Chapter 2.1
Michi smelled the faint scent of blackberries from her body oil. She must be in the hallway. He turned as Iseul entered the room and demanded, “Any word from Akane, yet?”
“None, master.”
“But we are positive she received the instructions to dispatch this, Thief?” Michi asked, almost spitting the last word from his mouth in disgust.
“Yes, it was Hayato who delivered the message personally and reinforced to her that a failure would likely lead to a final battle that we are in no means guaranteed of winning.”
“Send Hayato back to Blàthan to watch Akane.”
”Do you not trust her?”
“Iseul, I am sure you trained her well. Of her capabilities I have no doubt. Sometimes her judgment is clouded by her certainty that she has a better way. I need reliable, as well as capable Zealots on the front line against the Thieves.” Again grinding out the last word in disgust. “Now leave me.”
“Yes, master.”
Michi rose from his cross-legged position and opened the screens before him that opened on to his gardens. Two Zealots inconspicuously trailed him as he opened the gate from his own garden into the streets of Basho. Basho had always been an open city, once the only gateway for foreigners to enter Bishamon. Now Thieves were all throughout their kingdom and some Bishamon themselves were of the Thieves Guild. So now when he sought the beauty of his own city, he must do so with protection. But hopefully soon this would all change.
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