01-13-2020, 04:35 AM
(Joint post with [nation]Lauchenoiria[/nation])
The Cauhloc
"We found one within the Secretariat?"
Zalpalatli's voice was incredulous. The Security Secretary looked at Calhualyana, his second in command, with slight alarm.
Calhualyana looked back with an expression of equal concern. "Yes. Granted, she's only a level 10 clerk, so she shouldn't have had access to anything sensitive. Still....she's an Aurora. We can't take it for granted that she didn't acquire anything potentially damaging to us." The us, in question, being the Xiomeran Empire.
Zalpalatli sighed deeply. "We'd better hope we're very convincing, then."
---
Two hours later, on a much lower floor of the Cauhloc, a grade XS-10 clerk in the ASI Directorate of Analysis logged into her computer and began her workday. She sipped her coffee and began transcribing the endless rows of data that were a low-ranking analyst's life. She had just begun when her superior, Tlahchē, tapped her on the shoulder. "Zichitla? Can you come with me, please?"
Standing behind him were two other ASI agents. They were with Ops, not Analysis. Field agents. Crap, Zichitla thought. She briefly considered trying to run or fight her way out of the office, then remembered that she was in a fortress full of Xiomera's best agents. She instead smiled and said, "Of course, sir. Is something wrong?" Zichitla asked, walking with them down the hall to a conference room.
"No, no, we're just going to ask some questions. Everyone's being checked, you know. Orders of the new Empress, can't be too careful after her husband's assassination," Tlahchē said.
You're lying, Tlahchē, Zichitla thought. She had worked with the man long enough to learn the subtle giveaways that he displayed when he was not being truthful. But having no other option, she went with the men.
Inside the conference room, two female "analysts" sat waiting. Calhualyana was one of them. The other one was a shock to Zichitla: Tlalmaxxi, the wife of the Crown Prince. Zichitla's sense of oh shit intensified.
"Hello, Zichitla. Please have a seat. We have a few questions for you," Calhualyana said politely.
She sat down, smiling at the pair and acting as natural as she could. "Of course, what do you want to know?"
"It's not anything we need to know. Rather, it's just something we need confirmed, and we're hoping you can do that for us," Calhualyana replied in a neutral tone as the men exited the room. "We received some interesting data from one of our sources within the government of Kerlile. Perhaps you can analyze it for us." Calhualyana passed a small card over to Zichitla. On it was the same information that the Empress had received from Jennifer Hale concerning Zichitla: her Xiomeran name and her Kerlian citizen ID number.
"What can you tell us about this data?" Calhualyana asked expectantly.
She looked down at the card and her heart sank. She didn't want to think about what might happen next. "Well, I see my name and an eight-digit number. It is not much to work from," she said quietly.
"But you're one of the best analysts at your level in the entire Agency," Calhualyana said in response. "Your performance has been highly noteworthy. Surely an analyst of your caliber can extrapolate something from the information I've provided."
Zichitla squeezed one of her hands into a fist, digging her nails in slightly. She was in trouble now, there was no way out of it. "Well... it is known that some nations use eight-digit identification numbers for their citizens. Including Kerlile, and we have all heard of the threat of so-called Auroras recently. In another context I would suggest a name next to a number like that might indicate that such an individual would be one of these Auroras," she said, her voice becoming quieter and quieter until it was almost a whisper.
"It would indeed suggest that," Calhualyana said quietly. "As would your tone of voice."
Tlalmaxxi coughed slightly. "We probably don't need to draw this out. I think we all have our cards on the table," the Crown Princess said in a noticeably warmer tone than Calhualyana. "We know that you're part of the Aurora Programme, Zichitla. We're already in communication with Kerlile's government on this matter. There is no need to hide it anymore."
Zichitla took a deep breath and sat up straighter. "I will not tell you anything, regardless of what you do to me."
"I had hoped you would know us better than that by now," Tlalmaxxi said with a look of dismay. "We don't intend to harm you. Xiomera and Kerlile are not enemies, after all."
She narrowed her eyes at them. "You claim you are in communication with the Kerlian government. Did they give you my name?"
"That information.....was not provided to us by our source," Tlalmaxxi said carefully. "Only the ID number was provided, most likely for your protection. But we were provided enough information to make this assessment."
Zichitla closed her eyes. Someone from the Matriarchy had evidently sold her out, she thought. She took a shaky breath and opened her eyes. "If you do not intend to harm me, what do you intend to do?"
