[thirty seven] [Private to Master Lord Thom]

[goodgrasshopper]

You've been quiet, but I'm assuming you weren't pitched overboard at the last port.  ...Actually, I'm hoping you weren't subjected to it at all.  You'd probably have hated it, too.

I'm not sure if you remember me.  I'm Molly Carpenter, and I'm your new warden.  We should talk.

Comments

[giftedtwin]

I worked hard and I had power.

[goodgrasshopper]

So I've heard. Magic learning is set up as a kind of a school where you are, right? And you were the youngest graduate?

[giftedtwin]

The Gifted can train in a number of ways, but I chose the Mithran cloisters. Yes, a school, if you like. [...] I won my Mastery ten years before most even seek to attempt it. I was the youngest Master of the Mithran Light living.

[goodgrasshopper]

We generally use an apprenticeship sort of system--it's great for one-on-one attention, but it makes it easy for people to slip through the cracks.

Youngest Master--what was that like?

[giftedtwin]

[Smugly:] Satisfying.

Apprenticeships work for those less powerful, the hedgewitches and village healers. If you're a noble and you wish to learn, it's the City of the Gods or the University in Carthak. They have the libraries, and the Masters.

[goodgrasshopper]

I can imagine. Power is a heady thing.

[She makes a thoughtful noise.] Interesting. What was that like for you--aside from satisfying.

[giftedtwin]

In the City? They despised me. I had more skill than they did and they hated me for it.

[goodgrasshopper]

There was no one who was pleased to have an eager student? Really?

[giftedtwin]

I kept my talents hidden for some time, learned by myself and became more adept than they were. When I finally revealed my true power, they were jealous. And afraid. [AND HE WAS A BIG JERK. That too.]

But you know this already, don't you?

[goodgrasshopper]

I know the bare facts, but I'm much more interested in your experience of them. Facts don't say much on their own.

[giftedtwin]

What is in this file about me? What have you learned? I've heard it's everything.

[goodgrasshopper]

Depends on what you mean by everything. Your history is in it, an overview of your powers--impressive--and some basic information on what makes you tick. But it doesn't have much about your world, and... I have to admit being a little curious. It's part of why I asked so many questions.

[giftedtwin]

I don't mind answering questions about Tortall.

Does it explain why I'm here?

[goodgrasshopper]

Thanks--I appreciate it.

What do you think it says?

[giftedtwin]

Roger, of course. If anything, it would be that.

[goodgrasshopper]

Well, I'll admit that his name definitely came up.

[giftedtwin]

Is there more I am accused of, or is that it?

[goodgrasshopper]

Well, you have to admit, necromancy is no small thing.

[giftedtwin]

No. That's certainly what everyone seems to think.

[goodgrasshopper]

What do you think?

[giftedtwin]

I showed my true power.

[goodgrasshopper]

I won't argue that. I'm sure it took a shitton of power to do what you did.

[giftedtwin]

Yes, it took a lot of power.

[goodgrasshopper]

And right or wrong; good or harm done doesn't enter into the equation?

[giftedtwin]

What have they got to do with it?