Alas we have reached the final audience session with our beloved Minion Mistress, Overlady Jinx. This story from start to finish has been provided by the most kind Sunjinjo and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.

An Overlady's Audiences Part 19

"This is the second last, Mistress," Gnarl entrusted her as the next visitor stood before her.

Jinx let out a brief sigh of relief, but also felt a bit disappointed. She'd grown to like hosting audiences, and was somewhat looking forward to the next time her waiting room would overflow with impatient people.

The disappointment was also partly due to her visitor. It was an Imperial again, and not nearly as interesting as Regina Octavia. This man was pudgy again, and didn't even stir enough anger in her to draw her attention; his clothes weren't pristine and white like those of a noble, but faded yellow and brown. His tunic and short cloak were made with the finest wool and cotton, however, and decorated with embroidery here and there.

The man bowed. "Milady. My name is Filius Bombarius, and I hope to do business with you concerning the trade between the Empire and your domain… Nordberg, and maybe even Everlight?"

Jinx managed a bored smile. "My domain, since today, also encompasses the Mellow Hills, Hunger Hills and Angelis, my friend. Oh, and I'm working on Ruboria. Extend your trading networks." Before Filius could say anything, she spoke on. "The trading relations between the Empire and the rest of the world can stay as they were, but do count on Minions wandering free, and I won't stand responsible for their actions and aggressions. They're servants of darkness, you know what to expect."

"Of course, Milady, but…"

"Merchants have the right of safe passage during the next war, except en route to cities under siege. Do you speak the halfling tongue?"

"No, Milady, but…"

"Start learning it, the Hunger Hills are going to be an important source of food and if you don't pay them enough, I think you run the risk of ending up in their stew yourself, not that I object to that, though. Do you also want to trade with the Netherworld itself?"

"Well, I'd like to…"

"Tough luck, I'm planning to do it all by illegal means. I am evil through and through, after all. Do you think you're getting out of here alive, Filius Bombarius?"

The man opened his mouth, but then closed it again, totally lost and unsure of what to say in order to actually get out alive. Jinx burst out laughing. "Oh, just go. Stop it. Boys, give him a bale of black silk for his trouble." Three green Minions loaded a great roll of the refined, rare Netherworld fabric into his arms, and the man nodded in stumped gratitude, be it with a deathly pale face. "Thank you, Milady. I won't bother you any longer, Milady."

"Good man." Jinx gestured to the portal, and he vanished in a flash.

"Well, that was that. That was easy. One more, you said? Is my final visitor of today as boring as the last?"

Gnarl rubbed his hands. "Well, Mistress… that's for you to decide." He looked up. "Bring… him in, boys."

"Him?" Jinx glanced at Gnarl, but then looked up as well, to where a tall, cloaked and hooded figure slowly descended. Normally visitors flashed down in one go, and it surprised her to see it happening otherwise now.

As the visitor reached the trap door, she saw a strange dull glow shining through the fabric of his cloak, and his eyes smouldering at her from the depths of his hood. Eyes she knew.

Suddenly she felt herself shrink into her throne, shrink back to the helpless girl she'd been in the magic room beneath the glowing gazes of Synn, Atrej and Vergal, and of course the last one she'd met in the storm of colours. He'd never threatened her, but she'd felt his crushing presence all the same, and to her, he was on the same level as the Darklords from a bygone age. She pressed her back to the throne, her own eyes wide. "How?" she uttered.

All through the hall the Minions had gone silent, and Jinx knew both Gnarl and Kniff were staring at the newcomer with eyes just as wide. She remembered, in a haze, what Kniff had told her of the day he'd been born; how Lord Vessperion had lifted his chin and asked for his name.

"Why didn't you bring him in first thing in the morning?" she uttered. "Why…"

"Because I wanted to be alone with you, and after you'd handled all the others," the apparition spoke. He threw off his cloak, and fiery light flooded the throne room. Lord Vessperion wore a flaming suit of armour, all cruel curves and razor-sharp edges, a solid version of the living fire he'd worn in the magic room and not a bit less impressive. A matching axe lay across his shoulder, flickering with a bloody glow. His eyes were the brightest flames of all, but they rippled with a disarming smile. "…Daughter."

"Father," Jinx murmured. She'd met him before, but she hadn't known who he was. She still didn't believe who he was. "Father…"

"My time here is short," the Overlord of old spoke. "Most of my being is still in a place I cannot escape, and I have to return there soon."

"The Abyss," Jinx spoke. "I understand. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about me." Vessperion looked around, to the countless Minions. "I'm doing very well down there. I'm… needed down there. There is something that could go very wrong if I wouldn't be around. But enough about me…" He came closer, as if to study her more carefully. "Jinx, you've done very well for yourself. This Netherworld is more spectacular than the old Tower ever was. Gnarl, why didn't you ever return here before it was too late?"

Gnarl bowed to his old Master deeply. "Sire… the Netherworld didn't belong to the Overlords before that time. Only when it was indeed too late, the Unholy One offered up this Tower as a possibility."

