‘I don’t know how he can even look at himself in the mirror anymore!’

Sigismar slams his fist against the wall, making me jump, and Wingspan hisses. I force myself to stay silent, even though I understand him all too well. Twice now, Waru has forced the Ouroboros to stay put, clearly against the will of the Wind. And even though Esme tries to put on a brave face, I know she shares my feelings. It's in our nature to roam, not to sit idly while others explore in our place.

‘If he did, he’d see the same thing we do: a man torn between two loyalties’, Afanas says casually. ‘I’m sure there’s a battle raging inside him right now. On one hand, he's part of an Exalt, like us. But he’s also the proud representative of Avkan's opponents. Make no mistake—he’s here to throw a wrench in the works of the Rediscovery Endeavor, as he always has.’

I blink, turning toward him. The old sorcerer is seated in an armchair, watching his night bird peck at a plate filled with bloody bits of meat. I shiver involuntarily at the unsavory sight, preferring a thousand times over to watch Juju nibble on simple seeds…

‘And he’s doing it well’, the paladin presses, clearly still irritated. ‘Oh, you can really feel the weight of his bureaucracy. To the point where we’re standing still instead of moving forward.’

‘Strange words from an Ordis dignitary’, the Initiate teases.

‘I’m not one of those who worship paperwork’, Sigismar sighs. ‘First and foremost, I’m an Aegis soldier, not a pencil-pusher.’

I clear my throat slightly. ‘I know how frustrating it is to go in circles. But Waru has taken on the reincorporation of Caer Oorun to the rest of the Peninsula. It's a process that takes time…’

‘We were making progress’, he cuts in, still visibly annoyed. ‘With his maneuvers, he's helping the opposition. He’s forcing us into inertia. And if his side wins the next election, it might mean rolling back or at least curbing our ambitions…’

I swallow, nearly choking. ‘We can’t do that…’

‘He's sticking his nose everywhere—into the Kadigir Mages' authority, into the Axiom research legislation... He denied Treyst a budget for improving his Automatons, confiscated esoteric works that Lindiwe, and even you, Afanas, had requested… And you too, Fen. He dismissed your claims with a single gesture, without a second thought.’

I wrinkle my nose, not enjoying being brought into his grievances, justified or not.

‘You can complain as much as you want, Sig, but reality isn’t going to change just because we grumble to ourselves. Yes, Waru is digging in his heels—maybe with good reason, maybe out of excessive caution. Maybe he’s even conspiring against us. But in that case, we need to beat him at his own game!’

Sigismar suddenly looks at me with pure surprise, as an uncomfortable silence fills the room. Even Afanas seems taken aback. Then, the paladin suddenly bursts into laughter, his booming laugh filling the room and also a little contagious.

‘What? What did I say?’

He shakes his head. ‘Haha. No, it’s not what you said—it’s the tone you used. The seriousness in your voice. I didn’t think you had that kind of grit.’

He wipes a tear from the corner of his eye, still chuckling. ‘But that’s my fault—I forgot that your voice is your weapon of choice. I should’ve known. And you’re absolutely right. Might as well beat him at his own game, just like you said.’

The tension suddenly feels like it’s vanished, like a balloon deflating.

‘So what, we’re organizing some sort of cabal?’ I say, a bit reserved.

Sigismar smiles. ‘I can pull some strings in the family, actually. I have some political support I could activate to pay him back, especially within the Isura.’

‘And I’ve got more than a few tricks up my sleeve myself’, the sorcerer adds. ‘It won’t be easy. His hold on the political apparatus is strong, and it’ll stay that way for a while. But if we pull the right strings…’

Sigismar glances at the sorcerer with a knowing look. ‘Nothing that scares me.’

‘Is there anything you’re afraid of?’ Afanas jokes.

The soldier just shrugs. ‘What can I say? Old habits die hard.’

‘You can say that when you reach my age, young buck.’

Despite the air of challenge, I'm glad the Wind has shifted their mood. I start humming a little tune—the one Aru used to hum when she was deep in thought… But as I look up, I think I see a little white flash darting along the Ouroboros’s pipes.

Hmm? A trick of the light? Just a reflection, maybe?