Page 62 of Mystique of the Fallen
“By doing so, the Tarinthi elves became the two hundredth race in our Council,” Drystan explained. “To commemorate that milestone, the Council has decided to host a parade. Obviously, that’ll require security. Since we directly handle the protection of Vegas, the fallen knights were assigned the duty of overseeing logistics. Con and I want Grant to be in charge.”
“And, for the record, Drys and I decided you’d be at the head of this project before we knew how your co-VKs were babysitting you,” Conley assured Grant with a smile.
Overcome with gratitude for the trust they were placing in him, Grant bit his lip and enjoyed the happy thumping of his heart.
“Wow, thanks. What do I need to know?” Grant asked as Roman patted Grant’s thigh affectionately and grinned at him.
“A committee will be formed in the next couple of days,” Drystan replied. “You’ll be on that. All security-related questions will go through you. It’s up to you to decide how many people you want and where to put them. Alaric happily volunteered the sentinels, so you can use them too. He’ll be on the committee with you, so you can work on that together if you want to add them.”
“You’ll be included when we plan the route,” Conley said. “Since you’re not as familiar with the city as you may wish to be, feel free to ask any of us about options. The committee will also oversee how races will be included by hosting lotteries and contests. It’s up to you how involved you want to be in that process.”
“Could be kind of fun to help with that,” Grant commented, his mind spinning with all that was being laid in his lap. The day he started as Venerable Knight, he’d wanted a chance to prove himself. He was being handed the perfect opportunity on a silver platter. Nothing would prevent Grant from giving the project his best effort.
“I think so,” Conley agreed. “I’d be totally involved with every aspect if it were me.”
“Unless you get some assholes on the committee,” Drystan remarked.
“True,” Arvandus said with a grimace. “Some of those Council leaders are real pains in the ass.”
“I’m sure they’ll treat Grant with kindness,” Roman argued, then turned toward Grant with a dazzling smile. “And if they’re assholes, you can plant yourself in every decision just to annoy the shit out of them.”
“Ooo, good plan,” Arvandus commented as Samson rolled his eyes.
“You need to start by considering who you already know is going to give you trouble,” Samson said. “Alaric will. It’s in his nature. We love the guy, but he can corner the market of annoyance if he wants.”
“Sometimes I think Chand buries his face in a book so often to keep from murdering him,” Arvandus added.
“I like Alaric,” Grant argued.
“We all do,” Drystan insisted. “He’s great. A wonderful friend. A loving family member. Honorable. Confident. Kind. But also arrogant, easily irritated, and holds a grudge like no one’s business.”
“So, it’s up to us to irritate him back,” Arvandus commented with a grin.
“Here’s what you do,” Samson said. “We get B to write a list of sentinels he thinks Alaric would volunteer first to help with security for the parade. Then you can request those sentinels directly from Alaric. With his inability to lie or be anything but virtuous, he’ll have to do as you ask, because he’ll know those guys are the ones who will help you the most. Nothing Alaric hates more than being outwitted.”
Arvandus laughed so hard he snorted. “That’s diabolical.”
Drystan scowled in disbelief. “Do you honestly think Brynn will do that? He might find it dishonorable to undermine the Lich Sentinel.”
“Except the Darays love poking at each other,” Samson argued. “And maybe I won’t tell him why I asked until after I have the list.”
“No,” Grant stated emphatically. “Don’t trick your mate for my gain. If Brynn isn’t on board to help, that’s fine. It’d be fun to fuck with Alaric, but I don’t like dishonesty.”
Samson swallowed thickly, and his gaze briefly darted around for reasons Grant couldn’t explain. “Okay. I’ll talk to B and see what he thinks. But honestly, I think he’ll be good with it. Especially if he’s already holding a grudge against Alaric. Issues crop up between sentinels constantly since they take everything so literal.”
“I can ask Apple too if Brynn isn’t cool with it,” Arvandus volunteered.
“My mate is nicer than yours, which is why I suggested going to B first,” Samson said.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Arvandus asked, his lip curling in disgust. “Apple is nice.”
“I’d say it’s a general consensus that Brynn is the sweetheart of the Darays,” Conley argued.
“Apple is sweet,” Arvandus argued.
“The good news is that fallen knights are just as prone to inane arguments as sentinels,” Drystan drawled.
“No, don’t lump me in with him,” Roman retorted. “Arvandus used to be a sentinel. That’s why he’s like this.”
