Mentor

[micaylah]

I moved this here so we didn't interfere in the other thread.

As he neared the city, Mar saw a battalion of soldiers patrolling the walls. This worried Mar, the king had never given such an order. The king must want him. He galloped up to the gate, shouting the code for them to let him enter. As the huge steel gates opened, a dozen of the king's personal guard seized him and bound him and Harp in chains, taking him to the throne room.
*********************************

Galbatorix sat reclined on the throne as the guards brought Mar before him. Rising, he bore down on Mar. "I told you one week!" The black magic writhed around his hands as he brought his fist up across Mar's jaw. "Where have you been?" His eyes dark and boring into Mar, he tried to probe into his mind. As he was about to begin he heard the chirp of a hatchling. "What is this? Who's hatchling? Where did it come from?"
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Mar brought up his face to look the king square in the eyes. He smiled, spitting the blood from his mouth.
"He's mine!" he shouted, bursting through the chains to stand freely before the king. "He is mine, and is loyal to me alone, as I am loyal to you, sire." Mar bowed his head to the king.
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Galbatorix straightened as Mar loosed himself from the chains. He stood inches from the assassins face, eyes narrowed. The smile crept slowly over his lips as he processed what Mar had said. 'Another Rider loyal to me.'

"I am pleased Mar. Move your quarters to that with the other Riders." His demeanor changed as he savored the thought of another rider in his ranks. "On second thought. Move into the secure quarters down the hall from Kalri. I want you to keep a close eye on her. Something is not right." Galbatorix turned and walked back to throne. "Go and make your arrangements!" He waved him off.
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Mar bowed to the king.
"Yes, sire," he said, turning to the men holding Harp's chains. He narrowed his eyes at them, his fists clenched. "You let him go, or I'll make you!" he shouted. The men stepped back, releasing the chains from Harp. The little dragon jumped at them, catching one with his sharp fangs in a deep gash. Mar smiled, telling the dragon to follow him. Mar quickly made his way back through the castle to the large room near Kalri. He did not really like the girl, but knew she was of great importance.
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Kalri was returning to her room when she saw Mar leaving the throne room. 'What is he doing now?' she rolled her eyes as he came in step with her heading in the same direction. Looking out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the brown dragon. She was surprised but did not let it show. If an egg had hatched for Mar then her father had probably told him to move his quarters to where the other Riders were housed.

She turned the corner leading to the restricted hallway, where her room was and he kept pace. Turning on him quickly she yelled "Where do you think you are going? This area is restricted to all but a select few!" Her face fumed with anger. Mar was a master swordsman and assassin, having worked for her father for a long time. He was also very old and spoke in circles on the few occassions that he did speak.
________________________________________Mar showed no surprise at Kalri's words, only took a slow breath.
"Your father is having me move into the room adjacent to yours. I am to be...your bodyguard, so to speak," he said, adjusting the pack on his shoulders.
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What! I don't think so. I don't need a body guard or anything else I can take care of myself! And where did you get a dragon? Where have you been? I thought you were supposed to be back a week ago! I can't believe that you are in the room right next to me!" Her ranting and rambling continued on.
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Mar took a breath, looking at Harp with laughter in his eyes.
"Enough!" he said loudly, putting up a hand. "I'm here to watch over you, not dictate what you do or how you do it. Furthermore, I am your mentor, teacher if you will, and you will show me the respect owed. I have lived and experienced far more than you ever will, so I suggest you keep that in mind." He turned down the hall, opening the door into his room to let Harp prance in.
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[micaylah]

