Hollinger knew that he had them now, but the older members of the council had participated in the battle before. They already knew the desperation of this kind of conflict, but were not interested in this kind of conflict.
"Gentlemen, if we use our good record of loyalty to defend Morey, then maybe he will support us. If I try to stop a rebellion, I will be grateful to the towns that are loyal to me instead of joining the local militia. People," Hollinger explained.
Twenty board members were talking to themselves, and Hollinger sat back in his chair and smirked at Tom in satisfaction.
Captain Silva looked annoyed, he glared at Hollinger.
"I think we should vote," Hollinger said, and it's best to get his support quickly before Grandi or Silva come up with a new strategy. "We can decide that we want to get ourselves into Captain Silva. Amidst the fiasco of the militia, he sent a delegation to see Lord Morey for peace negotiations." Hollinger twisted the parliament like plasticine in his hand. For him, these words have never been so smooth. pass. Hollinger smiled, he was satisfied with himself. He didn't know that a demon also laughed.
The men drew out a small piece of paper in order to cast their personal secret ballot. After a while, when everyone was done, a designated person collected the paper and counted the votes. When the vote count was over, all but the five council members voted to send the delegation suggested by Mr Hollinger. Tom said angrily, before at least one of the members asked a key question, "Who will be our messenger to see Lord Morey?"
Tom cast a familiar look at Captain Silva, and a sly smile crossed Tom’s face. "It must be someone with a lot of experience," Tom suggested. This statement eliminated all young councillors, including His own bad mood, cheers everywhere on the table.
"A good speaker is the best," Captain Silva said, following up Tom's actions. "There is another person worthy of respect."
"I think we should send Hollinger to speak on this issue on our behalf," Tom said.
Hollinger stammered.
"After all, Mr. Hollinger seems to be very familiar with these issues. Who else can do such a good job on this task?" Tom continued.
Hollinger squirmed in the chair, his panic was exposed on his face—like a mouse in a trap. "Now, just a minute, Tom, I never said...
Tom interrupted him, "Holinger, don't be so humble. We all know that you are the only person who can do this job. Besides, since this is an extremely important issue, I believe you will hope to organize a group to accompany you tomorrow. You go to Morey's and I will be happy to help you with this. We will provide horses and strong soldiers from those who could have fought in our militia."
Around the parliament chamber, people nodded in agreement. When other council members came over to shake hands with him and thank him for volunteering to work with Morey to solve their problems. Every handshake behind his back is like a nail in a coffin. Tom just smiled and walked out of the meeting room with a smug Captain Silva.
Fan Fan looked at the devil in the attic. The devil went through the whole process so effectively and left the meeting room. This creature has ended here, Fan Fan wants to know if it will report directly to Morey now.
This meeting caused a lot of repercussions. Mr. Hollinger will leave here for a three-week trip, and it will take three weeks to return. Things seem to be getting better. He and Elspeth will be away from this person for at least six weeks, and Van Fan is very happy for Elspeth.
After the meeting, Van Fan had to return to the farm before Hollinger. He will be in a bad mood tonight, he thought. Fan Fan walked out of the meeting room in the attic. He found his horse still tied to a tree. Whistler happily received Fan Fan, and then they ran towards home at night.
It was late, when Van Fan returned to Hollinger Farm and settled Whistler in his stable. Mr. Hollinger shouldn't be too late, Fan Fan had to return home quickly. He looked at the house and saw a lantern lit on the living room window. What would Elspeth say
When Fan Fan just walked out of the barn, he heard someone clear his throat behind him. He turned around and found his sister standing outside the barn with her arms folded.
"What are you doing in the barn, Van Fan?" Elspeth's fingertips rolled on her upper arm as she tried to control her temper.
Fanfan winced when he saw her. "But Elspeth, I have an important news," he said quickly.
"Really? What news is so important that you have to deceive me and leave to go to the city, and you know, if Horace finds out, he will strip us both alive?"
"The committee has entrusted Horace to negotiate with Lord Morey," he said.
Elspeth's expression immediately changed. "What? What are you talking about?"
"Hollinger is arguing with a knight-sir from King Stephen," Van Fan said. "He came here to support Grandi's militia, but Hollinger opposed the motion and called for a delegation to be sent to see if Grandi's continued loyalty to Morey might allow us to reduce some of the tax burden. This motion It was approved, but then the committee turned around and voted to send Mr. Hollinger as the town’s messenger. He is leaving tomorrow!"
Elspers smiled. "That means he will be away for almost 6 weeks, right?"
""Yes," Van Fan assured her. Elspeth smiled even more.
Fan Fan thought about what happened at the meeting. Elspeth noticed that his face had changed. "What's the matter, Fan Fan? I'm not really angry with you, especially after hearing such good news."
"It's not like that," he said. "I saw something else at the meeting."
The expression on his face made her feel worried. "What happened?"
Fan Fan hesitated to tell her. After all, she didn't believe him when she was in Salem on the night of the massacre. "I saw another demon."
This time, Elspeth's expression became strong rather than contemptuous. Fan Fan noticed the fear in her eyes, a fear he had never seen since they left Salem.
"Here again?" she asked.
"Yes."
"where?"
"During the meeting, in the meeting room," Fan Fan said.
"What is it doing there?" she asked.
"I believe this is talking to those people, even though they don't know it. It moved from one to the other, whispering thoughts in their minds. Since then, everything has changed from the militia to this delegation. And Hollinger’s position in it." (to be continued) (end of this chapter)