#anywhere

She frowns a little considering this. "Then who will teach me, if I cannot ask about what I don't know?"

"You can ask. You should ask... but you must accept that some times the answer is 'not yet' and 'wait'" He says

"Well said," Dame Ash says agreeing with Zane- Oh the betrayal

Ariel gasps at Dame Ash for this, then scowls

And Salma sighs, her ears drooping and expression falling. "Alas, it is not for a donkey to know the workings of a great magician. She would probably just chew on the pages of his spell book." Forlorn.

"Nonsense, the Donkey is seen as a symbol of great wisdom in many beliefs.... there are pictures and symbols" he says "But in all these sources, this donkey of wisdom? " A pause "was grown up some more than you are"

Ariel says "Oh yeah, well, when WE'RE wilders we'll SHARE stuff with Childlings... and and not try to protect them all the time"

Ash covers a smile

A sniff, and she nods to Ariel. Someday they will be older, and then you'll see!

"Well, I tried" Zane says

"And thistles are tasty." Her tongue out towards Zane. "The leaves can be in a salad, the seeds toasted for a tea, and it grows a pretty flower that is the Princesca's color. So I take that as a compliment."

"Good, learning how to take things and use them is an important step in a mystic's progress, I am glad you have passed this lesson, young apprentices. You may go" he says loftily

"No bread for him" Ariel says

Another soft snort, and she whispers to Ariel as they go, "Someone should put a thistle in his shorts!" But, she giggles a little. Already getting over her disappointment.

Ariel giggles back and trots off, then sticks her own tongue out at Zane in a 'so there' gesture and leaves with HER friend

"Damn but that bread did smell good" Zane admits.

"Delicious" Ash agrees softly

"SUch is the price of magic" A sigh

(End Scene)

"Thou looketh much more thyself." Zara purrs at Earl, nestled against him in bed.

"I feel it," and he does look it. That horrid wound tended daily. THe iron out of him. ANd to show he kisses her savoring "All the time I've spent in bed and so much of it wasted sleeping" A smile

"Mmm, I have watched over thee. Watched the azure bloom once more in thy cheeks."

She touches his face, his horns - fingertips lingering at the scarred one.

"Must be why I healed so well" he runs a hand along her cheek in return

"You... you do not begrudge, that I have not oathed?"

"Wait what?" A surprised look "What brought this up?" He asks curiously

"Mmm.. naught." She closes her eyes and nuzzles.

He nuzzles back, kissing her hair, and an ear tip "You've already given me a sign of trust and love I know to be beyond value. One day, if you're ready, then I would be the happiest man in the world, but begrudge? No no." To answer her question despite her dismissal

"I love thee."

"And I love thee as much as I love the night" He says "When all is darkest I feel the brush of your hand, catch the scent of your hair... and there we are, each misunderstood together"

"And I love you as the night loves the stars, as they paint the sky in endless wonder."

"The stars and I share a wonderful muse" A kiss "Oh but I am very selfish"

"Oh?" She tangles her fingers with his.

"I should ask to make sure others are okay. Ask what happened that I thought I heard yelling about, why others were ordered out of the hhalls? I should be less selfish.. isntead. > I want to celebrate my new restored health, and your body next to mine"

"I like that plan."

A glance at the door to make sure it's locked, and he blows out the candle

And then... he and Zara tend to each other.

(Fade to black)