"Yes," (Patreon)

Ash confirmed.  "I really think so.  Elves do not lie.  Burnside is the most experienced person currently in your employ - aside from Lana and myself, of course - and is therefore the most logical choice.  Being an elf makes her inherently more valuable and more likely to succeed than any of your lowfolk underlings.  And if things go sour, Burnside's combat experience will allow her to extract Oonagh and Didelphis and make good her escape.  Either way, that will still be a successful mission."

"But if it comes to violence," I protested, "Oonagh's reputation will be forever tarnished.  She'll be permanently labeled a witch.  She'll never be able to show her face in town again."

"True," Ash agreed.  "But what of it?  You should have thought of that before putting her in this situation.  Our intention is for you to rule Faerie some day.  A monarch must THINK before he acts.  He cannot always expect that others will be able to step in and clean up his messes."

"Every ruler has people serving and supporting him," I pointed out.

"Right, but one should not become over-reliant on them," Ash pointed out.  "Perhaps I shouldn't remind you of this, but the one who cleans up the king's messes has power over the king.  He could topple the throne simply by deciding not to do his job.  Now then, to get back to the subject at hand, let me make sure I understand the plan.  Burnside will show up at the trial at a dramatic moment, disguised as Didelphis.  Without actually lying, she will imply that child Didelphis is her relative having an out of control tantrum.  Then O'Hoppity - if he knows what's good for him - will step forward and declare that he was mistaken.  The mob will be appeased and all charges against Oonagh will be dropped.  Have I got all of that correct?  After this call is finished, there will not be time to change course."

Ash seemed much too happy about my choice of Burnside for this mission.  That alone was enough to give me second thoughts.  Was he playing mind games again?  Should I choose someone else just to spite him?  No, I decided that would be petty, and doing the opposite of what he suggested would still be letting him control my actions.  I needed to choose my own course and stick to it regardless of what he said.

"Well?" Ash impatiently interrupted my musings.  "Time is running out.  We both have preparations to make.  You are in charge here.  What do you want me to do?"

"Yes," I decided.  "This is the plan we will to go with."

"Very well," Ash confirmed.  "I will make sure the members of the jury are favorably disposed towards Oonagh and I will make sure O'Hoppity knows what is expected of him.  The trial is in two days.  Have an Ixie tail me so I can notify you of when the exact time will be once everything is finalized.  In the meantime, train your personnel and make sure Burnside knows exactly what she is to do."

"I will take care of it," I declared.

"Excellent.  Always a pleasure.  Take care."

The Mumble-Mug went silent, and I lowered it from my ear.  The worst part about speaking with Ash was that even when he said I was in charge, he somehow managed to make it sound condescending, like he was speaking to a child.  I shook my head and glanced over at my entourage.

"Well?" Rebecca inquired.  "What do you want us to do?"

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