Storm and Steel by Jon Sprunk

when they go out in public,” Lady Ishmi said. “Even their hair is bound under caps. Is that true?”
    As eyes shifted toward him, Horace put down his cup. “Well, Arnossi ladies certainly dress with more…ah, modesty. As for their hats, there are many fashions. I'm not exactly an authority.”
    Lord Oriathu cleared his throat with a cough. “We saw plenty of local natives on the island of Thym. Their manner of dress was odd, but from what I recall the womenfolk were no more demure than most peasants.”
    Byleth signaled, and a servant came over to refill Horace's cup, this time with a wine with a deep amber color. “Try this,” Byleth said. “It's a rare vintage from the Jade Kingdoms. I cannot pronounce the name, but I find it entrancing.”
    While their cups were filled, the rest of the lords and ladies conversed. More platters were brought in with dishes from different parts of the western world. It began with a spicy red soup that made Horace's eyes water, and then onto a course of tiny fish served in a chilled sweet sauce. After that came an entrée of roasted fowl coated with slivers of orange.
    Byleth insisted Horace be served first for each course. He tried to protest,but she wouldn't take no for an answer. Several times he found her watching him eat, almost like a doting mother. However, there was something predatory in her gaze.
    â€œI never tire of hearing about your homeland,” she said. “What else is different?”
    He wiped his mouth before answering. “Almost everything, Excellence. Our customs are almost completely unalike.”
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œWell…” He searched for an example, and his gaze settled on the tabletop. “You prefer to eat sitting on the floor, while we sit in chairs or sometimes on tall stools.”
    â€œStools?” she asked with a laugh. “Are you teasing me?”
    â€œNot at all, Excellence.”
    â€œYou must call me Byleth. I command it.”
    Horace cleared his throat. “As you wish. The foods we eat are very different. Yours are so hot they burn my tongue. Even your native fruits have a sharper taste.”
    She leaned closer. “And do you find that all this heat makes for hotter passions as well?”
    â€œPerhaps in some cases, Excel—Byleth. But overall I find most of your subjects to be rather even-keeled, as we mariners might say. Perhaps more so than many of my countrymen, who you might consider ill-mannered in comparison if you were to meet them.”
    â€œHorace, I am constantly amazed at your candor. If all the men of Arnos are like you, I think it must be a very honest realm.”
    He felt the eyes of the nobles upon him and wanted to slide down under the table. “Uh, I don't know about that. We have our flaws, certainly.”
    â€œIndeed. One of them seems to be a desire to invade my territory.”
    The sudden turn in the conversation sobered him like a slap across the face. He didn't know how to respond. Should he apologize? Or change the subject?
    The queen laughed. “Forgive me, Horace. That was impolite. I do not blame you for the actions of your government. Indeed, you have acted withas much honor as any member of my court. You understand this concept of honor, yes?”
    â€œUh, well, I'm trying to, Excel—Byleth. In any case, I thought the crusade had been halted.”
    â€œFor now. Yet, I know something of the ways of your military, Horace. They will regroup and try again. They are nothing if not persistent.”
    In that, we surely agree.
    â€œI only heard about Omikur today.” He cleared his throat. “I was disheartened that the situation is coming to such a grim end.”
    She speared a slice of orange and put it in her mouth. After she swallowed, she took a sip from her glass. “We feel no empathy for those who would try to steal our lands.”
    One noblewoman whispered in Lord Oriathu's ear, and they