What was Abel doing with that thing? It kinda looked like a statue. Something's fishy. They're not planning on attacking Griffin are they?! Caster worried as they continued walking down the main dirt road of Casterville.
"This is the City Hall. The other council members are inside." Sherman said as he opened the modest wooden door that lead into the City Hall.
"This is your City Hall? And here I thought it was an outhouse." Griffin mumbled as he entered the building. Although Caster followed closely behind Griffin, she managed to catch a glimpse of Sherman and Liacster sharing another annoyed glance.
Inside the Roundtable room, Caster saw his old allies all gathered around it.
I'm surprised Elenore's still allowed at the Roundtable since Liacster replaced her. They probably don't want to go against my last command that put her there. It's good to see that Phoebe and Sherman are still here though. But why is Andre outside?
"Welcome, Lord Griffin." Phoebe stood and bowed politely. Even with her blank expression, Caster could tell the girl was livid. "I am Pontiff Phoebe. I guide and instruct the religious teachings of this township."
"A faith user I take it? Then you might know who my father is."
"I do. You are the younger son of the honorable Noden, the First Hunter. I've instructed the workers to build several statues in yours and his likeness and to display them publicly throughout the city."
Did she just say 'younger' son?
Clever - Knowledge is Power, Activated! Arcane Level Increased! +1
"No, this is MY town, not my father's. He has enough statues in Cairngowan. Replace his statues with more of mine." Griffin demanded.
"Of course. Forgive me, m'lord." Phoebe humbly bowed and took her seat without another word.
They might sound formal, but they're treating Griffin like he's the devil in comparison to how they acted when I showed up. Sorry guys, but I need more time to figure out how to get rid of this guy!
> Phoebe: Excuse me, your Holiness, but are you availble to speak? The insufferable villain, Griffin, has returned and he demands that we concede the city to him
She's using the Roundtable to talk to everyone now? Do I respond? By the way it sounds, I don't think she knows I'm here. I think this might be my only chance to tell them to NOT try to stop him.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
> Caster: Hello Phoebe! Did you say that Griffin's there? That's the fire Lord right?!
Caster did his best to sound surprised, psychically.
> Phoebe: The same feind, yes.
>
> Elenore: Hey Caster!
Elenore's stern demeanor melted and she sat straighter.
Oh God, I need to make this quick. Elenore's going to give away my position without even knowing I'm here!
"Never fear. I'm not here to micromanage a few cows and sheep. The only reason I've come here is to gather more troops for my army. You villagers may not know it, but there's an army being led by an incredibly powerful Avatar hiding inside the heart of the Badlands. If anything, I'm doing you all a great service by risking my well-being to come all the way over here to fight it."
"I see..." said Sherman as he and Liacster took their seats at the table. They moved in such a way to convey to Griffin that they were deep in thought.
> Sherman: Did he answer?
>
> Caster: I did!
>
> Sherman: Your Holiness! Did Phoebe inform you of the the villain that's returned to our village?!
>
> Caster: Yup
"We misjudged you, your Holiness. We thought you might have been one of the rouge lesser Lords that comb the Badlands for their own selfish gains. Thank you for your patience in the face of our foolishness. Please, explain to us in great detail how we may assist you in facing this immense and unforeseen threat." Sherman lowered his head in fake shame.
"I'm glad you all came to your senses. You may all swear fealty to me after I explain my grand plans to blaze our way through the nearby barbarian camps and penetrate the Avatar's defenses before he knows what hit him. First, we'll..."
As Griffin monologued on and on about his elaborate plans, everyone else's attention returned to the Roundtable's mind link.
Sherman, you are a genius!
> Elenore: This prick wants us to give him men to travel into the Badlands and defeat an Avatar, can you believe that! Why I never!
>
> Caster: In the middle of the Badlands? That's impossible. I'm the only Avatar in Perdita! I'm still trying to investiage what's going on in Hale's Pass and Cairngowan. Can you guys survive for a little while longer or do I need to come back immediately?
Once again, Caster lied as easily as she breathed.
> Sherman: No your Holiness, we have the situation under control.
>
> Phoebe: Father! Siding with Caster's enemy is blashemy! Andre and Abel are ready to activate the final measure at any second once we give the command!
Final measure? I don't like the sound of that one bit.
> Sherman: Master Caster left this township in our hands. It is our responsibilty to ensure the survival of the town. If we can defeat this threat, then we will have served him better than any prayer could. Master Caster, this villain has given us the option to cooperate with him peacefully. If we pretend to follow his orders, he'll leave us be soon enough. That is the plan we quickly made when he arrived. Unless you command otherwise, we will not resist his demands.
So they were planning to play it safe this whole time, other than the 'final measure' Phoebe mentioned. I need to make sure they keep it that way.
> Caster: I appreciate your devotion, Phoebe, but it'd rather have you all alive than dead. I'm on my way back, and l'll defeat Griffin when I return. For now, just go along with his demands. He'll be pleasently surprised when he realizes there's nothing in the Badlands other than more villages like ours. In fact, he'll probably attract the attention of the other Lords trying to gain control of the Badlands. He'll make his own downfall!
>
> Phoebe: Yes your Holiness. We'll follow your instructions, and continue to abide.
Alright, crisis averted... for now. Now, what was Griffin rambling on about again?