Mother of Magic

Guild Treaty

Silena's mother went around a massive 'power desk' and sat down. She steepled her fingers and waited.

Opposite her position at the desk were smaller two chairs. They were not uncomfortable looking but the relative chair dimensions underlined relative power positions.

In theory.

The desk setup was a ridiculous assertion of dominance. It was made even more absurd since the Headmistress had dealt with Witches many times before. The Guild was originally an artifact of the Witch wars, and assassins killing Witches. A Guild Master with any understanding of history would understand various Witches' relative power and skill. The library of books old and new in numerous floor-to-ceiling bookcases in the room showed at the very least an interest in collecting History.

Ava used to be a Reverend Mother. The Temple of her former association had done business at this Guildhall. Silena's mother had been the leader of this Hall since Silena was a child. Her Guildhall had sent Silena, The Six, Padfoots, and sixteen distance assassins to Collins to kill Ava. The Headmistress would be educated about Ava. She would know Ava was not only highly able to access magic but skilled at using it.

If she had any doubts after losing so many in Collins, the fact that not a single weapon used against the personal Wards affected any of the group in any fashion testified to skill and power.

The Head of the Guild Hall had to know Ava could do what she next did.

With a casual, almost careless wave, the 2 chairs disappeared and were replaced with five, in a curve facing the desk. The new chairs were fully padded, with arms and high backs to match the Head Of Hall desk chair. There were even triangular side tables wedged into the arc of chairs with individual glasses of water.

"Silly of me. I should have had more chairs brought in." Olivia Cadogan-Gymer said in a not-apology.

Silena leaned in and told Ava. "Mom loves that stupid game."

"Easily rectified" Ava replied, then addressed Silena's mother. "Look at the bright side, Olivia. Now your guests have nicer chairs. Those others looked to be less comfortable than these."

Ava then twisted the knife to assert her relative power. "I guess business at the Hall has been bad recently. You could not afford any better accommodations. Let me help you with this gift."

The woman did not flinch at the insult but mentally began reconsidering power plays when faced with Ava. "Since you and Collins came into my life, Ava? Very bad. I so far have not been paid for sending in Silena and The Six. Lost money on those. Was paid well for the blow darting. Paid in advance for the last team that went in because I learned my lesson. Not enough. Did not expect to have all hands end up buried like that."

Stephanie, no stranger to power negotiations, added her own twist to the conference. "I think I'll look around the room Ava, while you tell the President what the deal is going to be." This was pointedly saying that Stephanie did not have to sit down. Further: she had free rein of the office and there was nothing the Headmistress could do about it.

"Yes. Do help yourself." As the sands of the power dynamic shifted, Oliva found her footing. She smoothly responded. "Some very historic items in here. Ancient books. Various artifacts. This painting behind me here." Without looking she pointed back behind her to a large oil painting. "Gilbert Stuart was not well known for painting this type of portraiture. This is called 'Witch Hunt'. The main figure is a well-known Guildsperson from the day. His posture is cautious as he is looking down at a witch he just assassinated from behind that large tree in the background."

"I am familiar with the work. There is a copy in Seattle. Witches often draw various types of mustaches on it. Magically. It is sort of a rite of passage. In one defacing, the knife in the hand was turned into an artificial penis. The sort they sell in shops for lonely people. I am not sure what the point of it was supposed to be. That he used it upon himself? Used it to kill the Witch? I never was clear on the artistic idea behind it." Ava said.