Quinten blinked, and rage crossed his features for a brief moment.

Then his face cleared, and he laughed. “Fair! Fair! I apologise, my friends. Seeing a platinum piece from four people from the humble town of Acron, and you can see my distrust. Certainly, you must understand?"

Daniel nodded slowly. "Oh, I understand perfectly. You don't think the likes of us could afford that much coin." Daniel dug into his pouch and pulled out another platinum piece and Laid it down on the counter. “This, together with the other one, will pay for our rooms and the testing for all four of us. I want the kitchen stocked with only the best foods and drinks. I will be doing all the cooking, so dismiss any staff. Including cleaning staff. We are never to be disturbed. Once we pass our testing, the funds will carry over to our new rooms in the school itself. Now, I'm not totally up on all the pally stuff, but I'm pretty sure you can tell when we are lying.

That money is ours. Do I lie?"

Quinten was bright red and looked furious. He took a long moment to gather himself.

"I say again, do I lie?"

Quinten shook his head, grabbed the quill, and wrote something in the tome. They could see him sign it and slam the book shut. He glared at them all and then raised two fingers to his mouth and blew a sharp whistle.

A door down a corridor opened, and Daniel heard small running feet.

In moments a small woman, only three feet tall and with lovely brown coloured skin, ran up and stood at attention. The girls and Daniel stared at her. She was a gnome and a tall one for her kind. She was bald, as were all gnomes, but her features were beautiful. Her eyes, easily twice the size of a human's, were fully black, with no whites at all. Her cheek bones were high, and her lips were naturally bright red. Her breasts were pressing against a threadbare tunic, which was too small for her. To Daniel, it had been years since he had seen a gnome. In the Realm, they were second-class citizens. No more than slaves in most areas. Daniel, however, knew from his mother that gnomes were among the most intelligent races in the Realm, but no one ever gave them credit. He also thought he knew how to properly address a gnome.

Daniel fell to one knee and held out a hand, palm down, toward the gnome. He heard Quinten gasp behind him, but ignored him. "My lady, it pleases me to see you."

He remained immobile and waited.

Jasmine stirred. "What is he doing? Why is this little woman Looking so upset?"

Amy answered. "I have no idea..."

“I'll tell you," grated Quinten. “He's giving the help airs. Get on your feet, boy. The gnomes in the school are indentured. She cannot respond as you expect. Some geas compels them to silence."

Daniel finally looked up and saw the poor gnome woman shaking in fear. He rose and turned toward Quinten. "Why is she so afraid?"

Quinten shrugged. "Honestly, I have no idea."

Daniel growled. "How much?"

“How much what?"

“How much to release her to our care?"

Quinten looked startled. "You can't. It's not possible. I don't think you can buy her."

Daniel growled. "I don't want to buy her. I want to free her. Pay for her release. Tell me how much."

Quinten sniffed. "You can't free her. As for how much? I'm sure I do not know.”

“Was that a lie?" growled Daniel. Amy gasped and moved closer to Daniel.

Quinten glared at Daniel. "I don't like you. Or your hedge witches.