“Ow,” Arelyn said in response to the lash, monotone and indifferent.

“I don’t have a ‘master’,” Arelyn replied, “or allegiance, or enemies really, well, except for your elf friend who shot me in the face the other day I guess.”

“The role of ‘boss’, ‘employer’, or ‘master’ is currently vacant, if you’re interested in the job,” Arelyn said, “so if you’ve got a problem that needs solving maybe we can help each other out.”