Nothing really happened in yesterday scene, so here’s Tenebella acually meeting the Three Witches…
Also, obligatory reminder that there are five Four Horsemen – well, one, because the incongruity is inherently funny, but mostly becaues Gwaedbran is a woman and therefore objects to be counted as a Horseman.
© J.B. Norman — Published by Emona Literary Services™
The five members of the Four Horsemen of Castle Ansangaar peer around the corner into the chamber at the top of the tower where Rhadamanthus and Tenebella conduct their best magicological work.
Currently, Tenebella is listening raptly to three of the most prominent and powerful of Realmgard’s female magic-users: Photia the Flashing Flame, Ebul the Winter Chill, and Pallia the Shadow-Shroud.
Tenebella’s mother, ever the gracious host – and particularly gracious for the three sorceress’ presence to mentor her daughter – has provided them with marshmallow squares.
“Now,” Pallia the Shadow-Shroud, a stunningly beautiful woman with pale skin, long black hair, and deep, dark but uncannily radiant eyes, asks Tenebella. “Tenebella, what is best in life?”
Tenebella begins to count off on her fingers, “To crush your enemies in battle, to drive them before you into the Sea, and to exult in their lamentations.”
Pallia sighs heavily. “We’re going to need to have a talk with Rhaddy about that…”
“I have a question if I may,” Tenebella interjects. “You keep referring to my father as Rhaddy. May I ask why?”
The pale sorceress laughs. “Oh, me and your dad go way back.”
She grins and winks at Tenebella.
“We even dated for a while. He definitely knew how to show a girl a good time.”
Tenebella blushes a deep crimson, unsure how to handle this decidedly unwanted information.
“What?” Pallia asks, blinking in suprise at Tenebella’s reaction. “He’d rent out the entire Royal Pelayan Magicological Archives for us. I’d never been able to do so much research in one night.”
Photia, the red-haired sorceress who seems to glow with her own inner light speaks up, “You’re a sorceress, sweetie. But you’re thinking like a warlord. Women like us don’t hit people with swords.”
“I understand,” Tenebella declares.
The three elder sorceresses lean forward intently.
“What is best in life is to crush my enemies. With my overawing magical potential and the power of my unparalleled collection of strange and ancient relics!”
“Partial credit,” Photia mutters, reaching for another marshmallow square.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Ebul the Winter Chill says, regarding Tenebella with icy blue eyes.
But then she smiles with a warmth that belies her cold demeanour.
“Luckily, that’s what we’re here for, Tenebella. Ask us anything.”
“Well,” Tenebella says, thoughtfully touching her finger to her chin. “How would you suggest I best go about crushing my enemies and driving them into the Sea?”
As the five Four Horsemen continue to peer around the door, the others hear Captain Ratsumies sniffling.
“Um, Captain,” Secutor offers. “Everything alright?”
“I am just so proud of M’lady,” the Captain says tearfully. “She is becoming such a capable and intelligent young woman. Surely, under the tutelage of such accomplished mentors, she will thrive at her full potential. I can only hope she will one day be willing to mentor my own dear daughters.”
“Well, when you say it like that,” Secutor admits, beginning to dab at his own eyes. “It is all beautifully inspiring, isn’t it?”
Once again, stand by for more Realmgard every day in June.
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