Breaking The News

JP with mdman and Cindy

Elizabeth spent a few more minutes to finish a few things, then decided that it was time she called Cronk back to her office.

She found a servant and sent them to fetch Cronk before returning to her seat behind the desk. Elizabeth wasn't looking forward to this conversation.

The servant found Cronk outside with Clement. Cronk thought of the boy once he knew his quarters was being temporarily used by another orc.

They were playing a game of hoops. It was amazing what you could do with a barrel hoop and a stick. Of course, Cronk was struggling with the concept of keeping the hoop rolling to keep it upright. Ultimately, Clement was laughing and having fun, which made Cronk’s day.

When the servant announced Miss Elizabeth had beckoned for him, Cronk nodded. Patting Clement lightly upon the head, Cronk walked toward her office.

Elizabeth had left her door opened so when she spotted Cronk said, "Cronk, please come in. Close the door behind you and have a seat."

She had, had two servants move the Orc sized chair in front of her desk. So, once Cronk took his seat, Elizabeth began. "I heard from some of the servants that you were quite successful in getting rid of the reporter, my thanks for that." Starting out the conversation on a positive note.

Cronk was relieved to hear the commendation for a job well done. He had thought that since she had told him to close the door, he was in trouble. But Cronk knew, those times Cronk had made mistakes, Lady Elizabeth was graceful.

“Cronk make Lady Boss proud,” he answered.

Elizabeth smiled, "Yes, you have done a good job since joining the team." Her instincts about him had proven correct, and she was glad for that.

"I have some news. Dr. Jackal and Miss Lavigne were able to be rescued. All the team members made it back safely. Unfortunately, Miss Lavigne's father was killed by one of the cult members." Elizabeth took a breath. "Do you remember I told you about Dr. Jackal's other side? Where he gets larger than you and can sometimes attack people? Usually people that have done wrong things." Perhaps not always, but Elizabeth had noticed a pattern in the demon side that in both times she's know of him changing he didn't attack those that were helping him. Cult members would likely have been seen by the demon as bad.

Hearing that Lily and the Good Doctor were well made Cronk happy. His smile turned to a frown at the news of the Young One’s father. He imagined how he would feel upon hearing of the death of his own father.

Cronk shook his head, never seeing the change occur to the Good Doctor. It was difficult for Cronk to fathom one so small changing to something larger than an orc.

“Cronk revenge Young One,” he simply stated. “Kill evil Doctor.”

"Actually, that is why I needed to speak with you." Elizabeth sighed. "After Dr. Jackal was rescued, he turned into his other side. He killed a number of the cult followers including Lamaire. I know you wanted to kill the evil doctor yourself but he's dead." Elizabeth now just waited for the response.

Cronk nodded his head listening to Lady Elizabeth. It took a few shakes for what she had said to register.

“Evil Doctor dead?” he asked. “Where body?”

Cronk wanted to pull it to pieces wherever it was. Then, he’d take each piece and cast it into the Seine. He was a child of the sea, let the water have him.

"Do remember me saying how Dr. Jackal's other side sometimes gets rid of people, by, well ... eating them?" So here was a Lady - British nobility - discussing with an Orc about a demon eating people and the person that the demon inhabited was on their side - it was all a little surreal. "Well, he ate Lemaire. There's nothing left."

“Nothing?” Cronk thought. “Right side?”

Elizabeth shook her head. "No, he's completely gone. I am sorry I know you wanted to get even with him for killing your former boss."

Cronk placed a finger to his chin, thinking over the implications. Cronk’s perceived reason for being on the team was that he was to kill the Evil Doctor. Now that he was dead, was Cronk still going to be on the team.

“Cronk still here?” he asked. He peered at the ring upon his finger. It was still there. It hadn’t magically slipped off.

He couldn’t imagine going elsewhere. Cronk was looking forward to Camille reading to him later in the evening. He’d enjoy a cigar and both would enjoy some bourbon, and he’d listen to her sweet voice tell the story.

It took a moment for Elizabeth to understand what Cronk was really asking. "Oh, of course you're still part of the team. Every member of the team is important to it, that includes you." It had never occurred to her that Cronk would think he might be kicked off the team because Lamaire was dead.

Cronk shook his head. Without showing it, Cronk expressed, “Cronk upset no kill Evil Doctor. Glad on team.”

He searched the regions of his brain to see if he had another question. Finding one, he asked, “Cronk room empty?”

"Elizabeth could only nod to the sentiment from Cronk, she understood.

As for his question, "Yes, the other Orc is currently having some food in the dining room. So, your room is free. If there was nothing else, you're free to go."

Cronk did his best attempt to bow to Lady Elizabeth without destroying anything. “Cronk thank Lady Boss. Lady Boss good.”

"You're very welcome, Cronk." With that she dismissed the Orc, and went back to paperwork as he left.