Chapter 54: Engaging the Enemy

I now have an editor, so you all shouldn’t need to put up with my typos and poor/dyslexic editing skills anymore. :)

Sarah stared out across the immense Bolavine River as the barge that she, Amy, and Ellis were on sailed towards a dock at a port city along the river. She had found herself spending rather a lot of time on the deck watching the peaceful lapping of water against the barge’s side, or the tiny little waves made by the wind, or the wakes left by a large ship passing. She found it peaceful, serene, and a great comfort with what was going on in her life right now.

“Illuminar -- blessed be You -- thank you for taking care of me.” She looked up at the bright blue sky dotted with a few white clouds that only accentuated the blueness and vastness of the sky. “Now please, please protect Fiona and Conner. Take care of them and make sure that Lady Ekthros can’t hurt them. Please do something so that she’ll never be able to hurt them ever again. I don’t know what, but I know you can come up with something. Please?”

She closed her eyes, savoring the gentle breeze that was drifting in from the river. It smelled wonderful. The boat was gently rocking and she found the motion both calming and relaxing.

“Sarah?” Amy’s voice came from behind her a few minutes later.

“Hey.” She smiled at her traveling companion and possibly her future co-wife if the artistic girl had her way. She wouldn’t mind that.

“You’ve been up here a lot the past two days.” Amy pointed out as she joined Sarah at the railing.

“Yeah, I’ve been thinking and praying.” She replied. “I like the wind and the motion of the ship, plus this is quite a sight.” She indicated the Bolavine River, which was narrower than usual at this spot at ‘only’ half a mile wide. It was a bit wider if you included the natural bay that they were sailing into though.

“It is nice; I wish I had enough supplies to paint it properly.” Amy smiled as she looked at the river. “Do you usually spend so much time praying?”

“Um, I used to.” Sarah frowned at herself. “I guess it was easy to forget in Karnas because life was easy. I think I got out of the habit but I want to get back into it.”

“I admire that. I always forget to pray unless something really bad happens. I kind of feel bad about that.”

Sarah gave her a sympathetic smile. “I can relate. What happened...” She wanted to say ‘with lady Ekthros’, but couldn’t with the woman’s threats. “ ... in Karnas made me realize that I need Illuminar’s help more than ever right now.”

“I think it’s ironic that the most devout person I know is ... well, you know.”

“Possessed?” Sarah whispered so that no one would hear, even though almost no one was around.

Amy nodded.

Sarah got a small smile on her face. “But wouldn’t someone with my problem need Illuminar more?”

Amy nodded slowly and then cocked her head to one side. Her dark brown hair fell straight down, though it was kept out of her face by a cloth ribbon that she’d tied like a headband with an artistic knot. “You’re different.”

“Oh?”

She nodded. “You seem ... peaceful. Relaxed.”

“I’m really not right now.” Sarah replied, thinking of her concerns about what Lady Ekthros might do to both Fiona and Conner.

“But you look like you are.” Amy replied. “I remember when we met and you seemed almost as scared as I was.” She hesitated. “I’m still that scared sometimes.”

“Hmm.” Sarah thought about that for several moments before replying. “I am different than I was, aren’t I?”

Amy nodded. “Very.”

“Good different?”

Amy nodded again.

Sarah thought about that for a moment. Her talk with Ethan a few weeks ago had given her a new way to see herself so that she didn’t think she was worthless anymore. Fiona had pointed out that she didn’t need to be afraid. And then everything with Lady Ekthros ... Hmm, she had been through so much lately that it didn’t seem real.

“I’m not sure why.” Sarah said honestly. “I should be a mess right now, but I’m not.”

“I’m glad.” Amy said and then added hesitantly. “I’ve ... I’ve never done anything like this before. Leaving everything behind, especially with someone I just met, and traveling to another country to meet someone that I’ve never met but might marry. It’s scary.”

Sarah put her arm around her friend and smiled. “Don’t worry, Rindrin isn’t so bad.”

Amy chuckled nervously but seemed to take comfort from having Sarah’s arm around her. “I’m not worried about him, just...” She bit her lip. “Thank you for being so strong; I don’t think I would be okay if you weren’t.”

Sarah couldn’t help but laugh. “Strong? Me?”

Amy nodded.

