As I strolled back (Patreon)

toward Hoardblemish's office, I mused aloud to Burnside: “One thing I'll say about Fiona, she can certainly roll with the punches.”

Burnside nodded in agreement. “She sure got a uncanny ability to almost instantly bounce back from havin her hopes an dreams crushed. It's like I always been tellin em - whatever don't kill you makes you stronger, after yer bones knit.”

Hoardblemish was in the process of trying to clear his office space when we returned.

“Ah, Mr. Young," he exclaimed, setting down the box he was holding. "How was your meeting with our resident elf?”

“We came to an understanding," I declared. "We defined her role in your school and had a discussion about the Red Book of Appin. On that note, I wish to review matters of safety and what lessons would be suitable for students at various levels.”

"We will of course keep a watchful eye on our scholars," Hoardblemish explained, "and not permit them to engage in experiments that would place them in peril of body or soul, nor put the safety of the school, nor of reality itself, in jeopardy."

"Actually I trust Edessa to catalog the library and place any Dark or Forbidden Knowledge behind a protective ward. Despite her generosity in letting you use the palace for your school, she seems quite sensitive to allowing mortals (or 'lowfolk' as the elves call them) access to the Inner Mysteries. Students may earn access as they demonstrate proper proficiency as well as responsible use of the skills they acquire."

"I am pleased to see that we are of one mind on this matter," Hoardblemish nodded with evident satisfaction.

"What about me?" Burnside asked. "Can I learn me some o them Inner Mysteries sometime?"

"You don't need them," I told her. "You already have impressive Talents, such as Incredible Toughness, Imaginable and Unimaginable Violence, +10 With Blades, Rabid Frenzy, and Aura of Menace, just to name a few. Nobody but you could have survived the Plague of Battles."

"Aw shucks," Burnside beamed proudly.

Speaking of the Plague of Battles, I had always assumed it was contained within the district of Albric Tor ... but Edessa's remarks made me wonder, how far did it spread? I could go back to the library and ask her, but I didn't really want to talk to her again - and there was a good chance she wouldn't tell me. I would have to investigate further, but it didn't have to be right now.

One of your comments about water tells me that you must know how to scry in a dish or perhaps a pool, so tell me: According to your liquid oracle, what happened next?

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