Someone Would Believe Her

“No. You listen to me, Ashfield has a long history cooperating with the Watch, but I’ll not have one of my students picked up and subjected to one of your interrogations,” said a severe woman who appeared to be in her late forties, but with nary a wrinkle or sign of gray in her raven black hair said into her phone. She wore her hair in a style that would seem more appropriate for the Edwardian period, much like her dark, austere dress. Her eyes were a piercing blue and betrayed a fury behind her words.

She sat behind a simple wooden desk in an office that was spartan in nature, the walls were devoid of personal decorations or accolades, the most notable bit of furniture was a very full bookshelf she kept behind her. “Oh, don’t you dare bring the Accord up with me. I was there to help write the damn thing. I will find and speak to the student personally first. You may send one seer and her guard.”

“What?” she paused curiously. “Go on...” her mood shifted. She was more reserved as she listened to the other party. “I can agree to that, but honestly I’m not sure what you’re trying to accomplish with her.” Her dark crimson painted lips parted in a smug grin, “if you’re hoping your young knight’s raw charisma and people skills will help, I’m afraid you’ll be sorely disappointed,” she added dryly. “Very well. I will... look forward, to seeing them soon.”

Shortly after she hung up the phone a knock came on her office door. “Yes?” A blonde woman straight out of a 50’s pin-up, in an office skirt and blouse tight enough it threatened to become indecent opened the door and stepped inside. “Headmistress. She’s on her way back to the school. One of the Sentinels is escorting her, they’re headed to the basketball team’s practice.”

Beatrice Mallor, headmistress of Ashfield academy regarded her secretary cooly over a pair of half-rimmed glasses. “Very good Miss Talbot. Send one of our student workers to find her and bring her back. Tell her she can leave afterward.”

Miss Talbot frowned, afraid of disappointing her boss. She hesitated, “Sade is the only one still left today, Ma’am.”

Beatrice glowered faintly, “Ah yes. Our resident delinquent.” The older woman considered her words carefully, “give her my word that her performance will set the tone for my conversation with her father when next he visits” she sighed. “That man has many faults, but he loves his daughter,” she looked back up to her secretary, “have Sade bring her to the meeting room. Make sure to send our friends from the Blades and Watch that way as well.” She rose from her desk, gathering a few files into a manilla folder, “it should be entertaining that the Blades will have one of our students acting in an official capacity to represent them. I suppose they think she needs to work on her diplomatic skills.”