The Assassin's Tale; Dessert

Credits; Krell, Rea, Tala, Arcania, Courtney, Thalia,

Desert proved much less individualized than dinner had.  Brownies, and in no small quantity either, had been set in the center of the table just about as they finished up their dinners.  Some, like Rea and Tala, had finished earlier than others, but most of the rest of them finished around the same time.  They were very good brownies, and the meals had clearly been portioned to ensure that everyone had room for desert.  It occured to Krell that Thalia must have been using magic to know how much people would eat, not to mention what and that they would all like brownies.  Or maybe, he considered as he helped him self to a second portion of the melty chocolate confection, it was that she'd enchanted the brownie so that everyone would like it.  Or perhaps it was just that everyone did like brownies as a sort of universal law and Thalia just happened to know it and worked out one of the best brownie recipes in all of history so she could exploit it.  There was no way of knowing without asking, and he wasn't sure if it would be polite. 
"Lovely dinner Missus Immersfeld, thank you for having us over."  Courtney was the first one to finish with desert, not surprising considering her apparently miniscule appetite.  She stood to leave and Tala rose with her. 
"Pardon me Thal, I need to speak with miss Yellsdana for a moment.  I'll be back shortly."
"Of course, take your time, I doubt any of us are in any hurry to do anything after such a satisfying meal."
"Thank you."  Tala accompanied Courtney into the next room and closed the door behind them.  Krell could see from Thalia's raised eyebrow that he was not the only one to find it curious that Tala had blocked sound from passing into the room.  But Tala and Courtney were both adults and they were entitled to their privacy, so neither he nor Thalia said anything about the matter. 
"Kate, Sara; could you run along and if you insist on not going to bed then at least occupy yourselves.  Hal, could you put Cyssie down for the night?  I believe Rea and Krell need to speak with me."
Hal nodded and picked Cyssie out of her high chair gently.  The two sisters walked out silently, clearly accustomed to this sort of thing.  No sooner had the two girls left then the table and dishes vanished.  Hal left just as Thalia and Rea stood.  Krell chose to stand as well, and just in time as the chairs joined the table in subspace. 
"So what do you need today?"
"Besides letting Krell meet you?  We need you to show us how to do something."
"Ah that would explain...nevermind.  Continue."
"The time is at hand.  Petra and Legion are preparing to battle.  We only have a couple of days.  We need to know how to sap power from a demon safely."
"There is no such thing as sapping power from a demon safely.  But I could show you how to do it dangerously."
"Then do it.  We need to know."
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Why not?  Petra's life is at stake."
"Besides not being overly fond of Petra, it's not the sort of technique to be taken lightly.  You have no idea the danger it poses.  I will not teach you."
"But.."
"I will, however, teach your partner.  Krell is..more prudent.  I think he can better judge the appropriate times to use it.  And I believe he will be better able to combat the demon's poisons then you would.  Perhaps if you would choose good over your current system of balance then you could handle it too.  But add demons to the shadow and it would take God himself to bring you back.  Remember the Tome of Zink?"
Rea frowned and crossed her arms.  Thalia wasn't angry, she was more just mentorly and calm.  She'd managed to avoid angering Rea even while denying her what she wanted.  Seemed to be a common trait amongst the powerful people he'd been meeting lately; they all either annoyed her instantly or managed to keep her under control.  In fact, it almost seemed an indicator of an immortal's maturity that they managed to do so. 
"Fine.  I can't make you teach anyone, but if you're willing to teach Krell then its better than nothing." 
"Good.  Thalia smiled.  "Now what else is there I can do to help?  Even sapping his power won't be enough to defeat Legion.  And I doubt he'd be stupid enough to come alone, so you and your fine Father may be too busy to help at all."
"Kate is very powerful in our time.  She recently recovered your staff and believes your will is recorded on it.  Could you do something to try and convince her to help us?"
"Of course.  She won't listen though, she never does."
"I think she'd be much more open in our time."
"Ah.  And unless I'm mistaken Tala has already determined a course of action of her own.  You should be sure that the fight takes place in Stormguarde so her plans can be effective." 
"Yeah, that's a good idea.  How long should the training take?"
"About an hour."
"Only an hour?  Its supposed to be one of the most powerful techniques in all history and you can teach it in an hour?"
"I learned it in about ten minutes, so yeah.  Krell already has most of the prerequisite skills and he has the perfect sort of off-balance for it.  You really neglect the benefits of ordination Rea, you should take the time to go to seminary or a monastary or something at some point.  It's quite worth it."
"Yeah, I'll look into it."  Rea turned and headed out through one of the doors on the side of the room.  Thalia turned towards him. 
"Man, I like her better in the future.  She..right, spoilers.  Shall we get to work?"