The Unthinkable

Sanria sat at her desk in the castle. Her familiar knot of wood in the top staring back at her.  It had been several days since she'd been to "visit" Claire, her  mind had been  reeling.  She knew Claire's story, she knew Claire had been dominated completely by the man she was with, and could only arrive at one conclusion to help her solve the problem. They'd have to get rid of Ruthivan... permanently.

Killing a being to free another, was that right?  The voices crept into  Sanria's mind.  'Is there not a severe imbalance in that relationship? Is it not your duty to help balance?'  No. Sanria shook her head in  consternation.  She was no killer.  She sighed deeply and dug into her mind for answers.  If  they couldn't kill him, and he could manage to travel the planes (meaning he would most certainly return to collect Claire), what other possibility was there?

A soft  knock on the door revealed Enmach, who  swooped into  the room under her  usual graces.  "Greetings  Sanria.  I apologize that I have not been around as of late."  Sanria waved her hand  dismissively, and then the idea struck her like a thunderbolt from the skies.   "Enmach... have I ever told you of my friend, Claire?" "Only that she was once the lover of your husband."

Sanria  shifted uncomfortably  in her chair, deciding  now was not the time to let Enmach  in on all the facts of her relationship.  She told her  of Claire's life,  current and  past.  Finally, Sanria looked  at Enmach and let out a sigh.  "Is it possible," here she paused, knowing that once  this thought was in the world, there was no taking it back, "that we can alter his memories just as your people altered Colin's?"

Enmach  knitted her  brows and looked to  the desk.  "You realize what you are proposing is kidnapping and forcing someone to our will?" "I know..." Sanria's voice  dropped to a whisper.  "But if she doesn't get help..." "Does she want help?  Did you ask?" "I didn't  have a chance.  Though it  is not difficult to see that she is in dire straits." Enmach sighed heavily.  "I'll talk to Fenlauch."  She looked at Sanria and  Sanria could see the  confusion in the silver eyes.  "You realize what you are suggesting is the same thing that happened to you..." Sanria  looked down  and gave a  singular nod.  "I know," she breathed as a whisper of shame.