Neighbors

[Mortica]

An envelope arrives at the Ran'Deau estate:

=========================================
Baron Skafloc Ran'Deau;

I will arrive on your lands at high noon on the morrow. If this time is not convenient, please let me know as soon as possible.

I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Sincerely;

Baroness Villayna deSinisca.
=========================================

[Mortica]

She searched first one closet, and then the next, trying to find the perfect thing to wear to the luncheon.

She could wear her armor, but it seemed she wore it all the time anymore and it was heavy and restrictive. Plus it would probably lead him to believe she was secretly afraid of him. She giggled outloud. No, definitely not the armor.

Something skimpy and outlandish? No, that was reserved for more public encounters to maximize impact. Plus he'd seen many of her outfits at various gatherings and other than a quirked eyebrow and mild surprise, she had never elicited more than amusement from him since he'd gotten married. Not that she wanted his attention. Ewww.

Hmm.. Her fingers pulled the wrapped hangars apart and slid them down the bar one by one. Too casual. Too formal. Too monotone. Too outlandish. Too itchy. Too silky.

She was about to head to the third closet when the color of wheat passed beneath her hands. Pulling the dress out, it was a gorgeous green with yellow highlights. Not skimpy at all, but not too formal. Colorful but not clashy. Yes, this should do.

Leaving the mansion with plenty of time to get to the Ran'deau estate, she trotted through the fields and enjoyed the mid-morning sun and the smell of growing wheat.

http://wow-tng.org/images/mortica/villywheat.jpg

[Skafloc]

Chauncey had the table set exactly as Skafloc had instructed. He had decided against the large banquet table as being far too formal, opting instead for a setting outside in the garden gazebo. The sun was quite warm and the late spring flowers in full bloom.

The plate of hors d'oeuvres were already set out, stuffed mushroom caps and delicate wafers of wheat, adorned with a nice paté.

On the table he had a bottle of vintage deStrasza red opened and breathing, as well as a white chilling in a bucket of ice. Considering the subject they would be discussing the wine was appropriate.

There were just the two sittings at the small table, as Nymare was out with the Ghants. Not that business of the Houses concerned her much, something he knew bored her considerably.

" Our guest should be arriving shortly Chauncey. " said Skafloc. " Best head to the front porch to receive her as appropriate." The older man nodded and after one final wipe of the table with his polishing cloth turned to enter the manor house. Skafloc did one last survey of the setting then adjusted his collar. He was wearing simple, but well cut red mageweave slacks and a fine black silk shirt trimmed in red and gold. A high red collar was fastened around his neck.

On a small side table he opened the small oaken box he had placed earlier. Inside an old leatherbound journal was adorned with the Ran'Deau crest, the fiery dragonhawk.

Pouring himself a small glass of the red, he strolled the garden paths that surrounded the gazebo, planning his delivery and waiting for Chauncey's announcement of Villayna's arrival.

[Mortica]

Villayna marveled at the changes in the old Fafnyr lands as she approached the mansion. Skafloc and/or his servants had obviously put a lot of energy into cleaning up the place. She might even have said welcoming if it hadn't been for the high amount of guards stationed along the roadway.

Her warhorse, unaccustomed to the slow pace pulled against the reigns and lifted his feet high, prancing with excess energy. She kept her gaze forward and her head high, ignoring the looks of curious servants and children. At the stables, she surrendered the reigns to the stablehand and promptly headed to the front door.

She still wondered what it was that he wanted to talk about. She suspected it was more than just polite chit-chat. An elder servant opened the door as she arrived, and with a polite "Follow me" he ushered her through the house and again outside, across a quaint path leading to a gazebo.

The servant gestured to the food and wine set up in the simply decorated structure. "Please make yourself at home, Baroness, while I let the Baron know that you have arrived." He bowed, and was gone.

She poured herself a glass of white wine, and closed her eyes, letting the smell of the flowers and the gentle buzzing of honey-bees relax her mind. She would worry about his intentions when he made them clearer.

[Skafloc]

" The Baroness deSinisca has arrived my Lord. " said Chauncey, as he popped out from behind a dahlia bush.

Skafloc nodded, smoothed out his shirt and made his way towards the gazebo.

There was Villayna, dressed in an elegant yet not overly done emerald green dress with yellow trim. The neckline was not too plunging, but also exposed enough accent the curve of her well toned neckline and shoulders. Her golden mane of hair was held back from her face by a jade and garnet tiara headband.

