"Perpetually unsatisfied hag."
"Rusty scrap metal," the two centuries-old mad creatures exchanged their final insults.
As much as I respect ancient monsters, they've clearly lost some mental stability. Then again, that seems inevitable for anyone who lives long enough.
"I don't understand why your mistress even needs this useless piece of junk," the red-haired queen turned to me, with a flash in her eyes that was all too familiar. "I could've taught her Fomorian magic myself… and better."
"Now I understand why Her Highness didn't want to meet you herself and sent me in her place." It's clear now who she wanted to avoid. If the artifact is ready to give up all its knowledge purely on account of her status as a Great Witch, this particular being would clearly require... something more. I'd bet she doesn't see a distinction between men and women. Lucky if she's not into animals, too.
"Classic German bluntness. Siegfried said something similar when he fulfilled Brunhilda's request," she smirked. No doubt she brought him up on purpose. The sword had probably spilled everything. "It seems you Germans are destined to serve powerful women." She sneered, basically calling me a lapdog.
I merely shrugged. She's obviously exaggerating, trying to get a reaction. But I'm German — keeping a straight face is what we do, so I simply… did.
"I'm grateful for your saving me and acknowledge my life debt," I said. Who'd have thought I'd find another ancient horror living in that castle? But I'd learned my lesson and don't need it repeated. "Is there anything you want from me — or perhaps from my companion? If not, I'd prefer to finish Her Highness's task as soon as possible."
"Oh, look at him go… Drop the flattery. My ego grew tired of sycophancy before that Hebrew Christ was even born. Regrettably." She sighed, her face momentarily sorrowful as she poked her fork into one of the dishes. For a second, I actually wanted to reach out, to comfort her — such sadness didn't belong on so beautiful a face...
Shaking my head, I marveled. What a devil. And judging by the smirk, she'd done it intentionally.
"Yes?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"A life debt to a servant of a Great Witch is useful enough to hold onto. So, I won't use it just yet. But don't worry, young one — I'm not planning to use it in any way that would hinder my one link to her. If you die, that Colchian slips back into the magical world, and it'd take centuries to find her. And, frankly, she's the only skilled witch I could reach out to," Medb added, apparently confiding her ancient grudges. "Morgan le Fay? Forget it. Even if you do get a message to her on Avalon, that fickle girl will turn you down without a second thought, even if it benefits her!"
Medb's complaints were a window into the tangled relationships of ancient beings — exactly the last thing I wanted to understand. Any reasonable person would steer clear. The mental risk is just too high.
"Thank you for being forthright about your motives, Your Majesty." I nodded, returning to my meal, which seemed destined to be the best of my life. Unfortunately, our house elf couldn't compare to these ones, eager to appease their mistress, who must have sampled every food in the world by now.
"Yes, yes, enough with the caution. It's sensible for someone so young…" a note of haughtiness crept into the former queen's tone, "but it's starting to seriously irritate me. I'll be blunt — it's become rare to meet anyone who speaks to me as anything close to an equal. A thousand years ago, the world was full of them, but now... it's dreadful. But why bring this up? You may know I have the gift of foresight... Of course, it's not absolute — Merlin surpasses me as much as I surpass you in magical skill — but it's still something. And I foresee that you could bring back the era when wizards were more curious, more daring!"
"I'm not fond of prophecies. Not at all." I made a face, sensing that I was in way over my head. It wasn't a world-saving fate, but the vagueness alone was unsettling.
"All who deal in prophecy feel that way," she shrugged her shoulders, "but regardless of how we feel about it, they're as real as it gets. How many great people have perished because of prophecies, directly or indirectly? There are fewer of them nowadays because the world is quieter. The movers and shakers of the universe have long passed on. So, you likely won't have to do anything impressive — no killing gods or ancient monsters unless you choose to."
"This situation…" I trailed off, recalling ancient legends where people like Jason had repeated the mistakes of those who came before. There would be no change in plans, not even after her prophetic words. I'd carry on with the original goals I'd mapped out in this life.
"Alright, since you're such a cute sight when you're pensive, I'll ease your mind a little. I, too, had a prophecy to fulfill once, and here I am — alive, well, and annoying people a thousand years later," she grinned.
"We'll see," I replied cautiously.
"Pessimist."
"Realist."
"The mistress has a servant who's a bore."
"… I think I'll remain silent. I value my life," I replied.
"Coward."
"I have a sense of self-preservation, Your Majesty."
In the meantime, our exchange seemed to stun Winny, who had completely stopped eating, her wide eyes following the back-and-forth. Realizing this, I shot her an apologetic look.
"Oh, right," Medb said, turning to her. "Girl, you do understand that everything spoken here should stay here, don't you? I don't want some fools to start interfering with my… well, let's call it a prophecy… and bothering this amusing young man."
"Kkh… Yes, I'm no fool, thank the gods. My lips are sealed, but torture has a way of breaking open even the tightest lock." Even in the face of meeting a living legend of the magical world, she kept a level head. I had to respect that.
"Practical… Adelbert, you may go. Having studied you a little, I know you'd prefer not to alter the probable future…" Such perceptiveness wasn't surprising, given her age. "So, there's no need to place a protective charm on you, as it, too, would count as interference. But the girl will stay for a couple of hours."
"Wait… won't adding a confidentiality charm to her…" I glanced at the listening Winny. "Won't that affect the prophecy?"
"Unlikely. The influence would be indirect, and it's being cast by the prophet. It's rare for a seer to directly partake in the realization of their own words." Medb responded immediately, without a hint of hesitation. "In any case, even if I'm mistaken, it wouldn't change anything too drastically."
"Well… I've certainly spiced up my life…" Winny muttered under her breath.
"Be proud; today, you've touched the great deeds of the future!" laughed the red-haired beauty.
It was obvious that such words didn't delight me in the least.