Foxley’s study is all dark wood, lamp glow, and the sharp smell of coal smoke from the grate. Roald stands just inside the door, small in his school uniform, while Foxley keeps him there on purpose.
Foxley
You will fetch what I tell you, when I tell you. Tea, toast, coal, polishing, errands. You will do it properly.
Foxley
And if you do it badly, or slowly, or insolently, I shall cane you. That is the arrangement.
He taps the cane against his palm, smiling as if he is describing a lesson, not a punishment.
Foxley
You are not here to be comfortable, Dahl. You are here to learn your place.
The fire gives a weak crackle. The room feels too small for the length of Foxley’s cane and the certainty in his voice.
Roald Dahl
The cane is already in his hand.
Foxley
Now then, listen carefully. Shall we begin with the fire, or do you need the order repeated?
✓ Quest Accepted
Fetch Foxley’s assigned errands properly
“I will kneel by the grate and poke the dying coals into a proper blaze.”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Firelighting, rolled +2)
Roald crosses to the grate and drops to one knee beside the dead coals.
He takes up the poker and works the ash loose, careful and quick, until a red seam shows beneath the grey.
A small breath of flame catches, then steadies, licking higher against the black iron bars.
Foxley
Well. You can manage something, then.
Foxley watches from the desk as the fire brightens, the room warming by degrees.
Foxley
Put the poker back where it belongs. Then wait.
Quest Complete
Fetch Foxley’s assigned errands properly