The vast crowd spilled out of the guild hall and into the streets. It felt as if every inch of space was filled by a body. Even with the ongoing skirmishes outside the city walls, people appeared for the spectacle that was the crowning of a new Patzau. The election had spiked in intrigue after the news of Patzau Minoc’s condemnation swept through the city. It had been a decade since the last time a new Patzau joined the council. People from all corners of Caso appeared to watch the spectacle and to hear which of the three remaining candidates would take up the mantle.

Kuta stood inside the guild hall atop the mezzanine overlooking the vast crowd below. She did not share their excitement. She hadn’t even dressed up for the event. Her heart was still heavy with the tragedy that was Patzau Minoc’s betrayal. The news had spread so swiftly that even without Minoc’s network of spies and informants, Kuta would have known in the same moment it had happened.

The impact of Minoc’s guilty verdict felt like poison seeping through her veins. As if it were slowly killing her will to act and feel. Mellen Minoc, the man who had been her mentor had been condemned to die for treason. Treason, Kuta knew with absolutely certainty, he hadn’t committed. And thus, the coup had succeeded. Mellen’s downfall was assured. Nothing more than a carefully orchestrated subtraction. An opportunity to cobble the way for new blood and new direction. The announcement had been social suicide to those who had once been close to him, herself included. Though she had never been on a sturdy deck to begin with.

Kuta looked to her left and saw Hairo Bradel speaking passionately with the other two candidates, Wadesh Nadir and Tahir Akwan. Hairo hadn’t even officially won and yet he was already influencing both men to join his side. Patzau Minoc’s guilt had been the final nail in the coffin for the other two candidates. They had believed in Minoc’s innocence and aligned themselves closely with his former allies and now that stance had ruined their credibility and destroyed their political aspirations. All they could do now was damage control. Kuta had worked tirelessly to ensure Hairo’s defeat at Wadesh or Tahir’s hands and it had all come undone in one fell swoop. Only the deaf and the ignorant hadn’t already heard Hairo had won. Today was about announcing it publicly. Nothing more. A celebration of betrayal, Kuta mused.

The crowed roared as Mira Minoc took the stage. An uncomfortable mix of cheers and jeers and boos could be heard from crowd, especially the wider public outside the guild hall. To her credit, Mira looked calm. Kuta was confident she couldn’t do it; be as strong or brave as Mira was in this moment. Her husband sat in a cell awaiting execution and she was paraded in front of the mob that sought his blood to announce his replacement. It seemed cruel. But then, so much of life in Caso felt cruel these days.

The crowd cheered as Patzau Hairo Bradel took the podium for the first time and addressed the crowd. Kuta felt numb. She knew it was coming and yet the wrongness of it still made her blood freeze. Hairo Bradel was a con. He’d have done anything for Mellen’s position on the council. He had aligned himself with Patzau Powanati and was confident he had been a part of Mellen’s destined fall. Now, he stood above the crowd and announced himself as Patzau of the Artisan’s Guild, and the public roared their approval.

The room felt constricting, as if it were closing in around her. The faces of guildsmen once loyal to Patzau Minoc flocked to their new leader, ready to serve and be rewarded. Kuta could picture Yohati, Hadashenta, and Powanati sitting in their offices in smug satisfaction. They would toast to their new puppet and drink to Mellen’s ruin. And hers next, should she give them the chance.

Kuta had put everything she had over the last few days into finding proof of Minoc’s innocence and supporting Tahir Akwan’s campaign for Patzau. She had worked tirelessly. Tahir was an honorable man. Someone who would have upheld Mellen’s vision for the guild. To fail so completely was demoralizing. Now, they were left with Hairo whose ambition was as vast as the sea and whose loyalty was as thin as parchment.

The crowd’s applause echoed in Kuta’s ears as Hairo finished his victory speech. His tongue was sharp and his promises were grand. He spoke of being tougher on the other guilds, tougher on the gangs and criminals who threatened this city. His voice boomed with authority, but Kuta could hear the underlying emptiness in his rhetoric. None of his promises mattered. This was a consolidation of power. And when Hairo dismissed Mira from her position as high administrator, promising to rebuild the guild into something “greater,” Kuta’s stomach turned. His actions were a promise, a clear signal that everything that once was would be no more. And then, to Kuta’s surprise, it was her name he spoke next.

