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The new Head Sorceress, Madame Isla, asked for independence so the shattered province could work its way up from the ground. Princess Lé granted her wish; shortly after, the country of Mystacor was founded.

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Shadow Weaver groaned as they entered her chambers, sinking to her knees. The teleport from the Black Garnet chamber to here had drained all her power. Feed me, the Spell whispered. I am in pain...

"You are not my master. Not yet," Shadow Weaver whispered back.

Nell helped her to her feet. "Alright," he said. "Where to? I have power as well – I can cloak us."

Shadow Weaver looked around the room, her eyes meeting Carmen's suddenly. By instinct, she raced across the room and grabbed the felinetta in a hug. She'd never been so overjoyed to see someone before.

She pulled away and eyed her servant. "Thank you. You...you saved my life."

Carmen blushed, looking to the side silently. Odd – the felinetta usually talked people's ears off, especially Shadow Weaver's. "I need your help," Shadow Weaver said. "We'll need you to go to the coast and tell the soldiers to leave. If you tell them your battalion will take over guard duty, I have no doubt they will cooperate. We must save Micah."

Carmen looked at her, then off to the side. She bit her lip and shook her head. "What happened to you?" Shadow Weaver said, cupping her servant's cheek. "What...what did they..."

"Alura," Nell said, "might I handle this?"

Shadow Weaver swallowed. "I...suppose."

She stepped back, and Nell spoke to the felinetta. "Hello, Lady Carmen." The felinetta waved back solemnly, smiling with a sad glint in her eyes. "Can you speak at all?"

Carmen shook her head.

"When did this start?" Nell asked patiently.

Carmen held up two fingers. Then she tapped her lips twice.

"Mute?" Shadow Weaver cried.

Nell placed a hand on her shoulder, but Shadow Weaver could barely feel it. "She's hurt psychologically," he said. "Whatever happened to her was so intense, so traumatizing, that it broke her. Now...I don't know if she'll speak again."

Shadow Weaver swallowed, thinking back on all Carmen had suffered. Jibril's rape and the subsequent pain of having a stillborn child. Killing a small one in the Snows. And now...Shadow Weaver's beating.

She wanted to care. Moons, she wanted to, just as she once had. But all Shadow Weaver knew was that this would compromise their plan. "If you cannot speak," she said, "you must find a way to the officers by the coast. It cannot remain occupied when we arrive. You are second-in-command, are you not?"

Carmen shrugged with a confused expression. I don't know. "Perfect," Shadow Weaver muttered. "What do we do now?"

"I think I know," Nell said. "We could ride a skiff to the island. Those things are speedy."

"Skiffs need a key, which I don't have." Shadow Weaver looked toward Carmen. "Do you have one?"

Carmen shook her head. "We could steal one?" Nell suggested.

"No," Shadow Weaver said. "The other Force Captains will be looking for me. For us. We can't afford to attempt that."

"Then what do we do?" Nell asked.

What can we do? Shadow Weaver thought for a moment. Then a plan formulated in her mind. "I'll tell you when we get to the coast."

"What?"

"If I told you, you would try to stop me."

Nell and Carmen traded looks. Then, after a long pause, he spoke. "I can get you there with a cloak if you tell me where to go."

Shadow Weaver nodded. "We must remain stealthy, but there's still a chance." Then, addressing Carmen, she spoke. "You'll need to stay behind."

Carmen shook her head violently. Then she pointed to the door, making a closing motion. Though she couldn't speak, strength rested in her eyes. A power that made Shadow Weaver nervous.

Nevertheless, she appreciated her servant actually having a spine. "Meet us by the coast," Shadow Weaver said. "I'll be gone by the time you arrive. Farewell."

Carmen swallowed, nodding nervously. Then Shadow Weaver and Nell left for the Black Garnet chamber with her.

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Did you know...

- I debated on whether Shadow Weaver and Carmen should meet again, but eventually decided that it was best Nell got a chance to look at Carmen and determine the cause of her muteness. Muteness is often misunderstood, so I wanted to ensure readers were familiar with what it is and why Carmen has it.

Tell me what you think...

- Is Shadow Weaver's plan foolproof? Why or why not?