Mary started to wonder what harm could there be in letting the changes continue unabated. If they spent enough time together Karas would be a sweet little girl for Mary to dote on. Karas no longer a threat to those who didn't have the money to pay his price. A warrior with no code but a contract for pay. A child who gave love and sweetness was infinitely superior. Raised right she could be a force for good. Wavering Mary wondered if she was trying to convince herself for a selfish reason. Karas came to her for help and to plot against him was surely wrong. Watching Karas excitedly point out this sight and that made Mary smile. She didn't want to lose the small cherub that sat beside her. It wouldn't be so wrong if she just let the spell run its course. Yes, she would just let the gods decide Karas's fate. If they so willed it she would be a loving mother.
Karas eyes narrowed and she began to look around her for dangers instead of flowers. She saw how the next bend might be a good spot for an ambush but unlikely since no one knew which way they traveled. Random bandits possibly but they headed toward civilization and these roads often contained soldiers doing regular patrols. Suddenly memories of her childish behavior intruded on his thoughts. Shame at her weakness to the spell. Karas looked at Mary who gave occasional side glances at her and smiled. Distrust came naturally to Karas but she knew that without a weapon and her lapses of control left her vulnerable to the perils that lay in her path. So far Mary gave no cause for alarm but still trust remained alien to his nature. This dependency she found herself in turned her stomach. Karas promised herself revenge on that goblin even it cost him the rest of his savings.
Mary realized that Karas regained control of herself when Karas went quiet. No longer carefree she saw how deliberately Karas searched for danger. A mixture of relief and sadness filled Mary. She couldn't be sure which she felt more. Sadness at the loss of the sweet girl. Relief that she didn't have the guilt of letting down Karas who came to her for help. She disliked the silence that they now found themselves in.
As time passed they arrived at the outskirts of the Jarren's outpost. The town though larger than shadow brook held only a couple resident priests none of the ability to be a significant help to a spell of this power. There might be adventures staying there or passing through that might offer assistance. Mary pondered her next move.
