"I will get those damned permissions to you but your word better is worth it. It would be a big risk on my part as well" Master Rise dropped the communication array in front of her and felt her body sag.
Out of everything she had expected from the young healer she had met a few weeks ago, this was somehow the last thing she expected.
And the court of Isis at that? Was she suicidal?
But then again, she knew things about the future and seemed to know what she was doing. And her words had come true.
The old lady looked at her side where a young body of an unknown origin laid down. The boy - what a strange creature - had collapsed after his training and had a young girl at his side.
According to the young boy- creature - whatever, she was the one who had helped that creature out at first, and then they had bonded over it. The creature had also, somehow, saved their town in need.
The old lady knew that it had been pure luck when the boy had found a hold jade in the wild but it had solved a huge problem for the commission master. It meant that those other fools had nothing to hold over her.
And the guy was a good healer as well. Not now but he would be in the future. His potential could be seen with this core strength.
But she could also tell that he would never be anywhere close to the young lady she had first met. The boy - creature - was a warrior more than a healer and his heart was just not in healing.
Not to mention his hesitation in touching the bodies of his patient's naked bodies. There was more than fear there, something like repulsion and acceptance.
She wondered if the other had ever seen a female before. But with the way the other reacted, it did not seem so. And any kind of romantic interest seemed to make the man uncomfortable as well.
What had he called himself when he had first come here? Gay? She did not know what that meant but she was not sure she wanted to either.
He was here as her salvation and he shall be her salvation. He had no other choice.
But now to the more important things - the favor that young lady had asked for. Ir was easy enough for her to do but she had to pretend otherwise.
The court of Isis was a laughing stock and it would not be the first time someone had forwarded this request to one of them. They generally laughed it off and denied the other party of this favor.
After all, there were plenty of fools who tried to copy that seal with ink and magic. Holy Maiden Lunadel's court sign was public after all. But the old lady knew that the other had not been joking.
She had seen a lot of court signs on people, real and fake alike, and that had to be one of the most powerful ones she had seen.
Rise did not waste any time as she opened another communication channel, this time for the old leaders.
"It's been a long time. Since you used this channel then I assume that another fool tried their luck?" some called out, their silhouette flickering with their laughter.
"Which one is it this time? Isis again? Or is it Meili? God knows there are more than enough for him" another asked, her voice shrill.
"It is Isis, and from Oreta even" her words were lazy and mocking and it drew a laugh out of everyone.
"Oh, the audacity. I will die laughing. Those fools really should give up" it was not the first person from Oreta and would not likely be last. The last request they had taken seriously from there had been the sultan.
But like all others, it also had to be rejected. Holy Maiden Lunadel would not stand for it and her word carried heavily in their circle. It had to when the other was often the difference between their life and death after a bad injury.
"So, have you started to write the rejection letter yet? Why call us when you already know the answer" the first voice asked in a laugh.
This was the part where she had to act and she had to make it flawless.
"Rather than rejecting, I was thinking that we should accept this time. A failure could be a good way to shut them all up and what better place than Oreta? It would weaken them as well and we can get an inside there" everyone quieted down at her words.
"What are you talking about? Allow them to open one? Of Isis?" someone asked, their voice small but nervous.
Rise knew why. It was because Holy Maiden Lunadel was in the meeting as well.
However, Rise refused to back down and she knew her silence would make the younger ones a little nervous.
"B-But it does seem like a good opportunity. It would give us a reason to visit Oreta once in a while and they would not be able to stop us" good, they were taking the bait.
As more and more whispers of agreement rose, Rise knew her plan was working. But it would not come to fruition till Holy Maiden Lunadel agreed.
"Now, don't get ahead of yourself. I don't know what they briber you with old hag but you are still forgetting the most crucial point. Holy Maiden Lunadel would not agree to this insult. Right, my lady?" the voice that stopped all the conversation was young and arrogant.
Rise felt her temper rise but she had to control herself. She could not allow her temper to rise or it would paint her in a bad light.
And the other was not wrong. Holy Maiden Lunadel had not yet said anything.
"Let them open one in Oreta. I don't care that much" it was difficult to believe since the girl had loved her court. Still loved it even.
But the words were out and the decision was made. Everyone seemed just as stunned as she was but she had nothing to say to that.
"B-But my lady -" someone stuttered but the other was gone before they could finish.
It was clear that something had happened and a change was coming. It unsettled everyone in the part but no one could do anything about it.
"Looks like I have an acceptance letter to write now. I will contact you all later" the old lady disconnected the line as soon as she finished.
Looked like Iris was really lucky this time as well. The pen worked automatically she wrote the letter of acceptance.
Since she had accomplished her work, the other now owned her a favor regardless of the cost it would bear on her. The old lady had an idea where she wanted to use it
She looked behind at the creature - boy - who was not flourishing under her. But maybe he would do better under the female's tutorage. He needed to be better, so much better than this if she wanted to use him.
But she would have to do something about his shadow, the small girl he had picked up. She was too volatile and would hamper his growth. She also held an obsession with a healer and she suspected that it was Iris.
So, she would throw the girl Rachael and Rose, and maybe, just maybe they would be able to cure each other's obsession with the same person.
But not right now. Maybe in a few months after she had secured the young man's loyalty and helped him secure the others. He would be her pawn one way or the other.