Lynn thought about the lady Flower for long after the viper of a women left. Her Mage sense told her that the lead women of the House was somehow involved in the Master's accident.

It had not even crossed Lynn's mind till she had run into the Key Man.  He was the one who had told her that she was safe in the Tusk. 

He asked her, "Pardon me Mage but I have a concern that maybe you can help me with?  The barrel that nearly killed the Master, fell in such a way that I wonder if it was an accident." It was said in a way to imply that it was NOT an accident.

Lynn had no ideas herself since she knew nothing about life outside the Mage House but she did know drama and power struggles.  Mages were full of intrigue and cliques.

"The Master is getting older but he had never been as strong. Now he and the Lady Flower have been openly disagreeing on the management of the Tusk.  She is a women that likes to get her way, if ya know what I'm saying, Mage?"

Lynn thought he was being extremely blunt and she liked him more for it.
"Pardon me Mage, but can I ask you a question?"  The Key Man asked while not looking at her.

Lynn nodded but when she realized he was looking away nervously, she told him to ask away.

"The Master and I discussed it and we would like you to stay on here for a season.  I assume that your on a Long Walk and that makes you available, right?"

Lynn was taken aback. She had not expected an offer to stay. The Key Man took her silence the wrong way and began to stammer out.  "I mean not as a Host, but as a protection for the House and the Master himself.  As I said, there is a storm abrewing here and I worry for the Tusk and the Master Awl."

Lynn would have to think hard about it. She also did not know if she was allowed to stay in the city. Of course others have done things not allowed and are now are Mage masters.

"I will have to consider your request. To be frank myself, I don't know if it's allowed by the Mage council.  If Lady Flower is behind the attacks she is evil enough to contact the Mages and report me."

She did not need to add that she could have, and would not afford to have the council against her.

"I know a way you could find out."  He boldly said.

"How?"

With a sly grin he motioned her to follow him.

#####

After a winding trip into the very walls of the House he led her to a secret room that had a dark glass floor. She had no idea that glass could hold a person but in this room it could.

"This is known as the See All room.  From here we can see into the four reception rooms below. Do you see who is in the pink room?"  He said with the light from the room below barely lighting his face.

Looking Lynn found High Mage Corla, a teacher at the academy.  She gave the Key Man a quick glance to be sure this was not a joke or trick of some kind.

"She is using a false name but of course I know who she is."

"Is she here to drink....or something else?"  Lynn was not sure that she wanted the answer. It also made her very nervous to have any such knowledge of one of the High Mages.

"It's better to not know, my lady. I will say that she has no liking for Lady Flower."

"Why not just send the vile creature away?"  Lynn asked in a whisper.  She did not want the High Mage to hear her. "If she's property of the house."

"The creature in question has more power and influence than I can dare say, so removing her would be political suicide for this House, Lady Mage.  It is also not how things work."

Thinking and watching the drama in the rooms play out below her, Lynn felt very uncomfortable. She was never much good with people or intimacy, so watching others in their privacy was not easy.

"Lady Mage, I believe that in the next few seasons my master will be removed if something is not done quickly."

Watching and thinking Lynn stood very still. The man must have known that she was using magic for he moved further away from her. She had to remind herself that most people were unfamiliar with mages and magic.

Some ideas crossed her mind but most everything ended with either a confrontation or a out right murder of the Lady Flower.  The spell of insight showed nothing, but she had feared as much.

"If I get involved and it is discovered I myself could lose much favor." Lynn said sadly. "The High Mage there might be able to help but her position is in as much danger as mine.  I will talk to her."

#####

A plain robe was pulled over Lynn's head and a rose perfume was heavily splashed onto her wrists.

"Remember that the name being used is Lady Kore, of house Kore. She drinks honey mead and she favors light haired entertainment. Can you remember that much?" The Key Man sounded frustrated and nervous all at once.

They had been working on a plan to get Lynn to talk to the High Mage for fifteen minutes and Lynn was not doing well at all.

