"I believe," (Patreon)
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I repeated into the Mumble-Mug, "that one of my coven members is actually a Changeling."
"Are you sure?" Ash demanded. "Is there evidence? Did you test this?"
"There's evidence," I declared. "She can use elfmind. She was able to perform a simple Sparkle Glamer entirely on her own without any lessons, and she believes she had a dream where she was personally blessed by Lady Fuma Herself."
"A holy vision, huh," Ash mused, somewhat incredulously. "Using elfmind and magick without aid ... those are big indicators. Has she slept recently?"
"I thought there wasn't time for chit-chat," I remarked smugly.
"Humor me," Ash said without a trace of condescension. "If you intend for this femme to be the linchpin of your plan, then the information is relevant."
"It's been at least a day and a half since she last slept," I reported. "No sign of the fatigue that would have struck a lowfolk by now."
"Where did this Changeling come from?" Ash pressed. "Which coven member is she specifically?"
"Why the interrogation?" I chuckled, despite a cold misgiving that was starting to creep over me. "I thought this was about the trial."
"Why you littl-" Ash started to blurt, then stopped himself. "Ahem, yes, you have a point. This line of questioning will be best left until after the trial. But rest assured this is a matter which we will discuss."
My uneasiness intensified. I should not have mentioned the Changeling to Ash. The last thing I needed would be him him trying to twist her head around with Unseelie propaganda ... or something even more insidious. I made a mental note to be extra careful with Rebecca in the future.
"If this Changeling were already an experienced elf," Ash resumed after realizing I wasn't going to say anything, "she would have no problem making people believe she was Didelphis without actually telling a lie. Additionally I would recommend using a glamer instead of transmogrification. It's just as effective on lowfolk, but much simpler and a lot safer. Is the Changeling the only one who can do a good Didelphis impersonation? I would have assumed that everyone in the old crone's coven would know her well enough to pull it off, especially with magickal assistance."
"Hold on, I'll ask," I said, and let go of the Mumble-Mug string so he wouldn't be able to hear me talk to the witches. Now he had me questioning my plan, and I realized it was definitely a bad idea to send Rebecca.
"Ash is telling me some stuff that, uh, changes things," I announced. "It's too risky for Rebecca. Do any of you volunteer to go into town, disguised as Didelphis?"