“I’ve never seen your face either, sir, I don't serve at the City Hall. I work with my father at Altus ranch. He sent me here to make an offer of sale.”

Luck Increased! +1

Caster lied as easily as she breathed. She didn’t even need time to think of an explanation. She somehow managed to tell them with a straight face why and how she was there in a single breath.

“Bah, we’ve already turned his offers down twice! Tell your old codger that we aren’t buying!” The head of staff shook his head.

The tension in the room toward Caster dissipated instantly, she was no longer suspect.

I wasn’t even worried for a second. But why? How did I lie so perfectly? What am I saying? I wasn’t lying at all! I was telling the truth! My father DID send me here to make them an offer. My name is Wendy Wacker West, but… no, no, what’s going on? Focus Caster!

“Tell me, girl, did this… ‘thing’ speak to you before it escaped?” Noden asked.

“He did, your holiness,” Caster nodded. “When I asked him what he was doing here, he said that he was on a mission from his master who hides in the center of the Badlands.”

Hearing this, Noden sat a little straighter.

“Let’s say I believe this story about you conversing with this apparently sane visitor from the Badlands. What else did he say?”

Does he really not believe me?

“He said that his master had immense power, above even the Old Gods, and that he was an assassin who would kill all that came near their territory.”

“Sacrilege! Nothing is above the Old Gods! Especially not one as the great Noden!” Councilman Richard protested, but Noden calmly waved him down.

“And why did he tell you this?”

“He said that I looked like a harmless girl and that I would make an amazing spy and agent for him and his master. He wanted me to take something from him, and use it to kill you and your son, Lord Griffin with it. I refused.”

Councilman Richard gasped, acting as if he were about to faint. Noden chuckled.

“Oh? Did he now? Do you hear that, Griffin? This girl might have a Godhead on her.” Griffin looked between his father and Caster.

“No, your holiness. I did not take it! I would never wish ill upon the Old Gods nor the Lords. When he told me that I tried to grab him even though he could have killed me. If Lord Griffin had not come running down the hall, the creature would have taken my life.”

“Trust me, girl, I would have known if someone had activated a Godhead in my presence. I can tell you are not armed with such a weapon. Did this creature happen to tell you its name, or the name of its acclaimed immensely powerful master?”

“I don’t think he told me his name. But I think he hissed something about having finally returned as he crawled into the vents.”

Noden narrowed his eyes.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Did it say the phrase, ‘It That Returns’?’”

I have no idea what that means, but apparently Noden does.

“I think so, your holiness.” Caster nodded.

“Impossible.” Councilman Richard gasped again, shaking in his chair.

Noden scratched his flowing beard. “I think I see what’s going on here. It is finally happening.”

“Father, you don’t mean-” Griffin started, but was interrupted.

“I do.” Noden stood; the white light that previously shone from his toga gave him an overwhelming presence once more. “This is what we have been preparing for the last Age, no, the last several Ages. One of the Elder Gods has finally found a loophole in the Banishment Accord. That creature you encountered in the Badlands that stalked you here may or may not have been an Avatar, but it did have a Godhead, and it is working for an Elder God. They have returned to Perdita.”

Clever - Knowledge is Power, Activated! Arcane Increased! +1

Congratulations! You've reached Total Level 50!

Nice.

Everyone in the room gasped, not just Richard this time.

“However, that creature was right about one thing. This girl would make a decent spy. Griffin, seek out more information about this new threat and his lackeys and take this girl with you. She might be able to accept our friend’s offer and act as a doubt agent of sorts to give us information on that army of savages growing in the heart of the Badlands.” Noden began walking toward the door, and both Caster and Griffin stepped aside.

“Am I supposed to just waltz into the middle of the Badlands and raze whatever army this Avatar’s gathered?”

“Isn’t that what you do best, boy?” Noden answered. Griffin clenched his fist and sighed but didn’t say anything else.

I get the feeling they don’t get along.

“Councilman Richard, from this day forward, consider Hale’s Pass under the protection of my hand. We’ll officiate the documents later. You’ll understand that I have a very important emergency meeting to call.” Noden exited the room and headed down the stairs.

“Of course, your holiness!” The councilman eked.

“Well, Wendy,” Griffin turned to Caster, making eye contact while less than a pace away from each other. “How about it?”

Sub-Quest "Find out what Lord Griffin is doing in Hale's Pass (without getting caught)" Completed! Reward: 1 Level! Choose A Stat To Increase! Vitality, Attunement, Strength, Dexterity, [Arcane], Faith, Occult, Luck

I'm putting this one in faith, because God knows I need all the help I can get.

Vitality, Attunement, Strength, Dexterity, Arcane, [Faith] Increased +1!, Occult, Luck

"You… really want to take me with you into the Badlands? I don’t know if I’m cut out for that kind of thing. I’ve never even left Hale’s Pass, and I’ve got hardly any combat skills.” Caster hesitated.

“Never fear, my lady. I am Lord Griffin, the Flame of Ambition. Your power will not lie in your strength, but your beauty.”

Oh, stop.

“It will be hardly more than an exciting scenic route to see the depraved barbarians that live just south of here. Just me, I’ll never let you out of my sight.”

That’s creepy… or is it sweet?

“Okay then… but I should probably speak to my father and tell him I’ll be going.”

“Oh of course. Make sure he knows that the both of you will be paid handsomely for your services. In fact, I’ll escort you to him-

“That won’t be needed, really! The walk would do me some good so I can think this through if that’s alright with you.”

“Oh, yes of course. I’ll be here, waiting for you when you get back… you do plan on returning, right?”

“I will, promise. I look forward to seeing you again, Lord Griffin.” Wendy curtsied, giving Griffin an ever so sly wink before she turned.

Yohg! What’s going on!?