Into the Fire
Forty Four
Author’s note: This chapter presumes that you are familiar with Kelvin’s Choice’s story, Tamers and uses characters and situations from it with his permission. If you have not read it, you are very naughty and need to remedy the situation immediately. It is well worth the time.
Monica Chambers held a full bowl of a thick stew in both of her hands to absorb as much of the warmth from it as possible while she looked across the fire pit at Iain. “I’ll never be able to pay you back for what you did for us.”
“No, you won’t.” He chuckled at her sudden look of surprise. “I’m just being honest about it. How are you feeling?”
“When you consider everything that has happened recently, I feel great. Where are we?”
“We’re on the eastern side of the Dark Continent, but since I doubt you’re familiar with the geography I won’t go into any more detail than that. I don’t think your pursuers would follow you here, even if you have another tracking device I don’t know about. If they do, this area is deserted and makes an outstanding killing ground. We’ll stay here for a couple of days while you and the others recover a bit from recent events. It’ll give me a chance to fill you in on what we’ve found out and for my staff of health professionals to make sure all three of you are in the peak of health before we leave.” He looked around to verify that Lindsey was still off bathing while Pandora guarded her. “I would like to suggest that you don’t trust Harris with anything important.”
“What happened?”
“I’ve got a list, but the latest aggravating thing is that she didn’t think to show me your message. I almost didn’t get it. That’s why it took so long for us to show up and you almost died.”
Monica scowled and nearly dropped her bowl as it tried to overflow on her hands. “How did you get it then?”
“Not being able to think of anything better to do to find you, Dominique infiltrated your house and accessed your pokedex. We found the message there.”
She sighed and brushed red curls back out of her face. “Damn, I was hoping she’d figure out the message was for you and turn it over.”
“She thought it was gibberish and deleted it. So, what happened to you?”
“There was an assassination attempt when I was on my way home from a quick vacation we’d taken to contact some of my unofficial sources about what was going on. We escaped without injury and I called for backup after going to ground in my house. When the supposed reinforcements showed up to protect us, Cammie recognized one of the pokegirls as being from the assassination team and I realized we needed to run. I sent Lindsey the message and we fled out the back, only to get hit there. The first attack cut my belt and I lost my pokeballs and spare pokedex. Donna got hurt protecting me, so I grabbed both of them and activated my teleport token. All Blue League ministers have single use teleport tokens for emergencies. I didn’t know if I could trust anyone in the government and used mine to go to McDermott, which is where you found us.”
“You should have sent Camille for the cache. I’m sure it’s full of medical supplies.”
“What cache?”
“McDermott is a Saxony site. If we’d stayed longer, I was going to find and loot it.”
She stared at him. “There’s no way I could know that, Kerrik. While I have the knowledge in my head, it’s locked up unless I need it. You’re not supposed to know about it either, but then you’re an author and the normal rules don’t seem to apply to you.” He shrugged and she picked up her spoon again. “I don’t suppose you know what’s going on in my government?”
“The short story is that Duncan Mulroney is an Orange League deep cover operative and he’s eliminating threats so he can get busy with his real job. A bunch of people in various positions are Orange agents. Lindsey once recognized his accent as Orange and you were getting too close with your investigation, so the two of you had to go.”
“I won’t waste time doubting you. How do you know this?”
“Since she didn’t tell me about them, before I knew about the tracking tattoos we hid in the Silver River League and got attacked when they followed Lindsey there. We captured the team’s human and Canaan interrogated him. He was one of the agents, a Lieutenant Colonel Charles Peterson in the BLSF’s 21st brigade. Unfortunately he was killed by a member of his harem so I can’t produce him to tell you everything himself.”
“How far has the rot spread?”
“I’m not completely sure. I have some lists of Orange agents that Canaan made with the information she retrieved from Peterson, but there’s no way of knowing if it’s complete or not. Most likely it’s not nearly complete.”
Her eyes met his and there was no give in her gaze. “I want that list. Apparently I’ve got a lot of housecleaning to do.”
“It’s stored in my pokedex and you said you lost your spare so I can’t transfer it over. I’ll copy it onto a chip for you before we leave.”
“Speaking of leaving, where are we going from here?”
Iain eyed her for a moment. “You’re not going to insist we return to Blue so you can begin your purge?”
“I’d like to, but you don’t have any intrinsic loyalty to Blue and your harem outguns mine by quite a margin. I also don’t think they’d respond well to threats against you, even if I could take you prisoner. That means I’m in no position to give you orders.”
Iain nodded. “When you get done eating, come sit next to me and I’ll let you look at the list Canaan compiled on my pokedex. Then you can tell me how bad the situation is.”
“You could just unlock it and leave it with me.”
“I could, but I want to make sure that’s all you look at and you’re a nosy wench.”
Monica looked surprised and then smiled. “Do you have any idea how long it’s been since someone had the temerity to call me a wench?”
“Yeah, it’s been nine seconds. Finish your food and get over here before I get bored and go do something else.”
***
Undine looked around and managed not to sneer. “Where the hell is this place?” After Monica had finished writing down all of the names on the list Canaan had provided, she’d realized she was exhausted and gone to bed. Iain had taken the opportunity to grab his wife so she could meet the newest members of the harem.
Eve gave her a friendly smile. “Have you ever been to the Dark Continent before?”
“I have not.”
“Well, you’re there now.”
“Who are you and where is the alpha?” Undine brushed her aquamarine hair back and looked around. “Where is Ninhursag?”
“She’s not the maharani, I am. My name is Eve and I am Kerrik’s Megami-sama.”
“Maharani?”
“It’s Kerrik’s term that replaces the alpha. It means great queen.”
Undine’s eyes lit up. “Really? I want the position.”
Iain smiled widely. “The position has currently been filled.”
Undine snorted. “By a celestial prude? It’s probably always missionary position, too. You’ll change your mind once you find out how useful I am.”
Eve shook her head slightly. “Will he also unmarry me too?”
“I don’t understand.”
“We’re married. We had a formal wedding and everything.”
Undine scowled. “Pokegirls don’t wed.”
“Celestials have special rules about that sort of thing. I can get married. You can’t wed.”
Iain blinked. “Eve, don’t taunt Undine. She just doesn’t understand how things work here, which makes perfect sense since she’s only been out for a few minutes.” He took a deep breath. “When I fought Sean, we were on a mission for the Blue League, remember?”
“You said that. I haven’t seen any proof yet.”
“Later you will. At the time you and I met, we were concerned that the people looking for us would know about Eve being my maharani or alpha and might be looking for us. Ninhursag’s presence in my harem isn’t common knowledge, so we decided to have her masquerade as the alpha while we were in London.”
“So you’re a celestial tamer?”
“Fuck no. I’m a tamer who has some celestials in his harem. I’m not a nice person, however, and definitely not celestial in outlook.”
Eve glanced at him. “You got that right,” she muttered.
