“A place where no one will disturb research?” Tevril said, her face scrunching up in pondering.

“Yes, I’ve decided to take some time off to build my foundation.” I said, branches waving smoothly.

“Foundation he says…” Tevril muttered, it was barely audible, yet I heard it. “There’s always the Colosseum. I bet if you took over a large room there it would fit your needs perfectly.”

Really? I’m having trouble imagining how that would work.

“Exactly how?” I say, confusion evident in my ‘voice’ from the tiny flame floating between us.

“Well, as a competitor any room you can claim and keep is yours at the Colosseum. All they request is you fight at least once a day, week, or month depending on the room size. By fighting you could then test the theories you have!” Tevril said, triumphantly

“Ah, that seems…very smart. I didn’t expect that from you…” I admit.

Thwack!

“I mean, as expected from you, Tevril, genius!” My tone changes quickly to avoid further branch beat-down attacks from my Dryad. She plays favorites too much in my opinion.

“I’ve think I’ll develop some non-combat magic for a bit. I’m particularly interested in several of the fields I tortur­-, er, discussed about with Lord Azvril.” I said, trying to disguise my slip of the tongue. Really, the old fox didn’t mean to say I was torturing him to death with my questions…probably.

“Such as?” Tevril stared at me suspiciously.

Honestly, it’s not my fault some of my early experiments had a tendency to go BOOM! when she was sleeping.

That was just bad luck.

Honest.

Seriously it’s not like I enjoyed watching her spring awake twitching in fear.

THWACK!

Dryad, couldn’t we go back to the rustle rustle it was so much more peaceful before this time of violence.

Rustle.

Tsk. I see how it is, fox-sisterhood-favoritism over your own Tree.

Evil it is, evil!

“Eh, normal stuff like Blessing, Enchanting, Artificing, stuff like that.” I said.

I missed her eyes bugging out since I was focused on my plans for the future, but it was impossible to miss her tone of voice.

“I’ll…go…get…some transport then.” Tevril said, gritting her teeth as she walked out of the room. I’d managed to turn the room into a nice forest area with the help of Dryad.

I was the only Tree, but, it’s a small room.

Time to take a nap. I’m sure when I wake up I’ll be somewhere more Colosseum-ish!