He looked down at the small, angry woman and he felt her pain; all Mistress Drima wanted was a normal, peaceful life. The life of a mage was often tumultuous, and the demands of House and Guild must place a great strain on any emotional relationship. A wife and family were hostages to fate, and it was inevitable that at some point the thaumaturge would need to make a choice between the imperatives of the heart and the needs of the Guild. Marriage was not forbidden, but a married man was finished as an active mage. Although Kargan often yearned to settle down with a good woman, he understood why he could not.

"I could, Mistress Drima,” he said, “but I won't. It's not my decision to make; this is between you and your husband."

"Damn you, mage!” Drima shouted, her cheeks wet. “Damn you and your bloody House, you unfeeling bastard! What does your sexless, loveless Guild know about feelings and relationships? Does it care?"

"That is enough, Drima,” Loras rumbled, interposing himself between his wife and Kargan. “Do not blame Magemaster Kargan for my decision; all he did was to place the facts before me."

"All he did was to create turmoil where we had peace, Loras,” Drima said in a lower voice, shaking with emotion. “Our life together was often hard, but I accepted that. For years, I shared your pain and shame, trying to support you as best I could.

"When Sammel was born, I thought it would bring stability to our lives. All that seemed to interest you was whether he had mage power."

"That is unfair, Drima, and you know it!” Loras snapped. “I loved Sammel as much as any father ever could. All I wanted was for him to have the best possible start in life. Yes, I wanted to know if the power existed within him, and I was overjoyed when the blood proved true.

"However, if you remember, we discussed sending Sammel to the House when he was seven, but you convinced me to keep him with us. I felt disappointed, but I did not demur; he was a strong lad, happy with life in the smithy. After our discussion, I thought of nothing but training him to take my place here, and I never raised the subject again. I felt so proud when Sammel gained his trade credentials, and even more so when he married Shura, and they bore us a grandson."