Chapter 6: Halisendra

  A shaky hand reached out to tap on the door. The mistress hated to be disturbed, but nothing like this had ever happened in the history of, well, ever.

  “My mistress, observation post thirty four has gone dark.” Dint blurted as he fully entered the mistress Halisendra, the White Willow’s, grand quarters.

  “Dint, you interrupt me. Why?” an impossibly velvety voice floated from the tall backed parlor chair situated in the far corner of the room.

  “Well, M-mistress. It appears that- That Observation post thirty-”

  “Dint, do I appear to have ears?”

  “Y-yes mistress. They are certainly the most capable ears in the land.” He hurriedly responded.

  “If they are so capable, then why.” She took a sultry breath. “Why would you, Dint, answer my question with the same information you so rudely interrupted my morning meditation with?”

  “I- I meant no disrespect, mistress, it is just that. Well, you know.”

  “No, Dint, I don’t know. What I do know is that if you don’t supply me with information pertinent to this… occurrence with your next breath it may very well likely be your last.”

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  “Mistress, the enslaved-”

  “Partnered” She corrected.

  “The partnered creature you designated for observation of the golem village was attacked by some type of.. Beast. It was destroyed.”

  “Deactivated, Dint. Words matter. It was Deactivated.”

  “Of course, my mistress.”

  “Well, what do you propose you should do about it, Dint?” she sighed, shifting her body restlessly.

  “We have already dispatched a more… capable, partner to the area. We anticipate only 2 hours without direct sight of the area. The golems are slow and complacent, it is very unlikely that they will do anything appreciable in that time.” He rattled off, ensuring he used the correct language.

  “Dint, that is acceptable. I’ll not ask for your life this morning. Initiative is valuable. Dismissed.”

  Dint turned on his heel and departed without delay. He’d need to change his undergarments as soon a s possible.

  A seemingly complacent bone-straight white haired, black eyed woman gazed out her tower window. Inside, outrage roiled- who would dare attack her in this manner? Those golems knew their place, they always have. As delicious as they were, they were rather dull creatures. Thus, it was highly unusual for them to attack on their own initiative like this. Had something changed? Perhaps another of her enemies conspired against her. A milky white tear rolled down her cheek, collecting at her chin and then falling, as if in slow motion, to the arm of the chair. As it touched the fabric, the material underneath crumpled. It was as if the very bonds that held the fabric together withered to nothing.

  “Poor little rabbit.” she said, coldly, looking down to the neat hole left in the arm of the chair.

  “Dint! You’ve caused me to ruin my favorite chair. Fetch another!” She shouted at the rapidly retreating footsteps.