Enchanted Mirror with Helmid

If the mirror had been just an ordinary mirror, it would have made a perfectly nice gift for your party's paladin, who seemed to put a great deal of effort into her makeup and hair than many of the other saintesses did. The enchantment, however, was what would make this gift special. As you approached Helmid's opulent tent, well after sunset, you hoped she'd find the gift as tasteful as you were expecting.

The woman's face was already lit up as soon as you announced yourself and entered, making you wonder if it was really strictly necessary that you have paid Mot the Red one-hundred gold pieces for a beauty accessory. "Squire Vin! You honor me with your presence tonight," Helmid greeted you. The woman was dressed in a tasteful red robe, worn tied at the waist over a high-necked, cream-colored sleeping gown. She'd been in the process of unwinding her usual braid and brushing it, allowing you to get a rare view of her with her hair down. "Pardon my state of dress. I wasn't expecting company."

You weren't really seeing any more skin than she usually showed, but something about the outfit still struck a cord. Trying not to let yourself get distracted, you presented her with the mirror you'd purchased.

"What a precious gift! Thank you," she smiled, accepting it and placing it directly on the vanity in front of her, pushing aside her old mirror. It did seem to be an aesthetic improvement. As classy as all of her furnishings were, nothing would prevent them from getting dusty and damaged in a camp like this, so close to the war zone. She examined it once more, turning the lens to face the other direction, then noticed the angel wings engraved upon the back. "This is... from the workshop in Merridan? I visited the gentleman who owned it some time ago. It must have been nearly a decade since then..."

It was no surprise to see that she was well-traveled. You let her know that she was correct and that, appropriately, this mirror was enchanted, allowing her to speak with a loved one from long distances if she concentrated on them in prayer. With this-

"-With this... Oh Geod! I could actually speak to Matthieu, rather than only writing him letters or riding into town," she exclaimed, holding one hand over her mouth to hide her surprise. "What an incredibly thoughtful gift! I'm sure Matthieu will be equally pleased." Her eyes were shining with excitement as her lips curled into a soft smile...

... Then her eyes curled a bit further into crescents and the smile upon her pink lips widened.

"I assume... when Matthieu instructed you at the academy, he must have told you what it traditionally means to give a saintess such a fine gift, hm?"

Before you could answer, she giggled into her hand, then shook her head. "Ah, I'm teasing you. There's no reason to speak of it as though it's some conspiracy. You are my husband now, Vin, and I am your wife. Let us take no shame in laying together."

You were nearly ready to slip out your cock and get into action, before Helmid raised one finger, shaking it back and forth in open rebuttal of her earlier intention to stop teasing you. "Ah, excuse me. Before we consummate our vows as saintess and squire, I really would like to try out this precious little mirror. Would you mind if I spoke to Matthieu, for just a moment? It would be so lovely to hear his voice!" the older woman entreated, wearing an apologetic smile.

Well... you had just given her the gift. It would be a bit uncouth to tell her now that she couldn't enjoy it. You nodded, stepping aside so that she could have the scene to herself.

"Thank you," she whispered, then bowed her head, beginning her prayer. In no time at all, the surface of the mirror began to swirl in the light-- it looked uncannily as though some sort of summoning magic had warped its surface, imbuing the shimmering, wavering effect of a mirage.

Thankfully, nothing popped out. Instead, the face of your former recruit commander appeared on its surface, wearing a nonplussed frown upon his bearded face. "What sort of sorcery is this?" he grumbled, holding one hand to his sword as he inspected the mirror from a distance. It occurred to you now that Helmid may have been over-eager to use her gift-- a letter telling the man what to expect may have made more sense as a starting point. "The work of a demon, or...?"

"No demon, only me," Helmid chuckled, grinning into the mirror. "Oh, Matthieu. You were always somewhat vexed by magic, as I recall."

"Hmph. 'Tis not my specialty, dear," he responded. You thought you saw the corner of his mouth curl up into a smile beneath his mustache, an expression he'd never made in the presence of any recruit before. Even his eyes seemed to soften up. "Is it really you?"

"Yes. I've found a mirror that lets me communicate over distances. It's a bit difficult to explain but... isn't that the dearest thing? Now, we can communicate each night, just like this! Another blessing of Geod," she explained, leaving out your role in it.

"I suppose it is," he agreed, nodding, before taking a seat at the familiar oak table where you'd always seen him work. He spread his arms out to either side. "Behold my kingdom, Helmid. It's just as you remember it, I'm sure. You've caught me in the very exciting task of grading papers handed in for the entrance exams. The blasted work will have me here all night."

"Oh my... I feel quite lazy by comparison," Helmid chuckled. "I've only just begun preparing for bed."

"Well, your company makes the night a bit sweeter," he sighed. "Speaking honest, the greatest blessing here is that I'll be able to confirm you're safe and sound. I worry for you. I know, you've been blessed with Invulnerability, but I can't help it."

"Oh, dear..." the lady paladin sighed, running her hand longingly over the surface of the mirror. "You needn't worry for me. Everything is quite splendid here at camp. We have faced a difficult quest, yes, but we are all safe. The new squire is performing his duty honorably."

The man's expression changed. It almost looked like he was pouting, as he crossed his arms at his chest. "Squire Vin? Glad to hear he did not perish on his first outing. I guess my tutelage is still good for something," he grumbled. "S'pose I'm happy to hear that he hasn't wasted my time or his with those lessons. And certainly, if you must be saddled with a squire, I'm grateful it is one who performs to your satisfaction."

You thought you saw Helmid's eyes flicker to the side where you were sitting momentarily. Why was she looking at you right now? It was actually all pretty awkward, sitting here watching while she and her original husband shared a tender moment. Perhaps you should just leave them to their business?

"Would you... like to speak to the squire, Matthieu?" Helmid asked, before you could act one way or another.

"Speak to him? What, is he there?" the recruit commander questioned, raising one of his bushy eyebrows.

Now was your last chance to slip out before Helmid pulled you into a truly awkward conversation.