Act 2: Upheaval III - The Master Weaver and the Arena

Steve follows Mihai and Konrad in. He'll keep his shoes and backpack this time.

They enter the next room and see Wanda Makara standing in the middle of the room with her arms behind her back.

At least fifty years old, she wears a black tunic with long sleeve and a pair of gray trousers, but no armor of any kind. Her blond hair are short, which seems to be a practical choice on her part. Just like all of the other Szefs, she has gone through intense physical training and thus has gained noticeable muscle mass.

"Welcome," she says. "I trust Nadzieja Zerva is in good health?"

She gazes inquisitively at the three men.

"Thank you. She seems to be, far as a layman can tell."

Konrad remains standing, and adopts a straighter stance. "She looks well. So do you, in fact."

"Spying on a rival? Or just us?"

"Isn't that your job?" she asks with raised eyebrows. She then gestures to the couches and invites the mercenaries to join her.

"What? Spying? No. Our job is fighting and solving problems." He sits down on the couch. "I also write poetry and play the guitar."

Mihai sits down - "As i understand it, Madam Szef, you summoned us here."

Konrad sits on a couch and leans on the back of it comfortably, legs together.

Wanda sits down opposite the mercenaries, crosses her legs and puts her hands on her knee. "Yes, I have. I thought this was a good place for us to speak. I have enemies whose influence is far-reaching."

"As befits a Szef of Myr running for First, i would imagine."

"Why not share your problems? Perhaps talking about them might help."

"It might." She gazes at the three men for a moment and then says, "You're already aware of one such problem. I'd be grateful if you withdrew your support for Szef Nadzieja Zerva."

"The reason we'd do that for?"

"Except that I asked you to?" She peers at Mihai.

Konrad nods. "Naturally."

Szef Makara relaxes a little and answers more quickly than before. "I will pay you the equivalent of a thousand pieces of gold."

"We can make that in a few months, honestly."

"Is that a no then?"

"You were expecting a yes?"

Steve sits back. "I agree. If you have something to say, say it already. I'm not sure what the point of all this dancing around is."

Szef Makara frowns once Konrad and Steve speak up.

"I apologize if my attitude offended you. I thought we could come to an understanding, but it appears that I can't beat Szef Zerva's price. So unless there was something you wished to discuss...

She uncrosses her legs and stands up.

"I'd like to thank you for taking the time to come here, despite the rough day you've had."