On a 10+, Wardress Euryale explains.

⚂⚄ + 2 = 10

"Come in, Miss Woodbine," the Wardress says.

House Minerval's Wardress, Euryale, turns to face you as you enter. Hooded and veiled, she's known to have serpents for hair like the Nurse, Miss Wormwood; but Miss Wormwood goes bareheaded, and her serpents are green, while Euryale's head and face are always covered, and her serpents, when they peek from under her hood, are brown. Boarbristle's students whisper rumours of what would happen if Euryale bared her face and met someone's gaze. "She'd turn them to stone!" "No, they'd just fall dead!" "No, they'd just faint right away!"

You've never ventured an opinion or even been curious. The Wardress has seemed the model of cool efficiency, with never any sign of cruelty or partiality, unlike Minerval's Tutor and Housemaster.

And she walks silently.

"You wanted to ask me how you were found last night?" Euryale says.

"Yes, Wardress," you say. "I don't remember much."

She takes a deep breath. "Well, what do you remember last?"

"Warden Torch was with me, and someone ambushed her, an old enemy? I think I tried to stop them, but I don't remember any more." Everything you tell her is true. You'd never lie to the Wardress. But you don't fill in all the context.

"Yes," the Wardress says. "I detected the intrusion. The Tutor and I arrived to find you and Warden Torch prostrate in one of the lower corridors of House Minerval. You were incoherent, and the Warden was unresponsive. We did not find your attacker. The Housemaster is angry. With your permission, I would like to review those moments, so we can better defend the House, and Boarbristle."

"Yes," you say. "How..how is Warden Torch?"

"She has recovered her senses," the Wardress says. "But not her power of speech."

Like Saralinda, you think. But you don't volunteer anything you learned from the Warden, the flash of memories stolen when Barbara Torch's mind opened as she climaxed when she tasted Fay's bumhole on your lips, memories of the Warden's history as she was given severe penitence for misconduct when part of the Outside Warders.

"If you are ready, Miss Woodbine?" the Wardress says.

"Yes."

Euryale raises her wand and casts a spell to enhance your recall as she asks you to describe those final moments vividly. There are flickers as images appear momentarily between you. Euryale keeps her veiled face pointed at you as you retell the scene. Once you have gone through it three times, with the Wardress prompting you with questions on the last occasion, she dismisses the spell.

"Thank you, Miss Woodbine," Euryale says. "The Warden was clearly familiar with her attacker, and the means of surprise suggest that her attacker had made specific preparations. This will be helpful for our investigation and our defense."

"But what of the Warden?" you ask.

"We do not know if she will recover," Euryale says.

Saralinda.

"It is early yet in her course. Miss Wormwood may be able to say more," the Wardress adds.

You may choose:

• Barbara Torch does not recover. Remove her as your HANGER-ON, and replace her with the Tutor, Fiammetta Hawk, who is Very Suspicious of you.
• Assist with Barbara Torch's treatment. Remove her as your HANGER-ON and take on another GOAL vs. DILIGENCE at -2 to help her recover.