Chapter 36 Full Support

“So ya just tossed everythin’ on old Roger’s lap?” Jennie asked incredulously.

Isaac nodded while shoveling another spoonful of stew into his mouth. “Mhm.” He hummed in agreement.

“It’s what he does.” Lenna explained. “He is an expert at making things ‘someone else’s problem’.”

Isaac swallowed his mouthful of stew. Lenna wasn’t sure if he chewed any of it. It was good stew and she was a bit hungry but Isaac looked like he hadn’t eaten in days. “It’s a talent.” He added.

Jennie chuckled. “You’ve sure got a lot a those.” She took a deep breath to focus on the question she was planning on asking. “Now that it’s over, what are your plans?”

Isaac looked up from his nearly empty bowl. “Head back to Safeharbor and get paid.” He replied honestly. “We’ll get some rest, rinse ourselves off, grab dinner, then hit the road.”

“You’re leavin’ tonight?” Jennie questioned. “Ya just got here.”

Isaac nodded. “Something is making me-” He was cut off by Lenna’s aura flexing momentarily again. “They are really good at cutting me off mid sentence.” He commented.

“Who? What?” Jennie asked.

“Someone had been spying on us.” Isaac explained. “We think it’s the Sovereign of Contantis, Lenna’s uncle. We keep foiling his storybook villain plans so he’s spying on us until a time when we can have a dramatic confrontation inside of an erupting volcano.”

Lenna rolled her eyes. “If it is him, he is more likely to send assassins after us first. He’s done it before.” She explained.

“So this one’s uncle is the bastard who’s been causing us trouble?” Jennie asked.

“For the last three hundred years, yes.” Lenna explained. He had taken power a few years before Lenna was born when the last ruler died.

“You weren’t afraid of bringing assassins here?” Jennie questioned.

Isaac shrugged. “I’d feel them coming.” He assured her. “They also aren’t going to attack us while we are in town. The risk of unforeseen circumstances leading to a capture of a drow assassin are too high. We also spend enough time out in the open that they can just wait for us somewhere.”

Jennie eyed him skeptically. “If ya say so.” She replied.

“Have you given my offer any more thought?” Isaac questioned.

“I have.” Jennie replied.

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“And?” Isaac pressed.

“I don’t know.” Jennie said with a sigh. “I’ll have ta talk it over with the boys.”

“Get Aria and Claus to escort you if you do decide to come.” Isaac replied. “I can’t promise the bar will still need help by then. The boys will have jobs as soon as they arrive though. That I can promise you.”

Jennie nodded. “Thank you.” She told him with genuine sincerity.

Isaac held his bowl out towards her. “You can thank me with another bowl.” He replied with a grin.

Lenna held hers out too. “Mine as well, if you don’t mind.” She said quietly. Lenna’s voice always got a little quieter when she was asking for something. Isaac got the feeling that asking for things was still a little foreign to her. At least when it came to her asking for things from anyone who wasn’t Isaac. Isaac got the true Lenna with no masks or politeness. That didn’t mean she was rude to him of course but it did mean that she was completely unapologetic for being as subtle as a sledge hammer.

—

“Then I jumped back and spinning back kicked her in the chest.” Isaac finished recounting the capture of Lisa to Chris and Gregory. Jennie had been listening but she was also busy washing up after dinner.

Chris grabbed his and his brother’s empty dishware and set it on his lap. “That had to hurt.” He commented. He had been in a few fights but never against a martial artist like Isaac. He turned and started wheeling himself over to his mother so he could help her with the rest of the dishes from the dinner rush.

“He almost killed her.” Lenna replied. “I had to spend most of the night healing her.”

“From one kick?” Gregory asked. He had been on the edge of his seat the entire time.

“I’m not used to holding back.” Isaac replied. He wasn’t being apologetic or making excuses but simply giving a reason for the result.

“Do you think any of them are going to make an escape?” Gregory questioned.

“If they do, they won’t again.” Isaac answered simply. He rose to his feet and took his and Lenna’s empty dishes to Jennie and Chris. “Thanks again.” Isaac told Jennie.

“I have ta get your coins.” Jennie replied. “Ya overpaid.”

“Give it to Chris.” Isaac replied. “Speaking of,” He looked down at the boy in a wheelchair who looked up to meet his gaze. “I’ll have a thousand gold for you in Safeharbor for your help in wrapping up this job.”

Chris’s eyes went wide. “How much?” He questioned.

“One hundred platinum coins. Or one thousand gold ones if you prefer. I don’t think the bank would like me if I gave you ten thousand silver ones though, I could probably still do it but the clerk would hate me.” Isaac went on. “You helped wrap up a double platinum tier bounty. It spanned three locations, two wizards, a mid level scout, a doppelganger, and over forty other accomplices. Trap rooms, treasure chests, conspiracies, traitors, thieves and spies. It really was a grand adventure.”

“I, uh, thank you.” Chris replied.

“If you come work for me in Safeharbor I’ll give you another thousand as a sign on bonus and get you a day job for cover.” Isaac continued. He looked over at Jennie. “Talk it over with your mom.” Chris was in shock watching Isaac walk back over to Lenna. “Hey kid.” Isaac said to Gregory. “Remember that dragon skull?”

—

“You were right.” Lenna said to Isaac as they walked out of Outpost Charles back into the dark tunnels of the Innerworld.

“I know.” Isaac replied. “About what?”

Lenna chuckled and shook her head at him. “They are a nice family. Good kids.” She told him. Isaac smiled and nudged her side. He gave her a questioning look. “I wouldn’t be opposed.” She replied. “I think it would be nice.” A sad look crossed her face. “I’m worried about outliving them.”

Isaac didn’t know what to say for a long time. “If I am actually a demigod, or if I become one I guess, I would outlive them too.” He said quietly. “I haven’t really been around long enough to properly understand how that feels.”

“It aches.” Lenna replied. “Less sharply over time, but it still aches.”

The pair moved through the tunnels between Outpost Charles and Ben’s End without much issue. They stopped at where they had first met for a drink and some reminiscing but only for an hour. When they arrived at Ben’s End they informed the sergeant there that the number of prisoners was larger than they were anticipating so they left them all at the outpost until a caravan could arrive and retrieve them. They refilled their water and double checked their rations before heading off for Safeharbor. It was time to head home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“My Lord, they are on the move.” The sorceress said to the ancient paladin sitting regally in his throne. “I have informed the Drider’s Sons.”

“Good.” The ruler of Contantis replied. His tone showed none of his pleasure or excitement. “Make sure they are successful.”

“Do you wish for me to join them, my Lord?” The sorceress questioned. She rarely engaged in violence and when she did it was always at as far of a distance as she could. She disliked the feel of drying blood. It was sticky and the scent of iron always made her nose itch.

“No.” He replied. “Give them your full support from the array room.”

Her eyebrows rose in shock before she quickly schooled her face. “As you say, my Lord.”