No matter how many times the mage-captain looked over the interior, it was undoubtedly a restaurant. Tables and chairs in front, an immaculate kitchen in the back, an office to the side, and everything just as laid out in the memoirs of a successful owner.
"That's wonderful, Mr. Karsask. I'm completely satisfied that you have reformed. To think the last time I came here, it was a lair of foul necromancy."
"Oh, I could never live in a place like that now, sir. I must have been suffering from insanity back then. But to make sure, you had better check the dishes." Karsask snapped his fingers and forthwith the staff brought out a modest three courses for inspection.
"I suppose I should . . ."
Karsask watched the mage-captain eat from over the man's shoulder. It wouldn't do for the inspector to see the terrible smile of the inventive sorcerer. He had abandoned blood magic, it was true, but only because he had discovered a new power, easier to replenish: Bile magic. Already the mage-captain's insides were producing energy being gathered by arcane contraptions below. Had he only realized, he might have said something about it to his superiors in passing, and though there was no law against bile magic, they would blab about it, and then competitors would start up, and what a hassle and squandered opportunity the whole thing would be.
Finis
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