Apostles of Doom

“You are a warlock of Lord Tommus?” Zargvarst asked. “Why were you not at the ceremony? And why are you with those bartering for the alvar?”

“Uhm…” Gastropé had to think fast. “I am on a mission for Lord Tommus. I am keeping an eye on the Grove and several members of the Council of Wizardry, and could not get away for the ceremony. Which was fortunate, since I was able to open a gateway for the shamans to get back to the material planes.”

That was basically the case. Okay, technically he was not on a mission for Tom, but as long as Tal Gor played along, that should work.

“So you are a spy?” Didar An Sep asked.

“Well, I am keeping an eye on the Grove and their — allies — and if necessary, report what I learn to Lord Tommus,” Gastropé hedged, deeply.

“A spy,” Didar An Sep repeated.

“Spies are sneaky,” Zargvarst stated as fact. “However, so are alvar.” He inhaled deeply through his giant nostrils. “It makes sense to fight fire with fire.” The D’Orc nodded. “It is not something I would want to do, but I see the need.”

“So did you know what the alvar were up to?” Lob Smasher asked him.

“We were in Noajar when we got word that the alvar were planning to patrol the skies here. We immediately set course to intercept them and try and force them to give up this very obvious incursion. The Grove is very serious about ensuring that the armistice is kept, and wanting to stop the alvar. We were simply too late,” Gastropé said, trying not to sweat too much. It was hot in here.

“So this Grove place? It knows the alvar are in breach?” Soo An asked.

“Indeed. Trevin, their leader, spent no little time cursing out the alvar for their stupidity and paranoia,” Gastropé said, exaggerating.

“As she should.” Bor Tal nodded in approval.

“So, do you want to tell me about this battle? I hear it was epic!” Gastropé grinned at Tal Gor. He wanted to get as much information as he could.

“If we are going to do this, we should have some glargh!” Bor Tal exclaimed.

“I could do with a drop of x-glargh.” Zargvarst nodded.

Didar An Sep also nodded. “I feel much better about this discussion with the Grove, knowing now that Lord Tommus has his claws resting on their shoulders!”

Gastropé swallowed hard, he was once more in over his head.

“I shall get the bottles; I will also let the Stone Fingers know we have a guest!” Lob Smasher said.

The Inferno: Early Fifth Period

“I have only had a chance to briefly review the contract they sent over,” Chancellor Alighieri told those assembled in the captain’s mess.

“And?” Heron asked.

“Well, as I said, it’s only a cursory scan. The document is a reasonably taut six hundred and thirty-two pages long,” the chancellor said. “However, it does appear to be of impeccable logic and thoroughness.”

“Does it prevent them from blowing the ship up once they are inside?” Sir Gadius asked.

Dante blinked in surprise at the question. “Well… on first glance, yes. Now obviously, there may be some loophole conditions under which they may be able to do so; as I’ve said, this has been but a cursory review. I’ll be going over it in detail with the ship’s legal team.”

Sir Gaius shook his head. “A contract is only as good as the paper it’s written on.” He turned to look at Sir Samwell. “Do you think they will honor it?”

Sir Samwell shrugged and seemed to think for a moment. “Well, I do not know this Melissance; you will need to reach your own conclusions as to how far she can be trusted. As far as this bodyguard of hers, Salvatore? Assuming he is sworn to Hesseforthalus and that Hesseforthalus signs the contract, then you can trust what is in the contract.”

“You are saying this archdemon is trustworthy?” Barabus asked the knight.

Sir Samwell shook his head. “No, I am not saying that. I am saying that he will honor his contract. He is known for taking contracts very seriously. He is a Denubian Demon^TM after all; contracts are very important to them.”

“Excellent!” Chancellor Alighieri exclaimed, pleased.

“What you need to worry about,” Sir Samwell said, continuing after a pause to look Barabus in the eye, “is what is not in the contract.”

Astlan, Stone Finger Camp: Mid Fifth Period

“Where is he?” Jenn asked for what felt like the umpteenth time.

“Maybe he fell in?” Maelen asked.

“I hear that orcan latrines are anything but pleasant.” Elrose grinned.

“No, seriously, where did he go? And why are the guards not more worried about him being missing?” Jenn asked. “They haven’t even batted an eye at the fact that one of the interlocutors for the alvar seems to have disappeared into their camp.”

“We have been together long enough, and through enough insanity, that I would sense if he was in danger,” Maelen assured her. “I sense nothing ominous.”

Peter nodded. “Gastropé is more than capable of taking care of himself. Remember how easily he summoned three fiends on a wildly gyrating carpet? If the orcs gave him any problems, he could just summon his demons.”