>>6294420"Must I?" Sacristan Eriol asks with resignation, infusing those two words with all the loathing he could muster. He takes a last puff before taping out the hot burning pipeweed onto the snow and reluctantly walk back with you. Each step he takes is slow and ponderous.
By the time you arrive, it is clear the fight is over. To your shock, it is the Flamekeeper standing victorious. Ason lies on the snow defeated, out of breath and tired.
"Ah, good! Sacristan, come and take my wounds away." The Flamekeeper commands as he catches sight of the healer. That causes Eriol to scowl, even though he doesn't say a word. Even Ason looks expectantly at the healer to come and do his duty.
"I forbid it."
The crisp, firm voice of command from Lady Aurelia is sharp.
"You and Ason will endure and recover on your own. I forbid the healing of wounds through the Sacristan."
At this, the healer breathes a sigh of relief while Theo and Ason continue to look aghast. The bruises on their faces promise to bloom a deep purple tonight.
"My lady, it would be difficult to serve you in this state and...." Ason doesn't have an opportunity to finish his appeal. It is a bad move to question the orders of a superior. He should have known better. Lady Aurelia silences him with a cold glare before focusing her attention on the fat Flamekeeper.
"A question for you, Theo. What is the standard punishment meted out to a presumptious servant?"
The crowd of runners murmurs with sympathy at the additional beating Ason is going to get.
"Ah, well my Lady. I believe it is 10 strong blows from a whip or switch. A servant should not get so uppity with his betters." The malicious smile playing on Theo's face is stopped cold by the eerily sweet smile of Lady Aurelia.
"You're right. Ogier, bring out the whip. Since we have two servants here, let us divide the punishment equally to 5 blows each."
