Mary decided that she wanted to get Karas and discuss the options Karas had. Mary chose to wait until they were talking over the evening meal. She always thought better with a full stomach. Mary got a room at a simple inn that looked respectable. She didn't think a fancy inn would suit her. She liked finery and all but felt she lacked the sophistication. The travelers rest with its well built structure and attentive staff seemed the perfect place for an evenings rest. Mary asked for a meal to be sent up to her room that she would share with Karas.
Karas stared at Mary waiting for her to bring up whatever bothered her. Karas noticed that Mary kept looking down at her with a furrowed brow. Karas knew when someone wanted to say something but lacked the nerve to bring it up. Client she'd had in the past often when they desired a distasteful request that Karas might look down on. Karas before this only cared about money and difficulty. Vile acts only required more money. Morality never used to enter her mind. Only after the spell and meeting Mary had she questioned the choices she made. Karas now worried what Mary might say but she owed her the right to say it for all she'd done for Karas.
When the beef stew arrived Mary took a few mouthfuls before saying, "Karas I wish to know what you want if you should lose yourself? The spell is changing you further and if it finishes before we get to the Temple I want to know what you desire of me? I don't deny that I have long desired a girl of my own and would care for you if you wished it. But I don't want that child at the expense of another human if I can help it."
Karas looked surprised at Mary. She hadn't given it much thought to not succeeding she rarely did. Confidence was essential in her former line of work. Now, doubt crept into her at the prospect of losing herself to this spell. Karas finally turned to Mary and said, "I care little for what happens to me if I lose myself to this spell. I gladly surrender myself to your care if it happens to me. You deserve that much for all your aid. If nothing can be done by the priests I accept it. I have faced down death this I think would be a better deal at least part of me would remain. Let's try and see what comes." Karas went back to eating not waiting for a response.
Mary looked in wonder at Karas. She couldn't believe that Karas took it so easily. No sadness or fear displayed on Karas's face. Regret must be an alien concept to Karas. Mary felt a little jealous of that. But not of Karas's lack of emotion. Mary loved feeling and experiencing life shutting it out made her pity Karas.
