This story made me so happy. Despite the horror they went through, the story is filled with warmth and caring and so many happy filling. I just want to wrap myself up in it and bask in the contentment.

I like that you left the politics unresolved. I had wondered if their demands had something more to do with the actual delay - holding them until Merlin passed some time when it was too late to register, or until certain bills already in Parliament finally passed, or something. It was a very balanced view that Arthur got of sorcery - how it can be used for healing or for attacks.

The brutality of their punishment really shocked me - the broken fingers especially. I loved how Britain and the world responded to their defiance and their suffering.

I really was intrigued by the difference between sorcerers and druids. I would have loved to have Merlin share more about that - how are they different? Genetics vs. Culture? Ability vs. Practices? Do sorcerers come in all races and places, but the Druids are the revivalist culture that embraces and encourages them? Are all Druids sorcerers? Very interesting political and social backdrop that you've created for a setting.

Thank you for all the feeling! It was very happy-making indeed.