"We intend to offer you a choice. The Empress, in her wisdom, has seen fit to come to an arrangement with President Arnott. Any Auroras in Xiomera can return to Kerlile, if they wish, without any issues on our part. However, recognizing the value and merit of such individuals, she is also offering the opportunity to remain in Xiomera in her service. For talented and skilled individuals, the possibilities are limitless in Xiomera, as are the rewards. We're hoping that you will consider putting your talents to work here. You are Xiomeran, even if raised in Kerlile, so we're hoping you will decide to stay," the Crown Princess replied, a hopeful smile on her face.
Zichitla narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She did not trust the offer. She had been taught that capture meant torture and death, and this was too different for her to feel like it was real. "So if I was to say I wanted to return to Kerlile and walk out this door, you wouldn't stop me?" she asked, sceptically.
"Well.....we'd have to escort you out, to be sure, but yes, essentially," Tlalmaxxi said softly. "You would be allowed to return to Kerlile without repercussion. That is the promise the Empress has made."
"And my alternative is to... stay here? Continue with my job, even though you know what I am?"
"Yes. You would be asked to swear loyalty to the Empress and to Xiomera, but yes. What you are - who you are - is not a negative thing, in our estimation," Tlalmaxxi replied. "In fact, it could lead to great things, both for Xiomera and for yourself. With your skills, you certainly wouldn't remain a clerk for long."
She sat, and looked down. She wondered whether or not the offer was genuine. If it was, she had made her decision. If not, then whatever scheme they had concocted would be revealed soon enough. "I am loyal to the Matriarchy," she said. "And I wish to return there."
Tlalmaxxi seemed saddened by this decision. "Is there nothing I can say that would convince you otherwise?"
"I don't understand why you want me to stay," she replied. "You would surely always doubt my loyalties."
"Blood is thicker than water, as they say," Tlalmaxxi replied. "Xiomera is the land of your ancestors. In all the world, there is only one Xiomera. Wherever Xiomerans may live, or whatever may become of them, this is always their home. Even if they have left it, or never knew it, they can always come home again. So the Empress has declared," Tlalmaxxi replied, a clear sense of pride in both Yauhmi, and Xiomera, in her voice. "That is what drives us to make this offer. Just as the Empress is, in a way, a mother to all Xiomerans, this land is their motherland, whether they believe it or not. That's why."
"I..." Zichitla hesitated. She was beginning to believe the offer was genuine, but it wasn't enough. "I am loyal to Kerlile. I do not know the reasons why my ancestors left Xiomera, or even who they were, but I have a purpose and since I can no longer serve that purpose here, I must return home. To the Matriarchy."
"I understand. If you change your mind....you know where Xiomera is. Even if you leave, you can always come back," Tlalmaxxi said.
Calhualyana stood up. "We will need to make arrangements for your return. Please wait here," she said, a neutral expression on her face.
Tlalmaxxi seemed surprised by Calhualyana standing up, but smiled politely at Zichitla and followed her out of the room.
Once out of the room, and out of earshot of Zichitla, Calhualyana walked to an elevator. "Where are you going?" Tlalmaxxi said, confused.
"To see the Secretary. This is not acceptable. Zichitla cannot be allowed to leave."
"The Empress made our position very clear," Tlalmaxxi said.
"The other Auroras were different. This one was inside the Security Secretariat," Calhualyana replied.
"She was just a clerk," Tlalmaxxi protested.
Calhualyana snorted. "There is no way of knowing how much a trained agent could have infiltrated ASI, even in such a low-ranking position. It is too much of a risk."
Tlalmaxxi knew Calhualyana wouldn't be convinced to drop the matter by a mere analyst, even one who happened to be a Crown Princess. She rode up to the top floor in silence with the Undersecretary.
When they reached his office, Zalpalatli was waiting for them, an expectant look on his face. "She said no," Tlalmaxxi said. The Security Secretary sighed. "Very well. We should prepare to return her to Kerlile then - "
"I have serious concerns about letting her leave," Calhualyana said. "She was working in ASI. We haven't properly assessed what knowledge she may have obtained from her position, or what infiltration she may have committed. We must, at a minimum, do a proper investigation of all that before we release her."
"She was only a clerk. She's a twenty-two year old kid," Tlalmaxxi said plaintively.
