Daylight is Mine to Protect

Integration

I wake up groggy but alive. Despite the ache in my chest, I feel more well-rested than I have since I first met Jim. I relax onto the couch, letting sleep overtake me once more.

Voices. I try not to move as I listen to them. I pick out Strickler's voice. Why is he here? Where am I?

I wait, and I listen. I assess my options. I might have to fight my way out. I am not bound, which is good, but that may also mean there are plenty of people there to keep me here. My only advantage is surprise. 

I call Moonlight to my fingers, ready for the perfect moment to summon it and strike. The voices grow closer to me. 

I leap out of the chair before I have even opened my eyes. Moonlight appears in my hands, and I swing it around to strike at the nearest target.

I stop inches from Barbara's face. Her face looks terrified at the staff so near to pummeling her. I take heavy breaths, realizing I'm not in danger and trying to reorient myself. A sharp pain stabs through my chest, and I stumble. 

"Hey--- woah there. Let's get you back on the couch," Barbara says, gently guiding me back to my sitting place. 

"I-- what happened?" I ask, trying to resist sitting down. "Is everyone okay? Where are we?"

"You are back in the Trollhunter's dwelling." It's Merlin. He walks from another room. "I am more than a little disappointed that you arrived unconscious."

Barbara frowns at him. "She saved both Strickler's and my life! I would say that's well and good enough."

"Well and good enough is not enough to keep the Trollhunter alive." 

I want to get away from this conversation, so I change the topic. "Is Namura alright? Why was Angor Rot attacking her?"

"She's fine." Merlin waves his hand. "She's still here, I believe. Apparently, Angor Rot is recruiting changelings or killing them if they refuse."

I recall my dream-memory and shiver. "Wonderful." I rub my chest, surprised that I was able to move at all. Merlin notices. 

"I had enough magic to put your bones back together. I forget how fragile human bones are."

"Ah. Thanks." I notice Strickler in the back of the room, watching me. "What?" I ask, unnerved by his attention. 

"You talk in your sleep." He pulls himself from the wall.

"Really?" I try to keep my face steady. "What did I say?"

"Oh, not much. I just thought it interesting."

That leaves me even more worried than if he had told me what I said. I try not to have an internal breakdown. 

I would've spent waiting for the Trollhunter to get back sleeping if I weren't so high-strung. Instead, I go out in the yard and experiment using my staff. I also work a little with my silver cuff shield, but since it's not the way I usually fight, I decide to train more with transitioning the magic between staff and armor. The practice is tiring but rewarding as I get a much better feel for the movement of magic. 

I also practice summoning my staff. The fact that I was able to do so without speaking the incantation when I had woken up intrigues me. I find I can summon it separate from my armor for moments of panic.

When Jim and his friends come back, the sun has started to set. I am working through drills with my staff and don't immediately notice that I have an audience.

"Wow, she's pretty good," I hear Toby say, and I trip a little in start. I sigh and start from the beginning, trying to ignore the crowd. "And I thought Claire was good with a staff."