>>5728908>>5728899Even in a quiet corner of a mostly-empty eatery, you have misgivings about discussing the assassination of the heir apparent (for now) of the ‘shining city’. What you’re even LESS keen about is the act itself, though. It is a rare phenomenon for you, but you think you need… Advice. Not divine guidance, for it is the GODS THEMSELVES who assigned you this task, but advice form your friend… And perhaps from this seasoned and aged operative whom he has located.
“The Gods have placcced a misssion of ssome imporancce in my lap, asss well,” you segue into the subject.
The two fellow Reptilians look to you with wordless curiosity, awaiting your continuation. You oblige them.
“My wife’sss brother,” you say simply, with a subtle inclination of the head and a quick gesture of the head—talons across neck, a death sentence.
“Ah,” winces Olu, who—half-human as he is—understands immediately.
“Which one?” Alabacete asks, and signals the proprietor of the establishment for a water.
You and Olu exchange a look.
“The one who remainsss,” you answer.
“…Then the rumours of Alexos are true,” surmises Albecete quietly.
You all fall quiet as the robust human male brings you each a mug of water. You sip them, almost in sync.
“Then it is a real relationship?” Albacete asks.
You tilt your head slightly unsure how to answer, then nod.
“REALLY?” she presses.
You narrow your eyes, trying to parse out her meaning.
“She knowssss?” Albacete asks,a llowing her Reptilian accent to slip into her Common-tongued speech.
Ah. You nod—yes.
“But not about Alexos?” asks Olu, worriedly. “Right, Prince?”
You shake your head slightly.
“There is no reason that Queen Ekaterine needs to know about this, then,” the Archer says, with a wide grin of relief, and leans back in his seat to take a long draught of his water.
“Exxxcept that she isss no fool,” you note sourly. “I have perssuaded her to challenge him for leadership. If he—and hiss wife aand child—are all ssuddenly… Out-of-contention…”
“Ah,” replies the Archer.
