Rain Harlow

(Vol 2) Chapter 37: Cornerstones

Added 2023-09-23 22:05:15 +0000 UTC

“I know you could use a patron, Alecto. I already have been yours. But I want you to know the truth. That I am a goddess.”

Samantha appeared fully in the mirror, resplendent on her throne, fully channeling her level 3 Goddess class. “And I desire you as a Follower. An ally of an inner circle, a secret Mystery brewing in these lands and elsewhere. A fellowship of the capable, the influential… and the seeking.”

Alecto’s eyes were wide with shock and awe, his hand on his heart. “By the goddess… you’re Dymonei? Of course. Of course…” He looked down, contemplating. “In the hour of need, a rescue. A mysterious woman with eyes like stars. I’ve dreamt of it. Dreamt of what happens if she didn’t… if you didn’t come.”

“Many are meant to be mine. Some sooner than others, some needing more convincing.”

He coughed a wry chortle. “I’m certainly the latter. One moment, please. I should be left alone for a while, but…”

He strode over to the door and latched it to ensure no one barged in, then returned. He spent a moment studying her. “These lands want a goddess desperately. Have been sore in missing it in recent generations… had relied on her… any real Southlands man holds a special place in his heart to hate the Dominion for all that they took from our ancestors.”

“I understand… Not only do I want to be there for people, I want her restored too.” Sammy hesitated to mention too much, but… “We are known to each other, Redberry and I. In time, I do hope to help bridge her influence back.”

“I’d count my time blessed to see that, Lady-... hmm, is your title higher?”

Sammy grinned. “Yes. It is Majesty.”

He had a wan grin as he shook his head while rubbing his chin. “I should’ve made that bet with Janius. That you were real royalty. Probably a princess. Even that fell shy…”

“That one... I am not sure if he is one of mine. He is so abrasive…”

“He prays to the goddess, you know. Not that he would appreciate me blabbing on him… but everyone knows they want children and aren’t getting them. His wife had one miscarriage and then never got pregnant again. Magic hasn’t worked. He gave up on that. And all the wasted coin on it probably deepened his bitterness toward wizards. He’s been through his share of charlatans.”

“Oh. Hmm. Well then.” I may be able to help? That or I have to get Redberry to. Try, that is. She doesn’t like hassles like this. “In any case, Alecto. I think it’s time we…”

Sammy sent the mental ping to the innkeeper, which resulted in a lot of blinking and squinting as he reviewed the information. He wasn’t the type to simply skim over the fine print, either. After a time, he finally nodded. “A secret order and fellowship, as you said. Ha… this’ll either send Brackenhome exploding to the heights or get it burned down. Good thing you found yourself a proven risk taker, Your Majesty. May the old glories live again.”

He put his hand upon the mirror and spoke the words that made him a Follower of Samantha. It was a nice feeling, matched only by her first ten. Only half of her first ten, truthfully. With her new perspective, she realized part of it was a sense of familiarity… and a sense of something a long time coming.

1 FE gained due to user belief/acknowledgment. Note: not yet a Follower.

Follower conversion successful. 1 FE gained. 1 Daily FE gained (total: 49).

Her new Follower gasped and his hand went to his forehead from the REX effects washing over him. “My my…”

Sammy very shortly thereafter ‘knock-knocked’ at Alecto’s mind, then sent, “We can communicate like this as well. I know it takes a lot of focus now, but over time it will get easier. When you are ready to speak words of greater dedication, you can become a Devout as well. With you, this is probably inevitable.”

Alecto didn’t seem perturbed by it. With a bit of effort, he sent back, “This is quite handy… So, I take it you’ll want to maintain appearances with your Dymonei… persona?”

“Avatar. Yes. The ‘Lady’ title seems unavoidable, but let's certainly not bump that up any further. Those who can be trusted absolutely with it can become Followers. But recommend them, and I’ll scope them out. Your daughter and son-in-law seem predisposed, for example.”

The innkeeper couldn’t hide his enthusiasm for that particular move. “They would be! One of the first things they were talking about was how they could repay you. I’d appreciate them being looked after, though. He’s a good lad. Though he’s lucky the bandits didn’t kill him for his obstinance, I think he’s learned from the beating he took.”

“I have another persona… Greenleaf. A pretend demigod daughter of Redberry. I’ve provided minor aid to pregnancy pains through her. I could use more to subtly spread her influence too, without giving away my mirror connection.”

Alecto proceeded back to his desk to have a seat. “Oh, I’m sure she could help with that. My little button is as gregarious as they come normally, and the folks out here are always making it like rabbits. It’s the Southlands way, smart or dumb.”

Sammy laughed. “As taught by Redberry?”

“Oh yes, Your Majesty. ‘The Way of Druids’. Actually an illustrated book, originally titled ‘The Way of Deep Branches.’ It, ah… Well, it’s all about sex and reproduction, to be plain. Again, illustrated. One of the few semi-religious texts you’ll still find down here distributed openly. Somewhat openly, that is. But the Dominion gave up trying to purge it even when their power here was greater.”

“I-I see.” The Way of Deep Branches. Sammy giggled internally. She was so going to tease Redberry about that one.

Alecto cleared his throat in the real world. “Excuse my base natterings there, Goddess. I can go on and on about things. Suffice to say, she’d be a good one to spread the word where it needs to about Greenleaf. And with pregnancy stuff, well, I imagine women won’t find it too unnatural to keep secrets between them and their midwives.”

“Midwives.” Hmm, that could be quite a vehicle to spread Greenleaf around. “What would you say about the midwife here in this community?”

“Miss Ligeia? Oh, wonderful. Knowledgeable. Not known to be sociable other than her work. My niece is her assistant and understudy. She is probably a believer of the goddess, but it’s not something we tend to talk about openly, of course. Drawing the attention of the Shiners unnecessarily isn’t smart.”

