Silent Struggle|Sensatiamens, Sensatia

[Northen Light36]

Flame tighten her grip on Secret and teleported out of the house as soon as her brother had left, then started running along the street. She wasn't running away, not really, she'd return when it was likely her father would be home. But she didn't want to be around if Libre returned, just in case he decided to drag her to the healers - or bring one to her.

I should stay in Fira, she told Secret. With Aunt Artica. She barely even looks at me right now, she's so busy and upset. She wouldn't pester me about speaking.

~Whatever you decide, I'm here for you, my little fire kit,~ Secret soothed her. ~I'll protect you.~

Can you keep them out of my head? Flame demanded. Daddy's going to DIE, Secret. I can't See a way to stop it. I can't even tell anyone cause it'll frighten them and hurt Libre and Gemma. More quietly she whispered, And everyone will know it's my fault Mummy's dead.

Spotting an alleyway that looked dark enough to hide her from a casual glance, Flame hurried into it and sank down onto the ground. I don't mind that they'll hate me when they know. But I don't want them to know before hand. They'll hurt as much as it hurts me if they know. I want them to enjoy what time we have left together before... She trailed off and hugged Secret to her chest. I need to protect them at least.

[Kender Bard]

~A noble cause~ a soft, male voice spoke to her in her mind. There was a man there, next to her, suddenly. It was possible that he had teleported there, but why there? And why speak with her? And why listen to her thoughts?

He was heavily shrouded, despite the summer warmth. His hooded cloak was wrapped so thickly about his body that it would have been hard to tell at a glance whether he was a male or a female, though the mindvoice gave it away. Or did it? It had been a fairly neutral voice, but something seemed masculine about it.

His hood was also pulled down, obscuring his face completely. ~Don't be afraid~ he added in a calm voice. ~I will not hurt you. In fact, I may be able to help you.~ And, curiously, there was a kind of undeniable truth in the words. As if he was incapable of speaking a lie.

[Northen Light36]

Flame looked up at the man, her eyes wide. Were her shields really so weak she hadn't even felt a stranger push past them? Horrified, she opened her mouth to beg this man not to tell - but still couldn't make herself speak. Please, she thought desperately. You mustn't tell. Please!

~Relax, Flame,~ Secret murmured, staring up at the man. There was an odd note to her tone as she crept slowly forward to sniff at him. ~I think you can trust him.~

[Kender Bard]

~I will never breathe a word of this to another living soul~ the man responded gravely. ~Nor of anything we speak of or anything that transpires here now. You may trust me. I am the Lord of Silence, the Hoarder of Secrets.~

He tilted his head back then, slightly, revealing pure purple eyes that glowed faintly with psychic power as well as a rather hideous face, for his mouth was sewn shut.

[Northen Light36]

Flame glupped and couldn't stop herself drawing back in horror for a moment. But there was awe and shock mixed with the startled fear and, after a moment, Fire pride had her forcing the fear to the back of her mind. She remained kneeling, it was only respectful, but she wouldn't cower. Why? she asked silently. Why would you speak to me, Lord of Wisdom? Why would you offer your help to me?

She was honoured by his presence, but she couldn't even begin to understand it. She wasn't particularly bright or wise. She wasn't destined to be a Leader like Alyssa or Libre. She wasn't even one of Thuoth's followers. She was just a stupid little girl who couldn't even understand her own abilities enough to save her mother.

[Kender Bard]

Thuoth bowed his head momentarily, letting his hood fall back into face. ~Because you called out to me from the deepest part of your soul. My gaze fell upon you from the heavens with interest, for it is not often that one not of my faith begins to yearn in a way that I hear so keenly. I am the Hoarder of Secrets and you have some dark secrets that you wish to keep hidden. It would bring me pleasure to do so, not only because of who I am, but because I agree with you and your reasoning, to a degree. It would bring me displeasure to see my young follower tormented when he could have a brief moment of respite from the sorrows to come. And I feel that my Master of Minds is going to suffer enough in the coming months.~

Despite his professed title of Silence, Thuoth did enjoy rambling to mortals, no matter what the form. He curtailed himself. ~Shall I grant your wish, then, little child of chaos and fate?~

[Northen Light36]

Please, Flame thought-begged. If I cannot save my father, let me at least protect his people and my family from what I have Seen. She looked up at Thuoth with a sad smile. I will do what I can to comfort my father, even if I can't save him. But I can, at least, spare my brother some grief. Even it it makes him angry with me. I would rather that then see him hurt by what I know.

She looked down at the ground and added, I love him and I'll do anything to protect him, even if it's only for a little while. Thank you. Part of her desperately wanted to ask if she could have saved her father had she managed to save her mother. The rest of her feared she already knew the answer. So she focused on the knowledge that she could, at least, protect her brother and sister from Flame's foreseen knowledge.

~Thank you, Lord Thuoth,~ Secret echoed Flame. She was glad that one fear and burden would be taken off her bonded's mind. Secret had felt the crack in her bonded's mind when Flame had seen her mother's body and finally understood the vision she'd seen. Flame was sane, or sane enough, but her horror at what she'd foreseen, and her desire to shield others, had rendered the little girl unable to speak, even when Flame wanted to. Secret didn't think Flame would remain mute forever though. Her bonded would heal, and speak, when her mind felt safe to do so.

[Kender Bard]

Thuoth reached out a pale hand and lay it atop Flame's head. Metaphysically, it felt as though pure steel walls were being erected within her mind, shielding everything within protectively. ~Not only have I helped you to protect your own mind, but your own natural shielding will be very powerful as well. Use the gift well, and guard your secret preciously close.~ He removed his hand. ~Farewell.~

He was gone.