"The southern rebels claimed they rose up from starvation. yet they could afford forbidden pacts with the Enki demons. Starving, yet rich enough to summon damnation. Such hypocrisy"
-------------------
The accusation hit like a physical blow. Anumi stared at him in disbelief as the implications sank in. He wasn't just denying murder, he was suggesting that Belshaz had been killed by his own family to prevent him from exposing their secrets.
"That's absurd," she said, but her voice lacked conviction.
"Is it? Then you won't mind if I share my theories with those capital investigators when they arrive."
Arzash's composure finally showed cracks. "Lord Tarkun, you're walking a dangerous path. Accusations without proof can cut both ways."
"wonder....." Tarkun began pacing behind his chair like a caged beast.
"Tell me, old man, what do you know about the old contracts? The forbidden pacts that some families make when traditional power isn't enough?"
The blood drained from Anumi's face. The Enki contracts. the demon pacts that granted terrible power at an even more terrible price. If Tarkun could make such accusations stick, it would justify anything he chose to do to them.
"You're suggesting we traffic with demons. are you insane?" Arzash asked quietly.
"I'm suggesting that desperate families sometimes make desperate choices. And that Belshaz might have discovered such choices had been made."
"That's a grave accusation," Arzash replied carefully.
"Grave enough to warrant immediate investigation by the capital's inquisitors. The kind of investigation that tends to be . thorough."
The trap was now fully revealed. Whether the Dabru family was guilty of dark magic or not, the mere investigation would destroy them. In the capital's eyes, even the suspicion of demon pacts was enough to warrant execution.
"You bastard, how dare you..." Anumi whispered, the word escaping before she could stop
herself.
Tarkun's grin widened. "Such language from a lady. But I understand your distress. It must be difficult to see your carefully laid plans crumbling."
"We have no plans beyond serving this town honorably," Arzash said, but his voice carried less conviction than before.
"Honorably?" Tarkun's voice rose to a roar. "You speak of honor while accusing me of murder? While spreading lies to deny my family's rightful inheritance?"
He slammed his fist on the table with enough force to make the ale pitcher jump.
"There will be no more delays, no more negotiations, no more of your silver-tongued politics. fuck all of that. My brother will take his place as burgomaster, as the treaty demands, or this town will learn what real strength looks like."
"And if we refuse?" Anumi asked, though she already knew the answer.
"Then you'll discover that winter is not the only thing that can make Baelur cold and quiet."
The threat was unmistakable. Arzash must have recognized it too, because his remaining eye hardened with resolve.
"You're making a grave mistake, Tarkun. The Dabru family has deep roots in this town, deeper than you know. We have allies you haven't considered, resources you haven't accounted for."
"Resources?" Tarkun laughed. "Like what? Your crumbling warehouses? Your handful of aging retainers? Face reality, old man. Your family's time is over."
"Perhaps. But if you're wrong, if we're stronger than you believe, then you're condemning this town to a war it cannot survive."