Authors Note: This the third part of House Shivashi. I hope you have enjoyed the story and characters. It has been a pleasure to pour so much into creating them. All sexual activity is performed by those 18+, even though there's no sex in this part.
I welcome all constructive feedback and responses. Thank you, and enjoy
***
Day 7
I barely remembered falling asleep. So tranquil was the time spent with Ghiva and Arua, the dream of living the Folded Path was all that concerned me. As the early morning light slipped through the crack in the blinds of the Master Bedroom, I took a deep breath. I absorbed how good it felt to have my companions, warm and wonderful inside me.
Even though the events of the forthcoming day promised to be taxing and unpredictable, I knew in my heart I was now in the best place possible to attempt our thought-out plan. Everything was ready, including me. It was time to get prepared.
The bath was pleasant and long, the knock at the bedroom door letting me know that food had been brought up. As I toweled off and opened the door, I saw a tray of eggs, potatoes, and meat strips on a lap tray. Two packages wrapped in brown paper were close by. One was a small, thumb-sized package, the other as long as my forearm.
I nodded and brought the tray laden with food and the packages into the room, setting them all on the bed and sitting down. As my hair dried in some twisted towels atop my head, I ate with slow appreciation while staring at the wrapped presents.
I knew, without a doubt, they were what I had sent Skav after.
He came through, just like I knew he would. That means, the rest is already in motion.
I finished my breakfast and then slipped into the bathroom with the small package, finishing my grooming preparations. I approached the wardrobe after my hair was dry, seeing my chocolate brown, three-piece suit hanging there as though it was waiting to be put on.
I nodded and slowly drew on the pants, the fabric so soft and flowing today. My white shirt came next, slowly buttoning it up from the bottom and leaving the top one undone and open. One arm at a time I eased the blazer over my shoulders, rolling the collar down and ensuring the layers of my outfit were perfectly placed.
"Ok, Master Shivashi," I said into the lady in the mirror, nodding as my amethyst eyes sparkled in the morning light. "Time to put on a show."
I stepped into my comfortable shoes and exited the Master Bedroom, closing the door then stepping purposefully down the flights of stairs. I passed the faded outline where Havaan Shivashi's portrait used to hang, the image of her detailed statue down below the manor softly imposing itself on the wall. I stopped and regarded her posture and poise, the owl-like grimness in her eyes stating everything her firm presence did not.
I am a Shivashi. My word is law. Come and claim what is yours, or be claimed in the failure. The world will move on without you.
I gave a polite nod to Havaan's memory, taking the rest of the stairs down to the foyer. Ghiva stepped out from the kitchen to greet me as I touched it.
"Morning to you, Master Shivashi. I trust you're prepared for the day?"
"I am, Ghiva, well and truly," I said, turning toward her and bowing. "Thank you for your service today. You do me and this house great honor."
"My pleasure and honor to serve, Master Shivashi," Ghiva hummed, offering a respectful bow in return.
"I have thoroughly considered your desire to become my Pillar, Ghiva. I believe our time to join together will be soon, just not yet," I said, giving Ghiva a gentle, knowing smile. "I hope you understand."
"I do, indeed, Master Shivashi. Our time is coming, of that I have no doubt in my mind," Ghiva responded, her earthy smile kind and hopeful. "Until then."
"Until then," I returned, turning and walking toward the front door and out into the middle of a rising morning.
I climbed into the travel carriage and the driver eased us out onto the road, turning east toward Arlia and the destiny that awaited me there.
***
The art of a good con never relies upon the factors you can't control, rather those you can foresee and can adapt to. The true test of your ability comes in the testament left behind by your mark, the choices you made and how they are reacted.
The first thing you can count on are your own actions and responses, the backbone of what you plan to do and are willing to commit action for. The next thing, if you are wily enough, is the knowledge of your quarry and what they are capable of.
Though harder to quantify, it's not impossible to predict. Everyone moves in patterns, no matter how well-kept their secrets. I'd seen my share of the tactics this particular challenger had to offer already, absorbing the subtleness and guile of a very impressive quandary. I would happily honor their playful game by bringing forth the best of mine.
Surprise was one thing, absolute flat-footed disadvantage was another. Moira would learn the difference. I am nothing if not a quid-pro-quo equalist, or an eye-for-an-eye avenger. I don't find either term mutually exclusive.
As the carriage pulled to a stop outside the walls of Arlia I stepped out, my grip firmly on the door. I reached in and took my sturdy wooden crutch off the bench, putting one foot in front of the other while leaning heavily into it.
Arlia's gate was just far enough away to get my mind straight on what had to happen, setting my limp and grimacing as tactfully as possible. A certain string of events were about to take place, each with their own purpose and timing. If I did it right, a special kind of fireworks would be going off just after noon.
Watch this performance, every one of you.
Slowly walking through Arlia was a sobering experience, since the populous hadn't seen me since my interrogation by Moira. Every pair of eyes that saw me stopped whatever they were doing, an aghast gasp of grim understanding present each time. Conversations abruptly ended and tasks paused to witness Master Shivashi, heiress of the Shivashi bloodline, brought low and subdued.
