[ As the storm persists beyond the stables, the horses remain agitated, and painful memories so forcibly unearthed sting the surface of her heart, this man — Istredd — is an anchor of something like peace. He speaks in a manner calming to her, with wisdom he need not share, yet he has chosen to all the same.

She observes him with curiosity, this man who seems to know this place well, who can understand magic and speak of it with ease. ]

When I spoke their words, I was shown...memories I did not wish to see.

[ She admits quietly, expanding on the reason she hesitates. She is slow to trust those words again, but he tells her to speak the words and put her own heart into it. That, she trusts. Her heart, her mind. No matter what they have done, what they have taken in bringing her here, she still has herself. For so long, her magick had been used for darker things, manipulated by Taron Malicos, fueled by her need for revenge. She has only lately learned of other ways to wield it, to protect, to...help. She can soothe the horse, and she wants to. This feeling pulls her closer to it again, letting her hand gently rest on its back before she closes her eyes, trying to focus herself again. She remembers the words, she speaks them quietly under her breath as she calls silently upon her mothers, her sisters, seeking their strength as she does in all things.

With her own magick, normally, there would be a green glow accompanying her incantations, but there is nothing. Not yet. The horse begins to settle, however, and she can feel its taut muscles loosen beneath the tips of her fingers. With the faintest smile — so faint, it's almost as though she doesn't use those muscles often — Merrin pulls her hand back. She helped..

Looking over to Isredd — ]

You are wise. Do you share this wisdom with others?