A little later, Sifa received a charm covered in densely packed symbols and spiritual numbers, along with a storm motif. Merely touching it made his fingers tingle, as though the charm itself carried an invisible electric current.
He carefully tucked the charm away and looked earnestly at the diocesan bishop. "Your Excellency Jorgi, once this is done, I want one-third of the bounty on the Admiral of Blood."
Jorgi agreed without hesitation. "No problem."
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Very well."
Jorgi solemnly clenched his fist and struck his left breast. "May the storm be with you!"
After Sifa left, the tall old man had a priest fetch a deacon to discuss the matter. A short while later, the deacon named Cordova Roye met with the diocesan bishop.
After they exchanged greetings, Jorgi explained the situation and said, "Later, I'll have someone spread word that Flame is in Bayam, and let slip a little information about our impending pursuit."
"This afternoon, please lead two teams of Mandated Punishers to arrest Flame Danitz. You may fight him in earnest and injure him, but you must let him escape at the critical moment. Only then can the rest of the plan proceed."
Cordova Roye nodded slightly. "No problem. This is a simple matter. However..."
"However what?"
The deacon frowned. "That Hunter, Rayleigh, has been quite active lately. And judging by what you just said, Your Excellency Jorgi, he is a Hunter who pursues money, fame, and personal gain."
"What I don't understand is why His Excellency Miller would bestow the Storm Emblem on someone like that."
Jorgi smiled faintly and traced the symbol of the Lord of Storms over his chest. "That is not a question for us to consider. Nor is it a question for Miller to consider."
Cordova Roye froze.