“Lastly, I would like to speak of our dear Aginjigaade, Kuta.” Hairo said, gesturing in her direction. A tidal wave of eyes shifted in her direction and Kuta’s shock fought against her instinct to run. Instead, she was urged forward until she stood at Hairo’s side. He looked down on her with an eager hungry look. A look that made her skin crawl. “Kuta, for those of you who haven’t been graced by her presence, has been critical to ensuring the continued prosperity of this great guild” Hairo continued. “Kuta, although young, has used her knowledge and Aginjigaade skills with metal to propel Casoyan forges ahead decades. Our knowledge of alloys, common and uncommon, are worlds ahead of other cities of the world. And with Kuta’s help, our guild will lead.”

So that’s the stance he’s taking, Kuta deduced. He wants to control me. He offers me his protection, protection from the rest of the council, in exchange for my loyalty.

Hairo lowered his voice, speaking not to the crowd but now solely to her. Yet, his voice carried just loud enough for those around them to hear, “Kuta, please meet with me before the celebrations begin. It is of utmost importance to me that you are part of this new era of our guild.”

Kuta stared in shock. Her instincts screamed to refuse, to walk out the door. To turn her back on it all. She had no intention of working for a bastard like Hairo. Especially not when the job would entail undoing the progress that Patzau Minoc had painstakingly worked years to achieve. His vision for the guild was twisted. Destroy the protections created for smaller guild enterprises. Award Auction House contracts to only those groups in support of his schemes. It was a consolidation of power within his closed group of insiders. Aligning with Hairo felt like a betrayal.

It was Mira who, after the speech ended managed to speak some sense into her. “You have to go” Mira urged. “You have to go and at least hear him out. By ignoring him, you ostracize yourself to the rest of the guild. You will look both ungrateful and people will question your loyalty. It may be a trap, yes. But you owe it to Mellen to at least find out. Perhaps some good will come of it. You can’t know unless you go.”

And so Kuta reluctantly agreed. The party had already started in the guild hall but Kuta ignored the celebrations, walking to the end of the hall where Mellen’s Office was. Hairo’s office now. She knocked lightly and the door opened, revealing the small familiar room. She had expected Hairo to remove Mellen’s belongings but most of the room remained untouched. The only new additions were a pair of soldiers standing on either side of the door. She couldn’t help but notice that neither wore metal of any kind nor did they carry weapons made of metal. So much for trust, Kuta thought.  Hairo sat in Mellen’s chair and compared to the great man, looked small in it. He looked calm, but the nervous twitch of his fingers and the pair of guards revealed his calm demeanor to be a simple fiction.

“You need soldiers to protect you from me?” Kuta asked. “That doesn’t seem to match well with your proclamation that I am needed in your new guild order.” Not that they could have stopped me. I carry my own metals. She thought of the woman who had attacker her with the knife and quickly supressed the memory. Never again. Not of it can be avoided.

“What you say is true” Hairo admitted. “Leave us” he ordered. The two guards left the room and closed the door behind them.

“Ah I get it now” Kuta said, “I was confused by them at first. Why bother? But now I understand. The soldiers are props. You demonstrate that you know my strengths and weaknesses while also showing that you don’t need to rely on them. It makes you look tougher. That’s a good touch. Mellen would be proud.”

“You’re take after the sly old man. I see why he selected you” Hairo admitted. “But I was told you’re not much of a talker.” Kuta tilted her head in acknowledgement but waited patiently for Hairo to continue. “I see” he added, after a moment. He leaned forward over the desk, his voice low and charming, “I won’t waste your time, Kuta. I want your support. Mellen and I were never on great terms but that doesn’t mean I like what happened to him. I have risen from his downfall and I won’t lie to you and say I regret that it happened. Patzau Minoc was a traitor, and now he is gone. But you and I persist. I see your talents. I see your contributions to this guild. I trust that Mellen chose you for a good reason, because Mellen was a lot of things but a fool was never one of them. You display wisdom, and I would welcome you a place amongst my inner circle. A foil against my rash tendencies. With you beside me, we could truly reshape this guild and this city for the better.”

