Chapter 22 - Working For The Weekend

Orpheus quietly entered the door of his house and turned to latch the three locks. Night had fallen and he looked to see if his daughter had returned. As much as he trusted her to do whatever he asked, he always worried when they worked independently.

No one said being a dad was easy, let alone in another world... He thought to himself.

“Sup!”

Clearly I didn’t have to worry.

“Sup to you too. I take it you didn’t run into any trouble?”

Callie, or Ariadne as he had recently dubbed her, was sitting at the table they used for meals. She leaned back in her chair and had one foot on the table, the other crossed over her leg to prop up the book she was reading.

Fatherly instinct told him he should say something about the foot on the table where they ate their breakfast, but he also knew he was every bit as guilty of doing the same so he quickly mentally moved on and sat across from her.

“Did I run into trouble? You mean during Operation Dang My Dad Asked Me To Terrorize A Shy Lady?” She grinned at her own jibe.

“Hey, you know as well as I do that the whole point of this exercise was to get some leverage on someone in the castle. Being kind isn’t going to make her desperate for help.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah. I remember. Force them to antagonize their friends. Separate them from their usual help. Make them desperate. And push them into making the only viable choice, that we control.” She counted off her fingers as she spoke like she was reciting a lesson.

“You always were a good student. So you should understand why we need to do this.”

“Oh, I totally get it. Stick kinda a dick move.”

He narrowed his eyes but wasn’t really upset. “Well, this dick move as you call it is being used on a murderer. Or did you forget the bodies I had to…melt…after you left.”

“Touché dad.” She grimaced.

“But nothing happened?”

“Nope. I rustled as you called it. She kept freaking out. The only problem was that she got so freaked out she took the craziest route back. I only got back here like five minutes ago. Wouldn’t be surprised if she’s throwing up from the stress right now.”

Orpheus shrugged his shoulders. “Feels weird to say good job to my daughter for tormenting someone but…good job.” He said the last part in a non-commital way.

“What about you, dad? What happened after I left?”

“Set the fires. That was a sight…and smell. I think I need to burn these clothes now.” He sniffed his shirt and made a face before continuing. “Warlock’s crew showed up right on time. Right as Taia led a team of soldiers into the clearing.”

“No way.” Ariadne sat up. “What happened next?”

“The demon group attacked thinking Warlock’s crew were the culprits. One of the idiots in his band tried to stay behind and fight.”

“Probably Kaelen their mage right? He’s always a hot head when I see him around town.”

“Good guess. I don’t know exactly what she did, but Taia took him out with just a single word.”

Her eyebrow raised. “Word? Not hit?”

“Word. One minute he’s about to launch a fire blast, the next he’s being led away as a prisoner by the soldiers.”

“We’ll have to watch out for whatever that is.”

“Don’t I know it.”

“Anything else happen?”

“Yeah, the last soldier found the surprise you hinted at when he touched the residue from one of the fires.”

“With his glove on, right?” She leaned forward in concern.

Orpheus didn’t immediately answer.

“With his gloves on…right?”

“No. Barehanded.” His face made it clear it was unpleasant to watch.

“Jesus. Dumb bastard. Who touches random stuff?”

“What was that anyway? Some kind of acid left behind?”

“A base, actually. But similar effect, if technically the opposite. I realized our fire bombs would probably turn the limestone into quicklime. Crazy basic stuff. The moisture in his hand would have converted it into slaked lime. He’s…not going to have a good night.”

“No kidding. And I guess you didn’t get that A+ in chemistry for nothing.”

They both sat in silence a moment trying not to think of the pain it must have caused.

“So where does that leave us?”

“Good question.” Orpheus responded. “I actually followed Taia and her soldiers for a bit and they took their new mage prisoner to the castle. Likely to the jails. I assume they’ll want to question him whenever her power, whatever it is, wears off.”

“Taia is probably especially curious if he’s the kind of mage she’s looking for.”

“Good point. He’s not a summoner like we need though. That said, it does give us an opportunity.”

Ariadne looked at his face. “You have your evil grin right now dad. What’s this opportunity?”

“Just a little recon mission. See, Taia mentioned that the captured mage wouldn’t talk for a day or two. I’d love to have a fly on the wall when that happens. I can’t get into the castle…but you little ninja…”

He batted his eyelashes playfully.

“What do we care what he says? Warlock will have moved everything and that guy probably doesn’t even know who Warlock is.”

Orpheus leaned in closer. “Ever hear of a reverse interrogation?”

“A what?”

“Reverse interrogation. It’s where the prisoner uses the opportunity of being questioned to figure out what the interrogator is looking for. Obviously, this is a bit different, since neither of us is the prisoner. But listening in should give us a sense of what the demons want with mages.”

Ariadne’s tone was a deadpan. “And you want me to turn invisible, phase through castle walls, and try not to puke when they probably torture the guy?”

Orpheus’ mouth stayed open a little too long. “OK, when you put it like that it does sound like a terrible thing to ask your kid to do. But I can’t turn invisible like you. And maybe they won’t have to torture him…too much…”

“Real strong ending to your pitch dad. But fine, I’ll do it. But if it gets too bad I’m just going to put him out of his misery if I get a chance.”

“Yeesh I have raised a ruthlessly kind daughter.”

“Says the guy who seems to know how to run a hundred different spy ops but still won’t tell me where he learned how to do it.”

“Story for another day.”

“Yeah, yeah. You say that every time. Anything else I should know?”

“Yeah, remember how Euryale told me as Orpheus about another prisoner in the castle? Can you check in on them and see who they are? It shouldn’t be any of the nobility, since they were all purged. So I’m curious who else it might be and why they are there. If it’s just some rebel like Warlock’s band, so be it. But if it’s anyone else that may tell us more about what the demons are on the lookout for.”

“Sure dad. When should I head out? Please don’t say right away. I’m tired. ‘Rustling’ was exhausting.” She slumped on the table.

“Don’t worry baby. Based on what Taia said you can head over tomorrow. Brings snacks.”

“I know dad, hardly my first stake out.”

“Hey, we may still be in another world but I gotta take care of my baby girl.” He smiled.

She sat up and ruffled his hair gently. “Kinda loses the dad points when you’re sending me into a fortified enemy base to watch them beat the crap out of a guy.” She laughed. “What will you do?”

“Same as always. Go be Witt at the guild hall and wait to contact Euryale. I’ll let her sweat it out a day or two like I said.”

“Well, maybe make Witt be a little less smarmy and a little more charming and you can spend the time in the tavern trying to finally get a real date.”

“Oh ha ha.” He responded sarcastically. “Like I have time…or the desire…to get attached when our whole plan is to leave this Godforsaken world.”

He stood and headed to the kitchen to make them some food.

Ariadne lay on the table, head on her arms and muttered to herself. “It wouldn’t be so bad for you to do something fun for yourself dad…it has been six years…”