She was sipping from a glass of white wine, studying the nearby peonies.

Skafloc cleared his throat as he approached.

" Baroness deSinisca. I am pleased you could come. The weather has cooperated thankfully, which allows us this priviledge of dining outdoors. I trust that is satisfactory?"

Skafloc stepped onto the gazebo and took the chair opposite the table from Villayna. As he set his wineglass down Chauncey appeared immediately to reach for the bottle of white wine to refresh the Baroness' glass. He then set the white back into the ice bucket to take up the red to refresh SKafloc's glass. Once the drinks were topped up, he went to the serving table to portion out two plates of the stuffed mushroom caps and the paté, placing one before Villayna then Skafloc.

" I must say, your exploits have preceeded you. Many a tale is being told of your adventures beyond the portal. You and your companions. I raise my glass to you. May your sword arm never tire.. "

Skafloc took up his glass and made the toast. Decorum dictated they engage in pleasantries before delving into the heart of the matter. Yet now that the moment had arrived he felt slightly melancholy, knowing was was about to come.

[Mortica]

Villayna opened her eyes and turned to face this man who had risen from obsurity into a position as powerful, if not moreso, than her own.

The dark silk of his shirt shimmered in the sheltered light, hinting at the sturdy musculature of the hunter Baron. His long mane of red hair cascaded across his shoulders carelessly. On someone else, she would have found the presentation attractive.

But she was not that naive.

She nodded when he asked if the gazebo was satisfactory. She moved to sit across from him and his servant refreshed her wine and placed a plate in front of her.

" I must say, your exploits have preceeded you. Many a tale is being told of your adventures beyond the portal. You and your companions. I raise my glass to you. May your sword arm never tire.. "

She raised her glass next to his and smiled demurely. "The Baron is too kind."

She held the toast, looking directly into his eyes for a full heartbeat, and then pulled the glass down to her lips and sipped at the wine. "I hear that you have surpassed all of the hunters in Silvermoon yourself. I'm afraid I never acquired any skill in bows or guns myself." She chuckled. "I trust married life is treating you well? Dentley informed me there was some altercation with that artist...what was her name?" Villayna squinted up at the roof. "Ah yes, Evanthe, wasn't it?"

Villayna glanced around the garden. "And where is your lovely wife today?"

[Skafloc]

"And where is your lovely wife today?" she asked as she scanned the garden.

Skafloc shrugged. " If you were anyone else I would tell you that her duties have taken her afield, and leave it at that." Skafloc pierced a mushoom cap with his fork and popped it into his mouth. Washing it down with a sip of wine he continued.

" However, I know you to be more... enlightened shall we say? From your own association with your mentor, Demetri Karkarov, you have proven to be above prejudice. She is working in support of the House of Ghant, whom she has taken as mentors herself. As for that altercation, well it is not of any concern. "

Skafloc took another sip of wine and regarded Villayna.

" Speaking of Mr. Karkarov, you do know that he was for quite some time a staunch supporter of the Nex'Cruor of course. Yes, he is an honorable man, and a cunning leader. You could ask for no better a mentor than him. Yes, just one tie our houses share. Of course there are others..."

Skafloc trailed off as he pierced another mushroom. From inside the estate he could hear Chauncey preparing to bring out the main lunch, a seasoned her salad from the estate gardens topped with slivers of flame roasted plainstrider.

[Mortica]

" Speaking of Mr. Karkarov, you do know that he was for quite some time a staunch supporter of the Nex'Cruor of course. Yes, he is an honorable man, and a cunning leader. You could ask for no better a mentor than him. Yes, just one tie our houses share. Of course there are others..."

Villayna resisted the urge to blink in surprise, and instead focused on one of the mushrooms on her plate. She slowly cut the mushroom in half and then plopped it into her mouth. Chewing slowly, she savored the taste and washed it down with another sip of wine.

"Uncle Karky was a supporter of the Nex'Cruors? How fascinating!" She smiled brightly at Skafloc. "I will have to drill him for juicy bits of gossip when I get back to the guildhall." She winked mischievously at her host.

She knew that she should probably force him to get to the point of the meeting, but it had been a while since she'd danced and the fact that he'd already surprised her made her itch for the practice. She contemplated going on the offensive, but instead decided to stay on defense until he became clearer as to what he wanted.

