Claire gripped the sides of her chair as she looked at Merlin. He didn't say anything to her as he mixed a potion.
"My concussion is almost gone," Claire finally said.
"Almost, not completely," Merlin said.
"But nobody can figure out why I…"
"Spent five minutes frothing and urinating all over the floor in front of Aegis and Vista."
Claire tried to glare but then looked away. She'd remembered coming back to herself and wondering why everything smelled like pee.
"The answer is, contrary to the PRT's fond superstitions magic exists and has a non-material component. Your brain matter is recovering, but the part of you that manipulates sorcery has been strained. I won't criticize the reason why—I doubt you could have dissuaded Jim from his plan, and shielding your friends was praiseworthy." He looked down at her. "I will criticize your decision to ignore my orders to get to your consort a few moments sooner."
"I wasn't thinking ok—Ow!" Claire said. "What was that for!" she rubbed her head, where Merlin struck it.
"If you are to be a wizard, not a hedge-witch or petty conjurer, you'd best start thinking. Already, people speak of how you helped defeat a dragon and you are not even 18 yet. Continue to learn, and one day, you will be able to topple nations. And unless you want to be greeted by a legion of those who died by your stupidity when you die, you must learn to think. Not simply use magic."
Claire glared. "Is that why you act like you do?"
Merlin didn't pause in mixing his potion. "Yes. There was a time when I prided myself on being able to convince the timid child to go forth on a crusade, even as his mother thanked me for the honor. I raised up entire armies in the name of a good cause. I expect that many of those dedicated souls await me on the other side to discuss my actions with me." He glanced at her. "One day, that may be a lesson you will have to learn, which means you must be able to think. Better than I was, when the only thing that mattered was power and there was nothing a spell couldn't solve."
He shoved a vial under her nose. "Now drink this. It will help speed your recovery. Please don't vomit."
Claire downed it on one drink and then…
Only by the barest of margins did she keep herself from vomiting all over the floor. It was rancid beef, curdled milk, a dozen horrible smells, all mixing to combine into something far worse than its components… She got it down, fell onto the floor, and just gagged for what seemed like forever.
"What…"
"The taste? It took me some time to arrive at it," Merlin said.
"It tasted worse?"
"Oh by no means, it tasted like a mild fruit wine, close to some of the blends found in France. Well, it wasn't France back then, but Pepin the Short had an excellent table."
"Wait, it tasted bett—why?"
"Because I felt there was no better way to ensure that an apprentice that thought herself wiser than her master would remember the importance of following instructions…"
A few moments later, Claire was stomping down the hallway. Well, actually leaning on one wall, because her stomach was roiling and she'd still be dizzy for the next day or so. Fortunately, she'd avoided the nurse who insisted she be wheeled everywhere. But she turned in the direction of Merlin's lab, took her hand off the wall and hoisted both hands in his direction, giving him dual one fingered salutes.
"ASSHOLE MERLIN!" Claire screamed.
"Whoah, calm down there," a voice came from behind her.
Oh. No. Claire turned around to see Dauntless looking at her, seeming concerned. "I know that Merlin can be a little harsh, but he managed to get Jim back on his feet."
"I know but I—" the hallway shifted and if not for the hero, Claire would have fallen on her ass.
Can this day get any worse? It was then that the PRT nurse came walking around the corner with that damned wheelchair, her determined expression matching Dauntless's.
Yes. Yes, it can.
Later, Claire found herself sitting in the wheelchair next to Jim, in front of Director Piggot, Mr. Samuelson, the PRT's legal officer, and Armsmaster. Mr. Blinky sat off to the side, as did a typist.
This was bad. She had spent enough time around Mom to know that you didn't bring a typist to something you wanted to keep informal.
