I almost choked again. "You have no shame at all."

"I do not know the tastes of celestials, but most men find me rather pleasing to the eye." Silvana said.

"Oh of course. But there is so much more to a person than their looks. Inner beauty is what is meaningful, kindness, courage, strength of character." I forced as much venom into my voice as possible. "And if what I've seen from you is anything to go by, you are the ugliest whore I have ever met."

It bought a smile to my face to see her flinch. "Offer yourself to Galahad. A rapist and a slave trader. You two are a great match."

The slap to my face did not hurt at all. "Insult me again, and what you have been through will seem like paradise in comparison to what I shall do to you."

"I meant no insult." I protested. "It was merely an observation. Please, do be reason-"

The second slap stung, but not as hard as the punches of the guards. I traced a bruise across my cheek. "Ah, no man is more hated than he who speaks the truth."

I felt a pain shoot at me in my stomach, as if a thousand rats had squirmed their way inside for a feast. My internal organs twisted and ripped, but I did not scream. Silvana's eyes glowed, and her hands were grasping for something that I could not see. Blood spurted from my mouth as I opened it. I fell into her lap. My insides suddenly felt much heavier than they should have been. Internal bleeding, if I were to guess.

I sneered. "Is that all you can do? Use your witchcraft on anyone who you dislike?" Silvana's eyes dimmed, and she lowered her hands.

"I-I lost control. I'm sorry." Her sincerity was surprising. "Please, I know I have done a few things to earn your ire-"

"A few?" I echoed.

"-if there is anything that can make you forgive me, please do tell."

"Oh, I'm glad you asked. Yes." I said. Silvana's face bloomed into an eager smile.

"Turn back time. Save Alice, kill Galahad. And then yourself." Her smile faded.

Silvana sighed. "You ask impossible things. Why is it that you do these things for her anyways? She is just another girl, no?"

"And are you not just another girl?" I countered.

"Oh, so what you do for her you would do for me too?"

"For everyone, except you. Galahad too." I replied.

She looked as if she wanted to tear out her hair. "You act as if you believe every man to be a king or a lord you have sworn an oath to."

"All men are created equal. If I see a crime being committed against anyone, it is my duty to help." Such a basic concept, and Silvana looked as if I had been preaching some revolutionary ideal. As I would later realize, it truly was new to this world.

"All are equal?" She shook her head. "Ridiculous. Who makes the laws if every man is king?"

I felt some enthusiasm boil within me. It seemed like I was getting somewhere. "Every man may vote for a leader. If a leader is incapable or corrupt, they will be removed."

"The rule of a mob is much worse than that of a king." Silvana dismissed.

It was then that I realized how difficult it would be to convince anyone. I cursed myself for not paying attention in history class. Even if I had, I doubt the American Government or British Parliament was something I could describe in sufficient detail.

Silvana seemed to take it as an admission of defeat. "See, you cannot defend your own words."

I gritted my teeth. I then used the tactic of anyone losing an argument, changing the subject. "It's not so simple. Some people will have more power than others, not everyone can make the laws. But the laws should never permit what you have done to Alice. Slavery is wrong!"

She looked at me blankly. "Why?"

I found that my answer did not please even myself. Slavery was wrong, I knew. But I had never taken the time to ponder why! It just, was, the same way the sky was blue. "Free will. Enslaving someone is evil because it takes it away."

"Evil? Why is it that you cannot take it?"

"Why is it that you cannot take lives?" I argued.

Silvana sighed again. "My words are wasted on you. It is like speaking to a rock."

"Likewise." I said. Maybe I could have used the argument of God, but what good would that be against a woman who did not know who he was?

"What if I were to offer you freedom?" Silvana asked.

"I don't take it that you will offer me my arms, legs, and life afterwards?"

She ignored my comment. "One year. Aid me for one year, and I will find a way to set you free after it is over."

"Oh, you can set me free? Do so now, and I will think about it." I said.

Silvana frowned. "I would give you your freedom, which any other would take away for your entire life. It is no longer your own, and mages who would be tasked with guarding you will be so much stronger than I."

I sighed. How I hated sound logical arguments from illogical people. "What would you have me do?"

"Celestials possess technology never seen before in this world. I cannot say what I will need, but I will tell you when I do. You will provide what I ask for, and in a year you shall be free."

"No. I trust nobody with the few things I know how to create, least of all you."

Silvana looked up at the sky. "I once heard a story of a woman who rescued a celestial. In his gratitude, he offered to grant her three wishes."

I had to laugh. "You want me to be your genie?"

"I am not sure what you are referring to, but I will find a way to have you freed. Until then, I will ensure you are not mistreated. After which, you will grant three requests you deem reasonable. I trust you will honor your word."

"And how do I know you will honor yours? I could see you stabbing me in the back after you finish."

Silvana gave a rather nasty smile. "You have no way of knowing, but you have no better option."

I sighed. "Deal."