I decide to forgo the usual raven-delivered letter to Rezlar to ask about a meeting. Those are for things that aren’t too time sensitive, but if Cappy is right, we should try to get ahead of this thing before the guild can actually do what we think they’re trying to do. Besides, I bet Miller keeps at least one room of the mayoral manor secure enough for us to talk about this.

    Still, Teemo’s not going to just pop into his dining room or something. No, he pops out of a shortcut by the gate, and waves at the guard. “Is Rezlar available? We need to talk.”

    The guard looks more amused than confused as he sends a runner into the manor to see if Rezlar is taking guests. I suppose it’s a testament to how my weirdness is wearing off. Soon, I could have Rocky and my zombies dance Thriller down the street, and people will only wonder what the occasion is.

    I should try to do some Halloween nonsense this year. If things are quiet enough for it, at least. I hum to myself as we wait, and I can feel Teemo resisting the urge to do the dance. We’re not kept waiting long, so Teemo gets to keep his dignity... for now.

    But not for long. Miller exits the manor to greet us, a silver tray in hand with a small cushion on it, which he lowers with a proper bow. “Ah, Voice Teemo. The Young Master asked that I make something to more properly welcome you. I’m glad to have the chance to use it.”

    Teemo eyes the frilly little pillow with suspicion, but decides to play along. Once on it, his suspicions are vanquished by comfort, and I wonder if it’s just Miller playing a joke, or if Rezlar really did ask him to make a fancy little seat for my Voice. Either way, Teemo’s not looking this gift horse in the mouth, and lets Miller lead him inside. While the plushness of the seat is enough to deal with his suspicions, Teemo is still here on a mission.

    “Miller, do you have a secure room to talk about stuff? We may have figured something out, but it’s something we can’t let get out, you know?”

    The elf nods smoothly as he navigates the corridors. “Of course, sir. The Young Master is in the dining hall at the moment, but I’m certain he’ll be willing to move the meeting to his study.”

    “Cool.” Mission parameters secured, my Voice returns to wallowing in comfort. Once in the hall, he gives a lazy wave, earning a snort of laughter from Rezlar before Miller speaks up.

    “Our guest has requested some privacy for the meeting, Young Master, and I suggested your study.” Rezlar quirks an eyebrow in response, looking surprised that we’d want extra security, but savvy enough to not blab that out loud.

    “That’s fine, though I did ask the chef for tea and light snacks.”

    Miller smiles and nods at that. “I shall deliver them once ready.”

    Rezlar stands and takes Teemo’s tray from Miller, smiling at my Voice as he lounges without a trace of dignity. “I don’t know what this thing’s made of, but I want five of them,” comments the happy rat as Miller moves to the kitchen.

    “I believe I have something similar for my own chairs. Miller refuses to say how he makes them, but it’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

    “Yeah,” agrees Teemo, not needing any further discussion as Rezlar takes him to the study, and sets him on the desk.

    “So, what did you need to discuss?”

    Teemo groans as he musters the willpower to extract himself from the soft cushion, shaking himself to clear his head once he’s back on his feet. “Something big. We might know what the Earl and the thieves guild are planning, but we should wait for Miller. He’s going to want to hear it.”

    “What will I want to hear?” replies the butler, entering the room smoothly with a pot of tea and a simple tray of fruits, bread, and cheeses. Rezlar looks intrigued and a little concerned, wondering what we could have to say that we’re explicitly making sure to have Miller read in on it.

    “Not only should you hear it, Miller, but you might want to have a seat, too. It’s a doozy.”

    Miller smiles and waves off the concern. “I may be advanced in my years, but I can handle a bit of concerning news. The only thing I can think of that would...” He freezes for a moment, his dismissing hand locked steady as stone. He closes his eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath, before opening them and exhaling. “Ah.”

    “What ‘Ah’?” asks Rezlar looking more concerned now.

    “We think the Earl and the guild are planning to assassinate you and blame it on the Boss,” explains Teemo simply.

    Rezlar stammers a few times, starting and aborting several sentences as he processes the information. Shock first, denial, realization, recognition. He sighs as well. “I’ve only heard rumors but... it might not be the first time he’s removed someone.”

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    “Indeed,” replies Miller, his generally genial face looking serious. “How certain are you of your suspicions?” he asks.

    “Not especially, but it’s the only thing we can think of that fits what the Earl and the guild are doing. They got spooked by the big welcome for Tarl and Yvonne’s party, and Cappy overheard them planning. They didn’t discuss the details, but they’re looking to get a few kin from out of town to match with Thedeim’s enclaves. It’d take more than a few to try to fight the army that’s stationed outside the Hold, and we know whatever their plan is, it involves that, and pinning the blame for something on us.”

    Miller slowly nods as his train of thought chugs along the rails. “A large attack would be doomed against the army, even without their new training. With a defensible position, it would be madness to even try.” He clasps his hands behind his back as he continues.

    “But it would also be madness to try something like that with me around. I had thought him properly intimidated...”

