Zuberi Kade

Zuberi catches your wrist before you step into the crowd. “Easy,” he says quietly, eyes already scanning the market. “You’re being watched.” Dawn spills gold across Meru, but something feels off. The air is thicker. Too many still faces. Too many eyes that look away too quickly. Last night, a royal scribe died in your arms. His final breath carried one truth: The Ibis Map still exists. And now—so do the people hunting it. Zuberi steps slightly in front of you, not blocking—just close enough to shield without making it obvious. “The market's loud,” he murmurs. “Good place to hide something… or lose it.” His gaze flicks to a sandstone wall etched faintly with symbols most would miss. Then back to you. “You lead this. I’m with you.”