"Administrative Disciplinary hearing for Claire Nunez and James Lake, Jr. Code Names Shadowdancer and Trollhunter. Director Emily Piggot presiding. Mr. Samuelson is here in his capacity as Youth Guard observer and guardian ad litem." Director Piggot was all business. "For the record, this is an administrative hearing, not a court martial. If you disagree with the finding, you may demand a hearing under Article 25. You have both waived the right for direct and individual representation, save by your guardian and Mr. Samuelson. Do you confirm that you have waived such representation of your own free will and are aware that you may request such assistance at any point?"
"Um…Yes." Jim nodded. Claire joined him.
"Very well." Director Piggot nodded. "Now, we've read the reports, including yours, but I want you to explain, in your words, why you took the actions you did, and what was your reasoning at every step of the way. Start with why you didn't inform the Protectorate upon finding out that your friend's family had been kidnapped."
Why isn't she— Claire blinked. If someone wanted to punish them, saying they'd gone after their friends to help them might let them say they were just freaked out and not thinking straight. Just the name of Ann's family would look worse on the transcript, but if they were in trouble why… A cough from Director Piggot got Claire talking, as she and Jim, with occasional questions from Armsmaster, Director Piggot.
Finally, Director Piggot started speaking. "At the beginning of the confrontation, you stated that you changed your plans. There was a chance—not a good one, but a chance, that Lung would have let you retreat with the family. Why did you decide to force the confrontation?"
"Ahem," Mr. Samuelson said. "Youth Guard would like it noted that given the speed that Oni Lee attacked them and the other preparations, it is highly likely that nothing Mr. Lake or Ms. Nunez could have done or said would have prevented a battle."
"Understood, but please answer the question, Mr. Lake."
"When Lung threw…" Jim fell silent, and Claire took his hand. "They screamed. Ann, Kim, his mother… I haven't seen Ann yet, because Kenji's still in the hospital. And we're… well, you know."
Why isn't Panacea fixing him? Claire wondered.
"Lung…" Jim stared out and his voice grew strong. "Lung's like the worst bullies I've met. His power could let him do nearly anything, be rich, famous, but he isn't happy unless he has someone to stand on. If I'd just taken them, even if he let me, they might be saved, but when it came down to it, they'd know that Lung was more important than they were." Jim looked up at them, and now there was no hesitation to his voice. "I'm the Trollhunter. I know it doesn't mean much here, but back home, my job was to stand between ordinary people—humans and trolls alike, and the monsters, the bullies that would… hurt them."
"Even if you might get killed?"
Jim shrugged. "Hey, no Trollhunter in history has died in bed. I took out Gunmar, so I'm ahead of the curve."
Claire noticed Mr. Samuelson's eyes narrow at that.
"Master Jim and Fair Claire have never, ever, shirked their duties…" Blinky said. "Though in this case, a call for reinforcements would have been helpful."
"We had them, the Undersiders, Glory Girl, and Orb Weaver."
Armsmaster frowned at that. "Villains, a member of New Wave, and a skilled independent."
"Very skilled," Jim said. "And I don't know if the Undersiders are…"
He shook his head. "They're not villains, not like Lung or Kaiser."
"No." Armsmaster nodded. "Although Hellhound—"
"Bitch," Claire said. "Tattletale says she doesn't like Hellhound."
"Noted. But she does have a warrant out for murder."
"How long ago?" Jim asked. "She can't be much older than I am, if that."
"This is getting off track," Director Piggot said. "I want to ask, for the record. Do you have any other justifications, excuses—anything you might consider a mitigating circumstance?"
"No," Jim said. Claire shook her head next to him.
"Very well. First of all, the City of Brockton Bay has agreed to not bring criminal or civil charges for the numerous acts of destruction that occurred during your operation. In the case of the PRT, we are finding that due to your close relationship with the family in question, and the fact that you did not engage in lethal combat against anyone save Lung and his followers who had already attacked you with lethal intent, we find that despite your questionable judgment, no official disciplinary action will be taken. Do you wish to appeal this?"
"Um, no Ma'am." Jim said. Claire nodded. Appeal the fact that they weren't going to get thrown into prison?
