Crusader Civil War (Happy New Year's Eve)

"Lady Eve has arrived."

The shrill-voiced chief chamberlain, a pale, beardless eunuch, announced loudly as he led a witch into the hall.

The newcomer had a wild tangle of unkempt hair and gave off an unpleasant odor. Who knew how many days she had holed up in the library without bathing even once?

Though Basilissa had long heard Anna's assessment of this lady, the sight of her still made her vision go dark.

With a mournful expression, the chief chamberlain said, "My apologies, Your Majesty. Lady Eve adamantly refused to bathe before coming to see you."

Lady Eve clearly did not enjoy dealing with outsiders. She looked around uneasily, clutching at the hem of her dress, as though she wished she could immediately leave this magnificent hall and return to the dark library.

Basilissa felt as though she were facing a beggar. Suppressing her discomfort, she forced herself to flatter her. "I had long heard that Lady Eve was innately wise and unconcerned with trivialities. Seeing you today, I find the rumors entirely true. Now that the Latin Crusaders have betrayed their alliance and joined forces with the Venetians, and Anna is not nearby, I ask Lady Eve to advise me on how to repel the enemy."

"Ah, the Latins are attacking? When are we running away? Ah, no, that won't do. There are still so many books in the Imperial Library. If we run, what will happen to them?"

Lady Eve asked in a complete panic.

Basilissa felt her vision darken again. If Anna had not specifically instructed her otherwise, she would never have entrusted the defense of the imperial capital to someone who seemed so utterly unreliable.

"Lady Eve, the Empire stands at a critical juncture between life and death, but we are not without cards to play.