Chapter 30: desperation
“Will that be all?” Shintra asked. He lounged back in his black leather chair as he took a sip from his glass of red wine. Unlike him, his second-in-command refused to take a seat and relax. Instead, Balster stood next to the chair across from him. It didn’t make sense to the Ilmarian of Souls. Why calls it a sitting room if one doesn’t sit down?
“I think so,” Balster replied. “There’s nothing else to report.”
The immortal Duermon nodded and stood up. “Well then, if there’s nothing else, I better head out. I need to check on how the Eirenerdian region is doing, and I don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“I understand.” The Dalenthi paused. “Uh, boss? What’s about Ressi? Do you want me to do anything with her?”
“No, it should be fine with her now. I doubt she’ll try to pull another stunt like that anytime soon. According to Argus, she’s just sulking in her bed at this moment,” Shintra reassured him. He recalled her reaction when she realized that he had tricked her. Even though she hid it on her face, he could sense the shock and anger emanating from her soul. Just seeing her peeved look made him want to laugh though he had to restrain himself from doing so.
Balster breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, that’s good to hear. It was getting annoying chasing after her.”
“I can imagine. Although you should have told me earlier so I can deal with her behavior and nip it in the bud.” That was another reason the Ilmarian of Souls “encouraged” Ressi to escape; he wanted to see how long until anyone sent him to help. He was surprised that he didn’t get any messenger birds until two nights ago when Lunes sent him one, in which she complained that her daughter needed an attitude adjustment.
His second-in-command shifted his feet as he scratched his head. “Well, you were busy meeting people that I didn’t want to disturb you. Besides, I thought I could handle her since I dealt with her before. Looks like I was wrong, I guess.”
“Well, you’re not dealing with a powerless child anymore; she’s now a grown woman with dangerous powers. You of all people should know that by now,” he reminded him.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. You don’t have to lecture me about it,” Balster grumbled.
Shintra smiled. “No need to be grouchy, Balster. Anyway, I best get going! If another emergency comes up, let me know. Otherwise, just inform my assistant so he can deal with it.”
He was about to leave when the Dalenthi cleared his throat, which stopped him in his track. “Speaking of your assistant, some of the men are upset over him.”
The Ilmarian of Souls looked back. “Upset? Why should they be upset?”
“Well…” Balster scratched his head. “They are wondering why you won’t let any of them possess him. They think he’s going to be a Ruschabel forever at this rate since it appears that you’re playing favorites. I understand their reasoning. I mean, he does have a healthy and strong body after all. Not to mention, it’s been awhile since we have fresh me-”
“You will do no such thing!” Shintra interrupted. “If you or anyone dare try to possess Noeth Rasson, I’ll make sure you rue the day you were born!”
“Jeez, you need to relax, boss! I was only telling you what the others were saying,” Balster protested. “I’ll tell the others what you told me, but what should I say if they ask why?”
The Ilmarian of Souls hesitated. How could he tell his second-in-command that he was afraid of how the Lashival would react if he discovers that his brother was possessed? Balster may view him as weak! In turn, he’d lose support from his men. “If they ask, tell them I just say so!” he snapped.
If the Dalenthi suspected something, he didn’t say. “If you say so,” he sighed, shrugging.
“Now is there anything else?” Balster shook his head. “Good! Take care of things while I’m gone. Until then.”
Without waiting for Balster’s response, he stormed out of the room.
Ceza 2, 2595
“And how’s the operation coming along?” Shintra inquired as he inspected the warehouse.
Gravis, the Dalenthi in charge, rubbed his nose. He was a short and chubby middle-aged man who tended to sweat a lot, which was why he always carried a handkerchief. Of course, it didn’t help that they were in Ishara with its hot and arid climate. “It’s going pretty well, boss. Your merchandises have been shipped throughout the world. Luckily, no one suspects anything, but then it helped that the inspectors are one of us.”
The Ilmarian of Souls nodded absentmindedly. Everywhere he looked, his men seemed busy. They packed the goods, which held Dalenthi inside, into wooden boxes. Afterward, they would load the crates onto wagons, which would then be sent to shipyards. From there, the crates would be loaded onto the ships, which would deliver their precious cargo to their unsuspecting victims.
“How many shipments have you made so far?” he finally asked.
“ I reckon we have over 25 million shipped so far,” the Dalenthi estimated. “Could be more or less though.”
“And the earnings?”
Wiping the sweat off his brows, Gravis answered, “Probably 45 million.”
Shintra frowned. “That sounds rather low, don’t you think? I would think I would make a much larger profit.”
“Well, you have to consider the costs of shipments as well a number of men I have to pay,” he pointed out.
“True,” the Ilmarian of Souls muttered. Nevertheless, he still has his doubts. If Gravis was trying to hide some money from him… No, he won’t use his powers on such trifles; he could have someone else investigates for him. “Well then, I guess everything’s in order so I better let you go back to work. I’ll see you another time.”