“You don’t mind most of the time. It’s only when you can’t manipulate me that things get tense.” He turned back to Undine when Eve laughed softly. “Do you want to share my bed tonight?”
“You know, since you said that so nicely, I think I’ll pass.”
“Fine with me.”
Undine looked surprised. “You’re serious. You don’t want to sleep with me.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why not?”
Iain took refuge in a convenient lie. “I’m tired and I’m grumpy and I wouldn’t be able to give you the attention you deserve.”
“Oh. I guess that’s ok, then. You’re right, I will want all of your attention and I don’t want you thinking about anything else but me when you finally get to be with me. So where do I sleep?”
Iain waved in the general direction of the camp. “The tents are over there and we don’t have enough for anyone to have their own, so be prepared to share or spend the night in your pokeball. We’ll bury the fire in an hour, so if you want anything hot, get there now.”
“Why are you going to bury the fire?”
“It keeps ferals from being drawn by the light and smoke. In addition, if we bury it properly there’ll still be coals in the morning.”
“That makes sense. What’s for dinner?”
“Today it’s just the basics, that being bread, cheese, sausage, tea and lemonade.”
“No pokechow?”
“Pokegirls here eat what I do and Eve doesn’t like me eating pokechow. We have some for emergencies and if you’d prefer that instead of what’s being offered, ask April to get you some.” He pointed at the Duelist where she was sitting with Sofia. “She’s the brunette over there.”
“I hate the stuff. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t expected to eat it.”
“April’s got the other food I mentioned, too, so just see her for whatever you might want.”
Undine nodded and then bobbed her head in a quick bow. “Thank you.” Then she hurried towards April and dinner.
“That went well,” Eve said quietly. “I expected more trouble from her.”
“I’ll take it, no questions asked. I know it won’t last, but I’ll take what I can get before we have to squash her a couple of times.”
Eve looked thoughtful. “We’ll have to be careful with her until she delivers.”
“No we don’t. Canaan can turn her mind inside out without ever touching the baby and if she gets too feisty she’ll find out that baby will only protect her from so much.”
“You’d hurt the baby to hurt her?”
“She’s not inside my bubble yet, Eve. Right now I could stake her out here in the desert and leave her for the scavengers.”
“Right now, I wouldn’t argue against it much.”
“You don’t like her?”
Eve shrugged. “I don’t like her assumption that she is going to be the maharani. I don’t think she could handle what the job would entail.”
Iain smiled slightly. “If she tried to supplant you, I’ll give her to Eirian. I’m sure she has a way to keep the mind asleep while the body stays awake enough to finish gestation and give birth. Then Eirian can finish her off.”
Indeed, my lord, accomplishing that would be simplicity itself. It was Beryl. We could take her tonight, if you wish, and lull her mind to sleep until her baby can be presented to you. Eirian is ready for more to convert.
Eve was watching him. “Any response from Beryl or Emerald?”
“Beryl says she could be gone tonight. I think we’ll wait, though, until she actually gives us a reason to kill her.”
“Thank you, my husband. So all that’s left is to meet Raquel?”
He pulled the Rapitaur’s pokeball from his pocket. “That’s right.” He pressed the release.
Raquel had a smug smile on her face. “Did it work,” she asked in heavily accented English.
Eve frowned. “Are you asking if Sean tricked Kerrik into taking Undine?”
She nodded. “Until I am tamed by Kerrik, I am still Master Sean’s pokegirl and, yes, that is what I am asking. Was my sacrifice a good one?”
Iain gave her a wry look. “Undine is at the campfire getting something to eat. Are you looking forward to being in the same harem as she is?”
“No, sir, I am not, but that was not my concern when Master Sean ordered me to help him test tamers for the fitness to take Undine. My concern was that I do my job for my master. Now that you are to be my master, my concern will be doing my job for you, sir.”
“You did this even though you knew that he would eventually be giving you away with Undine?”
“Sir, it was possible that whoever won me would not be tricked into taking Undine, which is why I asked if my sacrifice meant something.”
Iain rubbed his eyes. “Let me get this straight. That dick gave away part of his harem just to be rid of the woman who might be carrying his cousin?”
“No, sir, he did not. I am not part of his harem. I am one of his extras.”
Eve frowned and then nodded. “He’s a master tamer with storage rights, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is.”
Iain groaned softly. “He was winnowing through the pokegirls he didn’t think he needed.”
“Yes, sir.” The Rapitaur straightened proudly. “And it worked.”
“Yes, it did.” Iain glanced at Eve. “If I ever meet him again, he’s getting a swift kick in the nuts and then one in the face when he goes down. And that’s if I’m in a good mood when we encounter him a second time. As for her, I should make her Undine’s roommate.”
Eve shook her head. “That’s my job and I won’t punish anyone for doing a job well. I am Eve and I am the maharani, which is another word for the alpha.”
“I thought I fought the alpha, an Elfqueen.” She frowned. “Ninhursag was her name.”
“That is who you fought. We were in a position where Ninhursag had to temporarily be the alpha, Raquel.” Iain laced his fingers behind his back. “Although it aggravates me to admit it, I was had and you did a good job with your part, Raquel.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“My name is Kerrik Wolf, Raquel. In time I hope that you’ll use my name instead of calling me sir, but if you want to right now, that is your choice. In the meantime, would you like to come to my bed tonight?”
She blinked and then smiled. “I would, sir. Master Sean did not tame me very often. Do you have a large harem?”
“Not really. I don’t think it’s as large as Sean’s. How many pokegirls does he have?”
“He has thirty five, sir.” She paused and then spoke in a rush. “Sir, may I ask that I not share you tonight with Ninhursag? To be honest, sir, right now she frightens me. I should have beaten her and didn’t so she must be very powerful and she hurt me a lot. None of Master Sean’s pokegirls ever hurt me that much.”
“I didn’t have plans for you to share me at all tonight, Raquel.”
“Sir, I have enhanced strength. You’ll need someone to help hold me down.”
“We could use restraints.”
“Sir, I’d rather have someone hold me down. It’s more fun.”
“You’re probably right. Whoever joins us is ok as long as it’s not Ninhursag?”
“Sir, she should have enhanced strength. I would also prefer not sharing with Undine.” She blinked. “Sir.”
“I wouldn’t take two new girls to my bed at the same time, Raquel. Eve?”
The Megami-sama eyed Raquel. “I’d recommend Pandora.”
“I wasn’t asking for your suggestion. I was asking if you wanted to be the person who will help me with Raquel tonight.”
Eve looked surprised. “Are you sure?”
“I am.”
“Then I’d be flattered.”
***
Raquel sat and watched with wide eyes as Pandora stepped back, raising her sword. “Enough.”
Iain lowered his weapon and swiped at the sweat on his face with a filthy sleeve. “I think I’m getting worse,” he gasped. “I’m certainly not getting close to you as much as I used to.”
