CH 191: An Opportunity They Can’t Refuse
After filling Jasmine in on what they had discussed that morning, they decided to meet back in the church. Claire assumed they’d also have to clean the mess they created the previous day, but was surprised to find the place spotless.
“Did you gals clean?” Claire asked, a bit surprised.
“No,” Jasmine replied, tilting her head. “Who moved the pews back? And the blanket?”
“And the mess we made,” Lily continued. She looked around for any signs of their ritual from yesterday, but couldn’t find anything. “I didn’t even use my cleaning spell.”
“That’s convenient,” Jasmine muttered.
“Did She do this?” Elsie asked Claire. All Claire could do was shrug.
“Interesting,” Lily mused. She, like Claire, assumed they needed to clean up from yesterday. “That means we can get right into our plans.”
“Right,” Jasmine said, clearing her throat. “I discussed with Elizabeth this morning. I filled her in on the three hybrid monsters.”
A chill went down Claire’s spine. She knew she could trust the mayor, but their existence was spreading far beyond just the six that were there, along with the boys.
“I had to,” Jasmine sighed. She had a small smile as she spoke. “Some of the boys were talking about the ‘green men’ that helped us. I have no idea what she’ll tell the others…”
“Are you sure she can be trusted?” Hannah chimed in.
Jasmine nodded. “She’s very trustworthy. She and your Lady would get along well.”
Hannah nodded. “We’ll have to see. There’s a high likelihood my Lady arrives in Restol looking for Toni.”
“Mhmm,” Jasmine nodded. “I informed Elizabeth on what to do.”
“So, are we here to discuss our Lady?” Claire asked. She felt her adrenaline begin to pump as her heart rate increased. “Is now the time?”
“Maybe.” Jasmine pursed her lips. She hesitated to talk about the possible opportunity they had. “We may be able to get Ryley out of her estate without fighting…”
Claire steadied her breathing. She didn’t want to overreact. “Go on.”
Toni walked over and took Claire’s hand. His touch soothed her racing emotions. He was followed by Ana, who took her other hand. There was a brief pause while her lovers cautiously watched her emotions.
“Myrtle has a rat within her guard.” Jasmine continued. She watched Claire’s expression while she continued. “Someone fed information to a liberation group during Myrtle’s last transfer of boys. They were able to intercept the aged-out boys and rescue them from another estate.”
“What?” They all said in near unison.
Jasmine held up her hand, “We were contacted by said group. Seems Claire’s name and Goddess have spread faster than we anticipated.”
Claire felt like she should be reacting more, like she should be emotional. But the emotions never rose. It was strange and off-putting. She felt Ana and Toni squeeze her hand.
“Claire,” Jasmine spoke with surprising emotion. “This is good news.”
“I-I know,” Claire blinked rapidly. Her body seemed slow to react with emotion. She didn’t know if it was shock or her new skill, but it felt off. “It’s just surprising.”
“Are you okay?” Ana whispered to Claire.
Claire nodded. She could feel her emotions returning like a warmth slowly spreading. She exhaled before continuing. “Just surprised… Here I thought we’d need to mount an assault.”
“Can we trust this group?” Hannah asked. She eyed the paladin before glancing at the northerner. “And what of the other boys still at the estate?”
Jasmine shrugged. “I don’t know. The main concern for me is getting Ryley. As for the group, we know nothing but their name and that they paid off the other estate, so they have quite large monetary backing.”
Ursa pushed off the wall she was leaning against. She walked towards Jasmine, “I say take the chance. Either we get Ryley now, or after storming her house.”
Jasmine blinked. She glanced at the northerner and then to the ground. Part of her heard the news and thought they wouldn’t need to fight the Lady’s guard. “Right. Yeah…”
“Couldn’t this be a trap?” Hannah chimed in. “Seems awfully convenient.”
“Could be,” Jasmine nodded. “May vouched for them. Remember her?”
Claire nodded. It was the woman she made an oath to, how could she forget her? She was the mayor of the village that was attacked by cockatrices. Claire smiled, remembering the banquet the village had for them.
“You sure that’s enough?” Hannah pressed. “She could be forced.”
“Too elaborate for our Lady,” Jasmine replied. She rubbed her chin as she thought about the possibilities. “Unless she has outside help, she usually is very direct with her actions. She’s not really a planner.”
“Still, that’s a major gamble,” Hannah retorted.
“One that would be worth it, I think,” Jasmine replied.
“For one man?” Hannah eyed her master.
“Not just one man, Claire’s brother.” Jasmine insisted.
“I understand that, but if this is a trap,” Hannah sighed. She hated being the contrarian, but it had to be said. “Then it could get us all killed or jailed.”
“Isn’t it worth the risk?” Elsie spoke up finally. She’d been deep in thought. “Claire’s Goddess said he was necessary, along with Samira.”
“Are you willing to gamble this entire group on it?” Hannah pressed. She saw the hesitation within Elsie’s eyes.
“That’s why we wouldn’t be the ones meeting with them,” Claire finally spoke up. She let go of Toni and Ana’s hands. “We could have a third party meet the group and get Ryley from them. Be nearby in case it is a trap.”
They all turned to Claire. Jasmine asked the first question. “Who would we send?”
Claire spoke with surprising calm. “Could be a few people. May, the woman who vouched for them. Elizabeth. Or even an envoy from Lady Efreit if we direct them to the meeting spot.”
Toni tilted his head. “They wouldn’t know Hannah and I was a part of the group. Hannah would be a great ‘third party’”
“Wow,” Hannah chuckled. “Offering me up to a trap, master?”
“Only because I know you could handle it,” Toni smiled back.
“So we are taking this opportunity?” Jasmine clarified.
“Seems too good to pass up,” Lily finally chimed in. “Which is why I find it suspicious. Either it’s a major coincidence or divine intervention.”
“Could be a monetary gain too,” Elsie added.
“Right, which is why I think it’s smart to use a third party,” Lily replied. “Only if Hannah’s up for it.”
The knight shrugged. “I signed up to protect Toni. I’m more than fine putting my life on the line for his crush.”
Toni squirmed as his face turned red. “Hannah. Be serious please.”
“I am, master,” Hannah smirked at the man. She found his reactions to be too cute, much like the rest of the women in the church. There was a moment of silence as they all watched Toni gather himself.
“So how will this work?” Claire asked Jasmine.
“They have someone within the estate feeding them information,“ Jasmine explained. “The message stated their informant helped them retrieve the last batch of aged-out boys and get them to a safer fief. Casseus, or Ryley, will be the only man to be aged out this year.”
“Wait, Casseus?” Claire asked. “How would they know he’s my brother if they’re using that name?”
“They don’t,” Jasmine replied. “We are just closer than their sanctuary. So they would want us to escort him to said sanctuary.”
“So this would be a job?” Claire asked.
“Indeed,” Jasmine nodded. “We’d escort him to the sanctuary and claim him as your brother. Wouldn’t be paid, but we’d be honoring our deal and getting Ryley back.”
“So it is a coincidence?” Lily asked.
“I guess,” Jasmine shook her head. “Could be Claire’s Goddess directing people again or not. I don’t know. I just know that it’s a chance to get him back.”
“Pray for the good, prepare for the bad,” Ursa added. Her red eyes glowed with passion. She looked to her paladin, who was deep in thought. “Claire. I’m with you on this. But promise me we don’t stop with just your brother.”
“I promise,” Claire nodded. She met Ursa’s eyes with determination. “Having Ryley back won’t change the mission She gave me. Just brings me much more peace.”