Esmeralda and Aon had exhausted their small talk about an hour ago. Now, they sat in silence, waiting for word that their men had stopped the driver—an Arzan named Nat—at the gate. Days of sharing the same table had left their conversations stale.

Yet their silences never felt awkward or forced. And when they did find something to discuss, Esmeralda often imagined what life might have been like under Aon’s guidance—patient, worldly, and wise. Qualities her life had sorely lacked. The thought stirred a quiet longing for a simpler, safer existence.

The door burst open, and a Vestigare messenger boy rushed inside.

“Agent Aon, the guards at west gate two have detained the individual as requested,” the boy reported.

“Excellent,” Aon replied, flicking the messenger a silver deni. The boy knuckled his head before departing.

“Agent Esmeralda, go ahead and confirm they have the right man. I’ll prepare the interrogation room in the meantime,” Aon said, turning to her. His black pupils gleamed with excitement, though his voice remained steady.

Esmeralda gave a curt nod, rose swiftly, and strode toward the door, her mind already fixed on the task ahead.

----------------------------------------

Esmeralda arrived at the quieter of Xandelfi’s two west gates. Apparently, it’s the one preferred by smugglers. Her investigation revealed a tight-knit group of guards likely taking bribes to look the other way.

Esmeralda doubted she was the first agent to uncover this, but the guards still operated with impunity, leaving her to wonder what they were trading to keep their protection.

Esmeralda walked to the guard at the entrance, showing him her Vestigare badge before speaking.

“I am Agent Esmeralda of Vestigare. You are holding someone for me. Who is in charge?”

The guard’s gaze lingered, just shy of a leer, before he caught himself and straightened his posture.

“Agent Esmeralda. That would be Guardsman Luca. He is inside, probably sitting at the table with the lads.”

Esmeralda decided to ignore leering earlier. She didn’t have time to be sidetracked and thanked the guard before heading inside.

Esmeralda entered the guardhouse to see three guards sitting around a table, drinking and sharing stories. Two guards were Arzans of about average height and build, and the third guard was also an Arzan, but he was as large as a Grang. Esmeralda figured he was Luca.

The guards fell silent when she entered.

“My name is Agent Esmeralda, and I am looking for Guardsman Luca,” Esmeralda announced, holding her badge up so all in the room could see it.

“Well, you found him,” the large Arzan said, flashing a smile before continuing.

“Aren’t you a tad young to handle a case alone?”

“Two things,” Esmeralda started, holding up two fingers. “First, you will address me by my title. Second, my age and this case are none of your concern. Do I make myself clear? If you fail to follow these simple requests, I will have this guard shack vetted so thoroughly that you won’t be able to hide the bribes even in your anus.”

Luca’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing for a heartbeat before his laid-back mask slipped back into place.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Understood, Agent Esmeralda,” Luca replied. Esmeralda strained, but she couldn’t detect any sarcasm in his voice.

“Excellent. Then I am positive we can have a long, fruitful relationship,” Esmeralda added.

Luca nodded, his expression remaining neutral. If he resented being dressed down in front of his peers, he gave no sign.

“Lads, follow Agent Esmeralda’s wishes, or you will answer to me,” Luca said before standing.

“I assume you want to see the smuggler?”

Esmeralda nodded for her response.

“After me then,” Luca said, gesturing to a hallway leading further into the guardhouse.

After they were out of eavesdropping range, Luca spoke.

“I don’t mind a good tongue lashing now and again, but be careful of brandishing threats that would make individuals, just trying to survive, resort to desperate measures.

Luca let the warning linger, his eyes weighing Esmeralda, before he continued.

“I only say this because I am interested in the fruitful relationship you mentioned earlier.”

“Noted, Guardsman Luca. I needed your attention, but I’ll keep your position in mind from now on,” Esmeralda said, her tone measured. Now that she had confirmed Luca and his men were crooked, they could become useful. But that would have to wait; she had more urgent matters to address.

“The prisoner, agent,” Luca said as they approached a solid-looking wooden door.

Esmeralda held her hand out palm up, and Luca fumbled with his keyring until he finally removed the key to the door. Esmeralda took the key, opened the door, and peeked inside. A Xandran looked up at her, and she immediately recognized him to be Nat. He looked almost the same, only much older.

“That’s him,” Esmeralda said, locking the door again.

“Prepare to move him to this address,” she added, handing Luca a scrap of parchment.

“I need to speak with him before we leave, so I will come and get you when I finish."

Luca nodded at the orders and turned to leave.

“Before you start,” Esmeralda said, fishing out three ducats from her purse.

“These should help cover any expenses or inconveniences working with me might have caused.”

Luca’s eyes bulged comically at the sight of the payout before pocketing the ducats with one swift motion. Esmeralda was certain none of the other guards would see a thin copper bit of that money.

“Fruitful indeed,” Luca quipped, smiling before taking his leave.

Esmeralda frowned at his back. She would have to establish her dominance if he was going to be a useful asset down the road. She breathed deeply, setting that future problem aside, refocused on her current mission and smoothed her blouse before entering the small cell Nat occupied.

Nat’s tawny skin was weathered from years of smuggling under the twin suns, deep lines etched into his face.

Esmeralda was a little confused that Balrik would use Nat for this because they had a long history together and because there was a chance that Nat might recognize Esmeralda. She met him a few times when she was of primary school age. Esmeralda remembered he was the first man she had a crush on, and his rugged looks improved with age.

Nat looked up as she closed the door behind her. He opened his mouth to say something but snapped it shut, opting to squint at her instead.

“Master Nat, I know who you are and who you have worked with. That’s why it is important that you listen to me,” Esmeralda started as she sat before the Xandran.

Nat looked at her blankly before she continued.

“Balrik will get you out of here, but all you have to tell them is what they want to hear. Tell them you transported him to a different group of smugglers, and you know where they are,” Esmeralda explained.

Nat’s eyes lit up at the mention of Balrik, but he wisely said nothing.

“Balrik told me to tell you he would owe you two bottles of summer wine and a steak.”

Nat laughed at the statement and shook his head.

“That crafty son of a whore. How did he get his hooks in you?” Nat asked, still chuckling at the situation.

“I’ll explain later, but we’re out of time,” Esmeralda said, her tone urgent. Nat nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

“This is what you need to tell Agent Aon later.”

Esmeralda explained, and Nat looked confused but recited what she had told him word for word.

“Excellent. Now, some guards will be here to take you away. Don't panic, and stick to what I told you to say,” Esmeralda said before standing and opening the door.

Esmeralda looked over her shoulder and said.

“Remember to stick to exactly what I told you, and Balrik will be forever indebted to you. That debt will be worth more than any cargo you’ve ever smuggled.