Zell spent the rest of that day resting while Merissa slept. The transformation that Agitha described must have been incredibly taxing to her body. Agitha returned later in a cheery mood. She only stayed long enough to eat lunch and change into her leather armor before departing again. Zell continued to devote his waking hours to recovery, determined to be at full strength for the tour with Teya and Cora the following day. He meditated aggressively and ate voraciously when not snoozing.
As mana trickled into the massive dry ocean that was his capacity he began to feel well, incredibly so. He had spent so many years in a depleted state, and had no idea that normal could feel so amazing.
He occasionally ventured out to visit everyone. Just as evening approached, he sat down with his father to chat over some hot cider. Zell told him all of the stories he had told Cora, and was relieved that the man wasn’t taken aback by the danger he had been in.
“Believe me I know what’s out there in store for you, and it frightens the life out of me. As much as I would love to see you safe on a farm or in a kitchen that isn’t who you are.” Arlim mused. He secretly enjoyed that he could share a grown up conversation like this with his son and was beaming inside over Zell’s bravery and accomplishments.
Zell thought about Arlim’s words, and for the first time offered up an opposing opinion to his father.
“I don’t think there is such a thing as ‘safe on a farm or in a kitchen’.” He paused considering how to proceed. “In this world, the only reliable safety is in strength and the strength of those close to you. Predators will always choose the weakest prey. The troglin on the road targeted me because I was the weakest. The cutthroats came after us because we advertised weakness. I choose to become strong, and will encourage anyone else who chooses to do the same.” Zell paused again, looking around at the well kept inn and at the gentle giant behind the bar before he continued “This inn makes people feel safe. The girls don’t get pinched and poked here, and fights rarely ever happen. That’s because Kel chose to face the dangers of this world and brought that strength back with him. Maybe someday I can do something similar.” Zell ended his impromptu speech with a touch of embarrassment.
Arlim absorbed the words in earnest. “You are your mother’s son. She always preached those same words. Yet I have sheltered you kids all this time. Thank you for reminding me of something so important that I had forgotten.” Arlim had never imagined the quiet, struggling boy he had known could become the insightful young man now seated before him in such a short time.
Their talk ended a short time later, and Zell returned to his room to find Merissa finally stirring.
“Welcome back.” He said as she opened her eyes.
“I should say the same to you.” She replied, her voice weak. “Your mana is looking better.” She added.
Zell saw the forthcoming questions and answered them. “You’re at Kel’s, and the mission was a success.”
“What about the children?!” She asked desperately.
Zell shook his head. “Teacher didn’t mention any children. I’m sorry I don’t know.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“I see.” Merissa seemed troubled but didn’t press the issue. “I should return to the orphanage. The kids must be worried.”
“You should wait at least until you’ve eaten and recovered some strength.” Zell suggested. “I’m sure teacher wants to talk as well.”
Merissa nodded. That was true enough she supposed. Her mind could not free itself of the pathetic and tortured children in Middle’s lair. She never tasted the meal she ate, and spent the next hour staring into her folded hands on the dining table in front of her.
Agitha’s approaching aura snapped her out of the dark trance. She ignored the usual illness that assaulted her, and grabbed Agitha by the upper arms.
“Did the kid’s get out?” She begged to know.
Agitha suppressed her aura as well as she could, and answered in as soothing a voice as she could manage with her ragged vocal chords.
“Thirty two children have been admitted to your orphanage. I personally saw to it that their wounds were treated with potions and magic salves. They’re healed and safe for now. The other kids have taken them in and are treating them kindly but they will need your guidance to join the other evacuated children soon.” Agitha’s news made Merissa nearly collapse in relief. She continued speaking after a moment.
“We left no witnesses, so your betrayal should still be unknown. Still, we need to take precautions. I have arranged through a trusted friend that the orphanage and you be further protected. Your kids will probably notice them so just relay that the dwarves are friendly. As far as the hand is concerned you hired them to defend against me. Cloak up and go out the back door when you leave. Our next prey is Index, prepare yourself for a fight.”
“Dwarves?” Merissa asked with an utterly confused expression.
“Dwarves.” Agitha confirmed
Merissa left a short time later, fully cloaked out of the back door.
----------------------------------------
In a luxuriously decorated room somewhere in the city, several of the most influential people were gathered to discuss one person.
“Why can’t we just have her arrested and executed?” Asked one of them.
“Oh sure, of course. But why stop there? Why don’t we just go ahead and shackle the next hurricane, tornado, or plague that comes through as well?” Another asked sarcastically. “It’s because we can’t you damn donkey! Individually she’s got more power than all of our militias combined, she has more gold than any of us, and wiped out one of our trump cards in a night.” The irate speaker settled into silence at a gesture from the head of the table.
“We don’t need to kill her, we merely need to placate her. Once she thinks her mission is completed, she’ll likely get restless and leave on her own.” Another offered.
“So stand down as she wrecks half the city in her little war?” The first speaker balked.
“No.” The one at the head of the table said suddenly. “But yes.” A plan was clearly forming in the man’s mind. “We do her work for her. We find a few prisoners, capture Merissa since her identity is compromised, and try them in public as the fingers. We negotiate with Thumb to cease operations temporarily until Agitha loses interest.” He explained.
“The urchins would revolt over the loss of their princess. Suppressing them might just shift Agitha’s focus to us.” One of them reasoned.
“Perhaps we leave Merissa to Agitha then.” The head of the table mused. “She already made a move on the Pinky once. She’ll tidy that loose end for us, and if the children rise against Agitha then that helps us as well.”
“Leave it to the Faceless General, another perfect plan.” The first speaker tapped his golden chalice on the table, signifying his approval.
The others tapped their own chalices in agreement.
“Excellent, begin preparations for the trial and execution of our scapegoats. Once Agitha has lost interest we will rebuild and find a way to deal with her permanently. Also send someone to meet with Agitha in the meantime. We will publicly reward her for defeating the demon as well as cleaning up the streets. If we yank her out of the shadows, it will be harder for her to move freely.” The one called the Faceless General concluded the meeting with a tap of his own chalice.