Chapter 117: Six-Month Lease (Patreon)
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The arrival of the expedition was a mix of welcome, relief, commiseration and loss. Rufus and Gary waded into the chaos while Vincent headed for the administration building and the immense amount of work about to be dumped on him. Lacking anything else to do, Sophie trailed along behind Jason to the marshalling yard.
They found the Gellers, Rufus and Gary moving to talk to Danielle. With the arrival at the marshalling yard, her job as expedition leader was finally over. The strain was showing, even through the vitality of silver rank. As Rufus and Gary greeted her, Jason sought out the iron-rank Gellers. He met a tired-looking Humphrey with a broad smile and a warm handshake.
Welcome home, mate; glad you made it. It was a bit touch-and-go there, from what I hear. Sorry I wasnt there to help.
Im not, Humphrey said. Im glad you didnt have to go through it. Life and death were separated by not much more than luck. Everyone lost people and we were no exception.
Jason knew a lot of the iron-rank Gellers by sight, and some familiar faces were missing. The one he knew best was Henry Geller, who he had fought in their now-infamous mirage chamber clash.
Rick Geller came up and shook Jason by the hand.
I want to thank you, he said. What you did to us in the mirage chamber; we were better prepared for when things went truly wrong. We had lived with the idea of losing people and still moving forward. It was worse for real; so much worse. We held it together, though, even after losing people. You helped us get ready for that.
Claire Adeah was one of the two elf sisters on Ricks team. Of them all, she had resented Jasons actions in their mock battle the most. She stepped up next to Rick and offered Jason her hand and he shook it.
Ricks right, she said. I didnt like what you did, back then, but it was nothing next to the real thing.
Id like to say that was my intention, Jason said. Honestly, though, I was just looking for a way to win.
It doesnt matter why, Rick said. You helped us stay alive when we might not have otherwise.
No, thats on you, Jason said. You got as many people as you could out of there when much stronger adventurers were dying.
Rick nodded.
We heard about your friend, he said. You should look around you, right now. A lot of these people wouldnt be here if she hadnt bought them the time to survive.
Jason looked around, seeing the faces of strangers.
Id trade them all to get her back, he said. Does that make me a bad person?
It makes you someone lying to yourself, a voice came from behind him. He turned as Cassandra fell into his embrace.
If you really had the choice, she whispered into his ear, youd let her save those people.
It doesnt feel like that, he whispered back.
They drew apart, their hands held together between them.
How did your family come out? he asked. Hows your brother?
We lost people, but not many as some. Thadwick woke up on the way back. Hes different.
Coming that close to death can change you, Jason said.
She nodded.
Its like hes finally seen how empty all the nonsense he built up around himself is. How much all the things he cared about were just worthless bluster in the face of real power. I think this will be good for him, in the end.
We should take what good we can from all this mess, Jason said.
I do have one question, Cassandra said with a sweet, tired smile.
Whats that?
Why is that very attractive young woman staring at us?
No idea what youre talking about, Jason said innocently.
No? Cassandra asked, turning her head to examine Sophie. You didnt notice the extremely pretty woman with the silver hair and the tracking bracelet.
Oh, her.
Yes, her.
Shes new.
Yes, I imagine I would have spotted her before. She stands out.
You dont need to bother about her.
Dont I, now?
Not at all. Thats just my nubile slave girl.
WHAT? came Sophie and Cassandras simultaneous exclamation, to a backdrop of Jasons wild cackling as a gaggle of people started talking over one another.
Im not a slave!
You have some serious explaining to do, Asano!
Jason, I think youre my hero now.
What I have cant be taught, Rick.
Just try treating me like a slave I will drown you in your own
HEY!
Rufus booming voice cut through the noise as he marched over.
What is going on here? he asked. Jason, what did you do?
Why do you assume it was me?
Was it you?
Well, yes, but wheres the faith?
What were you thinking, causing a commotion here?
"I thought people could use some normalcy," Jason said. "What's more normal than two women fighting over a sexy man?"
You can have him, Cassandra told Sophie.
Dont want him; you can keep him.
Thats hurtful, Jason said, looking between the two.
Jason, this isnt the time for your nonsense, Rufus said.
Rufus, this is exactly the time. There will be days and days of mourning the lost. These people just got home safe and they need just a few moments to celebrate surviving. A little laughter; a little joy. There wont a lot of that for a while.
I dont agree with you at all, Rufus said, then sighed and gave him a sad smile.
Farrah would have, though, he said. Just be respectful of people.
Thats fair, Jason said. He gave Rufus a rare, earnest smile; a far cry from his usual ones where he looked like he was up to something. He turned to Cassandra.
Do you have to go home, or do you have some time for a debonair gentleman caller?
Oh, you have some questions to answer, she said. Youll be answering them now.
Im an open book, Jason said. Come along, slave girl.
Im not your slave!
Shes a rental, Jason said as they started extricating themselves from the busy marshalling yard. Six-month lease.
You didnt rent me!
I have a receipt.
Its an indenture contract.
Why do you even have an indentured servant? Cassandra asked.
Well, you know how you said I should catch that thief?
Cassandra looked over at Sophie.
That was you?
It was, Sophie said unhappily.
Frankly, Im surprised he caught you.
It was his friend who figured out how to ambush us.
It was a team effort, Jason said. And since I was team leader, the credit is primarily mine.
