Back to the Banbera Baron

Kanami decided to depart right away. Well, right after Breakfast and after making sure the chef packed them a large lunch. When all was said and done it really wasn't that long a trip, but she had to account for Cell tagging along. No doubt the clumsy cleric would slow her down considerably.

“You better keep up!”, Kanami chided her. “If you lag behind I abandon you in the woods. Then you get raped by Power gorillas.”

“Y-Yes Mistress Kanami, of course I will”, her slave replied sheepishly.

Kanami let out a sigh. She couldn't let her guard down around Cell at all. Sure, they may sleep in the same bed, but seriously, there is just no way, she could ever be...i-intimate with her. Even when she is kinda cute and nice.

“May I inquire how my companions are treated?”

“Good enough, I guess”, Kanami shrugged. The only one she saw was the darkmage after all.

Cell decided that this was the perfect opportunity to clasp her hands into a prayer. Yeah, she does that a lot. “They are good people. May the Goddess protect them.”

“If they are so good then why did Beatrice beat them that easily? Seems to me they are pretty weak and lame. Especially the darkmage.”

For some reason that seemed to take the cleric aback. “T-that is not what I meant. They are good of heart. Noble in spirit.”

Kanami shrugged once more. That still sounded pretty weak and lame. “So, what did you do? Before Beatrice turned your friends into dolls, I mean.”

“We traveled around the continent, helping the populace and defeating monsters.”

That didn't sound so different from what Kanami was doing. “Do you make good money doing this?”

“As a servant of the goddess it wouldn't be right for me to take a monetary reward.”

Kanami looked at Cell as if she was insane, which she probably was. “But...but...money!”

Cell merely smiled. “Oh, of course my companions do get rewarded appropriately for their efforts. They make sure to pay for my lodgings and food.”

All Kanami could do was sigh at this. This girl was clearly mad. “So...a party huh?”, the ninja tried to switch the topic. “Sure sounds like a lot of fun.” While Kanami did have the occasional run in with Freya, these rarely end with Kanami not embarrassing herself, so she preferred to work alone.

“Fun? I wouldn't call it fun. I suppose the proper word for it would be fulfilling. Everyone has their place in this world, as the Goddess ordains it.” The cleric had a solemn look on her face. “And, forgive me if I am blunt here, but I don't think your place is at the witches side.”

Great. Just what Kanami needed right now. Preach mode Cell. “Look, this curse, yeah it sucks. But Beatrice isn't that bad of an employer. We have a warm bed, food and even get paid. Well, I get paid.”

“Don't let yourself be deceived, Mistress. She is a witch. An agent of darkness. A blight on this land and a scourge of all that is good and just. And as all evil, she too will eventually fall. I pray that you don't stand at her side when that time comes.”

That...was kinda intense. And Kanami really wished Cell wouldn't stare at her like that. “Yeah well, that's just like your opinion”, was the only thing the ninja managed to squeeze out. Ugh!

…

..

.

They arrived at the Baron's castle the same afternoon. Kanami didn't really realize it until now, but compared to Beatrice's castle it kinda looked small and insignificant. It probably doesn't even come with hot springs.

“You two seem familiar”, Baron Fletcher squinted his eyes as he seized the two envoys up. “Why are you wearing a clothespin on your nose?”

Whoops. Kanami kinda forget that this guy used to be her employer and that she technically failed. And the clothespin of course. “Well...oh that...it's...it's...” Kanami obviously couldn't tell that she was cursed. “It's because of the smell!”

The Baron squinted his tiny eyes. “Are you implying that I stink?”

Thankfully Cell stepped in here. “Pray forgive her the jest. This is Lady Kanami, a ninja that was employed by his lordship. As for myself, I am a humble cleric in the employ of the Church. I was part of a party of four, led by the Adventurer Justin Pureheart. You might remember him? We had the honor of staying at your castle three weeks back.”

“Ah yes”, the Baron rubbed his large chin. “I tasked both of you with killing the witch. Are you here to inform me of your victory then? I have you know, I will not pay you double.”

“Unfortunately, we failed. As a matter of fact, my remaining three comrades are held hostage as we speak.”

“Is that so?”, the Baron let out an annoyed sigh. “First the captain of my guards and now this. Why am I surrounded by nothing but incompetents?”

Before Kanami could protest Cell interjected once more. “As it happens, we have a message from the witch, Mistress Kanami?”

“Oh, yes. Ah, yes! I mean Message, yes! Here!” Kanami fingered the crumbled envelope out of her clothes and handed it to the Barons steward. The steward looked at it, as if Kanami sat on the letter. (which she did.)

“Read it”, Fletcher commanded.

With a bit of apprehension, the steward opened the envelope, but instead of a letter, a cloud of white smoke emerged from within! Everyone started to panic immediately.

“Kukuku...” To everyone's astonishment, the smoke started to form a hazy and very sexy figure. “To the foolish Baron Fletcher who is as corpulent as he is incompetent. I offer you my thanks for the endless source of entertainment your bumbling band of blunderers brought me. However, I must admit that the novelty has worn thin by now. As such, allow me to make you an offer.”

“An offer? What is the meaning of this, witch?”, the Baron muttered, still seemingly unsure if he should be outraged or piss himself in fear.

The smoke-witch on the other hand looked very pleased with herself. “It is quite simple really. Hand over your castle and country and pledge your fealty to me.”

The Baron opened and closed his mouth in shock, unable to say anything.

“Do so and matters will end here. I will even allow you to keep your life, as inconsequential as it may be. Feel free to spend the rest of your existence wallowing in mud like the pig you are. What say you? A splendid offer, If I may say so myself.”

The Baron didn't seem to agree, thought Kanami and after a short pause the smoke witch continued. “You may send my two envoys back with your answer by tomorrow. I trust you will make a wise decision.”

With one final cackle the specter of Beatrice vanished, only a bit of residue smoke left to mark her presence.

Even now the Baron was unable to speak, although he was making advances in that direction.

“Uh yeah...so that was unexpected. Ehehe....” Kanami scratched her head and tugged at Cell's robe “We just excuse ourselves then, if that is alright. So long and thanks for all the fish.”

“S-S-Se...”

“Send them off?”, Kanami suggested.

“SEIZE THEM!”, the Baron thundered. “THROW THESE BLASTED WITCHES IN THE DUNGEON!”