There were limits to Vraekae’s power. She was the Magistrate, the legal and political head of the entirety of Weigrun, and she was from a noble family to boot. However, she was ultimately a law enforcer, not a law maker. She couldn’t just wave her hand and proclaim something and then everyone had to follow along. That kind of power was the prerogative of Emperor Somerulf, and even he didn’t take actions like that casually. All that was to say, Vraekae couldn’t just change imperial law to make it so that a greater demon like Alex could just walk freely around the countryside without consequence.
But she could bend the rules.
Imperial law allowed citizens to capture and hold live demons, typically for the use of alchemists, as fresh demon eyes or demon blood could be used in some rare and difficult to create potions. The practice was highly regulated and required stringent adherence to proper procedures to make sure no demons got loose in a populated area. Jadis’ rather loose handling of Alex had been technically incorrect and something that Vraekae absolutely could have levied charges against Jadis for. However, since Vraekae didn’t actually want to either incarcerate or alienate Jadis, she hadn’t pressed the issue. For a demonic entity as small and weak as Alex had been, there hadn’t been much risk anyway.
Hindsight being what it is, Vraekae was forced to admit that her judgement had been flawed. Jadis was very, very thankful that Vraekae had made that mistake. Otherwise, Alex likely never would have grown to become the perception-challenging Demon that she had.
In fact, when Jadis considered it, she was fairly confident that just by bringing Alex to the attention of some of the most highly ranked priests in the empire she had likely fulfilled D’s request to “shake things up”. Not that she thought her job was done or anything. She doubted D would be satisfied with just the one relatively little quake. She was going to have to see things through to the end, wherever that might lead her.
In any case, the issue of keeping Alex safe while also satisfying Jadis’ personal sensibilities was something that Vraekae was able to accomplish by mostly sticking to the rules as written. Technically, to properly handle a live demon in captivity one had to keep them restrained within a containment device of some kind that was authorized by the local government. That could have meant that Sabina was going to have to make a whole new glass-faced crate for Alex to be carted around in, but Vraekae had a better solution.
When a criminal who had committed a violent offense was remanded to a proper agency, they were typically equipped with an enchanted arm band that would allow authorities to both track and disable them. The metal band allowed those with the properly paired enchanted device to track the individual, and depending on the version could also deliver debilitating spells directly into the person. The bands couldn’t be removed, at least not easily, and if they were removed, or the body part they were attached to was removed, the paired device would be notified immediately. These devices weren’t cheap to make since they needed to be able to function for long periods without recharge, so the empire generally used them sparingly, only equipping them on criminals where the situation truly warranted them.
“Metal… Shell…”
Alex poked at the steel armband that had been placed around the bicep of one of her monstrous extra arms. The outer surface of the enchanted device was simple, nothing more than smooth polished steel with the imperial coat of arms stamped onto the surface. The inner surface, though, had been a complicated network of faintly shining lines and runes that looked almost as complicated as copper lines Jadis remembered seeing on computer chips back on Earth. Those runes had glowed with a surge of power once the armband had been locked into place on Alex’s arm, but after the initial click the glow had faded and the manacle was no more noticeable than any other metal armlet.
“This can’t hurt her, right?” Dys asked Vraekae again as she frowned at the armband. “I don’t want some asshole officer who doesn’t know any better to press a button and hurt Alex.”
“No, it cannot,” Vraekae assured Jadis for what was probably the tenth time. “The enchantments on this model are based around Eldritch magic. If activated, it will cause temporary paralysis as well as deafness and blindness. She cannot be directly hurt by this tracking manacle.”
“Just put in a position where a cat could kill her,” Dys grumbled as she remembered all the times she herself had been paralyzed by a certain goblin’s spells.
“Thank you for doing this,” Jay said more loudly, not wanting Vraekae to think she didn’t appreciate the risks she was taking on her behalf. “I know you don’t have to. It’s… it’s really nice of you to help me and Alex like this.”
Vraekae eyed Jay with an appraising glare. They were alone with Alex in Vraekae’s office. Another two days had passed since Jadis had revealed Alex to the congregation of High Priests and they were finally at a point where they were in enough agreement about Alex that Vraekae had been able to push forward with her suggestion on how to restrain Alex enough to meet the letter of the law. The sun was already starting to set and it was snowing again. The glow of the fire burning in the hearth kept the office comfortably warm, which was nice since it felt like the weather outside had dropped twenty degrees.