"She is a highly trained foreign agent," Calhualyana snapped, giving Tlalmaxxi a look that clearly branded her as naive.
Zalpalatli sighed again. "Calhualyana, I'm touched that you think so highly of me, but we all know it's not my decision," he said wryly. He turned to his desk, dialing up a quick video-conference.
Eventually, on one of the wall screens behind him, Empress Yauhmi appeared. "Secretary Zalpalatli. Is there a problem?" Yauhmi asked, slightly annoyed that she was being called again by one of her subordinates in the middle of the day.
"An update, rather, your Majesty," Zalpalatli said. "We located another Aurora, within ASI. She is named Zichitla, and she is an XS-10 clerk..."
"I trust you have made my offer to her," Yauhmi said, reaching over to a nearby bowl and popping a grape into her mouth.
"Yes. She declined, your Majesty. She wants to return to Kerlile."
Yauhmi sighed, nodding. "That is unfortunate. Go ahead and make the arrangements to return her to Kerlile."
"Um, there's a problem with that, your Majesty," Zalpalatli said. Yauhmi's lips curled upward in a sharp expression at that statement.
"Your Majesty, I must respectfully object to returning this individual to Kerlile," Calhualyana said urgently.
"Undersecretary Calhualyana. Explain," Yauhmi said in an uninviting tone.
"This person is a highly trained foreign agent who has infiltrated the Security Secretariat headquarters. We have not investigated her actions at all. It would be a major security breach to just let her go home without interrogation and investigation," Calhualyana said.
"I promised the Kerlians the Auroras could go home without harm. Do you propose to make me a liar, Undersecretary?" Yauhmi said coolly.
"I understand your promise, your Majesty, but again with respect, we must ensure our national security," Calhualyana replied.
Yauhmi's expression grew even colder. "I am well aware of the need for security. I lost a husband due to the lack of it," the Empress said. "But I made a promise. I do not break my promises. I have made my decision, and I expect everyone who is in my service to be on the same page with me and enact my decisions - without having to call me every hour."
"With respect, your Majesty, ASI serves the country, not any one particular individual, which is why I raised my objection," Calhualyana said.
Zalpalatli and Tlalmaxxi stared at Calhualyana as if she had just sprouted a second head. Their expressions said it all.
"Undersecretary Calhualyana, I am the country. Serving me is serving Xiomera, and vice-versa. I suggest you figure that out very quickly. I do not have time for people who are not all in with me, nor does the country."
A stray grape rolled off the bowl, falling onto the table. Yauhmi coolly took out a dagger and jabbed it into the grape to keep it from rolling off the table. The thunk of the dagger into the wood could be heard through the excellent video conference system.
Realizing she was in danger, Calhualyana shut up. She found herself feeling a rare emotion for an ASI agent: fear. Of both Yauhmi, and her ambition.
Into the silence, Zalpalatli spoke up. "We will execute your command at once, your Majesty."
Yauhmi cut the call off on her end, not even bothering with a reply.
Back in the conference room, after the others left, Zichitla sat back in her chair and fiddled nervously with her fingers. She had begun to believe their offer was genuine, but she was beginning to have doubts again. Perhaps it was only the silence, but she could hear her heart beating so loudly. She took some deep breaths to calm herself, and prayed to the Goddess that she would be safe.
After about 30 minutes, the door opened again. Tlalmaxxi walked into the room. Calhualyana was notably absent.
"Everything is arranged. You will be escorted home to make any arrangements needed before you leave, and do any needed packing. You'll then be placed on a flight back to Kerlile; any larger items or anything you can't pack now can be shipped back to you in Kerlile if you wish." The Crown Princess paused again. "If that's really want you want....it's still not too late to change your mind, you know."
"I do appreciate the kind offer to continue my life here," she replied carefully, relieved that they were still offering to let her leave, "but I would be living in fear that one day the offer would be rescinded. And I will not renounce my loyalty to the Matriarchy."
"I understand. I'm sorry we couldn't change your mind. But you are still welcome to return to Xiomera at any point." Tlalmaxxi turned to the open door. "Please follow the two agents who are in the hall. They will ensure your safe return to Kerlile. I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you," she said, nodding as she exited the door, nervously, still slightly worried that this was some kind of trap.
The two agents escorting Zichitla out of the Cauhloc as she finalized her affairs and prepared to leave Xiomera were polite and professional, almost to a fault. Zalpalatli, having had the fear of Empress placed into him, made sure of that.
