Checking in with the top dog
The wooden frames of the wax tablets clattered against each other as Phaedra looked through them for a second time. Philip stood nearby awaiting instructions. He'd already explained most of his encounter with the Nexus. The ship, the child, the rabbit, the changeling, Kairos, Samus, the machine, Luc and Val. It was a lot to take in, and equally difficult to explain. He'd explained it as best he could, anyway.
Suddenly the headmistress stopped and looked up from the tablet in front of her. "What's this?"
The hunter leaned closer to catch a glimpse of it. He nodded and straightened. "Directions."
She raised an eyebrow. "To where?"
"To..." He hesitated. For a moment, his mind went blank as he scrambled to remember the name.. "Kage's residence." She was looking at him strangely so he decided to move quickly to the explanations. "Alistair, myself and yourself have been invited to... a dinner by Val, with Luc's permission. At Kage's home. Kage is an elemental," he adds.
"You managed to get an invitation already?" The rhetorical question outline her surprise. Much to his relief, this was accompanied by a smile.
"Yes, well. I thought it would be good. The whole visit wasn't so bad. I made no enemies, but established connections and friendships. It can only be a good sign for future alliances, can't it? And I arranged for a loan of a map of borders essential for the safety of any of ours that visit." Philip considered his progress and decided it would do no harm to allow himself to feel somewhat proud.
It wasn't hard to spot, either. Phaedra looked at him. Amused. "You're not as hopeless as you thought."
"Maybe not," he agreed.
Her amusement was short lived. She needed to focus, and she knew it. The smile vanished and she sobered. Considering this news again. "Do you think it's safe?"
"There's no reason why it shouldn't be," Philip decided. "If Alistair comes then we have a mage, and that's a great advantage. If we keep the PINpoints then we have a way to escape instantly. I can stash a knife, and I'm sure you can. Not that we need them. Besides, Val leans towards Aristan rules. Luc seems genuine. Arista is just a country trying to interact safely with the Nexus. And, if they did decide to declare war, they'd do it better than by inviting three of us for dinner." He paused. "Wouldn't they?"
Phaedra considered this for a moment then nodded. "Yes. Most likely. Especially if they are from before a place without The Fall."
"We'll go then?" Philip asked carefully.
"Yes," she decided thoughtfully.
"Will you be attending?"
"Of course!" She straightened then. Snapping out from any thoughtful mood. "It would be rude to refuse Val's kind offer."
The hunter nodded. Then he chuckled, "A word of warning though. I'm pretty sure at some point either Alistair or Val is going to attempt to persuade you to obtain strange and exotic fruits or herbs or something similar."
"I can deal with that should it happen," she assured him with a confident smile. Then nodded to herself. A dinner would be... nice. Besides, it would be an opportunity that she would rather attend since she has the chance. "Well then. Make sure to keep an eye on the time on saturday and ensure Alistair knows he's coming."