Vencian spoke first, voice level. "Can you give me the heads of the two who attacked me and the academy."
The man's fingers tightened on the sill, wood creaking under his grip. His head snapped toward Vencian, jaw set hard.
"You're crossing lines."
Vencian shifted his weight, boots scraping stone as he turned enough to face him fully.
"They came after me and a place under the crown. Killed people and tried to injure me. I didn't invite that."
The offer sat between them like every other hand that had reached for him lately. A claim dressed as opportunity. He felt the pull of it and pressed his heels into the floor to stay where he stood.
The man's shoulders rose once, then fell. He looked past Vencian at the room, eyes flicking to the desk and the door, then back again.
"No."
Vencian nodded, slow, and let his hands drop to his sides. "Then there's no deal of any kind."
He didn't feel defiant. He felt set. Nothing moved unless he chose the step.
