"Yes, the stew is almost ready," (Patreon)

I replied.  "But what's that to you?  Surely you don't think you'll be getting any."

"Ol' Ash'll convert you to the Unseelie way," Burnside chuckled.  "He's a bona-fide expert.  You thought you were gainin' the upper hand didn't you?  Thought you were finally gettin' in control o' thangs.  Nope.  Ash was a-pullin the strangs the whole time.  Sooner you give in, the sooner you can start gettin' stuff done an' havin fun."

"That's just what I need," I snorted.  "Another crazy old fox trying to mentor me.  This will be, what, the third one?  No thanks.  He's wasting his time."

"We'll see," Burnside remarked thoughtfully.  "Might as well untie me.  I done my part an' they don't have no more need of me.  Just gimme some stew an' I promise I'll be good an' do your biddin.  Elves don't lie, not even the Unseelie ones."

"Yes, let's have some stew," Lysander chimed in as he sniffed the steam rising from the cauldron.  "You say there's no lizard in it, right?"

I briefly thought of using a Gramarye to give the stew hypnotic properties so I could place these two completely in my thrall, but it would be hard to pull off with them standing right there watching me.  Besides, it would be redundant since Burnside had already promised to do my bidding, and Lysander was still bound by a "contract" which apparently was the lowfolk equivalent of a solemn & sacred oath, which he would not dare to break.  Furthermore, hypnotizing them was clearly Unseelie and I wasn't going to go down that path!

So I just apported some bowls and let Lysander spoon out helpings while I untied Burnside.

"Mmm," Lysander mumbled as he doled out a second bowlful for himself.  "This stew is really good.  It reminds me in a way of a banana chowder my mother used to make.  I'm glad you didn't put lizard in it.  Not many people around here are that considerate.  Yes, it really tastes great.  I guess you're maybe not so bad after all, Mr. Elf."

"Why thank you," I beamed, strangely pleased by the monkey's compliments.  "It's not easy making bugs and moss taste good."

"PHHHHT," Lysander replied.

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