When Siogari got the letter containing his first assignment, he was sure it had to be one of Jomi's jokes. Newly ordained priests of Ausa usually got either filework that could be done by anyone literate or field work out in the colonies, as a missionary's translator. But, the seal looked official, and he didn't think Jomi could fake that. Well, at least he hadn't yet.
All he knew about the assignment was that, in two days, he was to take a ship to Caboire in Kavesoma and that he was to receive further instructions tonight, at a meeting with Bishop Kanat Berin.
There must be some mistake. Perhaps they got the wrong mailbox. But, it said his name on both the letter and the envelope, so it had to be for him, even if he couldn't quite figure out what he did to be brought to the administration's attention. He was good with languages, certainly, and his professors remarked at how quickly he picked them up, even if he still kept his Incenema accent, no matter how fluent he became. But, surely, he couldn't be the best at this, or even one of the best. After all, nearly every ordained priest outranked him. One of them had to be more suited for this job, whatever it was.
But, really, there was nothing left to do but attend the meeting. If it was a mistake... well, he was young, and still close enough to a student to be expected to make them. If not, not attending would be unthinkable. He was wearing his best outerrobe and pants when he entered the bishop's outer office. He has also made sure everything was neat and pressed, and his shoes were polished. He sat down in a chair, feet together, hands folded in his lap, and tried to look attentive and alert. A book would have been a nice thing to bring, but he had a feeling it would have to be the right book. The cheap adventure novel he kept under his pillow was definitely the wrong book. He wasn't sure what would impress the bishop, so he played it safe and brought nothing. Father would be proud -- some of his couching actually stuck.
Just when he was starting to wonder if he had misread the appointment time, the door to the inner office opened. "Brother Milvirde, you may come in."
Siogari entered the room. It wasn't especially large for an office, though the window seemed to have a nice view over the courtyards, with the city in the background. This wasn't far from the parliament building, and he thought he could pick it out, even with the setting sun.
The lack of clutter in the office was what was really striking. With the exception of Jeshel, who could often be seen filing and organizing his office, every other office he had been to had some disorganization, even if it was only a few stray papers on the desk, or a stack of books on the cabinet. There was also only an unfilled shelf of books, rather than the overflowing cases most of the professors seemed to prefer. The varied titles seemed to suggest this was a personal collection, and not an academic's references.
The bishop was seated at his desk. Siogari had seen him once or twice from a distance, at a few speeches. Never up close, though. As the liaison between the lay government and the Church's hierarchy, he wasn't a normal visitor to the more academic side of the Church. Especially not with his workload -- he seemed to be in the newspapers every day, discussing something or other. There was even talk that when High Priest Lemeron retired, Berin would take his place.
Bishop Berin was in his early forties, with graying black hair, parted neatly, and wrinkles forming around his dark eyes. The white cotton sleeves of hiss overrobe showed no hints of stains or grime, matching the immaculateness of the office. "Brother Milvride," he said, " won't you please have a seat."
Siogari did so nervously, folding his hands in his lap again. "A pleasure and an honor, sir."
The bishop nodded. "You are no doubt curious as to your assignment. It's a bit of an unusual situation we have here."If you are talking to me, and not sending an assistant, than I'd say it was. "What kind of assignment am I getting that you yourself had to speak to me, sir?"
"You may know that our partner, the lay government, is very interested in supporting the League." Siogari nodded, a bit uncertain as to the point. While the priests of Ausa worked with the lay government, most of his professors had despaired of him learning anything beyond the rudiments of politics. Perhaps the League of Sovereign States needed a translator.
"In light of recent events, -- have you been following the newspapers, Brother Milvirde?"
"Yes, sir." He mostly skimmed them at meals, if he didn't have anything he could read while eating. His student's allowance was barely enough to afford room and board but, if he arrived late to breakfast, an abandoned copy could usually be located.
"Then you know there's been several well-publicized daemon attacks in various League member nations."
Again, Siogari nodded, suppressing a rather irrational bit of nervousness that had very little to do with Berin's rank. "Yes, sir." There was no way he could know about my incident with Jeshel. Even Berin isn't that good. No matter what the stories say about him.
"The League is forming a task force to investigate these attacks, and possibly take action to halt them. Incenema is a peace-loving country, so we cannot spare and of our Guard. We have graciously offered the services of our best medics, daemonologists, and translators, though."
"Wait... you mean me?" Siogari said, gesturing to himself for emphasis. "Surely one of the more senior members of the order would be better suited."
"Father Jeshel speaks quite highly of both your facility with languages and your physical ability." Berin smiled.
"He tells me that, in addition to more traditional exercises, he's caught you climbing the stonework on the grounds."
