Veneres makes his Move

Veneres pushed himself upright, his movements slow but deliberate. His voice was sharp with irritation as he addressed the figure lingering in his quarters. "Misaka, if I wanted someone to watch me sleep, I would have invited you in."

The Banshee Queen tittered, her lips curling into a faint smirk. "You are not my type, Veneres. I prefer a man who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty."

He ignored the jab, his patience too thin to play her games. "Then why are you here?"

"Because your Contractor and Sorcerer have decided to bicker again, and the Sovrans are demanding yet another discussion of the battle plans." Misaka's smile widened, as though she took amusement in the chaos surrounding him.

Veneres scowled. "And you didn't wake me sooner?"

She shrugged with mock innocence. "You looked like you were having an awful dream. I couldn't bring myself to interrupt."

He brushed past her and stepped out of his tent, taking in the state of the camp with a practiced eye. Thankfully, morale seemed high enough. The men laughed and chatted in groups, their spirits buoyed despite the ever-looming threat of war. Cheers broke out as he passed, and Veneres responded with subtle nods, playing the part of the confident leader.

"Was your dream about your debt?" Misaka asked lightly, trailing behind him. "It's been years since you cleared it, hasn't it? The Underlord hasn't been seen in Reem for over five years."

Veneres had no patience for this line of questioning. He sidestepped her comment with one of his own. "Do you still dream of your Banshee court trials? Or perhaps of the last king you served, before he met his end?"

Misaka's expression didn't shift, but Veneres caught the slight tensing of her shoulders. A cheap shot, but an effective one.

He released a sigh, knowing he needed to maintain balance. The bonds between his allies were already tenuous, and he couldn't afford to fray them further. Offering her a sliver of peace, he said, "No, it wasn't about the debt. It was before Dante and the gambling gangs of Reem."

Misaka accepted the olive branch with a tilt of her head. "How intriguing. Regardless, they're waiting for you, Knight of the Cold Wind." She gestured ahead, where the Sovrans and their entourages had begun to gather.

"And I will answer," Veneres said simply.

First to demand his attention were the Contractor and the Sorcerer, standing stiffly among the assembled men. They bowed, as did the Reem Templars, but Veneres didn't stop to acknowledge them. Their deference was expected, not worthy of comment.

"Paramount Veneres, it is prudent that we wait for the Sorcerers from the lodge to support your claim," said Sa'd, the Sorcerer, his tone measured.

"If they arrive in time, I will gladly accept their assistance," Veneres replied, his voice neutral. He had no intention of relying on Sorcerers. Their involvement would undermine his claim to Reem, a region that viewed magic users with disdain. The people of Reem were fickle, and the mere hint of a Sorcerer's influence could turn them against him.

"That is all I can ask," Sa'd said with a small bow.

Radames, the Contractor, sneered. "Of course, you'd bow to your betters, Sa'd. Perhaps you should kiss my chain while you're at it."

The Sorcerer bristled, his expression darkening. "Better than you? Do not make me laugh. You can't even spin a basic puncturing flow of Atta."

Radames crossed his arms, his lip curling. "My skills have nothing to do with Atta, you pretentious—"

"Enough!" Veneres barked, his voice cutting through their argument like a blade. "I do not care which of you is superior in your petty games. You will do as I command, or I will find replacements for both of you. If you wish to bicker like children, do so out of my sight."

The two fell silent, their eyes lowering in deference—or perhaps fear.

Veneres exhaled and turned to Misaka, his voice lowering to a whisper. "What of the Sovrans who opposed my rise to Paramount?"

Misaka pursed her lips, then replied loud enough for the others to hear, "One Sovran and three Vice-Sovrans died of the heat." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Such a shame they happened to be the ones who disagreed with you."

A faint smirk played on Veneres' lips. "Yes, but Vyn still stands, doesn't he? Quite the stubborn Sovran."

Misaka shrugged. "He spends his time clinging to the Angel of the Red Sands. And where the Angel walks, his Ukari never stray far. Getting to Vyn would be… complicated."

Veneres forced a polite smile as he passed another group of men, nodding to them as they cheered. His mind, however, was elsewhere. The Angel of the Red Sands had become a thorn in his side, his disdain for Veneres no secret. The man was a critical piece in this game, but gaining his trust would not be easy.

A Templar captain approached, his armor gleaming in the sunlight. He dropped to one knee and bowed deeply. "Paramount, I bring news. My scouts have spotted a herd of wild lesh near the edge of the Dragon Fang mountain range."

Veneres' mind raced, already forming a plan. The lesh were a valuable resource—capturing them would bolster their supplies and provide an opportunity to isolate the Angel of the Red Sands from his Ukari.

He kept his face impassive, giving nothing away. "A fine opportunity, Captain Sothos. Gather your templars and prepare to corral the herd. I'll bring a group of my own men to trap them on the other side."

"Paramount—" one of his officers began, his tone filled with concern.

Veneres cut him off with a raised hand. "I will personally lead the Sovrans and Vice-Sovrans, as well as the Angel of the Red Sands. There is no need to worry."

Reluctantly, the objections died away.

He turned to Misaka. "Summon the Sovrans and Vice-Sovrans."

Misaka tilted her head. "And the Angel of the Red Sands? Shall I invite him as well?"

Veneres shook his head. "I'll handle the Angel myself. We are on… cordial terms, after all."

"How will you—" Radames began, but Veneres silenced him with a pointed look.

"Let me finish," he said evenly, though there was a sharp undercurrent to his words.

"The Angel is likely at the medical tents. He spends his time there when he's not practicing or consulting with his Ukari. I'll speak with him directly." He swept his gaze over the assembled men. "Now go. You all have orders to fulfill—orders that do not require me to oversee them. Dismissed."

They scattered, leaving Veneres alone with Sa'd, who lingered despite being dismissed.

"I thought I told you to go," Veneres said, his patience thinning.

Sa'd hesitated, then asked, "Is this truly wise, Paramount?"

"You mean the Ruin," Veneres replied, his voice calm.

"What else could I mean? We are toying with forces beyond understanding. You can't trick the Ruin," Sa'd said, his voice low and filled with warning.

Veneres resumed walking, heading toward the medical tent. Sa'd followed close behind.

"And what makes you think I intend to trick him?" Veneres asked.

Sa'd's voice grew urgent. "The Ruin—Nakba—is the most dangerous entity in Eldorath. The neph wrote of him. They claimed he could extinguish stars with a glance. If you interfere with his plans—"

"Enough," Veneres interrupted. He stopped, turning to face Sa'd with a measured gaze. "Nakba remains silent for a reason. His plans are his own, and as long as we do not cross him, he will not cross us. But if I am to survive, I must understand him."

Sa'd shook his head. "You're mad."

Veneres allowed himself a small smile. "No, Sa'd. I simply think bigger than you."

Finally, Sa'd bowed his head. "Just… be careful."

Veneres waved him off and continued toward the medical tent. As he reached the flaps, his gaze fell on Vyn, seated outside with his eyes closed. Veneres ignored him, stepping into the tent.

Inside, he could hear the voice of the Angel of the Red Sands.

It was time to set the next piece of his plan into motion.