Three attendants stood in a line and waited patiently as Zorren flipped through several papers. Allan sat in a dark wooden chair beside a small end table. He pulled a pipe out of his coat and began unraveling a pungent herb from within its cloth wrapping. As the scent of the herb reached Zorren’s nose, he shot Allan a disapproving look. Allan shrugged his shoulders and continued to pack the pipe full.

“You are very thorough,” Zorren said, “Please tell the Master Thallen that I give my permission to continue his investigation.”

The attendants bowed their heads.

“Understood,” they said in unison.

“And I trust that we will continue to keep these findings internal, yes?”

“As you command, Virtua. This information shall remain exclusively within Magistrate channels.”

“Good,” Zorren said as he straightened his back. “You may leave.”

The attendants bowed their heads and left the room.

Allan stood up from his chair and made his way over to the marble fireplace in the corner of the room. He bent down, lit a piece of kindling, and brought it to the end up his pipe. He then inhaled a few times and blew out a small cloud of dense smoke.

“You’ve got them on quite a short leash, haven’t you, Zorren?”

Allan puffed a few times and then drew in another long breath.

Zorren watched him with dispassionate loathing.

“Allan…”

Just then a knock came at the door.

“Announce yourself,” Zorren called from within the room.

“It is Caleb, Virtua. Your humble servant.”

Zorren’s scowl remained unchanged.

“You may enter.”

Vrastus opened the door with a flourish and bowed deeply to the two men.

Allan blew smoke out of the corner of his mouth.

“Ever the frolicsome one, aren’t we?”

Vrastus closed the door behind him and smiled.

“Should I not be?” he said softly as he headed over to one of the other empty chairs and sat down. “It seems Zorren’s scheme is working perfectly.”

Allan chuckled as the smoke left his mouth in short bursts.

Zorren sat down in his chair and eyed the two men.

“I am glad to know that neither of you are perturbed in the slightest by our national predicament.”

“Of course I am aware, Zorren,” Allan said as he moved his way along the perimeter of the room, pipe in hand. “However, I agree with Caleb on this matter. No news is good news, as they say.”

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Zorren’s frown deepened.

“I beg to differ when the subject involves a fire breathing monstrosity.”

“Perhaps they have all been burnt to ash after all?” Vrastus teased with a flippant motion of his hand. “That would solve all our problems, would it not? Perry dies a valiant death, hopefully taking his entire guild with him. Rothwell and the rest of Viemen are raised to the ground.”

“And with Frederick safe in Riverden,” Allan chimed in, “When the ash and dust settle, he can return and begin rebuilding Viemen exactly as we wish.”

Zorren folded his fingers together and rested them against his chin. He contemplated quietly for a few moments, then turned to Vrastus and spoke.

“And what of the unwanted inquires? In Eadenfros and Holun Caras?”

The edge of Vrastus’ lips curled into a devilish grin.

“Dealt with.”

“Did you interrogate any of them?”

“Sellswords, the lot of them. Paid for with a hefty sum by a mysterious third party.”

“Perry’s men?” Allan asked as he took a few more puffs.

“Most likely.”

“But we do not know for certain.”

Vrastus rolled his head.

“Why do you refuse to accept even a single victory?”

“I would hardly call either situation a victory,” Zorren said as he sat back in his chair. He made sure that both Vrastus and Allan were watching him before he continued. “Perry will know that his hirelings have gone missing. And as for the situation in Viemen, there is still the possibility of a failure, however slim. And in the worst case—”

“Well, that is why you gave new instructions to Millner’s company, is it not?” Allan added. “Leaving Perry’s loyalists behind to die will ensure that in the end there are no obstacles to our will. You have planned for all avenues, as usual. Even if there is a chance of them defeating the dragon, Millner’s men will be sure that Rothwell and Perry are taken care of.”

“And if Perry is as heroic as you are convinced he is,” Vrastus said, “Then he will surely lead the charge against that beast. He is as good as dead.”

“As good as dead is not dead.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Vrastus pursed his lips as he studied Zorren.

“Is there something else that is concerning you?” he asked with a tilt of his head.

Zorren leveled a grave stare at Vrastus, lingering on him a few moments before speaking.

“If this dragon should prove more significant a threat than we had anticipated…If Perry and his men should fail utterly to defeat it and it comes next for Eadenfros, what will you do then?” Zorren shot a crushing glance at Allan. “Will you sit and smoke idly on your pipe?”

Allan slowly withdrew the smooth wood carved piece from his mouth and exhaled the smoke.

“All the more reason to enjoy it while I can.”

Vrastus inched forward in his chair and reached for one of the biscuits laid out on the table.

“Allow me to impart some ancient wisdom, dear Zorren. There is no sense worrying about that which lies beyond your control.”

“Excuse me?”

The biscuit let out a loud crunch as Vrastus bit down on it.

“Mhm—You have done all you can at this point, no? Frederick has been secured. Regalus has mobilized his men to protect the city and the tunnels have been cleared for evacuation. There is nothing left for you to do now except wait.”

Zorren stayed seated in his chair and looked down at the papers on his desk.

“Perhaps you are right…” he reluctantly admitted. “There is nothing within my power to do at this moment. And so perhaps the best course of action…is to wait.”

“We will hear word from Riverden in a day or two,” Vrastus added with a smile, “At that time you can make your decision on how to proceed.” Vrastus flicked the crumbs from his fingers onto the floor. “Besides, if you worry so unnecessarily, your skin will wrinkle.”

Zorren gripped the arms of his chair and pulled himself closer to the desk. He scooped up the papers and tapped them until they were all aligned between his fingers.

“Then let me ask you this. Considering you are so dedicated to lessening my burdens, have you made any progress decoding Eldrin’s documents?”

Vrastus’ smile faded.

“That…is another matter entirely.”