Chapter 160 - Future talks
Scarlett eyed Godwin for a few seconds before speaking. “I hope you will excuse the sudden interruption. Mistress’ appearance was not within my expectations.”
The archwizard smirked subtly. “I could tell as much.” He glanced at Empress, who was still sitting on the table. The cat remained perched on the table, calmly observing them while grooming herself. Godwin’s gaze then shifted to the spot where Mistress had disappeared only moments ago. “Before coming here, I did not expect for you to have so many…intriguing associates.”
Scarlett sighed. “To be frank, neither did I.” This entire day had been far more chaotic than she could have anticipated. “Can I trust you to keep what you have heard here today strictly between us?”
Godwin nodded with sincerity. “I am a man of my word, and I intend to keep it that way.” He gestured towards Empress. “Besides, I suspect it is in my own best interest to do so.”
The cat briefly met his eyes before returning to licking her paw.
The archwizard turned back to Scarlett, his focus intensifying. “However, my promise applies specifically to what I just heard. It does not extend to the matters I initially came here to discuss. I hope you understand.”
Scarlett met his gaze before eventually nodding in return.
“Noted,” she replied, careful not to appear too guarded. She wasn’t confident she could extract another oath from him, so she would simply have to rely on her negotiation skills from here on. She also had to remain mindful of his lie-detecting artifact. “Let us continue, then.”
“Since I will not be divulging your secrets, I will take the liberty to be more open about my thoughts,” the man said. “I am curious about your conversation with Mistress just now. Though I am far from an expert on demonology or matters related to the Viles, I have heard of incarnates before. Based on your earlier words, it would appear you have one somewhere within your household.”
Scarlett kept silent for a moment, and he waited patiently.
An incarnate was to the Viles what an avatar was to the gods, though it was also the opposite in some ways.
The Countess was an example of an avatar, serving as a mortal vessel for Adtia—the forgotten goddess of the night and lady of the moon—to channel her power into the Material Realm in order to directly influence it. Some avatars were unaware of their true nature, like the Countess, but it was usually pretty obvious to those who knew what they were looking for. As far as Scarlett knew, the connection between an avatar and their deity wasn’t supposed to be harmful, although the same couldn’t always be said for roles such as augurs.