Sorry for those of you I confused… I posted the wrong chapter. Note to self: remember never to post anything on Friday nights after three hours of Spanish and three hours of stats… my brain was such a good jelly that I didn't even see my mistake… had to get a review to notice. So, things back under control now:
Chapter IV. Never leave three teenagers alone with your butler…
Coreen cried when Imoen and Sarevok left, but her two brothers mocked her and consoled her, not being very happy themselves. Moreover, they were alone in the house, because their mother left with her siblings to meet other adventurers from her past at the Five Flagons. They were old enough to stay alone with Guillaume, and Amousca had to very sternly warn them against any bad practical joke at the expense of the buttler to be sure he would not flee the house out of despair before the end of the day.
Mazzy and Nalia both greeted her with embraces and kisses on the cheeks. Boo squeaked joyfully when she patted gently his head, then touched Minsc's shoulder. They spent a short while in the common room of the Five Flagons, then the adventurers had to go. They had a mind-sucking illithid to defeat and were in Athkatla because they needed some reagent, one only Ribald could get in all of Amn, to save the currently affected mind. Amousca told them goodbye, and watched them leave the Bridge district, strong nostalgia in her. She found herself thinking her children old enough for her to leave the house on occasion. The last fourteen years in the same house had been a welcome rest and respite, but maybe she was ready to go back to a little more action. She wondered if the Order would appreciate a spellcaster on one of her campaigns, but she didn't think so; unless Anomen petitioned especially for her to join one of the campaigns he led, she would never be allowed. She didn't really want to form another party with a few people that she didn't know, her old companions all being retired (like good Keldorn), already hired by someone else (like good Minsc), or already busy with responsibilities of their own (like good Valygar, keeper of the Umar hills and father of his son).
She went back to the estate and found her children deep into conspiracy on how to get Guillaume to open the door of the cellar. They gave her a very sorry look when she caught them in the middle of a bad practical joke, but just then the door of the cellar opened, Guillaume apparently needing wine for the cook, and there were loud shouts and falling sounds as whatever trap the youngsters had laid was unfolding. Amousca gave them one final stern look before going to see if Guillaume was alright. He wouldn't curse in her presence, but was obviously very angry, and covered in glue and feathers. The very sticky glue used by monks to repair leather-back books. Amousca dispelled the glue with three washing cantrips, and let Guillaume dust himself off the feathers.
She disciplined her children by ordering them all to present their excuses to Guillaume, then spend the rest of the afternoon in their separate rooms. She had Guillaume watch from time to time if they truly were each in their individual room, and the butler apparently enjoyed making sure they were receiving their punishment. Amousca was sad, however, that she had to lose this afternoon, not being able to do something with her children, even in this rare occasion where they were all home at the same time. Tomorrow would be the last day before they went back for their apprenticeship; Coreen would not be back before three weeks, while Samir and Matteo would receive a short leave of one day in two weeks.
The elf worked a little in the library, making a summary of the chapters she already read in Khelben's book. It did not take her long, however, and she soon began a new chapter, which kept her busy all through afternoon. When dinner was announced, she left the library and went to table. The children were there, apparently relieved that their punishment was over. They were very quiet and very polite during the meal and Amousca thought, smiling to herself: "Good kids". At least they were learning their lesson.