The innkeeper’s daughter slowly shook her head, wondering what strange world she’d found herself in where someone was calling her strong. Her of all people.

“Well, I’m glad I can help.” She smiled at Amy.

“Oh, I forgot.” The artistic girl said after a moment. “Ellis says that we should be ready to disembark soon. He’s getting the animals ready.”

“Okay, let’s go then.” Sarah slipped her arm off Amy’s shoulder and offered her hand, which Amy took. Together they headed back to their hammocks to collect their things.

“So basically, we’re just here to drop me off.” Selene summarized to Luminar Kossel after Ethan had explained the orc situation and how Lord Kalus was taking a week to train the orcs in preparation for the upcoming battle. Most of the crew was there listening as well.

“Yup.” Ethan agreed. “After that, we’re heading right back to Dotmier to finish dealing with the orc situation while Selene can hopefully deal with Gonorran and the portal situation.”

“Efficient.” Luminar Kossel nodded once. “I’ll wait in this area for you to return from Dotmier. As Elder Goman wrote in the letter, I did bring Gonorran’s portal and its control podium in case Miss Dawson is successful so it can be used to return all the men and equipment to Earth once the portal on Earth has been destroyed.”

“Good.” Selene said. “I wouldn’t want all the Earth tech to stay here, not to mention the stranded people.”

“Yes, it can be quite disconcerting to suddenly be stranded so far from home.” Luminar Kossel replied.

“So, Kendra tells me that you once worked for the agency that’s behind this?” Selene asked.

“Indeed.” He replied. “Tell me what happened to bring you here and I’ll help to prepare you for your mission as best as I can.”

She did.

She recounted the story, giving as much detail as she remembered.

By the time she had finished, Luminar Kossel had a wry smile on his face. “Smithbond eh?”

“Yup, though I don’t know his real name.”

“I think I know the man.” Kossel stroked his chin. “He was a newer recruit serving under me when I left and it sounds like he’s just as incompetent as ever.”

Selene cocked her head to one side as her mouth fell open. “You’re kidding.”

Luminar Kossel leaned an elbow on the railing of the Argo and looked back at her, an amused smile on his face. “He’s not too tall but he’s well built, he likes taking off his sunglasses dramatically not long after meeting someone, he seemingly has no conscience but does have a brutal streak, and he incessantly quotes movie lines?”

“That does indeed sound like Smithbond.” Selene replied. “You’re saying he’s incompetent?”

“Yes.” Luminar Kossel stated matter-of-factly and then slowly shook his head. “I can’t believe they put that bungling fool in charge of anything, much less a major operation. That’s a perfect example of someone being in the right place at the right time.”

Selene stared.

“Incompetent?” Ethan said. “It sounds like he got everything he wanted and he took Selene apart in hand-to-hand combat. I’ve seen her fight and that’s impressive.”

Luminar Kossel shrugged. “Maybe he’s gotten better, most people do after so many years, but he’s only slightly better if he is at all.” He looked at Ethan. “Based on what Selene has said, he’s still utterly incompetent.”

“How do you know?” Beth asked.

“Yeah, I’d like to know too.” Selene added.

“First, let’s start with his attempt to onboard you, and remember that I used to work for them.” He looked at Selene. “Instead of having you kicked out of the FBI, why didn’t he have your boss call you and tell you to work with him? Wouldn’t you have done so eagerly with orders from your boss?”

“Absolutely.” The former agent nodded.

“Then after the mission was over, he could’ve offered you a chance to work with them by promoting you from the FBI with an honorable discharge. If it would’ve been framed that way and he had been decent about it, wouldn’t you have wanted to work with him?”

“I would’ve jumped at the chance.” Selene nodded. “Again, assuming he had been decent.”

“That’s how they recruited me from the Special Forces and how I recruited others.” Kossel said. “I think you can see it’s a better way to handle it.”

“I can.” She agreed again.

“That’s strike one.” Luminar Kossel continued. “The second strike was sending agents to pick up your friends, Jason, Melinda, and Hailey. That would’ve been far better handled with a soft touch. A single agent, maybe two, and a phone call personally from the governor asking them to cooperate would’ve done the trick.”

“From the governor?” Ethan stared.

The luminar shrugged. “It worked every time I tried it.”

