Episode 3 Sneak Peek #4

Spoilers ahead! If you wanted to know what happened to the money Zenaida owes you... here's one answer. 

Malsara strides across the room. “Here.”

Thunk.

Two heavy leather pouches drop between the full teapot and the cheese, the sudden weight rattling the brass cups.

“Your payment,” she announces.

You exchange looks with Aeran. As one, you lean forward and snatch your individual pouches from the table. When you pry the strings open, you find it bursting with crowns of all sizes, from the small, oblong half-crowns to the thin, rectangular coins denoting five hundred. You comb through it, rapidly calculating the full amount. They look freshly minted, sporting an unfamiliar design of the Arathian phoenix.

“Three thousand crowns each, as promised,” Malsara continues, observing you closely as you sort through the money. “Paid upfront in its entirety as thanks for your cooperation.”

“Cooperation,” Aeran repeats. “Who exactly does she think we’re cooperating with? Lethalis discharged us last night.”

Malsara fixes him with a cold look and, for the first time, you note the change in her appearance. With her serithan exchanged for practical gear, her ash blonde hair pulled into a sensible braid, and her hands gloved in leather, she looks prepared for battle. You can just make out the faint impression of concealed daggers on her body and she carries a sword strapped to her back, the hilt and scabbard cocooned in thick, protective leather. A large sack rests at her feet, its contents unknown.

“Her Grace may have hired you in Lethalis’ name, but the order no longer cares for a pair of Wayfarers,” she says, sliding the wrapped sword from her back. “They may have made their decision. And as Umbria and the rest refuse to acknowledge the threat Solarath poses, she will.”

She unwraps the leather carefully and $blade rolls out, falling easily into her hand. “Consider yourselves free agents,” she continues, resting it respectfully on a nearby divan. She reaches into the sack, withdrawing Aeran’s bow and quiver, and your remaining weapons. “You are paid in in full, a feat not easily managed considering the current situation with the archon. Do you find this acceptable?”