The Dalenthi nodded. “Until then.”
As Shintra walked away, he noticed a messenger bird coming toward him. He stopped and waited for the bird to land and reveal its content.
Shintra,
I need to see you immediately.
“I think so,” Balster replied. “There’s nothing else to report.”
The immortal Duermon nodded and stood up. “Well then, if there’s nothing else, I better head out. I need to check on how the Eirenerdian region is doing, and I don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“I understand.” The Dalenthi paused. “Uh, boss? What’s about Ressi? Do you want me to do anything with her?”
“No, it should be fine with her now. I doubt she’ll try to pull another stunt like that anytime soon. According to Argus, she’s just sulking in her bed at this moment,” Shintra reassured him. He recalled her reaction when she realized that he had tricked her. Even though she hid it on her face, he could sense the shock and anger emanating from her soul. Just seeing her peeved look made him want to laugh though he had to restrain himself from doing so.
Balster breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, that’s good to hear. It was getting annoying chasing after her.”
“I can imagine. Although you should have told me earlier so I can deal with her behavior and nip it in the bud.” That was another reason the Ilmarian of Souls “encouraged” Ressi to escape; he wanted to see how long until anyone sent him to help. He was surprised that he didn’t get any messenger birds until two nights ago when Lunes sent him one, in which she complained that her daughter needed an attitude adjustment.
His second-in-command shifted his feet as he scratched his head. “Well, you were busy meeting people that I didn’t want to disturb you. Besides, I thought I could handle her since I dealt with her before. Looks like I was wrong, I guess.”
“Well, you’re not dealing with a powerless child anymore; she’s now a grown woman with dangerous powers. You of all people should know that by now,” he reminded him.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. You don’t have to lecture me about it,” Balster grumbled.
Shintra smiled. “No need to be grouchy, Balster. Anyway, I best get going! If another emergency comes up, let me know. Otherwise, just inform my assistant so he can deal with it.”
He was about to leave when the Dalenthi cleared his throat, which stopped him in his track. “Speaking of your assistant, some of the men are upset over him.”
The Ilmarian of Souls looked back. “Upset? Why should they be upset?”
“Well…” Balster scratched his head. “They are wondering why you won’t let any of them possess him. They think he’s going to be a Ruschabel forever at this rate since it appears that you’re playing favorites. I understand their reasoning. I mean, he does have a healthy and strong body after all. Not to mention, it’s been awhile since we have fresh me-”
“You will do no such thing!” Shintra interrupted. “If you or anyone dare try to possess Noeth Rasson, I’ll make sure you rue the day you were born!”
“Jeez, you need to relax, boss! I was only telling you what the others were saying,” Balster protested. “I’ll tell the others what you told me, but what should I say if they ask why?”
The Ilmarian of Souls hesitated. How could he tell his second-in-command that he was afraid of how the Lashival would react if he discovers that his brother was possessed? Balster may view him as weak! In turn, he’d lose support from his men. “If they ask, tell them I just say so!” he snapped.
If the Dalenthi suspected something, he didn’t say. “If you say so,” he sighed, shrugging.
“Now is there anything else?” Balster shook his head. “Good! Take care of things while I’m gone. Until then.”
Without waiting for Balster’s response, he stormed out of the room.
Ceza 2, 2595
“And how’s the operation coming along?” Shintra inquired as he inspected the warehouse.
Gravis, the Dalenthi in charge, rubbed his nose. He was a short and chubby middle-aged man who tended to sweat a lot, which was why he always carried a handkerchief. Of course, it didn’t help that they were in Ishara with its hot and arid climate. “It’s going pretty well, boss. Your merchandises have been shipped throughout the world. Luckily, no one suspects anything, but then it helped that the inspectors are one of us.”
The Ilmarian of Souls nodded absentmindedly. Everywhere he looked, his men seemed busy. They packed the goods, which held Dalenthi inside, into wooden boxes. Afterward, they would load the crates onto wagons, which would then be sent to shipyards. From there, the crates would be loaded onto the ships, which would deliver their precious cargo to their unsuspecting victims.
“How many shipments have you made so far?” he finally asked.
“ I reckon we have over 25 million shipped so far,” the Dalenthi estimated. “Could be more or less though.”
“And the earnings?”
Wiping the sweat off his brows, Gravis answered, “Probably 45 million.”
Shintra frowned. “That sounds rather low, don’t you think? I would think I would make a much larger profit.”
“Well, you have to consider the costs of shipments as well a number of men I have to pay,” he pointed out.
“True,” the Ilmarian of Souls muttered. Nevertheless, he still has his doubts. If Gravis was trying to hide some money from him… No, he won’t use his powers on such trifles; he could have someone else investigates for him. “Well then, I guess everything’s in order so I better let you go back to work. I’ll see you another time.”
The Dalenthi nodded. “Until then.”
As Shintra walked away, he noticed a messenger bird coming toward him. He stopped and waited for the bird to land and reveal its content.
