[quote]"I am Anise, I am the Lady of Light." She put her will into these words. "There is no need for such unnecessary bloodshed." She channeled the power of the lantern through her. "I want the fighting to stop." There was a force of will behind her words she hadn't expected. "I am here to return balance to this Forest and protect those that need it. I will not stand here lightly and watch the death of another living being happen before me. I wish for all of you to stand down and be at peace."[/quote]

Everything stopped.

The gryphon and the wolf went still, claws and teeth frozen in mid-battle, their eyes wide in shock. Slowly and carefully they backed away from one another in a guarded truce. The gryphon fanned its wings and folded them gingerly, chittering in the back of its throat.

The pirate, too, had stopped in his tracks. He stared at Reus in recognition, his expression filled with confusion and betrayal. Reus raised his head and stared the pirate down.

[b]"What is going on?"[/b] the pirate whispered to no one in particular. He took a step back and he took a breath, and he faced Anise, the tip of his sword lowered to the deck.

[b]"You're . . . the Lady of Light? With the Lantern of Spirit."[/b] His voice was still barely audible as his mind worked to piece together what was happening. The power of the Lantern still lingered, and he knew that everything Anise said must be true. He stared in wonder at the blue glow, and then at Anise's determined face. [b]"I'm Peck. This is Trill. It's our shift to guard the lake."[/b] He was confused, wary, and afraid -- he knew what kind of power was in the Lantern, and he knew the Lords and Ladies of the Forest were often quick to judge. The pirates had all learned from a young age to tread lightly around them -- and he had just attacked and taunted her.

[b]"Is there something you need of us, Lady of Light?"[/b]

[hr]

The Witch had watched Artemis' display of talent with a proud grin, happy to have provided the girl with something she found familiar. Artemis reminded her of her own children and grandchildren, who struggled similarly to find their way in such a harsh world. The Witch had already begun going through a mental inventory of her collections for anything else that might provide Artemis with some familiarity and comfort, curious to see what sort of life she had had before being dropped here.

Her thoughts were snapped back to reality when the staff clattered to the floor.

[quote]"This is ridiculous. And clearly you're more qualified to watch over the evil magic dragon seal. So you're welcome for the delivery, and thanks very much for the tea. I'll try not to die."[/quote]

The Witch said nothing.

She stooped and quietly picked up the staff, and she used it to hook the handle of the Lantern. She wouldn't dare touch it, uncertain how it would react.

[b]"Be careful, dear."[/b] There was no point in calling Artemis back a second time; the girl's mind seemed to be made up to refuse every shred of the Witch's help, even when it was clear that the alternative was being eaten alive.

When Artemis got outside, the two masked children were gone, but in their place was a thin path through the trees. Fireflies glimmered at the edges of the barrier, and the grass rustled in a cool breeze.

As she came to the corner of the house, someone nearly walked into her.

[b]"Whoa, hey!"[/b] The leather-armored pirate quickly stepped aside to avoid slamming into Artemis. He gave her a passing curious glance; he'd never seen her before, which was rare enough -- and she looked like she'd been dragged through the river and hung out to dry. [b]"'Scuse me,"[/b] he muttered, and he strode past her to the Witch's front door.

[b]"Baba!"[/b] he called in an almost accusing tone. [b]"What the hell happened to your house?"[/b]

[b]"I redecorated!"[/b] the Witch snapped. [b]"What do you want?"

"I told Peck I'd pick up the amulet -- what are you doing?"

"I'll tell you what I'm [i]not[/i] doing, and it's helping your brother with his romantic escapades. This is the fourth enchantment that's obviously not for himself, and he hasn't done a whit for me in return. I'm done making an effort for ungrateful brats."

"Uh huh. If this is a bad time --"

"You come here and get this tree branch out of my window."[/b] There was no room for argument, especially against a witch in a bad mood.

In back of the cabin, near the dead tree, a speckled gryphon was in the process of attempting to scratch its back while it was wearing armor and a saddle. It was flipped on its back in the grass, wings splayed, wriggling and shimmying like a dog with an itch.