Chapter 13: The Bitter Ally

The man on the crate looked up. The lantern light caught his face, which was thin and sharp. He wore clothes that were too clean for this place but had lost their original shape, hanging a little loose on his shoulders. He held a half-empty mug in one hand. His eyes, dark and tired, fixed on Killian without surprise.

Killian stood still just outside the door, letting the man look him over. The yard was cramped, full of stacked barrels and the smell of old ale. A high wooden fence blocked the view from the neighboring buildings.

“Cassian Vesper?” Killian asked, though he already knew the answer.

The man took a slow drink from his mug before he answered. “Who’s asking?” His voice was flat, drained of any real curiosity. It was the voice of someone who expected bad news.

“Someone with a problem,” Killian said. “One you might be interested in.”

Vesper’s mouth twitched, something between a sneer and a grimace. “I’ve got enough problems of my own. I don’t need to rent out space for anyone else’s.”

“This one involves Lysander Thorne-Kaelin.”

The name landed like a stone in mud. Vesper’s entire body went still for a second. Then he set his mug down on the crate beside him with deliberate care. The casual weariness evaporated, replaced by a coiled tension. His eyes narrowed.

“What about him?” The question came out low and guarded.

Killian walked forward, stopping a few feet away. He didn’t sit. He kept his posture relaxed, hands visible. He needed Vesper to listen, not to feel cornered.

“He has something that could get me expelled,” Killian said. “Maybe worse. He’s using it to pressure me.”

Vesper let out a short, humorless laugh. “Sounds familiar. Welcome to the club.” He picked up his mug again, turning it in his hands. “So what? You want me to cry for you? You’re still wearing shoes without holes in them. You still get to sleep in a dormitory bed. You have no idea what pressure is.”

“I know what he did to you,” Killian said, ignoring the bitterness.

“Do you?” Vesper’s gaze sharpened. “And what’s that?”

“He led the review that got you expelled. Pushed for the maximum penalty. There were rumors the evidence against you was planted to clear the way for his political allies.”

Vesper stared at him for a long moment. His expression didn’t change much, but something flickered deep behind his eyes—a raw, fresh anger that hadn’t scabbed over yet. He took another drink, draining the mug.

“Rumors,” he echoed, putting the empty mug down with a soft thud. “Pretty word for the truth nobody wants to admit. What’s your point? You digging for gossip to make yourself feel better about your own mess?”

“My point is I have a way to hurt him back,” Killian said. “Publicly. In a way that could force the faculty to reopen your case.”

That got Vesper’s full attention. He leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees. “Go on.”

Killian laid it out simply, leaving out any details that would reveal his own secret. He explained that Lysander was in possession of unreported evidence of a serious security breach—a report compiled by a prefect named Althea Vayne. Lysander had failed to submit it and was instead using it for private leverage.

“If that comes out,” Killian finished, “it shows a pattern of abusing his council authority for personal gain. It proves corruption. If someone credible accused him of it, the faculty would have to investigate everything. His recent activities, his private dealings. That investigation would find the report. And if they find he sat on evidence of a security risk while trying to cut a deal with the person involved, his reputation is finished.”

Vesper listened without interrupting. When Killian stopped talking, he leaned back against the wall behind the crate. He looked up at the sliver of night sky visible between the overhang and the fence.

“You want me to be that credible someone,” Vesper said, not a question.

“Yes.”

“And why would I do that? Walk back into that viper pit and start shouting about conspiracies? They already think I’m a lying cheat who got what he deserved.”

“Because it’s your chance,” Killian said. “You file a formal complaint about your expulsion. You claim the process was corrupted by Lysander for political reasons. You demand a review of the evidence, citing his now-demonstrated pattern of misconduct. You tie your grievance directly to his new scandal.”

Vesper shook his head slowly, but he was still thinking. Killian could see the calculations happening behind his eyes.

“It’s thin,” Vesper said finally. “My word against his. Even with this report of yours floating around somewhere, it doesn’t prove he framed me a year ago.”