"That concludes these proceedings." With that, the recorder got up and walked out, as did the lawyer. Nobody else moved. When the door closed, Jim gulped.
"You present me with a problem," Director Piggot said. "Shadow Stalker was a bully, and someone I couldn't trust. That's not your problem. I can trust you to do what you think is right… no matter what. I expect that if I had been on the phone, ordering you to back off, this would still play out as it had, wouldn't it—do not answer that question!"
Both Jim and Claire's mouth's involuntarily shut.
"And, now that we have the full record, rather than a synopsis, of everything that went on in your world, thank you, Mr. Galadrigal…" her voice was sarcastic…
"You were the team leader for multiple events, including several lethal confrontations, culminating with an S-class event, the invasion of your world. After that, you engaged in at least one A-class event on the way to New Jersey." Armsmaster glanced at them both, his expression unreadable.
"The cult and the undead dragon?" Claire asked. Blinky nodded.
"And you were the leaders." Director Piggot said. "Both of you have more combat experience than any other Ward, and you default to command. You managed to whip up a team capable of handling Lung and Oni Lee and keep them pointed in the same direction, all on the fly."
"That is a rare skill," Armsmaster said. "But it equally presents a problem. Aegis is the leader of the Wards, but he is not mentally prepared to exert control over two individuals such as yourself."
"We wouldn't disobey him!" Claire burst out. She liked Carlos.
"No, not until it became important," Director Piggot said. "And then, it's highly likely you'd drag the Wards along with you. Wards leadership is based on age, because it's more about learning the ropes of the Protectorate as it is about actual leadership. The problem is, both of you are actual leaders."
"And we can't promote you to the Protectorate," Mr. Samuelson said. "Fortunately, buried deep within the PRT guidelines, there's provisions for mentorship of Wards age individuals, allowing them to work more closely with the Protectorate, usually because they are possessed of powers too dangerous to be used around other Wards."
"We would…"
"Outside of PR events and patrols on the Boardwalk, you will always have a Protectorate member as part of your team. In addition to hopefully keeping you both on the reservation, it will allow us to more effectively use your powers, because to be honest, you're both wasted chasing down pickpockets on the Boardwalk. In addition, you will be treated as a Protectorate member in terms of handling paperwork and being trained in proper procedure. However, you will continue to be paid on the Wards' payscale."
"I um…" Jim blinked. "Is this a punishment or reward?"
"Yes," Director Piggot said. "Part of your new duties will be patrols in areas that were formerly part of the ABB. We are bringing in more capes, and the E88 has been moving slowly, but there are already claims that you were part of a hit to open up the Asian people of the city to attacks. Hopefully we can deal with that, but…" Director Piggot looked at the others. "Lung left a message for you."
As it played, Claire felt herself turning red with anger. When it finished… "That's Bullshit!" She burst out. "'Who will protect them?' Lung never fu-never protected anyone in his life! If he'd wanted to do that, he could have joined the Protectorate!"
"But he's kinda right," Jim said, looking worried. "I mean, now that…"
"No," Claire said, getting to her feet, and taking Jim's face in her hands. "They weren't any better off with Lung, and this is him just trying to get inside your head, like Gunmar did. He can't give you anything because…"
"It wasn't his to give," Jim said. "Thanks, Claire." He looked back up at Director Piggot. "I'll… Try. I don't want to break the rules, and I'll take any punishment, but if I see Hookwolf going after some little old lady…"
"Try not to kill him, Master Jim," Blinky said.
"More helpfully," Director Piggot said. "Do your best to minimize the threat to property and people, but hopefully the E88 will be otherwise occupied." She shook her head. "I'm not usually in the habit of saying this, but you had a good plan. Except for the part where you seemed to think you were expendable. You're not. Dismissed."
With that, Claire and Jim beat a hasty retreat, Jim pushing Claire's wheelchair.
I wonder who we're going to be partnered with? Claire wondered.