The White Jaguar

[Azarath nods.] Good stuff, Kriijo. Thanks.

Of course. [The Khajiit offers a stylized bow, pleased with how smoothly that went over. Far better than he was expecting.] Your servant, as always.

[He already knows his own feelings, but considers carefully whether or not his fondness for the child might be clouding his judgement.] Whoever or whatever might have sent her, she does not seem to harbor any ill will for us. This one would like to think he knows a threat when he sees one.

Naturally. Whatever we do, we’ll proceed with caution. Leave it to dear Mother to stay silent as the fucking grave when her opinion could actually be useful. 

She is quite energetic, curious, quick to catch on. She is fond of games, killing or mock-killing being a favored form of sport, rather than a duty or chore. It was probably part of her training. This one was raised under similar circumstances.

Yes, yes, Veezara was the very last one. Or so he said. We can argue semantics later, Kriijo. The Night Mother has made me some frustratingly cryptic promises, lately, and I hadn’t the slightest damned clue what she was harping about until now. 

[Kriijo remains skeptical, and it shows in the shift in his posture. Still, he knows better than to suggest that the Listener may be misinterpreting situation.]

[Az breaks off for a moment, engaging in an apparent sidebar with himself as he mutters audibly under his breath.]

[Kriijo’s ears press flat against his skull for a moment, apparently agitated that there was some big secret he wasn’t privy to. They perk up again quickly however; curiosity ultimately gets the better of him.]

[Az’s brow furrows thoughtfully; something obviously clicks in mind. He licks his lower lip and drums his fingers against his chin a moment.]

An Argonian, sent straight from Black Marsh if her stories are anything to go by. She is quite talkative, except when questioned about her employer. And yes, this one has already considered that our meeting may have been arranged.

Anyone can be taught. I’ll keep said prospect confined until he can be trusted without supervision. Until then, collect your payment from Nazir and give him what information you can. Well done, Kriijo. 

[He’s hesitant. If Maeve has been sent by their enemies, will the Listener be amenable to any solution other than execution?]

“There is no need for concern. She will not try to kill you, this one does not think. Probably. Just do not tell her who we are. She only kills people she’s supposed to kill, so if she is only supposed to kill Brotherhood, then for now we are not Brotherhood, yes?”

“A child.” Bri repeats flatly. “You know, usually it’s the lady who springs surprise offspring on their lover. This is a twist I did not see coming.”

His sudden censure stabs her awake unexpectedly, a short pause in her step accompanied by a confused, “I’m…sorry?”

“Ah, excellent,” the tension easing out of his shoulders was almost palpable. “Thank you.”