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Inevitable

Mr Today looked away frorowl outside his office "Come in, Simber," he said "Florence, welco and Ms Octavia arrived, and the group arranged itself coe office Simber sprawled on the floor, Florence eased into a sturdy-looking, grotesquely oversized floral love seat as if it had been fashioned just for her, and the two instructors sat in office chairs near Mr Today’s desk

The e shuffled papers on his desk and set the," he said "Simber, what news?"

"Alex has discoverrred this hallway," Sian "He’s been herrre thrrree times, as farrr as I know frrrom ht Twice durrring Tuesday lunches"

Mr Today nodded "What about Will Blair?"

"I haven’t seen Blairrr, but he could be using an invisibility spell to enterrr, now"

"Thank you, Simber Octavia?"

"All seems ith Alex Stillon three-dis"

"What sort?"

"Windows and doorways, that sort of thing Quite alasses and down her long snout

"Hht?"

"Not terribly close, but he’s getting better It’s a very difficult procedure, as you well know"

Florence cleared her throat "I’ve spoken to the girrinos down at the gate Arija says the Blair boy is acting suspiciously He’s been to the gate twice in the past week And the ostrich statue in the library reports that Blair has convinced young Sa with Blair?" Mr Today asked, a hint of concern in his voice

Florence shrugged her massive shoulders "Looks that way"

Claire interrupted "What is Will Blair’s issue? I’m afraid I don’t quite understand"

"It’s a bit coeneral of the Quillitary Blair’s been bitter since he arrived here three years ago, because if he had been Wanted, he’d naturally be sitting in Aaron’s place right now by default of his heritage Will has gotten more bitter since he discovered Aaron has clearly ‘stolen’ his seat of honor" Mr Today pointed to the blackboard of the palace There, in the High Priest Justine’s own private office, sat Aaron, in earnest discussion with the ruler of Quill herself "Aaron’s made quite a name for himself Gunnar reports the boy has just been appointed assistant secretary to the high priest No one so young has ever held so high a position"

Mr Today turned back to face the group "Will is extres as they are, but as he wants thehbor and friend, they began to talk about Quill Will found out that Aaron was the one who reported Sae He’s beco Aaron in the palace having lunch with the High Priest Justine and with Will’s own father, General Blair himself"

The room was silent for a e on Aaron?"