Daisy Commits a Social Gaffe

How had it come there? It was a strange thing, he thought. Why, it had green hair! "I'm so sorry," he said, handing it to the child. "I've no idea how your doll came to be there."

"I told you," Lil said, giving him a dirty look. "I saw you put it in the pocket of your robes this morning."

Tesminus wondered why, in that case, she hadn't said anything at the time. But it wouldn't be wise for him to appear to doubt the word of Sister Lil, the head of the Order's P'tar chapter. So instead he merely said: "I can only apologise again. I have no memory of doing that, and I can't imagine why I would do such a thing. With your permission, I will go now." Seeking the information that he sought would have to wait for a more favourable time.

"Yes, I think you should," Lil said. "But you may not have heard the last of this, Brother. It is my duty to report it to headquarters, and I'm afraid that there could be consequences."

Might he be thrown out of the Order? That would be a disaster, meaning that he wouldn't be able to learn any more of the ancient lore. He went away a very worried man.

Meanwhile Daisy had taken advantage of her mother leaving the room to fetch the dessert to say: "Lady Satra, may I ask you a question?" (She knew that, while it might be acceptable for her mother to drop the "Lady", it wouldn't be right for a child to do so.)

"Of course, Daisy. What is it?"

Daisy didn't feel inhibited like the grown-ups did, and came straight out with what everyone wanted to know. "Why don't you wear any clothes?"

Daisy was relieved that Satra smiled, seemingly not in the least offended. "Because I took a vow of perpetual nudity, Daisy."

"Yes, I know that, but why would anyone take such a vow?"

Satra's face grew thoughtful. "It's very strange, but I simply can't remember. I must have partial amnesia, as I can remember very little about my past. I know that there must have been a very good reason for my vow, however, and I have no intention of breaking it."

Molly came back into the dining room in time to hear Satra's reply. "It's very rude to ask our guest a personal question like that," she scolded her daughter. "I do apologise, Lady Satra."

"It's quite all right, Molly. I wasn't in the least offended, and it's a natural enough question to ask. My, that apple pie looks good!"

1. We stay with Satra, Molly and Daisy.
2. Satra gets another of her headaches,[105328] unbeknownst to her a sign that this pocket reality is being subtly tweaked again by its creator.
3. Back with Tesminus...
4. We return to Lord Lebzob as he meets with his Advisor, William (!!)
5. Elsewhere in P'tar...
6. Meanwhile, in the great city of Eo'Nascep...

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