The Long Game

[KAELIA BRYNN HALLOWAY]

'Suspicious?" I echo.

My mind clouds for a moment, but I gain my wits about me, standing taller instead. "In what way?"

"Lucius and Vespera have their theories, none true, whatsoever," he casually responds, as he studies the pieces laid out before him.

"As for the household of Valtièrre, it is vain—but they would rather keep the little leverage they hold to themselves, or i