She was at least an hour late walking into class. She waited coolly as Theobald berated her. When he asked why she was so late, her cold gaze slid to Jaron for merely a moment. She watched as his skin reddened, turning her gaze back to her master. "I have no reason, Master," she said obediently, though the answer grated at her nerves. "Then you will stay after today, and clean out the classroom, libraries, and kitchens!" Rivin's nostrils flared in annoyance. "Of course, Master," she said the word sarcastically, waiting for his reaction. It was to raise his head and start to walk back to the front of the room, ignoring her. Rivin's eyes narrowed, and she said to him, so softly it was almost missed, "You'd do well not to ignore me, Theobald. One day I'll be in a place of power, and you will quiver in this school, dreading the day I come to repay my debts." The master slowed, turning around to face Rivin. His face was ashen. He looked at her and thought of the pupil he had had over forty years ago. Rivin seemed to be the female version of Raistlin as he was before his test. The only difference was that Rivin did not have as much control as he. Theobald's hand twitched, wanting to reach into a spell bag at his waist and cast a spell on the girl. She watched him, hate and loathing in her blue-gray eyes. Rivin took a threatening step closer. "Are you scared, Master? Scared enough to give me the respect I deserve? I could teach this class better than you. No, perhaps not. You have an over amount of patience with these idiots, while those of us who would die to learn more, you ignore and hate. We deserve better." Theobald's eyebrow rose, trying to keep himself from shaking at her threat. He could feel his face purpling. Instinctively, he reached a hand into a pouch. Rivin saw this and laughed. "Try it, Theobald. Cast the spell. Will it be sleep? Or perhaps fire? It's the only thing you can do well!" This was too much for the old master. His hand plunged into the pouch, pulling out a handful of sand. Muttering a few words, he tossed the component on her. Immediately, she was engulfed in flames. "Rivin!" Palin's voice rang through the room. He stood with a jump and started to run to her. Rivin turned to him, and said, "Sit down, Brother." He voice was strange, hallow and full at the same time. Stunned, Palin sat, nearly falling into the chair. Rivin shivered, then muttered a few words. At first, nothing happened. Then there was a hiss, and the flames were pulled into her. Theobald (and half the class) were watching her in horror. Others stared in amazement. "Where did you learn that spell?" Theobald breathed. "I never taught you that!" Rivin smirked. "Half the things I know you never taught. You're pathetic. You have no right to call yourself a teacher." Suddenly, there were rose petals in her hand. Her action had been so quick, no one had seen the hand dart into the pouch. She smiled at Theobald. "With a word, you would be asleep on the floor. With two, you would be on another part of Krynn. With a mere three words, you would be dead. I am a force to be reckoned with." Her voice fell so soft that Theobald (and the class) strained to hear. "I wish only to be treated with respect, Master Theobald. If you expect mine, give me what I deserve. You will never have any idea how much I appreciate you teaching me the basics. But you need to understand that the only thing I didn't know was the basics. I was eight when I cast my first spell. I cast it without being taught by you. Can you not understand that I am talented?" She dropped the rose petals onto the floor, turning to leave. She paused at Jaron's desk, pulling out her leather bag. She dropped it on his desk. "A gift," she murmured to him. She left the room. Hesitantly, Jaron reached into the bag. He then yelped, pulling the afore mentioned body part out of the bag, tiny nettles sticking out of it. Rivin smiled at his cry of pain. So it is settled.