Renato calmly and objectively recounted the entire destruction of the Duwa Family.
He had prepared his account long beforehand. Facing the Matron Mother's questioning, the Swordsman stood in the doorway, his right hand still held against his chest. His tone was measured and unhurried, as though he were reporting on the most routine of tasks.
Renato made no attempt to conceal anything from a suspicious, sadistic High Priestess, nor did he try to absolve himself.
He knew that lying to someone like Quelyn was foolish. Her informants were scattered throughout the family and beyond. Drow soldiers, commoner Priestesses, and even seemingly insignificant servants could all be her eyes and ears.
So Renato told her everything he could: his duel with the Weapon Master, the invitation that followed, and his reasons for going on the "mission."
The Nightwind Matron Mother said nothing, only occasionally inhaling from the incense burner in her hand and exhaling pale purple smoke.
After Renato finished his account, Quelyn's expression remained unchanged as she asked:
"Since Aknath gave you a choice and told you my orders... did you deliberately defy my will to challenge the Nightwind Matron Mother's authority?"
The heads of the Nine-Headed Snake Whip suddenly extended. Nine animated adamantine vipers shot out from the handle, instantly surrounding Renato.
Nine pairs of serpentine eyes burning with faerie fire stared at the Swordsman from different directions. Their slit pupils narrowed as they hissed and bared their fangs.
Venomous saliva dripped from their mouths onto the floor, sizzling as it ate into the surface and sent up white smoke.
Renato did not panic. He stood perfectly still.
If the Nightwind Matron Mother truly wanted to act, she would never rely on a few vipers from her Serpent Whip to deal with him.
Such displays of menace were a