Chapter Ten
They plan and plot
Such vile things
To seek my army
And the glory I bring
Jen looked up from the desk within the little office at the end of the hall in the old Inn of the Second Home. She had taken the office purposefully when they had rebuilt it into the new city hall for the peacefulness it would bring. The papers that were scattered across her desk wildly had to do with a wide array of the ongoing projects in the city. There was much work left by Faldo when he left for Doldrom to begin the War here in the East, but she had not taken on all the duties. They had convinced the homesteader, Herbert, to move into town permanently and he now sat on the council. The people had approved wholeheartedly after all the help Herbert had rendered over the hard winter. He took up residence in Faldo's old office, and they were splitting the workload between the two of them.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqPS1sz83v
If she finished up early today, she would go see how Cariline was holding out. The baby was due in the next two months, and then Cariline would be in training for the third position of the necromancers. Cariline was not too overly fond of the idea, but after much consideration, she decided it was the best way to keep Damon occupied when he was home. She had not been overjoyed to hear that she, Cariline, the only daughter of Grim, now had to share her husband with seven thousand other women of varying ages. 366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TK69tYCHQ
The rain slashed at Jen's window panes as the storm had yet to abate that had rolled off the Dim earlier in the day. It was one of the rare spring storms that came in from the southeast, the dangerous ones. When they came in from that direction, the fisherman out on the lake did not have much warning and could get caught too far from shore. During the spring and summer, the fisherman tended to stray to the farther side of the lake, nearer to Black Marsh. More often than not, if a ship was caught that far out, it capsized, killing all aboard. 366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eEDUTJuKk
She would need to check with Isobelle to see if they had any new arrivals today. Order only knew, if there was any time for them to be protecting any life, at any cost, the time was now. All executions were now being stayed, the harshest penalty you could garner was hard labor. The Temple was now, for the first time in its history, in full corporation with the local guild of healers, even though they worked for opposing Purposes.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9z7UrqajO
She felt a presence coming closer, and she put the quill down and scattered some sand quickly across the parchment that she had been working on. Jen had been waiting almost two weeks to hear some word out of Doldrom and was starting to worry. Cariline was in near hysteria over it, and Isobelle had been dark and moody. Both had lost men, who they cared about and were desperate to hear from them. The reaper opened the door and came in, respectfully bowing to Jen.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulBvLNNGje
“Welcome reaper,” Jen greeted her grizzly guest respectfully.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ol1mchT3k
The reaper cocked its head in amusement, “Sorry, I am not used to Matron's greeting me with any respect. Greetings Mother Matron, My name is Davis.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7VmYCMJqj
Jen chuckled, “Let us just say, I have had a special relationship with reapers that gave me a new perspective. After what your ilk has had to endure here, respect has been ordered out of my Temple.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFfCdB1iWY
“Humph, that would be a nice change elsewhere too. Do you think we might be able to blow up a few more places?” The reaper chuckled a thinly, holding up a skeletal hand to ward off the remark forming on the lips of the Mother Matron's mouth, “Completely joking besides I wouldn't want the work. It's not worth it.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsPmFLuvad
Jen smiled at the witty reaper in front of her, “Tell me, where are you from. I must have a talk with the new Grim and see if I can steal you.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt9u9R9mDV
“Doldrom and it is from the new Grim that I bear some news. If you want, I can bear the request back to him.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWwlqB2ekD
“Why did he not send Rascus?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. She shifted her weight forward as her chain mail jingled with the movement. It was uncomfortable to wear the armor all the time, but it never let her forget for a moment what they were working towards.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWfPQPMSJ8
“Rascus has been very busy. Since only a handful of people may see him, he has been making himself useful in the position of chief spy for the new Grim and company.” 366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rEsfdw4Oa
She let out a sigh of relief and set backward in the chair, relaxing for the first time in nearly two weeks, “So they have made contact and are now in the city walls?”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFMphC6ks8
“More than that Mother Matron, they have 'rescued Delfina' from the Temple. Though I will say, they did not rescue her. She has been playing those two bumbling idiots like harp strings for three months.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdmtJ1Fzgp
“Is she angry?”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiRblKtQbL
