Night settled over the woods like old dust. The fire crackled low. The sealed case sat in Zee's lap, black wax shimmering beneath his fingers.
Torren poked the embers with a stick. "Could be orders. Could be nothing."
Sevi leaned forward. "Or maybe the Marshal's location."
Zee turned the case again. Its seal bore no name, only a sunken mark in black.. denoting urgency and power. Whoever it came from wanted Mira's eyes on it. And nothing less.
Zee stood, brushing ash from his coat.
"We move. The door's open, and with it, a chance to strike down one of the king's pillars."
They traveled at first light. Torren remained behind to watch the camp. Disguised again as the garrison patrolmen -Zee and Sevi-walked through the outer checkpoints, unchallenged. The black seal was enough.
Outside Mira's compound, two sentries glanced at the seal, nodded stiffly, and admitted them. A long corridor waited within papered walls, fragrant ink, the hush of calligraphy drifting like perfume.
At the final door stood a woman, tall. Unnaturally tall. Green hair tied back, gaze level. She did not blink. Her presence made the hallway feel narrower.
"You may give the dispatch to me," she said, voice smooth and flat. "The Lady reads only what I pass."
Zee didn't move. "My orders were clear. Mira. Only."
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Most men blink when I speak."
"I'm not most men."
A pause. Then: "Wait here."
She turned and vanished behind the double doors. A moment later, they creaked open. "The Lady grants you an audience."
Zee stepped forward and set the sealed case on the table. Mira did not reach for it immediately.
"It is rare," she said, "that one refuses Vile's hand. That alone earns you my attention."
Sevi stood still, quiet as a shadow behind Zee.
"You're not who you claim to be," Mira continued, tapping her desk once. "And I doubt you crossed our border just to deliver messages."
Zee offered nothing.
Mira broke the seal with a blade.. clean, precise. Unfolded the parchment.
Blank.
Zee's eyes narrowed. Sevi stayed still.
Mira smiled faintly.
"Very well," she said. "Tell me, caster, do you truly think you can kill Bendragon?"
Zee stayed quiet.
"He's just a man," Mira continued. "But the king surrounds himself with zealots and ghosts. Killing one blade won't break the sword. Unless you carve the hilt."
"You want the king dead," Zee said.
Mira nodded. "His mind swims in prophecy and fire. He believes himself divine. I want power. Real power."
"To be queen."
"Eventually."
Zee narrowed his eyes. "I'm not here to help you become queen. I have another plan for my client."
"I can pay you," Mira said. "Triple, perhaps more."
Zee didn't even blink. "No."
Mira tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharp as a quill's tip. "Loyalty, then." A faint smile curled her lips. "Fine. I don't need devotion.. only opportunity. And your usefulness will do."
Zee stepped forward. "Then we work together for now. But no promises."
"Agreed."
She studied him for a moment, then leaned back. "So… the Church or the Marshal?"
Zee didn't hesitate. "The Marshal."
Mira nodded slightly, as if she'd expected the answer. She opened a drawer and pulled out a slim folder.
"He's protected by three knights. Remove them, and his shadow dims."
Zee took the folder.
Mira studied him. "Your client. I wonder who he is. The kind of man who sends ghosts."
Zee didn't reply.
They turned to leave.
As they walked down the corridor, Vile's shadow loomed behind them.. silent, tall, and ever-watching. At the gates, no words were exchanged. But once they were outside, Sevi exhaled.
"She knew everything."
Zee's voice was low. "That woman is dangerous. We were pawns in her hands."