priamtaravella:
Priam focused where they watched, the blonde’s hands shaking more visibly by the second. It was true. An unsteady hand could lead to a loose grip, or a mess of other problems. There was plenty that could go wrong for her race, but the man’s issues were hard to ignore. The question was: which would find their demise first?
“I’ll take that wager,” he said, nodding as he watched the man. Without his eyes on the prize, it was all too possible he could get into trouble and be incapable of getting himself out of it. Even with unsteady hands, she might have a better chance at keeping herself out of harm’s way. Then again, he could be wrong, and the opposite could happen. But he would stand by his choice. He thought the man’s problems might yet be his winning hand.
He turned to Mallory, a small smile on his face. Now came the part that made this whole exchange worth something. The stakes. “What’s the price?”
A wager.
Their laugh, quick and manic as it came, erupted into the air. What would be the price? They knew what Priam favored. Something more abstract than money, but more substantial than most cared to acknowledge: secrets. And they weren’t in short supply.
“It depends.” They gave him the hint of a crooked smile before glancing back at the riders. The blonde would fall. Mallory was certain of it. If she didn’t, they’d gladly pay the price. “You don’t look like the kind of man who would have much use for the secrets of the universe. But you do like secrets. Would you rather have something of the enemy, or an intimate look at someone in your own ranks?”
And then it was time to name their price, and they grinned like a beast once again.
“I myself would only want names. Of any disgruntled members of your ranks. Or of theirs… I see little difference between the two.”
