Ficlet: wizard!Mordred for Nanni
"Salt," Clarissant says, sprinkling it. "There's the stone. Mussel shell--"
"You have that."
"Oh, I do. All right. Vervain -- thanks -- willow and blackberry." She looks up, and frowns across the circle at her brother. "That's meadowsweet."
"It should work, for this."
"Should work. Are you going to tell me what should work?"
Mordred shrugs. "Or it could sink us all under the sea, but I don't think so."
"God. Men. You always think you can improve something."
"And women always think you know everything."
Clar gives him her most imperious stare. "It's my business to know."
"Whereas mine is making holes in people, yes. I know. But you asked me to lend a hand."
"Not your advice."
"I'll go back and get the other if you want me to. You're running short, that's all. Besides, the sun's well up-- and I think this will work."
She holds his gaze for a long moment, until she sees the doubt flicker in his eyes. Then she reaches out and takes the sprig from his hand. "It will, actually," she says. "How did you know that?"
Mordred shrugs, looking back at the circle drawn between them, but she can see the slow smile all the same. "Long practice, little sister."
"Good enough," she says. "Here, hold this."
* * *
Get your own.