“That’s very impressive,” Saraty Raijum told Nepta, as the young wizard explained her Mark to Fawnlum’s mighty mother in the Raijum hearth-room, then covered her shoulders back up.

“Since I’ve started working with Diamance,” she told her, naming the belt of engraved, chain-linked, frost-steel plates Baneck had given her, now secured around her middle, “I have already gone beyond the basic set of spells, as if I was wearing my old robe again.”

“It is the same Coastal magic?”

“Yes,” she answered, as she retook her seat.

“And you’re able to do this, just by speaking the words of invocation Baneck gave you.”

“Yes.  Up to a point,” she added.

“There are some differences in how the magic behaves.  More marked variations exist for some spells, but not for others.  The spell components sometimes work, and sometimes sit inert.  And sometimes they simply turn to ash.”

She rubbed her hands together, choosing her words carefully.  “The energies flow through me, and I can manipulate them.  But some of them feel different.”

Saraty looked closely at her, with a measure of reserve.

“But I can tell it is still the magic of the Chalice.”

“Are you not afraid the magic will harm you in some way?”

“It won’t.  I have Baneck’s word by my place as a Friend of Wintermore.”

“I trust you’ve kept notes on what changes have come to which spells?”

“Of course.”

“And what do you believe this power to be?” Saraty asked, pointing directly at the belt.

“A magic that enables me to cast another magic,” she answered, matter-of-factly.

“What did Powerlave say when you told him?”

“His face turned ashen, and he had to sit down.  A magic that can cast another magic, is a matter of grave concern.”

“I imagine so.  But you didn’t come here today to talk about that.”

“No.”  She looked down as she smoothed the front of her robe around her knees, and looked back up at the warrior-woman.

She took a slow breath.  “I have a concern.”  She stretched her fingers on her thighs, and put her hands in her lap, as she straightened her shoulders in a dignified posture before her hostess.  “And I ask for your council.”

Lady Raijum leaned forward in her chair.

“I’m afraid I’m developing feelings for Baneck.”

“Oh.”  She looked at Nepta in thoughtfulness.  “Why do you say that?”

“Because in the days since he’s created his frost-steel, he’s so motivated and confident.  He’s losing himself in his craft.  But it’s not for the sake of himself.  It’s because of what he wants to create with it.  A good man creates, yes?”

“Of course.”

“He’s very driven.  And he’s very sure of what he wants to do.”

Her eyes drifted to the empty fireplace, but she directed them back forward.

“I find this side of him very appealing.”

“Why don’t you go to your parents with this?”

“I believe I can predict their answer.”

“And it’s something you don’t want to hear?”

“I just want a different perspective.”

“Is it the power that attracts you?”

“No, even though the power is impressive.  But possessing it isn’t enough.  He’s going to create great things with it.”  She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder.  “Honee is walking on the air more often than the ground these days.

“I find myself,….”

She bowed her head a little, but kept looking Saraty in the eye.  “I find myself thinking about how comfortable I could make him, as he keeps on.”

Saraty studied her face for a moment.  “This poses a danger to your spell-craft, doesn’t it?”

She gave a small nod.

“It’s good you’ve come to me with this.  I believe what’s also occurred to you is, you’re afraid of missing an opportunity for marriage, since you weren’t expecting to feel this appeal over Baneck.  Not like you did with Rhône.”

Nepta’s eyebrows rose up a little.  “You remember him?”

“Of course.  I kept a watch on all of you.  Fawnlum was never going to get anywhere, without good and able friends beside her.”

Nepta blushed a little, touched by the praise of the venerated warrior.

Saraty leaned back in her chair.  “Although, in Sienna’s case, I was disappointed when she declined Kelbron’s offer.”

“So, it was you who advised him to approach her,” Nepta said, her lips curling into a knowing smile.  “He could not beat her in combat, so she decided against romance.”

“Hmph.  And what about you and Jeais?” Saraty asked.

“Yes.  My senior wizard.”

“He has been a regiment wizard for over two years.”

“He serves with distinction, and his spell-casting on the battlefield has been instrumental in many victories.  And I know he has thought of courtship.”

“But,….?”

“But the art of magic is what I love.  It’s not who I love.”

“Well said.”  Saraty intertwined her fingers on her lap.

“You don’t think you need someone like you in order to be happy.  In Baneck’s case, he’s making things.  You’re impressed by the spirit that has come to shine within him.

“And you respect things that fulfill a purpose, and his motivation to make them.  He has won more favor in your eyes.

“You haven’t met a great many men, since you and Fawnlum’s group have lived so much for your training.

“Now you’re scared of more chances not coming.  I’m sure you have time, dear.”

“Maybe that’s part of it.  But truly, I like what I’m seeing in him.”

“Well, no matter what your feelings, you can still choose what you do.  For now, don’t give in to temptation.  I don’t mean in the physical sense,” she pointedly added.  “I mean the temptation of fear.  You’ll be afraid of missing a chance for romance.  It’s that sense of fear that’s making you think of Baneck as something to latch on to.

“Do your part to keep him safe until you once again stand beside my mule-headed daughter, and your foursome is fighting together, as you should be.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Don’t ‘yes ma’am’ me,” Saraty said, with slight rebuke.  “You’re still lonely.  And we both know dedication to duty will not fill the empty space.”

Nepta let her eyes drift down to the floor.

The older woman picked up her chair, carried it a couple of feet closer, and sat back down in front of her.  Reaching out with her large and callused hands, she took hold of Nepta’s for a moment, looking her in the eye.  “Let this infatuation pass.  Let it grow, even.  It will fade as you turn your back on that fear, and you see it’s simply an appreciation of what Baneck’s doing.  It will also fade, as you do more things with Baneck’s gifts.  He’s provided a means for you to keep using magic, and fulfill your destined place as a Coastal wizard.

“Can you imagine how you would have felt, if Baneck had been your betrothed on the day he challenged Felldrake?”

Nepta blinked, and her morose expression slowly gave way to deeper thoughtfulness.

“He had no respect for a plan, or the strengths by which Coastal warriors and wizards are so effective.  And that’s just bad form.  It’s a lack of discipline you would not appreciate.”

She straightened back up, letting Nepta think about it.

“You don’t need to grasp at a single appealing trait of any man, just to call it romance.  Don’t be afraid happiness will pass you by.”

“You make it sound like all I need is faith.”

“No.  Faith won’t make things happen easily.  It helps you stand, no matter how bad things get.  That’s how you’ve kept your strength, following Fawnlum’s dangerous path, isn’t it?”

Nepta nodded, with a small smile.  “Yes, Lady Saraty.  That is what sustained us, no matter where Fawnlum led us.”

“So don’t let any fear distract you, or keep you from being the finest woman you can be.”

“And a wife and mother?”

“Both will suite you, since you chose to live first as such a good woman.”

Nepta sat up a little bit straighter, her small smile lifting higher.

“Now, this is not an order.  But I invite you to come to me, when matters weigh on your heart.”

The young wizard rose, and bowed gratefully.

Then with warm thanks, took her leave.