“How many times?” Ethan asked.

“How many governors?” Selene added.

“Enough.” Their guest smiled. “Beating Selene senseless to bully Hailey into revealing what she knew was, well, senseless. Yes, he accomplished the objective, but at the cost of alienating all of his most valuable sources of information. Besides, threatening a pregnant woman?” Kossel shook his head. “That’s out of line unless she’s an enemy asset, and even then...” He shook his head again. “Clive overplayed his hand.”

“Clive?” Selene asked. That couldn’t be Smithbond’s name ... could it?

Luminar Kossel smiled. “Special Agent Clive Eustace Humphrey.”

Selene started chuckling, then laughing. “No wonder he pretended his name was something else.”

Everyone else was chuckling as well.

“Do you have any operational advice?” Kendra asked.

“Perhaps, Mrs. Ejder.” He winked at her.

She blushed.

“Although, I must admit that the sight of you in a dress is something I never thought I’d see outside of an undercover mission.” The luminar continued. “Marriage suits you.”

“She’s a wonderful wife too.” Ethan said with undeniable pride in his tone.

Kendra blushed even deeper. “The mission. Do you have any advice?”

“Same old Kendra.” Luminar Kossel replied with something not unlike fatherly pride in his voice. “The mission always comes first.”

“When my best friend is going to another world without backup, yes it does.” The dragon huntress’s tone was even, but fierce.

Selene felt her heart soar for a moment at her friend’s response ... then she remembered that she was going to leave the Argo if the mission was a success.

Luminar Kossel smiled. “Kendra, it is truly a wonderful thing to see you with friends and family.”

A smile formed on her face but it lasted only a moment. “What about Selene’s mission? Do you know anything that can help her succeed, and more importantly, come back safely?”

“I do have some thoughts, but perhaps we should discuss this over a late lunch?” He looked up at the sky. “Or perhaps a very early afternoon tea.”

“Either is fine.” Ethan replied. “The inn in the outpost nearby is usually pretty deserted and the cook is great.”

^∗But are you referring to her food?^∗ Alana thought to everyone with a sly tone.

Judging by his emotions, Ethan would probably be blushing if he was human. That led Selene to a thought; Ethan could sense her emotions as well. Given what had happened lately, and especially her guilt about the whole birthday thing...

Hmm.

She made a quick adjustment to her mental defenses to prevent him from sensing what she was feeling.

Yeah, that was a good idea.

“Which outpost?” Luminar Kossel asked. “I only know of one nearby and it’s usually rather busy.”

“Busy?” Selene frowned, then walked to the other side of the Argo and looked over the railing. Sarah’s inn was still reasonably far away, but not so far that she couldn’t see a half dozen horses in the small paddock attached to the inn’s small stable.

“That’s ... strange.” She said after a moment.

“I wonder why the business picked up.” Ethan mused after joining her at the railing.

“Me too.” The Brazilian woman replied. “Pretty much no one wanted to stay there because of Sarah, so I don’t see how it would get busy as long as...”

Oh.

She looked at Ethan and saw the same realization in his eyes.

“Maybe she married that blacksmith?” Ethan said after a moment. He was obviously trying to be casual, but he was also completely failing. His posture was unnaturally stiff and his ‘natural’ tone sounded rather forced.

“I don’t think so.” Selene replied. “I last saw her, what, just under three weeks ago?”

“Nineteen days, so yeah.” Ethan replied.

She chuckled. “Not that you’re counting or anything.”

For a second time in as many minutes, she was sure Ethan would’ve turned beet red if he could blush.

“And that’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Alana said as she joined them at the railing. “He’s going to have seven wives; there’s absolutely nothing wrong with him wanting a specific woman to be one of those wives.”

“Thank you.” Ethan said to his first wife.

“It seems strange that the inn is busy.” The wood elf said after a few moments. “Perhaps that warrants a closer look.”

“Let’s go.” Ethan said, turning towards the stairs to the lower decks where they kept the rope ladder.

“Ethan.” Alana called out to stop him. “Maybe you shouldn’t go.”

Selene had been thinking the same thing but was glad the wood elf had voiced it first.

“Why?” He replied, a slightly dragon-tinged edge in his tone.

