All our combined Charisma, and Kaline’s and Vedette’s, sohow persuades Minette and Lamant to allow us to go visit a beast taming friend that needs us. Not exactly a lie.
The friend in question that we’re using for this ruse is a widow who lives alone, with her children not living in the area. She has a sick beast, a wild boar, that she needs help with. Since this is a noble act, Lamant and Minette send us off, and we even persuade Lamant to let us bring Gussie. Then, we et Hans and Shade and Niall outside the estate.
Phase One accomplished. That’s the easy part. Now for the hard part.
With Niall along for the ride, we et up with Hans’ carriage on the road to the village, and get inside for the ride to the Lamrmoor estate. I still can’t believe we managed to bluff Lamant and Minette, but our Charisma scores carried the day, not to ntion our Luck scores.
When I played the ga as a human, I thought Charisma and Luck were useless, because they depended on factors such as personality and random chance. Damon was right. I was trying to control the ga instead of allowing it to unfold naturally. Now, I’m a big believer in Charisma and Luck.
The journey to the Lamrmoor estate passes before we know it, so busy are we with planning and strategizing and thinking of all the ways this plan could backfire. Like Luck and Charisma, we can’t control every detail. We can only trust in our plan, and in my case, in the guidance of the System. Since the System has not steered wrong, I believe in its guidance.
This ti, I’m willing to trust the ga.
Kaline’s hand stroking my ears makes everything worthwhile. I’d do anything to stay close to her. She’s my one constant in this world. I’m grateful for Demos and Gussie and Lobo and the others, but Kaline is the one who matters. And I know that she likes Hans, and that taking down Lady Lamrmoor is best for Hans.
"You’re so brave," she whispers to .
A Say that again. Best complint of my life. I’ll follow you into a fiery pit if you just keep on loving .
The Lamrmoor mansion appears, and Hans gets out with Shade in his arms. He instructs the coachman to drive on.
"Mother will hear the coach and go out to greet it," he says by way of explanation. "We can’t risk her seeing you. We’ll go in the side door."
When we head toward the side entrance, Kaline and Vedette make sure the hoods of their cloaks, which they brought with them, are pulled up. A servant stops Hans, who has his straw hat pulled down over his eyes. "What are you doing with Young Master’s beast?"
Kaline says in an innocent girl voice, "Taking her for a walk."
"Humph! I like that. Go and take her back in this instant if you know what’s good for you."
We dart through the servants’ door and Hans grumbles, "My servants can take the beasts for a walk if they want!"
"At least you were convincing," Kaline says soothingly.
Lightning huffs. [I never liked that servant.]
[Is it just , or is Tomas’ friend the nicest servant here?] Demos asks.
[He most definitely is.] Lightning is still indignant.
I nudge Lightning. [We can settle this later and, when he takes over the house leadership, Hans can fire a lot of the grumpy servants.]
Cheered up, Lightning purrs. [Thanks, Blaze. You always make smile.]
Gussie just has to chi in. [Oh, do stop flirting, you two.]
[We are not flirting!]
Lighting and I shout the words in the mind-link, and Shade looks bored. [You are flirting and no one here cares. I certainly don’t. Where is this Lady Lamrmoor? Why are we avoiding her? This all seems suspicious...]
Apparently he hasn’t been paying attention. He’s the sort of creature who can’t see past his own nose. No one else in the world exists. But that’s a blessing. He can’t accidentally give us away.
[We don’t want to spoil the surprise.] Gussie is the master of quick thinking. [We want to present you properly.]
[If you say so.] Shade squirms in Hans’ arms. [You better make look good.]
[That is what we’re doing.] Gussie uses all her charm. [We’re taking you soplace where we can brush you and make you look good and put a House of Lamrmoor collar on you.]
[Hmmm. Go ahead.] Shade flicks his tail, a lord gesturing to his underlings to do his bidding.
I’d feel sorry for him being bonded with Lady Lamrmoor, except that he’s so cantankerous and self-absorbed. But we need him. Her’s our best hope.
