Court? He’d — Merlin — had brought her to the /court/? She was dead. She was dead and someone had forgotten to tell her. Summer rubbed at her face, muffling her next words. “Yes. Yes, they’re … normal. It’s … part of my magic. Part of the price.”
Merlin’s eyes widened in surprise. That is… That’s one heck of a price, he replied quietly. Is there any way to help ease them even a bit? Gaius would probably know, but…
She held up a hand, slowly, and a tiny flame grew in it, grew and hovered, then dwindled away. “That’s how I avoid them. The … energy has to go somewhere. There’s no avoiding it.” Closing her hand, she struggled to sit up. “Thank you.”
He nodded in understanding and helped her sit up. I didn’t really do very much, he shrugged once she was in a sitting position. May I ask what your name is?
“Summer. Summer Rainault. And you brought me in off the street. I’d say that deserves some thanks.” Her limbs still ached, but it was starting to fade, though the tension in her shoulders would take far longer to ease. Ending up in Camelot had not been part of the plan at all.
“I suppose I had better leave before your master comes back. Wouldn’t want to get you in trouble.”