"You have already pledged to serve me," (Patreon)

I reminded Lana.  "So you are obligated to help me free of charge, whether I am pathetic or not."

"I only swore not to harm you," Lana glared.  "I'm having trouble remembering what else I may have agreed to.  Do you want to hear my advice or not?"

"Not particularly," I replied flippantly.

"Will you stop acting like  a difficult child?!" she shrieked.

"You're the one throwing a tantrum," I pointed out.  "I expected The Sisterhood's top agent to be more mature.  Go ahead and tell me your ideas then, if it will calm you down."

Lana gritted her teeth and tried to compose herself.

"First," she began after taking a deep breath, "you need someone here in the circle at all times, to receive visitors and notify you if any should show up.  Nothing makes an impression like a beautiful femme, and I know a few Sisterhood novices who would be willing to help out for the extra credit."

"Forget it," I scoffed.  "Having you show up occasionally is bad enough.  I don't want Floozies hanging around here full-time.  Next idea."

"Okay, second, you need to do something about these rabbits.  It looks bad for a claimant to the High Throne to let a bunch of lowfolk hinder his progress."

"BAH," I scoffed.  "Time will solve that one for me, as I explained.  If Burnside couldn't massacre the religious rabbits, then nobody can."

"There are other assassins besides that rabid raccoon, and other methods besides brute force, but whatever.  Moving on.  Third, you must authorize me to investigate further to ascertain Zandar's exact location and condition."

"NOT A CHANCE," I scoffed again.  "You and The Sisterhood are to stay away from there.  I do need to find out those things, but I'll do it some other way."

"I'd like to know how," Lana retorted.

"So would I," I shot back.  "Are you done?  Was that all of your advice?"

"No," she growled.  "There is one more.  You need to bathe, and change your raiment."

"FEH!" I scoffed.  "Okay, I'll do that one.  It is important to look and smell regal when lowfolk visitors come calling."

"WHY DID YOU SCOFF IF YOU AGREED WITH ME?!!" Lana gargle-screeched in the back of her throat.

"Just on general principle," I replied with a shrug.

"AAARRRRGHH," she yelled, stamping her hoof.  Then, suddenly, she stopped and stared at me with a strange expression.  On anyone else's face I would have taken it as awe or admiration - but this was Lana Lynne, so it must have been a new form of contempt that I hadn't seen before.  "By Fuma," she muttered quietly.  "I must remember not to underestimate you, my lord.  You almost had me there."

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