"What? Who? Umph!" Kalri fumed with anger. How dare he talk to her that way. She let the magic writhe through her finger tips as she shot the ball of black magic at Mar striking the wall next to his door.
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Mar stopped at the door, the magic blasting into the wall near his head. He turned to Kalri calmly. Without warning, he sent a massive force of air into her stomach, sending her roughly against the wall.
"Lesson one," he said. "Never aim for the head. It is too easy to dodge." With those words, he walked into the room, closing the door behind him.
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Kalri felt the blast as it sent her crashing into the stone wall, knocking the air out of her lungs. Gasping she looked after Mar as he went into his room. No one had ever treated her in such a manner. Standing, she rubbed her ribs as her anger built again. Loosing the black magic, she hurled another black bolt to his door, shattering it as it hit. She walked into her room still fuming, slamming the door behind her. Sabonth, sitting atop her bed just looked at her amused.
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Mar sat on the bed, looking out the window. 'Well, Harp, it looks like we have some hard work ahead of us. How do you think we should handle this little girl?' The dragon jumped up onto the bed, humming softly.
'Well, I think you started the right way. It shows her that not everyone will do whatever she wants them to.' Mar nodded. He rose from the bed, walking over to the dresser to see what goodies lay inside. He found a few vials of medicine, and a few liquors. He gladly took one of the bottles of liquor, pulling the cork from the top. He took a small sip, then nodded to Harp.
'This stuff ain't bad,' he said with a smile, taking another sip. He roamed around the room, finding odities, such as extra swords and maces, some axes, a set of plate armor that he would never use or even put on, some court style clothes, that he would also never wear. Going through the closet, he noticed a strange looking stone jutting from the wall. He could tell there was something different about it than the others, to he pushed it. A soft clicking sound echoed from the wall adjacent to Kalri's room. He looked at the wall to see a small crack forming, growing larger and larger.
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Kalri shot a look at Sabonth and the smile was gone from the dragons face. Sabonth rose and flew through the enchanted ceiling, giving Kalri time to cool off. Walking to the mirror, she rubbed her sore ribs and felt the pain in her hip. She went to the closet and took a gown down from the hanger. She placed it over a chair as she turned to undress. Turning to the mirror, she rubbed her finger softly over the forming bruise to her hip.
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Mar walked quietly to the opening, careful for what may lay behind. He looked through the small opening, though it was now large enough to walk through. He saw the back of Kalri, facing a mirror as she examined herself. He quickly looked away, ashamed he had seen her bare form.
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Kalri turned sharply feeling as if someone was in the room. She pulled the gown to her quickly to cover herself. Looking around she saw no one. She was alone. Changing her mind she went to the dresser and put on her leather training clothes. She would go to the grounds and release some of her pent up frustration on whatever poor soul happened to be around.
________________________________________
Mar quickly went back into the closet, closing the crack in the wall. 'Why is that even there?' he thought. 'Who would have put it in? Not the king, he wouldn't want something that could possibly harm his daughter to exist, let alone be in her very room!'
'Well, maybe he put it in so you could keep a better eye on her,' Harp chimed in.
'I don't know, it's still fishy.'
'I like fish.' Mar smiled at his dragon, raising his eyebrows.
'So do I,' he said with a mischievous grin. 'Want to go catch some?' The little dragon attempted a roar, but only a low growl came out.
'I'll have to work on that,' he said with a crooked smile, his fangs showing. 'But yes, let's go catch a whopper!' Mar stood, taking off his cloak so all could see his weapons and the tattoos swirling around his neck, giving him a frightening appearance. Nodding to Harp, he moved towards the door. The little dragon leaped to his shoulder, his brown mass adding to Mar's dark countenance.
________________________________________

[micaylah]

Kalri made her way to the training grounds. Her cloak sweeping across the ground as she walked. She eyed the people carefully looking for any sign of Mar, her fathers newest watch dog where she was concerned. No sign. She relaxed her demeanor just a little. Looking to a man standing against a stone wall she shouted "You come here now! I want to train!" The man eyed her warily not wanting to work with this particular rider. No one wanted to work with this particular rider. Those that did had a weird way of ending up hurt or worse...dead.

