As Justus and Blue Robe built up a torrent of arcana that lifted the hairs on Lirssa's arms and back of her neck, she searched for a safe route to the woman and child. Slate roofing vibrated with the nascent power of the sparkers in their duel. Lirssa vibrated as well like a glass trembling defiance against a sound determined to shatter it. She had to move for her sake as well as the others.

Back stepping along the wall to the high walled garden behind the house, she dug fingertips and booted toes into small holds to climb over and dropped down. Racing against the percussive thrums from the street, she climbed and dropped over and over until she reached the small cross street where the woman and child still kept small and fearful in the building corner.

When Lirssa approached she could see it in the woman's dark eyes. Fear had trapped her more than anything. It had robbed her of movement and reason. There was hopelessness there. "I am going to get you free of here. You have to stand."

Two cries of outrage, both singing out their determination echoed down the street. Another rumble, the aftershock of their clashing wills accordioned the street, casting cobblestones like an overturned box of puzzle pieces. Slates fell from rooftops. Lirssa threw herself over the immobile woman and child. Stings of cuts and pain of bruising to come bloomed over her back. A slate struck her head, blinding her with the pain for a moment.

Shaking herself like a dog, the debris scattered and the damage began its irritating throbs. She looked down at the boy curled into the hollow of his parent and hoped he was the answer. "You have to run. Can you do that for me" Run that way." She pointed a dusty hand down the street away from battle. There was no response.

Lirssa looked over her shoulder where the two men had closed the gap between them, now no more than five paces from each other. One then the other would writhe and stumble then regain. Whatever battle still raged was contained for the moment. It was the time to move. "Are you hurt, is that why you cannot move?" Lirssa saw no signs of damage on them. "Please, I don't know what is going to happen. At least get inside. You must move!" Lirssa grabbed the woman's arm to convince her to at least stand.

With as much effort as lifting a pen, the woman was jerked to her feet. Lirssa had felt it. Her own self had slid aside that brief moment like the sidestep in a dance. How simply it had been done made Lirssa's stomach heave. Someone had used her talent and forced their will, in this case it matched her own, to affect another.

When the woman regained her senses in being forced into motion, she fled with her son. Lirssa did the same, leaving behind the sparkers to finish their duel in their own manner. Her feet moved swift, arms pumping, until she came to the nearest office of the city guard to let them know what was happening. With the ineffectualness of most of the city guard, they took her report, mustered a semblance of urgency and went to investigate.

It was out of Lirssa's hands. If they did nothing or something, she would not go back there. She did not know what would happen if she did. Would whomever had used her to safe the woman and child do so again for other means? As she thought, her feet brought her back to High Spires House. Mrs. June fussed over her cuts, questioned like a stern but loving mother, and Lirssa gave over nothing but the warning of what was happening a few blocks away and to be aware before she stepped away again.

She had done what she set out to do, keep High Spires safe, but now she did not know where she dare go. She was an open vessel to be used as Fitzhugh had warned by any who could sense what she was. It was a crushing weight of realization that at the brownstone they understood her. There they knew her secret. She would have to return to them eventually. She had made a promise.

She did not trust them, though. So, who could she trust' Names rippled through her fuzzy thoughts. Those she trusted could not help her. Those who could likely help her she did not trust. Mister Jolly had taught her how to research things. Maybe she could teach herself. She had been independent all her life. The city was always full of places and people that had magical talents. Maybe she just needed to find another place. Or, as she looked at the bleeding cuts of her hands and felt the knot on the back of her head, she should visit one of the healing houses.

Should Lirssa... A) Return to the brownstone of Fitzhugh, et al B) Go visit the library to research on her own C) Get healed up at a healing house