Editing The Amorous Adventures of Factol Hashkar (section)

== The Fifth Adventure ==

Lily ran a hand down her slender half-elf body and shivered nervously. Now that she was here, under the stern gaze of Hashkar, she felt vulnerable. Exposed. She swallowed and tried to hide it.

"What is your wish, sir?" she asked, the breeze from the window stirring the stuffy air and teasing the edges of her cute white dress.

Hashkar stroked his magnificent beard.

"I read your thesis on the order to be found within Xaos. You must be very skilled in the arts of stealth and subterfuge to remain hidden there for that long."

Lily gasped inside her head. Hashkar had noticed her thesis! Her knees trembled excitedly.

"I would like a follow-up work on the gate-towns of Bedlam and Glorium. Glorium you may find easier, though Bedlam is dangerous. I would finance your expedition and hire cutters to guard you, of course."

A wave of pleasure crashed through Lily's brain. She shivered. All those years of work... she couldn't believe it had come to this. It only made her more nervous; Butterflies fluttered through her stomach and she began to tug awkwardly at her dress, fearing she had chosen the wrong garb for the occasion. Hashkar didn't seem to notice.

"Would that be acceptable? I would very much appreciate your insights on chaos theory."

"Oh, yes!" Lily almost moaned. "I mean, ah, um..." She blushed and tried to put on her serious face. "Yes, sir."

"Good," Hashkar nodded. "There is no need to be nervous, young girl. You've earned it. I would request that you undergo a physical and mental examination to be sure you are fit for the task. A formality, of course."

Lily nodded and began to fumble with the buttons of her dress.

"I did not mean me," Hashkar said.

"I apologise, sir," Lily stammered, doing up her dress, "I'm a little nervous."

"That is acceptable. I can see where my previous request could be misinterpreted. I will endeavor to be clearer in the future." Hashkar nodded and ushered her out.

Once she had gone, Hashkar sat down to continue reading through the ancient tome on Abyssal pottery he had acquired. He wasn't quite sure where all these young girls were coming from, but it did not interest him in the slightest.

The clocks in his office rang out 1 P.M., exactly on time. The pentadrone he was meeting with at exactly one hour after-peak knocked politely.

Hashkar almost smiled. Modrons, now... modrons were interesting.