It's been twenty and one years. Wraithvine comes to see if the little turd has finally learned some humility. The allied Duke, a peaceful, and honorable elf, joins hir to see his future son-in-law as well. He would never let his daughter wed one who would mistreat her.
@internutter/challenge-04581-l197-attitudes-adjusted-while-you-wait -- Anon Guest
One can wander very far on assorted quests during twenty years. Especially if a few Dragons or deities decided to relocate Wraithvine to different continents. So it took hir a year to get back to Bytrador, where the young Lord Liacaryn was "enjoying her Majestrix's hospitality."
Wraithvine hoped that the lordling had learned his lesson, and was not still "enjoying her Majestrix's hospitality."
Given Liacaryn's attitude, it was not a safe bet that he had learned anything at all.
Wraithvine was welcomed by the Majestrix of Bytrador, who was an excellent hostess to the people she liked. "I am a little late to pick up the menace from Omahaus. My sincere apologies."
"Whatever happened to 'a Wizard always arrives exactly on time'? I've heard many use that anti-apology."
"I have arrived at too many disasters, too late, to claim such aggrandizement. As a result, I have learned much more humility than the average Wizard." He accepted some tea and a biscuit. "And speaking of humility, how has his lordship Liacaryn been behaving? Or... not behaving?"
"He took five years to learn that actions have consequences, ten to realise that all his tears shall not erase one word of his added sentence... and fifteen to start actively working to diminish his time here. At least he took eight to stop behaving like an entitled brat. Cheesecake?"
"Lovely, thank you. I am still charged to take him safely to Tuneca to get married at last. Is he ready? Or does he still have some time on his ticket?"
"Two more years, and I shall gift you a much changed young man. Who knows? His promised wife might actually be able to stand him now."
"Then I shall very much enjoy your wonderful country for two years. I'm sure I'll find something to while away the days while I'm here."
"Splendid," said the Majestrix.
[Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my hub site to see what else I'm up to.
Send me a prompt [32 remaining prompts!]