He knew the orders of the King. No rider was to be refused training when they requested. The man slowly approached Kalri, unsheathing his sword. Kalri pulled forth the silver sword her father had given her. Taking out all of her frustration over her dealings with Mar on the man, she leapt at him striking, blocking, twisting, turning, lunging. A fury of unbridled anger. She felt the man tiring but she didn't care. She went after him, unrelenting and with each blow the mist of her black magic seemed to grow as it snaked around her fingers trailing up her arms.
Mar watched from a staircase as Kalri battled a man in the sparring arena. They had not blocked their swords, and Mar knew it would not end well. He calmly, and slowly, walked down the stairs, stopping to help a soldier with his stance and positioning.
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The man swung mightily, his blade catching Kalri across the thigh. She fell for a minute as he raised the sword above his head to strike. Kalri rolled out of the way before the blow was landed. She rose to her feet, the blood spilling from her leg but she would not yield. She kept after the man, this time she felt the blade cut into her sword arm. The sword flew from her hand as the blood poured from the wound. Weaponless she looked at the man still on her feet. The black magic writhed around her in an angry cloud as her temper soared. She threw it forth toward everyone in the training grounds. Her magic spent, she fell where she stood.
________________________________________
Mar quickly shielded himself from Kalri's burst of magic. After the power abated, Mar walked over to the unconscious form of Kalri. Picking her up, he carried her to her room, setting her softly on the bed. She was not in danger of dying, so he only healed her leg and arm, then set a few cups of cool water on the table beside the bed, then pulled a chair to sit near the doorway, a sword in his hand.
________________________________________
Kalri woke up in her bed. "What?" Sitting up quickly and looking around she saw Mar sitting in the chair near her door. "What are you doing in here?! How did I get here?" Her head hurt but that didn't stop her from yelling.
________________________________________
Mar didn't look at her, just kept staring out the far window. 'Why don't you come in here Harp,' Mar said to his dragon. The little brown dragon strutted into the room, the light glinting off his scales. Mar did not speak. He would wait for her to come to her senses.
________________________________________
'Great another lesson. Sabonth come back now! We have company.' Kalri sat on the bed and stared at him as Sabonth flew through the enchanted ceiling, landing in front of her and unfurled it mighty wings roaring as she bared her teeth. Sabonth was a sight. Her scales so black they almost looked irridescent in the light shone brightly. The star shaped scale on her forehead matching the red of her eyes. She turned snapping at the little brown dragon.
________________________________________
Harp did not back away at the larger dragon's snapping, but jumped for joy at seeing another dragon. Mar smiled at Kalri's dragon, standing.
'A pleasure to meet you, dragon,' Mar told him, inclining his head slightly. 'I wonder though, would you care to help me understand your rider?'
________________________________________
Sabonth let out a mighty roar of laughter. 'I am afraid that she is...complicated!' Sabonth quickly changed her tone as she looked directly into Mar's eyes. 'She is ... special. As you get to know her you will see what I mean. There is something about her you do not know but if you think about your assignment and look at her closely you will understand. That is all that I can say for now.'
________________________________________
Mar bowed his head to the dragon. He may not like to show subservience, but he knew respect was owed to this dragon. 'Thank you for what you could tell me,' he told him. Turning his attention to Kalri, he set his sword on his shoulder, staring at her.
________________________________________
"WHAT!"
________________________________________
Mar took a step forward, Harp close behind.
"Looks like I'm going to have a hard time with you," he said. "I've never met a person with that kind of magic and power, with your poor attitude."
________________________________________
Kalri looked at him exasperated and tired. He was wearing her down. "What do you want from me? I live hidden in the castle, kept away from almost everyone but a select few and I have people following me and spying on me every second of my day and night! How would you be?"
________________________________________
Mar sheathed his sword.
"That is what I mean. You need to learn control. And if you can't from listening, then I'm going to have to try drastic methods."
________________________________________
Kalri didn't like the sound in his voice. "What do you mean drastic methods?" This time she controlled her anger but she wanted him to know that she was a force to be reckoned with. With a flip of her head she sent the burst of air towards his chest with all of her might. She controlled it well as the magic did not get away from her.
________________________________________

[micaylah]

