Gaia's Champion Ch. 41 - Teaser (Patreon)

As Carman was busy with binding the traitor warlock, Jonas quietly excused himself from the affair. He entered the mansion once again and hurriedly moved to a small, out of the way room off the main corridors. It was an unassuming closet space, but this was so much more than that. In truth, it was as secret gathering place which he had built for the matter of carrying out meetings that none of the other acolytes of his coven could know about.

He pulled at a bottle on the shelf and that activated the hidden switch that opened the door at the back of the closet. Inside of it was a small room that was filled with Jonas’ Inner Council, the Dark Practitioners and acolytes he trusted the most. They were all gathered around a small table, on which sat all of their foci. This was done to show that no aggression was imminent here and that they all wished to speak, not fight.

“Is everyone here?” Jonas questioned.

“All that could be brought without alerting the others and our mistress, my lord,” one of the lesser acolytes stated.

“That will do. How goes the plan we have all agreed to?” the high priest asked.

“Everything is proceeding as you have instructed, my lord. The covens we are bringing in per Carman’s orders are doing as we bid, without hesitation. They are treating our orders as though they come from her,” another voice, this one from a Dark Practitioner.

“Excellent! Has there been any pushback from those we have brought in?” Jonas continued, hoping all was well on that front.

“Very little, my lord. There have been some who do question us, but nothing the implication of a threat doesn’t fix. They all know what happened to those who have tried defying the mistress. Even those we have brought in who have witnessed her power are a big help in keeping them in line!” one of the other acolytes laughed.

“This is most wonderful news indeed! I had feared that there would be a few intelligent types among them who might give us trouble,” Jonas sighed, happy that all was going better than he had hoped!

“Are we still going to move forward with the ritual?” one of the Inner Council asked.

“Of course, we are! But we must help ensure that our mistress reaches her true pinnacle of power before that happens. If we are to become the new rulers of this world, we will need exceptional levels of power! It is only through such great power that we will be able to overcome any who threaten or challenge our authority!” Jonas stated.

“We will need to act quickly, if we are to take her power. While the covens are joining our cause readily, there are those who are starting to show the woman signs of loyalty. Our ranks may be swelling to fast for us to keep them all in line,” another council member warned.

“I agree! This direction was not part of our original plan when we decided to resurrect Carman in the first place,” another council member growled.

“We did account for this and contingencies are in place to prevent it from getting too bad. Have you lost your spine, Lowen?” Jonas questioned, glaring at the man.

“No, my lord. I am merely being… cautious. We all could stand a little caution, as trifling with a woman who bears magic that is far older than our own is dangerous work,” Lowren said in reminder.

“The only way we advance and stand against the hated Gaians and their allies is if we take the needed risks!” Jonas argued.

“My lord, I am afraid that I must agree with Lowren on this. Yes, we all must risk ourselves on the quest to attain greater power, but Carman’s power is far greater than even the legends stated! Even with the ritual of destruction, which will see her magic, and knowledge stripped from her, I am at a loss as to if it will work! We have done it powerful casters, yes, but not one nearly as powerful as her!” an acolyte said fearfully.

“As do I! Carman’s power is far greater than I could even have imagined! The power she commands could end all of us in an instant, if she so chooses it!” another Dark Practitioner quailed.