"Has he now?" Siogari felt all the blood pool out of his face to lie in a puddle in his stomach. He swallowed. Why did Jeshel see fit to mention that to such a senior official? It was far too close to letting Berin know the whole truth for Siogari's liking at all. Jeshel was bound not to disclose the agreement, and he wouldn't, anyway, if he thought he had a chance to win. Probably. Would he?
"Indeed." Berin didn't give any indication of noticing Siogari's discomfort. 'You are well-suited to a field assignment in any case, Brother Milvirde, and Quindi recommended you specifically when I spoke to him about this position."
"I see..." Siogari was completely lost now. Why would Jeshel want me to go hunting daemons? It wasn't a violation of the contact he made him sign, as far as he could recall, to expose other daemons, and he had a feeling even the esteemed Truthseer Verti herself couldn't root Jeshel out of a spot when he wasn't dropping hints to his nature.
The bishop was removing a folder from his desk drawer now, and handing it to Siogari. Siogari took them, clutching the folder in both hands. "Further instructions are in there as to your duties," Bishop Berin said. "You will have plenty of time to review them on the steamer to Caboire. Do us proud."
"Yes, sir. I will sir," he stammered. "Will that be it?"
"Actually," the bishop looked thoughtful. "There is one thing more I believe I forgot to include. You will be writing regular reports of your activities. Our office would like to make sure that you aren't in over your head. We would ahte to lose such a promising young mind."
"Of course, sir." Siogari grinned. Promising young mind? Not only does he know who I am now, but he thinks I'm a 'promising young mind'. He was half afraid his knees would buckle as he walked out of the office. I most certainly can't fail at this now.
He wasn't really paying overmuch attention to where he was walking, heading in the general direction of his quarters. He had yet to move his things out of his student's quarters -- it was a common courtesy that the Order allowed new brothers and sisters to continue living there until they received their first permanent position. So, the way was familiar, across the well-lit ways of the Divine Quarter of Semali. The streetlamps had been lit, and the crowds of people out after dinner were beginning to die down.
He entered the seminary via a side gate often used by students who were out late on business. He was still in a bit of a daze, and the unseasonably hot early-fall weather of the capital made him feel dozy and light-headed. He brushed past another walker in the passageway. "Excuse me."
"Good evening to you to, Mister -- excuse me, it's Brother now, isn't it? -- Milvirde?"
Siogari looked up, blinking. Jeshel was standing there, a rather blank look on his face. "Good evening," Siogari said brusquely. He had been avoiding Jeshel as much as possible in the two months since Jehsel had revealed himself. Not an easy task, when the daemon you are trying to avoid remained his advisor. But, Jehsel had been strict on what would happen if the contract were breached on Siogari's part. He wans't going to lose by default simply because he couldn't control the anger and frustration he felt around the smirking daemon. What a way to dampen my good spirits.
"Gossip says you received your assignment today," Jeshel seemed completely oblivious to Siogari's mood. "Mind telling your former advisor where you will be working? I would like to know if I should be bragging about you to the other faculty."
Siogari looked at his shoes, hoping Jeshel would get the message and leave. "I was posted to Caboire. Bishop Berin's orders."
"Why, that is wonderful news, Siogari!" Jeshel grinned, clapping a hand on Siogari's shoulder. At this point, Siogari decided that there was no way Jeshel could be missing the emotional signals. He had to be doing this deliberately. Siogari faked a smile and fought the urge to shy away or possibly shove Jeshel away.
"But... you already had an idea about that, didn't you?" Siogari said quickly. "The Bishop told me you recommended me to the position, and I feel I should know why."
"He asked me for my opinion. I gave it." Jeshel shrugged. "You are qualified for this, Brother Milvirde, and you and I both know this."
"That can't be it!" Siogari protested, backing up a bit.
"Were you expecting some vast conspiracy on my part, Brother Milvirde? Is it so hard to believe that I might just be trying to fulfill my final duty as your mentor?"
"But..." Siogari realized that he was nearly shouting, and paused. He lowered his voice, and continued speaking. "Did he even tell you I will be helping the League fight daemons?"
"Oh, yes. He described the job to me in detail when asking my opinion."
"This is all a trick. You can't really be asking me to hunt your own kind," Siogari said quickly, as the idea took shape. How better for Jeshel to keep tabs on the investigations than to put someone who he has some control over into it? "I'm not going to let you hold this up, Jeshel. You can't use me to play your games. You'll get nothing from me once I leave -- and, don't bother asking me for any favors either."
Jeshel chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of it. Just bear in mind that we daemons aren't the only puppetmasters, and you, my dear former student, are someone who tends to get caught in strings. Consider that a gift for amusing me so. Good night, Brother Milvirde, good sailing, and good hunting." He grinned, giving Siogari an affectionate pat on the shoulder, before continuing walking out the gate. Siogari watched him go, making sure he wouldn't follow him.