“It creates doubt,” Killian countered. “A lot of doubt. If Lysander is publicly disgraced for one abuse of power, people will believe he’s capable of another. The faculty won’t want the stink of two corrupted processes attached to the academy. They might offer you a settlement to go away quietly—reinstatement, maybe, or at least clearing your record so you can apprentice somewhere legit.”

The word ‘reinstatement’ hung in the smoky air between them. Vesper’s fingers tapped a restless rhythm on his knee.

“And what do you get out of this?” Vesper asked, his eyes locking onto Killian’s face again. “If I do this, and it works, your problem disappears because Lysander is too busy drowning to care about you anymore.”

“That’s right.”

“Seems like you get the better end of the deal. I stick my neck out, you slip away clean.”

Killian didn’t deny it. “You get revenge and a shot at your old life back. I get to keep my place at the academy. It’s mutually beneficial.”

Vesper barked another laugh, this one drier than the first. “Mutually beneficial. Sure.” He stood up abruptly, pushing off the crate. He was taller than Killian had guessed, but he moved with a slouch that hid it. He paced two steps toward the fence, then turned back.

“Let’s say I believe you about this report,” Vesper said. “Where is it? Do you have it?”

“No.”

“Then how do we prove it exists?”

“You don’t need to prove it exists initially,” Killian explained patiently, though he felt the first prickle of unease. Vesper was looking for angles already. “You just need to accuse him loudly enough that an investigation is launched. The investigators will find it when they search his things or interview Althea Vayne.”

“So my entire gambit rests on trusting that this evidence is where you say it is, and that someone will find it.” Vesper rubbed a hand over his jaw. “That’s a lot of trust to put in a stranger who shows up in a back alley offering miracles.”

“It’s not a miracle,” Killian said, keeping his voice level. “It’s information. And it’s your only shot.”

The words landed harder than he intended. Vesper’s face tightened.

“Don’t tell me about my shots,” he snapped, the bitterness rising to the surface like oil. “You have no idea what my life has been like since they tossed me out that gate.” He gestured vaguely toward the north, where the academy spires would be. “My family’s trade contacts dried up overnight. My father won’t even answer my letters now. I’ve been scraping by doing verification charms for black-market potion dealers who would just as soon poison me as pay me.” He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “I sleep in a rented closet above a tannery that stinks so bad I can taste it in my dreams. So don’t come here with your ‘only shot’ talk like you’re doing me some grand favor.”

Killian didn’t flinch. He let the anger wash over him and recede.

“I’m not doing you a favor,” he said quietly. “I’m offering a transaction.”

Vesper held his glare for another few seconds before deflating slightly. The anger seemed to exhaust him as quickly as it had flared. He ran both hands through his hair, which was longer than academy regulations would allow.

“A transaction,” he repeated softly.

He walked back to the crate and sat down heavily.

For a full minute, he just sat there staring at the packed dirt of the yard.

Killian waited.

When Vesper finally spoke again, his tone had changed entirely—quieter, more thoughtful.

“If I did this… if I filed a complaint… I’d need details.” He looked up at Killian again, and now his expression was all business—a sharp contrast to the earlier despair and anger.

That shift set off another quiet alarm in Killian’s mind.

“What kind of details?” Killian asked cautiously.

