A tall woman with a cane and a limp is striding in, and everyone nearby is parting to make space for her.

"Jick, I'm sorry, but we'll have to cut this short here. An Archcountess has just come in."

"Ah, quite all right, Watcher. I'll see you next week. Thank you for the counsel."

"Of course."

Theo stood and brushed his uniform-like robes straighter, and walked toward the newcomer.

He bowed a quarter to horizontal, an appropriate amount for a Baron meeting someone of her rank. "Archcountess Jeggare, I believe."

She nodded back. "High Priest Lebanel."

"I'm generally styled 'High Priest Theopho', madam, or 'Watcher of the Runes'. I'm not in line to inherit Lebanel holdings any longer. Have you come for advice?"

"To speak with you. I will gladly clarify, privately."

"Of course. Let me speak to my acolyte for a moment to ensure the shrine operates smoothly."

She nodded silently.

"Sarakaske. You'll run the shrine for the next hour. Maybe a couple hours. Anything you need before I speak to our exalted visitor?"

"Ah- not immediately, high priest. May I close early if you haven't returned in two hours?"

"Go ahead. Tibex will lock up on your command."

"Yessir."

He turned back to Archcountess Jeggare.

"Archcountess. The most secure privacy would be upstairs, if you'll join me?"

"Lead the way. But not too quickly."

"Of course."

He climbed the stairs to his private quarters and pulled out a pair of chairs.

As they sat, he reached for his liquor cabinet.

"You still a brandy woman?"

"Yes, still."

He poured the drinks.

"So, what brings you here, Tessane?"

"I could ask you the same. Didn't you flee to Rahadoum?"

"Well, flee might be putting it strongly..."

"Don't bullshit me, Theopho."

"True, I defected. But then I accidentally started worshipping a goddess, so I had to leave. And, well, she lives in Hell..."

"So are you a proper diabolist again?"

"Again? I never was before. Or since, really."

"What a shame. I was hoping you'd gotten some of the softness scrubbed off."

"Oh, shush, I'd bore you if I had and you know it. How would I catch your eye as one of the dozens of clever Asmodeans around? I wouldn't have anything to argue about!"

She just smirked and sipped her brandy.

"And you're still unmarried, which just proves my point, doesn't it?"

"For the moment. Jackis Leroung isn't bad, though."

"I heard he was top of his class in the school of law, but I assumed there was some nepotism involved."

"Well, I'm better. But he's very capable... yet, it's true, predictable."

"I'm sure he's competent to outfox most of his competition. Just not you."

"Flattery will get you nowhere."

"Why would I want to 'get' anywhere?", he asked, with a look of mock innocence.

He gestured to the drinks, the closed door, Tessane herself.

"...Seems to me that I've already arrived."

"Hah. I... have missed this."

"Me too. Some people were good debate partners... but delicious, dangerous ones? None half as good as you."

"...Maybe flattery will get you somewhere."

Theo had a bright gleam in his eye. "Well, milady Archcountess... where would you like to go?"

She grinned back, stood, and stepped slowly around the small table. He pulled his chair out a little, turning to keep facing her directly.

She looked down at him...

And dropped to straddle him, face to face.

"How about... here."

He pulled her into a kiss and threaded his other hand inside her cloak, down her back.

Quite a while later, they were twined around each other, Theo massaging Tess's bad leg.

"Mmm. A little lower... Ahhh."

"You know, I really expected you to have paid for this to be fixed by now."

"Oh, it can't be. A deal for power my family made once; magic comes easily to most of us, but deformities come with the talent."

"Hmm. Like a lot of seers."

"Oh?"

"Seers and soothsayers were Erecura's first responsibility when she ascended. She was one herself, once. They have a curse, but it comes with gifts. And divine spells, without a god directly involved. Most never know where their power comes from."

"Our deal was with a devil, but we have no record of which."

"Of course. No point in trying to verify it, that would be hopeless. I'm sure you were ahead of the curve, before even House Thrune."

"Naturally. Always pioneers in power, are House Jeggare."

"The one lame seer I met swore that the curse came with the gift that she never got tired, even serious exhaustion never slowed her down. I... see some resemblance."

"Excuses, excuses."

"Well... you seemed plenty satisfied."

"Oh, I was. I may have to visit Westcrown more often."

"For such an exalted guest, I'm sure I will always be able to make time. Maybe even time to give you advice, too."

"If only while you're recovering..."