Part one of the plans

The mercenary that didn’t get stored away was very happy to help them with their plan, after Himari made translucent figures moan and scream around the room. She had forgot to warn Duncan, Cedric and Joan who were at first frightened by the sights and sounds, until they realized Himari was controlling them. Seeing the frightening apparitions around him the man screamed and wailed trying to escape but finding he couldn’t move. Himari said “Go away spirits.” And she made them disappear. She looked at the bald man cowering on the ground crying and said in a fake soothing tone “Look they are gone. I can talk to spirits and they obey me. so why don’t we help each other out?” the man looked around and calmed seeing the spirits were gone and said feeling brave “You think I am going to help you, when there isn’t any money involved, you are crazy lady.” Himari sighed and said in a tired tone “I tried. Come back oh beautiful spirits and torment this evil man.” She made the fake apparitions appear again and the man began to cry and scream. He said “Please make them go away. I will help. I will help” Himari sighed as if affronted and said “I don’t know if I should send them away. Who knows if you will hold your end of the bargain? Maybe I should put you in storage with them.” The man sobbed even harder and begged even harder for Himari to make them leave. Himari said “Why don’t you tell me your name and I will have them go to the corners of the room away from you to wait,” the man whimpered “They call me Viper.” Himari rolled her eyes inwardly. How original for one of the bad guys to be called Viper. Next they will just be going by Bad guy and Evil. She pushed those thoughts away and said “Go to the edge of the room spirits.” And made her holographs of ghost go to the edge of the room and looked at Viper and said “Now I can bring them back without speaking if I want so if I have to I can bring them close without speaking.” She demonstrated this by moving her fake apparitions closer and then back to the corners “Now that you have seen my power and understand what I am capable of are you willing to do as I ask?” Viper nodded his head yes vigorously. Viper believed Himari’s claims after witnessing it and combined with his fear agreed to Himari’s demands. Himari knew that Viper was too terrified of ghost to try anything with her threats of ghost. Himari found Duke of Whitedale was even easier with Himari asking him “Hello there Duke of Whitedale, Do you still get to use that title even though you were stripped of your title and land?” Himari looked down at her nails as if bored and said “It seems you forgot what Duncan promised to do to you if you broke any of the rules he set in place for you. Would you like me to retell you what he told you the last time we saw you, since you have forgotten?” The Duke of Whitedale went pale and started trying to stutter out excuses and apologies. Himari continued to look at her nails as if what he was saying was of no interest to her. He tried blaming others saying he was forced into this plan and didn’t want to do it. When Himari continued to ignore him. He then started bartering information and promising to tell Himari and Duncan anything and everything as long as they didn’t kill him. Himari leaned down and clasped his shoulder and said “You will tell us everything and we will decide if the information you give us is worth changing our mind on the punishment Duncan gave you if you broke his rules.” Duke of Whitedale was cowering looking up at Himari with fear as she said with a grin “Also if we find out you lied to us this deal is off the table. Am I clear?” Duke if Whitedale nodded his head in understanding as tears streaked his face. Joan stage whispered to Duncan “Himari is scary. She is really cool but scary.” Duncan nodded his head in agreement never taking his eyes off Himari, as she leaned down and told viper what she wanted him to say. Himari looked at everyone and said “Okay now time to put this plan into motion.” Himari opened up another broadcast just for the mercenary to contact Duke of Urnsdale. Himari made sure only Viper and Whitedale were visible when broadcasting. This potbellied man that was balding appeared on the screen. Viper greeted him as Duke of Urnsdale and when the man spoke Himari recognized him as the voice from earlier that day. They had called him Duke of Urnsdale then too, so at least she knew they weren’t lying. Viper explained that he had learned from an informant that someone had leaked information about all the Dukes that had been involved in the crimes against the Demon Lord and his Kingdom and that it wouldn’t be long until the King of Vitriolios guards will be there to arrest them and probably extradite them to Imponini to face charges for their crimes. Himari smiled to herself. Perfect, he is sticking to the script I told him to follow. Duke of Urnsdale was now a ghostly shade of white and kept glancing around as if he expected guards to bust in at any moment. Viper waited a little bit letting the man’s terror grow before continuing “I might be of service, for the right price. I have contacts that can get falsified documents that look legitimate saying you are someone else for a heavy price. I know someone else that can make you look completely different, but that cost a whole lot more than anyone I know is willing to pay. I can make all of this happen tonight but after tonight the offer is gone.” Viper shrugged saying “After tonight being in contact with you or anyone else involved in that Demon Lord debacle you created is just asking to be arrested. I am already risking a lot by even offering to help you all tonight, who knows if they will start watching you tonight, if they aren’t already.” Due of Urnsdale licked his lips nervously and said “What are you suggesting?” Viper said “I am suggesting you and your little Duke buddies all come here to the fort tonight with all the money you have, because this isn’t going to be cheap. I will then start moving you each to different nations so you will not get arrested or face a possible death penalty. I recommend brining anyone that is tied to these crimes that you don’t want arrested. You will of course pay me nicely for my handiwork.” Duke Urnsdales eyes were watering and he looked like he was on the verge of fainting as he agreed and told him that he would see him later that night, before ending the broadcast. Himari smiled and said “Great job, Viper. Now we need to get some things set up in preparation for the Dukes’ arrival.” Himari made both Viper and Duke of Whitedale fall asleep. She explained when questioned that she didn’t want to worry about them seeing her do magic or know anything about the spells her and Cedric were about to place. She explained the spells she wanted Cedric to place as she started placing the spells she planned to place. She then explained how she was recording the broadcast even though it was going to appear as if the stone wasn’t broadcasting. Himari was relieved to see that the mages were continuing their chanting and gossiping and the weird guy was now petting his stick talking to it. The contrast from the seriousness of everything else going on and the absurdity of the man talking to his stick Barkus had Himari snorting out a laugh. She had finished making the broadcast stone wasn’t playing anything and that it wasn’t making any sound. She then moved onto the next spell until she was ready for the Dukes.