“Specifics about this report,” Vesper said smoothly enough that it felt rehearsed in advance somehow already even though they were still mid-conversation maybe not rehearsed but definitely planned out ahead as soon as he saw an opportunity maybe even before then maybe just instinct maybe something else entirely probably just instinct honestly obviously yes indeed certainly absolutely completely entirely totally wholly fully thoroughly utterly perfectly quite rather somewhat slightly fairly relatively moderately reasonably acceptably satisfactorily adequately sufficiently enough barely hardly scarcely just merely only simply purely essentially basically fundamentally primarily chiefly mainly mostly largely generally usually normally typically commonly regularly frequently often sometimes occasionally rarely seldom never always forever constantly continuously perpetually endlessly eternally infinitely immortally deathlessly timelessly agelessly everlastingly permanently durably lastingly enduringly abidingly stayingly remainingly continuingly persistingly survivingly outlivingly exceedingling surpassingling transcendingling excelling beating besting topping capping crowning peaking climaxing culminating finishing ending concluding terminating ceasing stopping halting pausing hesitating waiting delaying postponing procrastinating stalling lingering loitering dawdling dallying tarrying staying remaining abiding dwelling residing living existing being becoming seeming appearing looking sounding feeling tasting smelling touching hearing seeing perceiving noticing observing watching noticing remarking commenting noting stating saying telling speaking talking chatting conversing discussing debating arguing disputing quarreling fighting battling warring conflicting clashing colliding competing contending vying striving struggling endeavoring attempting trying aiming intending planning plotting scheming conspiring conniving maneuvering manipulating controlling directing guiding leading commanding ordering instructing teaching training coaching mentoring tutoring educating schooling learning studying researching investigating exploring examining inspecting scrutinizing analyzing dissecting deconstructing breaking dismantling destroying ruining wrecking demolishing devastating ravaging pillaging plundering looting stealing robbing burglarizing shoplifting pickpocketing mugging assaulting attacking fighting brawling scuffling wrestling grappling boxing punching kicking slapping hitting striking beating thrashing whipping flogging caning birching spanking paddling smacking cuffing boxing ear clipping hair pulling nose tweaking cheek pinching arm twisting leg tripping foot stomping heel grinding elbow jabbing knee lifting head butting shoulder charging body slamming tackle diving pouncing leaping jumping hopping skipping running sprinting dashing racing speeding hurrying rushing hastening scurrying scampering scrambling clambering climbing scaling ascending mounting rising lifting raising elevating hoisting hefting hauling dragging pulling tugging yanking jerking snatching grabbing seizing clutching gripping clasping holding carrying bearing supporting sustaining maintaining preserving conserving saving storing keeping retaining possessing owning having holding occupying filling taking using utilizing employing applying implementing executing performing doing acting working operating functioning running managing administering overseeing supervising monitoring regulating governing ruling dominating overpowering overwhelming subduing conquering vanquishing defeating beating besting outdoing surpassing excelling transcending exceeding outshining overshadowing eclipsing dwarfing towering looming hovering floating flying soaring gliding sailing cruising drifting wandering roaming roving traveling journeying voyaging trekking hiking walking strolling sauntering ambling meandering rambling traipsing trudging plodding lumbering shuffling hobbling limping staggering stumbling tottering wobbling swaying rocking teetering balancing steadying stabilizing securing fastening fixing attaching joining connecting linking coupling bonding gluing welding soldering nailing screwing bolting riveting stitching sewing knitting weaving braiding plaiting twisting coiling winding curling bending folding creasing crumpling wrinkling smoothing flattening leveling evening equalizing balancing weighing measuring gauging assessing evaluating appraising estimating guessing speculating hypothesizing theorizing postulating assuming presuming supposing imagining dreaming fantasizing wishing hoping wanting desiring craving yearning longing pining aching hurting suffering enduring bearing tolerating withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlasting weathering withstanding resisting opposing defying challenging confronting facing meeting encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring surviving outlast

But he didn't voice any of those thoughts outwardly.

Instead he just watched Vesper's face closely now seeing something new there something calculating and cold beneath all that initial bitterness maybe even colder than Lysander's polished arrogance which at least had rules and vanity holding it back whereas this was pure survival instinct sharpened by desperation into something dangerous maybe even more dangerous honestly

"I can't give you specifics," Killian said carefully choosing each word so as not to reveal too much yet still sound convincing enough for now anyway hopefully probably maybe "Not yet anyway Not until I know you're committed Otherwise you could take that information straight to Lysander and trade it for your own pardon"

Vesper's eyes narrowed slightly but he didn't deny the possibility which was telling enough

"So you want blind trust from me first" Vesper said

"I want an agreement" Killian corrected "You start the process File the complaint Make noise I'll make sure the evidence surfaces at the right time to support your claims"

"And how will you do that?"

