There was a piece of the Matron, that was missing.

It was more than her tongue- and though she felt the hollow emptiness of the space where the weight of her tongue had once been, and a constant nagging pain in her mouth and throat, there was more.

The headstrong woman had learned a hint of obediance. She had walked into the Shalonesti prison, high and defiant... Even going so far as to demand a chair and a proper desk. Now, when told that her eyes should be cast to the floor, they automatically followed the requested course.

Yet it was not her pride yet that suffered. Even in a position that offered her no dignity, she remained somehow dignified, refusing help, remaining quiet and still as much as possible, keeping her suffering to herself.

She missed her husband and sons, her daughters and the company of her friends. She felt frustrated at her lack of ability in which to continue her duties toward the kingdom and her house. She felt now that she had reacted too suddenly- that the warrant had been only a small threat, which might have been avoided. She had reacted quickly. She had since had time to think.

Curse her heart. Curse love, and the things it led a woman to do. She would pluck the cancer from her, if she could, and become the efficiant woman her will demanded her to be.

She was a servant to many. To Drakkara. To Verminasia. To her House. To her Family. And now to these wretched Shalons who ordered her about without the respect that should be given to a Priestess, Septon, and leader of a Noble House.

The Matron was angry- do not doubt it. But a veil had been lifted from her mind, and for the first time she could see her position clearly.

This is the piece that was missing.

Curse Mesastina. Curse the priestess. No... Do not curse them. Love them. No... Do not love them. Envy them. Envy the peace they are likely to know.

She sat in her own world, blindfolded, bound. There was darkness. Her world was the black behind her eyes, and pain. Pain in her wrists, her broken fingers, her broken ribs, her crushed jaws, and mostly in her heart, as her mind screamed.

In the darkness, all she could do was think.