“Your surprise is understandable. So, too, were we surprised when the contract came in. The Tribunal does not lightly commission contracts. In fact, the last one was years ago.”
“What do they want me to do?” Vir asked.
“Assassination. But unfortunately, they will only divulge the details in person. This seems to be a highly sensitive manner. As an organization that values the importance of secrets, the Brotherhood obliged. Of course, you are free to decline this contract…”
Another assassination? Did they know of Vir’s previous exploits? But how could they, unless the Brotherhood blabbed, Vir thought. He doubted very much they had.
“But I’d incur a penalty, won’t I? I won’t be able to take on any new contracts for some time.”
The Executor nodded. “I believe this contract aligns with your interests.”
Vir gave it some thought. Traveling to the Pagan Order would be a great way to learn more about the organization. But the risk was correspondingly high.
Or was it?
Magic didn’t function in the Voidlands, where the Pagan Order was located. But that only impacted mejai, not Talent users. Riyan himself said that Talents worked there, and that made sense to Vir. Ground prana seemed to exist everywhere. The concentration differed, but not nearly as much as air prana.
Which means I’ll have the advantage. With his Talents, only other Talent wielders posed a threat, and with Dance, he could escape if need be.
“Do you think this is a trap?” Vir asked.
“I presume you possess little knowledge about the Pagan Order, based on your desire to learn about them. We have dealt with them many, many times. They have never betrayed us. Not once. As an organization, they are respectful and prompt with their payments. Only demons need fear them.”
Gee, thanks. That really helps.
Vir mulled it over. The contract intrigued him, but what of Maiya? What of their reunion? He’d been leading her to him, giving her breadcrumbs to follow. She had to be close, but he kept moving. Always moving. Would he leave her behind again?
He could always just wait and go to the Order together with her. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Surely the Order could wait a few days?
Instead, this was a perfect opportunity to gain some information about them. He had an abundance of karma, after all. It was time to use it.
“I’ll have to think about this, but I have some questions in the meantime. I’m willing to pay karma for it.”
“Very well. We shall answer to the best of our abilities, though keep in mind certain details cannot be bought. For any price. Also, you should be aware.”
“Aware of what?”
“The Pagan Order has already sent an Acira for you, awaiting your favorable reply. Had you not come to us, we would have sought you out. The trip to Balindam will take half a day. They would like you to board immediately.”
“Oh… Huh. Wow.”
This complicates things.
“Hello, sister.” Crown Prince Erhan Matali spoke with a cold frustration that tinted his every word. “Enjoying gallivanting in the woods of Rani?”
“Oh, y’know…” Tia rolled the communications orb around on her table as she spoke. “It’s a good time. Risking my life to fight fell Ash Beasts, keeping the world order. Just living the easy life. You should try it sometime.”
“Don’t be coy with me, Tia,” Prince Erhan snapped. “Do you have any idea how hard I work to keep this country from falling apart? The least you could do is lend me a hand from time to time. I’m not even asking for all of your time. Yet you refuse to come home.”
Silence.
“I’d be no good to you, Han, even if I wasn’t in hiding.”
“Hiding? You think that’s what you’re doing? You were supposed to keep a low profile, not create legends of your exploits!”
“Legends, huh? Really?”
“Yes, be proud, little sister. Be so proud of your little accomplishments while our relationship with Kin’jal hangs by a thread. Your mere presence at some of our meetings would go so far.”
“What do you want? You couldn’t have taken time from your busy schedule just to berate me,” Tia replied. Her words were harsher than she’d intended. She did feel for Erhan’s plight. The boy worked himself from dawn to well past dusk, barely even stopping for food. His hair had grayed and had already started to fall out, despite his young age.
She knew all these things. She wanted to help… and yet, she’d never been able to bring herself to assume that role. She’d turned her back on her people. She’d chosen a different path.
“I need your help.”
“I’m not coming back.”
“Look, it’s just one thing. I need this. Kin’jal… they’re putting pressure on me. They want Matali support at one of their garrisons. Don’t ask me why, they didn’t say, and I’m in no position to demand answers from them. You know that. Anyway, it’s in southwest Kin’jal, near where you’re at.”
“You want me to play a guard at a Kin’jal garrison.”
“It’ll only be for a few days.”
“Sorry, not interested.”
“Tia…”
“I have business in Avi.”
She heard Erhan sigh. “I didn’t want to resort to this. I really didn’t. If you don’t go, I’ll have to halt your allowance.”
Tia snorted. “I can provide for myself, thank you very much.”
A pause.
“I can have Rani restrain you and bring you back. Queen Akalpa would be only too happy to oblige.”
“She wouldn’t dare.”
“Do you want to take that bet? I’ll win.”
Tia ground her teeth. He was right, and he knew that she knew.
“I’ll consider it.”
“Consider fast. I need you there in a few days. Princess Ira Kin’jal’s right-hand will be personally overseeing the operation. Do what she says and be careful. Don’t ask questions. You cannot mess this up.”
“Ira? That sickly girl? What’s she doing poking her head into our business? Have we fallen so low that an invalid is ordering our country around now?”
“Do you really want me to answer that? Look, I don’t like this any more than you do, and believe me, you’re the last person I want to send there, but she’s insisting. At least, if you go, it’ll get the Kin’jals off my back for a spell. Please?”
“I said I’d think about it. And Han? I love you, but don’t ever blackmail me again.”
Tia cut the call.
35SHATTERED EDGE
Vir prepared to use Dance of the Shadow Demon to enter his shared bedroom suite. Partly out of a desire not to wake anyone, but with as big as the space was, that was hardly a concern. Rather, he wanted to grab his things and get Neel with no one noticing.
At least, that was the plan, until Prana Vision showed that everyone was awake.
“You’re all up?” Vir asked with a broken voice, entering the traditional way. “I thought you went to bed?”
“Well, we were about to, but then Haymi asked where you’d gone. I said you were just off getting some fresh air. Haymi disagreed, and so we placed bets,” Vason said, looking at Vir with ravenous eyes. “There’s a lot of money on the table, so you better have been out for a walk. You were, weren’t you?”
“I… uh.” Vir debated lying, but it’d only raise more attention when he packed his things to leave. “I was speaking to an Executor.”