I was halfway to Master Kamdili's quarters when I spotted Lesser Hand Uche Abazu crouched beside the eastern courtyard wall, surrounded by a clutter of Divine Crafts.
Again?
He was fiddling with a small catapult, trying and failing to secure its sling in place. A few other weapons lay nearby: a hooked dagger, a short spear, even what looked like a modified chain-staff. None of them looked properly maintained.
"Uche," I called out, folding my arms. "What are you doing?"
He jolted up, eyes wide, startled like a child caught with contraband. In his flurry to stand, the catapult slipped from his hands and clattered to the floor.
"Ah! Major Obika! I was just...uh...I was fixing it… the sling, it wasn't working the last time I used it."
I walked over, sighed, and picked the weapon up.
"Let me see that."
He handed it over sheepishly. The leather sling was loose, barely held together by a half-knot that looked like it had been tied in panic.
"This is what happens when you treat Divine Crafts like toys," I muttered, tightening the sling and resetting the mechanism. It didn't take long to fix. One pull, one release, the stone inside launched clean and far, striking a tree stump with a satisfying thunk.
Uche grinned, clearly impressed.
"Thank you, Major. You always make it look so easy."
"Pick a Craft and master it, Uche," I said, handing it back.
He nodded quickly, cradling the catapult like it was sacred now.
"Yes, Major. Understood."
I gave him a tired look and walked on, shaking my head.
Perks of being born rich, I suppose. Enough silver to buy your way into a Divine family, but not enough discipline to know what to do once you get there.
***
I finally arrived at Master Kamdili's quarters.
When I stepped in, he was still having lunch.
I paused at the door, immediately feeling like I'd interrupted something.
"Apologies, Master. I didn't know you were eating.
"Don't be silly," he said, waving a hand without looking up. "I sent for you, didn't I?"
I nodded and stepped in fully, shutting the door behind me.
He was seated at a rounded table, a neat plate of food before him. Looked like a healthy spread, dried, shredded cassava formed into a light salad, paired with a simple cup of water.
He gestured toward the food.
"You want some?"
"I'll pass," I replied. "Not really my preference."
"Your loss," he said, taking another slow bite. I sat across from him and watched as he cleared the plate one mouthful at a time, chewing thoughtfully.
When he was done, he leaned back with a soft groan and picked up the water. He drank like he hadn't had a sip in days, draining the cup as if the cup itself was next. Then he set it down and took a long, deep breath.
"Good food isn't just for the belly," he said, stretching. "It's for the mind."
"True," I replied.
We both knew that as Divines, our threshold was far higher than regular humans. We could survive for days without food or drink if necessary. Still, food gave clarity.
He leaned back fully in his chair now, eyes on me.
"How've you been, Obika?"
"I'm fine."
"Things are easing up now that the Confluence issue's been handled. Contract influx has reduced, the house is quieter. I kind of miss the chaos," he added with a chuckle.
He wasn't wrong. Back during the Confluence surge, everyone was scattered across the regions, handling contracts nonstop, villages, personnel summons, and of course, the thick of the Voro surge at the central zone. Now it felt... normal again. Less frantic. Less noise.
"I just sent Major Kosiso on a contract to Udi village," he added casually.
That explained it. So she had a mission after all. Her insistence on being the one to call me was more than just about seeing me, it was convenient timing. I smirked at the thought.
"What's the issue?" I asked.
"Agbórin."
That got my attention. A second Order Fallen, the Stalker type. Tall, wiry, with four arms and long spindly legs. A sneaky bastard. One of its few known weaknesses was bright Divine light, exposure made its flesh melt slightly, slowing its reflexes and revealing its position.
"Makes sense you chose Kosiso," I said. "Her craft's perfect for that kind."
He nodded. "Exactly. She'll handle it without breaking a sweat."
"Easy work then," I replied.
He scratched his head and let out a long sigh.
"Yes. Still… these days feel like more stress than before."
That confused me.
"Didn't you just say things had eased up?"
"For the field, yes. But not for me," he muttered. "Endless meetings with Father, the Eastern King, and his council. Formalities, approvals.
Ever since the Confluence restructuring, it's been a different kind of pressure for us Masters. Tighter security. More eyes on us. Everyone wants to know what's next."
He sighed again, heavier this time. I could see now why he'd needed a proper meal.
Whenever Master Kamdili was stressed, food was his go-to response.
I told him that. He chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. That's why I need you, to ease this stress."
"A contract?" I asked.
It didn't feel like one. Usually, if it was a contract, there'd be a file on his table. Village details. Fallen profiles. Something he was meant to sign off and assign to a Hand or Major. But today, there was nothing.
He leaned forward.
"An old friend of mine, Chief Asuquo Eniang of Ediba village, is hosting a function. It's being held at a place called Skara."
"Skara?" I repeated, unfamiliar with the name.
Master Kamdili explained. "Skara is the name of an institution that's been in development in Ediba for the past few months. The function is to officially launch their operations. They claim to treat humans infected with Fallen diseases. Purify corrupted waters. That sort of thing."
That caught my attention.
"An institution for healing Fallen diseases?" I asked. "Is the founder a Divine? A Tari, maybe?"
He shook his head.
"It's a privately owned facility. No Divine connection. No family backing it."
That didn't sit right.
"How is that even possible? Handling Fallen corruption isn't something ordinary humans can manage. Where would someone even get the skill, let alone the power for that?"
"I asked the same thing," he said. "But the Chief… he's witnessed their work firsthand. Says it's legitimate. Their treatments, their medicines… apparently, they work."
"And the Tari family?" I pressed. "They're not saying anything?"
"If they are, they're keeping quiet. Which might mean there's nothing to be alarmed about. Or it might mean they're still observing. I doubt they'd ignore something like this. Which is why I need you there."
He sat forward again, his voice dropping just a little.
"I can't attend the event myself, too many things tying me down here. But you'll go in my place. As a representative of the Udokas."
"So… I'm to attend as a guest."
"Not just a guest," Master Kamdili said. "Take this as a contract—an official one. You'll be paid once it's completed.
The assignment is simple: observe, ask questions, and find out what this Skara truly is. Whether it's legitimate… or something we should be alarmed by.
"Look into the workings of their drugs. How do they actually work? Dig deeper than what the file on my desk says, but do it discreetly. We don't want to disrupt the event."
He gestured toward his desk.
"Everything you need to know is in the file there. Go through it thoroughly. The event is in six days, which gives you tomorrow or the day after to begin your journey if you want to make it on time. It'll take three days to reach Ediba."
I stood and walked over to the desk, thumbing through the folder. A few documents. Names. An outline of Skara's mission. Some scribbled notes from the Chief himself.
I tucked it under my arm and gave a firm nod.
"I'll handle it."
"Be cautious," he added. "There's a chance other families will send someone too. Adesinas. Maybe even the Husafi brothers. Keep your eyes open."
"Understood."
And with that, I left his quarters.