"We've only just started our courtship," (Patreon)

Barkingthwaite spluttered, "and already THAT's being brought up??  It's much too soon!  I-It j-just isn't proper!  Simply not done, by gad!"

"Pish posh," Venatrix pished.  "We've known each other since childhood.  If anything I'd say this was a long time coming.  And besides, the two of us even slept in the same room last night."

"Yes yes, that may be true," Barkingthwaite countered.  "We've known each other our entire lives, of course, but we've only officially become an 'item' recently.  And don't try to misrepresent our lodging arrangements to His Lordship.  You must understand, my lord, Pellia slept on the bed and I was on the floor, on the opposite side of the room, wearing five layers of clothing and two blindfolds.  These things simply cannot be rushed into."

"I do seem to recall," Venatrix stated, "that you were the one to initiate our first kiss, and we have done plenty of hand-holding over the past few days.  In public, no less."

"Well I, why," Barkingthwait stammered as he blushed and broke out in a sweat.

"All right, all right," I intervened.  It wouldn't do for this lowfolk person to have a heart attack here in my stone circle.  "You two can have plenty of time to sort out your relationship.  I've waited this long; I won't mind waiting a bit longer.  Plus you'll have the arduous journey to Londinium to further strengthen your bond."

"It's really not that far, my lord," Barkingthwaite anxiously pointed out.  "Not nearly far enough."

 "If you can't do it, then you'll have to find someone for me who can," I informed him.  "Do I need to point out that honor is at stake?"

"In that case, I shall do my best," Barkingthwaite sighed.

"Good man!" I grinned reassuringly.  "Stout fellow!  Now then, you'll have to be on your guard because this Zandar is reputed to be Unseelie.  She was at one time headmistress of the Floozies' Guild and is a master of bodymagick and Wiles."

"Wiles??" Venatrix snorted.  "I'll believe a lot of things, but Wiles as a school of magick is simply too far."

"Nevertheless, it's true," I retorted, "and you'd best be on your guard.  I have enchanted the clothing to restrain her and limit her power, so be sure to get her dressed as quickly as possible.  Do not let her touch you, and especially don't leave her alone with him.  I need her delivered to me untouched and unsullied."

"My self control is unquestionable!" Barkingthwaite protested.

"You've never gone up against a Wiles master," I warned him.  "And there's another point I just thought of.  I believe the location is a residence, so you may need to case the establishment and make sure the inhabitants are out before -"

"Are you he?" a small voice asked as a large insect buzzed near my head.  "Are you the legendary White Elf?"

IT WAS AN IXIE!

"Wait right there!" I told Barkingthwaite and Venatrix as I dashed around to the other side of the dolmen.  "I've got to, uh, take a private call!"

"What a charming euphemism," Barkingthwaite reflected.  "I may have to start using it myself."

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