On her knees, Ina leaned over her mortar as she ground the ingredients for her spell. Athyn's muffled noises were desperate now and so loud that Ina could hardly hear the crushing noises of her pestle and bowl.
"Would you mind letting her speak?" Ina asked the Vierais
The vines over Athyn's mouth shrunk and disappeared.
"This is bordering on torture, Witch." Athyn spoke surprisingly calm. Still, she looked cruelly at Ina. The way she accentuated that last word left no doubt of her resentment.
"Is it torture when a child is scolded?" Ina countered and continued before Athyn could reply. "Because that is exactly how you're behaving, Athyn. Whatever you may think of yourself, despite your age, you acted ignorantly, rashly and selfishly. You must be taught."