The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War, #2)

Nezha says his father, the Dragon Warlord Vaisra, has a proposition for Rin. Vaisra wants Rin’s help to overthrow Daji’s Empire and instate a Republic. Vaisra thinks this is how Nikan can catch up to countries like the Federation and Hesperia. He points out the logical flaws in Rin’s plan to assassinate Daji and work for Moag: He says he paid Moag for Rin’s whereabouts and is sure Moag would have even sold the Cike out to Daji. With his Hesperian-lent navy, he thinks the war could be over in six months. After discussing it amongst themselves, the Cike agree to join Vaisra.

Nezha shows Rin around the ship and confesses he missed her. He says Vaisra bombed the Cike’s old ship, so Moag thinks they’re dead. Rin asks Nezha to get Kitay from Ankhiluun, and they retrieve Kitay, bombing his house to fake his death. Kitay is angry at his abduction. He does not believe in Vaisra’s war.

That night, Rin goes to the ship’s physician for opium. When he says Vaisra forbade him from giving her any, she goes to Vaisra. He says the noise in her head that she wants to drown isn’t the Phoenix but her own guilt and fear.