Recuperation and preparation.

Elara pulled Johanna into a supportive hug, although both women were keenly aware of the fact that they were still naked. “**** is a very final solution, but there are others, Johanna,” Elara suggested, “If I had known what he was capable of, it would have been a very simple matter to neutralize him properly.”

Johanna returned the hug, and felt her rage subside somewhat, but she shook her head. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive him, knowing what he’s been doing to me. Gods, I’d thought of these dreams as something of a relief or an escape, but they were just another trap. It’s disgusting.”

Elara continued to pet Johanna’s hair. “I know, Johanna. But you’re safe now. And I’m here for you. Bone is a problem, and he needs to be stopped, but morning is still a few hours away. Lay down with me, and enjoy a true rest, for once.”

Johanna didn’t know if she would be able to fall asleep again, but she knew that Elara was probably right. She allowed Elara’s powerful hands to gently lay her down, and to hold her close. Johanna focused on breathing, and tried not to let her thoughts wander.

And then, suddenly, it was morning. Blinking open eyes she barely remembered closing, Johanna sat up in bed. Sunlight streamed through Elara’s doorway, and a powerful, sweet scent filled the house.

“Awake?” Elara asked, appearing at the side of the bed and pressing a mug into Johanna’s hands. The groggy sea captain nodded, and raised the mug to her lips, taking a deep drink of the warm liquid within. “Tea,” Elara stated, though it was much sweeter and more fragrant than any tea Johanna was used to. “Are you feeling better this morning?”

Johanna sighed. “I don’t know. I’m still angry.” She took another drink, “But I’ll be fine. Do you have any ideas on how to deal with Bone yet?”

Elara nodded, and Johanna watched her toned form turn away from her to walk across the room, returning with a handful of items. She held up a dull metal band.

“Iron collar, which should be near impossible for him to break, and also disrupts most forms of magic,” She set it down, then produced the next item, a vial of yellow liquid. “These oils should help mask my approach from any extranormal senses,” Finally, a small leather pouch, “And if you should get close enough to him, blow this dust into his face, and it should neutralize him.”

Johanna finished drinking the tea, and exchanged her mug for the pouch of dust. “You seem confident. Once we’ve re-captured him, though, then what? You seemed opposed to the idea of killing him, earlier.”

Elara smirked. “Once he’s separated from his powers, he probably won’t be too difficult to train. He’s still just a man, after all.”

Johanna wasn’t so sure about that any more, but she nodded anyway. There was still, after all, the matter of tracking him down in the first place. Still, Elara seemed calm and well-prepared for this face-off. Johanna only hoped that was enough.