Mar only put up a hand to stop the magic from hitting him. He smiled.
"You act, and don't think. And that," he paused for emphasis. "Can get you killed in this world. Now, I think you should spend the rest of the day talking with your dragon, she will have some valuable insight." Mar turned, and left the room, closing the door behind him. He walked into his room, sitting down on the bed as he kicked off his boots. 'Well, Harp, it looks like I'm going to have to earn her respect in order for her to listen.' The little dragon rumbled softly, laughing, then jumped onto the windowsill, basking in the warm sun.
________________________________________
Kalri sat on her bed for a moment as he left. He blocked her magic like it was nothing, insignificant. She waited for a short while then told Sabonth she would be back. Going to her window, she crawled out onto the ledge, climbed down the rock face, then jumped onto the roof of a nearby building. She rolled forward and lowered herself down to the ground. Looking back toward her window, she turned and headed off into town.
________________________________________
Harp hopped on the sill, chirping loudly. 'Shh. I know she has left,' Mar told him, rising to look out the window. 'Let her go. Give her time to taste the bitterness of life. She will get hurt tonight, of that I am sure. And tomorrow, maybe she'll have some sense to listen to me.'
'You gamble with her very life, you know that right?' Harp asked, looking at his rider. Mar nodded, still following Kalri with his eyes as she moved into the city.
'But I'm afraid it is something she must learn. Sabonth? What are your thoughts, since I know you can hear us.'
________________________________________
Sabonth answered Mar. 'I think there is much to her you do not understand otherwise you would not allow her to walk into any danger. You will never win her trust in this way.'

Kalri walked into the city, night was falling and she just wanted to get away from Mar. He was impossible. She turned into a tavern and sat at a table in the back so she could see what was going on. A man approached her, propositioning her. As she was about to strike him, another man grabbed her from behind. The first man took her feet and they carried her out into the street, heading toward a dark alley.
________________________________________
Mar pulled on his cloak, jumping out the window. 'Then maybe if I save her, she'll listen a little bit at least,' he told Sabonth. He moved quickly through the city, jumping from rooftop to rooftop. He stopped, finding two men carrying a woman from a tavern. He was about to continue on when he saw the woman's clothing. It was Kalri. He jumped down, hitting the man carrying her feet in the head with his fist, knocking him to the ground unconscious.
"You drop her softly, and leave. If you do, you will live," he said to the man, gripping his swords on his back.
________________________________________
Kalri couldn't believe that Mar had come to help her. Her feet loose and once more on the ground after the assailant had been knocked out be Mar. She looked at him as he spoke to the last man. She nodded imperceptibly to him implying that she now had things under control. She pushed off from the ground with all of her strength, twisting around she wrapped her legs around the mans neck. She contracted her muscles tightly around his neck effectively strangling him. As she impacted the ground his neck snapped at the force. She rolled away from the man and stood to face Mar. "Why did you come?"
________________________________________
Mar loosened his grip on his sword, standing at ease.
"Because I thought I should find some way to show you I only mean to help. I am not your watch dog. Consider me...a friend. A friend that will help you learn to control your power, to fight, and to live."
________________________________________
The expression on her face changed. "Why couldn't you have just said that? I prefer teacher, guide, spiritual advisor over lord and master any day." She smiled innocently at him as she moved closer. "You could save us both alot of aggravation if you would just say what you mean and quit speaking in circles."
________________________________________
Mar smiled.
"I did tell you that," he said. "You just didn't listen."
________________________________________
Kalri looked at him, then to the ground at her feet. "I'm sorry. I can be a little rash, sometimes."
________________________________________
Mar took a step forward.
"It is fine. That is something we can work on during our time and travels together. Now," he said, turning back towards the palace. "I think we should return."
________________________________________
Kalri turned and followed Mar as he led back to the palace. Perhaps he wasn't so bad. She quickened her pace to walk in step with him.
________________________________________
Mar reached the part of the wall directly below their rooms. Looking to make sure no one was watching, Mar sprinted up the wall, grabbing onto the window sill twenty feet up.
"Let's go," he said down to her.
________________________________________
Kalri watched as Mar sprinted up the side of the castle as if running on flat ground. At his words she ran toward the wall attempting what he had done. She hit with such force that she knocked herself unconscious and slightly dented the rockface.
________________________________________
Mar nearly fell from the window, laughing. He dropped down softly, landing only a foot away. He picked her up, then climbed up the wall. He set her on her bed, again. He smiled, then went to leave the room.
'Thank you, Sabonth. I would have gone astray if it were not for you.'
________________________________________
Kalri stirred slowly the next morning. Her head hurt. Sitting up she looked to Sabonth. 'What happened?' she asked her.

