[h2]Habeen Nocta[/h2]
[hr]
Habeen listened intently to Syrena speak. She talked of the great fire within that clawed and struggled to escape, to rain havoc... how she, as the gatekeeper, felt it not a privilege but a responsibility, even a burden, to wield such a blazing power. Sometimes Habeen felt that way with her own folk magic as well, especially in dealing with the more agitated spirits. Perhaps that's why modern mages call her kind of magic "dark magic."

Habeen exhaled. She wasn't a pep talker at heart. Somehow, she felt great discomfort in sending the young mage out into a battle, especially if she had doubts like that... Habeen's smile wavered a bit.

"I suppose you wouldn't be standing here if you didn't have some sort of control over your magic," Habeen said, trying to offer some kind of consolation. "No doubt you've got a way to channel your magic instead of it channeling you. I don't really quite understand what you have to deal with, but hey, you've made it this far without frying to a crisp..."

Habeen winced upon saying that; by nature, she wasn't that heartless. "If you aren't comfortable with going out there, you ought to talk to Hugh about it, face-to-face," Habeen offered. "He'll most likely understand. I think he'll understand. Here, I'll go with you if you would like."