𝐏𝐚𝐱𝐭𝐨𝐧

Just like always, I had orders. Orders had to be followed, executed, and tied with a bow of perfection. Like a violinist performing a symphony, every melody had to be precise, every note plucked on cue, to turn a cluster of notes into a beautiful piece.

I was skilled at many things, but I was never a good musician.

At first, everything was unfolding well. My practiced lines and crisply ironed garments were enough to blend in in this unfamiliar kingdom. A masquerade ball was the perfect place to squeeze information out of foreign lords and nobilities, and along the way I could refresh myself with a swig or two of their expensive wine. It was almost as if I was on vacation rather than intercepting dangerous conspiracies. But I had to learn that fine wine and dancing did not make a vacation.

Governor Dames stood by me, leaning against the railing of our level. We stood on a mezzanine overlooking the ballroom, where skirts whirled and boots clicked as the guests danced below us. Dames held an envelope in his gloved hand, though what I needed was tucked in his breast pocket and written in his memory.

"A festive lot, don't you think?" He clipped cheerfully. "Aragand always has nights to remember—the only kingdom that throws a worthwhile party, if I do say so myself."

I returned his light remarks. "Never fails to impress, Governor. Your people are masters of festivities." Gloating. Governors liked to gloat, I reminded myself.

He heaved a sigh and tapped the envelope against the railing. "But let's talk business, shall we? Come, have a seat."

We settled into the tall seats at the mostly empty bar a few paces away. Governor Dames ordered us each a glass of champagne before turning to face me again, his eyes glittering with greed. "So," he said, stroking his neat grey beard. "You're the bloke Nevykka sent to receive our offer."

"Yes, Governor, I am." I said, nodding thanks to the barman who handed us our drinks.

"You brought the money?" It wasn't about paying for champagne.

"Four hundred vrechi, sir, just like you asked of us. But I need your . . . proposal first."

His brows met in a bushy furrow. "And the general? Your prisoner?"

"Will come in time. I can promise he is unharmed."

Still dissatisfied, he pressed for the money before he would give me his letter. I was growing annoyed.

"I can't shower you with coin before I even know if your word is true! The envelope, please."

I could see the fire raging behind his eyes. He could argue until I snapped and left; but what if I didn't like his little letter? Either way, he risked losing his precious coins. Grumbling, he threw down the envelope in front of me. I gave him a polite smile and tore it carefully.

I unfolded the paper inside and feigned interest in what I read. Dames studied me impatiently, sipping on his drink as my eyes grazed the page.

"Well?" he prompted, obviously growing restless. I took my time reading the last paragraph, as if something displeased me about it. Thoughts spun in my head. This paper may not be so useless after all.

"I don't know," I said, setting the letter facedown on the table. "It seems a bit, let's say . . . unreliable. I know you can get us twice as many soldiers for half the price."

"Maybe," he said, "but not better ones."

I shook my head. "I'm paying four hundred vrechi for a reason. I need more."

A low growl rumbled from his throat. He leaned forward so his face was only inches away from mine. "Four hundred or nothing, kid. You have no idea what I'm risking for this little trade-off." He leaned back again. "If you want more, I can do that. But I'll need more in return."

I couldn't suppress the scowl from forming on my face. "How about that?" I said sharply, gesturing to his pocket. "You might be taking a risk talking to me now, but you'd be taking a bigger one saying no."

He grunted, looking unconvinced. "It's classified."

And so I improvised.

I took a long sip of my champagne, savouring its aroma and flavour. But rather than smacking my lips and commenting how much I liked it, I froze and contorted my face as if it was the opposite. The sparkling liquid swished inside as I placed the glass on the table, still wearing my exaggerated expression of disgust.

The governor's face grew even more sour. "Oh, by the gods, what is it now? Never had anything stronger than water before?"

"Oh, no, Governor, I certainly have." I looked him in the eyes. "It only tastes foul. Is it poisoned? Are you trying to poison me? Or maybe your kingdom's reputation for the finer things is false?" I grabbed him by the sleeve and spoke close to his ear. "Why don't we go take a look behind the counter?"

His eyes widened. "No, sir, I swear there's not a drop of anything but high quality champagne. I am quite comfortable at the table where we are." Panic rose in his voice.

I jerked him up, dragging him along as I made my way to the back bar. "Well, I'm not."

The barman protested, but I shoved him aside and threw Dames into the storage room, slamming the door behind us. From under the folds of my shirt, I pulled a knife.

"Give me the blueprint," I snarled, pressing him against the wall. "You wouldn't want to cause a scene at this nice party, would you?"

He squirmed under my grip. "It's useless without me," he said, smirking. "You don't know the code that it's written in."

I smiled. "Yes, and you are useless without it. So I can take it from you now and you can go tell your boss you lost it, or you can come with me."

The smug expression drained from his face. Despite its festivities and artistic mask, Aragand was a nation where one misstep led you straight to the gallows. Dames knew that perfectly well, so he obliged.

≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫

It was on our departure that I saw her. A small woman in a golden gown, her pearl-studded collar pressing all the way up to her chin. Her eyes passed right through me, locking onto Dames instead. I knew he was her prize as well. She watched him from a distance, her caramel brown face peeking past the crowds of other luxuriously dressed men and women, her gaze never leaving the governor. I wondered who she was, but reminded myself it didn't matter, because I had got to him first.