“Well--” The reaper paused, his hesitation bringing a speculative look to Jen's face, “--we don't know yet. The Death Incantation has not worn off yet.” the reaper winced at what would come next as he saw his words sink in.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9DSTbm4Ri
“THE WHAT!”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEQqZdNmtm
“They sort of slit her throat and cast a Death Incantation. Then they framed the good Sergeant Joseph of the guard for it, that all.” Davis held his skeletal hands up innocently.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJJNZEmsOL
“Oh no? What has them two idiots done?” Jen dropped her head to the desk with a loud, hollow thunk, “The Grim, slit his own wife's throat. Then, his best friend brings her to the brink of death with sorcery of the opposing Purpose. Did I get that right?”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtBuLML1Jt
“If you want to look at the horribly dark and morbid side, yeah sounds right but she is safe with them if that counts for anything.” The reaper added eagerly. He desperately wanted to deliver his message and be gone now. Matrons, and necromancers in general could make reapers walk the Planes of Chaos if they were irritated or angry with them. He now knew why Rascus had suddenly disappeared when this message needed to be delivered.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS419dV9mx
Jen raised her head off the desk, the red mark was starting to knot already, “You know I can literally strangle you right?”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PkZKBYeQp
The reaper nodded slowly.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC51LGIXYW
“Just get on with your message or doom report or whatever.” she finished with a wave of her ink smeared hand at the wary skeleton before her.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwR6690U8X
“Well after that, um, incident, they removed her to a friendly inn, The Inn of the Darken Oak. I am supposed to show you a new Coat of Arms to use now. It is the only sigil that will be recognized for communications or wards. I am also to bid you to ready the forces to march and not just what is here in Tharpe. You are to send messengers to the outlying villages and muster what you can. The Captain thinks you should be ready to march within two weeks at the minimum with whatever you can muster.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIuIddQRDU
“Will we need the troops at Doldrom?” She asked intently, all earlier irritation was now gone from her voice. She had been awaiting this very message letting her know when the official start of this War would be.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNHyIxaQrt
“Possibly, there is strong evidence that both the Circle and the Resistance have separate elements in Doldrom. They have been taking great pains to hide from each other, so we do doubt they are working together at the moment. Your team is forming a plan as we speak to flush the sorceresses out into public view. From there, the army will be needed. It should be, and I quote from the Captain “a week's hard ass march here, no less on them pansy asses.” That is straight from his mouth Mother Matron.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeX6ZfZ9Y7
Jen smiled at the end of the message. She missed her rough around the edges officer very much at the moment. The transition from the Captain to Thomas had been rocky on the troops. Thomas was a competent sergeant but he did not command respect nor did he have the experience of Wallace. Thomas had been promoted on who and what he was and not on merit. But the events of the past months had forced him to mature quickly. Where an immature and incompetent soldier used to be now stood a reliable, if not somewhat inexperienced, commander.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0062NihGP
“Tell them we will be ready. Look for us in three weeks from today Davis.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpoHr7kQzV
“And my transfer?” the reaper asked curiously.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGwuXWD6EX
“Ah, come on is Delfina that bad?” Jen looked at him in disbelief.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjmlCMAvqr
“About as bad as gnawing your own arm off.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3d7SGD7cG
“Ask him for me” Jen laughed a little while waving the reaper out the door.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcTbkzb2kK
The reaper turned and walked out with his heels clicking lightly on the wooden floor and teeth humming a happy tune. Jen picked up a piece of paper and quill and wrote a quick note down, her quill scratching the surface rapidly. She called for the attending acolyte waiting right outside.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFZVddZRCW
“Did you hear most of what I said, Stephanie?” Jen asked the plain brown-haired girl of twelve. The Temple had an abundance of acolytes since the battle. The battle and harsh winter had left orphans who needed both room and board. The Temple took in as many girls as it could, and now they were orphans no longer. They had a mother.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2ciPsCEkw
“Yes, Mother.” The young girl nodded eagerly. Her gray-green eyes were bright and eager to gain favor with the Matron.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNQ1jT4Wo6
“I need you to take this to Sergeant Thomas. He should be in the Garrison Headquarters by the Temple. Tell him after he reads this to come and talk to me directly.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0jZSxsPg4