“Actually, Kerrik, you are improving rapidly. I have to keep you farther away because it’s getting harder to fight you without hurting you. I have to respond faster to your attacks, which means I have fewer choices.”
“Right now that’s not much solace. I’m going to sit down before I collapse. You find another victim.” He staggered over and dropped to the ground next to Raquel, tossing his sword to the side.
Pandora shook her head slightly, her purple hair swinging counterpoint to her movements. “You should take better care of your sword. A Slicer would make you lick it clean after treating it so poorly.”
He snorted. “She’d try.” He glanced to his right where April perched on a rock, her attention lost in the constructs that moved around and over the area looking for ferals or Sanctuary forces. He, Pandora, Eve, April and Raquel had traveled a couple of kilometers from camp so their training didn’t disturb the other residents.
Canaan had been left behind on guard and would keep an eye on things.
Pandora turned to the Duelist. “April?”
She shook her head. “I’m on watch, remember?”
Eve got up and moved into the fighting circle. “I’ll face you.”
Pandora grinned. “Infernal versus celestial. According to all the conventional rules, this should be to the death.”
Eve summoned her sword, shield and armor. “It’s a good thing we’re not conventional, then.”
They flowed together in a smooth motion, pitting enhanced speed and strength against enhanced speed and strength in a battle where the two pokegirls were a blur. The individual blows came so fast and furious they were invisible to the eye and created a continual noise that made Iain’s ears hurt.
Raquel’s vision was fast enough to compensate for her own speed and so she could follow the battle. She gasped and looked at Iain. “They are magnificent. I look forward to training against both of them.”
“I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from them and they from you. How do you think Undine would fare against either of them?”
The Rapitaur frowned. “I do not know. The few times I saw Undine fight, she preferred to open the fight at a distance and keep it that way until her opponent was hurt before closing to finish her. I am not sure how well her tactics would work against them.”
The sounds stopped suddenly as Pandora went flying backwards and crashed to the earth. She lay for a second before rolling to her feet, rubbing her chest where Eve had hit her. When Eve didn’t attack, she smiled cheerfully. “That was an interesting move. I’ve never seen it before.”
“I am a lot older than you are, Pandora, even counting the years you were dead.” Eve smiled back. “But you’re not bad.”
Raquel stared at Iain. “Sir, what does she mean, dead?”
“Well, the short version of that story is that Pandora died several years ago and I accidentally brought her back to life.” Raquel’s eyes grew even wider and she shivered as she fought not to move away from him. He started to reach out to her and stopped when her eyes locked on his hand and her breathing quickened in an obvious growing panic. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. To be honest, there’s really not a good way to tell what happened that doesn’t make me sound really scary.” He looked at the combatants as they began moving towards each other slowly. “I need some help here. I just managed to really scare Raquel.”
Eve didn’t look away from Pandora until the Fallen Angel sheathed her sword. Only then did she dismiss her equipment and head for Iain and Raquel. “What happened?”
“I was trying to explain your comment about Pandora being previously dead. She, Undine and Sofia don’t know that story and apparently I didn’t explain it very well.”
Eve dropped to her knees in front of them. “Raquel, look at me.” The Rapitaur didn’t move. “Iain, go over there, please.” He eased away from Raquel and got to his feet before walking over to Pandora. “Raquel, look at me.” When the Rapitaur didn’t look away from Iain, she reached out and took her by the chin, turning her head and forcing her to look at Eve. “I am a Megami-sama. Do you know what that means?”
“It means you’re a celestial.”
Eve kept her voice gentle and light. “That’s right. I would not be with Iain if he was a bad man. He is not. What happened with Pandora was that a man named Kelvin was murdered and Iain set out to find out who killed him. Due to the circumstances under which Kelvin died, the only way to find out what happened was for Iain to talk to Kelvin’s spirit. It’s a gift that he possesses and only uses when he has to. To speak to Kelvin, Iain had to open a kind of door and travel to a place where spirits go. Pandora’s spirit was there too. When Iain returned through the door, Pandora followed him here and in the process became alive again. Iain didn’t intend for it to happen, but when it did Pandora joined us and is now part of our family.” She smiled warmly at Raquel, who slowly returned the smile. “See, what happened isn’t scary at all.”
“I think it is still frightening, but not nearly as much as I first thought, Eve.”
“That’s fine. Iain is who he is, but for us the gentle man we were with last night is the real him. He will not hurt you, unless you decide that you want him to.”
“Why do you call him Iain?”
Pandora cursed softly enough that only Iain heard it, and he grinned. “It’ll be fine.”
The Fallen Angel shrugged. “This gets confusing sometimes. You should just tell Lindsey that you are Iain. She is no longer minister.”
“I still don’t trust her, but maybe you have a point.”
Eve’s head dropped for a second and then she looked at Raquel again. “I have something to confess to you. Kerrik’s name is really Iain, but one of the humans here doesn’t know that and we don’t want her to find out. She knows he uses the name Kerrik Wolf, but doesn’t know about Iain Grey, the name I think of him as.”
“There are other humans here?”
Eve looked surprised. “There are two human women with us. You didn’t know that?”
“I have only met a few of the people I’ve seen, Mistress Eve.”
“Please don’t call me that. I am Eve. I am your maharani or alpha, but we need no titles between us.”
“I will try. Sean’s alpha insisted on being called the mistress when he wasn’t around. What should I call our master?”
“Call him Kerrik for now. Later, I’ll tell you when it’s safe to call him Iain.”
“I could call him master. Then his name won’t matter.”
“That is true, but he gets sad when we call him master. Do you want him to be sad because of you?”
“No, I don’t. I will call him Kerrik until you tell me otherwise.”
“Thank you, Raquel.” Eve surprised her with a quick hug and rose. She glanced at the sky where the sun was peeking over the horizon. “Kerrik, Lindsey doesn’t get up early, but we don’t know about Monica. We should be getting back to camp and get you cleaned up before they do.”
April slipped off of her rock. “I’d like that. I’m planning on making some biscuits and a big omelet if there’s time.”
Iain shrugged. “I’m not in any hurry. Raquel, can I ride you back to camp?”
She smiled and nodded. “I’d like that, sir.” She shifted to her centaur form as she got up.
Pandora’s royal purple wings materialized. “You and Eve go ahead then. I’ll keep watch over these two while they get acquainted. Eve, you might want to take the opportunity to explain to Zareen that if Kerrik rides Raquel sometimes, she’ll get to fight more.”
Eve frowned as April vanished. “Is that important?”
“Yes it is. Zareen was planning to beat the crap out of Raquel until she understood that Kerrik was hers to carry. We know how much she resents not being able to fight more, so that’s a better way to explain things than ‘bad mare, no’.”
The Megami-sama’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Thanks for telling me. I’ll take care of that immediately.” She disappeared as she teleported.
***
Undine took a plate of biscuits and eggs and settled down on the other side of the fire from Iain. “I want more clothes.”
