A Very Pleasant Lunch

When Lord Lebzob had first brought his new wife home to the village, her nudity had caused a bit of a sensation, but everyone had soon become accustomed to it. Apparently Lady Satra had taken a vow of perpetual nudity, though nobody - even her husband, it was rumoured - had the slightest idea why, and nobody liked to ask. The other big mystery about Lady Satra was why a gorgeous young woman like her should have married a middle-aged and none too attractive man such as Lord Lebzob. It was true that he was a minor lordling, and the marriage had given her status and a comfortable lifestyle, but surely she could have done far better for herself? She was not only beautiful but intelligent and charming, and could reasonably have hoped to snare the son of a duke.

"It was very kind of you to invite me, Molly. And please just call me 'Satra'. There's no need for formality here." She paused to take her first mouthful from the plate in front of her, then went on: "This roast lamb is really excellent."

"The joint is from an animal that was one of Brother Tesminus's flock."

"Ah, no wonder it's so good. It must have been one of the few lambs born this year that a predator didn't get. You've heard him complaining about his recent losses, I expect."

"I think that everybody in the village must have done by now, Satra. He claims that it's not a cat or bear that's to blame but dragon whelps."

"Yes, I know. Lebzob thinks that that's ridiculous. He doesn't believe that dragons exist. But I'm not so sure."

"I wouldn't know, I'm sure"

They talked about other things for the next fifteen minutes before Molly said: "Please excuse me for a moment while I take out our empty plates and bring in the dessert. It's apple pie and cream."

"Ah. excellent! I shall be in danger of putting on weight. Though of course I don't need to worry about my clothes no longer fitting."

Molly smiled politely at her guest's witticism, as she got up to take out the plates.

1. Actually, with all the good food that P'tar had to offer and Satra's excellent appetite, she had already put on twenty or thirty pounds since arriving in the village, but if she chose not to see it then Molly certainly wasn't going to enlighten her.
2. While Molly is in the kitchen, Satra chats with Daisy.
3. We switch to Brother Tesminus (Minestus), as he goes to the Halls of his Order to seek more information.
4. We return to Lord Lebzob as he meets with his Advisor, William (!!)
5. Elsewhere in P'tar...

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