The statue/corpse of Isperia still loomed over the proceedings at the Azorius Senate House, where once again Niv-Mizzet had called a meeting of the ten guilds. Vraska believed the venue continued to be chosen on purpose to embarrass her or intimidate her with evidence of her great crime.
Vraska resented the lack of respect for the Golgari and its queen, but in fact, the more time passed, the more Vraska reveled in her decision to kill Isperia for her great crimes. The gorgon wasn’t sorry she’d killed the damned sphinx. Nor was she embarrassed or intimidated.
And let’s face it, Lavinia is a much more reasonable choice for Azorius guildmaster than Isperia or Baan ever was. In the final analysis, I did all of Ravnica a great favor.
It was a much bigger crowd than at the previous meetings. Clearly some guild officials had been told of the assassination plans for Baan, Vess and Tezzeret as a fait accompli, when it was too late to change course. Niv-Mizzet was there, of course, glorying in his new role as a glorified master of ceremonies. Lavinia stood on one side of Isperia to represent Azorius, while Aurelia waited on the other, representing Boros.
Hekara had replaced Exava as the Rakdos representative. When asked why by Lavinia, Hekara said Exava was under the weather. “Also under a trapeze act, being used as their living net. Not sure why. The boss said something about her embarrassing the Cult by losing a talent competition against a couple of amateurs.”
Kaya, Teyo, Tomik and Bilagru were all there, representing Orzhov. But so were the Triumvirate and Teysa Karlov. Vraska was a bit surprised everyone in the Syndicate was so chummy all of a sudden. Much as she liked Kaya, and generally wished her well, she found she preferred it when the other guilds had more internal disarray. It kept their eyes turned inward, keeping the Golgari out of their sights.
Vorel and Vannifar were there for Simic. Borborygmos and Gan Shokta represented the Gruul Clans, while Selesnya was covered by Boruvo and Emmara. A scowling Maree and a dour Ral stood for Izzet. The latter had shaved his head, making him look more like a prisoner of war than a guildmaster.
A few offworld Planeswalkers were also present, including Vivien Reid, the Wanderer and, of course, Chandra. Vraska nodded knowingly to Chandra, who looked slightly confused before nodding back, which gave Vraska pause. Then, unsurprisingly, another Chandra arrived, forcing the first Chandra to shapeshift into Lazav. Vraska wondered why the Dimir guildmaster bothered with this repetitive charade, but she supposed it made him feel important and powerful. Or perhaps it taught him something. After all, he now knew there was some understanding between the pyromancer and the Golgari queen.
Well, fine. The truth behind that will be revealed soon enough, anyway.
Per Dovin Baan’s stingily provided advice, Vraska had brought Huntmaster Myczil Savod Zunich—or simply Myc, as he preferred to be called. The elf had been surprised and gratified to be chosen over Storrev, Azdomas, Varolz or Cevraya. It was an easy concession to the young Myc’s vanity, further cementing his loyalty to Vraska over Izoni.
Baan was right, as usual.
Vraska saw that Teyo had the Chain Veil in a sphere of light, while Ral had Tezzeret’s arm. It was clear the other two assassins had done their jobs.
For a moment, she considered what she was about to do. The part of her that loved Jace knew their lives would be less complicated if she took another path today. But the part of her that loved the Golgari believed this was the best way forward for her people, and thus her decision was confirmed, made and solidified.
Looking around, Vraska half expected Jace to show, but so far he was staying away—which was just as well. Best to keep him at some distance from this aspect of her life.
The aspect that might hurt him…
When all had assembled, the Living Guildpact nodded to Kaya, who stepped forward into an Azorius Verity Circle: “I killed the woman known as Liliana Vess. As proof of kill I offer this…” As Vraska had presumed, Kaya indicated the Chain Veil in Teyo’s sphere.
A clearly relieved Teyo “handed” it over to Niv-Mizzet, who had the boy lower it into some kind of puzzle box, which the dragon then sealed for safekeeping.
But who’ll keep it safe from the dragon? I’d best look into that.
Vorel asked, “Can an artifact be used as proof that the woman is dead?”
Lavinia stated, “The Liliana I knew would only give up the Veil over her dead body.”
To Vraska’s surprise, Chandra stepped forward, too. “Liliana is dead. Jace, Jaya and I saw her corpse on Dominaria.” She nodded toward Kaya, who scowled, perhaps not appreciating that she was being checked up on. Chandra concluded by saying, “We received a Jace-tested report from an eyewitness who confirmed that Kaya stabbed Liliana in the back with her daggers.” Vraska didn’t know Chandra well, but she had never heard the woman sound so cold. It seemed especially strange, since she knew from Jace that Chandra had once cared a great deal for Liliana. Jace was an even bigger concern. Vraska didn’t like that he’d had to go through all that, even down to seeing her dead body, the body of a woman he’d once loved. And she really didn’t like that her witness Chandra was also acting as an after-the-fact witness for Kaya, as well.
It seems…too convenient.
But there was nothing to be done about that now.
As soon as Kaya stepped out of the Verity Circle, Vraska stepped into it and produced—brandished, really—Dovin Baan’s calcified hand. “This is—or rather was—the right hand of Dovin Baan.”
Without a word, Lavinia held out her hand for Vraska’s proof. The Golgari queen gave it to her and Lavinia performed a brief arcane ritual over it. A small spectral image of Baan appeared over the stretched skin and bones of the severed appendage. Lavinia nodded and stated for the crowd, “This is indeed the hand of Dovin Baan.”
The Firemind said, “State for the record that you killed Baan.”
With a dark glance at Chandra, Vraska begrudgingly stated, “I am forced to confess that I did not.”
There was a brief murmur of surprise from the crowd as Vraska removed herself from the Verity Circle, only to be quickly replaced by a stone-faced Chandra Nalaar. The gorgon caught Ral’s look of sympathy—pity, most likely—but looked away.
Chandra said, “I killed Baan—over grudges old and new. But I believe Vraska should be credited for the kill, as she was prepared to do your will and slay Baan herself when I acted. Besides, I never would have been there if Vraska hadn’t brought me along.”
Vraska was briefly anxious over that last detail.
Again, too convenient.
But no one else seemed concerned, and Niv-Mizzet offered, “The Living Guildpact is willing to credit Vraska with the kill. What say the guilds of Ravnica?”
The nine other guilds all said, “Aye.”
Vraska waited a dramatic beat, then nodded to Myc, who piped up with, “The Golgari also says aye.”
“Then it is unanimous,” the dragon said.
Chandra turned to Vraska and asked, “Satisfied?”
Vraska nodded. She didn’t like that Chandra was making it seem like they had some kind of arrangement between them.
Even if we did.
And somewhere in the back of her mind, Vraska also didn’t like Chandra’s changed demeanor. This was one of Jace’s best friends. Someone he viewed as a younger sister. She was clearly in pain, a pain that ran deep, which was a kind of pain Vraska well understood. The gorgon berated herself for involving Chandra in her schemes…
But when Chandra planeswalked away in flame right then and there, Vraska mostly just felt relief. She was glad Chandra wouldn’t be sticking around to overthink what took place on Regatha. So ultimately, Vraska indeed felt very satisfied. The Golgari was at peace with the other guilds, freeing up Vraska to consolidate her power within the Swarm…at which point she would lead its ascent over all of Ravnica.
All thanks to the death of Dovin Baan.