"What do you mean you were expelled?!?" Caramon yelled. Tika glanced at him and he lowered his voice. "You've gone there for six years, and you've been expelled? Why?" Rivin's head was bowed in obeisance, waiting as her father ranted. But at the question, she raised her head, eyes glittering fiercely. "Because the master is a damned fool!" she whispered fervently. For once, Caramon didn't retort. He and Tika watched their daughter in open-mouthed awe. "Father, if I were to stay there, if I were to have behaved well, I would have been denied my gift. Palin would have been great, far greater than me. But he let Master Theobald ruin him. He will never be as good as he could have been. I could not -would not - have stayed there. I-" She stopped herself. She had been about to tell her parents about the meeting in the clearing, but felt suddenly as if she should keep it to herself. She bowed her head again, speaking softer and not so harshly. "Father, if it is a matter of money.I will help here, in Solace. Please, do not be angry with me. I did what I had to do. I know some good treatments. When the winter and summer sicknesses come, I will help. I will go to people's houses, ready with a cure for their ailments. Only, please, don't be angry with me." Black hair fell about her face, curtaining her emotions. Her eyes blazed, but she kept her tone polite. The two adults were silent. Finally, Caramon spoke. "It's alright, Rivin. Why don't you go on up to bed; it's late already. We can talk more in the morning." Rivin nodded, and started to walk towards the door. Reaching the table in the center of the room, she paused, reaching out to pick up a black bound book. She had bought it from a mage ware seller long ago. She never let any of her family see it. Not even Palin, the only one who understood what it was to yearn for the magic. She clutched the book to her breast, continuing on. When she reached the door, Tika stopped her. "Rivin," she said. "In the morning, you can meet your sisters. Laura and Dezra." Rivin turned and smiled at her mother. "I'd love that. Goodnight." She turned and left. Caramon and Tika watched the door long after Rivin's footsteps had died away. They looked at each other, silent. They needed no words to convey what they felt.