“That is not entirely true, now, is it?” Vraekae intoned from where she sat at her desk, her pen scribbling across what Jadis was sure was paperwork related to the tracking manacle. “You are becoming quite the important figure in imperial politics. As a mere civil servant, it behooves me to stay in your good graces.”
Jay let out a little laugh at Vraekae’s words, but the amusement died when she saw just how deadly serious Vraekae was.
“I’m not actually more important than you,” Jay said, shifting a little uncomfortably. “I mean, yeah, I’m important. Not going to deny that. Literally on a mission from a god. But you’re still the de facto ruler of an entire sub-continent.”
“I was appointed to my position by the Emperor,” Vraekae spoke as she stood from the desk, carrying several sheets of paper with her as well as two small but thick metal discs. “The post I was assigned to is strategically important, but not vital to the war effort against the demonic invasion. Across the empire, there are precisely eighty-three other magistrates who oversee their own provinces, many of which could easily be judged as more vital to the empire than Weigrun. My family, Aedraheill, is a noble one, but we are but one of many and have no special connection to either the emperor’s family line or to any of the Heroes from previous cycles.
“You, Jadis, are the last remaining member of an Avatar race, one who has been given a mission directly from the god Destarious. You have already proven that you are capable of altering the course of a demonic warzone nearly single-handedly, you are capable of altering the types of class options others gain to ones of frankly absurd power, and you have settled a debate on Demonic intelligence that has been argued over for literal millennia.”
The blue-skinned elf came to a stop in front of Jay, a faint smirk ghosting across her lips.
“Between us, which do you think is the more politically important?”
“I see your point,” Jay answered dryly.
“Good,” Vraekae said before holding out her hands and passing both the papers and the metal discs to Jay.
“What are these?” Jay stared at the items the elf had given her.
“Those are the legal documents you need for Alex’s tracking manacle, and that disc there is how you control it,” Vraekae tapped one set. “The other papers and second disc are the ones you need for the convict Sorcha, Daughter of Tyree. When you pick the convict up downstairs, the guards will show you how to operate the discs. They’ll also give you something to set them into so you don’t lose them, like an amulet or a wristband.”
Vraekae glowered at Jay, her expression frosty.
“Do. Not. Lose. Them. These enchantments are extremely expensive to craft. Not all enchanters who can make these manacles are capable of making enchantments strong enough to overpower someone as strong as Alex.”
“Alex… Strong…” the demon sagely nodded in agreement while flexing both sets of arms in a display that mimicked something Jadis was sure she’d done herself on a few silly whims. “Status… Sheet… Strong…”
Jadis smirked at the demon’s antics. While communication was still mired in difficulties, it hadn’t taken Alex long to figure out that the high priests were impressed by Alex’s high stats. That realization seemed to have done wonders for the demon’s self-confidence.
“Oh, I’m getting custody of Sorcha, too?” Jay asked, mildly surprised by the information. “Already?”
“Yes,” Vraekae nodded. “She has already cut a deal to provide testimony and I see no reason to prolong her trial. I dealt with her sentencing this morning. Ten years of indentured probation. Much more lenient than what the rest of her former cohorts are getting, but the goblin has friends in high places.”
“Good to have friends,” Jadis grinned at the magistrate.
“Indeed. Now, before you go, tomorrow’s agenda—”
Vraekae’s next words were cut off as a loud knock came from her office door. Turning away from Jay, she called out for whoever had knocked to enter. When the door opened, it turned out to be one of Vraekae’s guards. The man paused, looking at Alex with a disturbed expression that he quickly covered under a mask of professionalism.
“Apologies for the interruption, ma’am,” the guard said while giving Vraekae a salute. “We just received word from the docks. A ship flying the imperial flag arrived in port about half an hour ago. It’s not one of the regular vessels on schedule. The watch captain thought you would want to know.”
“Yes, thank you,” Vraekae said, her tone clipped. “Inform the lieutenant on duty that I will be heading to the docks shortly.”
“Yes ma’am,” the guard saluted before quickly exiting the room.
“What’s that all about?” Dys asked, one eyebrow raised.
Vraekae let out a sigh as she shook her head.
“Likely a ship sent by the emperor to bring back the high priests. It is best that I see to whichever commander was sent right away to avoid even further difficulties than there already are.”
