Episode 3 Sneak Peak #16

A small thing from the Veyer branch. In this continuity, they did not vote for the mission and the MC was fired. 

Malsara rolls her eyes and ducks ahead, leaving the mages to size each other up. Her footsteps are swift and silent against the cool stone as she follows the rippling water into the wall’s shadow. The channel flows through an arched gate at its base, the threshold glimmering with layers of security spells. Several small personal vessels are moored on either side, bobbing gently in the water. She selects the least decorative one, stoops down, and begins untying it.

Veyer sticks their hands in their pockets and casts an eye across the courtyard. “It’s a lovely morning, isn’t it?” they say. “Perfect for some treachery. Perhaps some light backstabbing—”

Zenaida’s nostrils flare. “If you disapproved so strongly, you’d be on your way to inform Oshiro right now—”

“Oshiro? As if I’d tell him anything. Besides, my curiosity has been piqued from the very beginning.”

“Has it? You voted against my proposal. Considering you actions last night, I can only believe your curiosity has more to do with collecting another unique notch on your bedpost than any genuine regard for my plan.”

“What I do in private—with or without $firstname—does not concern you, Your Grace,” they say sharply. “Frankly, I thought more of you. You never struck me as one to resort to low blows, but I suppose even the most principled of us aren’t free from spite.”

She recoils as if stung. Toying with the edge of her hood, she casts a glance in your direction, an apology in her eyes. You shrug and turn your back on her, crossing the courtyard to assist Malsara with the boat. The assassin barely acknowledges you when you arrive and reluctantly passes you a rope. You rip through the knots without comment. Once finished, you decide to keep your distance from Zenaida and Veyer’s argument and clamber into the boat.

“…very well, then, Krellion,” Zenaida says finally, struggling to keep the embarrassment from her voice. She walks briskly to the channel, keeping to the shadows. “You know what we’re up against. We can use your skills.”

Veyer follows at a distance, meandering down the path. They pause at the edge of the channel and stoop, dipping a hand experimentally into the channel. “Then they’re yours for today,” they say, swilling their fingers back and forth. “I only ask for one thing in return.”

She regards them coolly. “Name it.”

“That I’m the one who delivers the Astrial—if only for the look on Oshiro’s face. It will be quite shocked, I imagine. I intend to savour it.”

Zenaida sighs wearily. “As you wish.”