"Mia stay here" called Vice leader,
Mia who was about to leave stopped, her head turned to the old woman, questions filled her eyes.
"Is something matter mam" she said trying to sound respectful.
Vice leader though amused by the change in tone refrained from calling her out,"It's about your man"
Mia expression held confusion, she couldn't comprehend why Christopher was mentioned and asked, "What about him?"
The old woman's expression truned grave, she in a low yet serious tone continued,"There is something about him that you as a partner, should know".
The previous tranquility was replaced an odd ominous feeling creeping in, amidst the tense atmosphere Vice leader's voice rang, "He is cursed"
Mia eyes widened in horror she wasn't a fool to question the shaman afterall she had the power of nature, her gaze was now filled with utmost seriousness and she asked, "What caused it and how can we break it?"
Vice leader opened her hollow eyes and stepping up from her seat, her gaze fixed on something far above in the sky, she calmly stated, "It's orgin remains unclear but the effects of his curse will have Collosal effect on us, if triggered"
"Is there no way to prevent it" Mia asked, her tone sharp.
Anything threatening her tribe had to be dealt with, be it human or a curse.
"Your man, he overcame it...." Old woman's words were confident and Mia couldn't help but question the ongoing conversation,
"Why? The problem is already solved so why bring that up"
Vice leader laughed at Mia's words, "The curse isn't broken it was weakened"
Mia couldn't understand how something like this could even happen to the prospective ruler of the Empire, something which was stated as a formidable nation in their texts, So she still muttered, "Weakened?"
Vice leader accepting her comment added, "Yes, at the moment it is in a weakened state but you better watch out"
If it was anyone else Mia would have already dealt with it, but the one they were talking about was her partner, so she chose to use her head, instead of her weapon, so she genuinely seeking out an advice asked, "How can I identify it?"
Vice leader as if sensing Mia's sincerity answered, "The moment his curse takes effect , those eyes representing the source of life, shall be lifeless, the power that is lurikng behind the shadows of his calmness shall come into light, his hair symbolizing bright light shall become one with darkness itself, and remember Mia at that moment, he will lose his rationality, his mind will be controlled by his lust for power and blood, so DO NOT try to confront him using physical means it shall only harm you"
Vice leader gave Mia her advice and signaled her to leave.
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
Christopher returned to his room, finding Arslan there he nodded his head in approval as expected Arslan chose to stay by his side.
Christopher was too pleased after learning that and a small smile graced his lips
Soon after Brasha came to him, "Christopher" his voice a murmer, held nothing but demand, asking Christopher to follow through his words.
Christopher understanding him answered, "Braska eager to know why he did it, aren't you"?
Christopher lazily pointed to the chair before him, asking Braska to take a seat, as Brasha followed suit christopher continued, " The control of Empire on The border estates has been dimishing for past few years"
Brasha nodded his head continued, " So, Count Dextrose wanted To break free from the Empire,"Christopher smiling at Brasha's assumptions, asked him to continue, "and"
"For that to happen, he chose to form an alliance with our Tribe, but we were something he could neither control nor command",
"Excellent" Christopher commented.
" So, he chose to break us from within, poisoning our Vice Clan leader with the help of an insider and upon her death, Hyde taking advantage of the situation would have assasinated me"
" Wrong" Christopher calmly intervened,
Braska confused by the remark asked Christopher to continue, "He never wanted her to die, Count Dextrose was planning to decieve Hyde so, Hyde was never going to survive, think who would take in someone who isn't even loyal yo his own people..."
Braska nodded thoughtfully and Christopher continued, Once the news about Vice leader's deteriorating health was reached his ears, he was intending to send his son to your tribe...meaning his son would have saved her life, making you people bow in debt and then in return, he would have asked you to wage a war against the County, "
Christopher's words were a carefully crafted lie, though Brasha's words had some truth in them, agreeing with that could have left him in a disadvantageous position, So he chose to alter the truth to some extent, Crossing out any possibilities of negotiations Between protagonist and the tribe.
Braska rubbing his chin thoughtfully asked, " Making it look like an external aggression, but once it ended he would retain everything from money to mansion to status. But, this plan is flawed....."
Christopher intruged by the conclusion leaned forward with interest.
"wouldn't that make his people suffer and won't the empire retaliate"
Christopher laughed amused by Braska's thoughtfulness and answered, " The Empire isn't doing well financially, suppressing a revolution in the past decade consumed more resources than expected and we are still reeling from the after effect, so question of a war in this situation is possible only if the sky falls"
Braska nodded, This was more than what he was expecting, because money is the backbone of a state and for Christopher to casually mention their fragile state reiterated his trust in them.
Christopher continued, "and whether his people suffer or not, Count has nothing to do with it".
Braska gritted his teeth in annoyance, how could a lord be so unbothered by his people sufferings.
Seeing Braska's annoyed expression Christopher sinking into the chair continued, "The Count will be sending his son here under the banner of peace talks"
Braska's head Snapped at the casual remark and he clenching his fists said, " And the moment he enters our tribe, he will breath his last"
' I will kill him' that's what it meant but Christopher calmly added," No, You will not".
' That's our protagonist buddy, if you lay a hand on him, there's no saying what could happen next, you might die, without even knowing how you died' Christopher thought