Odys was taken aback. He hadn't expected the Red Gloves to ask him for help.
"Please, go ahead," he said. "If it's within my power, I'll do what I can."
Dean smiled and nodded. Odys had offered to help without bringing up payment, making the bishop look good in front of his colleagues.
"One moment," Dean said. "I'll invite the Red Gloves in."
The Red Gloves member from Backlund was waiting in a carriage outside, listening to their conversation through a Sealed Artifact. That was why Bishop Dean was so pleased with Odys's response.
Soon, a striking young man with black hair, green eyes, and a black trench coat followed Bishop Dean inside.
It was Leonard Mitchell, a young member of the Red Gloves.
Odys had met him once in Backlund.
Leonard smiled at him. "Should I call you Gandalf the Warlock, or the Leader?"
Odys held out his hand. "We're at sea. You should call me Captain."
They both laughed and shook hands.
Bishop Dean looked surprised. "You know each other?"
"We've met before," Leonard said. "The Warlock... the Captain left quite an impression on me."
Odys smiled. "Please, sit down."
Then he turned to Bazel. "Close the door. We won't be receiving any guests for now."
"Yes." As Bazel went to close the door, he marveled that the Captain even knew a member of the Red Gloves.
Odys also sent the servants out and personally made tea for Leonard and the others.
Once they were seated again, Leonard said, "Bishop Dean told us you're well informed and have a ship. That's why we thought to ask for your help."
The Church of the Evernight Goddess had almost no presence at sea. When its members needed to sail somewhere, they usually asked the Storm Church for help.
But the