Chapter 218

Guiding Hurricanes

(Mallory)

“So what is it like to be a guild leader?” Raywell, one of the newest future leaders that Cass has a propensity towards somehow finding and throwing right into Mallory’s lap. A lap that she swore was already full to the brim, but somehow she managed to find a way to make what she was providing just tempting enough that Mallory had to reach out her arms and try to stabilize the pile of parts, before they all topple over.

Exhale.

Mallory knew to take her time, that her first answer in this case might come across as having a bit more frustration than she would like.

“Normally, I would say it was rather boring and uneventful. At least that was how it was for the first eighty-ish years of our existence.” Mallory stated.

“And now?” Raywell pressed, hearing that there was more to this conversation if she but asked.

“Now I have almost no clue what I am going to do when I wake up. What fire I am going to have to put out. Who I am going to have to talk to, or what I am going to have to do before sundown.” Mallory answered truthfully.

“Is it that bad?”

“No, despite how stressed I might be, it is actually rather enjoyable.” Mallory stated, as she looked down to see the gaggle of kids that were all playing with and petting four brightly colored Pomeranians. Just seeing the image caused Mallory to momentarily pause out of fear, but she quickly calmed down knowing that Zero, and one of Cass’s Simulacrums were both there to help make sure order was maintained.

How did Mallory know it was a Simulacrum? Simple, the Simulacrum was smiling and not causing things to break around her at the same time. No that wasn’t fair, Cass always had a way of finding things that Mallory didn’t even know she needed, until they were found. Then it took a bit of maneuvering on her part, taking the raw materials that Cass gave. Materials that were similar to the components required for a nuclear power plant, yes at the end it will create indefinite power to provide for the community. But if not handled correctly and immediately then you have radioactive waste to deal with. Waste that will infect the entire community, if not handled appropriately.

Silence.

Again, during this time Mallory could only wince at the way the kids were so casually running around and playing tag with the different brightly colored Pomeranians. Pomeranians that Mallory knew could change and morph into giant destructive elemental guardians at a moment’s notice.

“Don’t worry, they will be gentle with your pets.” Raywell stated.

Chuckle.

Hearing that, Mallory could only laugh, “don’t worry about them, I don’t think they could hurt those pets if they tried. No, I am more worried about the kids if anything happens to them. Though we do have Cass, I mean Dr. Spiritlight on site, so we should be good.”

Hearing her speak Raywell seemed to nod in understanding.

“You trust her a lot, don’t you?” Raywell asked.

“Cass?”

“Yes, I take it that is Dr. Spiritlight’s first name?”

“Yes, though know she likely will not respond or find a quick way to leave if you approach her as Dr. Spiritlight.” Mallory replied, as a slight smile came to her face.

“She will?”

“Yeah, she knows that if we are referring to her by title then it either means something official has come up that she will need to address. Or she has broken something in the course of her official capacities as a guild officer and will need to focus on the cleanup.” Mallory noted.

“So every other time she is just Cass?”

“Yes.”

There was a slight pause as Raywell seemed to pause as if trying to come up with the best way to ask for what she wanted to say next.

“I have to ask, we didn’t inconvenience you all by coming here, did we?” Raywell asked.

Hearing that Mallory just let out a sigh.

“No, you all are not a burden here. In fact, you all came at probably the perfect time.” Mallory answered truthfully.

“We did?”

“Yes, you see we are in the process of getting incorporated into a recognized city.” Mallory explained.

“And you needed us because?”

“Because as I noted earlier, we needed over fifteen hundred people to meet the standards for being declared an actual city. Cass as usual found a way to fix a problem before it even became a problem.”

“A problem?”

“Yes, how can we get fifteen hundred loyal people, or if not loyal then people who we know will not backstab us, the first chance they get.” Mallory answered truthfully.

Raywell thought about it for a second, and then realized that having so many kids brought on board to a community like this was likely exactly what the Midnight Hunters wanted. The kids were young enough to not be fully brainwashed by any country they came from. Then if treated nicely enough, they would be extremely loyal followers, as they were all plucked up from a terrible situation. The more Raywell thought about it, the more she realized this was a perfect resource needed to a blossoming city.

“Dr. Spiritlight knew about the requirements and then specifically sought us out to help with both the numbers and to save the children, that is remarkable.”

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Hearing that Mallory could only scoff at the idea. Truthfully, she knew the real reason why Cass went down there, the only reason that made sense and the only reason that she practically admitted to. Namely she went down there to rescue the writers for the chance that they might produce more books for her to read. That said, explaining this action to a complete stranger, a stranger who Mallory was trying to instill confidence in about staying on was not the best course of action. Instead, Mallory focused on being as truthful as possible.

“She is rather remarkable.” Mallory replied nodding in complete agreement.

