04/ The diversion

A few tables across where the lights desperately tried not to shine too brightly, Wei surveyed her surroundings. The distance to the door, the windows and even the counter was chosen carefully. Her table offered the exact right position to either strike swiftly, take cover or retreat strategically if need be without relying on someone's help yet again.

The memory of being held at sword's point because she had made a beginner's mistake pained her more than that exact sword's pointy tip slowly piercing the outer layers of her neck's skin, its wielder ready to deliver the final blow.

Sitting here because she owed her life to a diplomat pretending to stumble into a market stall creating the rowdiest tumult and merriest brawl the city had seen in a long time was the real pain. Her amateurish sidestep had brought shame on her and now she had to pay this painful debt.