Continued Healing|Rivenway | Ronduin

[Kender Bard]

"I'm not used to being denied," the man growled even deeper. "Especially not by some pansy wind-man. Now either you step aside and let me go about my business, or I'll move you myself."

"Nathan," Mina whimpered. "Please, I don't want you to get hurt."

"Listen to the lady," the man, Bertilak, encouraged.

[Darastrix]

"I don't want to see you hurt, either," he murmured, wishing that he had a more powerful sign. Storm. Or Mind, perhaps. Oh well, he was what he was. "I'm not leaving."

[Kender Bard]

Electricity wreathed around the man's hand, though it was hidden from any passing gaze by his body. "Care to rethink that?" he chuckled. "It's your last chance."

"Nathan," Mina whispered before casting the man a dark and hateful look. Squirming free, she stood up slowly and in her most authoritative voice replied, "This is your last chance, sir. You have committed crime after crime of atrocity. It ends now. Give up the path you have chosen to walk or, by Etaf, I will end this now." As she spoke, she slowly let down her guard and prayed to Etaf that she was doing the right thing. By the time she concluded, she was projecting her aura at full strength.

Bertilak just laughed and sent a bolt of electricity at her. Mina shuddered in pain, even as she shouted at the top of her lungs, "STOP!"

And, to her relief and amazement... he did. Unfortunately so did two bystanders who had hurried over to see what was going on.

[Darastrix]

Nathan stared in surprise at Mina's tenacity and slowly got to his feet. He was as ensnared as the others around her, though since he hadn't been doing anything, there was nothing for him to stop. "What do we do now?" he asked softly.

[Kender Bard]

"I don't know," Mina whispered, shocked at how much power she suddenly held. Bertilak started to go towards Nathan - after all, he was only supposed to stop what he had currently been doing.

"Halt!" Mina ordered, and he stopped like a switch being thrown. "Oh my."

However, the two bystanders were crying out in surprise at being held by a Clear, and that was only drawing a larger crowd. Mina looked at Nathan desperately. "I can't turn it off or he'll get away. What do we do?"

[Darastrix]

Thinking quickly, he said, "Order him not to move if he tries anything, and I'll talk to the people. They might be less wary if I'm the one speaking." Turning towards the gathering crowd, he called out, the wind allowing his voice to carry. "Please, don't come too near! This man is dangerous and attacked us without reason. My friend needs to hold him until the guards come. Would someone fetch them, please?"

[Kender Bard]

A few people broke off, running to do just that. The rest stayed a respectable difference, whispering in confusion and whatnot.

Mina looked carefully at Bertilak and gave the order for him to do nothing without her sayso, nothing except to breathe and blink. He stood as still as a statue. The other two Waters were shuffling their feet in confusion, still rooted to the spot.

"Everyone else but this man may do as they like," she ordered. The two hesitated before resuming what they had been doing.

It wasn't long before Chatra of the guard hastily stomped over, looking upset.

"Don't come too close, officer," Mina cautioned. Chatra scowled at her.

"Clear!" he bellowed angrilly. "Drop your influence right now or we'll be forced to take action!"

[Darastrix]

"She's done nothing but defend herself and me!" Nathan yelled back, stepping between Mina and Chatra. "This man is a murderer! He threatened us, attacked Mina with his lightning with no provocation, and now you want to take action against her?"

[Kender Bard]

Chatra scowled and added, "We can't take your testimony if you are under her sway."

"I could order them to tell the truth," Mina added quietly. Chatra nodded and she did so - to both of them.

Chatra faced Bertilak and asked, "Is what this man says true? Are you a murderer? Did you attack the woman first?"

Grudgingly, Bertilak admitted that he did. Chatra went on, "And did she use her powers on anyone other than you and this man?"

Bertilak informed him that this was true.

Chatra sighed. "Well, obviously he will be going to jail. But m'lady, we have to take you with us as well. It may have been in self defense, but our lady and the general populace has a deep fear and animosity of Clears. You may be released once your story is heard, but until then, we must keep you in a cell."

"Okay," Mina whispered, bowing her head sadly. "As long as you get that man taken to justice." Focusing, she brought her aura down and nodded to him that it would be okay, leaving orders with Bertilak to go without resistance. Once he had been carted off, Chatra approached with a set of manacles for her wrists.

[Darastrix]

"Is it really necessary to chain someone who's coming willingly?" Nathan questioned, looking at the manacles with distaste. And who can use her power without having to move to touch a sign? he added silently.

[Kender Bard]

Chatra hesitated a moment before giving a grudging shake of his head. "I suppose not. Sorry. Habit. Though I am taking you by the wrist, so the others know you are under arrest and not simply following me." He took her wrist firmly but not hard, so as not to bruise her.

Mina reached out with her free hand to touch Nathan's. "I'll be okay, Nathan. Once they hear my story, they'll let me go."

Chatra glanced at Nathan. "If you would like to go on your way, you may."

[Darastrix]

"I want to come with Mina," he said decisively. "Lock me in a cell beside her if you don't think I can be trusted."

[Kender Bard]

Chatra shrugged and nodded, taking them both by the wrist. "It's your call - I don't think you'll cause trouble but if you're coming with us then I'd better play it safe."

Once at the station, she was placed in the same cell as Nathan. Chatra had handed them over to Trey, who took a much gentler stance with the two.

"I'm sorry about this," he murmured, flashing a weak smile at the girl. "Honestly. I hate to see an innocent person behind bars. But the law is the law and we need to keep people safe. If there's anything you need, let us know. We'll be filing a report with Ace, who will probably need to talk to Cascata."

Once he was gone, Mina sank down on the cot in the cell, hugging her arms to herself. "I'm sorry, Nathan. I told you, I never wanted to get you involved or hurt." Briefly she entertained the thought of ordering him away - of telling the guards she wanted to send him away - but banished it shortly. She really didn't want to be alone, and she'd never abuse her power that way.

[Darastrix]

"I'm not hurt," Nathan pointed out, moving to sit beside her. "And you're my friend, of course I'm going to get involved."

[Kender Bard]

"I ought to stop resisting, shouldn't I?" she joked lightly and slipped an arm around him, pulling him into her for a hug. "Then I'll give in and accept it. We're stuck together, for better or worse while we're here."

With an irritated sigh, she added, "At the very least, I wish he hadn't interrupted me. I was about to say something important - but somehow continuing to pour out my heart in a jail cell doesn't strike me as very, hrm, tasteful."