“Shiners? I may have heard this in passing.”

“You should get more acquainted, but then, they don’t centralize — not anymore. Short for the mouthful ‘Those Who Shine Upon the Shadows.’ Only they won’t announce it from the rooftops. They’re exorcists, ghost hunters, monster hunters, so on. Their presence is strongest in the northeast, but a bit of their disease is everywhere. Agents and informants. Dominion-sponsored, but that’s what coin does to people, I guess.”

“And hatred too, I presume. It’s mostly about stamping out spirits, right?”

“That’s the biggest thing. But anyone making too much of a supernatural fuss that doesn’t smell like wizardry can draw their attention. Shamans, druids, even those getting too loud about Redberry. But we are talking quite loud, honestly. Trying to organize, make a church, that type of thing. The organizers tend to end up with a knife in their back.”

“So there aren’t many actual Dominion sages around?”

“Oh, definitely not! Openly would be impossible — they’d be mobbed! Actual skilled exorcists are the rarest. They aren’t going to show unless there really is some spirit problem. Not sure whether they’re sages or not. Again, it’s all clandestine.”

A different kind of challenge out here, but they are still my enemy.

“Well, Alecto, I’ll let you get back to your business. I plan to help get you out from under this bank’s predation. I have someone skilled in dealmaking and finance, and we have a viable in with the Traveler’s Club. I am confident we can both profit from a partnership.”

Alecto seemed quite intrigued. Cautiously optimistic was perhaps the term. “I’m more than happy to entertain such arrangements. I guess my first impressions of you were on target, Your Majesty, though they felt more like wishful fancies.”

“Wishes and hopes for the future are my bread and butter, my friend — and I am inclined to share.” She left him with a final instruction to take his daughter and her husband aside in private at what he felt was an appropriate time and talk to them about her. She could induct them into the fold then.

4 FE (Mirrors, Illusion, Fate, Light) obtained from Devout worship. Converted to Light FE.

The day proceeded along for her Followers in prayer and various odds and ends. Azure would achieve level 1 by the evening. Estara had already obtained it, and spent the day dealing with other Followers. Finley and Pashett became Devouts, and two other knights were changed from Greenleaf to full Samantha worship.

The veteran scout Jerrion was left as Greenleaf, which after reviewing prayers and such, Samantha felt was the right call. He seemed quite taken with the idea of a nature deity, as an epitomical ‘ranger’ type. It was also good bullshittery training for Estara, who found herself greatly aided in this by invoking her Priestess of Samantha class.

As a side benefit, Estara had become much better at defending herself thanks to the class level, which included such simple proficiencies as using a staff. She engaged in a little bit of training with the other knights, who were impressed with her ‘quick learning.’ Dax helped cover, praising her as a ‘diligent understudy’.

Hehehe, all of my Pretty Little Liars…

Estara also brought two more into the fold thanks to all the downtime available. One was another knight in the general circles of Pashett and his compatriots.

The other was sent by Carlisle — Sir Talbion, whom Samantha recognized as the one she’d communicated with to send reinforcements into the cave. An old veteran captain under Carlisle, he’d remained quietly curious about the changes he’d seen but had waited until Mot Mekess to ‘bother’ the lord with the matter.

1 FE gained due to user belief/acknowledgment. Note: not yet a Follower.

Follower conversion successful. 1 FE gained. 1 Daily FE gained (total: 50).

1 FE gained due to user belief/acknowledgment. Note: not yet a Follower.

Follower conversion successful. 1 FE gained. 1 Daily FE gained (total: 51).

Estara continued to impress with her ability to juggle things and cram productive activity into a day. She was like the Energizer Bunny. And she had one more thing for her to do…

Time for ordinations.

Sir Pashett, though a man she didn’t know tremendously, had risen to prominence leading others and helping Estara. He was also a knowledgeable healer. It put him slightly ahead of Finley for the role. Considering Estara knew him better, Sammy had her priestess lead him through yet another ceremony after just becoming Devout earlier.

In the end, though, Samantha herself cast the light that enveloped him through the mirror and said, “Rise as a priest, Sir Pashett, and may your passion for helping others be enhanced all the more by the light I bestow upon the worthy.”

The old man bowed his head and rose. Solemnly he said, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will conduct myself with all discretion and reverence for your ways on Calrenazzod.”

Follower is now Ordained as a level 0 [Priest] and provides 1 additional FE per day.

And then it was time for Bast. She found him sitting on his bed, studiously reading a book on spellcraft and runic theory. He had a small mirror with a stand of sorts converted from a candleholder. She made the mirror two-way immediately. “Bast! On your knees, now.”

His eyes shot up to see her smirk. Naturally, he gave her an impish grin as he snapped the book shut. “If it were you in avatar form saying that I might’ve gotten extra excited, Your Majesty.”

“Might? Pfft, I know you would have. Well?”

He rolled his eyes but moved to comply, dropping down to his knees on the deck and looking just slightly up at the mirror, waiting patiently.

“You have been a cunning ally, a guide and teacher, a friend, a dedicated worshiper, and admittedly a bit of a pain to your goddess. Regardless, you’ve always desired more to step into and you’ve always delivered upon receiving it. I see no reason why I shouldn’t mark you among the chosen wielders of my power. Would you be my priest, Lord Sebastion Falshaen?”

“I would, Your Majesty Samantha. Direct me and I’ll blaze your trail. Others can follow in our wake!”

Samantha laughed at his too-appropriate word choice. “Then so be it! Arise and become my holy cleric, as you are my wizard and bard!” She thrust her hand and light enshrouded him in the relative gloom.