Shintra,
I need to see you immediately.
- Pen
The Ilmarian of Souls looked at the note thoughtfully. It was unusual for Pendance to request to see him. Perhaps the young man was troubled by the allegations that he made about his girlfriend and seek his counsel. Shintra smiled recalling the anguish on the two lovers’ face at the meeting. If so, he better not keeps him waiting then. With the quick toss of the needle ring, he headed toward the meeting place.
Imagine his surprise when he saw Kejuta and her two children waiting for him in Valendor. Shintra felt his muscles stiffened. The canister containing the Kasama’s soul was placed on the table in front of them. If she was here, it could mean two things: either she figures out what he’s been up to or she needs him for something. He highly doubted that it was the former, however, because he made sure to cover his tracks. But, just in case… “Don’t be alarmed, Shintra,” the Ilmarian of Fate said, motioning him to sit down. “We just want to talk.”
Shintra relaxed and sat down across from them. “And what do you wish to talk about?” he asked, lounging back in his chair as if he has no cares in the world.
Kejuta glanced over at her children before she returned her attention to him. “I was discussing with my children just now, and from what they told me, they have made little to no progress in finding a way to detect a Dalenthi’s soul. Pen told me what you said so-”
“Oh, get on with it! I don’t have all day, you know,” he snapped.
She gave him a reproachful look before she took a deep breath. “We have decided to let you examine the Kasama’s soul.”
“Oh?” He arched his eyebrow and smirked. “Are you telling me that you’re allowing me to use my power on the Kasama’s soul? Tsk, tsk. You must be desperate, Kej.”
He thought he saw her face twitch. “Are you willing to help or not? Because if you’re not interested, then this is a waste of our time.”
“Of course I am! I would do anything to help you with this issue,” he protested, raising his hands. More like hinder you. “I assume you’ll have Aundra monitoring me as well?”
The Ilmarian of Fate hesitated before she answered, “No. Let’s just say this is my token of my deep faith that you won’t do anything deceitful.”
“I see.” Most likely, she’ll ask her children to inspect the soul afterward. He glanced around the room. “That reminds me. Where are your advisors? I half-expected them to be here with you since they always seem to be. Do they know about this?”
“Not yet,” she admitted, shaking her head. “This was a sudden decision, but I’ll make sure to tell them afterward.”
“I imagine that they’ll be displeased that you made this decision behind their backs,” he warned.
Kejuta just shrugged. “I’ll deal with it when the time comes. Anyway, when do you like to start?”
Shintra thought for a moment. “Would tomorrow be fine? I have something to do later today,” he said as he glanced down at Ressi’s soul cupped in his hand. It seemed that his scheme was going much better than he had anticipated.
Imagine his surprise when he saw Kejuta and her two children waiting for him in Valendor. Shintra felt his muscles stiffened. The canister containing the Kasama’s soul was placed on the table in front of them. If she was here, it could mean two things: either she figures out what he’s been up to or she needs him for something. He highly doubted that it was the former, however, because he made sure to cover his tracks. But, just in case… “Don’t be alarmed, Shintra,” the Ilmarian of Fate said, motioning him to sit down. “We just want to talk.”
Shintra relaxed and sat down across from them. “And what do you wish to talk about?” he asked, lounging back in his chair as if he has no cares in the world.
Kejuta glanced over at her children before she returned her attention to him. “I was discussing with my children just now, and from what they told me, they have made little to no progress in finding a way to detect a Dalenthi’s soul. Pen told me what you said so-”
“Oh, get on with it! I don’t have all day, you know,” he snapped.
She gave him a reproachful look before she took a deep breath. “We have decided to let you examine the Kasama’s soul.”
“Oh?” He arched his eyebrow and smirked. “Are you telling me that you’re allowing me to use my power on the Kasama’s soul? Tsk, tsk. You must be desperate, Kej.”
He thought he saw her face twitch. “Are you willing to help or not? Because if you’re not interested, then this is a waste of our time.”
“Of course I am! I would do anything to help you with this issue,” he protested, raising his hands. More like hinder you. “I assume you’ll have Aundra monitoring me as well?”
The Ilmarian of Fate hesitated before she answered, “No. Let’s just say this is my token of my deep faith that you won’t do anything deceitful.”
“I see.” Most likely, she’ll ask her children to inspect the soul afterward. He glanced around the room. “That reminds me. Where are your advisors? I half-expected them to be here with you since they always seem to be. Do they know about this?”
“Not yet,” she admitted, shaking her head. “This was a sudden decision, but I’ll make sure to tell them afterward.”
“I imagine that they’ll be displeased that you made this decision behind their backs,” he warned.
Kejuta just shrugged. “I’ll deal with it when the time comes. Anyway, when do you like to start?”
Shintra thought for a moment. “Would tomorrow be fine? I have something to do later today,” he said as he glanced down at Ressi’s soul cupped in his hand. It seemed that his scheme was going much better than he had anticipated.