The night had barely lifted when the soft crunch of footsteps echoed outside Kent's bamboo pavilion. The cauldron that hovered at his side rumbled faintly, sensing a presence. Kent, seated cross-legged inside, opened his eyes before the door even creaked.
Vice Matriarch Kim entered without ceremony. Her usually severe face was shadowed, her gaze carrying the weight of sleepless hours. She stood tall, but her hands were clasped tightly, as though she held something she did not want to show.
"Kent King," she said evenly. "We need to talk."
Kent rose slowly, his wives stirring in the background, and Fatty Ben rubbing his eyes with a grunt. The cauldron drifted closer to him like a loyal beast. "Vice Matriarch Kim," he replied with calm courtesy, "what matter drags you here before the sun?"
Her eyes flickered to the cauldron, then to the glass vial on the table where the potion still shimmered faintly, arcs of lightning dancing inside. "You know why I'm here. That potion."