The Cauhloc
"We found one within the Secretariat?"
Zalpalatli's voice was incredulous. The Security Secretary looked at Calhualyana, his second in command, with slight alarm.
Calhualyana looked back with an expression of equal concern. "Yes. Granted, she's only a level 10 clerk, so she shouldn't have had access to anything sensitive. Still....she's an Aurora. We can't take it for granted that she didn't acquire anything potentially damaging to us." The us, in question, being the Xiomeran Empire.
Zalpalatli sighed deeply. "We'd better hope we're very convincing, then."
---
Two hours later, on a much lower floor of the Cauhloc, a grade XS-10 clerk in the ASI Directorate of Analysis logged into her computer and began her workday. She sipped her coffee and began transcribing the endless rows of data that were a low-ranking analyst's life. She had just begun when her superior, Tlahchē, tapped her on the shoulder. "Zichitla? Can you come with me, please?"
Standing behind him were two other ASI agents. They were with Ops, not Analysis. Field agents. Crap, Zichitla thought. She briefly considered trying to run or fight her way out of the office, then remembered that she was in a fortress full of Xiomera's best agents. She instead smiled and said, "Of course, sir. Is something wrong?" Zichitla asked, walking with them down the hall to a conference room.
"No, no, we're just going to ask some questions. Everyone's being checked, you know. Orders of the new Empress, can't be too careful after her husband's assassination," Tlahchē said.
You're lying, Tlahchē, Zichitla thought. She had worked with the man long enough to learn the subtle giveaways that he displayed when he was not being truthful. But having no other option, she went with the men.
Inside the conference room, two female "analysts" sat waiting. Calhualyana was one of them. The other one was a shock to Zichitla: Tlalmaxxi, the wife of the Crown Prince. Zichitla's sense of oh shit intensified.
"Hello, Zichitla. Please have a seat. We have a few questions for you," Calhualyana said politely.
She sat down, smiling at the pair and acting as natural as she could. "Of course, what do you want to know?"
"It's not anything we need to know. Rather, it's just something we need confirmed, and we're hoping you can do that for us," Calhualyana replied in a neutral tone as the men exited the room. "We received some interesting data from one of our sources within the government of Kerlile. Perhaps you can analyze it for us." Calhualyana passed a small card over to Zichitla. On it was the same information that the Empress had received from Jennifer Hale concerning Zichitla: her Xiomeran name and her Kerlian citizen ID number.
"What can you tell us about this data?" Calhualyana asked expectantly.
She looked down at the card and her heart sank. She didn't want to think about what might happen next. "Well, I see my name and an eight-digit number. It is not much to work from," she said quietly.
"But you're one of the best analysts at your level in the entire Agency," Calhualyana said in response. "Your performance has been highly noteworthy. Surely an analyst of your caliber can extrapolate something from the information I've provided."
Zichitla squeezed one of her hands into a fist, digging her nails in slightly. She was in trouble now, there was no way out of it. "Well... it is known that some nations use eight-digit identification numbers for their citizens. Including Kerlile, and we have all heard of the threat of so-called Auroras recently. In another context I would suggest a name next to a number like that might indicate that such an individual would be one of these Auroras," she said, her voice becoming quieter and quieter until it was almost a whisper.
"It would indeed suggest that," Calhualyana said quietly. "As would your tone of voice."
Tlalmaxxi coughed slightly. "We probably don't need to draw this out. I think we all have our cards on the table," the Crown Princess said in a noticeably warmer tone than Calhualyana. "We know that you're part of the Aurora Programme, Zichitla. We're already in communication with Kerlile's government on this matter. There is no need to hide it anymore."
Zichitla took a deep breath and sat up straighter. "I will not tell you anything, regardless of what you do to me."
"I had hoped you would know us better than that by now," Tlalmaxxi said with a look of dismay. "We don't intend to harm you. Xiomera and Kerlile are not enemies, after all."
She narrowed her eyes at them. "You claim you are in communication with the Kerlian government. Did they give you my name?"
"That information.....was not provided to us by our source," Tlalmaxxi said carefully. "Only the ID number was provided, most likely for your protection. But we were provided enough information to make this assessment."
Zichitla closed her eyes. Someone from the Matriarchy had evidently sold her out, she thought. She took a shaky breath and opened her eyes. "If you do not intend to harm me, what do you intend to do?"
