Of Whispers and Moths

Requiem of the Moth #1

Content warnings¹

"Honorable Vessi, you have a visitor."

Yun nods to the servant. Vy sets down her tea cup and gets up. "I'll leave you to your work, oh honorable Vessi," she says, snorting.

"In a few years, you and the others will have to answer to me," he promises her. "Then you'll be sorry for your impertinence."

"Whatever you say," she mutters and bows carelessly before slipping out the door of his spacious new office.

Out of all his family, Vylira is the only one he can't intimidate. She's also the only one who doesn't recoil at his face, the hideous red burn scars all over its left side. He is grateful, for that and for the support she gave when he campaigned for his position—on the days when he doesn't want to strangle her.

After checking his hair and jewelry, he settles behind his desk to receive the first visitor of the day. The Vessi, ten agents elected from the clans by the Council, deal with security, intelligence gathering, treason, and other serious crimes against the government. One Vessi also deals with foreign matters—not Yun though, thank the Deep.

Most of his visitors are merely small bugs seeking to slander their enemies by claiming plots against the clans or, the Deep God forbids, the Vesilim herself. Yun sees through their ruses in seconds and dismisses one after another. When there's a lull, he goes through the written notes that citizens can post anonymously all over the underground capital of Kandamsin.

The afternoon brings his first interesting visitor: Isvalri Usira, a talented young moth catcher who has been invited to his last family banquet in order to prepare and present the blackveins. Now as then, his white hair snakes over his shoulder in a tight braid and his eyes are of the lightest blue Yun has ever seen—lighter even than glowshrooms. His lavender robes hug his slim form, the sleeves cut short for practicality. Two silver rings flash on his left hand, tokens of the Noe clan's favor. His bow is deep.

"What can I do for you?" Yun asks, gesturing for tea.

"Honorable Vessi," Usira begins, accepting the tea with a nod, "I must apologize in advance for what I am about to tell you. It will come as a nasty surprise to you, I believe, but I could not stand idly by and watch you walking into danger."

Yun arches one brow. He can't decide whether Usira's smile is mocking or not. "Spit it out."

"It is your cousin, Noe Vylira. At the banquet, I left the table for a brief moment to check on the remaining blackveins and heard her speaking to her maidservant about… about possibilities of slipping something into your food or tea. Now that you are Vessi, she believed you a threat to her own plans within the clan."

"Vy?" Yun tightens his jaw, going back over their recent encounters. True, since his appointment she has spent many mornings in his office but he thought she merely wants to curry favor with the only Vessi in the family. After her support during his campaign, he has indulged her in order to pay back that debt. It never hurts to keep the clan treasurer on one's side. Of course, he should've known or at least suspected there was more to it than that. Clans don't do friendship but more importantly, no one has ever been this friendly to him.

Soft. He's grown soft.

"I see," he says coldly. "Thank you for informing me. I will send a token of my gratitude to your driphouse later."

But Usira shakes his head. "With all due respect, honorable Vessi, that will not be necessary. I have also come to offer my services." He sets down the tea cup and leans over the desk. Yun fights the urge to shrink back into the shadows, hide his face. "Your cousin is very fond of moths, devout. She frequents our shrine," Usira whispers. "I could help you deal with her if you wish."

Yun staples his hands on the metal desk to hide his uneasiness. "I have no reason to trust you."

Usira smiles again. "You do not. There is no way for me to convince you of my truthfulness here and now but I intend to prove my loyalty to you with my actions. Give me a chance, honorable one."

Yun considers the proposal. Vy has posed as light-hearted and flighty to ingratiate herself, he can see that now, but Usira isn't pretending to be anything. He's seen a shortcut to the favor and protection that all driphouses in the city are competing for and taken it. Yun can see the sincerity shining in his eyes—disgusting but useful. He sighs. If he wants to rise, he has to make some gambles too. The tedious day he has had so far had been proof of that. Just like Yun to Usira, Usira also offers just the shortcut to power that Yun needs.

Eventually, he gestures for more tea. "Very well. I'm sure you have some ideas as to how to deal with my dear cousin. Let's hear them."

Usira opens his mouth but before he can speak, Yun holds up one hand. "Also, you must call me by my name if we are to work together. No groveling."

Usira's smile widens, making him seem like a boy who has been offered a candied fruit. "Yes, Noe Yun. You will not regret it."

I better not, Yun thinks darkly. For your sake.

1. Mentions of moths, poisoning & murder