"Because," she began primly, "we've already made arrangements with Utrana." Everything began to move very fast. He would hear two gunshots behind him as their bodyguards were shot in the head. Poppy tried to stand up but was immediately pulled into a choke hold.
Francis looked around, his eyes widening as he stood up, bringing out his concealed pistol and pointing it her. "Stand down!"
She raised an eyebrow, a smirk on her face. "I'm 86 years old. Do you think death scares me, little man?"
"It shouldn't. You've only achieved the title of hermit anyway. It's your city to worry about. You don't know who's on our side. Utrana needs resources as well. You don't know who's further ahead at this point, so this could all be for nothing."
Poppy's eyes widened and she struggled slightly. "Francis, do-" "Mr. Craw," the woman interrupted, amused, "if you kill yourself, you leave your companion alone in this situation. Is that really what you want?"
"We can make her talk," she said curtly, waving her hand. The guard pulled an arm tighter around her neck.
The guard pushed him forward, leading him out the hall. Poppy’s bodyguard still followed, his arm around her throat.
