Examine Contents of Satchel

Xabar’s hastily-executed plan is still missing several pieces. Not the least of which is that he doesn’t know the identity of the fellow he just sent off to the looney bin. With a few minutes remaining until the stagecoach to Rothschilde, he decides to take a look at the satchel and pocketbook he liberated from his erstwhile friend.

Xabar starts toward the door of the tavern but stops when he hears the loud angry voice of the bartender, cursing him for not leaving a tip. That is all it takes to persuade him to opt for a bench near the stagecoach stop.

He pulls out the pocketbook and takes note of the welcome surplus of cash that came with it. He then pulls out a folded piece of parchment that attests that Flaccidocious Willowby is a citizen in good standing, residing in the southwestern community of Alcolmbshire.

“Flaccidocious?” Xabar thinks to himself. “Did his parents hate him? No wonder he looked so mousey. He probably started getting bullied when he was still in the nursery.”

Finding nothing else of interest in the notebook, Xabar slips it in his pocket and opens the satchel. There, he finds some changes of clothes, a couple of books, and some writing paper. He flips through the books, and a folded piece of paper falls out. Opening it, he finds a letter written on the letterhead of St. Althea’s. At the top of the page is a fierce-looking boar, which he concludes is the school’s mascot. The letter reads:

“Dear Professor Willowby,

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am pleased to extend this invitation for you to join the faculty of St. Althea’s Preparatory Academy as Visiting Professor for the second semester of this academic year.

I need not tell you the significance of this appointment. As our first male professor, you will enhance our girls’ liberal arts education by preparing them for the worth beyond St. Althea’s doors where they will no longer be safe from dangerous and corruptive masculine influences.

You will teach or co-teach classes in each of the academic disciplines. You will be compensated at the regular salary of a professor of your rank and will be provided room and board at the Academy.”

He scans through the rest of the letter, telling Willowby the date he is to start, which happens to be tomorrow, and that he should report to Headmistress Mathilda Crütchnoober upon arrival. It is signed by Willahema Garpel-Bringsberner-Dinklewright, Chancellor.

Xabar leans back and grins as his plan starts to solidify. “They’re expecting a professor from the other side of the kingdom, so it’s unlikely that anyone would recognize him. It’s a change to live in the midst of a bunch of young women who have lived a sheltered existence, without any contact with men. No competition from any other guys….”

His grin spreads into a full smile. “I’ve always thought I’d make a great teacher. What an opportunity to shape the impressionable minds — and fondle the previously-untouched bosoms — of Mirantia’s future mothers!”

Xabar’s thoughts are interrupted by the announcement that the stagecoach to Rothschilde is ready to board. Picking up his satchel, he climbs aboard. As soon as he enters, his eyes are drawn to two young women in the front row of seats. They must be identical twins. Their blonde, shoulder-length hair is identical in color and style. Their facial features are mirror images of each other. He assumes their eyes are identical, as well, but one of the young ladies is asleep, with her head resting on the shoulder of the other. They appear to have come with the stagecoach from its point of origin and are traveling on to Rothschilde. Xabar wonders if they are, perhaps, students at his soon-to-be place of employment.

Xabar sees there are two seats available for him. One is next to the young women. The other is directly behind them. He is sorely tempted to use the short journey to Rothschilde to get to know these delightful beauties. At the same time, the excitement of the day and the effects of all the ale he has consumed are starting to take a toll. Perhaps it would be best to rest and be in top mental form when he gets to his destination.