Reiko led them back to the rooms that had been prepared for them in the Coven Leader's house, a sign of respect for the honoured guests. But Wolfe quickly noticed that they were not in the area where he would have expected, the guest wing that was right by the doors and furthest from the private areas of the house.
Instead, she was leading them through the hallways toward the back of the house, where Wolfe saw more of her family members with curious looks on their faces.
He kept silent as they walked, not wanting to make it look like she might be doing something inappropriate. The hallways went from mostly empty to regularly stationed guards, and even the Gormana representative realized that this must be her own wing of the house, normally reserved for only the Coven Leader and her closest personal guests.
The first room they stopped at, she gestured to a maid who opened it and motioned for the Gormana representative to come inside.
"I am Tina, and I will take care of anything that you need this evening. I am on the night shift, so don't hesitate to ring at any hour. Dinner will be in two hours, so if you need a change of outfit, toiletries other than we provided, or anything else, I can provide them." She informed the Demon with a smile.
A small Shade, a form of ethereal Demon, poked its head out from her hair to inspect the representative before hiding again, and Arthur smiled back. They had gone out of their way to find someone who was more comfortable around Demons to help him tonight, and he appreciated the gesture.
"I have what I need for a formal dinner, thank you. Please return thirty minutes before the dinner is scheduled to begin." Arthur replied, then turned to Reiko.
"I will see you soon, Coven Leader. I look forward to our cooperation."
Then he closed the door, and the soundproofing spell activated, leaving them alone in the hallway.
Reiko motioned down the hallway, where another maid was waiting. "I hope you don't mind the long walk. This wing is more secure, as we're a bit short on staff these days. We've sent the majority out into the fields and nearby villages for protection."
"Things have been rough since the rebellion, haven't they? How have the protective spells I sent been holding up? Are the fields safe now?" Wolfe asked.
"They are working wonderfully. Your Noxus Family has taken over the shipments to and from the farms, with impeccable bookkeeping, and half of the Coven Council wants me dead for it, but other than that, the crops have been safe." Reiko replied with a sigh, letting the mask slip.
The Fae tilted her head. "Since you are not excluding me, I take it that you will accept my application to be the protector of your city?"
Reiko nodded. "Even if the Council objects, I approve. I am the Coven Leader, and the leader of the city by extension. So I have chosen you, and I hope that you can live up to the loyalty and discretion that I would expect of any other leader.
What sort of position do the other protectors hold in their cities?"
The Fae shrugged. "Most take over the daily operations and foreign affairs of the towns they protect. Yours is more structured than most, so I won't attempt to actually operate anything, but you can expect me to guide you away from bad decisions and deal with the other Fae and Demon guardians on your behalf."
"And the Magi Guardian?" Reiko asked with a smile.
"My senses tell me that you would prefer if he dealt with you in a more personal manner. But if you want me to, I can handle that as well. He is a Regional Guardian for the Frozen Wastes, and oversees not just his town but the whole area. Sylvan Coven is currently counted in his territory, thanks to their Council's agreement, and the power that the Priya Family holds.
It has a guardian, but they prefer not to get involved in anything unless there is a problem, so their Council does everything.
I am a more hands on type of person, and a few years older than your Council, so I will deal with the cranky old Saints, Overlords and their subordinates."
Reiko paused. "Wait, you said you're older than the Council? As in, you're older than any of them?" Reiko asked.
"Well, yeah, that's a given. But your council only started after the Great War against the Magi, and I was a child then, so I'm older than the Council." She explained.
Reiko's look turned strange. "I thought that you were younger."
The Fae giggled. "I am young, for my species. My mother had me at just over a thousand years old, and my father is her school sweetheart. So, compared to that, I am quite young. The Fae view such things differently, I am still treated as a young maiden at home, so I do hope that my actual age isn't an issue here.
It's a bit weird to be around such short-lived species, but Forest Grove will happily just go with however you present yourself, so it's not a big deal there."
They walked to the room, and Reiko gestured toward the door. "This one is yours. We can talk more after dinner. I have a lot to discuss with you, and the lawyers should be back with the documents either tonight or tomorrow, so your room is next to mine."
"Marvellous. In that case, please call me Advisor."
The Fae pulled Reiko into a hug, and then went to her room, closing the door and activating the soundproofing.
"Advisor what? I don't know her actual name." Reiko muttered.
"I don't think that her people customarily tell others their names. It's a Fae thing. But you can give her a nickname and she likely won't object." Wolfe suggested.
"I will discuss it with her later." Reiko sighed as she looked at the documents in her hands.
Wolfe patted her on the head with a soothing flow of mana. "Relax, we will make sure that it all works out in the end. We've had enough of the Grand Dutchies misbehaviour, and the nation itself is receiving strict guidance already, so it's just the last few outposts that still need to be dealt with.
I know it's going to be painful to hear, but Morgana Territory really is the last area on this continent other than the mountains to be civilized. But with a bit more work, we will get everyone working together again.
The territory might not look like what you remember. The villages have made major changes, and the ones that the humans, both from Gormana and the Grand Dutchies, have a large presence in have changed even more."
"You have no idea how much I've missed that sensation. Now, let me show you all to your room. I am assuming that you are all staying together?" Reiko replied.
Priya smirked at her, while Cassie and Ella nodded in agreement.
"Alright, then it's the room on the other side of mine."
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