She hated all the sneaking and subversive games but she also understood the need for it. She could not very well walk right up to Lady Corla and ask for help. No this was going to have to be handled with care.

"I will not forget and I know what this means. Do you know what this could do to me if it goes badly?" Lynn said around a maid that was fussing with Lynn's hair.

The maid thought that Lynn was a new girl of the house and the Key Man was using the silly girl to try and get rid of the Lady Flower. She did not like Flower at all so whatever it might take was good for her.

"Get the Lady Kore in the room and do whatever you have to get her to help. ". He said in Lynn's ear. "Within a short time a different women will come and then your time will be over, understand?"

"Yes."

"Then come right back here and it will be up to fate." He added with a frown.

Lynn did not know about fate since it was just a House in a big city but she did feel like helping them and she really disliked the Lady Flower.

Leaving the prep room Lynn walked the dimly lit hall that led to pink room. Her maid went with her and at a solid looking door she opened it and stood to one side for Lynn to pass.

Sounds of light music and people talking in hushed tones came drifting from the room.

A strong but pleasant meat cooking smell hit Lynn and her stomach growled a bit. Grilled lamb was her favorite and that was what was on the grill.

She wondered if they had that white dip made from chickpeas and garlic she had earlier. Scolding herself for getting off track she looked for the High Mage.

Corla was sitting at a high table near the middle of the room. A mug sat half drunk in front of her and a full plate of sweet breads sat in the middle of the table.

"Pardon me, may I join you, Lady Kore?"  Lynn asked her.

Looking nervous and pulling her hood further forward Corla tried to ignore her at first. 

"I'm here on the behalf of the House Master Awl.  Well, sort of, sorry I'm not much good at all this."  Lynn said sitting across from the High Mage. 

"You seem pretty comfortable to me."  Corla said angrily watching the room and Lynn seat herself.  "I just want to drink my drink and go."

Reaching across the table and taking the small hand of Mage Corla, Lynn said with a smile, "Your not interested in the drink, but I was given the promise that what you are waiting for, a certain reddish-blond will meet you when I'm finished with you, and it's on the House this one time."

That got Corla's attention. When she looked at Lynn full in the face she let out a gasp and said in a hoarse whisper, "Your a Mage!?"

Pulling her own hood further over her eyes Lynn gave a quick look around the room.

"I'm on my Long Walk but got caught up in drama here at this House."

"Explain, and make it quick!"

Feeling trapped Lynn explained all she knew. The High Mage listened and asked a question or two. The subject of Lady Flower made her face scrunch up so Lynn made sure to mention the women as much as she could.

"Your becoming good at reading people.  You noticed right off my feeling on that snake of a women"  Corla said when Lynn was finished. "I did not learn as much as you till years after my Long Walk. You'll be a strong ally I hope one day."

It was meant as a mild threat and Lynn took it that way. Mages vied for position and power and it was all about who was your ally, or enemy.

Lynn also took this to mean that Corla was considering helping them.  "It will not be easy and it might also mean that you reveal yourself.  You willing to do that for this Master and this House?"  Corla asked.

Lynn had thought about this very thing and it plagued her from the time that she had been involved in all of it.

"I never intended to involve myself or the Mages in this but right is right." 

Corla smiled for the first time and for a younger women it made her look matronly.  "Are you talking about common right or your idea of right?"

"I took Master Winn's morality class and I understand the difference."  Lynn said with her own smile. "No, Lady Flower is off and this House does not deserve her drama.  You've met the foul creature and she will use this place to garner even more power and influence."

A serving girl came near to see if Lynn wanted anything. This made both women conscious of their surroundings.

Lynn waved the girl away and glanced up at the glass ceiling.  No one was supposed to come to the table till beckoned, So this was either a mistake, or the serving girl was acting on the orders of another.

"I think we need to move to someplace more private, young walker.  I've never seen that girl in this room before."

Thanks for reading! Remember to vote and let me know what you think so far!  
Sorry for the re-edit but a friend pointed out my opps here and there.  Hope you all were willing to read it again.