When the meeting finished, Callan stepped down from the stage to shake hands, give platitudes, and answer questions. Predictably, all of them wanted to know when they would get to form a contract of their own. Preferably with King’s littermates or others of his kind.

Callan didn’t have answers for them. He was not a trained summoner. He didn’t have the knowledge or experience to advise them properly. In the future, he hoped to negotiate with the Summoners Hall to allow his group to browse their records. Perhaps have a few of the acolytes eager for a few extra crowns assist them.

Until then, he held his followers at bay with nonsense about improving themselves. It was good, as people should never stop seeking to improve themselves, but most elementals didn’t care about their summoners knowledge or personality. They cared about what they got out of the deal.

“It was an enlightening meeting.”

Callan recognized the man who failed to pierce King’s hide. He’d kept an eye on all the newcomers. The other two had fallen to the allure of summoning but he had never seen any visible signs that the man before him was impressed by the theatrics. “This is just the beginning. Summoning has incredible depths that we couldn’t explore even if we dedicated our whole lives to the art.”

“Oh, I believe it. After all, I’ve seen summoning do incredible things.”

There was something in the man’s tone. Something that told Callan that he didn’t want to have this conversation where it could be overheard. “I admire your passion. Would you be interested in having a private conversation?”

“Funny. I was going to ask you to the same question. Do you drink, Voice?”

“I do.”

“Great. I have something I think you will enjoy.”

“Aimee.” With a wave of his hand, Callan called his assistant. “Please escort…”

“Robins.”

“Please escort Mr. Robins to my rooms and see that he is comfortable.”

Callan watched them as they walked away but only for a moment. His attention was quickly occupied by the next member wanting to shake his hand. He smiled reflexively as a worrying skinny man with excited eyes grabbed his fingers in an uncomfortably sweaty palm. “Voice, I’m ready to seize my new future alongside my patron.”

“That’s good to hear. The first step to creating your new future is to envision a better life. Summoning can give you power but power is pointless in incapable hands. We need faith, that our destinies lie waiting for us to reach for them, but we also need knowledge and vision.

“I encourage you to arrange for a private meeting for us to discuss that vision. We do charge a small fee for extra guidance, but every donation goes to expanding the reach of the Grand Summoners…”

-

Once the building was emptied, Callan returned to his rooms, nodding at Falk who continued to stand sentry. Inside, Robins sat in a chair while Aimee stood demurely beside him, subtly putting herself between him and Callan’s desk. A gesture he appreciated and just the latest display of her loyalty. It was clear she was the best choice to “elevate”. The problem was that Callan wasn’t sure how to arrange another summoning without exposing his inexperience. A problem for the future.

“Mr. Robins. Thank you for coming.”

“The pleasure is mine.” Robins straightened in his seat, lacing his fingers over his stomach. “You’re a busy man, Voice, and I have several pressing matters bothering me myself so I hope you don’t mind if I get to the heart of the matter.”

Callan’s lips twitched at the abrupt tone. The respectful demeanor he used before was gone. Suddenly, Callan felt that he wasn’t being addressed as the Voice of the Grand Summoners but as a carpenter’s apprentice. A part of him wanted to take the meeting to the second floor that was exclusively used to house King. See if Robins dared to belittle him in the face of a lion large enough to swallow a man whole.

He squashed the petty urge, recognizing it would not do him any favors. “It is late. Please, skip the pleasantries.”

“Excellent. First, I promised you a drink.” Robins pulled a small brown bottle from his robe. “Couldn’t bring glasses with me.”

“I don’t have any here.”

“Ah, well. Take it them.” He passed along the bottle. “But sip it. Herbie is strong. Should water it down if you’re not used to the hard stuff.”

“…thank you.” Callan placed the bottle on his desk and turned back to the man. “Now, you implied you wanted to say something.” Robins turned to Aimee but Callan waved off the obvious request. “Whatever it is, it can be said before her.”

“Very well. I’m here as a representative to the Shadow Wolves guild. I’m sure you’re familiar with the events of the Wild Night.”

“Who in this city isn’t?”

“I also believe that you are familiar with the woman behind it. Lourianne Tome.”

Callan flinched at the name. Unbidden, he remembered their last interaction together. Her hands over his throat, strangling him. The anger twisting her features not enough to distract from her admittedly beautiful face. The casual disdain she’d used to dismiss him when her succubus convinced her he wasn’t worth the effort of hiding his body.

He would never forget that day. Callan had always felt undervalued, but Lourianne Tome made him feel…small. An insult he would love to return twice over.

“I’m somewhat familiar with her, yes.”

“Good. That makes things easier.” The hunter sighed. “That night would be a tragedy if it only concerned what happened to the hunters but by some unsaintly curse, the effects of the actions taken then continue to affect the future of the guilds and Quest.”

Callan stepped closer, smelling an opportunity. “Is…Lady Tome causing more issues?”

“This is bigger than a single woman. Bigger than the guilds. Perhaps bigger than Quest. But Lourianne Tome seems to be at the center of the events about to unfold. The guilds need to understand her. She is a summoner. We would like to understand what that means.”

