I just write from where it leaves off, right?

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"I like your style," the insinuous voice of the Magus Vulpus Hallcove whispered in Hydra's ear. She tensed momentarily, her hand going to the dagger at her side, before she realised that his intentions were not harmful. "If you wish, I can promise you all you seek, without the need for violence - for a price."

Hydra glanced around. The other vassals in the room had slowed their movements. They had not entirely stopped, but it was clear that whatever conversation she was having with the mage would appear to their eyes to take but a moment.

"How would you give me this? And for what price?"

"We of the Kana have our ways," Vulpus said. "As for the price, we wish to study the crown of your Queens. Promise it to us for one year, and you may have your island."

Hydra bit her lip in thought. The Magi of Kana were dangerous. What their land lacked in population or land, it more than made up for with the power of its magick. Because of their strict breeding program, which was meant to create the strongest mages, they believed that any influx of foreigners would weaken them. It was this, and this alone, that prevented them from expanding and taking over the world. She knew that any offer from the Magi was likely to be a double-edged sword, but at the same time she realised that his offer was too good to be refused. If she brought home all that Queen Adelaide had asked for, rather than the much smaller amount that she had hoped for, Hydra could gain more power and prestige than she could possibly imagine.

"How can I guarantee that the crown will be returned intact?" Hydra asked.

"You have my word," said Vulpus. "If you wish, I could take a blood oath."

"I would like that," said Hydra. A blood oath was a powerful guaruntee, especially from a Magus. "And..."

"If the Queen dies, then we will return the crown for the new Queen's coronation," Vulpus preempted her question. "Of course, it will be in our interests to protect the Queen from harm while we have the crown. We will do everything in our power to keep her alive."

So the Queen would be protected as well - that clinched the deal. "I accept your terms, Magus," Hydra said.

"I am pleased." Vulpus slipped back into the shadows and time resumed its normal pace. To the rest of the room, the conversation had been so swift that even Prospecta, the sister of Hydra who stood behind her, had noticed the exchange.

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Have a very nice day
-Lusankya