“I bid a good morning to you too, Undine.”
She flushed slightly. “Good morning, Kerrik. I want more clothes. I’ve worn these for more than four days and I’m tired of them.”
He cocked his head. “That’s interesting since you’ve only been with us for a day. However, when we get back to a league and things have settled down, I’ll be glad to see to your proper outfitting.” He looked at Raquel, who was helping April with the cooking. “Do you want clothes too?”
She shrugged. “Clothes don’t do most metamorphic pokegirls a lot of good, sir. If I transform while wearing them they’ll be ruined.”
“I think we can find something that’ll work. Skirts full enough to cover your equine chest shouldn’t be damaged unless your human torso gets a lot bigger too. Later, I’d like to take some measurements and see if that’s the case. That is, if you don’t mind.”
The Rapitaur looked surprised. “I’d like that, sir.”
Iain frowned when Monica and Cammie arrived and joined them. “Good morning, Cherry.” He glanced at Eve. Why is Cherry wearing my clothes?
She didn’t look up from her cup of tea. Her clothes were ruined when she was hurt and she didn’t bring any changes with her. None of us wanted to share with her and so we used your clothes.
What’s the deal with loaning her some of somebody else’s clothes?
It’s a status thing, Iain. She’s a human and we’re not.
That’s absurd.
Yes, it is, but it’s no less true. It’s the same reason we haven’t shared clothes with Harris. Instead we bought her some in Montevideo.
All this took place in the second while Monica was still setting down. She chuckled. “Are you going to keep calling me Cherry?”
“It happens to be how I think of you. Should I stop?”
“I’m just not used to it any more.” Cammie handed her a plate and she took it eagerly. “To be honest, I kind of like hearing it again.”
“Does that mean I should call you that too?” Harris already had some biscuits and was nibbling at one of them.
“Lindsey, I don’t mean this to sound like I don’t like you, but I think you should call me Monica. We’ve never really been friends and only friends have nicknames for each other.” She turned back to Iain as Harris absorbed the rebuke silently. “I wanted to thank you for last night.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiled slightly. “What are you thanking me for?”
She shared a quick grin with Camille. “Why, for the sex last night.”
Harris choked on a biscuit.
Iain blinked. “I didn’t have sex with you. I’m pretty sure I would have remembered that.”
Chambers laughed. “No you didn’t, but you let one of your harem join in with me and Cammie. It’s been a while since we had a new partner and it was very refreshing.”
Iain looked at Eve. She shrugged. I have no idea who slept with her, but nobody forbade it. Should I have?
He focused on swallowing his eggs, trying to decide how he felt about one of his ladies sleeping with Monica. Finally he decided it wasn’t his business unless she wanted to leave with Cherry. “I’m not sure who you were with last night, but it’s a free world and I’m glad to hear you enjoyed yourself.”
Chambers grinned. “Oh, I did. It was your lusty green haired girl.”
“Green haired girl?” Iain dropped his biscuit in shock as he realized what must have happened. “You had sex with Undine last night?”
“Is that her name?”
“Yes, it is,” Undine replied. “I don’t see why you should thank him for it, though. It was my decision, not his.”
Iain looked at Eve. “Do we want to press the issue?”
The Megami-sama was obviously thinking about the situation. “I think we do.”
Undine frowned. “What issue?”
Raquel suddenly touched Iain on the knee. “Is that one of the humans, sir?”
“Yes, she is.”
Undine looked confused. “Who is a human?”
“What is going on?” Monica’s good mood had vanished. “Kerrik?”
“I won Raquel in a duel on the way to your house and Undine was part of the deal because I hadn’t paid enough attention to the negotiations. She and I hadn’t bonded yet and it’s very likely that you bonded her last night, Cherry.”
“She did what!” Undine was on her feet, the plate of food flying away from her. “She is not a human! The sex was too good.”
Iain pulled her pokeball from his belt and retuned the Neo Iczel to it as Monica blanched. “I am so sorry, Kerrik. If I’d known, I would have sent her packing.”
Eve shook her head before Iain could respond. “Don’t be, Monica. This was meant to be. It will be difficult for you, but this is for the best.”
“What do you mean?” Chambers still didn’t look happy.
“Kerrik?”
Iain handed Eve the pokeball containing Undine. “Cherry, I didn’t want Undine. You are welcome to her.”
Chambers looked skeptically at him as Eve offered her the pokeball. “I’m a bit old to be picking up new pokegirls, Kerrik. What is wrong with her?”
“You know I’m involved with battling Sanctuary. Undine is pregnant and I don’t want to drag someone like that into my war.”
Camille suddenly looked startled. “She’s a pokewoman, isn’t she, Master Wolf?”
“She is. She’s also a Neo Iczel. Even pregnant, she’d be a great addition to Cherry’s security element. I know you three can win her respect.”
“He’s right, mistress. She would be useful and we did want a child.”
Monica looked at the pokeball and then slowly accepted it. “I can’t accept her as a gift, Kerrik. I’ll have to pay you for her or there would be the appearance of a conflict of interest in our relationship.”
“Does this have to do with the appointment you gave me to Naval Inspector General? I’m not sure you want to have that fight right now.”
Chambers shrugged. “We have to have it sometime and most of it wasn’t anything I could do about. I was happy with you as civilian consultant. President Llewellyn insisted you have a formal position and he insisted you be made an Admiral of the Blue.”
Iain stared at her. “He made me a what?”
She smiled slightly. “He didn’t make you anything. He told me to make you an admiral, which I did.”
Eve cocked her head. “What does that pay?”
“Cammie?”
“Mistress, Admiral of the Blue garners a salary of five million SLC annually. Naval Inspector General is not a specialized post and therefore does not come with an additional stipend.”
Iain gaped at her for a second and then recovered his usual aplomb. “Gee, and I seem to have misplaced my uniforms.”
Monica smiled. “They’re waiting for you in London. They’ll still have to be tailored to you, but everything has already been collected. I also made it optional for the Naval IG to wear civilian attire if he wants.”
“I don’t know anything about the Blue League navy or how it operates.”
Chambers nodded. “I understand that, Kerrik, but I know you’ll manage. You won’t be detailed to a flag position, so you don’t have to worry about exercising command authority.”
Dominique snorted. “I do know that there aren’t any non-command tracks in the Blue League navy. It’s too small. Just because he’s not supposed to have command authority doesn’t mean he won’t find it thrust on him if the circumstances require.”
“And I know if that happens he will comport himself in the finest tradition of the BLSF.”
Iain rubbed his forehead and looked up. “That will be enough, ladies. We have other issues that are much more important right now.”
Monica frowned. “I am not one of your pokegirls to order around, Wolf.”
