The pigtails maid quietly goes to the door and locks it before returning. She takes the chair that Ser Rayze had sat on previously and pulls it up to the side of the bed so she can be closer to the boy.

Without a word, the pigtails maid takes out a handkerchief from a pocket and begins patting the boy's cheek.

"What are you doing?" asks the puzzled boy.

"I'm drying Master's tears."

"Wha-"

The boy lifts up his left hand and touches his face. Sure enough, his fingers are wet.

"Since when?"

"Right around the time Master told Ser Rayze about the fifty thousands souls who gave their lives willingly to power the ritual open a rip in time and space."

"Well, this is embarrassing..."

"I think it's one of the reason Ser Rayze left in such a hurry. It feels unnerving to look at Master's crying face. More so if Master himself didn't realize he was doing it and continuing carrying on the conversation as normal."

"I'm not crying."

"Well what do you call those then?"

"These? These are just pain leaving the body."

"Yeah right. Anyway, Master isn't the only one who's getting moist here."

“…”

"I'm referring to my wet leaking pu-"

"I understood it perfectly the first time. Thank you Synnove. And that was ghastly by the way."

"Got Master to stop bawling his eyes like a little baby, didn't it?"

“…”

“Has the danger passed, Master?” asks the pigtails maid as she puts the wet handkerchief back into her pocket.

“Oh Synnove. I thought you would have learned it by now.”

“Learned what, Master?”

“That Danger is always a constant companion for me.”

“Nope. I'm pretty sure that your companion's name is Over-dramatic."

“Well then I guess Danger is my middle name.”

*rolls eyes “…”

“Did you just roll your eyes at me?”

“Yes. How did Master know? I thought your eyes were…”

“I’m blind, but I can still ‘see’ with my other abilities.”

“Then why the deception with Ser Rayze just now? The whole starring at the vase thing.”

“Deception is the whole point. Any fool can observe and probe for weak points. That one has never stopped doing it since he stepped into this room, even though he was being discreet about it. I’ve shown him so many so many flaws, so many openings...”

“And now he has to figure out which ones are real, and which one are fakes.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, I think Ser Rayze has discovered one of Master’s weaknesses almost immediately.”

“Oh yeah? And what’s that?”

“Master loves to talk.”

“Ouch!"

"Seriously. Master wasn't kidding when he gave himself the title He-Who-Doesn’t-Know-When-to-Shut-the-Fuck-Up."

"I did not give myself that title. It was awarded to me."

"Oh yeah? By who?"

"Lorelle Naterepl, High priestess and ruler of Elf Kingdom in the Ancient Forest of Leafern."

"That is the fakest elf name I have ever heard."

"That comment hurts more than all the wounds covering my body.”

“I thought Master can heal himself easily.”

“I can still feel pain you know. And the knife wound from the ones close to you hurts the deepest.”

“Is Master talking about my comment just now? Or Master Haithur?”

“…”

“What’s the deal between Master and him?”

“It’s a long story really.”

“Then make it short.”

“Bad blood.”

“That’s too short!”

“Ahahaha. Nice to see that our roles have been reversed, Synnove.”

“That’s not fair, Master. You know about my history, but I know not yours.”

“What’s the point, Synnove? What has passed is past. It's worthless to dwell on useless things that happened in another life. I have lived for so many years, and not all of them were good.”

“That's no reason to throw them all away. It's because all those things, all those experience, are what made Master the man he is today.”

“Even the bad days?”

*smiles “Especially the bad days.”

“You know, 30 years from now, humanity is about to have a really bad day.”

“Master…”

“In fact, once you think about it, technically some of those things that happened to me in the past never happened because the future… I mean the present… Now has changed… which means… Argh this time travelling crap is hard to figure out.”

“Master, stop dodging me and answer my question.”

“Fine! What is it that you want to know?”

“Why don’t we keep it simple? Let’s talk about Master’s school days, back before your fall into the Time Abyss. How about if Master starts with that?”

“Nothing noteworthy really. I was just your normal typical commoner student. I struggled with my training and studies, I got my ass kicked by Master Wes more times than I could count, I was friends with Marven and Athorius, I had a girlfriend, my real father came to claim me when I was in my third year, in my fourth year I did something really naughty which made Master Haithur noticed me and he gave me an offer that I couldn’t refused.”

“You had a girlfriend? What’s her name?”

“I refuse to answer that question, based on the killing intent you’re emanating. And seriously, I’ve just told you all those interesting things and that’s what you’re focusing on? My past girlfriend?”

“There’s nothing malicious about it, Master. I just want to eliminate any potential competition meet her and say hello.”

“What the hell happened to letting all those women line up behind you?”

“Is it wrong for me to wish that I could hoard all the blueberry muffins for myself? Sharing them with Rolfe is bad enough already.”

