"I ask only for that which I am worthy," Ana countered sharply. "Have I not brought you the sellswords? Have I not just agreed to continue this war regardless of how hopeless the situation is becoming? What wrong is there in asking for a superior means of protection on the battlefield? I will be using the sword to save Qohor—to bring glory to the Eranis name. Would it not then be pertinent to grant me the means to survive, so I may actually live to wed your nephew? Or are you the one who harbours intentions of never fulfilling your end of the bargain?"
The young man who had previously sat quietly watching the exchange finally spoke. "Uncle, I believe her words carry merit."
It was Drahas. He looked at Ana with mild intrigue. "It is only helpful to our goals to have her slay our enemies. The greater the slaughter, the better. Besides, the sword is of no service to us sitting locked within the family vaults."
"My son speaks true, brother," came the assenting, silken voice of the High Priest.
Taroh looked between his nephew and his brother, realizing he had been completely outmanoeuvred by his own blood. He released a heavy, defeated sigh. "Very well. The sword will be delivered to you, Lady Ana. Now, let us begin the tactical planning for the assault."
Ana nodded in satisfaction. She then turned toward Drahas and offered him a gentle, practiced smile.
Drahas did not reciprocate the warmth, but he offered her a polite, acknowledging nod.
…
Ctesiphon
The streets of Ctesiphon were alight with magical lamps as the citizenry went about their nightly business. There was renewed, bustling vigor within the marbled city. Yet, hidden beneath this pristine veneer, a dangerous game of shadows was being played between the Princeps and his unidentified opponents.
Senator Cato entered the Senate building, heavy rolls of parchment in hand. He was followed closely by a man wearing simple, unassuming clothing strapped with hardened leather. They promptly made their way to the Senator's private chambers.
"Let us get to the report, then. What manner of ill-advised action from Argus did you chance upon, my good fellow?" the Senator asked as he bolted the heavy oak door behind them.
"The Princeps was entirely correct in his suspicions, Senator," his companion replied smoothly. "It would seem that Senator Argus met with Senator Goran at his private manor. They were joined by two hooded figures. I could not identify them before they slipped inside, but I am certain they were discussing the disastrous outcome of today's Senate session. They were visibly rattled and quickly scurried back to their holes. But it would seem the higher echelons of this conspiracy still elude us."
"Did you follow the hooded figures after they left Goran's manor?" Cato asked, setting his parchments down.
"I did. But once they reached the crowded markets, they disposed of their cloaks and merged seamlessly into the masses. Identifying them in the dark would have been impossible," the spy reported. "However, the fellows that remained trailing Senator Argus did chance upon him making a rather lavish purchase."
"What would that be?" Cato inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Senator Argus has placed a rush order to construct two merchant dromonds."
Cato instantly caught the insinuation. "The fool. To so blatantly flaunt his corrupted coin."
"Indeed. The order was placed for a sum of twelve thousand Swarnas," the spy continued, a sly grin touching his face. "Upon further inquiry into Senator Argus's private finances, we have learned that he is drowning in debt to some truly vile people—upwards of eight thousand Swarnas. It would seem the good Senator was trying to salvage his previously failed trading endeavours while simultaneously paying off his creditors. The shipbuilder he placed his order with is known for conducting rather shady dealings within the city limits."
"Excellent work, Jonas. The Princeps will be most pleased with this news," Cato commended, leaning back against his desk. "Keep building this web of surveillance around Argus. He is the weak link in this conspiracy, and he will lead us directly to his benefactors eventually."
Cato paused, his eyes narrowing with sudden, calculating ambition. "Additionally, keep me apprised of Argus's other financial vulnerabilities. While we may be serving the Imperium, it does not mean we cannot stand to gain from it ourselves. Slowly buying out Argus's debts from his creditors in the shadows should not alert too many people, yet it will grant us immense leverage over the man."
"Your ruthlessness scares me at times, Senator," Jonas said, feigning a dramatic shudder.
"And your methods scare me even more, Jonas," Cato quipped. He opened a locked drawer in his desk and withdrew a heavy velvet pouch, dropping it onto the wooden table with a heavy, metallic clink. "The usual rate, along with some added incentive."
"This is why I enjoy working with you, Senator. You always know how to keep a man happy," Jonas said, offering a smile that toed the dangerous line between greed and lust as he weighed the gold in his palm.
Cato winced slightly at the display. "So long as you provide exemplary service, you shall always have a patron, Jonas. Now, I suggest you get back to the shadows. I have my own work to attend to."
"My thanks, Senator," Jonas bowed low, slipping the gold into his leather jerkin before vanishing out the door.
Cato watched his departing figure, shaking his head slowly as he prepared to pen his report to the Princeps.