"I told you the story of how I came to carry her," Embra says. "I know little of why she is this way. As her inscription says, her mission is to protect women – she can lead me to places where this is needed. She protects me from magical attacks, but does not help with swordfighting skill, since I possessed that already; for her previous bearer, a mage, it was the opposite. She aids us only in the ways we cannot already help ourselves." 

How does she pick bearers?

"I am not sure? Her previous bearer said to me that it is what feels right to her, and then there is a pull." 

And you go around wherever she wants you to go, helping specifically women, and you - what, take donations afterward, or does she usually let you have a day job?

"I am Swordsworn of the Shin'a'in – I can return to the Plains whenever I have need of money, if I wish. So far she has allowed that." She pats the hilt of the now-sheathed sword, almost fondly. "I take some jobs as a mercenary, that works well. It is rare that she gives a strong enough pull that is impossible to ignore if it is inconvenient – but it does happen, my journey here was rather inconveniently timed, I missed my niece's wedding." 

I'm sorry to hear that.

Shrug. "She will forgive me." Embra, having loaded up a plate of food, sits down and starts devouring it. 

Bella eats too. I don't know if I'll be able to do anything for you that will stick well enough to let you contest repeated attempts at magical control, she says. I think if I'm with you I could support you through the process of dropping her in the ocean or something, but it sounds like that's not the tradeoff you'd prefer? But she doesn't seem to have a perfect ability to pick bearers who feel that way, since I don't want her, and I'm worried about whoever has her next.

"Hmm. Could you do something to her?" 

She doesn't register as a mind. Does she - vary in mindfulness?

"She varies in...awareness, I suppose? I think she has admitted defeat here," a wry smile, "perhaps she recognizes that you are more stubborn than she is. She is bored and so is sleeping." A frown. "She does not speak to me in words, as I am not Gifted – my predecessor claimed to hear her voice sometimes." 

I'm not sure I can talk to her if she's not aware enough to register to my senses as a person. Is there a way to wake her?

"You might ask a Mindspeaker to try to talk to her?" 

:I'm a Mindspeaker! I can try: Shavri focuses on the sword. :Er, hello, are you–: Her eyes go wide and she makes a squeaking sound. :Eek Bella she's doing something:

You cut that out right now, Bella says sharply to the sword as it wakes.

A dusty mental voice answers her. :And what's got your knickers in a tangle, young lady?: 

I don't think much of an ostensible protector of women who reaches into their heads without a by-your-leave. Let her alone.

A chuckle. :Now I see why I came all this way looking for you. Apparently. I think I might've–: vague sense of a mental yawn, :–fallen asleep for a rather long time. How embarrassing: 

Well, now you're awake and can stop mind-controlling people on autopilot.

:And what, you'd rather I gave polite suggestions? 'Miss, have you considered perhaps chasing that man who stole the lady's purse? Only if you feel like it.' Somehow I don't think it'd work: 

It's not your etiquette I'm criticizing, though it's possible you'll find politeness goes farther than commands when you're using less direct coercion.

:Hmmff: The sword gives the purely mental impression of a throat being cleared, which is actually pretty bizarre. :So is that it? You woke me up just to lecture me?: 

You accosted me first.

Grumble grumble. :That's fair. So what's your deal, anyway? Your shields are funny. I don't think you're the ordinary kind of Mindspeaker at all: 

I'm not, I'm different. I'm from another world. Why did you want me?