Hans leads us to his own bedroom, which would cause the matrons and the servants of the household to clutch their pearls. Imagine, Hans alone unchaperoned with Kaline! Fortunately. Vedette and Niall are keeping a lookout in the hallway, and so are Demos and Gussie. Hopefully, no one will question why the household suddenly has a bear and a parrot wandering around.
Hans’ clothes are definitely practical here as he runs the bath in the marble bathtub. Statues of elves and beasts and magical creatures surround the bath. Kaline holds Shade and tries to be sweet to him, telling him all about how clean and handso he is going to be after his bath.
[Does this female ever stop talking?]
Shade’s callous words make see red, and Lightning growls. [Blaze, NO, we need him.]
Her growl stops , because I was this close to pushing him in the water.
Instead, I give him a verbal shellacking. ["That female" is my human who took pity on you and who knows Lady Lamrmoor. Show her so respect.]
Shade deigns to let Kaline lower him into the bath so Hans can wash him. [She’s only a human GIRL. She’s not even a great elven lady.]
Okay, he and Lady Lamrmoor definitely deserve each other.
I summon up all my patience. [How about a little gratitude, then?]
[Very little.]
Jerk. I take perverse pleasure when he whines over Hans soaking his ears.
After what seems like hours, Shade is washed, dried, and his fur fluffed so much that it seems to stand out like an aura around him. Hs ears look perfect, and his tail full.
"You’re ready," Hans comnts.
Demos growls. [We have company!]
Lady Lamrmoor’s voice follows seconds later, coming from the other side of the bathroom door. "Hans? Are you in here? Why are your servants keeping out?"
Oh no! We’re not ready.
"I’m in the middle of sothing, Mother," Hans calls out. "Why don’t you et in the training area? I have sothing new to show you."
"But why can’t I co in now? HANS. This is most irregular. I am your mother."
Demos is disgruntled. [Has the woman not heard of privacy?]
But Shade hears her voice, and he’s hypnotized. [I MUST SEE HER! Why are you keeping her from ? Listen to her exquisite voice. I was born to be her beast!]
As much as I appreciate his eagerness, Shade is going to ruin everything!
I nudge him. [Calm yourself. [We have to present you properly. There’s a ritual.]
That’s not a lie. There is a ritual. The Rite of Bond Transference. We have to get to the training area early and set up.
Hans calls out, "Mother, trust , please. This is a special surprise, because things have been so gloomy lately. I think you will like this surprise."
Lady Lamrmoor gives a long, dramatic sigh. "Very well. At least you are not mooning like a fool over that little Riddlehoeven girl whose parents are woefully ignorant of social nuances. At one ti I thought you might be a good match, but they have besmirched our na. That girl is unsuitable for our family."
Kaline’s mouth drops open, and she looks indignant. I want to chew Lady Lamrmoor’s best silk dress to bits.
"No more mooning, Mother." Hans is the perfect straight man. "Now, if you’ll et in the training area in twenty minutes--"
"Ten," Lady Lamrmoor barks.
Kaline whispers, "Can we prepare in ten?"
"We’ll have to," Hans murmurs. Then, he raises his voice. "Ten minutes, Mother."
"Good. I shall see you there."
The clicking of her heels going away is a beautiful sound.
Hans picks up Shade. "Ready to et your new tar?"
Shade gives a little bark in response.
"I have to change into my lord clothes," Hans says apologetically. "Take Shade to the training area. Lightning knows the way. I’ll et you there."
The rest of us rejoin Vedette and Niall in the hallway. "We couldn’t stop her," Vedette says apologetically.
"We’d need an Unending Forcefield," Niall mutters. "My, Shade looks more presentable. Let’s get him bonded with Lady Lamrmoor."
Shade wiggles around in Niall’s arms. "Stop it," Vedette chides. "You don’t want to ss up your fur. Let’s just go to the training area."
This is the mont of truth!
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