The Reply (Part 1)

'I need some dirt on Verhen's travel companions. Leverage. Anything that can pressure him into turning a blind eye to my business in case our paths meet.

'I can't touch him, but that doesn't make me helpless. Anything I can use against his family will work just fine as a deterrent to avoid conflict with-' Ashazi opened the door to his office, raising his eyes from the papers just the time to check he wouldn't stumble onto anything.

What he saw froze him on the spot.

Someone was sitting on his chair, behind his desk. Someone with their back turned to him who was drinking his whiskey and smoking his cigars.

"Intruder!" He yelled while activating the panic bracelet on his wrist.

It triggered the arrays of the house and summoned his fourteen elite guards.

The veteran mage soldiers rushed in, forming a single line.

Ashazi took a step back in horror at their sight and fell onto the ground.