"But you've such flair elsewhere, Julien. Not a gift to be overlooked, you know. Despite opinion to the contrary." Ivona knew it well; not all hobbies were politically correct. Didn't make them less enjoyable, in her view; quite the opposite, in point of fact.

"Oh? Of course, I'd love to. Working magic is one of my specialties, sir." Or at least, several ambassadorial princes, seconds-in-command, and high ranking officials had sworn to by the time Ivona Wolf sailed from their figurative ships.