(Vol 2) Chapter 49: The Roux of the Stew

The naiads were sad. “Already? But you just arrived!”

“Perhaps a change of scenery instead?” one of them asked. “We could go for a swim! The water leads down and out to a lake even more beautiful than the real Yura.”

“It’s alright, sisters,” Ellepetra intoned, rising and approaching Samantha. “I think that she didn’t anticipate her lack of resistance to the nectar and our auras.”

“But isn’t the whole point to lose oneself in it? In us?”

Ellepetra was smirking and shaking her head as she offered her hands to Samantha. “Forgive them their ignorance. And forgive me for not explaining. Few really come to us not knowing what to expect, and so many come with token hesitancy when their heart craves seduction. Experimentation. Redberry also likely left out more than she should have, but she would.

“Nonetheless, in speaking for a bit, I see your hesitancy isn’t so token. We’re very drawn to you, so enchantment is natural. If you like, we could swear promises of chaste dealings while you are here. But you may also simply contact me directly by psyche now — for your questions. Is this acceptable?”

Samantha nodded as she took Ellepetra’s hands to rise, though she smirked a bit wanly at the words as well. “It’s one thing to talk about intentions when it comes to temptation, another thing to prance in its midst and expect intentions to hold out.”

The naiads tittered. Ellepetra grinned and shrugged helplessly. “A keen observation. Nonetheless, do return one day. Have a swim. Avoid the nectar to slow the enchantment. And do find better means to relieve tension, hmm? You’re like a twisted-up cloth wound into stiffness. It aches our heart to see, aches us in desire to relieve.”

“Your girlfriend needs to take better care of you!” a naiad added judgmentally. The others all murmured their agreement.

Samantha rubbed her neck. “Right…” She would if I let her. Easily, hehe. Wait, what am I saying?! Argh — she isn’t my girlfriend! “I’m still glad I came. I hold to our friendship. I’ll return at some point. I definitely didn’t know what I was missing with foot massages.”

The naiad who’d served her wiggled her fingers and smiled pleasantly. “Any time, Goddess.”

“You and any of your servants are always welcome here. Do you have Servitors? Perhaps they could be allowed to pay us a visit as well. And of course, any trusted Followers.”

Sammy nodded thoughtfully. She thought of Constance immediately, as she’d probably jump at the chance to learn from them. “I have at least one that would likely benefit especially and want to.”

Ellepetra clapped her hands together. “Excellent. Well, it has been a pleasure, Nyniane. Until next time. Ping me whenever you desire, and for whatever you desire.”

“A pleasure, truly! Thank you for receiving me, Ellepetra. And thank you all, sisters!”

The naiads called their own farewells, blown kisses, and well wishes before Sammy finally exited the realm.

Back on her throne, Sammy sagged a bit. She could still feel the tipsy feeling and a bit of an urge to go back and spend more time in their enchanting presence.

If I sent Bast there, he’d be lost forever! Though come to think, they must release people eventually, otherwise the Elves would probably have a bigger issue with them. Hmm.

Alfred’s voice resounded from somewhere, “Next time bring the shark repellent, Your Majesty.”

Sammy giggled. “Good advice!” She then mimicked the Jaws theme. “They wanted to gobble up the pretty little fishy! Me!”

She drew up her status report on the factions quest, still giggling.

Spirit Faction Relationship Grades

Redberry — 8
Zadkiel — 6
Great Oak Community — 2
Lake Yura Naiads — 5

Okay, good. Another one is squared away. Need to find more, though. Guess I can ask around. Jacka, Ellepetra, Redberry, Tashome — they might all be able to point me in the right direction. And Zadkiel went up! The horny toad wants a summer cherry, too!

She snorted and giggled again, and had to slap herself to snap out of it. “Focus, focus, focus…”

Until her tipsiness wore off, she helped out trying to locate Merril again. There were no inn hits. Sammy also tried the ships leaving out, but there were quite a few. She made note of the mirrors on them so she could track their sailing — just in case.

Overall, her awareness through mirrors was primed to find any hint of the kitty, but Caneboro was a rogue’s den, with innumerable people keeping a hood up or otherwise laying low. She conferred with Dax about certain locations to check, but the mirror access was inhibited in many of them.

The day continued to stonewall them on locating him. She kept an ear out in particular — inevitably he’d be playing his harp somewhere if he was in the city. It was hard to say what Merril would do or how soon he would go for it if he thought they were pursuing him. But he may not really care.

It’s not like we’re gonna grab him and drag him off back to Mot Mekess. He can just tell us to fuck off. Which is going to be a real pain because I dunno that Dax will.

Regardless, Dax and her cadre would arrive around nightfall, and she could begin searching herself physically.

Once Sammy felt she had sobered up, she began working on the next Servitor. While she wanted a new Line at some point, another Faerie Dragon was desirable for backup, what with Constance integrating into Geirkos and Athos stuck as Azure’s bodyguard. Sadly, new Servitors started at level 1 and had to apparently level up themselves through their assigned tasks. Which made sense but was also annoying for immediate power impact.

Hopefully the minimum level of a new servant increases with higher levels, at least.

She had loyal dogs of a sort in Dart and Athos, the former a raw wildcard and the latter a kind of military captain. These were the brawn and the mission-capable. Constance was the social butterfly essentially, the face and spy who’d also be doing the legwork.