"We intend to offer you a choice. The Empress, in her wisdom, has seen fit to come to an arrangement with President Arnott. Any Auroras in Xiomera can return to Kerlile, if they wish, without any issues on our part. However, recognizing the value and merit of such individuals, she is also offering the opportunity to remain in Xiomera in her service. For talented and skilled individuals, the possibilities are limitless in Xiomera, as are the rewards. We're hoping that you will consider putting your talents to work here. You are Xiomeran, even if raised in Kerlile, so we're hoping you will decide to stay," the Crown Princess replied, a hopeful smile on her face.
Zichitla narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She did not trust the offer. She had been taught that capture meant torture and death, and this was too different for her to feel like it was real. "So if I was to say I wanted to return to Kerlile and walk out this door, you wouldn't stop me?" she asked, sceptically.
"Well.....we'd have to escort you out, to be sure, but yes, essentially," Tlalmaxxi said softly. "You would be allowed to return to Kerlile without repercussion. That is the promise the Empress has made."
"And my alternative is to... stay here? Continue with my job, even though you know what I am?"
"Yes. You would be asked to swear loyalty to the Empress and to Xiomera, but yes. What you are - who you are - is not a negative thing, in our estimation," Tlalmaxxi replied. "In fact, it could lead to great things, both for Xiomera and for yourself. With your skills, you certainly wouldn't remain a clerk for long."
She sat, and looked down. She wondered whether or not the offer was genuine. If it was, she had made her decision. If not, then whatever scheme they had concocted would be revealed soon enough. "I am loyal to the Matriarchy," she said. "And I wish to return there."
Tlalmaxxi seemed saddened by this decision. "Is there nothing I can say that would convince you otherwise?"
"I don't understand why you want me to stay," she replied. "You would surely always doubt my loyalties."
"Blood is thicker than water, as they say," Tlalmaxxi replied. "Xiomera is the land of your ancestors. In all the world, there is only one Xiomera. Wherever Xiomerans may live, or whatever may become of them, this is always their home. Even if they have left it, or never knew it, they can always come home again. So the Empress has declared," Tlalmaxxi replied, a clear sense of pride in both Yauhmi, and Xiomera, in her voice. "That is what drives us to make this offer. Just as the Empress is, in a way, a mother to all Xiomerans, this land is their motherland, whether they believe it or not. That's why."
"I..." Zichitla hesitated. She was beginning to believe the offer was genuine, but it wasn't enough. "I am loyal to Kerlile. I do not know the reasons why my ancestors left Xiomera, or even who they were, but I have a purpose and since I can no longer serve that purpose here, I must return home. To the Matriarchy."
"I understand. If you change your mind....you know where Xiomera is. Even if you leave, you can always come back," Tlalmaxxi said.
Calhualyana stood up. "We will need to make arrangements for your return. Please wait here," she said, a neutral expression on her face.
Tlalmaxxi seemed surprised by Calhualyana standing up, but smiled politely at Zichitla and followed her out of the room.
Once out of the room, and out of earshot of Zichitla, Calhualyana walked to an elevator. "Where are you going?" Tlalmaxxi said, confused.
"To see the Secretary. This is not acceptable. Zichitla cannot be allowed to leave."
"The Empress made our position very clear," Tlalmaxxi said.
"The other Auroras were different. This one was inside the Security Secretariat," Calhualyana replied.
"She was just a clerk," Tlalmaxxi protested.
Calhualyana snorted. "There is no way of knowing how much a trained agent could have infiltrated ASI, even in such a low-ranking position. It is too much of a risk."
Tlalmaxxi knew Calhualyana wouldn't be convinced to drop the matter by a mere analyst, even one who happened to be a Crown Princess. She rode up to the top floor in silence with the Undersecretary.
When they reached his office, Zalpalatli was waiting for them, an expectant look on his face. "She said no," Tlalmaxxi said. The Security Secretary sighed. "Very well. We should prepare to return her to Kerlile then - "
"I have serious concerns about letting her leave," Calhualyana said. "She was working in ASI. We haven't properly assessed what knowledge she may have obtained from her position, or what infiltration she may have committed. We must, at a minimum, do a proper investigation of all that before we release her."
"She was only a clerk. She's a twenty-two year old kid," Tlalmaxxi said plaintively.
"She is a highly trained foreign agent," Calhualyana snapped, giving Tlalmaxxi a look that clearly branded her as naive.