“That’s why.” Alana replied gently. “You and Selene haven’t, uh, ‘spent some time together’ in over a week and it’s definitely showing. Can you think of a worse idea than introducing an irate dragon to an unknown situation?”

“Isn’t that how Beth died in Arcanum?” Selene added.

“Fine.” Ethan almost snapped, then looked at Selene. “Downstairs, now.”

“I beg your pardon.” She raised her eyebrow.

The corner of Ethan’s mouth twitched up slightly, like a dog’s sometimes does when it’s about to growl. Moments later he looked at Alana, then his expression slowly softened.

He took a deep breath and then looked at Selene. “I’m sorry. I was being a total ass.”

“Yeah, your dragon side does that.” She sighed. “I forgive you and you aren’t wrong.” She wasn’t looking forward to ‘holding his wing’, but it seemed likely that Sarah wasn’t at the inn and they needed to investigate; he needed to be calmed before that happened.

Ethan took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then turned to Selene. “If you would be willing, could we retire to the lower decks for a few minutes?”

“Sure.” The Brazilian woman replied, rather anxious to get to the inn and see what was going on.

Ethan sat in the storage room below the captain’s cabin with the door ajar just enough that he could slip one of his wings through it so Selene could hold it. She had really nice hands. Well, she had really nice everything actually -- the woman was so beautiful that it was sometimes hard to believe -- but the Brazilian woman wasn’t occupying his thoughts right now.

Sarah was.

What had happened?

The way that the innkeeper’s daughter had told it, no one came to the inn because of her. If all of a sudden the inn was quite busy, then there was one obvious conclusion...

“Yeah, I’m worried too.” Selene’s very feminine voice came from the other side of the door. “That’s why we’re doing this, right?”

Ethan looked down at his almost entirely flaccid cock. Concern for someone you cared about did tend to have that effect. Having one of his wives there would surely help, but also made it hard to release the testicle that only worked for Selene.

“Yeah.” He finally replied to Selene’s question. “I suppose I promised to finish a certain story, didn’t I?”

“Um, about that...”

When she didn’t explain, he checked his bond with her to figure out--

Oh.

She had blocked him from sensing her emotions.

Huh.

He frowned for a moment, remembering how Alana doing that had led to him being unaware that she had been ambushed by Kendra when they had attacked Havorleth’s lair to free Taloni. He almost told Selene that she should unblock him, but then reconsidered. Alana was his wife, but Selene wasn’t. Further, Selene was about to leave the Argo and go to Earth so it shouldn’t cause any problems. He wasn’t happy about it, but he didn’t think now was the time to address it. He made a mental note to talk to her about it after they checked out the inn and hoped that he wouldn’t forget.

“You were saying.” Ethan prompted after several long moments.

“You put a condition on it, that I keep my fingers to myself, and I ... uh, didn’t.”

“Oh?” He frowned.

That didn’t sound like Selene at all.

She had been really into the edging/denial thing and he found it hard to believe that someone with enough willpower to train the way she did would cave. Plus, his dragon instincts told him that she would never be properly happy and sexually fulfilled unless she was being ‘forced’ to edge regularly. Maybe not for long periods, but regularly for short periods was something she craved.

For her to cave?

Hmm.

That didn’t sound right.

“Yeah, I was really horny one night and couldn’t resist.” She said in a tone that was almost too neutral.

He looked at the door and his frown deepened. That definitely didn’t sound like Selene.

“Okay.” He said again, not sure what else to say. He had almost been looking forward to that and every once in a while had thought about which direction to take it.

^∗Ladies.^∗ Selene thought to everyone. ^∗I’m going to temporarily close my connection to the group chat; can you all help Ethan ‘get there’ faster so we can go check on Sarah’s inn?^∗

There was a resounding chorus of ‘yeses’ from wives.

^∗Okay, peace out ya’ll.^∗ Selene closed her connection to the group chat, though her connection with him remained open.

^∗Something is bothering Selene.^∗ Kendra thought to everyone.

^∗I noticed.^∗ Alana added. ^∗She’s been out of sorts for a few days now.^∗

^∗And I don’t think it’s her impending mission or departure either.^∗ Rachel added. ^∗That’s probably part of it, but I would wager that isn’t even half of it.^∗

^∗The birthday thing.^∗ Kendra piped up. ^∗That’s when it started. It seems like that bothered her deeply for some reason.^∗

^∗I noticed that too.^∗ Rachel agreed.

