"That shouldn't take long since I know nothing of magic," Sileas repeated. She looked around the room. "I guess the first steps are getting the door repaired and organizing the items and the books so that we- you- can use them."

"That door is useless." Bai said. "Needs to be completely replaced."

"Sure, now that you break it. Tell Wulfsen what we need, he'll make certain we get it."

"That I was able to destroy the door so easily shows how useless this door is." Bai said. "It needs just wood and locks, it needs wards."

"I would certainly have added wards once I learned of them." Sileas foresaw a long period of being angrily frustrated with her teacher's condescending attitude.

"The door needs to be oak, iron and gold." Bai said.

Sileas turned to Wulfsen. "Can you get such a door for us? Perhaps Lek can make it if you can only get the parts."

"It might be hard to get that much gold right away, but I'll see what I can do." Wulfsen said.

Sileas glanced at Bai. "How much does he need of each?"

"A solid sheet would be best." Bai said. "But thick bands of the metals to strengthen the door will do."

"Now, since you brought up that these items can be dangerous, are these shelves going to work for storing them? Is there some sort of spell you can put on them to keep anyone but one of us from touching them? I have a rambunctious little boy." And a klutzy best friend.

"You let a kid in here?!" Bai asked.

"We only just returned yesterday, and he was with us. He spent most of his time in the kitchen eating, but he minded me when I told him to not get in anything. He's not much interested if it's not edible."

Bai massaged his temples. The situation was unbelievable. He wanted to destroy it all.

Sileas tapped her foot. She reminded herself he was only 18, he didn't know anything about having a family or a life. He sounded like he knew nothing but magic.

"You can't allow small children near this stuff." Bai said.

"He's not a toddler. I believe him to be around ten. And much more interested in food than anything else." Sileas touched her abdomen again. Could this potentially harm her babe?

"Why do you keep touching your stomach?" Bai asked suspiciously.

Sileas considered lying or playing stupid. He was liable to destroy everything and bolt, leaving them defenseless against the mermen. But it wasn't in her nature to lie. As long as he might stay and remove the threat, she could find a new room somewhere for herself, Oscar and Questa. "Because I'm carrying a baby. I just found out last night."

Bai looked serious. "You know if you practice magic while pregnant there's no way the child will be able to escape a life of magic... Thanks Mom."

Sileas looked at Wulfsen. She wasn't even certain that she wanted a life of magic, though with the amulet, she suspected it had already begun. Part of her said it was her birthright, and therefore the child's as well. But what sort of danger could it put them in?  She bit her lower lip. "What do you think?" she asked of Wulfsen. "Do I learn or do we ask Bai to stay and take care of the mermen?"

Wulfsen touched Sileas's shoulder. "It's up to you."

"Part of me believes it's my birthright. And the birthright of my child, to keep the Lowell magic gone. But what if the child resents me for forcing magic on to it?" Sileas closed her eyes and imagined conversations with her parents. Papa would either tell her it was up to her or to do it, because it was part of her. Mama would say no. But considering how the amulet reacted as soon as she put it on. She turned to Bai. "I suspect the magic is already in my blood, and therefore my child's. It may even be why I healed enough to be able to conceive. I believe even if I don't do this, my child will face a life of magic."

"If only parents warned their kids about how magic can effect their offspring when they explain where babies come from." Bai shook his head. "It's probably already too late. You have already played with all this-" He waved at the crates, "and put on the pendant."

"I haven't touched anything except the pendant. But it certainly reacted and yes, it did some things when Yehudit tried to remove it. Mama had no idea that I was related to Kegan, but she did do her best to keep me out of these things. And even if she had known, she who gave birth to me, wouldn't have cared enough to tell me anything. That's what happens when you're an orphan or unwanted. You don't know your family history," Sileas grumbled. "And furthermore," she continued before he could interrupt, "Up until last night, I believed I couldn't even have a baby due to a bad injury a year ago. So this condition was a complete surprise. And what about the men who packed the things up to bring here? Will they have any problems?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Sat 20 May 2017.