By mutual agreement, Kaikadi had been elected to run all future meetings.
Mostly because Arika and Bridget's constant bickering had pissed off Grace and Joy so much that the twins had drawn their training blades, threatening to spank the two until they apologized to each other.
But also because the group and our growing list of tasks had grown large enough to necessitate actual management.
Kai spoke in her cool but firm tone as she opened a notebook on the table, "We will begin by discussing our current state. We have nine combat ready troops: four paladins, one marshal, one assassin, one bard, one archer and one mage."
Lilly raised her pink, semi-translucent hand and Kai nodded to her. "My Pink Ladies can be included in those numbers as well, Sister Kaikadi."
Bridget snorted, "Sure. We'll call 'em the Bimbo Brigade."
Kai frowned, "Auntess Bridget, I'll ask that you adhere to the agreed upon decorum. And not use slurs in my presence. Ever."
Bridget groaned as she threw up her hands and rolled her eyes, "Fine. But can we not use the dumb titles during meetings?"
I raised my hand immediately, "I second that motion!"
Kai nodded to me, "Acknowledged. By show of hands, who would like to dispense with titles during meetings?" Everyone except for Lilly raised their hand immediately. "Motion has passed. No titles."
Without pausing, Kai continued. "Additionally, we have one oracle, thirteen potential recruits, one injured unknown, one therapist and thirteen civilians."
I raised my hand, "Therapist?"
To my surprise, Linnea raised her hand and spoke with a heavy drawl. "I ain't no demi, and I ain't got no magic. But I wanted help so I got some schoolin' in mental health. Spells cain't heal some wounds, but sometimes talkin' can."
I smiled and nodded respectfully, "Too right, Lady Linnea. I'm glad to have you with us."
She blushed crimson as she smiled back, then produced a biscuit from her pocket and focused all of her attention on it.
Kai continued, "Our latest intelligence gathered by Lilly indicates that Zepar slumbers between harvest cycles. Devin's arrival indicates that one will be beginning soon, and there is nothing we can do from here to prevent a likely influx of floodworlders. Or the awakening of the demon lord who intends to consume them."
She paused to activate the sand table, "We do, however, know his general location."
The enchanted sand took on the color and topography of the land around the strange town we'd taken up residence in, showing the square ringed by storefronts with a classic hellenic style palace on the northern side.
Kai motioned with her hands, causing the map's bird's eye view to shift as if flying, "Zepar's keep is approximately sixty miles northwest, somewhere in this vicinity." As the viewpoint moved further away, the sand became less distinct until it fell limp and became black. "His defenses are unknown, as well as the strength of his forces."
"We also haven't seen any of the others sent here, which isn't much of a surprise. The disparate entry points could be dozens, if not hundreds, of miles apart. But it is likely that we will have visitors at some point. It's also important to note that my former self and his companions were not unique, only the most brazen."
Kai turned the page in her notebook as she continued, "Establishing our security will be our primary focus, with seeing to our noncombatants being our first priority to effect that."
Kai paused and asked, "Objections?"
Bridget grumbled but otherwise no one raised any.
Kai ignored her and continued, "On to taskings. Arika, I would like you to rejoin Sybil and update her after this meeting. I would rather her patient awaken to a friendly face, and one that can restrain her if necessary. Can you provide an update on her status?"
The red skinned cambion blinked a few times before realizing she's been spoken to. The last time I'd seen my stepmother as tired and drained as she was after my mother....
She had dark bags beneath eyes that lacked their usual fire, and her ever-pristine hair was a tangled mess between her black horns. I took her hand in mine beneath the table and squeezed it gently, reminding her that she wasn't alone.
Kai repeated herself gently and the half-demoness responded softly, "Her body has healed, but her wounds run much deeper. Sybil is attempting to reach her and is hopeful that she'll be revived within the week, but when she does she will need more care."
Kai smiled uncharacteristically warmly, "And you will be there for her Arika, we all will be. After you speak with Sybil, I'd like you to rest and have something to eat. Dilin's bed is more than large enough for you to share it with your mother while she recuperates."
The demoness nodded, but we all knew she was lying. She would be brushing the woman's hair and whispering songs into her ear until she awakened. Even if it was next year.
I squeezed her hand again and brought out the big ballistae with a whisper, "Mom.. Please." Hoping that she'd hear me through her shock and worry, and get the rest she needed.
She took it in both of hers and nodded again as golden tears filled her eyes.
Kai nodded to me thankfully and continued in her cool tone, "Bridget has vetted the Pink Ladies and cleared them as a security threat; I would like Lansome, Grace and Joy to begin assessing them individually for combat effectiveness. Objections?"
She nodded when none came, "Lilly, four of the civilians are locked in some kind of mental prison. Given your recent displays of skill in that area I would like you to see what can be done to liberate their minds. Objections?"
Again, there were none.
"Lady Linnea, I would like you to take point on interacting with the civilians. I will be available to assist in whatever way you require. I would like to begin by sharing a meal and getting to know them. Does that sound appropriate?"
The halfling woman raised an eyebrow in shock, "Take point as in I'll be in charge?" She glanced around the table and her brow furrowed, "Or take point as in go be with your own kind?"
Kai opened her mouth but I cut her off, "Lady Linnea, there is no 'your kind' here. This is my home and everyone within it is an equal. If you ever feel otherwise, please, let me know."
Kai's eyes sharpened at me, but she spared me the tongue lashing for speaking out of turn.
Linnea kept her eyebrow up but her lips pulled into a smile, "Y'all're some alright folks." She produced another biscuit from her pocket and tore into it, "I could go for a third breakfast."
Kai smiled, "Excellent. I'll join you when I'm available."
She glanced at her notebook, "Dilin, Devin, and Bridget. I want you to conduct a patrol of our perimeter out to three miles. Devin, I want your ears on the outer ring of the perimeter. I want to know if we've got company nearby, and I want to know what we're up against. Objections?"
When no one spoke she closed her folder, "Would anyone like to speak?"
Lilly's hand shot up, "I just want to say that everyone is so pretty! And Sister Kaikadi did a wonderful job!"
Kai smiled and blushed slightly as she stood, "Thank you, Princess Lilly. This concludes our meeting." She hesitated for a moment, "Lord Dilin, may I speak with you in my quarters?"
I nodded, and prepared for my browbeating. "Of course."
-- -- -- -- --
I was surprised that The Greyhound's mobile billet was a match to my own, and Kaikadi apparently hadn't felt the need to redecorate.
Every wall was lined with weapon racks and armor stands, with the few gaps filled by shelves of maps and books of notes.
Kaikadi led me to one without speaking and pulled out one of the books. "My former self was a meticulous note taker. I think it was how he rationalized his rejection of self. He routinely excoriates himself in them for lack of discipline and 'impure thoughts'."
I nodded knowingly, "Bridget told me about his self flagellation. In my experience anyone that would do that over a piece of candy has more issues than just their body image."
She closed the book and returned it to the shelf, "These will be a font of evidence against his employers. In fact, I believe that he intended them to be used as such."
I cocked an eyebrow, "That's terrific news, but I'm guessing you didn't ask me here to tell me about his diaries.."
She blushed slightly, and straightened. "In part, I did. These books contain an entire life, and in reading through them I see the person you all expect me to be." Her tone hardened, "I am not that person."
I was taken aback by her sudden anger, "I.. I'm sorry? I don't-"
She cut me off with an angry finger in my face, "You all look to me to be the cold professional when you behave like spoiled brats. Bridget and Arika bicker. Lilly, Grace and Joy at least want cohesion, but can't help themselves but to fawn over you and salivate for their next opportunity to pounce into your bed. Lansome whines