“Yes, Mother.” The girl curtsied and ran out of the door. Jen rose up out of her chair and stretched, letting her back muscle relieve some of the strain from hours of sitting. After months of waiting, it was finally time to march. She moved gingerly around her desk in her small office and down the hall to Faldo's old office where Herbert had taken up residence. She knocked firmly and heard a gruff voice inside bid her enter. The door swung in without a squeak on the well-oiled hinges that had been installed by Marlin himself. Behind the simple, but a large desk, sat the bearded and gruff Herbert, riffling through a stack of papers and muttering through his beard.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY6gHrBvx6
“You know,” He started--366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NFC6SIdxR
“I know, you saw your family more in the Expanse, but we both know that is a lie.” she finished it with a smile as she took a seat by the window with rainwater running down the panes. The wind would occasionally gust, rattling the glass in its frame and making the rain patter against the glass in a rhythmic patter.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TRLqyAet1
He looked at her through his lowered spectacles on his nose and returned her smile, “I know I just like to complain. Helps me think. We will be fine for the next year for monetary. In fact, have you given thought to sponsor schools? We have the funds.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoSJvGPBQf
She blinked as she stared at this gem of a man. Herbert had been able to make sense of their finances and taxes, bringing the madness Bethel had left them with under reign. Herbert had worked in a counting house in the Duchy of Valor in the Federation when the conscription had gone out. He knew about taxes and finances better than anyone else in the East. Now, with the reduced population and the abundance of the treasury, he was making wonders happen beyond anything the Temple had ever accomplished before. 366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqnk4c1Shw
“That would be wonderful, but first we need to talk. I just got the call to arms.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENYE3D73VP
Herbert let out a sigh and set back in his padded chair hard. He looked the Matron in the eyes sorrowfully, shaking his head, “I know this one is necessary, but it still makes me sad to see war.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmOcFihUFQ
“I know Herbert. You are not, and I repeat you are not required nor asked to go.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwXanqXG6j
He nodded his thanks and started to look at some papers, “How many and how soon?”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz7B2hE8XL
“I am taking four hundred of our regulars, but I am sending out a conscription request that has never been sent out before.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrgtKoEKdT
He looked at her curiously, setting his papers back down, “Request. You don't request with conscription, you demand. You people here in the East have funny notions about how things are supposed to get accomplished. It is a wonder you ever established working cities.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3300jgGRp
“No, this one is a request. I will not demand anyone to take up arms against a fellow City of the East. But I will outline that Doldrom has been taken by hostile forces and Farthest Reach is currently under siege by the same. We will also be stopping at villages in Doldrom's district to see if there are any volunteers.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy3UNv0Jr6
Herbert gave her a sly grin, “Aren't you exaggerating the truth there a little? I don't believe they have been truthfully taken?”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GtUg0KS3M
“Oh? Damon helped that along, but we don't need to tell them that the new Grim faked the death of the Matron to help the sorceresses to power.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9haTEl5u9
Herbert's eyes bulged, “He what?”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW6XcTJd9C
“It was necessary to save the Matron's life, but for all that is concerned, that part does not leave this room.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ545qqHiI4f
“For our conscripts, what are you paying?” Herbert nodded and held a quill ready to take numbers down. He would calculate how much they would need and how much of a deficit they would run.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiIsfvWuqf
“Our regulars make a silver a month, that is ten copper every two weeks. I was figuring a conscript going rate should be half that. The East has never done this though, I was hoping you could help fill the gaps in with your experience in the west.” She looked towards Herbert hopefully. The central and western parts of Ratar' had suffered far more war than the East.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYufF8Vcf0
“Conscripts don't get paid, they get fed, but money should keep desertion rates down. As long as the Army doesn't get too big, we should find this plausible.” Herbert nodded in grim satisfaction.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABAKEnxcQi
“Well then Mr. Mayor, we better break you into the full job. In two weeks, we march, and you are on your own. Well, you and Isobelle.” Jen smiled warmly at Herbert. The grizzled old man made a sour face at the title as he folded his arms across his chest.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJv7RJdsBq
“I am tailing it back to the Expanse.”366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqcX3qd9Il
Jen laughed lightly as she came around the desk to hug the dear man.
