| There was a slight complication, however. Rowena, having only recently
found her brother, was unwilling for him to go off on this new adventure
without her.
"Rowena, there is no possibility at you coming along," Fred finally
says, firmly. "It's not....that I don't want you to come along....."
Point in fact her sudden arrival in what had been a grim voyage from
the damnable cave of Minestus with those dwarves had been a bolt of lightness
in the dark!
"....but the fact of the matter is it nearly killed father and mother
last time you went into danger," Fred whispered softly, so only she could
hear (but still overheard by Andrea's sharp fox ears). "You and I know
that if you go it'll just kill them! Please....."
Rowena just stares at Fred, then over at her silent.....fretful looking
parents....and with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach realized
that Fred's words were true.
However, the elder D'Honaires suddenly look at each other as they suddenly
have a flash of insight. There was no question in everyone's mind that
they had been visited by legitimate messengers of the Gods (the Angels
and such), but what did it all mean? Frankly, this business of "Champions"
of Rules and Agents was well outside the ken of everything they'd ever
heard of during worship services at the Temple. So....this must be some
sort of test from the Gods? Perhaps because they (as well as Fred) have
been gifted with the view of this "presentation" that...they all were being
given the chance to become Servants of those Higher Powers? Dare they NOT
take up the task? Why, they were honored at the honor!
Thus, it's not too surprising–taking in the fact how much D'Honaires
are on things such as honor–that in addition to Fred becoming a Champion
that the others who'd viewed the presentation also.....joined the ranks.
Nor are the Rules and Agents overly surprised as well. There was a trend,
it seemed, whenever the question of becoming a Champion and
The original plan (as it were) was to allow Fred (if he so chose it)
into the ranks of the Champions but when the Rules had broached the subject
with the other Offices, the Others had said that if more volunteered....no
Protests would be lodged. After all, many "old style" Champions of the
Rules and Champions had been given over to Them in lateral transfers (the
ones who deserved to go with the Office of Good became Angels and the ones
who deserved to go with the Office of Evil....errr....make good kindling).
........
That and the fact that, at the end of a FACE TO FACE meeting of all
the Heads of the Offices with none other than the Higher Ups (rare indeed)
that "....something was going to change about the business with Champions."
The meeting had been adjourned before queries could be put in at to
what that meant. There was no menace with that parting comment, but the
Heads of the various Offices agreed to....not make waves in that one area
of business. The Rules and Agents would continue on with their business
until told just how things would change.
Point in fact it was generally agreed by some Celestials that the odd
occurrence with the doubling of Jarlath and other might.....might
be the sign of things to come.
Or maybe not. Time to wait and see.
But whatever the case when it finally came only then would the Agents
and Rules reveal it in an appropriate manner to the Champions. That was
for later.
Anyway, the Rule made sure to give the elder D'Honaires and Rowena a
chance to back out before committing themselves forevermore by pointing
out the facts, but they could not be talked out of it. Point in fact, one
of the stipulations (that had been "normalized" in a prior inter-Office
negotiation session actually solved one worrisome detail in all of this.
-
 So be
it, the Rule says in their minds.
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