Zalpalatli sighed again. "Calhualyana, I'm touched that you think so highly of me, but we all know it's not my decision," he said wryly. He turned to his desk, dialing up a quick video-conference.
Eventually, on one of the wall screens behind him, Empress Yauhmi appeared. "Secretary Zalpalatli. Is there a problem?" Yauhmi asked, slightly annoyed that she was being called again by one of her subordinates in the middle of the day.
"An update, rather, your Majesty," Zalpalatli said. "We located another Aurora, within ASI. She is named Zichitla, and she is an XS-10 clerk..."
"I trust you have made my offer to her," Yauhmi said, reaching over to a nearby bowl and popping a grape into her mouth.
"Yes. She declined, your Majesty. She wants to return to Kerlile."
Yauhmi sighed, nodding. "That is unfortunate. Go ahead and make the arrangements to return her to Kerlile."
"Um, there's a problem with that, your Majesty," Zalpalatli said. Yauhmi's lips curled upward in a sharp expression at that statement.
"Your Majesty, I must respectfully object to returning this individual to Kerlile," Calhualyana said urgently.
"Undersecretary Calhualyana. Explain," Yauhmi said in an uninviting tone.
"This person is a highly trained foreign agent who has infiltrated the Security Secretariat headquarters. We have not investigated her actions at all. It would be a major security breach to just let her go home without interrogation and investigation," Calhualyana said.
"I promised the Kerlians the Auroras could go home without harm. Do you propose to make me a liar, Undersecretary?" Yauhmi said coolly.
"I understand your promise, your Majesty, but again with respect, we must ensure our national security," Calhualyana replied.
Yauhmi's expression grew even colder. "I am well aware of the need for security. I lost a husband due to the lack of it," the Empress said. "But I made a promise. I do not break my promises. I have made my decision, and I expect everyone who is in my service to be on the same page with me and enact my decisions - without having to call me every hour."
"With respect, your Majesty, ASI serves the country, not any one particular individual, which is why I raised my objection," Calhualyana said.
Zalpalatli and Tlalmaxxi stared at Calhualyana as if she had just sprouted a second head. Their expressions said it all.
"Undersecretary Calhualyana, I am the country. Serving me is serving Xiomera, and vice-versa. I suggest you figure that out very quickly. I do not have time for people who are not all in with me, nor does the country."
A stray grape rolled off the bowl, falling onto the table. Yauhmi coolly took out a dagger and jabbed it into the grape to keep it from rolling off the table. The thunk of the dagger into the wood could be heard through the excellent video conference system.
Realizing she was in danger, Calhualyana shut up. She found herself feeling a rare emotion for an ASI agent: fear. Of both Yauhmi, and her ambition.
Into the silence, Zalpalatli spoke up. "We will execute your command at once, your Majesty."
Yauhmi cut the call off on her end, not even bothering with a reply.
Back in the conference room, after the others left, Zichitla sat back in her chair and fiddled nervously with her fingers. She had begun to believe their offer was genuine, but she was beginning to have doubts again. Perhaps it was only the silence, but she could hear her heart beating so loudly. She took some deep breaths to calm herself, and prayed to the Goddess that she would be safe.
After about 30 minutes, the door opened again. Tlalmaxxi walked into the room. Calhualyana was notably absent.
"Everything is arranged. You will be escorted home to make any arrangements needed before you leave, and do any needed packing. You'll then be placed on a flight back to Kerlile; any larger items or anything you can't pack now can be shipped back to you in Kerlile if you wish." The Crown Princess paused again. "If that's really want you want....it's still not too late to change your mind, you know."
"I do appreciate the kind offer to continue my life here," she replied carefully, relieved that they were still offering to let her leave, "but I would be living in fear that one day the offer would be rescinded. And I will not renounce my loyalty to the Matriarchy."
"I understand. I'm sorry we couldn't change your mind. But you are still welcome to return to Xiomera at any point." Tlalmaxxi turned to the open door. "Please follow the two agents who are in the hall. They will ensure your safe return to Kerlile. I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you," she said, nodding as she exited the door, nervously, still slightly worried that this was some kind of trap.
The two agents escorting Zichitla out of the Cauhloc as she finalized her affairs and prepared to leave Xiomera were polite and professional, almost to a fault. Zalpalatli, having had the fear of Empress placed into him, made sure of that.
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