Sideboard Stories: Next Chapter Preview · 5:05am Feb 13th, 2021
Currently I’m working on the next chapter of Sideboard Stories, a continuation of Thick as Thieves. Here’s a preview of what I have written... as usual, expect spoilers below the break.
With all the subtlety of an Orgg in an antique shop, Dack Fayden barged through the door. The tiny apartment was filthy, as to be expected of anywhere in the Undercity, but despite its dirty and moss-covered interior it was decorated with a surprising level of care. Dack would almost call it cozy if it weren’t covered in grime.
But that didn’t matter. What mattered was the person he came to see, sitting in an armchair, quietly sipping her tea. Her eyes glowed a sickly green as they narrowed, and Dack could feel their piercing gaze, even as he instinctively avoided making eye direct contact with them.
“Hello again, Dack,” said the gorgon. “I hope you don’t make a habit of barging into my home without knocking.”
Dack did not acknowledge Vraska’s statement. “You owe me an explanation,” he said. He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a single newspaper clipping, and forcefully slammed it onto the coffee table between the two of them. On it, a single headline: “Orzhov bishop Adipex found murdered in bedchamber”
Vraska raised an eyebrow. Dack simply stared back — but not too closely.
“Well?” said Dack. “Explain yourself.”
Vraska took an audible sip of her tea. “You were injured. Starving. I offered you hospitality in exchange for a job. And you performed it quite well, from the looks of it.”
“You told me to scope out the bishop’s home and find any weaknesses in its security,” Dack retorted. “You never told me it was for an assassination.”
Vraska frowned. “And what were you expecting, Dack? A simple burglary?”
Wha— YES, of course I thought it was for a burglary! Dack silently shot back. Do you have any idea how much gold the average Orzhov bishop has?
Vraska took another sip of her tea. “You don’t need to answer. I can tell this is not the outcome you were expecting. But let me give you some advice, Dack.”
“I appreciate what you’ve done for me, miss, but I don’t think I want your advice.”
“Too bad. It’s within your best interest that you hear it. You won’t be able to survive off of petty theft and the kindness of strangers forever, Dack. Sooner or later, you’ll be caught....” her eyes glanced briefly at Dack’s right hand, and her lips curled upward, into a thin smirk. “...well, I’m sure you know the saying.”
Dack rolled his eyes. Never heard THAT one before.
“My point is, everyone’s luck runs out eventually. No one can run forever. Not even a planeswalker. Not even the self-proclaimed Greatest Thief in the Multiverse.”
It took a moment for Dack to fully register what had just been said to him, but when it did it brought his train of thought to a sudden crashing halt.
Dack froze, not even realizing he was suddenly staring straight into Vraska’s eyes. Wait, how did she — oh, bloody hell, don’t tell me she’s one too!
Vraska gave a light chuckle, one that sent a tinge down Dack’s spine. He averted his gaze, thankful that the gorgon had not chosen not to exercise her stony will.
“The Multiverse is not fair, Dack. Not in Ravinica, or anywhere else. And if you continue to push your luck, you will die. That is why you have to force the Multiverse to be fair.”
The funny thing is, while Twilight would dispute almost every part of Vraska's philosophy, she'd agree that it takes a lot of work to make the world a better place. Though she'd phrase it as teaching the Multiverse to be fair.
But seriously, Dack, she's one of the greatest assassins on that plane or any other. What did you think she was going to do?
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Did he actually know who she was, though? Killing rich people without even bothering to take their stuff is more Gruul than Golgari.
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Well, this scene takes place considerably before the events of Return to Ravnica, before whispers of the Unseen One had become widespread chatter in the Undercity