“You are absolutely right.” He looked at the sun and pointed. “London is that way, but I’ll warn you that it’s quite a walk and you’ll pass through Wellham during your trip. It’s either full of Zombabes or full of Sanctuary forces, depending on how far along they are in controlling the Zombabe problem that was there when we last visited it. Or, considering Sanctuary, it might just be a really big smoking spot on the veldt.”
Eve smiled slightly. “Undine probably knows how to teleport, so she could just go back to the alley where you met her or anywhere else she’s been before.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
Chambers stared at him for a second. “You are a hard man, Wolf.”
“I can be. Just because I like you does not mean I am going to let you run roughshod all over me. President Llewellyn will find that out the next time we meet.”
“That’s what I had to deal with, Monica.”
“Shut up, Lindsey.” Chambers didn’t look in her direction. “Very well, Wolf, so we’ll table the discussion where I continue to tell you I was just following orders and you continue to tell me to stuff it up my pretty little arse. What do you propose to do as far as our current predicament?”
“I want you to look over that list and finish going over it so you can tell me how penetrated the league is. After that, we’ll need more information and we’ll have to start collecting prisoners. I presume you do want prisoners, right?”
She nodded. “Murdering senior members of the league’s government without sanction or a show trial is usually frowned upon and, frankly, considering my position as Minister of Defense, a precedent I do not want to establish.” She ran her fingers through her red curls, an unconscious habit he’d already noticed she had when she was thinking. “However, I understand that we won’t be able to take everyone alive and that some of them will have to be questioned, ah, vigorously, and not all of them may survive that.”
Iain exchanged a look with Eve. “Ask Canaan to come here.” She nodded and a moment later the Splice appeared behind him. “Canaan, would you be willing to violate Blue League law and perform full scans on any prisoners I may request you to?”
Her mind touched his. You know I will. What are you doing?
I’m giving the Minister of Defense the opportunity to pardon us before the fact.
Ah. You are, of course, recording this.
Of course I am.
Canaan picked her way around to stand where he could see her and still observe Chambers. “Violating the minds of humans is a serious crime. So is violating the minds of civil service pokegirls. I could be executed for doing this.”
Chambers smiled slowly. “You’re a smart one, Wolf.”
“I’m not a member of the BLSF or any other security organ, Cherry, and whatever I do will be seen as an assault on members of the government, since that’s what it is.”
Her smile grew. “That’s not exactly true, Kerrik. You’re an admiral in the BLSF Navy, remember? I even made sure you’re getting paid.”
“Shit. I’ll have to change my will so my survivors get my life insurance.”
“That’s right.” Her smile vanished. “Admiral Kerrik Wolf, as my right and responsibility as the Minister of Defense of the Blue League, I charge you with helping me to purge the Blue League government of these invaders by any means necessary and, while doing so, provide proof as to who is behind this assault on my homeland.” She showed her teeth in what was not a smile. “I am a little tired of the Oranges squatting on that refuse heap that they call a league and thumbing their noses at us after they violate Blue League sovereignty. This time, God willing, I intend for there to be consequences for their actions.”
“I never took a vow to obey you.”
Monica made an exasperated noise. “Will you fucking help me or not?”
Iain grinned as Camille gasped in shock. “When you put it so nicely, I suppose we can work together for a while.”
“It’s about time. What do you think the first move should be?”
“I think I’m going to finish breakfast and you need to spend the rest of the day getting to know Undine. When you get a chance, you need to go over that list like we talked about and start making some notes. We can use it as a starting point to grab some of the minor Orange agents and dismantle them for information.”
“You mean interrogate, right Kerrik?”
He smiled slightly. “I mean what I said.”
***
“Where are we?”
Eirian had recently been showing more signs of lifelike behavior and she cocked her head to regard him for a second. “We are somewhere in the northern Dark Continent where we are unlikely to be detected or disturbed by anyone. We have swept the area for ferals or aware pokegirls and humans.”
“I thought we would go to your facility in the Pendragon stronghold.”
“We could, but I thought you would prefer to come here since I could teleport you instead of having to walk the universes. You do not react well to that method of travel and will not let us remove the Pendragon vermin that you might travel through the ley lines.”
Iain nodded. “That’s true enough, although I’m starting to rethink my stance on the knights.” He glanced at the sky. “However, the stronghold is the only place we can be completely sure that no one is remotely monitoring. Take me there.”
“It shall be as you wish, my lord.”
“It’s not my wish, Eirian, it’s my need.”
She took him by the elbow and strode forward as the shadows swallowed them up. Iain found himself floating over a spiral galaxy. He grabbed his nostrils and squeezed his eyes shut as vacuum sucked at his body. Quickly he took a step forward and sank knee deep in mud. Humidity crashed in on him. He opened his eyes to find himself staring at a large plant with heavy fronds that dripped moisture into the soil. The vegetation was so thick that he could only see a meter or two around him, but his perception showed it surrounded him for at least four meters in all directions. In the distance, something hooted with such force that he felt the air vibrate and his head came around as something thrashed heavily in the nearby brush. He resolutely stepped forward again and stood in front of the fire in Eoghan’s lair.
Skye stood near the fireplace and she bobbed her head in greeting. “My lord.”
“Hello, Skye.” He looked around and shook his head. “I suppose I should quit hesitating and get this over with.”
The blue Dragoness’s wings spread slightly. “What worries you, my lord? They present no danger to you and this will ensure that their obedience is absolute.”
“I am concerned that they will think of me as you did of Eoghan.”
“The fact that you are concerned about such a thing proves that they will not. It shows you are not our killer.”
“I am still their killer.”
Eirian nodded. “You are, my lord. They are dead and right now they have no minds of their own. When awakened, they will remember that you killed them, but they will not be able to respond to your actions because they will be bound to you just as we are. We hate our killer because of what he did with and to us after our death, when we had no minds with which to resist him, but still a part of us knew what was happening and chafed under the absolute control. They will never know that and will never hate you the way we hate our killer.”
Iain frowned. “I’ve never been undead and so I can’t intelligently debate with that. I know you won’t lie to me, but still,” he shrugged, “something still doesn’t feel right with your argument. I’ll figure it out eventually, but I can’t be squeamish when all of our lives,” he paused as a thought struck him, “and existences are at risk. Fetch them.”
The silver Dragoness turned her head. “Skye, get them.”
Aurum and Emerald came off of Iain’s arms and moved to join Eirian as Beryl entered the room from the still trapped door that led to Eoghan’s personal quarters. Iain gave the door a curious look. “Can you remove the traps without setting them off and incinerating parts of this room?”
Beryl looked at him. “I helped our killer refresh the spells three times. I can safely remove them, but it would take nearly two years of continuous work to complete the process.”
“I see. Then don’t bother, just be sure and pack that room for the move along with everything else. I’ll see what was in there when we unpack.”
“May we open this section up so the knights will find it when we leave? The traps here would probably claim many of them.”
Iain frowned. “They’d just send their pokegirls in first after the first knight got zapped. The pokegirls didn’t do anything wrong, so I’m inclined to say no.”
