Emerett continued to dazzle them with his vision of the future. They would claim the unwanted and undeveloped southern lands for their own and transform them into a paradise grand enough to fill the saints with envy. Each man would have his own territory to do with as he pleased. Otherworldly riches would flow with such abundance that they would pave their roads in precious metals and carve their thrones from gems. Their hands would usher in a new golden age for humanity as their influence spread not only throughout the Harvest kingdom but the world.

Luke let them have their moment, resisting the urge to point out that building such a kingdom would take years, if not decades. They’d likely be dead before its conception. Surely, powerful elementals could hasten its construction, but they would exact a heavy price. He still wasn’t very comfortable relying on the succubi to tame the drakkon and its progeny, imagining a thousand catastrophes that could go wrong if they relaxed their vigilance for a moment. Giving those creatures, or others like them, an entire kingdom? He couldn’t imagine.

That’s why Luke, despite his knowledge and experience, was not the leader. He believed in a practical approach to summoning. Careful approaches and even more careful contracts to avoid lethal consequences. Summoning was not the place for high-risk, high-reward strategy because the risk could be the end of the humanity. His frank assessments of their schemes would have made the men think twice. Perhaps give up the thought of open rebellion entirely.

Emerett did the opposite. The man was too knowledgeable not to understand the dangers of the plan, but his easy confidence glossed over them. Hearing him speak, there was no chance of failure and the world was waiting for them to claim it.

The independent summoners fell for it like a stone dropped into a pool of water. Lazarus and Ambrose smiled the whole meeting. The young artist even had the gall to describe the golden palace he would build, complete with the harem of a hundred beautiful women that would service his every need. His fantasy easily erased his interest in Lou, something that irritated Luke the tiniest amount.

Lazarus was more reserved, but he had grand plans of his own. The arrogant man liked the idea of summoner kings. A little too much, Luke thought. In the kingdom he thought he would build, only summoners would hold power, one’s elementals determining their worth.

Surprisingly, Junior seemed just as unenthused as Luke. The young patriarch sat with a glum frown as they discussed details and particulars, not even twitching as the cabal discussed the eventual spoils of their victory. Luke would have thought he’d be the most excited. Every Grimoire before him had taken an almost perverse pleasure in bringing others down and, given his succubi were the key to their whole plot, he would have the clout to build the greatest new kingdom of all. Yet, their discussions only seemed to annoy the young man.

Luke wasn’t the only one who noticed. After their meeting was finished, he and Junior were asked to stay behind. With two seats empty, Emerett finally sat, crossing his hands in his lap as he stared at them. “We have a problem,” he said casually.

“Impossible,” Luke immediately refuted.

“Not with your theory, Lord Tome. With your attitudes. Both of you.” Emerett took on the airs of a disappointed father. “As much as I preach that summoners are equal, each having the ability to achieve greatness, it is undeniable that there is a difference between those who have just discovered the art and the summoning families. The Tome and the Masons chief among them.

“I have a powerful reputation among the independent summoners but you must understand, your participation was just as significant to rallying them to our cause as my name. Maybe more so. Those who know of you admire–” His gaze focused on Luke. “-and respect you,” he finished, turning to Junior. “So, your moods affect them. And the two of you have been nothing but dour from the beginning. I’ve heard whispers. People think you don’t have confidence in our plan and they in turn lose confidence. Therefore!”

The old summoner leaned forward, gaze sharp. “If you have any worries, real worries, then now is the time to speak them. I want the two of you going into this summoning with clear hearts and minds.”

“I’ve already told you what bothers me,” Luke griped. Which was everything. “This whole scheme will either make us legends or doom us to the Abyss. It’s more risk than I am comfortable taking but now that I’m committed, I will see it through to the end and do all I can for its success.” As a Tome, there was no way he would give a summoning he was involved in anything less than his very best.

“Good, good. Well said, Lord Tome. Truly, you are worthy of every summoner’s respect.” The leader turned to Junior. “Then, what of you young Gordon? Now is the time to speak your mind. If there is anything that troubles you about our endeavor, let us address it so you can act with confidence.”

Junior scowled. For a moment, Luke thought he would curse Emerett, such was the venom contained in his glare. But then the young man’s expression eased and he glanced to his thrall. Luke inwardly scoffed, wondering if the boy could do anything without conspiring with the creature.

Admittedly, the succubus was a font of knowledge and would always have a better answer than anything the young patriarch could cobble together, no matter the situation, but such blatant dependence was unseemly.

After several moments, he turned back to Emerett. “The reason I’m not skipping around as if a crown is already being delivered to me is because I keep wondering about what we’re not thinking of.”

“We’ve planned for every variable you can imagine,” Luke said, feeling his work called into question.

“That’s my point. You’ve planned for every variable you can imagine and your imagination is sorely lacking. Let’s say we summon this drakkon, bend it to our will, and successfully escape after causing widespread mayhem. All the plans we discussed are about how we will handle the crown and the nobles, as if that’s the only thing we have to worry about. But those aren’t the only threats in the kingdom or the world.”

“Hm. Go on,” Emerett encouraged.

“The crown is weak and the nobles are lazy. We can outrun and outsmart them, sure. I believe that. But what if other factions get involved? What if, uh, the crown uses a threat to the kingdom to march the knights of the north? I’m sure you’ve heard how crazy those bastards are. Do your plans account for them?

“Or what about other races? Goblins are invading the south. What if rumors of a drakkon draws more of them to our shores?”

“I would think a mighty predator would send them away,” Luke scoffed.

“And what about the elves? From Lou’s bragging, her wife loves a good fight. So do the rest of her people. They haven’t taken notice of us because we aren’t worth their attention. A drakkon might be. Are you prepared to fend off an army of elves?”

“Do you have reason to believe the elves will intervene?” Emerett asked seriously. Deservedly, as the thought of a master pure physical caster intervening in their plans was serious indeed.

“No.”

“Then what are you worrying for?” Luke snapped, annoyed that he had been just as alarmed as Emerett for a moment. “Paradise could fall from the heavens tomorrow. The Abyss could swallow us tonight. It’s impossible to plan for every conceivable outcome. It’s hard enough to determine and plan for the most probable.”

“Lord Tome is correct,” Emerett continued in a much gentler voice. “I understand our mission is nerve-wracking but you must believe in the efforts of your comrades. We have worked. We are prepared. All that can hold us back from success is ourselves. Fear is the greatest enemy and only you can defeat it.”

Junior scoffed, the rousing words sliding right off him. “You don’t have to worry about me performing. I’ll handle my role perfectly. If any of you falter, I’ll play your roles too. This plan will succeed. I just hope you’re prepared for what comes next. The kingdom…the world will never be the same.”

Luke was shocked at the ominous tone of the words. There was a conviction behind them. A deep foreboding. One that made him question whether the young patriarch was hiding something from them. An unease strengthened by the amused smile of his thrall. He knew what kind of things amused such a creature.

“I see I overreacted. Come, gentlemen. There is much to be done and nothing to be done wasting the night in this hovel. Let us return to our homes.”

As Luke stood, he decided he could take another look through the records. See if there was really something he’d overlooked. But if Junior’s fears were correct, it would be no use because no one could imagine what would befall them.