The spicy aroma of freshly-made pulao and qorma permeated the flat. The dining table was overflowing with rich gravies, appetizers, sweets, and salads. Hiya and Sri had all but climbed onto the table in their eagerness to begin the meal.

Nibbling on his grilled fish kebab, Vikram hummed in appreciation. “Most wedding feasts I’ve seen would pale in comparison to this.”

“Because no sensible host would pay for a meal this extravagant,” Ruban grumbled, popping honey-glazed mushrooms into his mouth.

Ashwin struck him atop the head with his spatula.

Hiya giggled, then dove into her pulao. Heaping his own plate with qorma and kebabs, Sri followed suit.

“Really, Ashwin… You needn’t have gone through all this trouble on our account.” Simani was struggling to keep her hands off the food-laden table. Ruban smirked, taking the opportunity to steal a kebab off her plate.

She glared at him, before turning back to Ashwin. “We only wanted to discuss a new assignment with you. If we’d known you were planning something so elaborate, we’d have–”

“A new assignment?” Ashwin arched a brow. “With me?”

“Well, we have reason to believe that Janak Nath is hiding out somewhere in the Kitenga Hills, near the Zainian border. So, we were wondering if your superiors might be able to provide us with any information about the Qawirsin’s stronghold there – where it is, what kind of security they have, that sort of thing…

“After all, both Zaini and Vandram have the same goal at the moment,” she continued. “The eradication of the feather mafia. It only makes sense for us to support each other.”

“Of course. I’m sure they’ll be happy to help.”

Ruban choked on a mushroom. “Come again!” he exclaimed, coughing.

Ashwin shrugged. “I don’t see a problem with it. Although, for this to work, you’ll have to take me to Kitenga with you.”

“Absolutely not.” Ruban wiped at his eyes. “It’s too dangerous.”

“For me?”

“For a Zainian diplomat with no formal combat experience, yes. We can’t knowingly put a foreign dignitary in harm’s way.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, Simani nodded her agreement. “He does have a point.”

“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that.” Smiling, Ashwin heaped Simani’s plate with a ladleful of steaming qorma. “I’ll stay out of trouble. Besides, you must understand, my superiors won’t give me the information you need unless I can work closely with the Vandran forces. They’ll want regular reports on the evolving situation with the mafia, to begin with.

“The feather mafia’s activities in Zaini have been a major blow to our economy. As you can imagine, my superiors will want something in return for their cooperation.”

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“In return?” Ruban repeated through gritted teeth. “Isn’t it enough that we’re dealing with her problems on her behalf? And with no help from her, might I add? What more could she want?”

Simani frowned, looking from Ashwin to Ruban. “Oh, you know his boss? Does she work at the embassy?”

“She wants nothing that isn’t her due.” Ashwin glowered at Ruban. “She has so far avoided interfering with the investigation out of respect for Vandram’s sovereignty; trusting the…local authorities to deal with the Qawirsin independently.

“But you better believe you’ll have to keep me in the loop if you want information from her. The mafia has killed more than a dozen of her citizens. She’s yearning for revenge.

“If you don’t allow me to join you in Kitenga, you’re basically inviting her to take matters into her own hands and intervene directly. Think about it, Ruban. Is that what you want? A confrontation between her forces and the mafia, within Vandran borders?”

“She seems irascible,” Vikram said through a mouthful of pulao. “And Ashwin’s as good an employee as he is a friend. This pulao is melting in my mouth.”

“Zainian citizens have been killed by the mafia?” Simani frowned. “Was it the Qawirsin or some local gang? How did this not make the news?”

Ruban sighed, letting the babble of conversation wash over him. Interference from Vaan would only make things harder for the Hunter Corps. And a clash between Safaa’s soldiers and the Exiles would endanger the lives of countless civilians.

Knowing Safaa, he wouldn’t put it past her to do any of the things Ashwin had just threatened. And if she did, what could any of them really do to stop her?

He polished off the last of his qorma.

Taking Ashwin to Kitenga was far from ideal. But it was the better of two evils. Much as it grated, he’d rather have the prince’s interference than the queen’s.

“I suppose it can be done.” He glanced at Simani. “And there might be some benefits to having Ashwin with us in Kitenga.”

“Such as?” She asked, her expression tight.

“Such as the fact that most of the mafia’s customers in Zaini are members of the aristocracy.” Ashwin sat forward in his chair. “Aeriel feathers are a collector’s item. They’re overpriced and all but useless, especially now that you have electric lighting and all that–”

“Not that they were ever the most efficient source of lighting,” Vikram interjected, swallowing the last of his dessert. “Although, the Zainian royalty did use Aeriel feathers to light the bedchambers of newlywed couples, back in the middle ages. They believed it brought good luck–”

“And healthy babies,” Ashwin added.

“Of course, those feathers were freely gifted to them by the Aeriels themselves.”

“The point is, among the aristocracy in Zaini, owning Aeriel feathers is still seen as a mark of prestige, affluence…”

Vikram nodded. “Feather lamps are also considered good luck charms for weddings. Anyone who can afford it will have at least one of them at the wedding venue.”

“But most members of the current aristocracy no longer have the wealth or influence their ancestors did,” Ashwin said. “And Aeriel feathers are expensive, especially if you want to acquire them the legal way.”

“Which is why there’s a huge demand for them in the Zainian black market,” Vikram agreed. “Most of the mafia’s customers in Zaini come from the old noble houses.”

“And?” Simani cocked her head to the side. “You don’t plan to have Ashwin–”

“Pretend to be a rich Zainian nobleman intending to buy a large consignment of Aeriel feathers from the Qawirsin?” Ruban grinned toothily. “Of course I do. What easier way can there be to infiltrate Janak Nath’s stronghold, without raising an alarm too early in the game?”

“Ruban! That’s dangerous. How can you even–”

“Well, we’re not forcing him to come with us, are we?” Ruban rolled his eyes. “If he’s that desperate to follow us around, he might as well make himself useful.”

“Great! So it’s decided.” Ashwin clapped his hands cheerfully together before Simani could raise any further objections. “We’re going on a trip to the Kitenga Hills together. This is going to be amazing!”

“I never thought I’d regret being left out of a mafia hunting mission.” Vikram stole the last rasmalai from under the Hunters’ noses. “But this FOMO is unnerving.”