Part 622: Miriel C

Many thanks for your fortuitous assistance the other day.

Nya ha ha! No problem! But talk about your strange days! When I saw that big snake on your hat, I thought he was a pet.

The shade under the tree was pleasant, and my book terribly absorbing. Therefore, I failed to notice when the creature undulated down to my position.

Good thing I came along when I did, or he'd have chomped your face but good.

An ophidian of that size is not capable of "chomping a face." However, I am curious how you managed to dispatch the creature. You did not clasp it in your hand, nor cast any spell I could fathom.

It was a curse. If I'd used a tome spell, you'd have been in the line of fire, too.

A curse? Ah, yes. Dark thaumaturgy not based on this world's elemental forms. I would like to study this skillset further, if I may.

Why? Do you have someone you want to curse?

I'm interested in how such hexes are conjured and the theory behind them.

You always have to know exactly how things work, huh? Want a demonstration? I could turn Robin into a toad or something.

No. The experiment is not of such import that our comrades need be imperiled.

But it wouldn't be forever! Just a few days at the most.

If we were suddenly called to battle, a toad tactician would be most disadvantageous.

Oh yeah. I hadn't thought about that. Well, maybe I could cast a different kind of hex.

So long as the risk is within acceptable parameters.