-Ira-
“Father, I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Hm?” The high priest gave Ira a puzzled look, still stuffing random items in his pockets. Candy, a new-fangled pen, a handful of sand from his knick-knacks jar. “What do you mean? What’s a bad idea?”
Ira scowled. “You know what I mean, Your Holiness. Taking the kids into the dungeon—I mean, we have a truce, yes. But they’re kids.”
Father Silas gave her a little grin. “And yet, those kids have been more successful in their delves than experienced adventurers.”
She groaned, embarrassed. “Retired ones, yes. But that’s not the point—”
“Little Tabby.” Silas gave her an earnest look, “While old, I am not a fool.” He shoved a heavy flask into his pocket. “I can judge a person’s character.” A cloth bag full of acorn caps, no doubt gifted by the younger children. “And that’s exactly what this dungeon is. A person.” A toddler-sized sock, one of many knitted by Celio.
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“Pops… is that Uncle, er, Groundskeeper Jove’s vodka?”
“Hm?”
“That flask—it’s definitely Joves’? It’s the only thing he spends money on. I know because I took the merchant order last—”
Father Silas held one finger up to his lips. “Shhh. It’s for a good cause, little one.”
“He’s not gonna like—”
He patted her on the shoulder, a mischievous glint in his eye. “A good cause.” Shuffling past her, he flung the door to his office open. “Felix!”
The boy, as if summoned, appeared. Was he just standing in the hall waiting? But we didn’t tell the kids anything.
Silas held up a wrinkly fist, “For adventure?”
Felix held up his own, grinning. “For adventure!”
The two cackled.
“I’ll scare up some warm bodies!” Felix proclaimed enthusiastically, darting off.
Ira sighed. “At least let me tag along, Father.”
“Always.” Father Silas replied, reaching up to pat her head. “Our Ira is always welcome.”
“Yeah, alright.” Ira chuckled. It was probably fine. They had a treaty now.
Felix burst into the room, trailed by four other children.
“Father, where are we going?” Nova asked.
Silas held one wrinkly fist in the air. Felix and the other children (all boys) followed suit.
“Adventure!”