"So what are they talking about?" Gwen asked, pointing to a group of Cultivators gathered not far outside the window.
"Ahem." Eric coughed twice to clear his throat, then adopted a different tone.
It was a clear sign that the words to follow were not his own.
"Hey, everyone, what do you make of what happened today?"
"What do I make of it? I'm watching it unfold from my seat. He's the dean, and I'm just a Cultivator goofing off until I die. What am I supposed to do? Pin him to the ground and make him smell my stinky socks?"
"If he were one of the English, I'd say he's being a bit harsh. But he's one of the Normans, so I didn't expect much from him in the first place."
"At least we don't have to prepare for that annoying morning prayer. I think it's fine."
A portion of the Cultivators chose to compromise, admitting the new dean had caused them trouble, but they felt it was still within an acceptable range.
