“By an archdemon? Nothing less could shield it.”
“I know, thus we’d better pray to whatever gods will still listen to us that it’s still on this plane. If archdemons are involved, we really are doomed. At least until we get the book back. At that point, archdemons better start running scared.”
“So, if it is running around, it’s got to be killing things. Eventually we’ll hear about it. Random demon infestations aren’t that common.” Jehenna commented.
“Eventually is the key. It takes time, such information travels way too slowly. So, maybe the inquiry is for the best. It gives us that time. As long as Exaslime doesn’t pull any tricks during the inquiry. For that we must be prepared.”
“You’ve got good communications to Hortwell?”
“Yes, we’ve got mirrors on both ends. Zilquar is almost as good at preparing for things as I am.” Jehenna raised her eyebrows, that statement was high praise from Lenamare. “I’ll arrange some things with him later today. The inquiry is still gathering other documentation. The site visit won’t be for a couple days.”
Jenn didn’t know. She just didn’t know. Her mind was a complete haze these days. Somehow, someway, they’d finally made it to Hoggensforth. She didn’t know how she’d survived. She and Gastropé had taken turns trying to manipulate the wind to their advantage. They’d had some success, particularly at night where they’d made great speed for some reason; it had only taken them three days rather than five or six from the time they started until they reach Hoggensforth. Thus they were only about a day behind schedule. Not that she had a schedule, but behind the time they’d planned to be there.
When they weren’t directing the wind, they were taking turns watching the demon. Mainly her and Gastropé. She couldn’t trust Rupert with the demon. He talked with it too much. The fiend would probably pervert or consume the poor lad’s soul if the two were left alone. In addition, Rupert wouldn’t be able to do much should the demon try anything. Not that she or Gastropé could do much, but...Edwyrd had taken turns as well. He didn’t seem too concerned about the demon, but he took turns to keep her happy. Maelen took a couple, but he kept insisting he could keep an eye on it from anywhere on the ship. Maybe he could, but Jenn wasn’t comfortable with this, so she often sat his shifts as well.
Because of this, Jenn was about ready to drop. She’d hardly slept, and what little sleep she’d gotten had been plagued by pirate nightmares. When she got this tired, things started looking different. For one thing, it must have been her imagination, but it seemed the crew gave Edwyrd a really wide berth. They kept their distance, and were always extremely diffident and respectful towards him. To Jenn’s sleep fogged brain, it seemed they showed more respect to Edwyrd than the captain. She couldn’t quite figure out why. The captain didn’t seem to object, in fact, if anything, he was the worst of the lot in this regard.
The really strange thing was that she wasn’t sure which the crew were more nervous of, Edwyrd or the demon. The demon they just tried to ignore, especially after Edwyrd promised them he wouldn’t let the demon hurt them. As if the boy, for that’s all he was, certainly no older than Jenn, could do anything to stop a demon. Jenn shook her head, was the entire world insane? Or was it her? Actually, the real piece that boggled her mind came a few moments ago as they were getting off the ship.
The ship’s master had come up to Edwyrd and handed him a small bag, claiming that he was returning their cabin deposit. Their cabin deposit? Jenn didn’t see in the bag, but it looked to her as if they were getting a refund. While Jenn had to admit they’d saved the ship from the pirates, the ship had been damaged anyway. The ship’s captain was a merchant. Who ever heard of a merchant giving money back? The whole concept was absurd.
To be honest, they should have been paid as guards for the trip. Especially considering the fact that without them the ship would have been lost. That, however had not been the agreement. They’d foolishly agreed to pay for passage, rather than be paid for it. Before, the captain had been more than happy to take their money, and their protection. Why would he have a change of heart? Did he suddenly find honesty? It just didn’t make sense. Unless he was afraid of insulting someone he feared? Could Edwyrd have so intimidated them that they felt it safest to pay him what they legitimately should have owed?
Jenn walked down the dock, having just departed the ship with her companions. She was beginning to come up with too many questions and too few answers. In her rather sleepy state, it took her a moment to notice all the people scurrying quickly off the dock as they proceeded down it. Why would they be doing that? She glanced behind her.
