"In the end, I said yes," Alpheo muttered, swallowing down the last figs of the season and chasing it with a sip of watered wine.
It was late morning, the sun already warm, and he and Jarza had taken to a small table near the window edge for a snack. The spread was simple, bread, figs, cheese, but Jarza seemed far less interested in the food than in the thoughts swirling behind Alpheo's calm face.
"Oh, shit," Jarza blurted, eyes widening. "So now we're allies of the Romelia?" He let out a low whistle before breaking into a laugh. "Gods, from slaves of the Empire to their allies. What the fuck happened to the world?"