“I really feel bad for the next girl who will come after you.”

“So Master has plans for adding another girl…”

“Who do I you think I look like? Warlord Graves? The guy who goes around the continent, kidnapping beautiful maidens and taking them hostage in his impregnable mountain fortress?”

“No, but Master still hasn’t denied the fact that there will be girls after me.”

“…”

“Don’t worry, Master. I know with Master being who he is, all his eccentricities and oddball behavior, it’s unavoidable that some weird girls might find that strangely attractive and wish to be near you.”

“It’s a given, who in their right mind would want to be associated with me? And you do know you're one of those weird girls, right?”

“Like attracts like. And birds of a feather tend to flock together.”

“What am I? Some kind of crazy chick magnet?”

“But just know that I will be testing them for their usefulness, like a fire in a forge that burns off any impurities. After all, it is the duty of the maid to ensure those who stand by Master’s side are worthy of your affection.”

“Okay, firstly, you’re taking your role too seriously Synnove. Secondly, it’s disconcerting that you haven’t denied the ‘crazy chick’ remark. And finally, now I’m really REALLY worried for the next girl who comes after you.”

“Counting is uncool, Master. Only nerds and dorks count.”

“Counting is always cool.”

“Let’s just agree to disagree for now. Anyway, are you hungry, Master? Since the food that Headmaster Joss promised to send has yet to arrive, would you like me to check up on it?"

“No, I’m good for now. And the food order was intercepted by Ser Rayze. Furthermore, the jerk purposely made sure the order got lost just to spite me.”

“Were we seriously about to get killed just now?”

“There’s a 95 percent chance of that happening, even after all the effort I spent showing him my charming and clever side.”

“That’s pretty high probability, Master.”

“I did try to warn you to stay away, Synnove. You know, this morning? Just before you punched that tree to death.”

“That tree was already dead. I was just making sure it knew that fact. What really stopped Ser Rayze from killing us? I'm guessing it was Master's crying face because it really does look pitiful.”

“I reminded him who he needed to focus his effort and energy on. And I was not crying. Some invisible elves were cutting onions in this room.”

“You reminded Ser Rayze about Master Haithur's misdeed? And can Master repeat that last part? I really don't speak baby.”

*sighs “Since Ser Rayze now knows I’m still gonna go after him, it will be a race on who will get their hands on that poor bastard first. And yes, I'll admit I was crying. Happy now?”

“I’m starting to pity Master Haithur, and just glad Master is willing to admit his true feelings. So Ser Rayze left us alone because he wanted a head start?”

“Indeed. He didn’t want to waste anymore time that he already has. Ser Rayze won’t be showing up to the second Disciplinary Committee meeting this afternoon. Originally he plans to send his men to track down Master Haithur and capture him…”

“But now he’s personally leading the hunt.”

“Correct. That’s the thing about power, Synnove. You can never nullify or destroy it. What you can do is channel it to another direction.”

“And point it to the poor bastard who’s got it coming.”

“Now you’re getting it.”

“I have a nice Master giving me lessons.”

“I’m just praying to Gods you’ll be using what I’m teaching you for the good of mankind.”

“As a reward for being a good teacher, would Master like a nice red juicy apple?”

“Where did you get that? And the sharp knife as well?” the boy scrunches his eyebrows. He didn’t remember Synnove having a blade before going into battle this morning.

“The knife is something I took from one of our attackers. And the apple I got as reward after helping that fruit vendor pick up her fallen merchandises. You know, after Master had thrown that guy into her stall and ran off to the town hall…”

“I’m really sorry about that.” the boy makes a mental note to always check his pigtails maid every single minute for hidden sharp weapons.

“On foot…”

“Yes, I was pressed for time.”

“Without me…”

“The Disciplinary Committee was about to give Headmaster Joss the axe.”

“Master left me behind…”

“You know, Synnove, you sure can bring up the weirdest things at the most unexpected of times.”

“Even though I specifically told Master this morning that I’ll be coming with him…”

“Synnove, careful where you’re pointing that knife.”

“Even though I thought Master was the only one who would never abandon or betray me…”

“Did I mention that I’m really REALLY sorry about that?”

“I should punish Master severely for breaking his promise...”

“What the hell happened to the reward of a nice red juicy apple for the good teacher!?”

“…”

“Synnove?”

“Ahahaha, just kidding. I only wanted to see that look on Master’s face.” says the pigtails maid as she removes the blade from the boy’s neck and begins peeling the apple in her hand.

“Gods Synnove! Never do that to me again!”

“Then don’t runaway all by yourself, leaving me to babysit Headmaster Joss. Anyway, why didn’t Master use his abilities to check if I was being serious or not?”

“I don’t really like to use it on the people closest to me, unless the situation calls for it.”

