2025-10-28 18:05:52
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Dendra and Talia
That night, when Talia retired to Dendra’s chambers, she studied him quietly before speaking.“Are you… stable?” she asked at last.Dendra let out a breath that sounded older than the world.“A father never is, my dear. I watch my daughter remain in the arms of a monster. And now she makes me promise to see her not as my child, but as a servant of another house.” His jaw tightened. “I hate Tan with every fiber in my being.”Talia rested her hand over his. “It will be well. You should seek peace, my love.”“Peace,” Dendra echoed bitterly. “Before you leave, send for Onna.”“She is with child.”“Then send for another.”Talia shook her head gently and leaned closer. “Let me warm your bed tonight.”“I do not wish to burden you.”“Then let me ease your burdens,” she murmured.She kissed him, and for a moment, the god of mischief allowed himself to be only a man.Elsewhere, Felt stood within Delia’s chambers, the soft glow of lamps catching on stone and silk.“How have you been?” Felt asked
The Journey to Dren
The next day, Curse saw Twan off by himself.They stood at the edge of the estate as her carriage waited, its sigils already glowing for the long passage to the capital. Curse kissed her brow, lingering longer than usual.“Be careful,” he said softly.She smiled, sharp and tired. “With my family? That’s impossible.” Then, quieter, “But I’ll come back.”He watched until the carriage vanished into the streets of Trim.Twan met her mother, Felt, at the capital gates. Felt looked unchanged, calm, composed, eyes like still water hiding dangerous depth. Together, without ceremony, they went straight to Dren.The air there was heavier, ancient, weighted with authority.When they arrived, Dendra was seated at a stone table with Talia, sharing a quiet lunch that felt more like a ceasefire than a meal. Delia rose first, smoothing her robes as she ushered them in.She greeted Felt with a nod. “Welcome, head wife.”“It’s been a while, Delia,” Felt replied evenly.Felt exhaled. “I wish I had more
A Morning in Trim
Morning broke gently over Trim.Snake stood on the high balcony, hands resting on cool stone, watching the city stretch endlessly below. Sunlight spilled over tiled roofs, polished courtyards, and clean avenues lined with fountains. Traders moved without fear. Children laughed. There was order here, wealth, yes, but not the rot that clung to the Mogro capital like a sickness.“It doesn’t smell like desperation,” Snake said quietly. “That alone makes it strange.”Curse stepped beside him, folding his arms. “It feels peaceful, doesn’t it?”Snake glanced at him. “How is that possible?”“Because we live here,” Curse replied simply. “We make it decent enough to survive in. Even the wealthy Mogro travel back here when they want peace.”Snake studied the streets again. “It’s different. Clean. Sincere. Does Tan not suspect?”Curse shook his head. “No. He knows his daughter lives here. He assumes the beauty is her influence…and he’s proud of her achievements. Proud enough not to question her h
The road to Trim
Snake returned to his chambers quietly.Dragon was already fast asleep, sprawled across the bed as if the world itself could not move him. Snake smiled faintly, then his gaze caught on something hanging opposite the doorway.A painting.Lady Maya. Assassin. Lady Prim.It was done in soft tones, too gentle for Intraw’s sharp stone. Maya stood between them, her smile serene, luminous, as though her entire world revolved around the man beside her. Assassin’s hand rested near hers, not touching, yet close enough to speak of restraint and longing. Prim stood just behind, proud, complicated, enduring.Snake exhaled slowly.“What a sweet fantasy,” he murmured.Maya’s painted smile glowed faintly in the torchlight, and for the first time, Snake understood how love could exist quietly inside rules meant to destroy it.The next morning came quickly.They met Curse at the lower gates, final preparations made to return with him to Trim, the city under Tan’s rule.It was almost laughable.A Liroid
Lady Maya
Snake wandered the lower terraces of Intraw Palace while Dragon buried himself in ledgers, maps, and whispered truths with Voices. The city hummed softly, stone breathing, water murmuring secrets into roots.That was when he found Maya.She was kneeling in a small inner garden, trimming silver-veined vines that grew along a shallow fountain. Her movements were slow, careful, reverent, as though the plants themselves were old warriors deserving respect.Without looking up, she spoke.“Exploring, Prince Snake?”He paused, then smiled.“Yes. This place is… a bit too much. No matter how often I visit, I still don’t understand it.”She chuckled softly.“Neither do most who live here.”She rose with a faint wince, and Snake instinctively stepped forward, offering his arm. She accepted it lightly and settled onto the stone edge of the fountain.“We’re here visiting Lady Prim’s grandchildren,” she said. “Their mother, Caution, is helping my lord husband recruit new assassins. Her husband is b
The city of Intelligence
As dawn bled faint silver into the horizon, the great company divided.Those bound for Freya, the hunting dogs’ town, marched east with banners and eager blood. Laughter and challenge followed them like smoke.Snake and Dragon, however, turned away from the open sky.Their path led downward.Intraw: City of WhispersThe entrance to Intraw yawned beneath the Lat Kingdom like the mouth of an ancient beast. Vast stone ramps spiraled into darkness, walls etched with moving sigils that drank sound itself. Every step swallowed noise. Every breath felt measured.This was the seat of the Intelligence Guild,a city built for secrets, ruled by Lady Caution.Snake felt it immediately.Eyes everywhere.Dragon muttered, “I hate places that listen back.”Snake smiled faintly. “Then don’t think too loudly.”From the shadows ahead came light, soft, blue-veined glowstone, and with it a young woman stepped forward, head bowed.“Lord Snake. Lord Dragon.”She straightened with practiced grace.Voices Lir
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