Orthos smiled at Karl. "I do like smart people. But if you already knew what I was planning, why did you go along with it so effectively? You could have given just enough to give him hope every day for a week before anyone got impatient."
Karl smiled at the ancient Dragon. "I think it's better to have powerful friends, don't you? Without this skill, there was no way that our friend was going to become a Ghost Cat. It's not a skill that can easily be learned on your own, so the chances of a Moor Cat evolving in that direction are close to zero."
The cat rumbled in amusement that vibrated through the tail he still had slung over Karl's shoulder.
"Perhaps you are right. It is hard to say that you are a threat to the nation when everyone here is beginning to consider you a friend. Even the Acolytes are fond of your lessons.
They say that you are a more effective teacher than the clerics are, and that is saying something."
