Nell was a good man, passionate and affectionate, though he never was able to engage others violently. That tendency was never out of cowardice, but a conviction to peace (though he would support my views on war; he simply didn't engage in it himself). But even he could have moments of fear, of choosing comfort above all else. Social backlash was what tore us apart; his parents would have refused to pay for his education had I married him, for they disliked my heritage and mistrusted my power. Perpetual hurt rests in my heart, and I wish still that he was my husband, though eight years have passed since then. Yet I tend to view him leaving as a simple reality, not a matter of right and wrong.

❂❂❂

Light Spinner and Micah entered the Guild room, flanked by two of Mystacor's guards. Scarcely had she curtsied when Emeth Muriel sounded off. "This is an OUTRAGE!" he roared, pounding his fist on the cauldron. "Light Spinner, you could have taken this unprepared kingdom to war!"

"Muriel," she answered, forcing her voice to stay level, "if I hadn't intervened with Micah, those people would have died." It's not what Mother would have wanted, she added silently.

"That doesn't matter," Festinia said. "It was one village, and you had a direct order from Master Norwyn that you disobeyed. Not only that, you used your evil power to do it!"

The Seraphites in Illuras didn't seem to care. It's only you moronic, religious zealots.

"And you put Micah in danger," Arvina said. She wasn't as outwardly angry as the other two, but she could punish people far more harshly. "Norwyn has forbidden us from expelling you, Light Spinner. A decision which we nearly decided to overrule."

By the moons, thanks, she almost snarked off at the satyr. Ahelia gave a sad sigh, and Light Spinner suspected the older woman was just disappointed, which she could live with and disregard. "Light Spinner, do you have a defense?"

Light Spinner clenched her fists, her body still aching from the attack. I'm not powerful enough to stop them. Shaking her head, her cheeks sprung hot with embarrassment. "I rest my case."

Arvina stepped forward, holding a pair of black half-finger gloves. "Your light will be shackled until the autumn Guild meeting. That way, you will understand what it is like to actually follow orders and conceal it."

Light Spinner bit down the urge to shout, to scream, to vent her frustration with all her strength. I am not a monster! Why do they assume that if I do something stupid, I'm immoral? She put the gloves on, her lip curling. "Why don't you fools do anything yourselves?"

Muriel spun around. "Hold your tongue, you young brat."

"Don't talk to her like that," Micah said, a waver in his voice. Light Spinner sighed, disappointed but not surprised at his disobedience. "She has a point."

"You stay out of this discussion," Muriel snapped. "She is a mere child whose meddling could have doomed this entire kingdom!"

"Really?" Light Spinner snapped. "You think I wished to betray Mystacor, Muriel? Do you think it was easy for me to choose between the lives of my home kingdom and the lives of those I mentor every day? Of course not, because I'm faceless evil. I'll always be faceless evil to you."

"That's ENOUGH!" the merman bellowed, flinging a hand out, and Light Spinner soared across the room, sliding and smacking her sore back against the wall. Enormous pain ripped through her head and body.

Micah stepped in front of her. "Stop! This is what Master Norwyn was talking about, wasn't it? He knew you would do this!"

Light Spinner took deep breaths, her hair disheveled and flying in her face. The world spun from side to side, and a roaring headache pounded in her skull. Muriel's face was stony. "Don't...try to fight with him," Light Spinner gasped against the pillar. Her stomach churned painfully in her body, bile crawling up her throat. "He'll do the same thing to you."

Struggling, Micah hoisted her up and held her hand. He met Muriel's eyes, his own dark jewels of quiet, mature anger. "She's been sentenced. There's no reason to stay."

Light Spinner sighed behind her veil, holding Micah's hand. Combining her strength with that of her brave, sweet apprentice, they teleported away, leaving those who had hurt her.

✧✧✧

Micah helped Light Spinner to the couch once they were home. His best friend, the woman taking care of him, his mentor - she'd been tossed into the wall like a worthless rag doll. And he'd had the gall to not only rebuke her attacker, but teleport away in the middle of a meeting.

Her craziness is really starting to rub off on me. Guess that's a good thing.

There was nothing he could do till Norwyn returned, since the doctor probably wouldn't let her into his office, if he'd examine her at all. He sat down next to her, touching her head. It was hot, but didn't feel broken.

She opened her eyes and gave him a glassy look. "Micah...what you did was very brave."

He swallowed, grateful she hadn't ratted him out for disobeying her wishes. "What should I do?"

"Get me some ice. I'll be fine."

"Muriel just threw you against a wall."

She lowered her eyes, her voice quaking. "I just need...rest..."

Micah sat next to her. "Light Spinner - "

She turned away and staggered to her room as Micah rushed to help her walk. A moment later, the bolt was latched, and Micah was alone in the living room. He wasn't sure what to do, but he did know she hadn't been wrong to fight back. They had to do something about the terrorists.

❂❂❂

Did you know...

● Muriel using his magic against Light Spinner was a late addition that I thought made more sense than in the previous drafts.

Tell me what you think...

● What is ironic about Muriel's attack on her?