After the death of her abusive teacher, apprentice monster slayer Vero must take her first contract on her own. She's been hired to exorcise a baleful spirit which has possessed the mind of a minor earl and turned him against his feudal lord. Howeve...
Vero drifted off for some time before waking with a pressing urgency in her bladder. Jean had fallen asleep nuzzling her breast, and she eased his head onto a pillow before slipping out of bed. There were many garderobes, but she could not remember how to find them in the dark. She knew the way to the great hall and main doors, so she intended to find a quiet corner outside to make water in.
"Oh? I think she's very pretty." It was Ser Frederic's voice.
Vero shifted her steps onto the balls of her feet and crept towards the open door into the main hall.
"Yes, but you fancy anything with a hole you can fill." The Duc de Emmoi.
There was laughter. Several people appeared to have remained in the hall for more drinking and intimate conversation.
"Yes, guilty as charged. I confess that I do not see her with the same eyes our friend does, but her face is rather pretty."
"You don't fuck a lass in her face." Ser Henri rumbled; it was the first time Vero had heard him sound to be under the effects of alcohol.
"You don't." Ser Frederic corrected at once.
"What?"
"Don't let it concern you. Please, continue your point."
"Hm!" The marshal grumbled something she could not hear. "...her hips are too narrow, no teats to speak of..."
"And that pretty face you speak of rests on a man's shoulders- And don't you deny it!" The Duc added.
"Yes, too many muscles. Not seemly for a woman." Ser Henri agreed.
"You can hardly understand what she says through that rural drawl-"
"Now, now-" Ser Frederic interrupted the Duc. "You're exaggerating. I've never had the slightest problem understanding her Velian. In fact, I find the lilting provincial accent very charming."
"The woman speaks clearly enough, it's true." Ser Henri agreed.
"The chaplain says she's a witch." The Duc hushed his voice, and Vero barely heard him.
"I don't believe that a moment." Ser Frederic said plainly.
"Nor I." Ser Henri added.
"Nor I." Vero had not realized that Ser Mattias was a part of the company until he spoke.
"He speaks up at last!" Ser Frederic hooted. "Go on Mattie. Come out of your cups and tell us what you think of the fair lady."
"Me? I think she is very fair indeed. It's her eyes- I think... Like emeralds..."
"She saved his life- that means nothing." The Duc countered. "I would swear I loved a mule if it happened to kick me out of the way of certain doom."
"I would hardly call it certain doom. If a woman was able to halt the animal, then I'm certain Ser Mattias would have managed an able defense. The creature looked ill to me." Ser Henri assured them.
"Yes, Mattie was just about to lay the beast low with javelins of lightning out of the sky, I'm sure." Ser Frederic mused. "Presuming the beast's heart didn't spontaneously fail during the entire duo of seconds it would have taken to reach him."
They moved to other topics and Vero suddenly remembered that it was impolite to eavesdrop. Her need to piss was also becoming more urgent. There was another exit through the kitchens nearby. She had much to consider while she relieved herself.
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