Chapter 35: Obligation

“You were gone far too long,” Tressi complained. “Our departure is in an hour. Everyone is getting ready.”

“Great.” Vina said flatly.

“Not great. They want to meet you right now. You think you can do this as Tarla?”

“I figured they would.” Vina replied, her tone steady. “My disguise skill is level ten. Do you think I can convince them I’m not who I am?”

"Considering the panel will consist of The Watch's agents, I find that doubtful," Tressi said, a frown creasing her forehead.

"Then it's time I faced them as myself," Vina sighed, a trace of resignation in her voice. "Send me the updated contract; I'll sign it now. Where's this meeting supposed to take place?"

"Main Hall number three. Let's keep you covered until we enter the building. The bounty on your head might get you killed before we even arrive," Tressi advised.

Vina nodded. “Let’s do that. Worse come to worse, I might have another ace up my sleeve.”

“Ace?” Tressi asked, appearing baffled.

"Don’t worry about it. Let's go," Vina urged, leading the way towards the looming governmental buildings in the distance. As they walked, she reviewed The Watch's proposal to cooperate, turning it over in her mind.

Tressi, persistent, followed her. "No, really, tell me what’s going on?"

“They’re trying to resolve our differences by catching me in a trap.” Vina answered quickly. “They’ve offered me a proposal to work together.”

"They want to recruit you?" Tressi echoed. "But you don't want to join them, do you?"

Vina shook her head. “No. After I left Prosit, they tried to force me to work for them, but I managed to escape. They placed a bounty on my head after I found Trina. Now they want me back when they learned what I can do. They’re using the bounty as leverage.”

Tressi fell silent, mulling over Vina's words. "What can you do?"

"I can bring people back after they've been possessed by The Darkness," Vina confessed softly. She felt Tressi's astonishment in her vibrance, but the mayor didn't have the opportunity to probe further as they cleared the security checkpoint of the government district. This part of the city was unfamiliar to Vina; during her previous visit, it was cordoned off behind white walls. Comprising only a handful of buildings, they towered over the city center. One ivory tower in particular, allegedly occupied by the Twelve when they visited the city, had always piqued Vina's interest.

Vina was relieved they were heading towards a side building housing a large hall. However, as they neared the entrance, she sensed a powerful vibrance on the second floor of the building. "Damn it!"

"W… what?" Tressi stuttered, nearly stumbling to a halt.

“Haco is here.” Vina groaned.

Tressi scanned their surroundings. "How can you tell?"

"I just can," Vina muttered, her voice laced with frustration. "Come on. There's nothing we can do about it now. I’m sure she's aware I'm here too." She pushed open the doors, only to be immediately confronted by several guards.

Without a word, two guards guided them through the imposing structure to a spacious hall. Its magnificence underscored the seriousness of the matters typically addressed there. As Vina surveyed the rows of vacant seats, she couldn't shake off the gravity of what was to come. Each seat was a symbol of The Watch's authority, each empty space a stark reminder of the power she was about to face. She knew this building was designed to evoke such feelings, and she strove to push them aside.

Opting to stand, Vina watched as several individuals, each sporting The Watch's unmistakable bleeding eye badge, filed in. Tressi, evidently as apprehensive as Vina, whispered, "Show them the Vina who saved the people of Prosit, not the Vina they placed a bounty on."

Vina smiled and almost laughed despite the tense situation. She waited for the panel to sit down at their long table, stacks of papers lay in front of each of them. When she was certain almost all of them were looking at her, she relaxed her eyes and removed her gloves. She pulled the cloak from her shoulders to reveal her stunning armor below.

The atmosphere grew heavy as everyone's eyes turned to her. The rustle of papers, the clearing of throats, and the audible gasps of the panel members filled the room. The change in their vibrance was stark as it shifted from superiority to fear. One member rose above the rest, proclaiming, "This meeting is unnecessary. Guards, take Vina into custody!"

Tressi stood up as well and yelled above the, “I’ve hired her services! Restraining her will surrender your town to me!”

The guards hesitated for a moment, but only long enough for a woman behind the desk to yell out. “Someone get a tranquil on her!”