She wanted some more brains to fit into the equation. Someone who could liaise with Constance, Athos, Orswyth, and her Resemblants under Jeeves as needed, providing ideas and intelligent plotting. Someone she too could conspire with. So she designed a mastermind and dared to make him a little more ruthless than her or anyone else she’d created, while retaining the heart of gold for his friends and the innocent.

In this, she leaned on intuition, now that she had a firm foundation of the tools at hand. She added things that ‘felt’ right, that even Redberry had never shown her. Things that might’ve been cheats, nonsense, or disasters.

Such are the risks necessary for success. There’s too much riding on this. I need someone who will act, in the way that Constance and Dick have, even if they are sometimes exasperating. Someone who can even take over and save me if I get compromised or stuck.

She gave him the Special Skill Intrigue.

Servitor created. Aramis is born.

A crystal burst at the foot of her throne and a man formed out of it. He was in fine clothing of prominent red colors, somehow striking a balance between ‘renaissance adventurer’ and ‘devout man of the priesthood.’ He had a necklace of The Eye. But of course, he had on a feathered hat. He was quite handsome and had an aura of confidence, with green eyes that clearly held hidden mischief.

Aramis bowed low in a flourish while removing his fancy hat. “Your Majesty.” He smiled lop-sided as he straightened and refitted his hat. “The work awaits to the halls of power. Heathens have the reins, but we will take them one by one as they remain fascinated by the spectacle we fashion before their twice-blinded eyes. In time… you’ll hold them all, and they’ll be left with nothing but puppet strings wound around their backs.”

Samantha regarded him and cleared her throat. “Those who are my enemies and cannot be my friends, so be it. But there will be those who deserve trust, as you are given. Remember that, and remain loyal to those loyal to me. Other than this, Aramis, I set you loose. Confer with Constance, Orswyth, and all else you need to. Geirkos needs to be sown with seeds to grow. Take your time.

“But I do need you to level up. So your first task is to find out who all is involved with trying to take over Brackenhome. Eventually, it will be to weaken them, and perhaps weaken the Bank of Geirkos. I’d prefer to bring that around to peace if possible, if necessary by crippling or removing the cancerous elements.”

He made another little bow. “As you say, so shall it be, Madam. They’ll call it the Bank of the Seeress when I am through. Hahaha!” His laughter was quite maniacal as he disappeared from sight in a puff of prismatic smoke.

I’ve really asked for it this time. But this is a necessary roux for the stew.

Through the day, Aedis and Tashome inducted two new sailors into the fold, both vouched for by Aedis and others. Sammy briefly peeked in on them through a mirror to verify no bad vibes — the last thing she needed was a Dominion spy worming their way in. But she got no such warnings.

2 FE gained due to user belief/acknowledgment. Note: not yet Followers.

Follower conversions successful. 2 FE gained. 2 Daily FE gained (total: 64).

2 FE (Mirrors, Fate, Light) obtained from worship. Converted to Light FE.

Pashett in Mot Mekess meanwhile inducted a young dame, though Finley was the one who sent her, as she was a friend who’d been inspired by Estara’s story. Meanwhile, Marchioness Agatha had worked on someone — her most trusted ally, the castle steward — as well as screening him through Samantha first, to her quick approval.

Agatha claimed he had an old family with supposed fae blood centuries ago, as well as well-hidden sympathies for such beings. He seemed almost excited about Samantha and the revelations of her influence among ‘the heroes’, in a way few others had been.

2 FE gained due to user belief/acknowledgment. Note: not yet Followers.

Follower conversions successful. 2 FE gained. 2 Daily FE gained (total: 66).

2 FE (Mirrors, Fate, Light) obtained from worship. Converted to Light FE.

Two more now to get to 50 Followers for the quest.

Orswyth reported a productive day for their affairs in Geirkos. He’d gotten a massive bounty with a great deal of hoopla for the head of Wraevas. Despite trying to give credit to Tashome, the fame got directed to him as the man’s ‘employer’ — and then confused as him doing the slaying, as such things went. Fortunately, it was under the alias ‘Old Shenn,’ which had effectively become Shenn Wraithslayer at the lightning speed that rumor traveled.

Canmore wasn’t happy about it, but all agreed he should continue taking credit for killing the King of Murder, Danomeir, to keep some of the heat off of Orswyth — and make any trouble that arose from it direct to someone who could still handle it. Carrying around the big, obvious, famous greatsword of the former merc champion already made it fairly logical.

The purchase of horses went alright, though Orswyth was bitter about the price. It seemed the premium was just innately steep at that time due to demand. But they procured dependable, quality koskee breed specimens, almost entirely an upgrade for the men, as well as extras for others. Samantha’s was one of the best, as was one for Azure.

There was also time enough for the men to be introduced to and have drinks with important members of the Traveler’s Club, which got that ball rolling and in Sammy’s brief reviewing, showed they were all hitting it off well. Between Orswyth, Tashome, Canmore, and Bast, there was a great deal of charm and accomplishment.

In between it all, Sammy continued her studies… and the — homework, she realized suddenly — Marjorie gave her.

I’m a fucking goddess and I have homework! Grah! Still, she did it. She couldn’t disappoint Marjorie. And it would lead to a valuable skill!

Evening rapidly approached, and Dax’s crew neared the great port of Caneboro, technically bigger than Geirkos. Effectively Dax’s home, too.

Let’s find that mangy ginger tomcat and get this ordeal over with!

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Note: If on PC I think, italics may not be showing up, ever since the update on Patreon. Clearly an error, so I guess it's just a waiting game.