"I refuse," Meilyr declared.
Simo froze, bemused, "Huh? You haven't even heard it yet."
"Why would I want to hear any proposal from someone like you? You just killed your allies with no hint of remorse. That's a red flag if I've ever seen one."
"Red flag?" Simo tilted his head. "You speak strangely. Anyhow, you won't stumble on another opportunity like this, you know."
"Whatever it is, how can I guarantee that you won't stab me in the back?"
"You have my word—" He jumped to the ground, landing with an elegant bow, "—that I won't seek to harm you in any way."
Meilyr smiled behind his mask, feeling the stir in the flow of Mana. A verbal oath between magi was binding, though he couldn't drop his guard even with its establishment.
