Chapter 11 - The Bath
It had taken a weakness spell, six servants and Ser Perth to get the girl in the bath; with more wards to hold her there. She'd changed from wolf to human at the first bucket of water on the head, but still fought like a wild wolf. While Wynn regretted having male servants witness the girl's bath, the girl seemed indifferent to their stares, and she needed strong men to hold the girl in the tub. Ser Perth, to his credit, tried to stare anywhere but her private bits; of which, all were exposed due to her thrashing about.
When it was all over the girl sat shivering in blankets on the bed looking like a wet cat. Her hair hung, dripping, in her face and she did nothing to move it out of the way. She sat there stoically with chattering teeth and stared into nothing. Wynne had to bring another mage to keep the weakness spell on the girl constantly. Everyone was frazzled and drained.
"Listen to me Mina" Wynne stood in front of the girl "You're not a prisoner here, you're a guest. A guest is someone that can come and go freely." The girl looked up at her, and opened her mouth to speak, Wynne continued "I'm not sure what you've been told about the Templars, but I'm quite sure it wasn't anything good, from what I know about Morrigan. But there are no Templars here."
"Mina k-k-killed no T-t-templars" the girl said, teeth still chattering.
"Yes, dear. I know" And Wynne smiled because compassion was the first human quality she'd seen in the girl. "But you've been in the Fade and seen what happens to some mages?"
"Demons eat them up-p-p. Eat th-th-them up from the in-in-inside" Her chattering was getting worse and she was grateful when Ser Perth stoked the fire and brought new warmth into the chamber.
"Those that get 'eaten up', Mina, they come back here as demons." And Mina cocked her head.
"Mina t-t-tells them not to listen to d-d-demons, but only some listen." Mina t-t-tries to tell them, but they like the demons." Maker, she's been talking to mages in the Fade all this time.
"That's very kind Mina, but not all mages can see demons or feel them as you. Only some can see them, and only some of those can defeat the demon. That's why Ser Perth brought you here, to help us understand how you see the demons and so you can teach us to fight them."
"Lllockk Miinna inn th-th-the towerrr." Mina shook her head.
"No, Mina. You're not to be locked anywhere. You're free because all mages are free now. But I hope you won't go because you can help us, Mina. You can help us teach how to keep the demons away."
The chattering had stopped, but she still shivered. However, Mina looked at Wynne and nodded, slowly and with a suspicious look.
"Good" She slapped her thighs, pleased, "Now we need to talk about your clothing, young lady."