I returned to the rooms Pleneth was letting me stay in because I wanted to get right to work on my list of the things I would need to become a successful spymaster. I had to bow to several of Pleneth’s servants along the way because that it was life is like when you are staying with the head of the High Mages’ Council, at least the current one. When I sat down at the writing table, I was grinning about how rich I would be after Pleneth gave me everything soon to be on my list. Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out how having a bunch of diamonds would help me become Lord Tarin’s spymaster. In fact, I couldn’t think of any way anything at all would help me be a good spymaster.

After an hour of coming up with bizarre ideas and then discarding them I had exactly two things on my list. Some money for buying information and some guards that weren’t human. I had lunch sent to my room in case I could come up with anything else. I didn’t, but I put the time alone to good use being depressed with thoughts about all of my friends who had died since I asked for their help against the Kathaldi. I also moped a little bit about becoming Lord Tarin’s spymaster. It was a great afternoon.

By the time I was summoned to dinner by a bowing servant I was more than a little drunk, since I can only do my best at being depressed if I am drinking.

I know what you’re thinking. That I was so drunk that I made a fool of myself at dinner by insulting everyone. You probably think I finally let Pleneth know what I think about all of that stupid bowing. That I also told Thilos and Imprid how stupid I think it is that they are getting married. You even most likely suspect that I finally took a swing at Padral. Well, I didn’t.

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I didn’t do any of those things I just mentioned, but I did some other embarrassing stuff. After all of the ‘welcome to dinner’ bowing Thilos stood and announced that Imprid had agreed to marry him and they were going to have the ceremony tomorrow morning, right before lunch. We all toasted them and there was some more bowing, which I didn’t feel well enough to participate in, so I raised my glass and toasted our dead comrades. That really changed the mood in the room, and everyone just watched me as I started to cry, or perhaps sob is the more accurate word.

Pleneth did try to comfort me. “What is wrong, Dirk? Your friends died trying to save you, and the entire world. They are heroes.”

“I know,” I said, wiping my nose with my sleeve. “It’s just that with all of them dead I have to do even more of the work of saving the world.” Pleneth stood quickly. I’m not sure if it was because he believed me or thought I was joking so I decided to follow up. “When do I get to die so I can relax for a while?”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure we can arrange that.” Thilos said angrily. Imprid placed her good hand on his arm to calm him down.

“I am willing to offer my services for free.” Padral added with a sneer.

I was trying to come up with a suitable response for the two of them when my stomach warned me something bad was about to happen.

Luckily, a servant helped me from the table before I threw up. Which I ended up doing for what seemed like a long time.