D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad

”If you get something additional from Bodeir Sr, even if it is merely a token of appreciation that should negate any further repercussions,” mumbled Hromdir. ”I suspect… if Meng is… minimally cooperative Bodeir will even be quite glad to pay the additional price. Not for the trouble youʼre dropping in his lap… but because youʼve kept his son safe from a much greater threat then he hired you for. I still donʼt like this… but I can see it working out… somehow. The issue now is… hmm… Iʼm not sure that we can authorise this,”

Creshe nodded at that statement and continued, ”Indeed, technically speaking our vessel isnʼt suitable for major diplomatic figures such as the sect matriarch of the Holy Icy Wind sect. There is also the issue with the spies in Bodeir Jrʼs retinue. Weʼve removed plenty, and we keep watch to ensure the ones that remain donʼt find out anything important as we encourage Bodeir Jr to learn to spot them… but…” 

”Indeed, with Meng obviously present even the dullest of spies that have given us no cause to remove them can create issues. Even if they were just to send a message to a friend, who tells another friend. Things like this canʼt be kept quiet with spies around… and maybe not even without them. This is a major undertaking…” grumbled Hromdir. 

*I can already see this getting annoying… so letʼs nip all this ʼprotocolʼ and ʼspyʼ worries in the bud. With a sledge hammer.* ”So… I get what youʼre both saying… counterpoint… do you have a choice?” said Kat innocently. 

Creshe instantly seemed to pick up on Katʼs implication but Hromdir was looking a little lost, ”Of course we have a choice. Why would you even suggest otherwise?” 

”Well Hromdir… the person youʼre thinking of is a master of illusions, and Iʼm friends with her daughter at this point… plus I could argue it would be safer to have her cooperation so… assuming you say no… I can just… not tell you about seeing her walk on under powerful illusions?” 

”Ah… fuck,” said Hromdir. 

”Youʼve really put us in an awkward position, havenʼt you Kat,” said Creshe ”Youʼre right in that we have no choice but to accept… or suffer the consequences. This is the sort of thing we really need to report to Bodeir Sr but we have no way of contacting for something like this,” 

”Really? None at all?” asked Kat. 

Creshe nodded, ”Indeed. The best we have is a powerful artifact capable of sending a response to Bodeir but it doesnʼt receive messages, just send them, and only once. Itʼs more of an emergency warning system. Which we will still need to use… just likely for warning him weʼre already taking aboard such troublesome passengers instead of asking for permission, or opinions like we really should,” 

Kat just shrugged, ”Iʼm not sorry,”

”I can see that,” said Creshe 

”Iʼm still not entirely convinced it will be worth it. Oh, Bodeir Sr will pay the price, as this keeps his foolish son safe, and I love the lad like he was my own grandchild… but make no mistake this is definitely going to cause us problems in the future. We will weather the storm, as all good mountains do… but it is likely to be a mighty storm indeed, if it is not stopped early,” 

Kat just shrugged again, ”Is there anything else you need to know?” 

Hromdir just sighed, ”We didnʼt exactly get the full details of what happened, but realistically we can get those later. What needs to happen right now, is organising all of the servants and informing them of the change in plans, then deciding if itʼs safe to wake Bodeir Jr up,” 

”Why wouldnʼt it be?” asked Kat. 

”While I trust in your bindings by the contract… if Bodeir Jr is… his normal self instead of the polite fiction we present to others on his behalf… Meng may take offence and decide to punish him for a slight. Perhaps it would be best to just… keep him safely asleep until we reach the sect,” said Hromdir with a sheepish grin. 

”Mengʼs an assassin, Iʼm pretty sure sheʼs seen a few idiot noble children,” said Kat. 

”Oh sure, but the first time he did something to one of her kids, Meng would retaliate. Even if it is a minor retaliation… Bodeir Sr will need to get involved because itʼs an attack on a sect heir,” explained Hromdir with a sigh and a shake of his head. It was potentially treasonous to consider, but there was no point adding more fuel to the fire.

”Ah… politics,” said Kat. 

”Yes, politics,” agreed Hromdir.