11 The stake

"I'm wondering, why don't you find a real familiar for Chloe? Won't anyone agree to help you?" I asked Mr. Drake.

"You asked that question because you haven't met any familiars yet. At the gathering you'll understand. Most familiars are an opportunistic bunch, present company excluded, of course. They follow a possessor and expect to be 'made'. If they are not satisfied with the possessor, they can and will try to leave and find a new one. They won't be supporting this deception. If anything, they'll be eager to rat us out to one of our enemies in return for rewards."

"What about servants? You've got a lot of servants. Why can't they be used?"

"In our society, Owen, servants are bred. Not just trained, bred. They were from families that committed crimes in the past. From birth, they've had their free will and identity beaten out of them. They've been conditioned to aspire for nothing more than to serve. They will, of course, agree to assist Chloe, but their mannerism will betray them. They'll be seen through in a heartbeat."

I filed away the unpleasant knowledge of whole families having to breed children to serve other families. It seemed that Chloe's family had really run out of options before they decided to level with me.

"So we'll need to keep doing this for, like, once a year? Or more?"

"Ah, yes! Fortunately, when Chloe becomes 27, which is 2 years from now, she will be considered 'fully matured' and can decline coming to these gatherings altogether. She can pursue some career somewhere halfway across the world. And there's only one occasion like this per year. So we'll only have to keep up this charade twice."

"So what if we got find out?"

"Nothing much." He shrugged "Her punishment will extend to Stella and I as well. I'm not worry, though. I'll be allowed to keep some of my land, instead of being exiled outright. And I've got plenty of emergency assets squared away. We'll be fine."

"What about me?" At that moment I realized what I had been forgetting to ask. I have been too caught up in the moment that I didn't consider what would happen to me if words got out that I was in league with a family that deceived the society.

"Nothing, Owen," Mr. Drake said grimly, "No matter what happened in the gathering, you'll be home in one piece. Stella and I will personally see to it that you along with my children are safe, even if it's the last thing we do."

I was taken aback at how intense and sincere he sounded.

His gaze softened as he continued. "I've seen how happy Chloe is since she met you. You're a good kid, Owen. And I want her to be happy."