"These mushrooms are excellent. My compliments to the chef." She grinned brightly and deflected the ball back into his court.

[Skafloc]

She showed tremendous discipline. So much so that he almost missed the miniscule hesitation at the mention of Demetri Karkarov's past allegience. Were he not a ranger trained to study prey in acute detail he would have certainly not picked up on it.

" The mushrooms, yes. Chauncey's own family recipe. "

As if on cue the man himself emerged, bearing a silver tray with two plates piled with the dressed herb salad and roast plainstrider. Once again he served the guest first, then slid a plate in front of Skafloc. The aroma of basil, balsamic vinegar and manathistle wafted up.

" Will there be anything more my Lord?" he asked. Skafloc shook his head and thanked him.

She had left the comment of there being other household ties dangling. She must be curious, but none of that showed on her porcelain face. She picked up a fork with practiced ease and teased at the edges of her salad.

With there being no reason not to press forward that Skafloc could see, he decided the time was right to lead into the heart of the matter.

" Tell me Baroness, are you familiar with the names Henril and Silmarra? If so, can you enlighten me on their significance to you? "

[Mortica]

She frowned slightly and took a bite of the salad. Chewing thoughtfully, her mind raced. She couldn't determine the direction of his questions. So she answered truthfully.

"I am afraid I know nothing of a 'Henril'. My great-grandmother's name was Silmarra, however. In fact, I recently had a portrait of hers retrieved from the old wing of the mansion and placed in the front foyer of the house. It is an exquisite picture, if perhaps a bit sad."

She watched her host for some sign of what was to come. Dentley had said there were rumors of "Mad Marra" having been common born. He was a fool if he thought he could gain advantage by bringing up her family. deSinisca men were notoriously bad at picking mates. It was part of their charm.

"I do not think the Baron wishes to compare family trees though? I assure you the deSinisca bloodline is quite long and established." She rested her fork on the table and picked up her glass of wine again.

Mentally she arrayed what little ammunition she had against him in front of her.

She smiled apologetically. "I'm afraid I'm still not sure why you invited me to your lovely home, Baron."

[Skafloc]

Skafloc savored the salad. It was quite fresh.

" Oh I know the deSinisca line is quite distinguished. As is the Nex'cruor and the Ran'Deau, although admittedly there was a hiccup there for a generation or two. "

Skafloc wiped his mouth with the napkin and took a tip of wine.

" As to the point of the meeting. It is in fact related to those family lines very closely. "

Setting down his glass, Skafloc reached over to the small table near him and removed the old leather bound journal.

" When I re-entered the deFafnyr estate as Baron, I took it upon myself to do some much needed rennovations and house cleaning. Danzrielle was not the best house manager. In the course of cleaning the cellar storage rooms I came across a cache of personal journals. Very old, written by my ancestor Danyxandra Ran'Deau, prior to her untimely death."

A shadow of sadness flashed across his face momentarily, quickly cover up.

" This one in particular is interesting, as it mentions some of the family trees and relations of the houses Ran'Deau, Nex'Cruor and their cousins the deStrasza and deFafnyr. There were ties between the Ran'Deau and others for generation. Unavoidable with their holdings here in the same valley for ages. As you know, after the Ran'Deau's were .. shall we say.. relieved of their holdings of the Vinyard and Herb plantation, the Nex'cruor handed control of those to their cousins the deFafnyr and deStrazsa. "

Skafloc handed the volume over across the table to Villayna.

" Feel free to borrow that for your own reading. It is quite fascinating stuff. One entry in particular you will find intriguing. The mention of Silmarra, a daughter of the head Vinter at the Ran'Deau Vinyards, a man named Henril. She eventually became the unlikely wife of your ancestor, Trennor deSinisca."

Skafloc paused, taking some more salad and letting her take in the information.

[Vilmah]

((Makin' me hungry for salad. >.> Nice stuff. Ya'll high-class types is interestin'.))

[Mortica]

Villayna softly stabbed at an errant bit of spinach. Finding success, she brought the dark green bite up to her mouth and chewed, letting the earthy taste strenthen her for the performance she was about to give.

Tilting her head to one side, she leaned in and reached over to pull the journal closer. The Ran'Deau firehawk emblem was embossed into the leather cover. She painted a look of polite disinterest onto her face, and opened the cover.

