Results of the Investigation (Zub/Reward Plot)

Once she had received Flavrian’s letter, Zubaidah put aside her quill and wrote him no response. After all, she knew how their relationship worked now. If he requested her, she would come. It might have sounded like a one-sided relationship, but he was her patron in Reiman society. She provided the funds and fame that ensured Flavrian’s position, but his status in public and political matters maintained Zubaidah’s side-ventures. If either of them requested the other, they would come at a moment’s notice.

At least, that was her excuse for a noon-time stroll across sunny Trepolis. Zubaidah had not returned for some time, her business and investigations drawing her into shadier corners of the Western world, so the chit-chat and chimney-stacks of the Reiman township were rather welcoming. She welcomed the Reiman pubs even more, thankful that Flavrian had chosen the Emperor’s Triumph, for Zubaidah needed some beer in her stomach. After all, she had drunk ouzo, whiskey and even poisons over the last month or so, and her stomach needed something more manageable.

‘Whatever your cheapest beer is, sir.' She saw the bar before Flavrian, or rather the handsome bartender, hence beer came before business. ‘And Flavrian, it certainly looks like we are getting some cheap beer here!' With drink in hand, she sidled over towards Flavrian, flicking her loose black hair over her shoulders. ‘I mean, I know this was supposed to be discreet, but must we suffer something this cheap?' She had realised how discreet Flavrian wanted their discussion to be, hence her hair was dyed black and straightened out, but she was uncertain why they were being this discreet.

As she glanced around the room for Flavrian, Zubaidah soon realised that her patron was not here. She was not given time to wonder about where he might be, however, before Fulvia interrupted her thoughts. ‘Ah, you.’ She could not conceal her surprise, but she was more concerned that she felt nothing else. When she heard Fulvia’s voice, she felt herself turning through every emotion from fear to hatred, but Zubaidah ended with surprise and nothing else.


Then surprise was joined by fear and hatred. ‘Have I not refrained from moves against your lot?’ With each moment, more emotions flooded into her voice. ‘Why have you moved against me?’ She was maintaining some semblance of a poker-face, but it was hard to keep her emotions hidden behind it. ‘You said that you would make no such moves while I kept my distance…’


Zubaidah was uncertain what made her more discontent, that Fulvia was threatening her or that she was afraid from those threats. ‘So speak your piece, Fulvia.’ She brushed Fulvia’s hand from her shoulder, black hair falling down her straightened back. ‘You are sure to have kept tabs on my activities, am I correct?’ As she spoke, she could feel herself grow more confident, pushing her fears aside. ‘Besides, my investigation was aimed solely towards Council members.’ If she were afraid, this was not the time for Zubaidah to show it. ‘I am certain that the Senate must have investigated this themselves.’

‘After all, do you not keep tabs on your competition?’

‘Has there ever been any concern about whether I trust you?’ Zubaidah made it quite clear that she meant Fulvia was not to be trusted, should she look into those hostile eyes. ‘But trust matters little anymore…’

‘I found that someone has made Reiman officials their target.’ She tossed back her bitter alcohol, licking her crimson lips despite the situation. ‘So far, their targets have had connections with the Council, but some have been connected with the Senate as well.’

‘The means have been man-made insects, produced by some sort of magic most likely.’ She slid over a hand-drawn sketch of the insect husks, her own work, but the husks themselves remained elsewhere. ‘As for the assailant, they were wearing foreign armour, perhaps Kinan or Kounese, but I could not identify their face.’

‘Now what have you in return?’