"Do I have regrets in life? Sure. Plenty of them. I regret that I couldn't give a better life than one of blood and violence to the kids under my care. I regret that they had to dirty their innocent hands with the blood of so many assholes they would never get their hands clean ever again.

Definitely didn't regret marking those assholes for a painful death though. Deities know they fucking deserved worse!" - Varsha Creussens, Crime Lord of Zefirous, circa 0 FP.

"Elfriede…?" asked the old woman when she finally managed to regain some hold over her surprise and emotions. Her instincts still held strong and she never placed down the dagger in her hand, though. "What in all the hells are you doing back here in town!?"

"Long story, Varsha," said Elfriede with a smirk that was both happy and sad at the same time. She had somewhat missed Varsha, and rejoiced on meeting her again, yet also somewhat saddened by how the old woman felt more bent with age, heavy with the responsibilities she chose to shoulder for her sake.

"You might want to read this first, would make explaining easier afterward," she added while she slowly brought out the scroll prepared by the Crown Prince and gently lobbed it to Varsha.

Varsha caught the scroll deftly with one hand, and nimbly broke the wax seal with her fingers before she unfurled the scroll. The old woman had to pull out a corrective monocle to read, her eyes blurred due to age.

Elfriede just waited patiently, as she seated herself on a stool near the shutter with her arms folded over her chest. Varsha read the scroll quickly, then she re-read it twice more, each time looking more agitated. Elfriede noticed how Varsha seemed to stare at the bottom of the scroll, where the Crown Prince's signature was supposed to be, for a good while before she raised her head and looked straight at Elfriede once more.

"This is too good to be true," muttered Varsha with obvious doubt, as well as a tinge of hope in her voice. The old woman rightfully wouldn't trust promises so easily, as was ingrained into her by her years of running an organization of criminals. "Yet this signature is genuine, isn't it? This is a fucking binding legal contract signed by the Crown Prince of Knallzog himself, is it not?"

"I can't really tell what he wrote there, but I was present when he did the signature and stamped it with his seal," said Elfriede bluntly. The Crown Prince's aide had read the contents of the document to her, but with her being blind and naturally unable to read it for herself, she had no way of checking it. "For what it's worth he's been a good employer for us so far, and seems the sincere sort."

"Right, of course you can't read it for yourself," said Varsha as she shook her head. The intact seal on the scroll also showed that it had not been opened between when it was sealed and when she received it. "The terms offered are beyond generous. Full pardon. Legitimacy. Authority to govern provided we pass a trial period satisfactorily."

"Sounds about right. He did discuss those when he was talking with me," replied Elfriede with a nod. "Did he add anything else on top?"

"Everything on the premises that we managed to render significant aid in taking over the town," answered Varsha with a widening smile. "Getting to stick some noble pigs in the arse is something I'd do when I have the chance to anyway… and I doubt anyone under me would really mind turning against this shithole of a country."

"So you agree? That was faster than I expected," admitted Elfriede. She had thought Varsha would have needed more convincing, which was why she had insisted on meeting her alone, to have a private talk. "I honestly expected that I would have to convince you for a good hour or two."

"Maybe I've grown old… but I trust you, child," said Varsha with a smile in turn. "If you could vouch for someone's integrity, I think that's enough reason for me to place my bet there as well. Besides… chances like these don't come every day."

"We should take some time to properly hash out a plan, though," added Varsha with a more businesslike tone, all serious and contemplative now. "I have a few sources in the garrison, but we would need time to contact and use them. Ideally we should coordinate with the army outside as well, if possible."

"We came prepared for that eventuality," replied Elfriede as she nodded once more. "If possible, I would like a reply within three days to report to my employers."

"Three days is plenty," nodded Varsha. "We'll have things hashed out by tomorrow night at the latest, or I'll eat my bloody shoes. Wait… you said 'we'? You didn't come alone then?"

"I came with some partners from my company. They're babysitting Nina and the bunch you got with her by the smuggler's cave," she explained. "Speaking of which, maybe I should go fetch them before they get too bored there."

"Give me a minute. I'll get some people to take over the watch," replied Varsha as she stood up from her bed. The old woman wrapped a nightgown around her frail body, and unlocked her door before she peeked out and yelled at the top of her voice. "Zyd! Get your bloody arse over here, you big oaf!"

"Comin' ma'am!" came a reply shouted from the corridor, followed by rushed, heavy footsteps approaching the room. When the footsteps halted, Elfriede heard surprisingly gentle knocks on the door to Varsha's room.

Even before Varsha told the man outside to come in, Elfriede had already sensed him through the wind. The man was a massive specimen, easily taller by a head compared to Reinhardt, and built as if he was carved out of a large chunk of granite. Yet despite his intimidating size and muscles Elfriede felt a softness on his features, the sort she felt more commonly in young children.

"What can I do, ma'am?" asked the giant of a man after he entered the room. He looked somewhat surprised at Elfriede's presence, but had not asked questions. Clearly one used to following orders without questions.

"That is Elfriede," said Varsha as she pointed towards Elfriede. "You will take Vasco and his group and have him take over for Karenina's group by the Smuggler's cave. Take her with you as well. We have guests coming."

"Understood ma'am, will do," said the man. Then he turned to Elfriede and bowed slightly, before he invited her. "Miss? Should we get goin'?"