“So delighted to be invited here on your special day. You know, this is my first time inside the Fort,” Aziza Tanzanight said, her gaze sweeping over the ancient stone, her mind already calculating the formidable force required to breach such defenses.
“No, thank you for coming, Aziza. We know it’s a long way from the mines,” a Snowdrift sister replied, her tone warm.
“Oh, and before I forget, I brought you a birthday present.” Aziza presented a parcel to Elysia, who eagerly tore into the wrapping. While the Snowdrift sisters marveled at the glistening Ether, Aziza’s gaze drifted to the musicians on the stage in the Fort’s central bailey. This confirmed her suspicions: the Snowdrifts were playing political games. They desired witnesses to this interaction, and what better way to capture the Petalcrests’ attention than with rumors that the Snowdrifts were openly entertaining the Tanzanights within the city’s ancient fortress? Yet, the sheer curiosity of seeing inside the daunting Fort had lured Aziza on the long journey. She still believed the most direct path to power lay in a direct siege of this very place, a military conquest. Her sisters, however, favored the slow burn of political pressure.
So far, Aziza was confident in their alliances. The Veilstorms would side with them, as would Viper and Shade, the two strongest Mossbrook sisters. Viper commanded a terrifying battalion of serpents, and Shade was one of the deadliest assassins alive. Electra Vicinage was already on their payroll, and Jada Vicinage was busily securing high-end explosives. But Aziza knew they couldn’t simply buy everyone. The Petalcrests would undoubtedly win any battle of the purse, especially if the Snowdrifts remained allied with them. The Torqueburns would cling to their Petalcrest loyalty, and Aziza had yet to devise a strategy to sway the Skylar sisters. The Reddingtons, fiercely independent, were a wildcard, though if she could persuade Blaze, her allegiance would significantly ease their path. At the moment, the Petalcrests held the upper hand, but a shift in the Snowdrifts’ loyalty to the Tanzanights would entirely re-scramble the game board. Aziza, however, couldn’t shake the feeling of being a mere pawn in a larger, more intricate match between the Petalcrests and the Snowdrifts.
“Let’s go inside,” Valery said, leading Aziza and her other two sisters into one of the Fort’s rooms, where a table laden with delicacies awaited them. Valery closed the heavy door, muffling the distant strains of harp and violin. A flicker of worry sparked in Aziza.
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“I like this a lot,” Elysia began “How much for your entire mine?” her directness disarming Aziza.
“We are happy to sell you Ether,” Aziza stated, regaining her composure, “but the mine itself is not for sale.”
“Ah, what a shame. With our investment, I’m sure we could extract this resource quicker and make a lot more coin for both of us.” Elysia handed the Ether to her sister Valery, who studied it intensely.
“I’m not sure I like this,” Valery said, a genuine concern etched on her face. “If this raw power were to make its way onto the streets, I’m afraid my Defense Force wouldn’t be able to maintain order.”
Elysia smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye. “So you’re telling me that if we didn’t own the mine and control the distribution, then Ether would be too dangerous, and for everyone’s safety, we’d have to ban it altogether?”
Valery nodded, her expression serious.
Elysia turned back to Aziza, her smile widening. “And I’m sure that wouldn’t be good for business.”
“The mines are not for sale,” Aziza reiterated firmly, though she could feel the tide turning against her, the walls of the Fort seemingly closing in.
“I’m prepared to make you and your sisters very wealthy ladies. It seems almost criminal for you to turn my offer down.” Elysia, despite her small stature, stood tall, her presence suddenly overwhelming.
Ravonna Snowdrift, who had been silently observing the entire exchange, chimed in, her voice cold. “My ravens tell me that this Ether is already being traded at Lurelle Veilstorm’s pawn shops.”
Elysia giggled at the news. “Isn’t that a crime, Valery? To be distributing a dangerous substance like this without a permit?” Elysia looked to her older sister, who took a decisive step forward.
“I’m sorry, Aziza, but she’s right. I’m going to have to arrest you.”
Aziza tried to step back, but two guards, materializing from the shadows, restrained her. “What! You can’t be serious.”
“I think it would be best for everyone if you spent three nights in the dungeon,” Elysia said, her crude grin a mask of triumph, “...thinking about my offer.” Just before Aziza was escorted from the room, Elysia added one more thing, her voice dripping with mock sincerity as she held the Ether in her hand. “Oh, and thank you so much for my birthday gift.”
