Well, (Patreon)

it seems you all really want to hear about Mr. Vulpstein’s exciting future as a janitor, which you shouldn’t know about yet if you haven’t been reading ahead or receiving outside information. How are you doing this? I already took care of those two charlatans leaking my life-story back in January. Does anyone have anything to say about that? … Fine. Keep your secrets, but I’ll get to the bottom of this eventually. Anyhow ... you are correct in your surmise that Vulpimort’s punishment was to clean up the entire ballroom by hand without aid of magick, but rather than hear about a fox using a rag to clean up meringue, let’s rewind the story to my very deep and fascinating conversation with Headmaster Hoardblemish. I’m sure you're dying to hear how I managed the paperwork of enrolling Kelly in school, and how I got to the bottom of this mysterious stone that held the key to derailing the Duchess’s war plans.

. . .

Xavier watched with mild concern as Burnside hid inside a large, upturned vase and hobbled after my other two companions as they made their way to the ballroom.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Hoardblemish," I reassured him. "I’m sure they will conduct themselves in a very professional manner. I would expect nothing less from my retinue.”

Xavier led me to his office, occasionally still playing tour guide along the way by pointing out new pictures adorning the walls and explaining with pride how often the potted plants were watered.

“Life is good,” one of them rustled as we passed.

Once inside the office, the Headmaster graciously offered me a seat, then circled his desk and sat in what looked suspiciously like a Counselor's chair from the old throne room. After a brief silence, he spoke. “Let’s start with the simpler of your concerns. You wish to enroll a family member? Well, as our top donor, a little nepotism is healthy and encouraged.” He chuckled, then awkwardly cleared his throat as I raised an enybrow. “Right. Right… You said she was your niece?”

“She knows me as her uncle, yes," I nodded. "Her name is Kelly O’dor.”

“Knows you as her uncle?” Xavier asked, tilting his head.

“Politics,” I stated flatly.

“Ah,” he replied, with a nod of understanding. “Then for her safety I shall ask no further questions about your relationship. So, when do you expect her to enroll? Immediately? Next semester?”

“There isn’t a set date," I shrugged. "Her parents, or to be more precise, her mother is a bit overzealously protective and clingy. If I am reading them correctly, they will agree to send her here for her own safety if the situation in Europe ever boils over.”

"Ah yes," Xavier sighed. “The second topic you wished to discuss… I can see why you want to have things ready to go at a moments notice. Since she is a relative of yours, I can only assume Kelly has great magickal talent, and no doubt you’ve heard the rumors.”

"There are rumors about Kelly?" I asked, suddenly alarmed.

"No no, not about her specifically," Xavier elaborated. “There have been rumors of shadowy organizations swooping in and whisking away young people who show signs of magickal talent. Their purpose is unknown, but I imagine it is in preparation for the upcoming war. To my knowledge, the Fuchsland government is the only one that acknowledges, albeit behind closed doors, that magick is real. Thus, alas, I fear those talented young minds are being funneled right into the Herzogin’s clutches.”

"Herzogin?" I repeated. "You'll have to forgive me; my area of specialization leaves me woefully ignorant of low- ah, that is, worldly matters."

"Herzogin Katerina von Ganseblumchen, translated roughly as Duchess Catherine of Daisies, is a major player in the somewhat convoluted dynastic regime that rules Fuchsland."

That revelation sent my stomach dropping into my feet. The Duchess was gathering up magickally talented young people? For what? To use as weapons? Mere CHILDREN?!? That went beyond Unseelie right into outright evil of a type that Fuma, even in her most chaotic mood, could never condone! Why did my Ixies not tell me about this? I took a deep breath and reminded myself that Xavier said these were only rumors. My spies wouldn't trouble me with information they hadn't verified. Fuma willing, that was the reason.

“Yes," I finally blurted after realizing I had been sitting there with Hoardblemish staring at me for what must have been an uncomfortably long pause. "That is certainly a concern. I would like to have the paperwork and arrangements ready.”

“Since it’s you, I’ll take care of all the boring bits," Xavier grinned, pushing a small sheaf of papers toward me across his desk. "Just fill in some of her basic information on this form.” As I read and filled out the paper, he continued. “You also wished to speak of the troubles… Like you, I am a scholar of magick, not of politics and tactics. Simply because of my position here I suppose I may know a little more than you do, but honestly - not much. What specifically did you want to discuss?”

“I have… Informants," I started hesitantly. "I employ them to fill the gaps in my knowledge of the world at large. It's a herculean task, but they are some of the best at what they do. They have alerted me to some of the more… Let’s say, nightmarishly original weapons Fuchsland plans to use. I hold no delusions that I can stop the Duchess's ambitions outright, but I can at least try to limit the damage she can cause. To that end, I have been made aware that there is a unique stone in your possession.”

Xavier paused and intensely scrutinized my face.

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