Chapter 63: The Apostol

Woken in ship’s night, Hadrian meets Knight-Tribune Smythe aboard Schiavona. Over brandy, Smythe raises a proposal: appoint an apostol to Aeta Aranata to flatter and stabilize negotiations, possibly paired with ray-shield assistance. The obvious candidate is Hadrian, though Tor Varro warns the Cielcin might interpret an envoy as a gift.

Hadrian confronts Smythe over the colonists traded via Kharn Sagara, accusing her of giving people to slavery. Smythe concedes miscalculation but insists it enabled access to the Demiurge and negotiations. She reframes the discussion around strategy: an apostol to mediate, advocate, and observe—even on Cielcin terms.

Hadrian challenges the personal risk, fearing becoming chattel like Aranata’s abused captive. Smythe counters by promising a retinue, guards, servants, and a ship, with Varro as linguistic advisor. Hadrian asks to retain the Red Company; Smythe allows it if they consent. Smythe explicitly excludes Bassander Lin after their violent clash; Hadrian expresses regret and asks for the names of injured soldiers to make amends.

Pressed for an answer, Hadrian hesitates. Smythe notes that as Imperial apostol he’d face Legion Intelligence, Holy Office scrutiny, and possibly an audience with the Emperor—raising the stakes and making refusal untenable. Hadrian accepts the implication without committing immediately.

They consider exchanging an individual alongside the apostol offer. Hadrian advises against requesting Nobuta, suggesting Tanaran as a safer alternative, while acknowledging the Cielcin may not grasp “exchange” versus “ambassador.” Smythe resolves to broach the apostol concept at tomorrow’s talks to gauge receptivity and to avoid explicitly naming Hadrian until assured of his safety. She asserts he will take the posting; Hadrian yields verbally, and the scene closes with his rueful note that accepting then might have averted later evils.