Sabonth started to laugh lightly as she recounted to Kalri her attempt to run up the wall. Kalri laughed as well, holding on to her head. It hurt, badly.
________________________________________
Mar woke early, as he normally did. He took his weapons and cloak with him, sitting on a small ledge above his window. He like to sit in quiet places, just listening to the morning winds. He leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes and pulling his cloak about him. Below, he heard Kalri and her dragon laughing, and he knew they were awake.
________________________________________
Kalri felt a presence outside. It was Mar. He was beginning to feel familiar to her. She looked out the window. "Good Morning. I need a favor."
________________________________________
Mar looked down over the edge of his seat.
"Morning," he said. "What kind of favor? Not too bloody I hope. I would rather save that for later in the day."
________________________________________
"Teach me how to run up the wall like you did. I don't think I want to try on my own again." She rubbed her head as she smiled at him. "You able to heal?"
________________________________________
Mar smiled, climbing down the wall to crawl into her room.
"I can heal a little bit, but not very well and it taxes me greatly. For your head, I would recommend some hot tea. As for running up the wall, we can do that later today."
________________________________________
Kalri nodded slightly. "Would you care to join me?" The servants had brought breakfast to her room as they normally did. She walked to the cabinet in her room, opening it she took some bark from a tree. Taking the pestle, she ground the bark until it was a fine powder inside the small stone bowl. She took a cup of tea from the tray and placed the powder within it, stirring it slowly. She sat upon a chair near the table. Sipping slowly from the cup.
________________________________________
Mar shrugged, taking a seat.
"Sure," he told her. 'Sabonth, what is wrong with her?' he asked her dragon, making his own cup of tea.
________________________________________
Sabonth laughed quietly. 'I don't know. Maybe she hit her head harder than we thought last night.' A small puff of smoke escaped her nostrils as she tried to cover the chuckle with a cough.
________________________________________
Mar smiled. 'Maybe,' he told Sabonth. He laughed lightly, taking the hot cup of tea in his cold hands.
________________________________________
Kalri sat as if in a daze. "What shall we start with today?" Absently sipping from her cup, she gazed into the fire in the fireplace. The flames entrancing her. Softly the voices whispered, 'We grow stronger.'
________________________________________
Mar stood, trying to get her attention.
"Kalri? Are you okay? C'mon. Let's go the the sparring grounds. I have some techniques you could use."
________________________________________
Kalri snapped back into herself as Mar spoke to her. "Yeah I'm fine." she replied rather weakly. Standing she walked to her weaponry cabinet and withdrew her sword, placing it in it's sheath around her waist. She also loaded her clothes with the throwing knives. Small, easily hidden, but deadly if aimed right. She headed out the door toward the trainging grounds.
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Mar didn't wait for Kalri to follow, she knew the way. He reached the training grounds, telling all the others to leave. If they would not, he politely threw them out. He cleared an area in the center of tables and chairs, but put out many logs and rocks, things one would come across fighting in the wild.
________________________________________
Kalri entered into the training grounds and found them empty. "Where is everyone?" she asked looking around at the grounds, noticing the rocks and logs and such set up.
________________________________________
Mar saw Kalri enter. He drew his swords, blocking them.
"I kicked them out," he said. "To prevent unnecessary deaths. Now, block your blade and attack me."
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[micaylah]

Kalri did as he said blocking her blades. All of them. She advanced on him, lunging then quickly spinning to his right trying to get behind him.
________________________________________
Mar danced with his twin blades, now colored brown. He moved one to block Kalri's attack, then the other to catch her for the strike when she spun. He turned, keeping her in front of him. He stepped over a large log, putting it between him and her.
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Kalri kept on. She saw the log as she advanced toward him, almost too late. She used it at the last minute, vaulting from it and somersaulted over his head then spun quickly so that she was facing him.
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Mar followed her flip with one sword, bringing the other back to strike. She landed facing him. He jabbed with his left sword, his right he brought down in a swing, pushing her with magic at the same time.
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Kalri used the push from his magic to help propel her backwards as she moved slightly to her left to avoid his jab, she arched into a twisting back handspring to get out of his reach.
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Mar laughed as she jumped and spun.
"You know, in an open arena like this one, that does little good," he said, following her. He slashed down with one sword, while simultaneously jabbing with the other.
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Kalri retreated from him with a series of back handsprings until she had gotten enough room between them. As she landed the last one, she quickly reversed her direction, twisting as she flew over his head, she brought her sword down. Landing on the ground she loosed three of her throwing knives quickly as she rolled head first into a crouched position. Her chest was heaving mightily as she fought. The sweat rolled down her skin. She watched him carefully, never taking her eyes off of him.
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Mar easily deflected her sword and thrown attacks, laughing and enjoying the exertion. He calmly walked towards her, his breathing easy and steady. He would outlast her through endurance, but that was not the point. He picked up the vigor of his attacks, moving faster and attacking harder. He sword sent sparks flying when it hit hers, a sting as it sliced through the air. He twisted his wrist, flipping her blade up and away from his chest, his other sword aim at her arm.
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[micaylah]