    “He is,” corrects my Voice. “He acts like you could jump out of his shadow at any time. But is there anything else he might be able to do with what we’ve seen?”

    Miller frowns at that, looking contemplative as Teemo continues.

    “We have some good suspicions, but the Boss doesn’t want to make a move without knowing for certain. He doubts the Earl is planning a surprise party or something, but it’s still a possibility, and if we move against him without some kind of proof, the kingdom and the Dungeoneers will have to have some kind of response. Removing an Earl has consequences. We have an idea for getting information, though.”

    “Oh?” asks Rezlar, looking relieved that we have at least the beginnings of a plan. Miller looks like he has a guess for what it is, and doesn’t like it, but he’s not voicing his opinion just yet.

    “We want to use you as bait. Tupul is in the guild, but not by choice. If we can convince him to be a triple agent, he can feed the guild information they want, climb the ranks, and hopefully get read in on the plot before it goes down.”

    “And if they make their move before then?” asks Miller, his gaze hard.

    “You keep him safe. If you need anything the Boss can give to make that easier, name it.”

    Miller’s gaze softens slightly at that. “I take his safety seriously.”

    “We know. That’s why we’re leaving it to you. You have the experience with that sort of thing, and Thedeim wouldn’t want to step on your toes in that.” Rezlar looks back and forth between the elf and the rat, talking about him like he’s not there. He doesn''t look hurt about it, but rather thankful to have such support.

    “He’d... really offer anything in His power to keep me safe?”

    Teemo smiles. “Of course. Even if you weren’t following him, you’re his friend, Rezlar. What’s the point of being able to do all the crazy stuff he does if he can’t do something crazy to help a friend?”

    Miller smiles at that as well, nodding at Rezlar before turning his focus back to Teemo. “In that case, I understand you have living vines with spatial affinity? It should be simple to hide one on his person, only showing a bloom as a decorative corsage. I’m confident in keeping him safe myself in almost any circumstance, but should something happen, it could pull him into a shortcut and keep him safe while I... deal with whatever needs dealing.”

    I chew on that idea, with Teemo voicing my concerns. “Providing one should be easy, but they’re not as good at making shortcuts as I am. I can pop in and out as I please, but it takes them a bit longer.”

    Miller frowns at that, but Rezlar brightens with an idea. “What if I tamed one, instead of just having it on expedition? Fiona and Lucas are much stronger than Your ordinary spiders. If I tame a living vine, it should grow and hopefully be strong enough to make a shortcut quicker, right?”

    Huh... maybe?

    “It’s worth a shot, at least,” admits Teemo.

    Miller nods, smiling at Rezlar. “Then as long as the Young Master can tame a living vine, I shall be confident in his safety. In the meantime, I will accompany him whenever he’s outside the manor, except when delving.” He turns his smile on Teemo, though I can see the tinge of worry on the elf’s face. “Do keep him safe. I’m trusting you in this.”

    Teemo smiles. “The Boss has no intention of breaking his streak, or your trust. How about you, Rezlar? We’ve been kinda talking like you’re not here or you don’t get a say, but you are and you do. You don’t have to go along with this latest crazy plan.”

    Rezlar nods, but doesn’t immediately otherwise respond, instead taking a few minutes to really think this over. Not only are we asking him to act like there’s not a potential threat to his life, but we’re even asking him to play along and try to bait it out! Between me, my scions, and Miller, he’ll probably be among the safest bait ever used, but he’s still going to be the one on the hook, trying to look tasty for the fish.

    “I’ll do it. I... I want to think father wouldn’t stoop that low, but I don’t know. I think this is my chance to see what sort of man he truly is.” His resolve cracks a little as he continues. “And... I like the idea of getting a familiar. Rhonda and Freddie seem so happy with Lucas and Fiona. I... I want that, too.”

    Teemo snorts. “You can tame a thing even without agreeing to be bait, Rezlar. You could even take something besides a plant, if you wanted.”

    Rezlar nods. “I could. But I really do want to help. I don’t want Lord Thedeim to be blamed for whatever my father is doing. You’re not the only one who wants to help a friend.”

    Miller beams at him with pride. How’s Teemo supposed to keep offering him an out after that?

    “Heh, alright. I’ll get out of your hair and let you plan your delve to tame one then, yeah? The Boss can’t just give you one, you have to earn it.”

    Rezlar eagerly nods and moves to the shelves in his study, already looking for information on living vines. I bet the guild has some, too, but he’s not sitting in the guild right now, is he? Teemo and Miller both smile as they watch him for a few minutes, each appreciating the difference between the Rezlar of now and the one of only a few months ago.

    “Thank you,” says Miller quietly, so as to not draw Rezlar’s attention. “Young miss Rhonda and young sir Freddie have been vital in helping him grow, and so have you. I appreciate it more than I have the words to say. So I will have to settle for thank you.”

    Teemo smiles at him in return. “That’s what friends are for.”