While Emad was romancing Bebhinn, he was also furthering his Evil Mastermind Plot. He needed minions and power puppets. While Bebhinn was at work one night, Emad spent some time at the village inn making plans.
What he'd seen of the locals hadn't impressed him that much. He needed an organization already in place--not an obvious criminal group, but something that would make for a better cover.
The Brethren of the Woeful Countenance would be the perfect society to corrupt. It was a small, seemingly insignificant group, but they enjoyed a great deal of influence in the community.
The lodge's standing was due mainly to the two founding Brethren, Larry Walsh and Eddy Ryan, a couple of town elders. Locals respected the men even though they secretly snickered at their outdated beliefs.
Emad tracked down the Brethren, one by one. He introduced himself as Knight Bunter's long-lost kin. His little brother apparently had done some mercenary work for the lodge.
Ironically, one mission had been to vanquish the Kraken terrorizing Rinn Fada. The Kraken had turned out to be Emad himself. But no need for the Brethren to discover that small detail.
One of the Woeful group was a certain Antwon May, a former Wimsel research subject. Emad knew that Majid had once had his own problems with this guy. (See how Bunter Takes Out the Trash in an earlier chapter.)
Antwon: I don't need another lousy out-of-towner telling me what to do! Keep your ideas to yourself!
Emad: Hold your tongue, you loud-mouth buffoon! I'm not my brother. A couple of punches and banishment aren't my style. You push me, I'll make you disappear for good!
_____
There was another Woeful living with a couple of Majid's former love interests. Emad was already familiar with Ruth, the musician twin he'd met at the Wimsel wedding. Ah, if only he had more time at the moment ...
But recruitment came first. Vincent Fitzpatrick wasn't quite a total waste of humanity. Close, but not quite.
He did exhibit advanced scientific abilities. Emad discussed the possibility of Fitz rising in the lodge's ranks based on these nerdy contributions.
_____
The only other Woeful member that mattered to Emad was Elder Ryan. He was a much milder man than Walsh. More of a toady really.
Emad: With my backing, you can begin to exercise a lot more authority in the Brethren than you dared before.
Eddy: Well, I don't know. Larry, that is, High Elder Walsh might not agree to these changes.
Emad: You just leave the High Elder to me. I guarantee he'll see it my way.
Eddy: I do believe a celebration is in order, my dear! You can buy that new dress you've been wanting.
_____
Emad: Call the Brethren together. I need them to meet me at our new facilities.
Antwon: Not the room above the grocery store?
Emad: No, the secret warehouse by the science lab.
Antwon: Everyone knows where that warehouse is. No secret there, Faraz.
Emad: Just do it! And keep your feedback to yourself!
Of course, Antwon was right. A random townie also showed up for the secret meeting. Emad ignored him. Maybe he'd recruit the fellow later. Swear him to silence.
Emad: There's something I need you to do, May.
Antwon: Oh man! Why me? Can't Bloom do it?
Emad: Bloom! Are you kidding? That goofball can barely zip his own pants!
Emad: It has to look like an accident, you hear me? An accident.
Antwon: And what am I going to get out of this?
The lodge's standing was due mainly to the two founding Brethren, Larry Walsh and Eddy Ryan, a couple of town elders. Locals respected the men even though they secretly snickered at their outdated beliefs.
Emad tracked down the Brethren, one by one. He introduced himself as Knight Bunter's long-lost kin. His little brother apparently had done some mercenary work for the lodge.
Antwon: I don't need another lousy out-of-towner telling me what to do! Keep your ideas to yourself!
There was another Woeful living with a couple of Majid's former love interests. Emad was already familiar with Ruth, the musician twin he'd met at the Wimsel wedding. Ah, if only he had more time at the moment ...
He did exhibit advanced scientific abilities. Emad discussed the possibility of Fitz rising in the lodge's ranks based on these nerdy contributions.
The only other Woeful member that mattered to Emad was Elder Ryan. He was a much milder man than Walsh. More of a toady really.
Emad: With my backing, you can begin to exercise a lot more authority in the Brethren than you dared before.
Eddy: Well, I don't know. Larry, that is, High Elder Walsh might not agree to these changes.
Emad: You just leave the High Elder to me. I guarantee he'll see it my way.
Emad: Call the Brethren together. I need them to meet me at our new facilities.
Antwon: Not the room above the grocery store?
Emad: No, the secret warehouse by the science lab.
Antwon: Everyone knows where that warehouse is. No secret there, Faraz.
Emad: Just do it! And keep your feedback to yourself!
Antwon: Oh man! Why me? Can't Bloom do it?
Emad: Bloom! Are you kidding? That goofball can barely zip his own pants!
Antwon: And what am I going to get out of this?
Emad: You? Why, I don't know. Maybe you'll get to keep both your ears.