"The Journal of Danyxandra Ran'Deau," she read outloud. She paused for a moment to pretend to let the importance sink in. "Oh, how utterly fascinating," she gushed. She pulled the journal closer and thumbed through some of the pages. "I'm sure the historical society would be beside themselves if they knew such a treasure existed!"

She closed the journal firmly and slid it off to the side. Leaning back in her chair, her face shifted immediately back to a neutral, emotionless pose.

"While I enjoy reading stories of the days before the destruction of the sunwell, I still fail to see the relevance to our current situation. My estate is strong. Your lands seem to be prospering now that they have a competant manager."

"I know that you have been to Draenor and..." she paused, unable to squelch the shadow of sorrow that passed across her face. "...and you know that the stage is much larger than one who has never been there could fathom."

She assumed he knew of Kael'thas, of the naaru, of the enormosity of the Burning Legion. Gathering herself, she sat up straight and looked him in the eye. "So please, let us get to the point of this luncheon. You hint at a union of forces, but you have not yet stated the objective."

She pushed the mostly empty plate of salad to the side and pulled the main course in front of her. Picking up fork and knife, she carefully sliced a bit of the meat into a manageable size and waited for his response.

[Skafloc]

Skafloc set his fork down and moved his plate to the side. As if on cue Chauncey appeared magically to whisk it away and wiped the table deftly.

Skafloc topped up his wine again and leaned back in his chair, regarding Villayna with a considering look.

" Well, yes. To the point. Indeed there are several points, all intertwined, and in fact my lady has shown much insight as you have touched upon them all just now."

Skafloc took a sip, letting the dark liquid swish over his palate before swallowing.

" This is the last of the old deStrasza label." he said, holding up his glass. " You say business is going well. Yes, yes it is, for now. However in this one regard, the vinyard, there is a challenge. Your own lands prosper, I know. Your vines are growing well. We on the other hand are still recovering from the attack of last season. Many new plantings have been made and the scars have been all but wiped clean, but it will be a few more seasons before those new plantings bear fruit enough for a good yield. The problem is in fact management. "

Skafloc leaned in towards Villayna for emphasis. " We are stretched thin in fact. Yes the mana groves of the Nex'Cruor and the herb plantation here," Skafloc gestures around him, " they do well enough, but I am one man at the moment. As you know the Duke and Lady Danyxandra have left. When or if they return I cannot say. I am running the three family holdings at the moment, and coupled with my work on Draenor it is considerable work. The groves and herbs are manageable, as they are well established. The vineyard on the other hand. Well, it needs direct support. More than I can afford, and certainly more skilled attention than my staff have the know how to perform in this rebuilding time. You see, the head vinter was among the dead that we could not restore. "

Skafloc's voice dropped a decibel, forcing Villayna to lean closer to hear.

" Yes, I know about Draenor, and what Kael'thas is up to. I also have learned that his treachery goes beyond the present, but was well established year ago. Villayna, he has had the means to restore the Sunwell all this time. Did you know that? "

Skafloc shook his head. " There is a storm coming Villayna. One that the majority of our own peoples are oblivious to, so enthralled they are by the legend of Kael'thas the Deliverer. Kael'Thas, Prince of the Sindorei. They listen to the promises and feed on the fel energies, energies he himself doomed us to, tied us to. All for his own purposes I fear. I daresay our stewards in the Sun Spire know this all too well. Soon, I suspect all this, mine , yours , ours will be gone. Or will be if those of us who know do not shore up our defences in mutual support and silently prepare ourselves. "

Skafloc leaned back in the chair.

" Villayna. I offer you the ownership of the former deStrasza vineyard. You have the expertise and the resources to get it on its feet again. You also can aid in seeing to the security and defence of its staff. All I ask in return is an interest in seeing the people taken care of, a modest share and your support in helping with this imminent threat. "

" Besides.. it is fitting that it be managed by a deStrasza again. You see, another tidbit in that book I discovered. Their names were Henril and Silmarra deStrasza. "

[Mortica]

((squeel! I have a busy day today and tomorrow at work, so not sure if I'll get a chance to reply today. *kicks all of her students out of the lab* "I don't care if today is your last lab, I have important things to do!"

oh, and if Villy had ever seen star wars, she'd be pulling an Admiral Ackbar about now, lol


http://shootagainamusements.com/itsatrap/akbar.jpg))

[Mortica]

Villayna picked up her wine glass and swirled its contents. "There are numerous issues we would have to overcome. Not the least of which being an approval by the council to such a realignment of borders."

