Teddybear

"We are like any other college of scholars, simply with more access to resources and information."

Kivvien glanced at Hieronymus in irritation. "What does it matter?"

"My lab partner," Kivvien said shortly.

"Yes, I did. Well, her son."

"The palace has funded much experimentation with the demons. Most was theoretical until members of the royal army were sent to retrieve a set of live specimens. I do believe ...

"I doubt anyone will question much, but if they do, the truth will do fine, if a modified version of it."

Kivvien assessed the thing and nodded. It would be good enough unless anyone looked too closely. He stepped into the cart and prompted the mule to keep walking.

Kivvien rolled the demon onto the tarp and wrapped it securely, getting up to grab a coil of rope to tie it closed. He then knelt down to hoist it ...

"Just move up to the seat for now."

"I do not remommend it"

Kivvien took the gloves from him and set the oil on the ground. He got up to grab the tarp and lay it out. Wordlessly, he used a brush to ...

"My gloves, a jar of oil, and a tarp."

"It's as dead as these things get," Kivvien confirmed. "Would you open that chest in the back there-" he gestured, "-there are some tools inside to preserve the carcass."

The demon leaped again, this time being caught in the air, the sigils latching onto its skin and holding it in place. Kivvien stooped to grab a stick and forced ...

Kivvien worked to rewrite the incantation, popping the cork on the vial with the hand that held it. The demon spat venom and Kivvien moved a moment too slow. the ...