Iorrjaer

Chapter 18

Victor had but stepped outside when Captain Alan approached him. The Captain was still high on his purpose and from his encounter with the Raven. Victor stopped and greeted his Captain but Alan wanted nothing to do with pleasantries.
"Sir, I have to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"The weapons that I confiscated. They are not normal. I would venture that they are more than powerful enough to hinder our plans. The only weapon that is normal is the girl-paladin's sword and shield. The others are for warriors far greater than mere escorts. The axe is of real concern."
"The axe? To whom does the axe belong?"
"I cannot say for sure. But I would venture that it belongs to the orc or the biggest of the humans - just because of its size alone." He took special care in reciting the description of the mark on the axe.
Victor looked pensive. "Thank you, Captain. You've done well to bring this to me. I want you to secure where you keep the weapons. Double the guard if you have to. We must keep them neutralized."
"I agree. However, more could be done if we knew for sure whose weapons were whose. I say, I said, just tell me who the axe belongs to."
"Remember who you are talking to, captain."
"Sorry, sir. I say, I apologize."
Victor said nothing and grabbed Alan's head. He pulled him in and held him tightly as he inspected the bulge in Alan's neck. It was a little bigger and showed definite signs of engorgement.
"Looks good," Victor said, continuing his examination. "Just remember that the more you act the more they'll get suspicious."
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
"Dismissed, captain. I need your eyes on that party. Make sure they don't get suspicious and decide to wander around. Just so happens that we have a guest that might be able to help. I'll get you the information you need, shortly."

Alan pivoted and started his way back to the town and Victor returned to his study when his head butler knocked and asked for permission to enter.
"You know you don't have to knock to enter, Daniel." Victor said, not looking up from his desk. He was going over the forms that Yophiel had brought. They were all in order and stamped but there was something that he just could not put his finger on.
He had stepped out to see how the rest of the party was acclimating and had caught some of them showing signs of magic-sickness. Something that Granna had been preparing to silence those that were in tune with the magical currents. He was pleased to see that it was working and that they were finding their way into the house that they had prepared for them. He was not sure what would happen once inside but he knew that Granna would be taking care of it.
"Of course, sire." Dan's words brought him back to the present.
"What's on your mind? You look pensive?" His staff, Dan and Emma included, had refused the ziggurat's gift. Granna had marked Emma with one in the way of punishment for her betrayal in trying to help Cid and Shanna. Victor's larva squirmed a little and Victor fought its influence. Dan had a different purpose.
"It is the girl that you allowed in. She is rather, how can I say this delicately?"
"Don't."
"She is rather quite the brat."
Victor laughed. "She is, isn't she? Where is she?"
"She demanded a bath and wouldn't bathe until Emma saw to her."
Victor looked up to his old butler. "And?"
Daniel sighed. He decided that pretense was useless: "Will the girl be a part of the plan?"
This surprised Victor and got his attention. He regarded his butler a little more carefully and realized that it was more than likely people as astute as Daniel would have figured out what was going on.

"I hadn't thought of it. But now that you mention it,"

"What girl?" Granna asked. She was stooped a little more than normal, and looked as if

she was having issues controlling her illusion.
"Ah, mother. I trust all is well with the party and their accommodations?"
Daniel looked momentarily horrified.
"Yes, yes." Granna said, ignoring Daniel completely. As the feast and the eclipse drew nearer, Granna's interests were becoming more focused. She did not have time for those that were not going to be a part of her new world.
"Great." Victor said. Also forgetting that Victor was present. In his mother's presence, Victor was also brought to his true self. "Another gift has presented itself to us."
"Truly?"
"Yes; she is the daughter of Torasia herself. Stepdaughter to the one and only Taphthartharath." Victor said and Dan could see his eyes change.
"What is so special about this girl?"
"She has proclaimed herself a Paladin. There is a touch of divinity about her, but it is unfocused, undefined. She claims that non-humans are filthy - impure."
"Is it so? Another vessel has graced us? How kind Kêdêmel is to us! Surely, he has the utmost confidence in us to see his will fulfilled tonight. Bring me to this girl, my son."
"She now bathes, but I will see that you two meet."