The two veteran acolytes looked at each other, wondering what to do with the unconscious innkeeper and barmaid lying on the tavern’s floor.
“Any ideas, Sarge?” Yvana asked.
“Well, the rules state that it’s the commander who decides what we do with prisoners.” Lyra sighed. Grabbing a coil of rope, they tied up their captives and dragged them out back to the stables. Inside, they found a naked little stableboy whistling merrily as he shoveled manure into a neat pile by the corner.
“Do we really have to turn her back, Sarge?” Yvana glanced hopefully at Lyra.
The sergeant rolled her eyes and grimaced. Reluctantly, she pulled out the stone, and with a flick of her wrist, restored the acolyte commander back to her natural form. Caught by surprise, the commander lost her balance and fell into the pile of manure, causing both acolytes to let out a muffled guffaw.
After picking herself up & doing her best to brush the manure off her fine robes, the commander glared at Lyra & Yvana with flinty eyes. “What are you doing here? Didn’t I send you to find that witch?” she demanded.
“We thought you might need some backup for the innkeeper…” Lyra started to explain.
“What foolishness! Do I look like I need help to deal with a simple peasant? As you can see for yourselves, I’ve already taken care of that lout by myself...” she pointed at the unconscious innkeeper lying behind the acolytes.
Lyra cursed silently under her breath as she exchanged glances with Yvana. This wasn’t the first time the commander had tried to claim credit for their deeds.
“But commander, you were…”
“SILENCE! How dare you interrupt me!” She strode up and jabbed her finger at Lyra’s chest. “Disobeying my orders! And talking back! When we return, I’m going to court martial you, and then you’re going to spend a full month as our barracks’ chamber pot! You insolent, insubordinate….”
Lyra pulled out the stone and pointed, reducing the commander back into a naked stableboy. His eyes widened as the acolytes seemed to grow into giantesses before him. “What… what did you do to me?” he stammered in shock. Looking down at his scrawny grime-streaked body and the unexpected package dangling between his spindly legs, his face turned a bright crimson. “I ORDER you to turn me back right now!” he squeaked in a petulant little voice.
Both acolytes nearly doubled over with laughter. The boy stomped his feet impotently on the ground in fury, but as his stableboy’s mind took hold, his eyes gradually glazed over and he began to scratch absently at his butt. “Eh?” he looked up blankly at the pair.
“Just carry on...” Lyra waved her hand, dismissing him.
“Yes, Ma’am!” he replied with a dopey smile. Turning around, he picked up the shovel and enthusiastically embarked on his new career of mucking out stalls for the rest of his life.
“Yvana?”
“Yes, Sarge.”
“When we entered the inn, we found the innkeeper and his barmaid lying unconscious on the floor. The commander was nowhere to be seen. We did a thorough search of the surrounding area but were unable to locate her. Based on the magical signatures left in the inn, we conclude that a fierce battle took place and the commander perished in her valiant effort to bring down our foes. Memories of her courageous deed will be honored in our temple for eternity.”
“Of course, Sarge.” Yvana smiled broadly. “And now, what shall we do with this innkeeper?”
“I think we should change him into…”