Chapter 24: Rumors
A conversation in town:
“Hey, now that you’re here, there’s a place I’ve got to show you.”
“You mean that church of Ariel you mentioned in your letter?”
“Yeah, that place is amazing. The restaurant in the back offers the best food in town, and there’s free public baths. Milk is offered free for the hungry and they even have laundry services.”
“They’re just giving it away free?”
“Well, the restaurant isn’t free, but the rest seems to be.”
---
“Holy Light! You didn’t mention how beautiful the waitress was!”
“Hehe, I wanted that to be a surprise. I hear there’s even sex services available upstairs.”
“A brothel in a church?”
“Crazy, right? I haven’t gone myself, but I’ve heard they can offer satisfaction for any preference or desire.”
“Where exactly did you hear that? Seems like awfully detailed information for someone who hasn’t gone up there themselves. C’mon, spill.”
“Okay, okay, I went. I’m not gonna talk about what I did up there.”
“What? Not who?”
“Not talking.”
---
Adam’s view
Rumor around town is that the church of Ariel helps all in need, and that Ariel is the kindest god. Just as planned. I didn’t even need to tell any lies or start any rumors myself. People already associate healing with the church. Having free public baths with magical water that heals any injury or disease accomplishes the task of convincing people this is a church. Telling everyone that the healing waters are a gift from Ariel, convinces them she must be a god. As for her being the kindest, well that’s obvious.
While I helped design and plan much of what we do in Ariel’s house, it was because of Ariel’s concern for the others who live in this town, that we created the public baths and began offering free milk. The milk is highly nutritious and very filling; it doesn’t take much to satisfy one’s appetite and since we are offering it free, it’s been a major help in winning over the people of the slums. With everyone’s support, keeping order in the east district has been pretty easy.
The humans went from refusing to work with us, to seeking our favor rather fast. It seemed rather ridiculous to me. Ariel may love them all, but I don’t. If I did, would I be able to serve her better?
---
Chapter 25: Spygames
“Have you seen those beastkin guards in the east district?”
“The ones in that shiny white armor, with the flower emblem?”
“Yeah, them. I want you to find out who's backing them.”
“I believe it is the lord, sir. We know Terra built their building, and they recieve weekly shipments of fresh meat from the castle.”
“Damn, we can't challenge the lord. What about this Ariel? They claim the milk and water are Ariel's.”
“A woman who's appearance matches Ariel's description was spotted entering the Palace, and leaving in the company of Terra on the day the new building appeared. We believe she must be connected to the Lord in some way. Additionally, she killed Tye by herself, and Tye revealed himself to be a Demonic Tiger in disguise.”
“What? Why wasn't I informed of this before?!”
“We didn't believe Tye's death to be important.”
“I don't mean that! I mean the fact that Tye was a monster in disguise! The fact that it's even possible for monsters to disguise themselves is important! We have no way of knowing how many have infiltrated our society already! We've got to inform the king at once!”
“Understood.” (Does he really not realize this town is run by monsters? I've learned more than enough magic to understand that not even the Elves could construct a building of stone that fast when there's no stone in the area. Terra even admitted it when I confronted her. It's got to be one of the most poorly kept secrets I've ever unearthed.)
“You mean that church of Ariel you mentioned in your letter?”
“Yeah, that place is amazing. The restaurant in the back offers the best food in town, and there’s free public baths. Milk is offered free for the hungry and they even have laundry services.”
“They’re just giving it away free?”
“Well, the restaurant isn’t free, but the rest seems to be.”
---
“Holy Light! You didn’t mention how beautiful the waitress was!”
“Hehe, I wanted that to be a surprise. I hear there’s even sex services available upstairs.”
“A brothel in a church?”
“Crazy, right? I haven’t gone myself, but I’ve heard they can offer satisfaction for any preference or desire.”
“Where exactly did you hear that? Seems like awfully detailed information for someone who hasn’t gone up there themselves. C’mon, spill.”
“Okay, okay, I went. I’m not gonna talk about what I did up there.”
“What? Not who?”
“Not talking.”
---
Adam’s view
Rumor around town is that the church of Ariel helps all in need, and that Ariel is the kindest god. Just as planned. I didn’t even need to tell any lies or start any rumors myself. People already associate healing with the church. Having free public baths with magical water that heals any injury or disease accomplishes the task of convincing people this is a church. Telling everyone that the healing waters are a gift from Ariel, convinces them she must be a god. As for her being the kindest, well that’s obvious.
While I helped design and plan much of what we do in Ariel’s house, it was because of Ariel’s concern for the others who live in this town, that we created the public baths and began offering free milk. The milk is highly nutritious and very filling; it doesn’t take much to satisfy one’s appetite and since we are offering it free, it’s been a major help in winning over the people of the slums. With everyone’s support, keeping order in the east district has been pretty easy.
The humans went from refusing to work with us, to seeking our favor rather fast. It seemed rather ridiculous to me. Ariel may love them all, but I don’t. If I did, would I be able to serve her better?
---
Chapter 25: Spygames
“Have you seen those beastkin guards in the east district?”
“The ones in that shiny white armor, with the flower emblem?”
“Yeah, them. I want you to find out who's backing them.”
“I believe it is the lord, sir. We know Terra built their building, and they recieve weekly shipments of fresh meat from the castle.”
“Damn, we can't challenge the lord. What about this Ariel? They claim the milk and water are Ariel's.”
“A woman who's appearance matches Ariel's description was spotted entering the Palace, and leaving in the company of Terra on the day the new building appeared. We believe she must be connected to the Lord in some way. Additionally, she killed Tye by herself, and Tye revealed himself to be a Demonic Tiger in disguise.”
“What? Why wasn't I informed of this before?!”
“We didn't believe Tye's death to be important.”
“I don't mean that! I mean the fact that Tye was a monster in disguise! The fact that it's even possible for monsters to disguise themselves is important! We have no way of knowing how many have infiltrated our society already! We've got to inform the king at once!”
“Understood.” (Does he really not realize this town is run by monsters? I've learned more than enough magic to understand that not even the Elves could construct a building of stone that fast when there's no stone in the area. Terra even admitted it when I confronted her. It's got to be one of the most poorly kept secrets I've ever unearthed.)
