Gertrude knocked on the door of Sato's castle. It used to be Henry's and before that the giant named Grunk and the darkling Vool head sway there. The most beautiful woman Gertrude had ever seen opened the door and invited them in. “Josie and Chandi, it is good to see you again, who are your friends.” Josie said, “This is Gertrude, she's the niece of the Witch of Morpheus, and our hairy friend is Neph. This is Momoko, Sato's wife.” Momoko nodded solemnly to them and Neph nodded just as solemnly back. Gertrude extended her hand toward Momoko and a perfect dainty little hand reached back. Momoko's hand felt soft and delicate, but just below the surface Gertrude thought she detected a hidden strength. When Momoko extended her hand toward Neph, Gertrude stepped between them. “I don't think that's a good idea, Neph is very strong and he gets a little carried away with the hand shaking thing.” Momoko looked closely at …show more content…
“The one named Gertrude, but if we'd been fighting with swords...” “We would no doubt be having a very different conversation right now,” Sato interrupted. “You both have told me you desire to be trained as at-arms, now tell me why.” Gwladys replied, “We're good at fighting, we can follow orders.” Badora added, “We want to become knights someday, you can't be a knight unless you're at at-arms first.” Sato said, “Perhaps I didn't make myself clear, why do you wish to become at-arms and perhaps knights someday, what are your motivations?” “Oh,” Gwladys replied. Sato was asking for something deeper, a driving motivation that compelled her to seek a position as an at-arms. Something noble and good. Sato was looking at her funny, she was taking too long to answer. “Well, maybe it sounds corny, but I want to serve the inhabitants of Morpheus, help make the world a better, safer place.” “Yes that's the way I feel as well,” Badora said, “I want to help too.” “Very well, wait on that bench over there until I