Death's Gambit ᴡʜɪꜱᴘᴇʀꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴀʟʟꜱ

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-The palace was a maze of cold stone corridors and echoing hall, with shadows clinging to the corners-

Servants rushed back and forth, their faces dull with exhaustion and their words whispered and cautious..

Sera moved among them, head bowed...She was just another shadow among other shadows

Anya (Sera)

(I need to Stay quiet, stay small and Listen..) *She walked through the halls and thought trying to steady herself*

Sera spent the first day in a daze, her mind trying to process the impossible truth, She was alive - In a way...In someone's else's body, Anya..A Lowly maid, Weak, thin and easily overlooked...

But her mind, her soul - They were still hers..Still Sera

And as she worked - Scrubbing floors, carrying trays, keeping her head down...She heard that name again and again - CASSIAN... The name that stabbed at her like a knife..

Anya (Sera)

*Her heart raced...her anger simmering as she thought to herself* (He's Here...Alive and A rising General now..All those lies, all those smiles he must have used to rise on this throne of deceit..)

But with every glimpse of his name, every whispered mention of his deeds, She felt the cold grip of fear..

He wouldn't know her in this body...But she remembered his voice, the calm cruelty in his eyes as he left her to die..

If he saw her, would he know? Would he see through her..?

Anya (Sera)

(No..I can't break now. I can't draw his eyes, not until I know enough..) *She thought to herself, gripping the edge of a tray..forcing herself to stay calm*

-The kitchen was a storm of shouts and clattering dishes-

Anya (Sera)

*She slipped between the chaos, quiet and careful.. ears sharp*

Eda - Cook

"Damn soldiers, Eating like they own the place.." *She spoke grumbling* "There are not enough hands as it is"

Fiona - Scullery Maid

"Well, the master's not just any lord now.." *She whispered* "General Cassian commands half the northern forces afterall"

Anya (Sera)

(General...Of course, He clawed his ways to power...Just like he planned, But how much does he control?) *Her heart pounded as she thought*

-A voice came from the hallway-

Anya (Sera)

*Sera turned, to see two Guards passing by one with a scar over his eye, the other young and nervous*

Guard 1

"That new maid, Anya, looks scared..She won't survive here long if she's jumpy" *He said gruffly*

Guard 2

"Yeah, she'll learn quick..This ain't no place for the weak" *He laughed*

Anya (Sera)

(They see Anya as weak..Fine, It's better if they don't notice me...Not until I'm ready) *She thought forcing herself to stay calm*

But she needed more. A way to know what Cassian planned, where he walked and who he trusted..

Anya (Sera)

*That chance came when she saw Elric - a thin, jittery servant who always seemd to be listening rather than speaking* "Hey, Elric"

Anya (Sera)

*She forced a friendly smile* "You look like you've seen a ghost"

Elric - Servant

"Anya...Folks are saying there's trouble coming, The master's enemies might be closer than we think" *He spoke nervously*

Anya (Sera)

"Trouble..? Who's causing it?" *She asked trying to sound normal*

Elric - Servant

"Maybe it's just talk...But they say it's Some group called the Black Hand, They want to take the throne" *He replied lowering his voice*

Anya (Sera)

*Sera thought to herself as Elric went back to his chores* (Black Hand? Rebellion? Could they be a weapon again him...or a threat to me?)

-The palace murmured with secrets-

Mors - Death

"~Listen well, Sera...These whispers? They're the strings you need to pull~"

Anya (Sera)

"Got it..I'll be careful to not make mistakes"

Every glance, Every whisper - Sera listened them all in...piecing the information together, the fragile web of power and fear Cassian had woven

Mors - Death

"~Your path here won't be easy...But power's the only thing that matters here~"

Anya (Sera)

"Then I better learn to take hits without breaking..."

Anya (Sera)

"I'm here, Cassian...I see your power, your schemes. And one day...I'll see them crumbling" *She said to herself in a low fierce whisper*

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