^∗But why?^∗ Beth asked. ^∗She always said that she didn’t want to marry Ethan and wanted to break the bond and go back to Earth. Why would it bother her if she got some confirmation from Illuminar that that’s what she should do?^∗

^∗It’s likely because she got that confirmation.^∗ Ethan mused. ^∗I’ll bet that in her mind, the birthday thing was Illuminar telling her that she can’t marry me and -- if she’s like most Americans -- she doesn’t like not having a choice, even if it’s about something that she already didn’t want to do.^∗

^∗Wait, she doesn’t like that Illuminar is guiding her away from something she doesn’t want?^∗ Taloni was obviously confused judging by her tone.

^∗She doesn’t want anyone telling her what to do.^∗ Rachel explained.

^∗Except that she does.^∗ Kendra interjected. ^∗That’s something I’ve noticed; she doesn’t mind being told what to do. I think a part of her likes it.^∗

^∗I noticed that as well.^∗ Rachel agreed.

^∗I have too.^∗ Alana added.

^∗It would make a lot more sense if you grew up on Earth.^∗ Ethan replied. ^∗We Earthlings don’t tend to like God telling us what to do.^∗

^∗That’s strange.^∗ Taloni mused.

^∗But, we have a job.^∗ Alana thought to everyone after a moment. ^∗We need to ‘get Ethan there’ so we can check on Sarah.^∗

Ethan couldn’t help but smile.

He knew that Alana wasn’t as concerned about Sarah as her words might indicate. She was making Sarah a priority for her because she was a priority for him.

^∗Have I told you I love you recently?^∗ He thought to her privately.

^∗Every time you look at me.^∗ The wood elf replied, and he could almost hear the smile in her tone. She then thought to everyone. ^∗So, who wants to start?^∗

Alana dropped the last few feet to the ground from the Argo’s rope ladder and stepped aside to make room for Ethan, who was climbing down after her. The fact he hadn’t insisted on going down first so he could see up her dress as she climbed down was probably the biggest indication that he was preoccupied. Selene was already on the ground, having gone first.

“You sure you don’t want anyone else to come?” Selene asked.

“I think we’ll be okay; a lot of us going would attract too much attention.” Ethan replied, then thought to everyone. ^∗Beth, see anything?^∗

^∗Nothing out of the ordinary Dominus.^∗ The blonde replied. ^∗I did a quick circuit and didn’t see anything unusual, but I don’t see Sarah either.

“Nothing out of the ordinary is good, not seeing Sarah is ... less good.” Selene frowned.

“Come on.” Ethan started walking fast enough that the wood elf needed to jog slightly to keep up. She didn’t mind being short but it could be annoying sometimes. Ethan noticed her gait and slowed a bit so she didn’t have such a hard time keeping up.

“Thanks.” She smiled at him.

“You’re welcome.” He replied, but his mind was obviously elsewhere.

“I’m sure she’s fine.” Alana offered.

He looked at her and grimaced. “I hope so.”

“You don’t think she is?”

He hesitated. “I’ve got a really bad feeling about this.”

She put a hand on his arm, hoping he would take it as comforting. He gave her a smile that was half-grateful and half-worried.

Alana didn’t know what to think.

For that matter, she wasn’t sure how to feel.

She would be lying if she was entirely at ease about this turn of events, and not just because Sarah appeared to be missing. Her concerns about Ethan being attracted to the innkeeper’s daughter had never quite disappeared. Gotten better? Yes. But not disappeared.

^∗You okay?^∗ Ethan asked her privately.

^∗As good as I can be.^∗ She replied honestly.

^∗I know I said it before, but let me repeat it.^∗ Ethan replied. ^∗I really like Sarah, but I love you. You’re my wife, she isn’t. I will never do anything with her or any other woman that would jeopardize our marriage, or even cause you emotional pain. You’re my wife, I love you, and you come first.”

