Elder Sister Joins In

Gwendolyn was aghast. "What have the two of you been scheming behind my back?"

"Well, you weren't HERE, sister." Wendi said. "How would you improve upon my scheme?"

Gwen squinted her eyes at me. "You had nothing to do with this?"

"I merely obeyed my masteress' commands." I said. "The rug trap, the spirits, and the apparently innocent confrontation with the two of them...."

Gwen slapped me. I let her. It wasn't as if she was going to do anything more than subdual damage. In the end, it was nothing.

"Idiot!" she rebuked me. "As an apprentice, you help your master with ALL your resources."

"He has been!" Wendi said. "Besides, if he earns a slap, I should be the one administering it."

"You are placing MY shop at risk."

"MY apprentice is mine to discipline."

Gwen's nostrils flared. "You should have consulted me before taking an apprentice."

"I did, and I know you remember."