Act 2: Upheaval II - Revelations and search

Amber nods back at her brother.

Back to the table - "I'd rather not wait for the Tournament to get our shot at Duma, but maybe the night will give us a better opening. In the meantime, there's someone's date i need to chaperone."

"I'll keep thinking about it in the meantime. Maybe a prank might help."

"I can try," the szef says. She contemplates their current plan and says to herself, "I never thought I'd use my ability this way..."

"You're saving his life."

Appreciative of Mihai's encouragement, Nadzieja says, "I know."

When Konrad humbly requests that he speak in private with her, she narrows her eyes. It takes a long moment before she finally answer him. "I have to be at the Arena by 10:30, but I'm free until then. Otherwise, it'll have to be this evening, back at the Faculty."

"Fine by me," Nadzieja says. She then refocuses her attention to the whole party. "But before we end this meeting, I would like to talk about the reason I've come here; to make you a proposition."

She looks at Mihai, Konrad and Steve specifically.

"What do you have in mind?" Steve is now done with breakfast.

Konrad raises one eyebrow.

Mihai looks on, expectantly.

"I intend to participate in the Tournament, and I'd like you to be my champions."

Taken aback by this offer, Fluffle and Amber turn towards their three companions to see their reaction. In a rare moment of emotional expression, even Femke appears to be surprised. She quickly regain her composure however.

Unsurprised, Mihai quickly counters - "What about your retinue?"

Steve is shocked at the request. His mouth is open and it takes a few seconds for him to realize it and shut it.

"They understand it would reinforce my claim to the title of First,"she explains with confidence. "I trust them. With my life even. But this isn't only a matter of which szef wins. It's with whose support."

Now Mihai shows surprise - "The support of three Coins mercenaries overdue for retirement?"

Konrad thumbs his pipe. If this had come from someone else, he might have felt honored. And of course, if they intend to aid or support a candidate, why not herself. She's seen them fight, they're newly minted champions of the city, and she trusts them. If he were in her shoes, he'd follow up the request with money or a personal favor, and that tells the difference between her and him.

"...You haven't spoken to anyone in town yet, have you?"

Amber straightens her posture in her chair. She knows what the monk is referring to. "Yeah, some people were speaking about how you killed the werewolf."

"But they also know I had help from mercenaries. Mercenaries that were hired by the Administrator of Odwaz."

"Ooh...!" Fluffle exclaims, now understanding what the szef was getting at.

Mihai finally gets it - "And so it comes full circle."

He glances at Steve and Konrad.

"So our support implies the Administrator's support? Why is that important? Doesn't she answer to the Szef's?"

"Who answers to whom is a big twisted mess in this city. That the Administrator supports one of the Szefowie will go a long way toward ensuring a stable rule, for all concerned."

"Oh, because they can work together. That makes sense." He nods and then frowns before adding, "But won't that force the Defenders to ally against Nadzieja if they want to undermine Administrator Zawistowski?"