“A tranquil won’t work on this Asharaina.” Haco declared from the gallery above. “She’s overcome one already.” Vina's eyes locked with hers, the two women engaged in a silent standoff. "Asharaina, join me," Haco commanded, turning away from the railing without waiting for a response.

With a sigh, Vina ascended the stairs, irked by Haco's theatrics but acutely aware of the shift in atmosphere. The spacious office above, with its lavish collection of books, finely crafted desks, and plush chairs, exuded opulence. At the other end of the room, two chairs were positioned by a large window, a small table between them. Haco waited in the chair on the right.

“Sit, Asharaina," she commanded, her voice filled with an authority that was difficult to ignore. Without a word, Vina made her way to the indicated chair. On the table between them, two cold drinks sat untouched. As she lowered herself into the seat, Haco reached for one of the glasses, the liquid within shimmering silver in the room's subdued light.

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Vina settled back in her chair, her gaze falling on the city view outside. It was evident now that Haco had been waiting for her here, her presence sensed by Vina from this exact location. "How do you envision this playing out?" Vina asked, her voice measured. "I'm worried this might end poorly for all of us."

Haco inclined her head in agreement. "Ever since you set foot in our world, things have become more complicated. I've concluded a more delicate approach is needed with you. Were you able to destroy Langternem at Norfany?”

Vina shook her head. “No. Norfany was a waste of time.”

Haco gave a deep sigh. “Kaliq was wrong then. Is Langternem still secured?"

"For the moment," Vina responded cryptically, "But if I go missing..."

"The world ends," Haco interjected. "I comprehend the implications; they're no different from when Kaliq was Langternem’s caretaker." Setting her drink back on the table, her gaze too rested on the city outside, "I know Tacey found you. I received a confirmation of her extending our offer. Yet, her death hasn't been reported. Where is she?"

“Delayed.” Vina responded sharply. “Where’s Ann? Did she make it back?

Haco’s face turned toward her for the first time, and Vina looked back at her with an expressionless face. “No. Your sister isn’t back, but I haven’t received a death notification for her either. Why is Tacey delayed?” Haco asked, and her eyes narrowed while her vibrance filled with suspicion.

Vina sighed in relief. Knowing Ann found a way to survive meant she could still reunite with her. "She attempted to capture me, and I defended myself. I couldn't kill her," Vina confessed, her tone unflinching.

Haco's suspicion evaporated almost instantaneously. Her lips curved into a smile, and soon she was laughing.

Vina watched her, taken aback. She had never forgotten Haco's unpredictable nature, but seeing it firsthand again was jarring.

“You’ve got that right! She’s a tough, determined old parohn! What about Saryne?” she asked, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Saryne is dead," Vina declared, her face impassive. She felt some satisfaction when Haco’s smile died on her lips.

“How?” Haco asked coldly.

"That's not why I'm here," Vina deflected. An undercurrent of anxiety pulsed within her, it was clear Haco was trying to back her into a corner. "My goal is to secure the safety of Prosit's townsfolk. Will their departure from Termily be a problem?"

Haco took a moment, sipping her drink again before answering. She slowly extended a finger on her free hand as she counted. "You've slain Ebba, Faer, and The Shaper. You've also taken Tacey away. The Darkness is at our doorstep, and you’ve destroyed my aspect of life. Frankly, I doubt Termily will survive past tonight. I’m not inclined to help you or your friends. In fact, I am tempted to let you die with this city, if not for the danger Langternem represents. You would need to prove just how valuable you are before I would save you."

“I’ve already delivered Zera to you as well as swords capable of killing assemblers,” Vina countered, her mind racing as she thought of her next move. She knew Haco was trying to force her to sign the cooperation agreement, but Vina refused to be bound by an agreement, not when every fiber of her being rebelled against the very idea. But Pawld, Tressi, Milly... She couldn't let them down either. “I’m prepared to figure out how to give Tacey back to you, provided I get some promises guaranteeing my safety.”

"Zera was traumatized by her ordeal. She tore out her own aspect and made a death promise to Carda that he isn’t able to break. That’s why you have it now. She is of no use to us beyond her vast life experience." Haco studied Vina, her gaze thoughtful. "What do you mean 'figure out how to give Tacey back'? Have you done something to her that you can't reverse?"