He broke off when Skye returned with two skeletal figures walking slowly behind her. Before he had stabbed them in the chest and murdered them, the one with the skeletal tail and feline shaped skull had been a Cheetit named Ling and other a human female DCWS sergeant named Julia. Red lights glowed malevolently in their eye sockets. “Will this harm you if you’re in the room with them?”
“No.” Eirian was back to being motionless. “We are yours and nothing can break that except possibly destruction.”
“Possibly?”
“If we could be destroyed but our soul remained intact, it is theoretically possible that we would still remain bonded to you. For a brief time I considered summoning Sable’s shade to see if this were so, but that consideration was for naught when it was determined that her soul was destroyed by the dwarf along with her body. In fact, it may be that the only way we can be destroyed is by destroying our soul.”
“That’s an interesting if academic question. We aren’t going to make a bunch of liches just to turn around and destroy them in tests.”
“It is good to see you are not going to do that, my lord. However, you have work here that you need to perform and now.”
“You’re right.” Iain turned to face the two skeletons. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I am Iain Grey. Nyclioch ameloth zalestiel rholaeipt. Kalieth lhurept.” The Cheetit and human lich shuddered as the temporary control spell that Eirian had held them with was replaced with Iain’s permanent bond. He turned to Eirian. “Where are their diamonds?”
“I have them, my lord.” Iain realized that Beryl was carrying a small box the same color as her scales in one hand. She held it out, resting in her palm. “The one on your right is Ling’s while the one on your left is Julia’s.”
Iain opened the box and removed Julia’s diamond. He held it out to Julia. “Is this yours?” The red points she had for eyes fixed on the glittering jewel and she nodded jerkily. “Take it.” The undead human plucked the gem from his hand and put it in her mouth. When her jaw closed, he could see through the openings in the skeleton as the diamond seemed to melt and flowed into the roof of her mouth. Then he repeated the process with Ling and stepped back to run a critical eye over the newly bonded undead. “You ladies started breathing almost immediately. These two aren’t.”
Emerald gave a harsh laugh. “You jest, my lord. These are skeletons and have no lung, torsos or diaphragms with which to breathe. When they grow flesh, they will breathe as we sometimes do.”
Iain blinked and flushed slightly. “Looks like I won my idiot award for the day. Good catch, Emerald.” The green stood straighter as he turned back to the silver Dragoness. “Eirian, is there anything else I need to do with them?”
“No, my lord, there is not, unless you wish to rename them at this time.”
“No, I don’t. I named you because you didn’t have names. If they want new names later, then I’ll consider it.”
“Then that is all you need to do with them right now, my lord. We shall see to their full awakening and begin their training in the magical arts. It will be some time before they are capable enough to give you personal protection.” She motioned and the newest additions turned and left the room, followed by Emerald. “The only other thing I would have you do for your dead harem is find more members for it. However, I request no more humans. All newcomers will need much education before they are anything close to what we are, but until then pokegirls can fall back on the abilities they had before their death. Humans have no techniques like pokegirls do.”
“You know, I hadn’t thought about it that way and I’ll keep that in mind. Things have been quiet recently, but I haven’t forgotten about the need to add to my dead harem. When I find more, I’ll send them to you.” Iain held out his arms. “Who is supposed to protect me for now?” Beryl and Aurum quickly became tattoos on his arms. “Ok, that’s settled. Now I need to return to our camp in the Dark Continent.”
***
Iain sat on his rock and watched Eve and April working with Sofia and Raquel. Zareen and Pandora were on sentry duty around the camp. Donna was also standing guard, but she was only loosely coordinating with his ladies. This didn’t make Pandora confident about the Kung-Ewe’s help and so she had placed herself to cover half the area while Zareen monitored the other half. Undine, Monica Chambers and Cammie were sitting together and talking a short distance from where he sat and it was an effort not to eavesdrop on them.
Ninhursag appeared in front of him and he immediately noted her expression. “Is there a problem?”
She deliberately looked around to note where everyone was before shaking her head and sitting down next to him. “Nope.” Austin has a message from his boss. She stretched and rested her head on top of his.
His eyebrows went up. You know, her timing is impeccable. I’m not sure she could have chosen a worse time to want something. Did you read the message?
I did. It’s short and to the point. You are summoned posthaste to the city of Sanctuary to meet with her as soon as it is safely possible.
He frowned, still watching Sofia showing Eve what she knew how to do, which wasn’t much. She’d never been formally trained and any time she’d used her abilities she’d been severely beaten. There is some wriggle room in that request, but not a lot. Damn, I was really hoping the next time we had a face to face I’d be ready to act.
What are we going to do?
Unfortunately, I don’t see where I have too much choice unless I want to scrap all of my plans. I’m going to meet with Kirabo.
***
“Where are you going?” Monica was watching them curiously as Iain talked quietly with Eve. At her question, Harris looked up from the magazine she’d borrowed from April.
“I’ve got to go somewhere, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“You won’t tell me where you’re going?”
He turned to face her. “Cherry, remember when we talked about the fact that I’m trying to stop Sanctuary from killing my family?”
She nodded. “I do.”
“Well, I have to make a quick trip in order to advance those plans another step. I shouldn’t be gone long.” Canaan, please tell Cherry that I am not willing to discuss this any more around Harris.
The redheaded woman blinked suddenly and her eyes flicked in Lindsey’s direction for an instant. “I need to have a word with you, Kerrik, and I don’t want your harem listening in. Let’s go for a little walk.”
He glanced at Eve. “Finish up here. I won’t be gone long.”
Eve nodded. “Be careful.” Canaan is watching you.
He joined Chambers and they headed away from the camp, trailed by Cammie and Donna. After a couple of minutes he pulled to a halt. “This is far enough, Cherry. What do you want?”
“I know your priorities don’t match mine, Kerrik, but can’t this wait?”
Iain shook his head. “I don’t have much of a choice right now. If I don’t go, I’ll screw everything up.”
Her eyes regarded him intently. “What do you have to do?”
“You understand operational security. What you don’t know you can’t have plucked from your mind or be forced to tell.”
She considered his words for what seemed like a long time. “Are you in danger?”
“Of course I’m in danger. I’m in danger from Sanctuary. I’m in danger from the leagues, too. I’ve been in danger ever since I came to this universe. I’m an author and I’m not one of you and everyone who knows about me knows it. Just to be safe, Eve has double checked Undine’s teleportation abilities. She can carry one other person at a time and can travel back and forth to take you and Harris back to London if something happens to us. Eve also took her to Dublin, if you feel London isn’t safe for you.”
Monica put her hand on his shoulder. “Please be careful, Kerrik. I need your help to rescue my homeland.” A smile flitted across her face. “The fact that I like you and consider you my friend is yet another reason I’d like you to come back. I don’t have many friends and I don’t want to lose any of them.” Her brow furrowed when he smiled amusedly. “What’s so funny?”
