Duplus (Ongoing editing)

07

— She —

I had a mission.

And not even Broad Shoulder's warnings could slow me down.

The low ceilings of the building cramped me as I walked down the hallway. Only from a distance, I could hear the bustling of the workplace. The officer from before, Sagheer had been stationed at the entrance and I could see his eyes following me as I passed him.

I held my breath, predicting another confrontation but he just turned away begrudgingly. Phew.

Things were way too easy around there.

I smiled to myself smugly. Snooping around in Jaber's den, doing the exact opposite of what he ordered me gave me a weird sense of satisfaction. I didn't want him to find out I'd been doing research but I also couldn't stop thinking about how annoyed and frustrated he'd be knowing I had challenged his authority.

The doors passed by, my direction turning into a corner that led further into the west wing. I admired the place, really. We'd heard of the opening of the police headquarters in the community, another pity project of the Kanzefandrian government to help us, the less fortunate. But seeing how it was already thriving grew a sense of respect in my heart for Broad Shoulders.

"Absolutely not." The voice echoed from the entrance of a meeting hall, making me halt. "We won't be making any more deals."

Speak of the devil. I could easily recognize his voice from afar now and the fact irked me deeply.

My eyes shifted to the double doors and I immediately knew this was the 'urgent meeting' he had left to attend. I quickly gathered myself, slipping to stand against one of the wooden doors with my eyes peeking through the little gap between them. There he was, sitting on one of the armchairs with an unfamiliar man sipping tea across him on an identical chair.

"And here I thought our...agreement benefitted your little LAO force greatly, Jaber." The man took another sip, his blonde hair casting a shadow on his face. I could instantly guess that he was a Kazefandrian official with his white uniform and the flag of the country printed on his blazer as a logo. He had a leg pulled over the other, sitting there oh so smugly as if he owned the place. At a glance, I knew he meant trouble.

My attention was diverted when Jaber spoke, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "It was a one-time thing. We needed the funds but we're doing fine without your help now. I won't be sending any more laborers to the capital."

His words hit me like a brick.

Labourers? Deal? The Capital?

Was he selling our people?

A deep chuckle from the Kazefandrian official snapped me back to the conversation. My mind was already racing with the implications of Jaber's potential betrayal. I scoffed internally remembering how he had accused me of committing crimes when he himself was involved in such shady activities.

"I didn't intend to come back to you either, Jaber. There's nothing we can do. The capital needs more laborers and I know your men are perfect for the job." The official placed his teacup on the low table in front of him. "Besides, I remember my promise of providing safe accommodation and even an allowance. We're not tyrants." His eyes gleamed with malice, his sympathetic words not matching the look on his face.

I saw Jaber's annoyance flare up but he tried to repress it by taking a deep breath. "And yet, I haven't heard back from them." His eye narrowed at him, voice going lower. "Where are they, Archelaus?"

Standing from my place, I could see the dark aura emitting from Jaber. It relieved me a little that maybe he wasn't entirely selling us out. But the doubt still lingered in my mind and I knew I was just being hopeful.