Alana’s heart immediately felt lighter. ^∗Thank you for reminding me.^∗ She hesitated, then added. ^∗If Sarah wasn’t betrothed and was willing, would you want to marry her?^∗

^∗Yes, but not if it would harm my relationship with you.^∗ He looked at her seriously. ^∗And I mean that.^∗

^∗I know.^∗ She smiled at him, feeling much better. ^∗Nothing will ever change how you feel about me, will it?^∗

^∗Of course my feelings for you will change.^∗ He replied with a slight smile. ^∗I plan on being more in love with you the longer we’re married.^∗

She chuckled. ^∗I’m okay with that.^∗

^∗Good.^∗ He smiled at her.

“Look alive folks.” Selene said. “We’re here.”

They were.

The outpost looked almost exactly the same as it did before, only much busier. Whereas before it looked like very few people traveled through the outpost, now it was different. Before, many small plants had started sprouting up in the middle of the road and now they were gone, trampled into oblivion by the increased traffic. It was after lunch and yet a few people were milling about outside the inn.

“It used to take work to get people to stop in.” Selene said as they got closer. “Something significant has changed.”

“I can only think of one thing that would bring the people back.” Ethan said darkly.

The three of them exchanged worried looks.

They entered the inn and it looked exactly as Alana remembered it. It appeared that everything there had been kept in service a little past its prime. The carpet was a little threadbare and you could see obvious signs of wear, though nothing was so badly worn as to be unusable. There was a fire in the hearth, but not a large one.

Alana recognized the innkeeper from her previous visit, though this time he was much more active. Whereas before he had mostly sat in a chair and grumbled, now he was up attending to his guests. He had a jovial smile on his face but she noticed that it didn’t reach his eyes. There were a dozen people in the inn, which was a lot different from what Selene had described before.

^∗See anything Beth?^∗ Alana thought to the group chat.

^∗Nothing unusual.^∗ The blonde replied.

“Festus.” Selene called loudly, probably to cut through the din of conversation.

The innkeeper turned towards them, then did a double take. “Selene? You’re back.”

“I am, but where is Sarah?”

The man frowned, then nodded his head towards a corner of the room. Ethan, Alana, and Selene all met him there. The air of joviality disappeared the moment his back was to the room. His brows were furrowed and his eyes full of concern as he looked between the three of them with a grimace, finally settling on Alana.

“My Sarah said you were one of the prophet’s wives.”

“I am.” She nodded.

Festus looked at Ethan. “Would ... would you be the prophet?”

“Yeah.” He nodded.

“You have to save my little girl.” Festus whispered, his voice cracking slightly. “The Ivernians took her almost three weeks ago now.”

“Three weeks!” Ethan hissed in a low voice, though at no one in particular. “She’s been missing for three weeks?!”

“Almost.” Festus nodded. “I doubt anyone could send her to meet Illuminar with her problem, and she had that lady from Narlotten with her defending her so I doubt she’s come to real harm, but...” The innkeeper trailed off as he looked at the Argo’s crew.

“What lady from Narlotten?” Ethan asked, the dread in his tone mirroring what Alana was feeling.

“Uh, lady ... ek-something.”

“Ekthros?” Alana breathed, her eyes widening.

“That’s it.” Festus nodded. “Lady Ekthros.”

Holy...

Alana covered her mouth with her hand, scarcely believing what she was hearing. Her heart actually seemed to stop beating for a moment as the enormity of that sank in.

^∗What’s wrong?^∗ Rachel’s voice came to the group chat.

^∗Lady Ekthros has Sarah.^∗ Beth replied, probably having heard the conversation while on the Astral Plane.

“Fuck!” Ethan hissed under his breath as he clenched his fists.

^∗The demon-possessed soldiers.^∗ Rachel thought to everyone. ^∗Lady Ekthros is a telepath; she must’ve read Sarah’s mind to figure out what happened when she was possessed so she could recreate it.^∗

^∗It would be hard to find that information anywhere.^∗ Kendra added. ^∗The Aldmiri destroy things like that whenever and wherever they find them.^∗

^∗Well, that solves that question.^∗ Beth pointed out, but as she continued her tone was nervous, bordering on anxious. ^∗But what about Sarah?^∗

“Where?” Ethan said to Festus. “Where did they take her?”

“Rindrin followed them from a distance.” Sarah’s father replied. “He said they went to a military outpost but I don’t know where. Rindrin will know though.”

Ethan hesitated for a moment and glanced Alana, probably concerned about how she felt about this.