So who exactly was this Owter Cesawonki? (Patreon)

I flipped to the back of the booklet and read the "About the Author" page.  It didn't tell me much; just that Dr. Cesawonki had studied botany at the University of Fuchsburg and was currently (at the time of writing) a Horticultural Fellow at Vulpitania State.

That didn't tell me much about the elf, but the book itself seemed to be a treasure trove of forest lore!  I flipped through it quickly and saw that it contained detailed explanations of the specific talents of various plant species, as well as a basic grammar for The Voice of the Forest, and words of command that would guarantee plants' loyalty to the speaker.  This would all be extremely useful!

I could barely suppress a chuckle as I re-entered the scry space and located Ash Marten.

"Did your spy manage to find out anything useful?" he asked as soon as I connected.

"Not much," I admitted.  "Ash Marten is an enigma, but I did discover something about a certain Dr. Owter Cesawonki."

"Oh my!" Ash allowed himself a surprised little giggle.  "How delightful to hear that name again!  The Sisterhood is far better informed than I expected."

"Not exactly, Doctor," I smirked.  "You see, I happen to have in my possession a certain booklet regarding the tactical use of the Voice of the Forest, written by a certain Horticultural Fellow whose threats now ring completely hollow."

"You've read my monograph?" Ash bubbled.  "If we ever meet, please be sure to ask me to sign it for you.  It was commissioned by the Imperial authority, you know.  I put enough information in it to be useful to the Grand Marshal, but my dear boy, don't delude yourself into thinking that it contains ALL of my secrets."

"Give it a rest, Doctor," I scoffed.  "You have nothing to bargain with, and I'll tell you how I know.  When I sent the forest to attack your ally and business associate, the Duchess of Daisies, you were either unable or unwilling to stop them.  For that reason I don't think you can go to her now and expect any favors.  Your information regarding events in Faerie is out-of-date and highly speculative.  It seems to be mostly based on my own story, as overheard by your spies.  I don't think you have any elven connections at all.  As for your command of the forest, again referring to the previous arboreal battle, I don't think you are as much in control as you let on - and with the information in your scholarly report I should be able to deal with any sort of inconvenience you might pose to me.  You say you need me to be crowned so that I may pardon you?  Well, you should have approached me as a supplicant and offered your assistance in return for my favorable consideration.  Instead you came with ridiculous threats.  You've wasted your time as well as mine.  Good day, sir."

"Wait!" Ash barked.  "Am I right in understanding that you are dismissing me out of hand, and are not at all concerned about what I might do in retaliation?"

"Let's just say I'm not concerned enough to put up with you any longer," I replied.

"Wonderful!" Ash chuckled, as he doffed his hat and bowed slightly in my direction.  "I place myself at your service, Your Highness."

"What?" I answered incisively.

"I had surmised, based on the writings of Percy le Gobelet and some other tales that happened to make their way to me, that you were an easily manipulated fool.  If you are not, then that means I shan't be embarrassed working for you.  If it had transpired that you were indeed the fool I expected, well, obviously that would have been greatly to my benefit.  You can't fault an old Vulpitanian for trying a few tricks.  As a sign of good faith, I'll tell you everything I know about controlling the time slips.  You may think you have it figured out, but there are certain details that all the standard texts omit, which can only be learned by frequent experience.  Did you know, for example, that after putting your right foot in and taking it out, you can greatly solidify the temporal alignment by putting your foot back in again and shaking it all about?"

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