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Syrus didn’t respond and eyed the guest with clear distrust, as that was what the visitors would expect of her. This wasn’t her first talk, and she was going to make sure that they were going to get out of this problem at least okay.

The guest closed her eyes and nodded. “I apologise for the actions of my guards in our caravan.” She bowed her head slightly, appearing deeply ashamed of what transpired.

[Looks like they are sticking with a merchant story.] (Syrus)

[How are we going to get out of this…] (Eva)

[You don’t have to worry about that; I will handle everything.] (Syrus)

“That you should; I’ve never seen a boy so fearful of his own life in this city.”

Syrus turned over the meat that was cooking slowly. With every action, Syrus made sure she was in complete control of the body.

The woman showed a look of great remorse. She appeared either young for her age or old for it; it was impossible to tell without knowing what year she was born.

She placed her hand over her heart and bowed deeply. “I’m Dame Le’orrison, and once again, I apologise for the trouble my escorts have caused this evening.”

Syrus’ face didn’t change, and she looked down at the food.

She asked, “Is that all you have to say?”

Finally, the lady asked. “Do… you know where the wolf and the child are?”

Syrus flipped the sticks of meat; she didn’t look up. “I don’t know where either is at the moment.”

The woman replied, “Is that the truth?” Pushing for an answer that she already knew.

There was no reason to lie. “Likely not, but if I did, I’m not saying anything until both are going to be safe.”

This was a game with stakes on the table, and both parties were going to keep information from each other. That was a given in any meeting like this with two unknown people. However, unbeknownst to the woman and her guards, the information war had already been won.

The lady pleaded, “We–I would like to apologise personally for my rude actions.”

The setting was prebuilt: a wealthy merchant who got ahead of themselves and a rough and tough individual who got roped into trouble. It was a tale told in one of many books owned by Jen; variants of that story had been told to them many times as a child. The realistic version of that tale, if no one got harmed, was likely the merchant would pay some sort of compensation if the situation was even a little public or if they wanted to ensure they got what in the end. However, no amount of good acting could make up for the error that the performance was known beforehand by the one party they would never expect.

[Syrus, please, can you tell me what the plan is? I… need to know.] Eva begged. She had no idea how to handle these types of situations.

[For the time being, we will get them to promise the duo's safety.] (Syrus)

[Is that really going to work…?] (Eva)

[...I can’t say. The main purpose is to stall for time.] (Syrus)

[What about Ethan..? What is going to happen to him?] (Eva)

[We might need to help him or Cobalt disappear for a while... Either way, neither is going to be sacrificed.] (Syrus)

Syrus knew who the other party was and what they wanted. At best, the lady and her gang would only think Syrus would know that their true objective was the dog, and that might even be a stretch in logic.

There were so many ifs and buts.

Syrus understood what information they could know about her. Where she was and that she had Cobalt with her. Then there was personal information, which if they were able to, they could gather a little bit of the public information that she had made available, but that would be all, and that was unlikely as realistically they didn’t know who had taken the dog or if it had run off on its own.

After another round of silence on Syrus' part, the lady continued her spiel. “It has been discussed, and willing to offer compensation for the distress we have caused. As well, I would like to apologise in person to the family in question.”

[So they want to swindle Cobalt from Ethan’s family.] (Syrus)

[Ethan would never let him go.] (Eva)

[Just because Ethan would never, doesn’t mean his parents are the same.] (Syrus)

[How could they…] (Eva)

[Easily, the external pressure a wealthy merchant can subject a poor family to is not to be underestimated. Giving up a dog for a trade of wealth is easy if it means the safety of the family.] Syrus's assumption was based on experiences, but every individual and case was unique, and if Ethan’s parents were anything like him, then they might hold their ground for a while.

“Do you swear to not harm the boy, the pup, or his family, nor in the future?” There were no papers to sign, no contracts that could be made that were binding, and only a simple promise and oath could be made.

The lady effortlessly declared. “Yes, and if it would please you, you may be a part of the proceedings along with someone you trust.”

[There has to be more we can–] Eva worriedly rambled. There had to be more they could do. A simple promise wasn’t enough, but before she could say anything else, her train of thought was interrupted.

“Do we have ourselves a deal?” Asked Morrison, who raised out her gloved hand.

With a fake sigh and in complete calm, Syrus got up and walked towards the gesture, her opposite hand ready to make a handshake.

Stab

“Egh–”

A sharp prism of moonlight had encased Anlesa’s hand that was now deep in Morrison's chest, and as her hair faded to white and her eyes dyed pink, she starred her sharpened mad eyes directly into Morrison's pupils.