The plan went well enough that Ted could just pretend to take a few sips out of his tankard and then abandon it completely, calling for more ale to be brought to him. The Ruddermaster did not notice the scheme. She was too busy downing rum and ale herself to pay attention to the drinking habits of her target.
By the time they got back into the topic of complying with the kidnappers, Irra broke down, allowing Ted to half carry her through the streets, wailing about everything she was going to give to the neighboring nations.
Everyone stared at her.
"Weakness," a high-ranking officer said. "Weakness of the will is a disease unlike anything that can affect rye. We will talk about this later."
Horrified, the humiliated Ruddermaster fell asleep on Ted's arms.
"There was nothing I could do," the shrewd cult leader said, pretending to be sorry about the incident. "I think their head games have got her in their grip now."
