#fenixtj

-----------

Zara seeks out Westward.

She has adopted next to none of her new rank's usual trappings; she stays in jeans and tee-shirts. There IS a throne now, but she eschews it's use when she can. She is more often found sitting on the hearthstones of the Balefire in the same room.

The pale sluagh appears. "Westward?"

The whisper takes a moment to filter in as she stares at the flames, but then she looks over. "Zara?" A fond expression. "Hi. How's Earl?"

"Doing better. The little troubadour has been of great aid."

"I'm glad to hear that. Do you need anything?"

Zara nods. "Aye, though not for him. Your hospitality has been most generous. And I believe I may be able to repay, in some kind..."

"There's no debt, Zara." Kindly. "We're friends. And, we had the same goal."

"Though it requires your permission, and, ideally, your participation. Your sister, my friend... she.. she has been harmed, nu?"

Jessica's face goes guarded. "Why?"

"She told you she aided us against the slavers, aye?"

"Without her... " A sigh. "No, we would not have succeeded without her."

"But so much time, with ravagers and maniacs... surely, you have seen her hurt?"

A cautious nod.

"She needs time, she said."

"It IS a hurt, like... an.. an infection, aye? But of her glamour, not her blood."

Zara shakes her head. "Time may help, but... it may only fester. As charming as I may find pustulence, I would not see it embedded in the soul of a friend."

Jessica overcomes her initial reaction and nods. "You said you needed my permission and participation?"

"She grabbed glamour where she could, to survive. Gleaned it from workings, from Tantalus and the Balor... she did not Ravage, but they did. And she has no mortal soul to cushion her."

"The satyr - Zane, of Rivervale - has, methinks, a good plan. It... well, we create a vessel in which she can pour the tainted glamour, and we fill her with glamour anew, glamour which is pure."

Jessica nods slowly, following. "Has she agreed?"

"She has. But... the vessel?"

"You need someone to be the vessel? I will serve." she offers without hesitation.

"Ah - no, we have a wooden one. But... to cleanse THAT, I believe the best plan is to burn away all of the impurities, until pure glamour remains."

"My thought, therefore, is to feed it to the balefire. This hold is already inclined to healing and rebirth, and - with your blessing and support, the fire may destroy the bad and drink in the good."

Jessica nods. "I think we can do that. Let me..... " She turns to the 'Fire and extends a hand, trailing her fingers in the flames.

Zara stays quiet, watching - "listening" as she may through her sensitivity to glamour.

"What do you think...?" She murmurs, seeking that connection she has with the power of Glamour in her lands.

The flames are curious, a bit cautious feeling... she is strong, they are, but she's worried what the backlash might do to Jessica.

"Hm."

Jessica closes her eyes.

..... and slowly goes purple before she opens her eyes.

"Um."

"Ok, I think it will work."

A gentle lift of an eyebrow.

"I can do what I can to shield you..."

"Thanks. And, um, I have someone in mind to be there. To help, if things go.... you know."

"Pear shaped."

"I am reluctant to call luck... after the casting against Tantalus, I would give the tapestry time to settle."

"You're the expert." Jessica agrees.

"But I may be able to do something..."

"After all, you are also my friend. I would see neither of you harmed." Stubborn.

"Thank you, Zara." A small smile. "When do we do this?"

"Soon, aye? Zane and Piper are here... Siv is agreed..."

"Is there aught you should do to prepare?"

"I need to make a phone call."

The official county phone is brought before Jessica.

"Um. No, thanks Sir Buce. I can do it from my cell phone. Excuse me?" She goes to call Duff.