Chapter 233: A Gift from the Brotherhood

"Thank you all." Holding her hand, giving a few mercenaries pressed flowers prepared for her by Justinian, Isis wore her best smile, trying to look thankful to the men who would avenge her horror and liberate Cras. "Truly, thank you all. It breaks my heart that I can’t be there with you when you liberate all those poor souls, but it soothes me knowing that its days are finite, with fine warriors such as yourself ready to take up this noble mission." The men smiled, happily putting the pressed flowers into the breastplates, laughing and joking with one another about what they would do with their pay afterwards or arguing who Isis truly wished to see return.

Her eyes twitched hearing some make more uncouth remarks regarding her, but she didn’t pay it too much mind. She understood they were soldiers at the end of the day, and much like the knights of Veston, it was part of who they were as people. It was nostalgic in a sense, and although they didn’t try to hide their desire for her, it was desire directed at nearly all women, born from the knowledge that they could die in battle and nothing more.

’None of them will do anything anyway. They have a reputation to uphold.’ Sweetly smiling and turning to Justinian, he stood in the distance wearing a bright green outfit; he indicated for her to hurry up, wishing to leave.

"I shall find you all when you return, but for now I must go." The men happily allowed her to leave, knowing they had their own things to do, and Isis gave a polite curtsy before walking off, her pleasant smile falling the closer she got to Justinian. "Is that all?" It had been the fourth group he had taken her to see, and although it was long, it was far less tiring than the previous people she was forced to visit, having to put on less of a mask, feeling comfortable with those more similar to her.

"Luckily so." Turning, he climbed into the carriage and closed the door behind Isis when she followed. "You perform much better than you did at first."

"I don’t need to perform for these men. They remind me of home."

"Right. Anyway, you’re no longer needed for the day. I need to see a few more people, so I can’t keep you company when we return." Isis took a deep breath, thinking of the letter she received three days ago. Today was the day, and her gaze drifted out the window towards the Vine Tower.

"Can I go outside?" Asking, Justinian smiled.

"You’re not a prisoner; you can do whatever you want. Just be sure to return at the usual time. But I would advise against seeing your friend. He is very busy, after all, making things in his room as of late." Isis perked up at the mention of Seth making something and leaned forward.

"Do you know what?" Part of it was interest, but part of her question was a test. She knew Seth ability, likely better then anyone in the city. Whilst she didn’t doubt Justinian knew he was making the crossbow, Seth was always crafting new things out of boredom or to relax from the more complex things, things she couldn’t understand until finished. Justinian stared at her, and his lips curled up.

Reaching out, he grabbed her chin, his hand caressing her cheek, in an almost loving way if it weren’t for his cold touch. His thumb worked its way up her face, pausing just underneath her eyes, where he slowly pulled her eyelid down. She tried to back away, recoiling at his touch, but the moment she did, his hold tightened, just enough to make her flinch in pain, forcing her to be still.

"You are an amusing woman, Isis." Moving his thumb and letting her eyelid return to normal, his hand moved, running down her cheek over her neck. "Your eyes have changed. Before, they were so dim, terrified to even meet me." His hand stroked around her throat, a finger always finding its way to touch her artery so he could track her increasingly quickening heartbeat. "I mean, there were still moments of hate in your gaze, but now." His hand moved away, and for a moment he looked at her before playfully poking her nose, chuckling like a child afterwards and leaning back. "It’s focused. The fear and hate have become one."

"I have no..."

"Let us not lie." Cutting her off, he took a deep breath. His lips bounced up and down as he tried to fight the amusement he felt. It eventually broke, and a chuckle bounced around the carriage, quickly suppressed once more. "Anyway, do what you want, just be sure to come home, my dear." Looking out the window, his smile continued to twitch until they arrived at the manor. Getting out alone, she watched the carriage leave and took a deep breath, looking around as if trying to make up her mind where to go, before eventually deciding on the Vine Tower.

Casually strolling, the gazes of the people around darted towards her, followed by light muttering. It got to the point that it was uncomfortable, and turning around, seeing someone following her, she sighed and walked over to them.

