CONTENT WARNING: violence, some blood (just a cut across the face, nothing too severe), discussion of terminal illness, alcohol consumption (semi-responsibly?)
Oskar
When I saw the witchfinder, I was so focused on him that I did not see the man next to him.
Why him? How much does he know? He must know about Róisín and Áine. Why is he doing this? Does Eli know he is doing this?
My fingers tremble around the hilt. I should kill him where he stands, but I can't- not without hearing his side of things. If I'm to get the bottom of this...
"Explain."
Daniel grits his teeth and screams at me.
"He was my only way out of this fucking mess! I didn't choose to do this! Lord Volpe forced me to do it and he'll kill my family if I don't!"
"Does my son know about this?"
"I-"
Before he has a chance to lie to me, I put my sword closer to his throat and kneel beside him.
"Don't even think about lying to me, Daniel. If you lie to Eli, he'll be upset with you. If you lie to me, then I'll kill you."
In truth, I can't kill him. It would break Eli's heart if anything were to happen to his partner...but to know he's a witchfinder would only do the same. I have to tell Eli, but I can't- not before I tell him about myself. I don't want him to have too much bad news in one go- it'd wreck him.
"I haven't told him! I was going to tell him after I got out and now I can't because of you! Micah did all of the killing so I didn't have to! I haven't killed anyone!"
He begs over and over that he hasn't done anything, and somehow, I believe him. The way he reacted to Micah's death...this is someone who's never seen a brutal death before. Witchfinders do it without feeling, or with a sick masochism about them- neither of which came across in his reaction. The fawn-like wide eyes and freezing in place- he's never seen anyone be killed up close before.
"So you haven't killed anyone. But you haven't said a word of this to your own partner!"
"I can't tell Eli about this! He'll despise me! This isn't anything I want to do! Lord Volpe has hundreds of people working for him against their will!"
The man who killed witches is dead behind me. The one who is the biggest threat to witches between these two is gone. As much as I want to slit his throat just to be sure, I can't- for Eli's sake. Knowing his father is dying, his partner was forced into assisting a witchfinder, and his partner being dead would be far too much for him. Besides, Daniel seems far too fearful to take anyone's life. For now, I force him to make me a promise.
"If I let you go, you will promise me that you will do nothing to harm a witch, you will tell my son in good time, and you will do everything in your power to lead Lord Volpe and the witchfinders off the scent. If I find out you've been doing anything otherwise, then I will end you without a second thought. You made me a promise that you would look after Eli, and you will stick to it. Is that understood?"
"Fine! Whatever! Just let me go!"
I admit, I'm surprising myself with my relative mercy- but if he isn't going to kill anyone, and he knows he will die if he doesn't do as he's told- I trust that Daniel will either be no harm, or easy enough to deal with if he tries to turn his back on me. From now on, I'm going to be more vigilant about these witchfinders. Since regaining my humanity, I've been slacking- I cannot afford to do it now.
Daniel
Of all the people to completely fuck up my way out of witchfinding...it was my partner's father! As I wander away from Oskar, pretending to feel guilty and apologetic, I look down to Micah's sword lying loose by his hand.
I grab it and swing it towards Oskar, who blocks the attack with inhuman agility. He peers through the gap between steel with an animalistic ferocity.
I'm not backing down- not to anyone, and not to Oskar. Micah was my only way out, and he's dead because of him.
Oskar's attacks are difficult to block, a blur of black leather and shining steel. He doesn't take his eyes off of me once.
I don't plan to hurt him. I plan to get across to him that what he's done has completely ruined my life as much as Volpe has. Volpe had me trapped in the world of witchfinding, I'd found the way out, and he took it from me.
I notice him beginning to slow down a little, the perspiration across his forehead sparkling in the starlight. What's this about him being a revered soldier back in the day if he can't even take on a nineteen-year-old without getting exhausted?
That's when a cockiness overcomes me, and I lose my concentration- slashing him across the face. He recoils for a second with a minor grunt of pain for what looks pretty painful, wiping the blood from his face with his sleeve, then glaring at me like he's about to do to me what he did to Micah. In this moment, I freeze. The sounds of nature fall quiet. It feels like I'm already dead. The way I tried to pull my sword away straight away leaves the cut in a strange, jagged shape.
I didn't tell Eli what I did because I know he'd hate me for it. I didn't want him to think I'd hurt a witch, especially his niece and sister. There's no way that isn't leaving a scar, and there's no way Oskar is going to be silent about this. Eli is one of the most important people in my life, and in this, it doesn't matter if he knows I'm a witchfinder or not- I've already lost him.
Before Oskar can kill me, I dash off in between the trees of the Henford woods. To my surprise, he doesn't follow- he just stands there. My mind is raging with burning anxieties- not just having to deal with Oskar again and Eli finding out about the witchfinding or me injuring his father...
...It's having to tell Volpe that one of his most trusted men is dead. It's wondering who he'll put me with next- and no-one else amongst the witchfinders is going to be anything like Micah is- was.
Áine
I let Reynold tell me all that happened at Lunvik before I told him about Oskar; I know he wouldn't have minded Reynold knowing. He says he might pay him a visit sometime. Perhaps he won't mind opening up with a priest.
I don't even tell Reynold anything that happened at Windenburg when he asks- not even the humorous or fun things. And to hear that Róisín had seen witchfinders, and that she came relatively close to them potentially catching her- it made my blood boil. I wanted to do as my father had done- take to the streets and eliminate every single one of them. It wouldn't be long before people knew of my power, I'm sure of it. If any witchfinder comes near my daughter, I'll incinerate him where he stands.