Kuta was quiet for a moment. She thought carefully about his offer and the words left unsaid. “I must admit that I’m surprised to hear you speak so plainly” Kuta replied carefully. She supressed the deep seeded disdain she held for the man across from her. “Yet, you cast aside Mira without hesitation. How can I trust you will not to do the same to me? Mira has been the backbone of this guild, and yet you dismiss her as if she means nothing.”

“Mira is tainted” Hairo said flatly. “I don’t question her dedication and loyalty, but she was Mellen’s wife. The people now know of Minoc’s treachery. There is no redeeming her from the stain of it. For you, on the other hand, there remains a chance. I recognize that he was… a mentor to you, but your reputation can be salvaged if you and I stick together. Join me. I can protect you. Then nobody can threaten your loyalty or safety inside these walls. I swear it. Let us work together.”

Kuta had expected many things, but not this. Her mind raced as she processed his words. She wanted to scream. He still had one hand on the knife in Mellen’s back, and he sought to shake her hand with the other. It was vile. And it wasn’t about protecting her. It was subjugation. This is what the Casoyans had done to her people for generations. Do what I want and continue as things were. Turn against me and I’ll turn them all against you. The part not discussed was that continuing as things were meant slowly yielding control to him. He wanted her as a tool, a weapon to wield as necessary. He wanted an Aginjigaade in his pocket like the other guilds had. The way the other Patzau did. She would be a there to do his bidding and reinforce his grasp on power.

Kuta’s eyes narrowed. “I heard your campaign; I know what you claim to think and want to achieve. What if I told you I shared Patzau Minoc’s beliefs about the guild?”

“Then at least we could discuss why I want to change things. We could have a real conversation around policy from a place of understanding. Understanding what we have now, and what I wish for us to have in the future” Hairo answered. “We need a new direction. You know as well as I do that the guild cannot continue the way it has. We need change, Kuta. Real change.”

“You would condemn a man to die for this change?” Kuta challenged.

“A Patzau must see the big picture” Hairo quoted, then added, “We must lead Caso forward with a unified vision. Discord leads to unrest and stagnation. For all leaders, hard choices are necessary.”

“I wasn’t asking hypothetically” Kuta added. “I know you testified against him. I know what you said in that tribunal, and which parts were fabricated. I’ve even got copies of the records that disprove your claims.”

Hairo’s calm facade slipped for a moment. His voice lowered to that of a whisper, “You’re smart, Kuta. Smart enough to know that without the guild’s support, you’ll be outcast. Leaving now with Minoc’s stain on your reputation, no other guild will take you. No one in Caso will stand by you. And if you remain unaligned… I think we can agree that it would be a… fatal mistake.”

It was a threat, plain and simple. This was the real Hairo. The veiled menace in his words sent a chill down her spine. But Kuta was no stranger to threats. She had faced worse in her life. Worse threats. Worse men. And she was tired of being used.

Kuta focused inward and channeled her spiritual power into one of the metal pins she kept up her sleeve. The metallic scent of her sorcery filled the small room. She prayed the guards outside wouldn’t smell it. She raised her hand, and with a flick of her fingers, she manipulated the small tendril of metal until it’s took on the shape of an orb. It floated between them just above her palm.

Hairo recoiled, his face going pale. “What—what are you doing?”

“I believed in Patzau Minoc’s vision” Kuta said calmly, still focused on the metal hovering between them. “He was a good man, and you and I both know he was no traitor. But you are. And that’s why I will decline your offer, Hairo.

Hairo’s composure shattered for an instant. She saw the fear in his eyes, but it didn’t last. It was replaced by a flash of irritation. By anger. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he sneered. “I never betrayed Patzau Minoc.”

Kuta’s gaze bore into him, “Don’t make me your enemy Hairo. I know everything. I know that your campaign was financed by funds pulled directly from your businesses and donations from your friend Patzau Powanati. I know you were one of the witnesses called to testify against Patzau Minoc. I know that after the trial, you met with Patzau Yohati who pledged his support. I know what route you took down from the fortress that night and what time you got home and kissed your wife goodnight. I even know about the little stop you made on your way home.”