Robins eyed Callan. “Normally, we would go to the Grand Hall but the school is distancing themselves from the situation to maintain impartiality. This kingdom is bereft of summoners. You are our only choice, Voice. Further, you have proven yourself capable. King is…very impressive.”

“Allow me to be sure I understand,” Callan said slowly. “You want me to advise you in taking action against Lourianne Tome?”

“Not in taking action…yet. The guilds don’t want another tragedy. We want you to help us understand her a little better, from the position of a summoner.”

“I see.” Callan put his fidgeting hands behind his back and stopped himself from pacing. He didn’t know if the energy he was struggling to contain was excitement or anxiety. He wasn’t ready to go against Lourianne yet, nowhere close.

King was strong but she had two elementals of her own. More importantly, Kierra would presumably defend the noblewoman and he had heard plenty of rumors about the elf’s strength. He had also been on the receiving end of her healing and could attest that it was miraculous. Kierra was not an enemy anyone wanted to make.

Besides, there was no greater way to add legitimacy to his group than being endorsed by the guilds.

Callan licked his dry lips. “I would like to help you but I may not be the best man for such a job. As you said, I have some familiarity with Lady Tome and am not so saintly that I can keep my own opinion from seeping into my words.”

“My people took that into consideration before approaching you. We want your opinion.”

“I see. Then I should start by sharing that Lourianne Tome is a homicidal madwoman. A strong claim, I understand, but made in good faith. During our first meeting, she almost killed me.”

Aimee gasped, to which Callan smiled ruefully.

“There’s no need to be concerned. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine. I mention it to show what kind of woman Lourianne Tome is. She is powerful, both personally and through her connections. Her elementals are only the beginning. She is the worse kind of noble, the kind that wields her power with impunity believing that she is beyond sanction.”

“That is…a concerning characterization.”

“One that is fairly obvious. A compassionate or empathetic woman wouldn’t slaughter men indiscriminately, even for a just cause. To put it simply, she is a bully. If you are seeking to negotiate, I suggest you do it from a stronger position. Otherwise, she will walk all over you.”

“I see. Then, how do you see her as a summoner?”

Callan paused to consider his words. “Skilled. The Tomes are a family of summoners. She undoubtedly has ample amount of training. To my knowledge, she has two high-level elementals when most summoners spend their whole lives trying to obtain one. But, a summoner’s strength is also their weakness.

“A contract may force an elemental to act but if a summoner isn’t in harmony with their elemental than they are both diminished. I can attest that she does not have a true partnership with her elementals.”

The hunter’s eyes narrowed. “We know that she is contracted to a succubus. From what we know of the Grimoires, they are selfish and calculating creatures. Amoral as well, given what they did at the behest at that family.”

“Creatures of the beyond are different from us but there are many things we share. Foremost, a desire for self-preservation.”

“Her own elementals are threatened by her?”

“Their lives are not in danger. That would be exceedingly foolish. How do I…her lecherous nature knows no bounds.”

“Ah.”

“Indeed.”

“That is…interesting information. Though I am not sure if it makes a difference. Even if there is discord between her and her elementals, they are forced to support her.”

“Not necessarily. A contract does not guarantee loyalty.”

“You mean to say that her elementals can be turned against her?”

How he wanted to lay all his cards on the table and expose the gaping hole in Lourianne Tome’s façade. But to doom her was to doom himself. The best he could do was allude and hope the hunters wise enough to follow the trail.

“I don’t live in her house so I can’t know her secrets. What I can say is that she is not the kind to inspire loyalty. The bond between a summoner and their elemental is called a contract for good reason. What gifts they give are given on their terms. What would a man have to offer you to have your complete loyalty? It is a steep price to pay. An impossible one for creatures that do not share the values of men.

“Most summoners exchange the riches of the world for the services of the elemental. Loyalty is rare. It cannot be bought or coerced. An elemental only signs away their life to those who can inspire absolute faith.”

Or so the record he received said. Warning him not to reach for too much and ruin his chances. Vanity King was a creature of arrogance but the beast only appreciated his own and depised the trait in others. “Lourianne Tome is not a woman to inspire faith in anything. At the risk of insulting myself, summoning is the art of those without talent. Some could say the art of cowards. She can do nothing on her own. What was she before she returned to Harvest with an elven bride? No one even knew the Tome name, let alone hers. She is an unimpressive creature lifted to lofty heights on the shoulders of others. So long as they are beside her, she will be incorrigible. But if you separate the summoner from her elementals, then she is nothing.”

The hunter sat pensively, considering his words. “Yes, I think it was a good decision to come here tonight.” He leaned forward. “Would you be interested in discussing this further with other members of my guild?”

“That depends. Will you tell me what the guilds are planning?” He would be happy to help any group that had bad intentions toward the noblewoman but he didn’t relish the idea of carelessly stepping into a mess. Revenge was sweet but Callan cared more about his future than Lourianne’s demise.

“…that decision is up to my bosses. Like I said, this is bigger than a single woman. I do know what could convince them to trust you.” He paused, letting the moment add gravitas to his words. “Would you and King be willing to fight for the future of this kingdom?”