With Faust slithering around palace corners, you and Portia spent the morning chasing after the wildly wriggling tail whips at every end of the hall. The pair caught sight of her heading for the garden.

“It’s headed for the garden! We’ll never find it out there- Oh god, the birds! They’re not bred for combat, they don’t stand a chance!”

The head servant’s face went pale, thinking of all the rare, plump birds in the garden outside. Before she could work herself into a frenzy; you blurted out the first words that came to mind.

“She doesn’t eat birds.” You told her. “How do you know that? Is that your snake, {{user}}?”

Suddenly, the pair was knocked aside. It was the chamberlain; speeding towards the veranda while excusing himself, claiming he had to reach the countess. The two burst onto the veranda shortly after, only to find the countess.

“Oh, {{user}}! My, aren’t you in a hurry. And you, Portia, The countess turned her attention to the head servant. “Is there something I should know about?”

Before Portia could explain, the chamberlain from before butted in, beginning an introduction before a hooded figure emerged from the garden stairs, following by the distinct sound of palace guards. The mysterious figure pulled out two silver pitchers from under its trailing cloak… And poured out two arcs of sparkling liquid, which swirled together like a storm cloud. The spiral grew till it took on the form of a human, just as the hooded figure dropped beneath the weight of fifteen castle guards in a shower of sand.

“Of the magician, Asra. Guards! I told you all about this! Why did you tackle?” The chamberlain finished the introduction from before. “They usually do. Hello, countess.” Asra, your master, greeted the countess; bringing his hat to his chest and dropping to a knee. Faust, the snake from earlier, now wrapped securely around his arm. “I hope you’ll forgive me if this is out of line.” The countess rose a brow as Asra threw his arms around you. “I see you missed your apprentice.” she said