"Resources are to be handed out to the affected families via donations from headquarters," I point to the campaigner on my right as I head to my office.
"And, Brother Musunga, what should I report to the Brothers in Saalku over the whereabouts of the black lycan?" Marcus asks jotting down what I just said. I made sure all white robed campaigners were busy when I sent Hewlett off with Yori. This might get very bad. For any other Brother.
"Tell them I let him go."
"Uhm… yes sir," Marcus hesitantly answers. I stop right before my office door and turn to face him.
"Omach is a land I govern in its affairs with the supernatural. They will challenge my decision at their own expense." He looks frightened, good. "Cancel the rest of schedule. I expect Brother Marvin to be on his way."
"I'll prepare a room for him immediately," Marcus announces before hurrying away. Brother Marvin is the only one I know of his status who lives up to the name of campaigner. He isn't here to sit and chat. I open the door; there's no need for a room. Well, that is because, he's already here.
"This office chair feels sooo comfortable. Explains how you got that belly growing," Brother Marvin says, seated on my office chair in my office.
"I would know." My malice is slipping into the amaka in this room. I close the door behind me.
"You know what I'm here for," Brother Marvin expectantly says appearing beside me. I turn to face him but he's already on my chair again. I'll have Marcus deep clean it when I'm done dealing with this. God knows where this man has been.
"You heard me tell someone outside that I let him go. So why go through the trouble of sitting on my chair even then?"
"I thought there's a lot you needed to catch up on," Brother Marvin slyly answers. His undertone deliberately dancing on my nerves to bait me. He travels in a black streak to a large axe hanging on the left side of my office. His silhouette forming back to what I recognize of him. "For example, I am acting elder. So, you should call me elder instead. The boy you were talking to knew about this, that's why he hesitated when you didn't call me by my new title." Of course, I know about it. I can see his black coat.
"Hewlett and his black lycan are long gone."
"Oh, I know that. I already checked where their scents lingered the most in this building. You didn't even bother to hide their tracks," Brother Marvin says walking to another of my weapons closer to where I stand on my left. It's my spear. He holds it in his hands, studying away at the scratches on it. "I didn't know he had a campaigner with him. Hewlett, was it? A rising star for sure. Reminds me of us back in the day. The only difference is I'm not a dangerous animal wanted by headquarters."
"That animal is also a disciple of Master Dell." He's obviously made his way here from pestering him.
"It's funny you mention Master. I told him that you'd go after Yori once he's left this province," Brother Marvin says.
"I would've naturally." I can't tell him that he was sent somewhere rather than released. "He seems to be a key figure in solving the vanishing campaigner case. The witch is clearly after him." I walk to the guest chair opposite my own chair, turn and sit on it facing Brother Marvin. "That, and Hewlett and the lycan boy managed to take down her black lycan on a full moon. Without my assistance."
"I read the reports. You never mentioned that!" Brother Marvin shouts dropping my spear. "Was the female ordinary a fabrication too?"
"You and I both know fabrications are for that fool Brother Sabantu." Unofficially she's escaped but I'm not about to let him know that. He would run all the way to Saalku to grab Yori by his collar.
"Don't try to change the subject by mentioning him. You know how dangerous that thing you let go is," Brother Sabantu says picking up my spear.
"I'm going to let you go and you're at least 77 times more dangerous."
"A compliment," Brother Marvin says walking to the guest chair beside me. He sits on it then says, "You're doing too much Brother Musunga. Just tell me where they're hiding already. It doesn't always have to be a battle of wits when it comes to getting what I want from you."
"My office does need a bit of remodeling. I'm definitely throwing the chairs you've sat on away or having Marcus clean them for not telling me about your promotion."
Brother Marvin lets out an irritated smile, stands up and then says, "You make me sound like a supernatural when you say such things. But fine, I'll play along."
"Splendid. I'd shake your hand if I didn't know you just slept in the woods."
"Just tell me," Brother Marvin insists.
"Saalku." Brother Sabantu will make sure he doesn't get to them that easily. I trust his ability that much.
"Great! That was easier than I imagined. I thought I'd have to shut down the Omach branch of The Faith," Brother Marvin announces before walking towards the window behind my office chair. He stands on its frame and then says, "You used an Ichikota here, I know where to go." He jumps off the frame, his presence vanishing along with him. I knew about his so called 'elder status' before he even got the promotion. It was a position I declined.
Train as hard as you can Yori, I've done what I can to slow down the storm that will be knocking at your door.