"What's the big idea," (Patreon)

Oak muttered, "calling my great-uncle an elf?"

"He is one," I replied.  "You know he's not a marten, right?  He's a fox."

"Yeah, so?"

"Well, he insinuated - er, was adopted into your family.  I discovered that he is originally from Vulpitania, which is a region of Faerie, and his real name is not Ash."

Oak gazed at me silently.  How much should I tell her?  With the trees listening, I would not be able to prevent Ash from finding out - assuming he was still alive.

"Look, you uh, you shouldn't trust him," I concluded lamely.

"Oh, I've always known he was shady," Oak shrugged.  "We actually haven't seen much of him lately, since we moved away.  I hope you didn't make me come all the way out here just to tell me that."

"No, no, I wanted to ask how you and your family are doing," I clarified.  "I feel deeply responsible for the misfortune that befell you."

"That's nice, because you are deeply responsible," Oak replied.  "We're doing all right, finally starting to get back on our feet after that upset.  Dad's business acumen is serving us in good stead, and my hairdressing skills are becoming known around our new home.  Taking a vacation to come see you is costing me business, by the way."

"I'll make it up to you," I promised.  "So your family's finances are in good shape?"

"Not really, but it's just a matter of time til we get back on our feet."

"You're more than welcome to work for me if -" I started to offer.

"No offense, Your Lordship, but after seeing what happened to us, and whatever disaster this is that I walked in on the tail-end of, I want nothing more to do with your plans.  They never seem to end well."

"That's harsh," I protested.  "But fair, I suppose.  I need to talk with Vernier, and then before you go, we'll figure out your compensation.  I want you at least to be able to tell everyone that the White Elf is generous."

I turned to Vernier and asked, "The person you saw attacking the rabbits; could that have been Burnside disguised as Didelphis?"

"Maybe," Vernier shrugged.  "Come to think of it, I believe I did hear her yell 'dagnabbit' at one point."

"Are you sure you didn't see Rebecca?  She was disguised as a nondescript villager."

"I saw lots of nondescript villagers, sir," Vernier replied.  "If one of them was Rebecca, I didn't recognize her, and she likewise showed me no sign of recognition."

"You say the courthouse exploded.  Is it possible that Oonagh and Didelphis survived?"

"I didn't see it, but the sound was very loud.  Reverend O'Hoppity survived, so I suppose it is possible that others did as well."

"And what of Ash?  Did he vanish?"

"I assume so," Vernier speculated, "since people were saying that the Reverend had banished him to hell."

A sequence of events was beginning to form in my mind, which - if true - meant I would have stern words for Ash regarding his tactics next time we spoke.  If we ever did.

"Well, I'm out of ideas," I admitted.  "And even if I had one, experience has proven that most of mine are bad.  Do you have any advice?"

"Well, sir, if I may," Vernier sighed.  "I would advise you to lay low for a while.  The rabbits have got their dander up, as Miss Burnside would say, and their prayers seem to be uncannily effective against you.  Give them time to cool off.  If nothing happens for a while then they will relax and let down their guard."

"How long do you think that will take?" I asked.

"No idea," Vernier shrugged.

"Drat those rabbits!" I exclaimed, as I turned and began to pace.  "Double drat them!  If Oonagh and Didelphis were killed, this means war!  Not only have they hampered my ability to communicate with my followers, but now they've robbed me of the opportunity to prove that I am Seelie!  THIS WILL NOT STAND!!"

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