>>5728959“Then do not handle it directly,” the one once called Albacete suggests. “Degenerate—”
“Oluwadamilare the Archer,” you interject.
The female Reptilian hesitates, then bwos her head slightly.
“Oluwadamilare, a good southern name. ‘Exonerated by the gods,’ yes?”
Olu’s eyes widen, and he nods slightly.
“Exonerated One, you are a capable assassin, yes?” she asks, with a small smile. “Would you not serve your Prince gladly in this way?”
Olu looks between the two of you, then nods.
“Princcessss Ekaterine may sstill connect the dotss,” you murmur. “And I believe that the Godsss expect my persssonal hand in thiss matter.”
The God of Glory DOES favour the bold, direct, and brutal approach to such things, particularly from a Knight Ascendant. This WAS a direct order from the greatest possible authority.
“Prince Alexos’ absence is still not known to be permanent,” the elder female replies. “Why should his brother’s absence, in the chaos of WHATEVER our compatriots are doing be any different?”
“Or you could frame it as self-defence,” muses the Archer. “Or as necessary.”
You wonder if your Human Queen would accept this, but this is not the only niggling detail that irks you. You fidget in your seat, and return to the topic of ‘whatever your compatriots are doing’.
“Ekaterine’sss regenccy losesss a great deal of itsss meaning if the ccity is a ccessspool, or dessstroyed,” you say. “I musst know what the Sserpent Priessstss have commanded, and… Interccede in it. If it isss not compatible with my own plansss…”
“You would defy the priesthood?” the female Reptilian asks.
Your mouth snaps shut, and for a second you fear you’ve said too much. This female is a loyal servant of the Holy Ones, surely! But then… Then the one no longer known to the surface as ‘Albecete’ laughs, a surprisingly authentic-sounding and human laugh, with nary a rattle.
“Times are truly changing,” she says. “I remember when last I encountered such boldness, to shake this city to its foundations…”
She sighs, and shakes her head, reflecting idly upon some past adventure. You finish your water.
“The norther forward base is collapsed. The Priests, wise though they may be, cannot foresee every eventuality—I have seen proof enough of that. And if I wanted to stop you… Well, how WOULD I?”
“You will help us, then?” asks your Archer, immediately onboard with your mutinous machinations, ever faithful to you and your cause.
The female shrugs, and smirks slightly, regarding you with a probing squint of the eyes.
“I wish to know what is afoot in this city,” Albacete simply says. “I have been here a long while. I am a part of its story, as Hawksong is a part of mine. I want to know how it ends.”
She finishes her own water, dabs at her mouth with a surprisingly-fine handkerchief which she produces from a sleeve, and then returns it to its place.