What team? Sophie asked. There were only two of you.
Senior partner, then.
Does Standish know you were the senior partner?
I think he intuited it, Jason said.
I think youre full of crap, Sophie said.
I like her, Cassandra said. But how did she end up indentured to you.
Ah, Jason said. That is a tale of vicious crime lords, shady politicians and a handsome adventurer, generous of spirit
Rick Geller watched Jason saunter off, shamelessly boasting to a pair of beautiful women.
I want to be just like him, he said wistfully, then received a hard thump on the arm. He yelped, turning to see, Claire had been the one to hit him.
What was that for?
***
The man is infuriating, Sophie said. She was back in her shared suite with Belinda. They were standing at the terrace rail, enjoying the cool ocean breeze.
How so? Belinda asked.
He keeps calling me a slave.
Does he treat you like a slave?
Thats not the point.
It really is, Belinda said.
He called me a nubile slave girl.
Belinda burst out laughing.
That is not funny!
Youre complaining about being called a slave while you live like a princess, complete with enchanted castle.
Yeah, well you dont know what hes up to.
Youre right, Belinda said. He didnt want you around after the indenture hearing?
Hes down the hall with his upper-class lover. Im not sticking around for that, whatever the terms of indenture are.
He has a lady friend? Whats she like?
Shes a Mercer. Main family too; not one of the branches. Obnoxiously good-looking.
Belinda groaned.
I know what the pretty ones are like to deal with, she complained.
She seems alright. Wait, was that directed at me?
It makes sense that shes a big nob, Belinda said, ignoring Sophies question. Look at the company Asano keeps.
Whats his background? Sophie asked. What have you managed to dig out of Standish?
A job offer, actually. Clive asked me to come work with him. Assuming that all this political stuff gets settled.
What does he want you to do?
Be a research assistant, which Im pretty sure means taking care of all the mundane stuff he doesnt have time for. Hes expecting to be very busy, soon.
Are you sure he isnt looking for something more intimate?
He had a thing for that friend of Asanos who died. Hes not hiding it very well, just throwing himself into his work.
Are you going to take the job?
"Of course. In the Magic Society, I can learn more about that Lamprey guy. Asano might think he has all this handled, but I doubt we've heard the end of it."
What did you get from Standish about Asano?
According to Clive, Belinda said, Jason isnt even from this world.
What does that mean?
Well, you know the world? Belinda asked.
Of course I know the world, Sophie said. Its a big round thing. Were standing on it.
Actually, were standing on the cloud palace.
And the cloud palace is sitting on the world. By your reasoning, you arent standing on the ground if youre wearing shoes.
Thats actually a good point, Belinda conceded with a frown.
You dont need to sound surprised, Sophie said.
"Sorry," Belinda said. "What were we talking about? Right, the world. Generally, you think about the world as being everything, right?"
But youre saying it isnt.
Thats exactly what Im saying. Asano comes from a whole other world thats apparently out there.
A whole different world, Sophie mused.
Yes, Belinda said. Uh, but no.
What?
"Well, it's a different world. Except, it's the same world. But different. It's complicated."
"I can tell by the fact that the only part of that I could follow was that the rest of it was complicated. You said he came from another world."
Yes.
"But then you said that this different world is the same world."
No. Except, yes. Theyre different versions of the same world. Like when we helped Donzo with the fake spirit coin racket.
I cant believe I let you talk me into that. Youre saying Asano comes from a counterfeit world?
No, both worlds are real.
Then its not a terrific comparison.
Belinda glared at Sophie.
Maybe if you ever read a book that went three pages without the phrase glistening thighs, I wouldnt have to dumb it down so much.
Oh, so I should have been reading all that boring nonsense you collect in case I ever became the nubile slave girl of some guy from a world knocked out by some godly equivalent of Donzo making fake money in his bathtub?
Exactly, Belinda said.
They looked at each other and both erupted into laughter. They wandered into the lounge area and crashed down together on a couch.
How is this our life? Belinda asked, reclining back into the soft, cloudy furniture. Its like things kept getting worse and worse, until they so bad they came right around the other end to amazing and we somehow live in a magic palace, now.
This is just temporary. We need to be ready for what comes next.
What comes next is you getting amazing magical powers, Belinda said. You know I blame you for all this.
How is this my fault? Also, you just said this is amazing.
If you shaved off all that shiny, silver hair, you might not get creepy guys chasing after you.
You want me to run around bald?
You could wear a wig to cover it up, Belinda said. It would have to be an ugly one, though, or it would defeat the purpose. Bald would be best, thinking about it.
Ill do it if you do, Sophie said.
And give up these natural curls? No thank you.
The room chime rang and Belinda went and pressed the gold patch on the wall that turned the door translucent. On the other side was Jason.
If youd like to come with me, ladies.
What happened to your lady friend? Belinda asked.
"She only just got back and has her own responsibilities. Our reunion was short but sweet."
Stamina issues? Sophie asked, walking up behind Belinda.
My stamina is just fine, Jason said defensively.
Sure it is, Sophie said.
Im perfectly virile, thank you very much.
Where do you want us to go, exactly? Belinda asked.
I have assembled a panel of seasoned adventurers for advice and a catalogue of goods that are available and affordable from the brokers at the trade hall. Its time for your friend to choose her essences.