Shimmer Stone

Several hours later, TrailBlaiser's still writhing about, tied up in ropes. Rabbitleap and RiverFlyte exchange looks. "What do we do about her?" Rabbitleap asks. "If she's really cracked under pressure, we might have to..." she trails off. RiverFlyte's expression is unreadable.

"I know. Earlier, she said she spoke to Aslan about the prophecy, but I'm beginning to wonder if she actually did, because she was hysterical afterward." He gets lost in thought, watching as TrailBlaiser practically strangles herself trying to get the amulet.

"Maybe we should contact Aslan? Or DragonFyre?" Rabbitleap offers. "I mean, most artifact over-loads dissolve after an hour or two without the artifact. This has been five. If she doesn't get control again, we'd have to go further than just tying her up. You know that, don't you?" RiverFlyte nods.

"Yes, I'm aware. And, as much as I don't want to, I'd have to. For the good of the Realm Travelers. We can't have an unstable agent. Ecspecially as our leader. There has to be an explanation." He picks up the amulet, which intices more screams and begging from TrailBlaiser, and examines it. He seems puzzled, and compares it to his own. "Something's not right. It doesn't look the same..." A sparkle on his own amulet catches his eye. "Of course! The stabilizers are broken! The Shimmer Stone on either side of the amulet has been tainted, making them worthless!" He shows the amulet to Rabbitleap, who nods her head in agreement.

"That makes sense. Recently, she has exhibited unusual behavior. Not just this week, either. Even before Persia showed up, she's been acting weird. Like when she attacked Swiftwind because of protocal. Or when she created a magic sword to kill the Supreme Custodian, screaming with bloodlust. But, tainting stablizers made to withstand a drama queen like her would be close to impossible. She'd have to be exposed to extreme evil." RiverFlyte paces back and forth, then stops, his eyes meeting TrailBlaiser's. She glares hard at him, barring her teeth and snarling like a mad dog. 

"She was. Back in April. When Slade was torturing her with Night Crystal  Not only did he bring it near her, but he had a knife made of it, which he cut her with. She still has the scar on her left cheek. The Titans didn't know. It happened when she was taken away from us for questioning. She only told me." He opens a small box on the shelf where the amulet was placed, and takes out a pair of ice fragments. He breaks off the old, gray stabilizers and puts the shining ones on her amulet. Bending down to TrailBlaiser, he artifact around her neck and unties the ropes. She closes her eyes for a moment, and, when she opens the again, they are no longer flames, but bright green. She throws her arms around him, and kisses him deeply.

"Thank you." she breathes. "Thank you for not giving up on me. For figuring it out. Truthfully, I haven't been thinking clearly for months, and it just kept getting worse. Thank you!" He holds her tightly.

"Now that you're sane again, can you tell me that huge secret Aslan was talking about?" Doubt flashes in her eyes.

"Not right now. I promise, I will, but not now. Meet me in my room at midnight." She adds this last sentence quietly, her voice barely a whisper. "I promise, I won't keep this secret from you any longer, Septimus."