As the two men observed their now common apprentice leave, huffing and puffing, Major Craen turned towards Professor Bedwen.
"What an obedient apprentice you have here," he said.
"Oh, she'll make me pay later," Professor Bedwen replied. "And don't expect she'll listen to you like that. You'll have to earn it."
He hailed a cab and gave the cabbie his home address.
"Shall we?" he invited the other man.
Major Craen nodded and boarded the cab. The two men said nothing during the entire trip, staring at each other intently.
In the house, the housekeeper looked at the dark mage with surprise, and offered to bring sandwiches. They went to the office, where the professor activated the privacy artifact.
"Nice setup," observed Major Bedwen. "Although I've heard you're moving."
"Of course you
