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"Borrowed Time" (Greenhill) 3:07 pm. Final briefing for the scouting party scheduled to leave on the morrow. 5:00 pm. Scheduled on a personal assessment of Greenhill Academy and curriculum. Investigate as well the .....frogs situation, if still a problem. The lackey sent to deliver the distressing news to Lady Teresa Wisemail was ready for anything; should Lady Teresa chance to hurl something heavier than a coffee mug or pot at him in frustration, he was ready to dodge them and any other object that should come his way. Should Lady Teresa start hurling obscenities in his direction, he would stand and wither through her outbursts like a general standing before a galestorm. Should Lady Teresa try and reach for his throat - worst case scenario, granted - he would act like every other stooge and make a beeline for the door. Should Lady Teresa fire him, well.....he hadn't worked out what to do then yet. This wasn't to say that Lady Teresa Wisemail was a complete ogre; he wouldn't know either. This was his first day working under the office, and being the new person in the system, he wasn't really sure what to expect. True, Lady Teresa seemed nice from afar, but then so did the Mistress Caitlin, as he soon discovered an hour or so ago. It only took Teresa a few minutes to scan the papers he had delivered, but the waiting took forever. He eyed the small pigeon perched on a far corner of Teresa's nightstand, never knowing that Teresa actually had a pet until that day. He was nervous, and for good reason. He had read a bit of those papers on his way up to the office, and even he still couldn't believe it. That may have been why his sister had been so disoriented when she had arrived home from school today. He wasn't entirely sure what Lady Teresa would make of them. After all, students and teachers turning into frogs had never happened in Greenhill Academy before, at least to his knowledge. Slowly, finally, Lady Teresa set the piece of paper down. The lackey tensed for the worse, idly wondering if the slot for waiters in the pizza shop nearby was still open. With a supreme effort, he forced himself to look at her, cringing inwardly at her smiling, open countenance....... ....smiling, open countenance? "You're new here, right? I don't believe I've seen you around here before." She smiled again, dispelling him of the notion that he was hallucinating. She wasn't angry? He felt relieved, and cheated somehow. Getting worked up for nothing. "But.....the frogs..." He stuttered. The pigeon flapped its wings, as if in agreement, before settling back down. "If I read it correctly, everything's more or less under control now? I'll have to attend to that matter personally soon of course, I'll see if I can set some time aside later on, and I'll have to talk to the young lady responsible for all this, if Emilia hadn't already." She waved him away, before leaning back on the seat and scanning a new piece of paper. "Good job, young man." Even as the door closed behind him, it was hard to stop a wide grin from spreading over her face. She looked down once more at the paper she had been reading. Unlike the rest scattered about her desk, it wasn't an official document of any kind. Arrived safely at Ryube. Afraid I can't say much about most of the people here. Damn bastard. Will keep in touch soon. It had been signed by Teone. They were safe. The pigeon cooed, lifting its wings and flying back to the corner of her desk, blinking up at her with its dark eyes. Laughter bubbled. She had need of laughter during these past few days, was glad when she finally found it. Lady luck guide them back to Greenhill safely. But for the time being, they were safe. That was all that matters. But even her current jubilation held no sway over the others she knew she would have to tackle soon. Scouts still had to be sent to the borders; she trusted Ridley on his word but she wanted to see the situation for herself as well. And the frog incident would have to be looked on as well, it had been awhile since she had personally viewed the school's standards. And it might be time to recruit a few more Eyes and Ears if this Jowston - Highland standoff goes any further. Mirth quickly faded. All she had now was borrowed time. Tic. Toc. Tic. Toc. All trace of humor had left Teresa's face a few hours later. "I trust you all know why you're being called in here for?" Tic. Eight heads nodded their affirmation, eyes intent. Soft cooing noises. Silence reigned for a moment. Toc. Tic. Toc. "Very well." Papers shuffling, quelled. "You are to be sent to the borders, given enough rations for two weeks. When that time period is over, you are to come back and report to me, understand?" Heads nodded. "Should you happen to come by General Ridley's camp, you may avoid him or report to him if you wish, but either way do not get in their way. You all are to travel at all points along the Greenhill area, as far as past the Two Rivers City and Muse if need be. I want the latest news of the Highland army that's been amassing. Avoid detection at all costs." Heads nodded again. She could feel the sweat furrowing at her brow. "Good. You are dismissed. Prepare what you need for tomorrow." Feets shuffled this time. Tic. Toc. Tic. The door closed quietly. Teresa leaned back against her chair and sighed. With General Ridley at the Greenhill and Two River forefront, and many of her army with his, there was little else she could do. "Coo." The pigeon hopped closer, poking its beak into some of the documents on the table. Or maybe not. Rustling noises, a clean blank sheet separated from the rest. A pen was uncapped, meeting against the soft white parchment. The bird cooed once more, hopping this time onto the back of Teresa's chair, as if it too, wanted to read the characters slowly being formed onto the piece of paper before it. And Teresa continued writing. Tic. Toc. Tic. Toc. A few minutes later, Teresa rolled up the piece of paper, found a small piece of string to tie it firmly on the pigeon's leg. Atop her wrist, the fowl said nothing, regarding Teresa with its somber gaze. "Go." Teresa said softly, extending her arm towards the window. "Fly back to your masters, wherever they are." As if understanding, the pigeon reared its head up, flapped its wings once, and soared past the window into the blue sky. Teresa watched it disappear into the distance, her face unreadable. "Lady Luck be with you all." She said softly. Be on watch and stay on guard. Return at any signs of trouble. Well done. All of you. Come back safely. Teresa. Tic. Toc.
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