"Ah, the Unholy One. Yes, he has strange plans for all of us." Vessperion came eye to eye with Jinx. "And the strangest for you, it seems. My flesh and blood, part Minion… Rose always said I was too attached to them…"

"Then my love for them is not just due to the life force Velvet infused me with," Jinx smiled. She hesitated. "Lord…" She couldn't bring herself to call him 'father' again. "…don't you mind I… that Sayron is Emperor and not an Overlord, I mean?"

"Do I mind I took Lord Alcazar's place? You won in the eyes of the Minions and Taegan, and you want what's best for Evil." Vessperion smiled warmly. "He's my son and I love you both equally, but he has to fulfil his role there. I've met him in the magic room, when I didn't yet know I had two children. He was always most concerned with the end goal, the Empire. He's in the right place there, and I would be lying if I said it wasn't exceptionally clear the same is true for you, Minion Mistress."

Jinx blushed. "Thank you." A warmth blossomed in her chest. "That means more to me than I can say, Lord."

"I will watch your progress with great interest whenever the Abyss allows me, Milady," he winked.

Then a new flame bloomed behind him, within the portal on the ceiling, a flame that was eclipsed by giant wings just after. Zephyros soared right through the throne room, over Vessperion's head, and hooked on above the throne fluttering wildly. Jinx grinned up at him. "Welcome back, Zeph. Lord, this is my mount."

The Overlord of old studied the bat with appreciation. "With great interest, Jinx. You're a worthy successor to an old hand like me." He looked down, into Jinx' eyes, and placed a flaming hand on her shoulder. The strange, unearthly material of his armour felt warm to the touch, and the heat radiated up against her cheek. "This is not the last time we meet, Jinx," he entrusted her. "And I have the feeling you will meet… all of me next time."

Excitement and slight fear nestled into her stomach. "When?" she asked, a little nervously.

"I don't know. A year, fifty? Time is strange."

"Fifty years from now? I won't live to be seventy," Jinx chuckled.

"Are you sure? I didn't age in the Abyss, and you're part Minion. Minions don't die of old age." Vessperion cast a sly glance at Gnarl, and Jinx laughed.

The Overlord stepped back, and shifted his axe on his shoulder. "Milady, Minions, Gnarl. Zephyros. It was a great pleasure, but now I must go. You have my blessing as my successor, Jinx, as Sayron has my blessing as Emperor. Minions, I miss you down in the Abyss. The souls of the damned just aren't as good for company." At this, a great growling cheer and laughter arose in the throne room, even as some Minions wiped away tears. Kniff ran down the throne dais, to his first Master. "Miss you, Master," he spoke, a smile on his face, his eyes watery.

"Kniff…"

The Minion beamed hearing his name. "You remember?"

"My loyal newborn. Always. Be just as loyal to her, will you?"

Kniff grinned. "Don't need order to do so, Master."

"Good." Vessperion petted his hat, and then stretched out. "Until our next meeting, all of you." His eyes lingered on Jinx as his armour started glowing brighter, blazingly, and he vanished in a roaring inferno that had nothing to do with the portal.

The hall ended up a little emptier than Vessperion's departure could account for on its own.

Gnarl coughed. "Well, that's why I went looking for a successor of his bloodline."

Jinx nodded. "I'm sorry I can't ensure more of those successors."

"Ah, don't worry." Jinx got ready for a 'we can always turn to Sayron's spawn'. "I don't think we'll be needing a successor for a while," the advisor then said.

"Gnarl…" Jinx grinned, pleasantly surprised.

"You heard him! You have his blessing." Gnarl grinned at her sideways. "I don't know if you deserve it, but you got it." The old Minion looked up as a brown wearing a dwarven helmet came running in. "Ah, Grubby. You won't believe what you just missed."

"Mistress," the digger bowed, ignoring Gnarl. "Whisper and group have found a spot for gate in Evernight. Maybe close to the capital. Have already secretly pummelled elven woman and took clothes, are ready. Includes big hood," he said meaningfully.

Jinx' eyes shone. "Ooh. I've always wanted to take an inconspicuous stroll through the Old Forest, maybe close to the capital. Take me to these clothes." She rose from the throne, and Gnarl watched her with a crooked smile as she disappeared up the stairs.

And somewhere else in the Tower, Jack the inventor feasted his eyes, trying to figure out the source of those three strange voices echoing through his head, one significantly more clear than the two others. Elsewhere in the north above ground, general Maraxus, most pleased with his new position, started finding his way through his new city. Elsewhere in the world green Minions ran and clambered through a forest filled with blue shadows, and browns and salamander riders ran and clambered through a harbour city in the Empire, hunting for gnomes. Chuckling blues hoisted a drowned brown back on board of Gorgeous Diego's Rapture. Everywhere scouting, spying and murder were happening… a delicious new beginning, a new age for the Evil that always found a way.

And that same night, Gnarl heard elven screams emanating from the mist pool, music to his frayed ears. The Mistress was enjoying her new age to the fullest, just the way it should be.