"There is also the issue of the missing duke. If Morgauth and his wife were to suddenly reappear from their honeymoon he would most likely nullify any agreement we have between ourselves."

Villayna's eyes narrowed and she frowned at a pink peony whose branch had grown over the gazebo's railing. Her voice drifted as she seemed to think outloud.

"I would have to consult with Dentley about the logistics of taking over a vineyard. If what you say is true about Silmarra then I may have vinter's blood in me but I confess, I have but the most academic of knowledge of the running of such an enterprise."

"Hrrrm. Yes. One, council approval. Two, insurance that the untimely reappearance of the duke wouldn't nullify any plans that we made. Three, logistics." Neatly trimmed nails tapped the table rhytmically.

She returned her gaze to Skafloc. She tilted her head to one side and regarded him thoughtfully.

"It is a pity you were such a fool and married for love. An arranged marriage between us would have overcome many obstacles."

[Skafloc]

(( Quick timeline note here. I have been playing this as if it transpired this past weekend. OOC I was away on a fishing trip, but explained it IC in game as being at the estate dealing with business. This is part of that business. The timing is important because of follow on events that have already been hinted at in my Communion thread and Lovely's Odd Couple thread. More will be explained in time. ))


"It is a pity you were such a fool and married for love. An arranged marriage between us would have overcome many obstacles." she said.

Hearing the words, Skafloc felt a pang in his chest. Married for love, Yes. But a fool? Skafloc realized he was drifting and glanced up at Villayna with more of a startled reaction than he had wished. Forcing a calm face he responded.

" Well, call me a romantic. Arranged marriages are not something that appealed to me. Frankly Villayna I am a little surprised that you hold to them. From what I have learned of you I always considered you would be amused at such an offer, if not insulted. "

Skafloc raised his glass to her before taking a sip. The irony was not lost on him, that the original intent of his marriage to Nymare was an arrangement.

" Yes Morgauth is away, but before he left he vested me with the controlling authority of the three businesses. Mistress Clys is still around, but takes little interest in the mundane affairs of the estates of late. I see no difficulty in obtaining the necessary signatures from the Council. Indeed, there are many there who might be more than happy to see this matter put to rest. One less issue to debate in an already overloaded agenda. "

Skafloc rose and walked over to the railing of the gazebo, looking out over the gardens. The afternoon sun washed over the colorful blossoms, the hum of honey bees a steady backdrop.

" If Morgauth should indeed return and take exception, well that is something I will have to deal with at that time. But frankly I think he is beyond caring overly much about the mundane workings of the Houses anymore. He has found his love, after a long wait. He is where he wished to be. With whom he wishes to be. That is his sole purpose I feel. "

Skafloc turned back to face Villayna.

" He would accept it knowing that the vineyards remain in the family. For remote as it stands Silmarra was a deStrasza, albeit from a side branch. As I mentioned before, this is not a large valley and our families, all of them, have been here long enough for there to be many ties. It is time we consolidated them, once and for all, for the betterment of the whole. "

Skafloc leaned on the gazebo guardrail and sipped his wine. There was little else to tell. It was her move now.

[Mortica]

Villayna resisted the urge to smirk at her host's discomfort. He was, after all, offering her something she'd wanted for quite some time.

"Arranged marriages come in many varieties, my friend. I have no love for those arrangements made between desperate parents of children too young to understand either love or lust, do not get me wrong. Arrangements should benefit those who enter into the contract, not those whose actions or inactions put them into a position where they were forced to barter their children like cattle."

"Arrangements made by skilled matchmakers, on the otherhand, have a certain romantic quality to them. I believe those marriages have better longevity than those who pick their own partner. And arrangments made for the mutual benefit of those who enter into the contract?" She shrugged. "There is love, and there are contracts. Whoever's bright idea it was in the dawn of time to mix the two was hopefully hanged, eviscerated, and left out for the buzzards to dine upon."

The bottle of white wine was nearly empty, so she poured the last bit into her glass and stood up slowly. She smoothed the front of her dress and picked up the glass and turned to Skafloc.