“I was remembering something I used to tell people before I came here.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s very difficult, if not impossible, for men and women to have platonic relationships and just be friends.”
She chuckled. “You told people that before. Has your opinion of friendship changed so much since you came here?”
“No, it hasn’t. I just haven’t had anyone to tell it to.” He grinned. “I spend most of my time with my harem and they tend to agree with me.”
“What about your friendship with Harris?”
His smile vanished. “Understand this, Cherry. Lindsey Harris and I are not friends. I choose my friends much more carefully than that.”
She stared at him in surprise before quickly recovering. “I see. Are you and I friends?”
He considered her question thoroughly for a few seconds before he nodded slowly. “I think we are.”
Her smile returned. “That’s good. Let’s go back to camp so you can do whatever it is you have to do.”
Back at camp, Iain looked at Eve. “Well?”
She rubbed her chin. “Canaan, Sofia, Raquel, Pandora, Zareen and April are staying, with April, Zareen, Canaan and Pandora as our backup. I’d prefer to have April with us, but she’s the beta and this is part of her job.” I’m really worried about the fact that we don’t have Irena or Montsho.
Me too. Well make it work somehow. “Well, let’s go.”
“Dominique, you have Ninhursag.” Eve took his hand and the view changed as they moved to one of the other camps. A second later Dominique appeared with her Elfqueen passenger. Iain changed to become Austin Drummond and they teleported again, this time coming out at the exit point closest to the Sanctuary High Council complex.
A voice came from their left. “I need to see some ID.” It was one of the Dameosaurs from the sentry checkpoint. Eve stepped forward and produced her badge. The dinosaur pokegirls eyed it and looked up. “Sergeant Eve, this says you belong to Captain Irena the mbegu huru. Where is she?”
Eve shrugged. “I was told to come here. I don’t question my superiors and I definitely don’t question my mistress.” She gave a slight shiver that brought a quick sympathetic look from the Dameosaur.
“I can understand following orders, but I had to ask since you’ve got a male. Have a nice day.” With that she turned and jogged back to the guard shack.
Eve glanced at him as they headed away. “Perhaps it might be a good idea to head away from town and establish a couple of teleport points outside their restricted area so we can avoid any awkward questions every time we come back here.”
Ninhursag nodded. “That is an excellent idea.” She looked around interestedly. “This place has changed a lot more than I’d thought it would have since I was last here seventy years ago. On the other hand, I haven’t been to this part of town, either. Where are we?”
Dominique was nervous and trying very hard not to watch in all directions at once. “This is the expensive side of town. The council buildings are up ahead. Why were you here?”
“I was still trying to find a way to get to Spadolini and came here to see if they could teach me anything useful. I took some lessons and paid for them, too. Still, afterwards they tried to keep me here and there was a bit of unpleasantness that resulted in part of the city getting some much needed urban renewal before I got away. Damned bitches chased me for fifty years after that and I had to fake my own death to get away from them.” She scowled. “And now I’m back.”
Iain chuckled. “You may get the chance to destroy more of the city before we’re done.”
“Good. This place is a dump.”
Eve looked at them both. “How much would you like to bet that those kinds of comments are treason or at least a reason to be questioned by the authorities?”
Ninhursag shrugged. “I know they are. I just don’t care.”
“Let me put it to you this way. Either you shut up so we don’t get arrested, or you can go in your pokeball.”
The Elfqueen grimaced. “I did a better job as maharani, but you’re in charge and I’ll keep my opinions to myself.”
Eve whirled on her. “I’ll remember that crack.”
Ninhursag didn’t look impressed. “I am well aware that there’s nothing wrong with your memory.”
Iain looked at Dominique, who shrugged and joined him as they kept walking down the street. Eve realized what happened and glared at them before saying something to Ninhursag and hurrying to catch up. They continued on in silence for a few minutes before Eve sighed. “I’m sorry.”
Iain glanced at her. “I’m declaring this an apology free zone for the next hour. You’re sorry for what you said, Ninhursag is sorry for what she said, I’m sorry I started it and Dominique is sorry she had to listen to us.” The Archmage burst out laughing. “So we’re all done with the sorries.”
Eve gave him a tiny smile. “Forever?”
He chuckled. “I wish.”
“There it is.” Dominique pointed with her chin. “The High Council complex.”
Ninhursag shook her head. “I won’t say anything about the architecture, but Greek? I suppose they could be trying for a statement about freedom and democracy.” She snorted.
“Austin already made fun of it.” Dominique looked at Eve. “You’re the sergeant and he’s the pet. That means we go in pokeballs.”
Iain shook his head. “Irena was allowed a single escort. Eve should be too.”
“Oh. Then I recommend Ninhursag.”
The Elfqueen looked surprised. “Why not you?”
“You’re still learning to see outside your pokeball while in it and how to exit and enter them at will. I am fully capable of doing both of those things and therefore being inside a pokeball is only an inconvenience if trouble starts.”
Eve nodded. “That makes sense.” She was wearing the spare tamer’s belt and returned Dominique. “Ok, let’s go. Ninhursag, stay close to Austin.”
“Yes, sergeant.”
The Dameosaurs in front of the doors watched them come up the steps and one of them moved to block the door. “ID.” Eve produced her badge. “What’s your business here?”
“I’ve been summoned to see Councilor Kirabo.”
“Where is your mistress?”
“I’m afraid I’m not authorized to tell anyone that. The councilor is aware that I would be arriving without Captain Irena and the receptionist will be able to authenticate that.” I really hope I’m right about this.
Iain didn’t look at her. You are. Everything will be fine.
The Dameosaur cocked her head in an eerily birdlike gesture and stepped aside. “For your sake I hope you are correct.”
Eve put her badge away. “Of all the places I can think of that I might bluff my way into, the seat of Sanctuary’s power is way down on the list.” Both guards chuckled as she and the others headed through the massive double doors.
Once inside, Eve turned left and stopped at the elegant desk. There was a different Sanctuary Goth from their first visit sitting behind the desk. She looked Eve up and down. “Yes?”
The Megami-sama produced her badge and held it out. “Mistress, I am Shujaa Sergeant Eve and I am here on the behalf of Captain Irena to meet with Councilor Kirabo.”
The receptionist’s eyes flicked over Iain and back to Eve. “You have a male with you.”
“The councilor specifically requested his presence. His name is Austin Drummond and he may be on your list as well.”
“Mistress,” Iain said quietly as he produced his badge, “I believe the councilor’s personal assistant Peony made sure I had unrestricted access, the same as my mistress, the captain.”
The Sanctuary Goth checked her computer and reluctantly nodded. “Without the captain, I cannot let you wander the halls alone and I don’t have anyone to escort you to the councilor’s chambers. I’ll send word to Peony that you are here. Please be seated.”
