves.
The ambassador of the Kershian Empire was announced and Cal glanced over, then almost choked on her wine.
Bri Curzem wore a jet-black uniform. It looked both formal and utilitarian. She could imagine him wearing it while going through the minutia of his day. Cal headed over to talk to him. Bri turned to face her after greeting the Admiral of Coastal Defense. His eyes widened in recognition, then he smiled.
"I should have known they wouldn't keep you hidden away on your ship for long." He bowed over her hand, then somehow she found herself walking beside him with her fingers on his arm. "I am glad indeed to see you well."
"Ambassador, now." Cal let him lead her to the buffet table for another glass of wine. "Congratulations. If I'd known, I might have come to visit."
"Sadly, the Emperor doesn't encourage his Ambassadors to fraternize with the people around us, particularly the Anglians. I am glad the Emperor isn't here, so whatever chastisement he sends for enjoying myself will be months in coming."
"It is too bad. Friends are easier to live with than strangers."
"Or enemies." Bri helped himself to a plate of food. Cal followed suit, then sat with him at a table.
"You may wish to find another companion. It will not do your career any good to be seen being too friendly with the Kershian Ambassador. War is on the horizon, as much as sensible people detest it. The world, however, is not run by sensible people."
"Until I am ordered otherwise, I will be friends with whomever I choose," Cal announced coolly.
"A noble and foolish sentiment." Bri toasted her with a glass of wine a servant had placed at his elbow. "I wish there were many more of you. Too many are like the man staring at you as if he would like nothing better than to stab you repeatedly with a knife."
Cal looked over without moving her head and sighed. "Lord Sifton. We are not each other's favourite people." She sipped at her wine. "Tell me, did you learn anything about the lightning machine? It is mere curiosity, so don't feel you need to answer if it is not a topic you're comfortable with."
"We barely got a sniff. Imagine the shock at my Embassy when we were invited to the introduction of a new engine and saw your Mr. Booksdale working the thing as if it were the latest fashion. We now have a full set of plans and instructions. I suspect they are being examined to determine where the trap is laid. Alas, I fear it will be months before any official recognition of the thing happens. Some tourist will bring home plans and build one before our esteemed scientists."
Cal chuckled. "I wonder if part of the impetus for the gift to the world thinking was a test of relations with other countries. People who plan betrayal will see plots everywhere."
"Too true." He lifted his glass with a wry smile.
The orchestra tuned up and began to play, and Bri sighed.
"As much as I would enjoy a dance with you, my Lady, I fear even you would find the consequences unfortunate. I will make my farewells and leave you to your countrymen."
He stood, bowed over her hand, then walked through the room, chatting with a person here and there before making his exit.
Lord Sifton had a cluster of people around him and was talking earnestly. He glanced in her direction often enough Cal concluded she was the subject of their conversation. Cal thought about another glass of wine but settled on water. She meandered through the room, talking to those she recognized and being introduced to more people than she could remember.