Intro Mira, prt 2

        The two friends and coworkers, with the attentive aid of their cabbie, chose a quiet pub in the merchant district. It was a typical affair for Strouton, plain wood planks, tarred shingles and a couple of brick smokestacks. The interior, however, was cool and inviting to private conversations.

        “The mansion has more space than we will need for years,” Arminius began having ordered his meal. “There are a few rooms that I don’t think were even touched when the manor was converted. Not only that, the grounds cover half a square mile, all of it enclosed by the fence.”

        “It sounds lovely, it really does. Are you sure you won’t tell me how you got the job?” Mira said, voicing again the question she had been holding in the back of her mind.

        “I told you, politicking, and making deals with the right people. The details are something you shouldn’t know.” Answerd Arminius, taking a sip of Stroutons famed apple and pear cider.

        “Why, would I be killed for such knowledge?” Mira said full of her normal good humor.

        “Perhaps, most probably by me” Arminius chortled.

        They talked about this and about that, from rising duelists to the deadlines for lesson plans. The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their smoked trout, a savory favorite of Cornell. Talking quickly resumed and before long the food was a thing of the past and Strouton’s wizards were once again back at Ithalreal, talking away in the magically clean sitting room.

        “When they refitted the mansion as a school, they altered a lot of things to make it more academic. I’d like to undo some of that as we clean up, give it back some of its grandeur.”

        “Arminius, you had better be planning on doing some of that yourself. I’ll be busy too once I start with my plans and lessons.”

        “Oh I am, I’ve already done a some of it, just to allow me to try and hire some staff.”

        “How is that going, by the way?” Mira asked.

        “I have many applications, the locals seem quite pleased with the idea of having an academy again. I’ll be starting interviews tomorrow, for the positions of housekeeper, groundskeeper and cook, if I can hire them by the end of the week we’ll be in good shape to start planning for the semester.”

        “Good, I’d love to get down to the fun stuff.” Mira smiled.

        “I have heard you say many things before Mira, but never did I think you would consider making lesson plans fun.”

        “Well, there are only so many paintings to paint before one looks forward to one’s true job.”

        “Fair enough, though I feel just the opposite right now. It’s been an age since I last saw a duel, or even better a tournament.” Sighed Arminius.

        “Perhaps once the work is done and before the students arrive,” Mira yawned, “in the mean time, I’m going to take advantage of that bedroom you mentioned, fifth door on the right, right?”

        “Fifth on the left.” Arminius corrected.

        “Yeah, goodnight.” Mira left the room.