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River nodded slowly. "Not ... that the magic did anything, but that ... I don't know ..."

Amalirahc knew just what she meant. "Surprised," he finished for her. "That you could do something like that without meaning to. Without wanting to."

River nodded again, more slowly this time.

Amalirahc put one arm around her shoulder. "Let's go sit with Mama and Papa," he said softly.

As they drew near to Leyenda and Kelirahc, the two looked at the children and promptly moved over on the bench to make room for them.

"Mama," Amalirahc said, "River doesn't feel well."

Leyenda nodded as if she had been expecting the news. "New magic manifesting itself often leaves a person unsettled," she replied. "We saw what happened."

River sat down on the bench and clasped her hands together to keep them from shaking.

Leyenda smiled warmly at Miyuki. "Of course. It's just getting used to the fact that you can do something you couldn't before, that's all it is. For some people it takes longer than for others. When I found out I could breathe underwater, it took me months to voluntarily go swimming again."

Kelirahc looked at his son, who was blowing on his knuckles. "But now," he said firmly. "Amalirahc. Come here."

Amalirahc looked up from his knuckles, which were skinned as well now, and bleeding slightly. He knew what was coming, but he seemed confident. He stood in front of his parents and waited.

Kelirahc leaned forward so that he was eye-to-eye with his son.

"Who started the fight?" he asked gently.

Amalirahc didn't flinch. "I jumped him first, because he was badmouthing Miyuki because she's not an elf."

Kelirahc nodded. "Did you give him fair warning?"

Amalirahc stopped to think. "I ... think I did," he said hesitantly. "I told him to apologize but he wouldn't, and then he kept saying nastier things ..."

Kelirahc grimaced as if it were no surprise to him that the boy would have done that, and then he nodded again. He had another question. "You remembered what I told you about hitting people who are weaker than you, yes?"

At Amalirahc's nod, he added, "Because it looked to me as if he was getting a solid beating, and you did not get hit at all. It didn't seem like a fair fight to me."

Amalirahc frowned. "But Papa! It was Darren! He's twelve, and he's bigger than me and stronger than me! I was just madder than him, that's all!" He folded his arms across his chest, looking rebellious for the first time. "No one insults Miyuki like that and gets away with it!" he said fiercely. "Not while I'm around!"

Kelirahc looked to Leyenda, who nodded.

"I've met Darren," she confirmed. "He's the one who wouldn't let Amalirahc play with the group at first until they treated him like a slave for a while."

"Hey, that was different!" Amalirahc frowned at Miyuki. "I was littler and at least they still considered me a person!"

Kelirahc nodded. "I have to agree. Though Amalirahc is wise enough to make his own choices, whether he wants to go along with the children or if he wants to stand up to them."

He paused and looked at his son. "But Amalirahc, you were lucky today. What would have happened if River had not frightened the other children away? There were five of them, and only one of you."

At that, Amalirahc finally looked a little uncomfortable. "I didn't think about it," he admitted quietly. "I was just so mad at Darren ..."

Kelirahc nodded. "Remember, Amalirahc, that no matter what it is that you do, all of your actions, all of your choices, have consequences. If they had all jumped you and you had gotten hurt, we would not have stepped in to help you."

"I know, Papa," Amalirahc said meekly, his eyes downcast. "But he deserved it!"

Kelirahc smiled. "I have no doubt that he did. However, next time, think a bit more about the odds. I taught you about that, remember? If the odds are not favourable, it is wiser to step down. It does not make you a coward. It makes you wise and keeps you safe."

"Yes, Papa."

Amalirahc looked back at Miyuki and smiled bravely. He had stood up for her, and gotten an apology for her from the boy who had insulted her. He was content with that - even if his hands did hurt now.

Kelirahc put one hand on his son's shoulder and smiled at him. "Well, I am proud of you for standing up for your friend, for what is right," he said softly. "Just remember next time to be more careful."

"I promise, Papa," Amalirahc nodded.

Kelirahc's smile widened, and he squeezed his son's shoulder slightly. "Good."

Leyenda smiled faintly, then turned to River. "And how are you doing?" she asked her softly.

River looked up at her. "All right. Better, I suppose." She held up one hand, and the blue light sparked around it. "What is it?" she asked. "Do you know?"

"Maybe your grandparents will know," Amalirahc suggested, hopping onto the bench next to River.

River pursed her lips thoughtfully. "I don't know ... maybe Shiro, he knows more than Grandmama and Grandpapa."

"That's true," Leyenda admitted. "He probably knows more than just about anyone in our world." She studied the blue light. "I must admit, I have never seen anything like it. It seems quite dangerous, though - I saw what it did to the boy."