Chapter 8 - Don’t You (Forget About Me)

“What the hell dad!?”

Ariadne slapped Orpheus’ arm. Hard.

“How could you let me be alone with that crazy lady?!”

“Ok, ok…just stop hitting me!” He looked around. They were well away from their meeting point and thankfully were on a street that wasn’t in use. “And I told you not to call me that where anyone might here.”

“Gah! I checked first. I’m not some amateur!”

He smiled. “Just be more careful. Please. You’re all I have.”

“I…” she lowered her voice. “I know. Sorry.” Despite her more timid attitude she began hitting his arm again. “But I can still do this!” She thwacked him again. “Because you’re the reckless one! What would you have done if she figured out who you are?!”

“Will you knock that off!” He grabbed her wrists and held her arms high but let go when she signalled with a nod that she’d stop.

“Why did Witt,” he could hear the distain in the name, “even bring her to us? Couldn’t you just have gone to her as you are now? And left me out of it. I don’t trust her. She’s…scary. Even more than Xorn.”

“That’s a sentiment I can agree with. She can be terrifying. But I had Witt bring her because people are more likely to believe a cover identity when they have to work for it. I can’t just walk up to her and tell her ‘hey, here’s some info I super swear is totally true.’” He did his best surfer impression. The look on Ariadne’s face told him it didn’t land especially well.

“At least warn me next time!”

He raised his hand to placate her. “Alright, alright. Sorry.”

“Why’d you tell her all that anyway. The info she offered us wasn’t worth much. Who cares if the Viscount wants mages?”

“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong! That was very valuable. Because I happen to already know that Taia doesn’t work for the Viscount. She’s one of the King’s spies that he sends out to the bigger cities to keep an eye on things.”

He leaned closer. “And knowing the King wants mages, badly, means we found out we’re competing with him. Like we talked about before, we need to find mages with summoning magic so we can reverse engineer a ride home. I don’t know why the King wants mages, but knowing he needs them for something is very helpful.”

“How?”

“Because, we haven’t had much luck ourselves. The single one we’ve even heard of only knows fire attack magic. And all he wants to do with it is roast demons. He’ll be a headache for Warlock, that’s for sure. But if I know Taia is looking for mages all we have to do is keep track of her and follow along. Hopefully we pick up a more useful lead.”

Ariadne grimaced. “Great. More reasons to be close to that woman.”

“Which is where we’ll use Witt. He makes everyone so focused on thinking he’s trying to get in their bed that they don’t notice he’s actually getting in their pockets…and their heads. It’s why he’s been our best source for so long.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s gross.”

“You’ll live.”

“I just don’t like how he looks at me.” She wriggled. “Like he’s sizing me up.”

“You’d rather he look at you the way he looks at Taia?”

“No! Gross!” She screeched.

Orpheus laughed out loud.

“You know what, forget it! Let’s stop talking about that and figure out what’s next.” Ariadne’s cheeks puffed as she spoke.

“Alright, fair enough. What’s next for you is using how quick you are to make a run to the capital. I need to know if they’re sending someone here after all.”

Ariadne looked surprised. “Wait, you told Taia they are! Was that a lie?”

He gave her a wry grin. “Not a lie, but an educated guess. Of course they’ll have to send someone at some point. I don’t know who exactly. Could be an accountant to help after the counting house fire. Could be an enforcer to crack down on Warlock’s gang. Or maybe even a punisher to deal with an ineffective viscount or his staff. I don’t actually care who is sent.” He shrugged.

“But I need to know when. Remember that road we scouted last week? I need to know the exact date and time the guest from the capital will be there. Then we can feed a bunch of false information wherever we need to.”

“Ok…but why tell Taia if you weren’t sure yet? Why not wait?”

“Because I need her to tell Euryale. Just like with Taia, I can’t just walk up and tell her. She’s so naive on these things that she doesn’t have a network of her own to get information. So we’re planting the seed through Taia to get to her.”

Ariadne considered the point. “Is this because I found out for you that Euryale’s been stealing a bunch of money?”

“You bet! You know I couldn’t do this without you. Euryale doesn’t talk to almost anyone who isn’t a demon…except…”

“Witt.” Ariadne sighed.

“Exactly. We’ll have him fill her in on the details…with a few…modifications.”

Ariadne shook her head. “I still think your plan is too convoluted. But it’s working like a charm so far, so I’ll be your runner. I assume if I find out the capital sent a messenger to warn of the coming visit I should take him out before he gets here?”

“That’s my girl!” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and shook her proudly. Ariadne rolled her eyes.

“Still can’t get used to how much our lives have changed.” She quietly said with a chuckle after moment’s pause.

He leaned his head on hers. The helmet clunked a little but she didn’t mind.

“Father of the year people!” He said with a laugh.

“I’m just glad you stopped treating me like a kid.”

“Kinda had to when I saw what a badass you grew into. That four-on-one bar fight in Viridum?” He blew a long whistle.

She broke from their impromptu hug. “So while I’m gone what will you do?”

“What else? Stir up trouble. I’ll prepare the surprise we planned for everyone and craft some fake messages about the incoming visit. But I’m also going to do exactly what Taia asked for and look for mages. She wouldn’t be here looking if there weren’t a reason. So I’m hopeful we can find someone. Or be there when she does.”

Just as he was about to say goodbye another thought popped into Orpheus’ head. “Right, forgot to mention. On the way, do you mind kicking a hornet’s nest? You know the one.”

“And how angry should I make these hornets?”

“Very.”

She nodded and smiled. “Alright. Bye dad.” She hugged him.

“Bye baby girl. Don’t be gone too long.”

“I won’t. Love you.” She said with a wave.

“Love you too!”

After she was gone he chuckled to himself.

“I think I need to rewrite this backstory of mine and just have her be my kid for real. She’s terrible at hiding it anyway.”

He mused to himself as he walked to his next assignment.