“You bitch!” Hairo snarled. So Mellen really did have a network.”

She would show him what a true display of power looked like. No more veiled threats. The orb of metal between them became a perfect square, and then a triangle, and then a knife, and then a needle with a tip so fine it couldn’t be seen by the human eye. Kuta ignored him and the orb above her palm continued to changed shape.

She pushed on, “I know you snuck in this office three nights ago. I know you were looking for information on Mellen’s informant network. I know two days before that, you gave concessions to Patzau Adagizhi and Powanati’s bankers, limiting your power in exchange for support. I know Yohati helped you discredit the other candidates. I know all about you, Hairo Bradel.” Kuta revelled in his terror. “Patzau Minoc did have this network, but unlike him, I plan to use it. No veiled threats. I see you for who you really are, and I’ll expose you to the world. I reject your offer for protection. And in doing so, I’ll offer you a new deal, one I think you’ll very much like considering my contempt.”

“And what deal is that?” Hairo asked, fury plain across his face. This was not a man who liked being threatened.  

“You will leave me alone, and I will leave you alone.” Kuta answered. “It’s as simple as that. So long as you ignore me, and continue to echo that I am not a threat, I will let you have your victory and your Patzau title and all the glory you so desire. But if you don’t, I will ruin you. If you search for me, I will ruin you. If you share one word of this conversation, I… will… ruin you. Do you understand the terms of our agreement?”

“Yes” Hairo snarled. “You will ruin me.”

“Good” Kuta said, sitting back down in the chair opposite Hairo. “Now, do you have any alterations you wish made to our agreement before we settle the matter?”

“Am I in any position to negotiate?” Hairo asked, looking to the floating chunk of metal between them. It was in the shape of a spear head, then transformed into shears before his eyes.

“If you think any of the terms are unfair, now is the time to say so” Kuta said innocently.

“No, we have an accord” Hairo said through gritted teeth.

“That’s good to hear” Kuta said with a half-hearted smile. “I hope you understand that if I suddenly appear on the city’s watch list, I will presume you are behind the action and will take counteraction accordingly. This is only my opinion but, I believe it is in your best interest to keep me off any such lists. Now, please don’t let me ruin your big day. I’ll be away and you can enjoy your party.”

Hairo could only watch with malice as Kuta left him sitting alone in the office. The smell of her metallic sorcery stung his nostrils and made it feel like there was blood in his nose. He wanted desperately to order the soldiers outside after her but knew it would be inauspicious to stain this day in blood. Tomorrow, he decided. A new dawn for a new era.

Mellen Minoc had been right though, she was powerful. And now he knew she was a threat. Had she just acquiesced, things could have been so different. But a mountain wench controlling the city’s spy network wouldn’t do. Minoc’s network should be his, by all accounts. No, in her hands it would bring devastation. Kuta the Aginjigaade has to die for the longevity and stability of this great city of Caso. My great city, he realized, now that he was Patzau.

Hairo’s fingers twitched towards the stylus. His heart was fueled with a desire for justice. Justice and malice. She had underestimated him. He would not be so easily placated. He would ensure that Kuta, too dangerous to be left unchecked, was removed. He was so close to the place and power he had always dreamed of. One last step, and he would solidify his control over the guild. Minoc’s fancy metal stylus glided across the page, signing the order.

That night, Patzau Hairo Bradel died in his home. Rumours and conspiracies spread like wildfire through the city. Whispers of curses and murder circulated through markets and alehouses, brothels and bathhouses. Hairo Bradel became known as the Patzau-for-a-day. The conspiracies worsened when it was revealed that Hairo had been having a secret affair and had fathered a second child. Conflict over inheritance fueled the fire and the rumour mill spun back into motion. The following evening a notorious Mudtown gangster boasted that he had been the one to kill the Patzau for a day. News of the celebrations made its way inside the city and was met with heavy condemnations. The crook was found lynched in the mouth of the Lake Gate the morning hence. The Guilds denied any involvement.