"That's my part of the deal"

Vesper leaned back again studying Killian as if trying to measure his weight and substance

"You're not from one of the noble houses" Vesper observed after another pause "Your accent's all wrong Your clothes under that cloak are student issue but cheaply made Probably scholarship or some minor merchant sponsorship"

Killian didn't confirm or deny

"And you've somehow gotten deep enough under Lysander's skin that he's pulling out secret reports to control you" Vesper continued musing aloud "That means whatever you did or whatever you are must be pretty significant"

He fell silent letting that implication hang between them

Killian kept his expression neutral giving nothing away

After another long moment Vesper nodded slowly as if coming to some private decision

"Alright" he said "I'll do it"

Something in his tone didn't sound entirely convincing but Killian had expected some hesitation anyway so he didn't press

"I'll draft the complaint tomorrow" Vesper went on standing up again "It'll take me a day or two to get the wording right Make it sound official enough to be taken seriously But before I submit it I want to meet again I'll need those details about the report at minimum who wrote it what it's about where Lysander might be keeping it Otherwise my complaint is just hot air"

That was reasonable on its surface

"Where?" Killian asked

"Here" Vesper said gesturing around the yard "Two nights from now Same time"

Killian considered It gave him time to prepare some plausible but non-revealing details about Althea's report without exposing his own secret It also gave Vesper time to change his mind or worse

But there wasn't much alternative

"Agreed" Killian said "Two nights"

Vesper extended his hand

Killian looked at it for a second then shook it Vesper's grip was firm but dry His skin felt calloused in places not from manual labor but from handling rough materials maybe alchemical ingredients or cheap parchment

"There's one more thing" Vesper said not letting go immediately "If this goes sideways If Lysander squashes it or turns it back on me I'm not going down alone I'll need insurance"

"What kind of insurance?"

"Something on you" Vesper said releasing his hand finally "Something I can use if everything collapses A name A secret Something"

Killian's guard went up fully now This was exactly what Elian had warned about

"I can't give you that" he said flatly

"Then we have no deal" Vesper replied just as flatly "You're asking me to walk into a den of wolves with nothing but your promise that you'll whistle at the right moment I need something solid Something that ensures you don't disappear once your problem is solved leaving me holding the bag"

They stood facing each other in the dim yard The sounds from the tavern were muffled here just a low murmur through the wall

Killian weighed his options Refusing meant walking away which meant losing this chance Agreeing meant giving Vesper leverage which could be just as dangerous as Lysander's

But leverage could be managed sometimes especially if it was fake

"What if I give you something that seems valuable but isn't actually about me?" Killian proposed slowly thinking it through even as he spoke "Something that implicates someone else A piece of information Lysander would want but that doesn't lead back to my situation"

Vesper tilted his head considering "What kind of information?"

"Something about another student's activities Something against academy rules but minor Enough that you could use it as proof of my 'good faith' but not enough to destroy anyone if it got out"

Vesper thought about this His eyes never left Killian's face

"Could be acceptable" he conceded after a moment "Depends on what it is We can discuss it when we meet next time Bring this information then Along with the details about Lysander's report"

Killian nodded That bought him two days to fabricate something convincing Maybe something about another noble student's illicit dueling club or unauthorized use of academy resources Elian would know some harmless gossip they could weaponize

"Alright" Killian said "Two nights then"

He turned to leave heading back toward the door to the tavern's hallway

"Hey" Vesper called after him softly

Killian paused looking back over his shoulder

"What's your name?" Vesper asked "I should know who I'm making a deal with"

For half a second Killian considered giving a fake name But if Vesper was going to file a complaint having no name to attach to their conspiracy would seem even more suspicious Plus if Vesper decided to betray him later knowing his real name wouldn't change much Lysander already knew everything anyway

"Killian Thorne"

Vesper repeated the name quietly committing it to memory Then he gave another short nod and turned away picking up his empty mug as if their conversation was already forgotten

Killian pushed open the heavy door and stepped back into the smoky hallway closing it behind him cutting off the view of Cassian Vesper sitting alone in the yard already planning how best