Entropy's Servant

Chapter 48 - Reasoning

Hello everyone, Astaroth here.
As you might expect, the divinity of 'fire' doesn't just include fire.
Of course, the Aspects of Affection and Ashes are also part of it, but an intrinsic part of heat is that it purifies things, isn't it?
After all, back on earth, paladins would often use flames of purification and such in games, wouldn't they.

I stepped away from the quivering masses of gloom and despair that could be roughly described as 'elves' and left the room, coming face-to-face with Davna. I shut the door behind me as quickly as I could.

"Master, what were those sounds?" she asked, curiously trying to peer behind me at a closed door.

"Nothing," I lied. "I see you all have been waiting for me," I continued, looking at the group of four.

"Yes," Charlotte said, "about that... I am afraid there is some bad news, Milord."

"Elaborate."

"The drakonid and the elf who were absent have been unable to be located," Charlotte said, fidgeting with her hands as she turned her gaze to the floor.

I noted the drakonid and elf I had charged with finding the absentees were not present.

"Can't find!" Navillus said, shaking her head left and right. The direct result was a dirty wall.

I wiped the slime off my face before responding. "Heh. Don't worry about it," I said, lightly stroking Charlotte on the head for a few moments before retracting my hand. "There is no reason for you to take responsibility for others' mistakes if they are not your subordinates."

"But even so..."

I placed a hand on her shoulder. "With Davna and Lilith, you take on enough responsibility already. Take a break every once in a while."

Davna tilted her head, looking a little befuddled.

"That's right," Tempest said, "be a little less responsible sometimes." I momentarily raised an eyebrow at her choice of words.

"Well," Charlotte said, hesitantly looking me in the eyes, "if you say so, Milord, Tempest..."

I chuckled. "What, has your hearing gone bad? There's no 'if'."

It seemed my laughter was infectious. "My ears are fine, but thank you for your concern," Charlotte said, smirking wryly. "I can see why Lady Entropy never makes efforts to separate her head from your hand, Milord," she continued in a whisper I could barely hear.

I decided to ignore her whisper. "Now then," I said, "let us return to the drakonids to uncover Lady Salamander's location."

I looked at the group of what had once been healthy drakonids, now lying in what was akin to an elvish hospital ward, attended to by a number of dryads.

Ignoring the slow, yet affectionate smiles the dryads universally gave me upon seeing my cheek, I spoke. "I've come to collect the reward for my victory."

"You want to know Lady Salamander's location, yes?" a drakonid responded. I noticed she was missing her left arm.

"Yes," I said, a little amazed at her composure. I understood why she was like this the moment I spotted a dryad administer some kind of drug to one of the other drakonids.

"If I recall, I saw her heading in the direction of that big tree..."

She gestured vaguely outside with her remaining arm.