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Najsha unfurled the curtain on her ceiling, finding a crow and a rattlesnake perched in wait.
With the same pole, she yanked the window and let them in, resetting the window’s shrouded arrangement.
Joints cracked and bones extended. Feathers and snake skin faded in favour of her guests’ visages — the ladies of the crow and phoenix respectively.
“Ladies, it is my pleasure.” She waved them to sit upon the long couch, flicking the fireplace alight in purple flame.
“As is ours.” Claudia said, sitting between the other two. “I assume both of you have seen the trial letter.”
“I saw no such thing.” Eshani shook her head, of which Najsha concurred.
“As I have neither. How typical of him.”
She rolled her eyes and scoffed, a minor laugh shared between them.
“For all his gall, he is but caws. How shameful he is not directing such fervour in a productive direction.”
More scoffs and laughter for the round table.
“Did the trial notice give a date?” Eshani asked.
Najsha shared a look with Claudia, who spoke as if this was a silly matter and not a potential threat to her reputation. “It said only next week, pending discussions with the arbiters. I’ll let you two know when that transpires.”
“Eshani,” She spoke with a lilt in her tone, her gleaming smile not in earnest. “I heard your darling lover signed the letter. Is it that you failed to sway him?”
Her face flashed the way flames did. “He did so of his own accord. Did he say anything to either of you?”
“And so we have another one.” Claudia mused, leaning into the seat. “A coalition of cowards, the lot of them. Of course I am their focus when we have the matter of the Chalice at hand.”
“Speaking of that Chalice,” Najsha leaned forward. “Are there any updates on that?”
“Nothing remarkable.” The crows’ lady shrugged, giving a pointed glance to Eshani. “At least not on my end.”
She caught a glimmer in Eshani’s green eyes, her slender hands clasped upon her lap. Questions poised upon her tongue, her purpose clear in either direction.
“Anyway.” She spoke with more bite in her tone, the fireplace flaring purple. “Claudia. What is your strategy for next week?”
“I never sent anyone to spy on our meetings, and that is not something I ever intend on doing.” She said. “In any case, no one has any right to seize or otherwise claim any member of my court. Also, Melaushe does not even have evidence.”
“I wonder if he actually has a goal? First, he accused me at the meeting, and now this.”
The flames flared again. “Is it that he seeks the Chalice for his own gain? Or even for loyalties we do not know of? It is no coincidence he has gone after you two specifically.”
The trio shared looks between each other, Claudia’s poise that of a perched crow.
“I have my crows investigating him. Should anything come up, the stage will be ours.”
“How delightful.” Najsha smiled, slipping one hand near the window’s pole. “Is there anything else you need of us?”
“I believe that is obvious.” High Councillor Emar bore a devious look on her face, flicking her claw-like nails. “Ensure that Melaushe does not get the right hand.”