Tom shook his head and looked to Boggy. “What do you think?”
Boggy scratched his chin. “Well, I’ve known Estrebrius for several centuries; he’s certainly honest and reliable.” Talarius made a choking noise; Tom gave him a quick glare. “He’s spoken quite highly of this accursed master on numerous occasions. Honestly, I’ve tried to dissuade Estrebrius on his master’s apparent decency, but he’s stuck by it for several years now.”
“How long have you had this accursed master?” Tom asked Estrebrius.
“Only about six years, sir. I was his first bound demon out of conjury school.”
“So he’s not super-experienced? Compared with say, the Council of Wizardry?”
Estrebrius shook his head. “Not at all. He’s a very competent wizard, but he’s not involved in politics. He’s not famous or renowned; he’s just out to make a living in the city.”
“Thoughts?” Tom looked around at his companions. It might have been nice to have Antefalken around, but the bard was still in the Courts. Tom glanced at Tizzy, who was apparently picking his nose and examining the results; no help there. Reggie shrugged; of course he wouldn’t know anything.
“What else do we have to do?” Rupert asked when Tom looked at him.
Tom shrugged. That was a very compelling point. He turned to Estrebrius. “When is your master next summoning you?”
“He said he’d summon me the next morning, which would be in maybe another twelve Astlanian hours or so.”
Tom nodded. “That will work. Reggie is going to want to sleep for most of that time. I am thinking that in the event your master pulls any funny business, we want everyone at full strength. I’m not sure I want to take any more chances on Astlanians not doing stupid stuff.”
Chapter 87
Hilda collapsed in the overstuffed chair in the suite she had rented at the Havestan Gardens Inn. The rates were completely ridiculous, but she needed someplace decent to stay in the event anyone came calling. Technically, according to her story, she lived in the city; however, she was not about to go house shopping at this point. Not to mention furnishing, staff and all the rest. For one thing, it would be way over budget and hard to justify. So she had settled on a story of her home being repaired and updated while she was at the wedding and the contractors had not finished on time, so she had been forced to rent rooms at this inn.
Since she was supposed to be an animage and healer, perhaps she was adding an improved hospital ward to her house, better medical facilities. That sounded better than simply redecorating or personal improvements. That sort of story seemed just too self-centered to fit with her assumed persona. It was also against her real nature. While she undeniably enjoyed the small comforts of life, and afterlife, she really was not hung up on frilly or fancy trappings. Quality was important, but so was pragmatic value, utility and durability.
Yes, perhaps this suite might seem a bit much, with a bedroom for her, a small bedroom for Danyel, a parlor and a private bath with running hot water. However, she could claim need of the parlor for seeing patients; similarly for the bath; and clearly, Danyel would need his own room for propriety’s sake. The fact that the Inn’s tavern was rumored to have the best wine cellar in the city? Well, that was simply a nice coincidence. And that being rumored and not proven, she would add it to her list of things to investigate.
She had paid for a week in advance with an option to renew. She was not sure how long she needed, but better safe than sorry. A week seemed reasonable, in particular due to the fact that she would need to go back to the quartermaster to get more coins for a second week. They had stopped by a jewelry shop and she had bought a small sapphire pendant that she felt suitable for enchantment. Between that rather expensive purchase and the room at the inn, her coin purse was left feeling hungry.
One did not need coins in Tierhallon; everyone used credit rings linked to their bank account. It had been a bit odd to discover that one needed a bank account in the afterlife, but that was how one was rewarded. No one really had “living expenses,” of course, since no one was technically living, but she did get a small token payment for her services on behalf of Tiernon, and with that she could acquire the luxuries she needed to make after life more comfortable.
Danyel had finally finished unpacking her bags. She had been about to unpack them herself, but the lad had insisted that he should do it. Normally, she would have politely refused, but her head was nearing an explosion point. She needed to come up with something to provide extra shielding.
“Danyel, I’m thinking a few small sandwiches for the evening, perhaps a cup of soup as well if they have something interesting? Unless you want something more? If so, feel free to order what you would like. Could you perhaps go down and arrange something for later this evening, and also if they have a list of wines that they could recommend with the sandwiches, could you bring that back for us to go over? We’ll then choose something appropriate that we’ll both enjoy.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.” Danyel nodded.
“Danyel?” Hilda gave a disapproving look. “Do not use that term, simply call me Hilda. Understand?”
Danyel blushed and grimaced, bowing slightly. “I’m sorry... Hilda.”
Hilda beamed at him and his own smile returned of its own accord. Much better. While you’re gone, I’m going to enjoy a nice bath and try to get rid of this headache!” She stood and made her way to the bathing room.
“Ugh,” Jenn moaned to herself as she collected the last of her belongings. She had taken a nap after Hilda had left. The wine had gone straight to her head. Now, a few hours later, she was coming down, and not gracefully. Jenn was quite cross with herself; she normally did not imbibe like that, but that Hilda was just so charming and warm and confiding. What a truly likable woman! She had noted that Trisfelt and Hilda seemed to really hit it off. Who knew, perhaps there were sparks of romance?
Trisfelt could certainly do far worse. Hilda was so kind and sympathetic, and she had given both Jenn and Gastropé the warmest hugs, wishing them all the best for a demon-free journey. Hilda was just so reassuring; she simply had a way of making people feel good. Jenn was curious as to what would happen if Hilda unleashed her charms on Jehenna. Which would win? Now that would be an interesting conversation to observe.
Gastropé knocked on her door. “You set?” he asked as he stuck his head in.
Jenn smiled weakly at him. “Other than the start of a hangover, I’m good. One nice thing about evacuating every few weeks: you don’t end up with much to pack!” She shouldered the new backpack that Damien had given her. It was really quite roomy, and at least this time there would be no confusion over whose book was whose. The council had been more than helpful in restocking their spell components. She was far better prepared for this adventure than her last one — evacuating Lenamare’s school. Gastropé was already wearing his backpack and had a new walking staff in his hand.
“I assume that’s just a normal staff, not a wizard’s staff?” Jenn asked.
“I bought top quality with the intention of wizardizing it, but I just haven’t had the time. I’m thinking that with a long journey, I might get the time. As we were discussing this afternoon, I assume we won’t be on foot or horseback.”
“There you folks are!” Maelen exclaimed as he came down the hallway. He too seemed loaded with additional equipment in a new backpack. “We are going to Elrose’s chambers to fetch him and then we are off to Councilor D’Vils suite.”