“What is she really like?” Raywell asked, while this was a question that Mallory had fielded and answered numerous times thus far, Mallory made sure to be warry of how she answered. Part of her wariness came from the fact that this was still a relatively unvetted outsider that was not truly part of the guild, and only being held onto for a population quota. In her mind, Mallory knew that if Raywell posed a true threat, it would be her responsibility to eliminate this threat, before she might try to hurt or harm Cass. Well the protection extended to anyone from her guild, but particularly Cass.

“She is like trying to herd a helpful hurricane.”

“Like a helpful hurricane?” Raywell asked, a bit incredulous.

“Yes. Roughly seventy percent of what she does is very beneficial, she will provide much needed rains, she will clear out areas so new life can grow and flourish. She will also strip away old and outdated things so new things can be put in to replace the old. The only problem is that thirty percent, that of not being ready or prepared to change things immediately. The not having the infrastructure needed to move at Cass’s rapid rate of change.” Mallory explained.

With that Raywell paused for a moment, and then looked at all of the kids that were running around playing and laughing brightly for the first time in as long as she could remember. For a moment her eyes flushed wide, until she locked in on one of the older boys who was running around and playing. Upon seeing him, she instantly relaxed.

Seeing that interaction, Mallory noted the weak point, that of the kid. Then realizing her mind already went into predatory mode with how to keep Raywell here, she instantly tried to dismiss that thought. Those were the thoughts of the old Mallory, ever since meeting Cass, her perspective has changed. Not that she would ever be quote unquote a good girl, she did find herself wanting to be better.

“You know when I first got here, it was every woman for herself. We had to not only be stronger but smarter than everyone else around us.” Mallory began.

“What happened?”

“Eventually the males all either died out, or found other people to pester. In either case I was given the chance I needed to grow, and I took it.” Mallory answered truthfully.

With that Raywell looked around, and then saw how the lush lands of the claimed territory went out for as far as the eye could see in one direction, then turning in the other direction those lush fields quickly vanished into wild desert lands.

“I must say, you’ve done well for yourself.” Raywell admitted.

Scoff.

“No, I can’t even claim half of this, this was all just finding the right people to fill the right roles when needed.”

“You are modest too, that is an admirable quality in a leader.” Raywell noted.

“No, I just have a talent for seeing people that I think will be important. Then I grab them when no one is looking, when they haven’t quite developed themselves yet, and then put them in a position where I think they can grow and flourish.” Mallory replied, this time making sure to lock gazes with Raywell.

Hearing this Raywell looked interested.

“Oh, and who from those that were gathered here have you spotted for talent?” Raywell asked, gesturing to the field of over two thousand people that were still being sorted by Mallory’s immense staffing team.

“So far I have only noted two that remotely caught my eye.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, then who are these two?” Raywell asked looking at the kids.

Seeing her, Mallory could only scoff. “I can’t evaluate kids, well I generally don’t evaluate kids as they are often too volatile. In fact, I only found one kid who was worth my attention. That said, the two from your group that I have already identified myself are that Mickey guy that knew Cass from her youth. Then you. Of the two, I was hoping I could lean on you for support here in helping your group make the transition.”

“My group?” Raywell asked.

“Yes, I realize this might be a lot, but your group now represents a significant faction of people here. I need to make sure they have a voice. I’ve been paying attention, and so far the people seem to listen to you. Well and that Mickey guy, but I’m pretty sure that Cass already has plans for him.” Mallory noted.

Hearing that, Raywell just paused and looked at Mallory trying to see if she was telling the truth. “Just like that, one look at me and you trust me?”

“Trust you, no. I just met you. But for me to trust that you will have the best interest of the people who came here with you, to include providing a safe place for your son to grow up, yes.” Mallory replied.

Hearing that Raywell thought about the comment and then found herself agreeing with Mallory’s assessment of her and the situation.

“Very well, though how do you know that I will remain loyal to you?” Raywell asked.

With that Mallory just smiled.

“Funny that you should ask that, as I already sent my best asset out to ensure your full and devoted loyalty.” Mallory answered.

“What? What do you mean?” Raywell asked.

Mallory for her own part could only laugh, as she just got a quest completion notification from the very asset she was talking about. One that Mallory could tell the status of, thanks to her recently improved status as a Guild Leader.

New Quest Completed (Cassiopeia Spiritlight): Missing Parents 1A (Ongoing): Cassiopeia Spiritlight has found a boy (Stavi) and his mother (Raywell) in a refugee camp. By casting a spell to identify familial connections Spiritlight found two active strands from the boy, one led to the mother and the other led to someone far off in the distance. Spiritlight has now found the other person and is in the process of trying to introduce them to Stavi. Current persons found and reunited (1 / 1). Rewards: Experience, Bloodline Markers noted.

