Chapter 29: Behind The Runes Lies A Tiny Giant (4)
"What's with this half-assed scribble?" The witch looked up from the parchment with a raised eyebrow. The smell of fresh ink filled the room, and Adil's scribbled seal looked like it had been done in a hurry.
"Incomplete, I know. It is a seal crafted specifically to strengthen all of the citizens within the town for a brief moment, should demons or vampires breach our walls. It's a precautionary measure, but it will be recognized by the Church." The old hag smirked, as she stood up with a wooden scepter in hand, her movements surprisingly agile for her age. "This is your payment, Witch Demond. Finish the seal and give it to Selene. She'll know what to do. The ceremony can wait until after we deal with this crisis. For now, I must prepare my knights and wardens. The safety of Rouen comes first."
The dragon nodded in understanding, her eyes filled with a mix of admiration and respect for the hag's decisiveness. The witch slipped the parchment into her robe's pocket with a sigh, knowing that the marriage would have to be put on hold once again. The smell of ink was strong in the room, a reminder of the seriousness of the situation at hand.
"Adrei."
"...yes, my love?"
"A cigarette please."
Adrei looked surprised for a moment before reaching into the folds of her robe and producing a fresh cigarette, before offering it to the witch with a small smile, the warmth of their earlier interaction not quite forgotten.
"Hey, smoke outside, old man. This place is an office, not a tavern for your smoking habits." Lady Adil's voice was stern despite the smirk playing on her lips as she shooed them out of her study, as the smell of the cigarette already permeating the sacred room.
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