Vina simply shrugged, trying to deflect once more when she realized she overshared. "Perhaps. She's safe, though.”

Haco seemed to consider Vina's words before speaking again. “Even if you returned Tacey to us, you killed Saryne. She might well be as useless to us as Zera is now. I don’t think you are in a good place to barter with The Watch, Vina. If you had obtained her aspects though…” Haco’s words hung in the air like a guillotine

Vina shook her head. “I don’t have them.

“The City of Halos, then.” Haco suggested. “We have been trying for many years to get them to work with us. They have remained frustratingly disconnected from our conflict with The Darkness. I understand you hold some sway over them now.”

Vina shook her head again. “I won’t commit all of our people into a war just to save Prosit’s people. I would only negotiate if it was somehow also beneficial to the families who are sacrificing their children in this war.”

Haco nodded slowly. “You’ve changed so much since I last saw you. You’re making life and death choices now. The Darkness has been talking to you, hasn’t it?”

“It was.” Vina admitted. “Tacey put a stop to that, against my wishes,” Vina said, a ripple of anger surfacing at the memory.

Haco clicked her tongue. “She’s not supposed to do that. I’m glad you put her in a timeout.” Haco gave her one more assessing look. “I was right, you know. You just needed a little push. I’m going to give you another one.” She gestured at Vina’s lap. “You have nothing to offer that makes you a valuable equal to my organization. Sign the proposal Tacey sent you, and I’ll let Prosit leave Termily in a portal ring you’ve converted to blood. If you don’t, I’ll kill every member of Prosit in front of you, slowly, until someone tells me where Langternem is. Then I’ll take you and it with me to Lampasa in chains. I’ll spend the rest of my time torturing you until you decide to take care of Langternem without bothering me anymore. I’ll also force you to tell me where Trina is. And that, Asharaina, is a promise.”

The threat hung in the air, oppressive and real. Vina gave her a half-hearted smile as she received the notification of Haco’s promise in her vision. She accepted it to spite the woman, but the weight of the decision she was being forced into felt suffocating. “If this is how you handle delicate matters, I’d hate to see how you handle explosive situations,” she quipped.

Haco stared back at her with a smile. “I feel, with you, being clear is the best approach. And are you making fire jokes now?”

Vina brought up the proposal in her vision. The reality of her situation hit her like a physical blow. She was teetering on the edge of a precipice with no option but to jump. “Just remember, I could end the world if I decide to skip a feeding session.” Vina gestured at the screen in front of her. “I made changes to the initial proposal, including that I am not required to go to Lampasa immediately. You should review it. Here, look.”

Haco’s eyes scanned the document and the more she read, the wider her eyes got. “You wrote this? Do you have a government subclass?”

Vina shrugged. “The author is on the document.”

Haco nodded slowly before saying, “I can’t enforce amendment twenty-six physical immunity from The Twelve. It was wise of you to add this as you recognized that we provided you physical immunity to agents of The Watch and there could be legal wording that excludes The Twelve from The Watch’s Agents. You are correct in assuming that. The Twelve are volunteer positions save for my own. They do what they want. I merely suggest what they should be focusing on. I’m striking it from the proposal. The rest is acceptable and complete.”

Vina's heart sank further, a dwindling flicker of hope snuffed out. The reality that she was still not safe from the twelve, even after signing this document, felt like a cold, heavy stone in her stomach already tightened by her binding quest. “So, I’ll have to be careful around the twelve still?”

Haco gave a contemplative head tilt. “All of them, except me. This is just a proposal to begin negotiations to work together. When we all come to the table with what we have to offer, maybe your complete safety is something you can negotiate for.” Haco gave her a bright, predatory smile that was mirrored in her vibrance.

Vina groaned inwardly, the corner she had been backed into seeming to close in on her. With a heavy heart and the weight of her choices bearing down on her, she signed the document. It was a compromise, a step she was reluctantly forced to take, but it was a step nonetheless. Remembering Jan’s words, she tried to force herself to believe it was one taken in the right direction. But as she read the notification window, she couldn’t help but wonder if this wasn’t what Haco wanted all along.

World Bounty Notification: Haco, The First of the Twelve of The Watch, has canceled the bounty on The Traveler known as The Asharaina: Vina Esca.