Maybe I was a little too brusque.
What can I say? Wickedness runs through my veins. I just wish she would hurry up and take the hint. I need to focus.
Ivy steps further into the cave, bringing her tantalising scent with her. “There’s no need to be so rude. I only came to say hello. You’ve been gone all day. Did you find any more bugbears?”
There’s no missing the shudder as she recalls the memory of the bugbear, and I finally give her the attention she so obviously craves.
“No. It appears the creature was alone, but fret not. I’ve set up various wards to keep it away from the mountain.”
While using up all my magic in the process,princess…
It is quite strange. I’m sacrificing what little magic I have just to keep her safe. Maybe I did get the short end of the stick in our bargain after all.
She’s going to drain my reserves at this rate.
“Thank goodness. At least I don’t have to worry about any nasty bugbears from now on. I’ve barely recovered from that last one.”
She giggles nervously, and I study her again.
I think she’s trying to make small talk. She can’t bethatdesperate for companionship, can she?
Now silence lingers in her stead, and I suppose her singsong voice does make an agreeable change to the dreariness.
Ivy is slowly bleeding life back into the mountain, and I’m not sure how to handle it.
I regard her once more in my peripheral vision. It appears she has nothing left to discuss. Still, I indulge her a little longer. “Is there something else you need?”
“Yes,” she replies. “Since it’s safe to go back outside, I was wondering if it would be okay if I collected firewood. The hearth died an hour ago, and I’ve grown rather cold.”
I snort. “Well, wear a coat.”
She watches me incredulously. “Well, I’m sorry for thinking that you would care.”
“I don’t.”
The human stares at me, dumbfounded, and I guess it’s too late to take back what I said.
Finally, she breathes a melancholy sigh, then vanishes from the cave.
Thank the goddess. Maybe now I can get some work done.
I turn back to my bookkeeping, placing another gold piece onto an enchanted pile.
Steady, focus…
The coins wobble, and I holdmy breath.
To my relief, the pile remains intact, and I wipe the sweat from my brow. I’ve got this.
My magic might not fail me just yet.
“It’s my birthday tomorrow.”
I lose focus, and now I watch, helplessly, as the pile topples across the desk, right along with my magic and pride.
She made me lose my concentration, and all I can see now is bright vermilion.
Ivy visibly pales when I turn, giving her my undivided attention.