Stepping away from Jay and towards another door set on the far wall, Vraekae opened it to reveal what looked like her personal quarters beyond. As she briskly moved, she called out to Jadis.
“Go and pick up your charge. I will see you tomorrow here at the city hall an hour after dawn. Please bring my cousin, as we will likely need to involve her in the discussions tomorrow.”
“Sure,” all three of Jadis readily agreed as they headed for the exit. “See you then, Vraekae. And thanks again for your help.”
“You are welcome,” Vraekae said from beyond the open door of her living quarters.
Not wanting to waste any more time now that she’d been given leave to go home, Jadis wasted no time in beating a hasty retreat.
All three of her selves were in her casual clothing skirt-pants and tunics, though she’d worn extra layers considering the extreme cold outside. She was also wearing large fur cloaks with hoods, custom made to fit her large stature. She’d brought an extra cloak with her, which was what she put on Alex.
Since Jadis now had everything arranged from a legal standpoint, she saw no reason to keep toting the demon around in a box. People were going to have to get used to seeing Alex walking, or slithering, around town. Though, considering Vraekae’s guards’ reactions to the demon, Jadis figured baby steps would be best.
With the cloak and hood firmly secured around the squirming demon, Jadis quickly made her way through the halls of the administrative building and found her way to where Sorcha was being kept. The goblin had been eagerly waiting for Jadis and was happy to see her, though that happiness was overshadowed by the surprise that Alex presented.
“Bloody shit, what in the fucking abyss is that Demon doing out and about!?” Sorcha shouted upon seeing Alex’s face peeking out at her from under her hood. “Shouldn't she be in a bloody crate or something!?”
“Uh, no,” Syd replied, running a hand through her hair. “We, uh, kind of sorted everything out with the Magistrate and the High Priests. She’s been confirmed to be a greater demon now but also has a status sheet and classes and all that. She’s also just been granted special probation, kind of like what you have, so she doesn't have to be in a box anymore.”
“Hello… Sorcha…” Alex waved her many tentacles at the goblin witch.
Sorcha stared at Alex for a while, her big eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. After an uncomfortably long silence, her mouth shut with an audible click and she turned her gaze on Syd.
“Valtar preserve me. Joining you lot is the better option to being sent to the military, right? Because I’m starting to second guess my decisions here.”
“Let’s talk about it while we head to the guild hall,” Syd laughed.
It took a few minutes for Jadis to sort things out with the guards, and another few to go over the use of the control discs as well as get some large flat holders to put the discs into, but before an hour had passed they were all out of the city hall and walking the snow-covered streets back to Fortune’s Favored headquarters. Jadis spoke the whole way, catching Sorcha up on the situation as well as answering the goblin’s many questions. She also had to answer a fair number of questions from Alex as the demon, having learned the right combination of words, had learned how to ask what the names of things were.
It was a good thing Jadis had extra bodies and could hold two different conversations at once fairly easily.
Before they got to the street that the mercenary headquarters were located on, Syd split off from the group. While Jay and Dys continued to escort Alex and Sorcha to the hall, Syd headed for a nearby tavern located a few streets away from the headquarters. It was a popular spot with the sailors since it wasn’t far from the port and was open all hours of the day and night.
With how well everything had turned out so far with Alex, the high priests, and Sorcha, Jadis was in the mood to celebrate. She was pretty sure everyone else would be feeling the same way, so she was in a mind to purchase a large quantity of whatever alcoholic beverages she could carry.
With her mind focused on thoughts of whether ale, mead, or wine was best to buy and whether she had enough coin in her purse to buy a barrel of each from the tavern, Syd didn’t notice the figure that was standing in her path until she was only a few feet away. Coming to an abrupt stop to avoid walking into the stocky-looking human man, Syd let out a surprised huff of breath.
“Excuse me,” she said, already starting to move around the man. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“This has got to be one of them Nephy sisters, right boss?” the man called out loudly, his voice echoing in the frozen air of the empty street.
“Yes,” a voice that rumbled like thunder spoke from behind Syd. “Yes, it is.”
Syd shifted, turning to look back at the second speaker while doing her best to keep the short man in her sights. The large, hulking figure that loomed in the shadows stared at her with shining silver eyes.
“Why do I get the feeling that I’m not going to like you?” Syd asked aloud, her head cocking to one side.
“Because,” the hulking figure answered evenly, “you won’t.”
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