<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“Many people don’t deserve the lots they had been dealt, Lady Aleksandra,”</span>Lady Kaya said, hooking her arm into Maleki’s as she turned to the two other men she was familiar with.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“But despite whatever reason you’ve come this far, we’ve been in this room for entirely too long to entertain it.”</span>A gaze fell on Lord Arslan immediately as a victorious grin fell upon her face at the sight of him still reeling with shock.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“Because of his guests, I believe the Bloody Exarch will be helping me during this stay, Lord Arslan. Unless you believe your house can prepare the appropriate accommodations with such little warning?”</span><br/><br/>The look that Lord Arslan gave was one of exasperation and incredulity, but finally, the man’s shoulders slumped.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30059"> “Fine, you win Kaya.”</span>Lady Kaya’s smile simply grew further as she turned with Maleki before stopping, realizing that Maleki was still manacled.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff"> “Captain Elril....” </span>Quickly, the Captain of the night watch moved over and freed Maleki’s wrists, before joining Bach once more as a map was laid out in front of them.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0080ff">“I see you still go for the cheap shots,” </span>Maleki muttered to Kaya, allowing her to lead him out, hands still where they were when the manacles were on him.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“Oh, shush,”</span>Kaya chided.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“You all need baths badly, and I need your blades, Maleki. Only makes sense for you to come with me.”</span><br/><br/>As the four of them walked without issue out of one building and only two more buildings down, they were soon in front of the estate of Lady Kaya. To the left, it looked as if a warehouse had been attached instead of another wing. The lot was very front loaded with building, no actual front courtyard. But as Lady Kaya guided them throughout the manor, dropping them off at a trio of rooms on the second floor, overlooking the yard in the back, the group would be able to see that, on the left of the estate, two large doors were open admitting entrance into the warehouse, where tinkering, invention, and production would surely be birthed. On the right, it seemed to be a semi-open air building. The walls did not reach fully to the floor or ceiling, but it was fully enclosed. There was no markings on it, but a slightly stylish building. In the courtyard itself, it was sectioned into four quadrants. The one closest to the back gate and the warehouse was filled with ruts, despite the path that linked them. The one closer to the house and the warehouse was a bit trampled, but more by feet and apparent testing. It was obvious that Lady Kaya was not one to host guests.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“Maleki, you know where everything is,” </span>Lady Kaya said, before turning to Aleksandra and Tommen.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“Feel free to wander as you wish. My room, my office, and the workshop are all off limits. I find either of you there without me, you’ll both be arrested. Sound good?”</span>Turning back to Maleki, Lady Kaya began to speak, but Maleki simply looped a finger under a band of her eye patch and released for a light pop. “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0080ff">We can talk about it tomorrow. Go work on something or go to bed yourself,”</span>Maleki said.