"You’re the one keeping watch of me today, right?" The guard rolled their eyes, but nodded. "Do you have something I can cover my face with? All this attention is off-putting.

"Are you trying to run away?" He asked with an amused and slightly threatening tone, which, compared to Justinain as a person, hardly registered, instead earning a roll of the eyes from Isis herself.

"How many white-haired women wearing a mask- you specifically- will give me exist in the city? Just give me the mask." Seeing he was still hesitant, Isis thought of something. "I will let Justinian know if you do not comply." Although she knew she was no more than his prisoner, she knew she had at least enough sway to get her way with the people on Justinian’s payroll. After all, although they may all fall under the category of property to the man, she was sure as of now that she was his favourite piece. The threat seemed to work, and the man clicked his tongue, reaching under his chin and taking off a small balaclava and forcing it into her hand.

The smell from it was awful, but Isis ignored it and wrapped it around her face, continuing her walk. Although people still looked and recognised her, it was less effective than Seth’s mask; it helped. It was a short walk outside the vine tower; she looked up as it loomed above, the long shadow it cast falling atop her.

’Were are they?’ Hiding it, she looked around and failed to notice anyone out of the ordinary. ’No, they will probably find me. After all, they did it last time.’ With that in mind, she stepped into the massive tower, looking at the packed first floor where hundreds bartered with one another, whilst others called out, trying to grab attention for their wares. It was far too packed to be reasonable to find and talk to her, and so she climbed the steps. Looking back, she saw her guard struggle to follow and understood.

’They know I’m followed. It’s the only reasonable place to get me alone and speak for a short while.’ Climbing the steps, the second floor was much like the first, filled with customers and sellers, stores and stalls. It was a stark contrast to the rest of Danmor, which was geared for war, the business of the tower continuing to flourish. Although her goal was to be found, she did look around the stall, seeing what was on offer, most of it helpful household items and foods at such low prices.

Climbing up to the third floor, she turned and saw her guard shooting her a hard glare in the sea of people, demanding she wait for him to catch up. Pretending not to have noticed, she carried on and made her way to the next floor, slightly less full but enough so that it was still annoying to get through.

From behind, a man who followed her brushed past. "Go to the stall with an old man. Long grey beard." They quickly whispered before walking off, making it look like a natural customer impatient with how slowly she moved. Isis pretended that nothing happened and continued walking, looking around in an innocent manner, as if genuinely intrigued, pulling her journal out at one point and writing a small thing inside about the place.

Looking back she saw her gaurd once again, beeling for her and picke dup the pace, seeing an old man who matched the decirption given. On his neck was a collar of a Lesser. Walking over, Isis smiled and pulled down her mask, "Fascinating, even a Lesser runs a stall here."

The old man’s gaze instantly lit up in recognition, but playing along, he chuckled and humbled himself, "My master is preoccupied, and so I run things in their stead." The man indicated down with his eyes for Isis to look. Playing along, she smiled, seeing a small note in the middle of all the herbs, fruits, dried meat, vegetables, and cooking utensils.

’In your bag, a vial of poison has been dropped. It is tasteless and scentless. The Brotherhood hopes you will make the correct choice. Kill The Broker.’ Isis paused for only a moment before pointing at one of the herbs.

"What is this one used for? We don’t have it in Veston?" The old man smiled and reached down, sneakily grabbing the note and slipping it down their sleeve before taking the herb and holding it up.

"When roated it gives a strong aroma to the..." The old man paused and looked behind isis, lowering his head in respect.

"We are leaving." The guard said with deep annoyance, grabbing Isis’s arm and dragging her off.

"What? I was just looking around. I’ve only been here once."

"Convenient. What then, besides looking at food stalls? Run off."

"And go where? There’s one entrance. Beside, Justinian owns this place, does he not?" The guard scoffed, having had enough of the conversation, and pulled her out. Without him noticing, her hand reached into her satchel, and beside her journal she felt a cold glass vial.