57. Audience with Peter Errama

"Right this way, Mister Aman." Riley the receptionist let them through a labyrinth of corridors and paths before they arrived at a reception hall. It was opulent, grand, in every way the Lord of a city is expected to be. Most of the decorations and features of the hall was actually inherited, since Peter Errama himself was a man of relatively small ambitions. His only desires were women and alcohol, and even then his tastes were not very high.

But with Edmund's enthrall, Edmund took the form of a small creature sitting within Peter Errama's pocket. This was the best way to listen in on the conversation and steer it accordingly.

One of the aides immediately announced. "Greetings, and welcome to the humble abode of Lord Peter Errama, Lord Ruler of the City of Errama."

Aman was polite and immediately bowed. "We humbly greet the Lord of Errama. I am Aman, a hero chosen by the gracious goddesses. These are my compatriots and party members who joined my quest to slay the demons, Hannah, Nysta, Wynn, Kiara and Raven."

Peter grinned as his eyes locked on Raven. He gazed for a while, before looking at the rest. At Edmund's guidance, he spoke. "Ohhh, I believe I met some of you before."

Aman paused. His first instinct was Kiara, since Kiara was nobility. "Oh?"

Kiara shook her head. "I'm afraid we have not met before, Lord Errama."

"Ah. Is that so. I swear some of you familiar." Peter said with a chuckle which made Raven squirm at her place. "Anyway, how is your mother, Lady Kenarias? I heard she's twirled around the fingers of that gold-minded Count. Or is it the other way round? It all seems to be such a convenient set of coincidences."

Kiara paused, and now it was her turn to shift uncomfortably. "The Count's assistance to my family lands helped tremendously."

"I heard he paid a big bribe to get the other Dukes to shut up and allow your mother's claim to the land." Peter laughed. "What did he get?"

The knight hated this conversation, it just dug up all the uncomfortable parts about her family, and clearly Aman didn't know about this part. "I am not privy to the discussions between my mother and the Count of Natar."

Lord Errama was an overweight man, and he walked towards them. "I see, I see. No point kneeling. Maids, please set up tables and chairs where we can have some tea." The maids hurried to perform their commands, while Peter then turned his eyes back on the hero. "You've chosen quite a selection of beautiful women, Aman."

Aman's face turned red. He may be a hero, but the talk about beautiful women as his company made him flush. He stammered and wasn't sure how to answer. "-ah. It's- It's a coincidence, Lord Errama."

"Oh?" Lord Errama laughed. "Really? Have you had sex with them yet?" The girls were also flushed, but only Raven looked unaffected. After all her sexual training, the mention of sex didn't shake her anymore, and honestly, she wasn't even sure sex with the hero would feel good.

Aman's red face turned even more red. "I- I am focused on my quest to slay the demons, my Lord."

"Really? You didn't try to touch their breasts or something?" Lord Errama teased. "Look at this nun. What a voluptuous woman. If I were you, I'd order this nun to be in my room every night to serve me properly."

Nysta's face turned absolutely red as the Lord teased the hero. "Ah- that's not appropriate, milord."

Peter Errama laughed and ribbed the hero as the seating area was ready. The maids served alcoholic tea. He took a sip, and everyone else followed.

"These are alcoholic teas, I don't have the regular kind because I love alcohol." The girls almost spat out their drink, but all quickly placed the tea back on the tea table. "So, so, I saw the evidence you submitted to the adventurers' guild, and I am convinced that there is a demon lord somewhere up there. I have requested for my men to prepare for battle and fortify the city accordingly."

Aman nodded, secretly thankful the conversation steered away from the complicated female topic. "I am thankful. Would any of them be able to assist us with scouting of the far out forests? We would like to mount an assault on the demon lord when we are able."

"Eager to slay your first demon lord, eh?"

Aman nodded. "The goddesses grant me tremendous blessings, and it is my duty to slay these invaders."

"I see, I see. Very hardworking and admirable." Peter answered. "I will command the troops to do so. But in the meantime, some of your men will need to help out in the city. Can your mage cast defensive enchantments and repair our city's magical defenses? Many of our old magical enchantments are decades old and we have not gotten them fixed."

Aman looked at Wynn. She nodded, albeit a little reluctantly.

Peter noticed, of course. "Naturally we will offer some payment. It won't be much, after all we are not a rich city. But, we do not expect a mage to work for free."

She looked relieved.

"Your priestess can help with the injured. There are some injured soldiers, and we also have some holy weapons that could use some restoration. The old chapel beneath the barracks could also use some love." Peter said, and Nysta nodded.

"I will assist where I can, Lord Errama." Nysta answered without requiring the hero to answer.

"Great. A beauty like you walking through the barracks would greatly boost the morale of my tired soldiers." Peter laughed and Nysta blushed. "If you could provide some extra services, I'm sure they'd even fight with their lives on the line."

Nysta turned beet red as she got the message, but Aman looked absolutely clueless.

Peter then turned to Kiara, Raven and Hannah. "My soldiers, they haven't fought much over the past few years, and they are out of practice. Could you show them some moves and give them training?" The Lord clapped his hand and two captains walked in.

"Yes, milord." The two captains waited.

"These three ladies are the swordmasters, ranger and shieldmasters of the hero party. They will train the soldiers for the coming battle with the demons." The three gulped, but they nodded anyway. Training soldiers certainly was one way of ensuring they could defeat the demons.

Aman smiled. "I'm glad we could assist you, Lord Errama."

"Ah. Actually, there's something I need you to do, Aman. Only the hero can do it."

"Oh?"

"I have a small elite team that will start scouring the forests for the demons. Can you go with them?"

Aman nodded. "Certainly."

***

The meeting was over, but both Raven and Kiara couldn't help but feel like they got played. "We're helping the town prepare for the demon's attack." Raven said.

"Yet it feels weird, right?" Kiara answered.

Raven nodded. It all made sense on paper, but there was a gut feeling within them that just screamed that something was wrong. When they got back to the inn, they all gathered for their own separate discussion.

"The Lord's suggestions seem to make sense." Raven said. "But I have a feeling something is wrong."

Nysta shook her head. "He's just a perverted man. I think that's why you feel it's weird. I seen many such men before in the cities. All we can do is ignore them."

Aman nodded. "I also agree that the suggestions are sensible but let us keep our eyes out."

"Got it."