>>5728558>>5728566>>5728571>>5728638>>5728699>Fine, you can bring it in. But you’ll be listening in from outside.“It’s tame, my lady, not to worry.” You reassure her. The serpent tail begins to tighten itself about your throat. You gently remove it.
“You can’t tame–.. fine. Whatever.” Your master kneads her forehead in a show of exasperation. “Just.. bring it in. We’ll figure it out when I’m done here.”
“Of course, my lady.” You bow your head to her as you jostle the horrible monster chicken and the rest of your goods past the two and through the door.
A welcome party of chickens begins to amass in about your ankles–but they recede at the sight of the beastly bird in your hands. They can be a little cold to outsiders, you suppose.
In the meantime, you very subtly press your head up against the door. You are just a little curious to hear the topic of conversation between the two (and you’d appreciate some due warning if she really is your replacement..). You catch bits and pieces of talk through it.
“..at’s your choice? A boy who brings home monsters for mommy to throw back into the woods when he’s got his back turned?” Ingraine generally maintains her calm, but even you can pick up the uneasy quake of frustration in her tone. “You heard the message from Good Queen Galia. Lady Sigrid, please..”
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t speak ill of my apprentice.” Sigrid cuts her short with a sigh. “But that aside–as I’ve told you time and time again, there are other circumstances at play here than academic performance or magical skill. I can’t take you on both at once. I’m sorry, but–”
“What? Because of Du-Saint-Winifred, right? The Near-Great Witch?” The elf bites back, her tone more and more acerbic. “Your teacher? His mother? Is it just that? Because I’m sure that you can understand how it might feel to work day and night all my life for an opportunity like this only for the chance to be swept up by a fool by virtue of his birthright.”
“You’re one to speak about birthright, Ingraine an Sprys IV.” Your master maintains her cool, distant disposition. “But yes, his heritage was a part of it. I’m sorry, but that’s just the way it is–perhaps I would’ve chosen you had he not been in such circumstances. But I owe my master this much.”
Ouch. Your shoulders sink.
“I’m sorry. Again, I understand how it must feel–..” Your master begins, but the elf cuts her short this time.
“No you don’t. If I don’t get this–.. my parents–..” Ingraine pauses. “I beg you to reconsider. Or.. maybe some sort of contest. A duel with him. That would prove my merit, no..?”
>Continue to eavesdrop. >A duel? You can do a duel. Burst through the door now to do the duel.>Consider your mother, the Near-Great Witch Du-Saint-Winifred and Sigrid’s master.>[Write-In.] 