Mina just nodded and looked down again. She had doubts that she would be able to be the apprentice this man wanted, but it wasn't a matter anyway... she would leave as soon as she got what she wanted and start a new life somewhere else after all.

Suddenly, the bird started talking and the girl gasped again and took a few steps back. "It's talking! Oh my god!", she said. "And insulting me...", she noticed and frowned. "Careful or I'll put you in the oven, BIRD.", she said to him, teasing him a bit.

“Oh! A testy one are we.” Says Saturn sarcastically. “I’m sure I should be afraid of becoming raven pie. Especially since you’re probably hungry from being a street rat and all.”

This earns him a flick to the head by Avin. “That’s enough Saturn. One more comment like that and you’ll be back in your cage for a week.” He says sternly before looking back at Mina.

He looks her up and down before nodding. “Of course you are a bit worse for wear. A bath is most definitely needed when we get to my castle. Along with a new outfit rather than those dingy rags they have you in.” He said.

Mina blushed, because of anger and embarrassment, but before she could answer the raven, he got scolded by it's master and so she decided to remain silent.

Her new master turned around to look at her and told her that she would need a bath and new clothes. "I will gladly take that Sir...", she agreed and smiled slightly. "May I ask why you picked me...?", she asked after a moment. She couldn't help but be curious about it.

“Because I saw how defiant and angry you were.” He says. “If you were to continue to act like that around any other slave master you wouldn’t survive the week. If you were expecting it was because I saw some talent or hidden potential in you then I’m sorry to disappoint you that I haven’t seen it. Yet.”

Once outside you saw his carriage. A wooden one pulled by two elk and driven by a dwarf of a man.

"So he took me out of pity...great...", the girl thought and rolled her eyes. So annoying... "If somebody would kidnap you and force you to an auction where they want to sell you as a slave, wouldn't you be angry too?", Mina asked and looked down, her hands turned into fists.

She followed her new master to the carriage and looked at him unsure.

“Don’t worry they’re all tamed.” He said leading her to the carriage. “Including the driver.”

Once inside the carriage starts off quickly but smoothly rather then the usual rattle. “So. What did you do before you were caught.” He asks.

Mina sat down and was surprised how comfy the carriage was. She looked at the man across from herself and thought about it for a moment. "I used to live on the street. The first few years, I was in an orphanage, but then I got kicked out, as I got too old. So I started to pickpocket and steal to survive. Until these horrible people got me...", she explained and sighed.

“I see.” He says pausing for a moment and thinking. “Then it seems on top of magic that will also have to work on your mannerisms and courtly appearance. Balance and stance and proper greeting and the likes. Also with proper table manners.”

He then pauses for a moment understanding that could be considered condescending towards her. “That is unless you are familiar with how to act proper and well mannered.”

"Well, I can try to do that...", Mina said and shrugged. She wasn't sure but normally she could be well mannered. Sometimes. Depending on what happened and who was talking to her. But she wouldn't say that to her new master. "Balance huh? Like holding books on my head or something?", she asked amused.

“Fairly simaler.” He replies. “That and learning how to walk with grace and poise. It’s important for keeping up appearances around our backers so I hope you’ll understand why I need to be strict with this.”

The carriage continued on for several hours out of the city and up through the woods and over the mountains until you could see your large round stone tower surrounded by four other smaller towers dominating the top of one mountain between two valleys.