“I mean, wait and see.” Mallory said, then pointed towards the Simulacrum of Cass who was just happily flying about casting various spells and growing groves of trees that could quickly begin bearing fruits and shade for the kids and adults nearby.

Flash.

There was almost an explosion of light as Cass clearly switched places with her Simulacrum. It was small and subtle, but now that Mallory knew what to look for, it almost felt blinding by comparison. That flash was the sign that Cass had switched spots with her simulacrum.

Then not even wasting a beat, Cass spun around once. Then like a shark that caught the scent of blood, she turned her body and faced right at Raywell’s son, Stovi.

“You,” Cass said flapping forward so quickly that Stovi and all of the other kids halted what they were doing and waited for the scarry butterfly girl to pass. Honestly, watching Cass when she was focused like this was intense.

Mallory looked to see that even now parts of her uniform were regrowing themselves to fully fit her body. For a moment, Mallory almost thought to ask what happened, but then for liability and liaison reasons, she opted not to say anything. The less she knew in this case, the easier dealing with the Legrand Empire for supplies would be in the future. At least that was what she told herself.

“Wha, what?” Stovi a boy who was easily as tall if not taller than Cass stammered out as he watched the giant sized porcelain doll come racing forward and stop just in front of him.

“Stovi, right?” She asked.

“Ye, yeah?”

“Good. I’ve got something for you.” Cass said, then before Stovi could even ask what, Cass turned around and began casting magic.

Within a second, Cass opened a portal to what looked to be a war-torn country. No wild gestures, no incantations, not even a slight distortion in space as she casually ripped open a hole between two fixed locations on the planet. Just one second there was open space, and the next there was a background of a place that was ravaged by war.

While a war wasn’t happening there now, the remnants of a war were evident for all to see. There was undue litter on the streets, walls were broken and left with huge scorch marks. The entire thing looked like a terrible reminder of why peaceful resolutions are always more preferable, to all out armed conflicts.

Then before the image became too bad, a slightly clean, if recently drenched man walked through the opening. At first he looked like he was blinded by the array of bright vibrant colors that were all around. Then blinking once and twice he looked and paused as he just stared down at the boy who could be an exact copy of him. Black hair, similar skin tone and muscles.

“How?”

The words came to Mallory from Raywell who was looking on in shock at the sight before her. Then Mallory noticed as a slight tear began to form in the corner of Raywell’s eye as she began running forward.

Mallory seeing this could only smile as she gave the trio a few moments, before she too found herself following along and joining in the family reunion.

“How did you?” Raywell asked, finally breaking free from the huddle and looking towards Cass.

Cass for her part just shrugged it off, the same way she did with all praise. “Don’t look at me, she’s the one that tricked me into doing it.”

With that Raywell turned to face Mallory, with clear joy and adoration in her eyes. “How did you? No wait, that doesn’t matter, just thank you.”

With that look, Mallory knew that she had her, that Raywell would forever be a loyal member of the Midnight Hunters, just as she had planned and hoped.

“I told you, I had my best asset on it.” Mallory stated.

Hearing that Raywell could only smile slightly brighter at the statement. Then turning to Cass once again she said, “thank you again.”

Cass of course in typical Cass faction somehow turned this serious moment into one of her awkward moments.

“Again, don’t thank me. Thank the Guild Leader here, who took it upon herself to teach my class so I could have the time to look for your family member.” Cass said.

Hearing that, Mallory could only wince as she realized that it was clearly nearing time for that class.

“Wait, now that you are here, why don’t you…” Mallory began, trying to see if she could still get out of this commitment now that the important person was taken care of.

“Okay, fine, but you have to break it to poor little Izzy that you not teaching a class is more important than me finding her parents.” Cass stated, and like that Mallory remembered the cute little girl that somehow already had Cass wrapped around her little fingers.

“You are horrible,” Mallory began, then continued, “go on. Go find Izzy’s parents.”

“Aye aye Captain.” Cass said, giving a crisp mock salute before pulsing away and leaving behind a slightly duller version of herself that looked at Mallory, nodded, and then went back to immediately casting spells.

“What just happened?” Raywell asked, clearly seeing that Cass was still here, though her personality had completely changed.

“This is one of Cass’s Simulacrums. Don’t worry, the real Cass is already out saving the world and rescuing little lost puppies as she goes.” Mallory answered.

Hearing that Raywell just nodded then stated, “at the very least, at least life will be interesting.”

“Be careful with what you wish for,” was all Mallory had to say about that. Then before anyone could say anything else, she found herself having to excuse herself, as she left to teach a class about Bloodline lineages, all while wondering how Cass always seemed to get out of her teaching duties.