“The situation just now didn’t warrant the use of your powers?”

“I would have let you get one or two stabs in before I finally decide to use them.”

“I’ll be sure to take up on Master’s offer later.”

“That wasn’t supposed to be an offer!”

“Too late to rescind your proposal, I’ve already accepted it. Here, open your mouth Master.”

“…”

“What’s wrong, Master?”

“Synnove, I understand hand-feeding a sick person if there’s no spoon or fork available… But do you really need to stick that slice of apple on a knife as sharp as the one you’re currently holding?”

“Don’t worry, I have a steady grip.”

“Or why you had to rub that poor slice of apple against your *ehem down there before feeding it to me?”

“It brings out the flavor.”

“No…” the boy shakes his head lethargically. “No it doesn’t.”

“And did Master seriously cough when you were referring to my lady parts?”

“Synnove, not in front of polite company…”

“But there’s no one here except us, Master.”

“Oh yeah, right. Then allow me to ask again. Why the hell would you expect me to eat something that’s been rubbed vigorously against your privates!”

“The same reason why babies are given baby-food instead of steaks.”

“Isn’t it because infants lack the chewing power to eat such tough meat?”

“No. It means if you don’t want to get treated like baby, then stop acting like a baby and man up.”

“I don’t even… What?”

“The point I’m trying to make is, since Master is unwilling to sleep with me right now, I have to find another avenue to release my stress.”

“…”

“So what will it be, Master?”

“…”

“My hand is getting tired here.”

“Fine! You can go ahead and keep feeding me those apple slices.” exclaims the boy resentfully.

“That’s a good baby.” smiles the pigtails maid as she knifefeeds the begrudging boy. “Anyway, next time Master decides to pull something like that off, at least signal me or something. I had half a mind to just leave Headmaster Joss right there and follow you. But then I remembered how important he was to your plan.”

“I did give you a signal.”

“No you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did. I shot you that look.”

“What look?”

“This look.”

“That look?”

“Yes. It means ‘I need to go on ahead, stay here for a bit’.”

“Ooops. I thought that look means ‘Synnove, I want you so bad right now’.”

“No, that’s my other look. I call it the ‘Come-hither’ look.”

“Really? Now this I’ve got to see.”

“Are you sure? Because this look is very effective and the effects can be pretty devastating, you know.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m being serious here. I rarely use it, but that’s how I got my first girlfriend.”

“Must have been a simple-minded girl who’s easily impressed.”

“Fine! Just remember, you’re the one who asked to see it.”

“Stop stalling and show it to me already.”

“Are you ready? And here… I… go…”

………

…..

..

“…”

“Pretty good, right? I mean, it doesn’t leave much of an impression at first but then-“

*thud!

“WHAT THE HELL SYNNOVE!?”

The sharp knife which was previous used to cut the apple is now mere millimeters to the side of the boy’s head, thrown by the pigtails maid’s hand.

“Master, this is very important…”

“Are you kidding me, Synnove!? If I hadn’t moved my head at the last second!”

“Listen very carefully to me if Master values his life...“

“Synnove, why are you standing up from your chair and undressing slowly?”

“That look… don’t ever show that look to anyone else…”

“Synnove, why are you climbing on top of me?”

“Master is not allowed to show that look to anyone else but me…”

“Synnove, you’re starting to scare me.”

“Do you understand!?”

“YES MA’AM!”

“Good.” the pigtails maid resumes her normal cheerful smile. “Anyway, since I’m already dressed for the occasion, let’s resume with our baby training.”

“Headmaster Joss will be back soon…” the boy pleads.

“Then I guess we better make every second count.”

*sighs “Fine! I guess a little kissing and heavy petting is okay.”

“Oh Master. I thought you would have learned it by now.” smiles the pigtails maid as she unties the knot to remove her lace underwear.

“…”

“I’m not interested in such mundane things.”

“…”

"Don't make that face, Master. Try to think of it as helping me channel my stress into another direction."

“I should have known that poor bastard who got it coming was referring to me...”

“Try your best to not spill a drop, okay Master?”

“You know…” says the boy dejectedly as he resigns himself to his fate. “Sometimes I wonder who is the servant and who is the master here.”

********************************************************************************************

Yay! We moved up one spot from #39 to #38. Free drinks for everyone!*

Another release so soon? What sorcery is this!?

Q and A coming up next week, so if you have any questions, post them in the comments so I can read and dodge answer them.

Still don't know who to dedicate this chapter to, since I can't find any new names, and those who do vote seems to be hiding themselves.

Leave a review if you wanna help me me reach the 30th place in the Best Rated category or a comment if you see any plot-holes, glaring grammar mistakes or just wanted to show your appreciation.

*disclaimer: The author will not be responsible for the type of drinks served... or if it's safe for human consumption or not.