"I will need to discuss this with my lawyer and with Dentley, but for now be assured that I am interested in pursuing this course of action. I do not believe there is a need for haste in the matter?"

She didn't wait for a response, but continued on. "Is there anything else you wished to discuss today, Baron?" She tossed back her head and finished off the glass of wine. She placed the empty glass on the table and waited for a response from the melancholy hunter.

[Skafloc]

Skafloc empties his own glass and set it down next to hers.

" No, there is not any reason for haste. I would rather ensure it was done properly and with all possible issues examined than a rush job. That is all the business I had to discuss, unless you had some things of your own you wished to talk about? Otherwise, feel free to stay for as long as you wish, to enjoy the gardens. But I will understand if you are short on time. I can have your mount brought up to the front porch at your convenience. "

Skafloc waved to Chauncey, who loitered just out of view near the back door to the kitchens. In response the man nodded and approached with a parcel wrapped in fine linen.

" I thank you for coming to talk with me about this. I sincerely hope this opens a new chapter in both of our families. Not to mention a united stand against what is happening in Draenor. I have prepared a gift for you. " At the sign from Skafloc, Chauncey offered up the parcel to Villayna.

" They are flower bulbs. A very recent variety of orchid we have managed to cultivate in our greenhouses. The perfume the flowers emit when mature has some significant soothing and relaxing properties, perfect for when one wishes to unwind. They are very easy to grow and need little maintenance and care. Perfect for your gardens or as potted flowers for your baths. "

[Mortica]

She smiled graciously and bowed her head slightly as she received the gift. "It is interesting to note that I have a similarly themed gift for you as well."

She reached into a hidden pocket and pulled out a small metal pill box. She thumbed the box open and lifting it in the palm of her hand, she held it out for her host to inspect. "You have heard of dreamless sleep potions, no? These are essentially condensed versions with similar ingredients but distilled and solidified for easier transportation. The alchemist who created them made three varieties. I have included the two useful types in equal numbers in this box. The red pills organize your thoughts while sleeping, allowing you to awake with a clear head and a focused mind. The blue pills are similar but instead rejuvinate the body, cleansing both the digestive and the musculature systems."

She snapped the lid close with a flick of her thumb and held it out to him.

"While I would love to take you up on your offer to spend more time in this truly lovely garden of yours, I'm afraid I do need to take care of matters on my own estate."

[Skafloc]

Skafloc bowed and accepted the box.

" My thanks for your gift. I am certain they will be welcome indeed at times."

Skafloc moved from the railing and gestured the way to the paths leading to the front of the estate. "Come I shall walk you to the front then."

He then tilted his head to regard Villayna with a curious look.

" You mentioned three varieties were developed of thise pills, yet only 2 are useful? So, what is it that the third does? "

[Mortica]

They walked back slowly through the garden towards the front of the house. "Seeing as how you have the acquaintance of Demitri, then you must know his mate, Mortica?"

"She is the alchemist in question. I was at their home recently and after dinner we were catching up on gossip and recent happenings. She has quite the constitution, let me tell you. I'm not sure if it is an undead thing, but the woman can drink like a fish." Villayna shook her head incredulously. "She was putting down three or four Darkmoon Faire's to every glass of wine that I had."

"Anyway, as the evening progressed and she became more inebriated, we began discussing various philosophies, and it seems she has a theory that all ailments originate within the body, the mind, or the soul."

Villayna made the briefest eye contact with her host before continuing.

"It was late and I don't recall the entirety of the conversation. However, about two weeks later I received a parcel of mail from her. Inside were three small bottles of pills with a short hand-written note explaining the different varieties."

They arrived at the front of his home, and a young boy with tossled blonde hair scurried up with her horse in tow. The boy bowed to her and handed her the reigns. He then bowed to Skafloc and ran off as quickly as he appeared, a huge grin on his face.

Villayna faced Skafloc squarely, her horse behind her. "The red and blue pills were created to cleanse the mind and the body as you sleep. The yellow ones she sent were to cleanse the soul. Unlike the red and blue ones, the yellow ones had absolutely no effect when I tried them."

She shrugged and grinned. Turning, she effortlessly mounted the horse in one smooth motion. The horse fidgetted, eager to stretch its legs. She tugged at the reigns and ran her other hand along his neck, patting him gently.

"If you run out pills, I believe Mortica has been expanding her alchemy business and would love to have another customer."