[ And she had thought herself done blushing. She was no apprentice to be so easily pleased with a mentor's esteem. Such things were prideful, were vain, and had no place in her world of study as they called to demons that would taint so simple a thing. Yet here she knelt all the same, blushing from the tips of her ears to the hollow of her throat as she had as a student when complimented on her spells. ]

I am honored by the faith you have in me- and I shall try to live up to your expectations.

[ Reaching the fade- it was simply something that was done. One was able or one was not- reaching for it once one knew what they were doing came easily with study and practice. The focus drills that served her so well may yet be passed along to Galadriel. It would be somewhere to start. ]

Apostate mages- those not of a Cricle though that would include all of us as they've been disbanded- that use blood magic. Most mages use their connection to the fade- blood mages use their very blood- or the blood of others, to pull power from demons. It never ends well- the risks are great, the purpose sinister, the means a perversion of everything Compassion and I have. But it is thought to make strength for mages that have a weaker connection to the fade and therefore worthwhile. One cannot always tell them when they see them but Demons...

[ Her lips pressed thin for a moment as she considered how to explain it. ]

Compassion is, to me, emotion, intent- and music. When you called we felt your pain and we felt your song. You resonate like a spirit to me, you and your ring. It's...sweeter than anything I have ever heard- clearer than any Spirit for we are not separated by the veil. Demons are- discordant. They leave echos of their song among maleficar on occasion. I would know that were I to hear it of you but I do not. All I hear is-

I do not have the words, my Lady.