Kalri tried to control her temper for as long as she could but his relentless advances were making her angry. Her eyes rolled back in her head showing only the whites. She continued blocking and defending his advances by instinct as the darkness overtook her. Her eyes rolled back down in position but they were black and seemed to have golden flames dancing in them.

Kalri began to fight with unbridled fury. She moved as the darkness wanted her to, told her to. She matched Mar move for move. The longer they fought, the more the black mist rose around her until it was totally encompassing her form. She loosed a large blast of the black magic at Mar, aiming for his chest as he had told her earlier. Loosing control, Kalri held her hands up to the heavens throwing the magic in a loud explosion into the morning sky.

Her eyes returned to their normal brown color as she collapsed upon the training yard. She lay upon the ground unconscious.

[taran]

Mar was able to deflect most of the magical blast, but not all. Some hit him in the chest, knocking the breath from him. Taking several deep breaths, Mar regained himself. He walked over to Kalri, seeing her on the floor. He picked her up, taking her again to her room. 'We have really got to stop doing this,' he thought. 'It's a bad way to learn.'

[micaylah]

Kalri regained consciousness as Mar was carrying her to her room. She hit him in the shoulder, jumping from his arms. Still weak from the magic, her legs failed her and she landed in a heap. She started to cry, then she became angry because she was crying.

[taran]

Mar knelt beside her, putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Relax, Kalri," he said. "How do you feel? It's okay if you need help sometimes. Here. Let me help you to your room and then I'll leave you alone for a while. Is that okay?" He stood, reaching down his hand for her to take.

[micaylah]

"No! It's not okay." She took his hand, allowing him to help her up. "No one understands. Father..." she stopped the words from escaping. "I will tell you something but not here."

[taran]

Mar nodded.
"Of course. You can tell me whatever you want, whenever you want," he said. "Think of me as your friend, like I said, and mentor. I am here to help in whatever way I am needed." Mar helped her wobble to her room, putting her weight on his shoulders. He set her carefully on the bed, moving to shut the door. "Now, is there something you want me to get you?"

[micaylah]

Kalri looked at him. "This relationship is never going to work if you do not understand what it is you deal with." She lowered the wards around her mind completely. The voices screamed out within her head. Wincing slightly, she looked at Mar and told him. "Look. You need to see. No one knows the depths. They just think that I'm a spoiled brat. Be careful though. The last man who touched my mind was killed by father."

[taran]

Mar nodded, preparing to enter her mind. Before he did, however, he made sure to seal off his own mind, so nothing could enter it. He made the plunge. The darkness screamed at him as he filtered through her mind, learning things he never wanted to, such as where her birthmark was and what it looked like. He pulled out carefully, making sure to seal the darkness firmly within her mind, keeping it from escaping. He took a breath, exhausted slightly from the exertion it took to keep his mind sane.

[micaylah]

Kalri winced a little as she felt him enter her mind. She felt as he withdrew and looked at him warily. She lowered her eyes to study the floor. "Now do you understand. No one knows. Father suspects but he doesn't truly know the depths. I am always alone in my life here in the castle, but in my thoughts I am never alone. The voices scream at me constantly."

[taran]

Mar nodded.
"I am sorry. Thank you, though, for showing me." Mar too lowered his gaze. "I hope now I will be better able to help train you, if you'll let me. I will not force you in any way."