"Naturally," (Patreon)
Content
I smirked. "Uh, almost had you where exactly?"
"This whole Bumbling Simpleton routine must be just an act," Lana mused, ignoring my question. "No one that inept could execute the rare and dangerous Frustration Wiles so flawlessly! Even Sheila Na Gig couldn't do them, and she was the best. Yes, it's so obvious now. You've been playing Vulpitanian Frontgammon while I naively thought it was Antglade Checkers. You've been acting the fool to make your enemies underestimate you, and probe the true loyalty of your allies. The Sisterhood sent me to test your mettle, and the whole time it was I who was being tested! Meanwhile you've been destabilizing Faerie through your chaotic and unpredictable actions, making it ripe for conquest. Yes, it all makes sense now! You have secretly been a tactical GENIUS all along!"
"Buh?" I added sagely, feeling pretty sure this was another of Lana's cruel tricks.
"Elves don't lie," she muttered. "Why didn't I see it before? You didn't destroy Albric Tor on purpose, yet you took that bad situation and used it to your advantage. As they say, when Fuma gives you rotten peaches, make Persoc-Itoome. Obviously you're a master at adapting to unforeseen events."
"That's not really-" I started to say.
"You must be amazing at deception to fool one of The Sisterhood's best agents! I am ashamed to admit how blind I was to what was really going on! I'm just a novice compared to you."
"Don't you think you're laying it on a bit th-" I blurted.
"Never again shall I underestimate you," Lana interrupted. "Obviously your machinations are on a level far above my own meager understanding. You must truly possess the spirit of Irenaeus to defy every major power in Faerie, including The Sisterhood. Could you be the one foretold in the ancient prophecies? Could you really be the Niknak Padiwak??"
I was wondering if I had somehow broken Lana's brain, when suddenly she turned and knelt before me.
"I pledge myself anew to your service," she declared. "This isn't something The Sisterhood ordered me to do; this is me, my own choice, under my own volition. I am your Floozy, to use as you will. Command me, Your Highness, and I shall obey."