Hall of Ancestors (Ballad) (Patreon)

"Thou'rt misinformed, vile Tailipo," one of the Ixies answered haughtily.  "A contract was not discussed and we received no payment from thy hand.  Sugar we found on the floor obliges us to nought."

"I have more," Alice replied smoothly, holding out her hand.

"GADS!" one of the Ixies gasped.  "Look at it!  So sweet .. so white .. so glistening .. there's enough there to keep us buzzing for days."

"Be strong, sisters.  Remember, this is the wicked creature that -"

"What wouldst thou have us do?" the third Ixie cooed as she clutched drunkenly at Alice's fingers.

......

As soon as the pies started flying, Avogadro leaped in front of me, shoving me to the ground.

"Anyone who dares sully my lady's snowy pelt with vile pie," he shrieked.  "Anyone who so much as casts anything other than an adoring look upon her, shall answer to ME, and this heavy custard meringue which I hold in my hand!"

"I, Sweetcheeks, award contestant seven a bonus of four thousand points," the Vulpsmarshal exclaimed.  "For quick thinking, misdirection, and mayhem!  It shows true Vulpitanian spirit, and is exactly what the Pie-Fight Valkyrie would have done!  I look forward to dining with you this evening!"

"Schut opp, you dumkopf," SALV Chesswick hissed as she hunched defensively over the judges' table.  "Der king ist gettink avay!"

Estmere vanished with a sudden POOK.

When did he ever have the Talent to master any Magick, let alone a powerful spell like Pooka Vanish?  Something wasn't right here.

......

"You mean it was a mistake to have mentioned it to me at all," Glenholm Webb deduced.  "Perhaps it was, young elf.  Perhaps it was.  For, if I'm not mistaken .. you said you followed her from the Gladsome Antglade .. that means you are the missing Agent Lemeuel O'Possum .. in which case .. considering your other hints .. this supposed vixen Relda Fauxfox is actually the rebellious Prince Adler in a transmogrified guise, the same form he must have used to sabotage the Vulpitanian Embassy several months ago.  By the Lady!  So he really was guilty!  That means you must be a turncoat currently in service to the Duchess of Daisies, and the Prince is here on a mission of .. hmm .. I would have guessed sabotage or assassination, but the two of you have wasted several perfect opportunities so that can't be your objective.  Perhaps .. if Prince Adler doesn't know you're following him, then he may have come out of brotherly affection, to warn the Emperor of his approaching army and the Duchess's not-so-secret ambition."

......

Percy half-flew, half-scampered back to the plaza, which was a pandemonium of flying pies and pie-like objects.  He dodged through the confusion and slid under the pie-eating table on the contest stage.

"You haff der files?" the portly vixen asked him.  "Giff zem to me."

"Not much here," she mused as she flipped through the pages.  "Fuma in himmel!  Zo, zat vas her, vas it?  Hmm, zis changes everyzing."

"Er, I don't mean to be rude," Percy interjected.  "But I think someone is following me, and I really should be moving on."

"No vun vill dare touch you as lonk as you are mit me," Miss Chubb stated calmly.  "Zo schtay put.  Zat is ein order."

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