Eve smiled. “Thank you, mistress.” She led Iain and Ninhursag over to the chairs as the receptionist picked up the telephone’s receiver and began cranking the telephone. “I wonder how she calls the councilor’s office. She doesn’t have any buttons to press.”
Iain leaned back in his chair. “She’s calling a switchboard and the operator there connects her to whoever she wants to talk to.”
About fifteen minutes of watching the doors, Iain sat up when Peony came through and headed for them. She smiled when she realized he was watching her. “You recognized me? There are lots of Dameosaurs here and I’m impressed you can recognize one particular individual.”
He smiled back. “You’ve got a unique tattoo on your right arm.”
“You’re right, but that still takes powers of observation that most don’t have. Sergeant Eve, please gather your people and come with me. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait for the councilor again, but I’m sure you expected that since nobody emailed me back.”
Eve shrugged. “It’s not that we can’t or won’t send you email. It’s just that when we got the message we were in an area with spotty reception and figured it was easier to just come right here.”
“Spotty reception?” Peony led them out of the entranceway and down the corridor towards the chambers of the highest ranking council members. “That’s unexpected in the Blue League.”
“There are still places in Blue where you can’t get mail without a satellite uplink and,” Iain smiled slightly, “you have to have your pokedex out where it can connect. Considering who I’m chasing and the fact that he sometimes works for the league, I don’t keep it on all the time as a safety precaution.”
“That’s very,” Peony paused and then her head bobbed once, “paranoid but I can’t find a way to disagree with your caution.” Once they arrived at the councilor’s chambers, she pointed at the chairs. “Please be seated. You’ll be pleased to know that my mistress has decided to accept your plan and that you have been confirmed as Captain Austin Drummond. She’ll want to present you with your new badge and badges for the other members of your group indicating their affiliation with you instead of Captain Irena, may she rest in peace.”
Iain grimaced. “I hope I don’t sound ungrateful when I say I wish this situation didn’t have to come about at all. I miss Irena and Montsho.”
“I am glad to hear you say that, captain, and my mistress will be glad too.” She smiled toothily. “Now, I’ll get you some refreshments and then you can wait for our mistress to return.”
***
Iain looked up from his reading when the door opened and Kirabo entered. Eve and Ninhursag were playing rummy while Peony was at her desk, ostensibly working while in actuality she was watching the game after declining an offer to join them in playing poker. The Sanctuary Goth looked at him for a long moment before nodding politely. “Captain Drummond, I’ll be with you and your pokegirls in just a moment.”
“Whenever you’re ready, councilor, we’ll be waiting.” She swept past him and into her private offices, followed by her personal assistant.
Iain watched her with a thoughtful expression. “What is it?”
He shrugged at Eve’s question. “She seems curter today. It’s probably just that today has been different from the last time we were here, but I wish I knew more about her personality so I could be sure.”
Ninhursag began collecting the cards and putting them away as Eve frowned. “I’ve already noticed a distinct difference in the way we’ve been treated this time because we’re not with Irena or Montsho. It could just be that she’s not happy we don’t have a Sanctuary Goth as a controller anymore.”
“You’re probably right.”
A short time later Peony came out of Kirabo’s office and nodded to them. “My mistress will see you now.” She led them into the room and took up station next to the councilor’s chair.
Three chairs had been arranged in front of Kirabo’s desk and the councilor waved to them as she sipped from a glass of brandy. “Be seated.” After they’d settled down she looked at Iain. “I’m sorry for the loss of Captain Irena and the Tyrannodame in her harem.”
“I thank you, councilor. I cared for them a great deal and their absence is felt every day. I also wanted to thank you for not assigning me someone new.”
“I must admit that was my first impulse, but your reasoning as to why I shouldn’t was very persuasive.” She leaned back in her chair. “So, what has been going on in your hunt for Kerrik Wolf?”
Iain exchanged a glance with Eve. “I’ve lost him. To be honest, I believe he’s no longer in the Blue League.”
Kirabo’s head came up. “Do you have evidence of this?”
“Nothing concrete, but he recently reconnected with the former Minister of Defense Lindsey Harris right before there was some kind of attack on her. Then the two of them disappeared along with his harem. They haven’t been seen or heard of since, although I do have some information that a tamer by the same name fought a duel in London. I haven’t been able to corroborate this or fathom why a tradesman would be masquerading as a tamer.” Iain started to say it was probably a red herring and then wondered if that phrase was still in use. “It might be an attempt at deliberate misdirection or there might actually be a tamer named Kerrik Wolf out there. I’ll know more once I get a copy of the footage of the battle.” He licked suddenly dry lips. “That was only a couple of days ago and I haven’t found any other signs of him in the Blue League.” He decided to go on the offensive, at least a little. “Is there a Sanctuary operation going on that I should be made aware of?”
Peony blinked in surprise and Kirabo’s eyebrows went up. “I think you’re misunderstanding your relative value to us, Captain Drummond. You need not be aware of anything we do.”
“I see. My mistake, mistress.”
“Yes, it would be.” She sat up and rested her forearms on her desk. “Captain Drummond, some interesting information has recently come to light and I need to ask you a couple of questions in regards to it. That’s why I ordered you here.”
“I’ll answer as best I can, councilor.”
“That’s good to hear, captain.” She interlocked her fingers and leaned her chin on them. “Captain, it has come to my attention that one of the other councilors here, Councilor Bromigo, has acquired some interesting information that she is considering releasing to damage my position. I don’t know where she could have gotten it from and I’m sure it’s pure fantasy, but still, it must be pursued.”
“I take it this information either has to do with me or is something I can either confirm or refute, councilor?”
“That’s exactly right, captain. You see, Bromigo plans to reveal that you and your friend Rudy Wells are not who you appear to be. Whether she believes it or not, she intends to claim that you are in fact Kerrik Wolf and that Rudy Wells is Kelvin’s Choice.”
Iain forced himself to laugh and was proud that Eve and Ninhursag joined in without any prompting. “That’s quite a statement. I don’t look anything like Kerrik.”
“No, you don’t.” Kirabo chuckled too, while Peony’s mouth opened in a savage grin. “Still, I have to ask the question because when she releases it you’ll probably be summoned again to testify before the High Council. Are you Kerrik Wolf?”
Iain grinned back at them. “Why of course I am, Kirabo.”
***
Iain Grey - Tradesman
Living Harem
Eve - Megami-sama (maharani)
Dominique - Blessed Archmage
April - Duelist
Ninhursag - Elfqueen
Zareen - Nightmare
Pandora - Fiendish Fallen Angel
Canaan - G-Splice (Amachamp Hunter/Alaka-Wham)
Sofia - Peekabu
Raquel - Rapitaur
Dead Harem
Eirian - Silver Dragoness
Skye - Blue Dragoness
Emerald - Green Dragoness
Aurum - Gold Dragoness
Beryl - Red Dragoness
Julia - human
Ling - Cheetit