As much as I dislike Alistair, I owe him the same thanks I gave Reynold for protecting her, at least. The only good that came out of the situation is her seeing father in true form. Apparently, she wasn't scared at all, and her childlike curiosity was more than sated by seeing a werewolf standing right in front of her.
I thought I'd done my best to cover up my emotions from Róisín so she wouldn't worry, but I hear the door creek in the middle of the night, and she wanders in.
"Quietly, sweetheart. Your father is sleeping."
"I heard you crying earlier, Mother. I couldn't sleep because I was worried you were sad," she whispers.
"Are you scared about what happened at Lunvik, dear?"
"No, Mother," she says, after a pause, almost hugging herself. "Father and Alistair protected me."
I do what mothers do best- tell a white lie about my feelings so hers aren't hurt.
"I've just missed you and your father, Róisín," I tell her, quietly as possible. "I always miss being away from you both."
"Oh. I missed you too, Mother. I'm glad I'm back here with you." She wraps her arms around me, and I try to withhold any further tears. "It was fun with Reynold and Alistair, but I also wanted to come home and see you."
She lifts herself off the bed as I prepare to go and tuck her back in.
"Róisín, I hope you know that you're safe from those witchfinders. Myself, your father, the other witches, Alistair, Oskar- they are all doing everything they can to keep you and other people like you safe, okay?"
She smiles and nods, then looks up outside.
"Mother, I don't want to sleep. We didn't get to practice my magic in Lunvik, and the moon is really really bright right now."
Lately, I've been thinking of my time back with Abigail and Mason, especially since seeing them again during the feast at the monastery. As she was growing up, I've been looking forward to teaching Róisín her magic, waiting for the day that she'd ask me to show her. Now, she was finally old enough to start learning the basics, and a warm excitement fills my chest. I always felt so at home teaching magic, following in my own mother's footsteps.
Róisín
I'm glad I finally get to practice my magic with Mother! What happened in Lunvik was scary, but I didn't want Mother to worry about me. She always worries about me and I want her to be happy.
"The most important thing about all magic, Róisín, is your intent. It is even more powerful than the magic itself, and without it, you cannot cast any spells or use your magic properly. If you want to use your healing magic then you have to really, really think about it if you want it to work.
So, I want you to really, really think about the Moon and her magic and your own magic, hold your hands together, and see if you can create a ball of magic."
So I do as Mother says, and hold my hands together and think about magic. I think about Lunvin and how pretty and how powerful She is, and maybe she'll see that and make my magic work!
I hear Mother gasp. "Look, Róisín! You're doing it!"
I don't react to her straight away, but I feel all excited inside! And kind of angry...I don't know why. I'm trying to concentrate so it doesn't explode in my hands and ruin all of my books on the table!
I feel myself getting a bit of a headache, so I stop. But Mother's face is all excited, and she makes a high-pitched noise at me. "You did it! You controlled your magic! I'm so proud of you!"
I give Mother a big hug. I wish she and Father knew just how much I loved them. It was more than I could tell them with words or hugs. In a scary world where people want to hurt witches, I know I will be safe because of them.
"That's enough magic practice. Now I'm getting you back to bed."
"But I feel better now! We could do it again!"
"No, you're going to bed. It's getting late. Good night, sweetheart."
I'm not tired at all, but I climb back into bed like Mother says.
"I love you, Mother."
She smiles back at me as she leaves the room. "I love you too, dear."
* * *
"Sir, wake up. You've been here all night."
"I have?"
"Yes. It's morning."
"Ah...my apologies. I got caught up in my research again."
Owen
To many, working in medicine seems rewarding work, but it takes as much as it gives, both to you and to the community. With research and discovery often comes sacrifice. With saving lives comes accepting death. With telling people they're going to live...
I do not usually let people drink when they are at an appointment, but I think with the news I'm about to give him, a little wine might take the edge off.
"I have done all I can, I have sent letters to everyone I can think of and gone through almost every medical book at the library. Unfortunately-"
His eyes widen at that word. Not enough to be shocked, but not enough to be accepting, either.
"-it was all information that either I already knew, or was irrelevant. I do not like saying this, Oskar, but...I'm afraid your illness remains incurable. All I can do is offer any advice or support you might need. And if you need anything for any pain, trouble sleeping, any of that, you come straight to me- I won't charge you for anything you might need from me during this time."
I didn't only feel terribly for him, but for my little brother. I don't know if he knows yet- we've both seen so busy. But if he doesn't, it's going to break Eli's heart. He finally found a proper father, and now his life was going to be cut short. Whether or not he's putting on a facade is beyond me- it's hard to tell with him. But all Oskar does is get out of his chair, take a long sip of the wine, and make a low groaning sound in his throat.
"I had a feeling," he says, in a strangely-placid tone. "Ah, well. Can't complain about one hundred and sixty five years, can I?"
"You don't need a reason to complain, Oskar," I tell him, gently as I can manage. "It's a lot to deal with."
"Oh, don't pity me, Owen," he says, with a chortle. "I already knew that was going to be the case. Even with your knowhow, we haven't gotten there yet. Maybe we never will. Still, you did all you could, in spite of your father's wishes, and I know how thin-skinned nobles and bloodlines alike can be about going against their family's wishes. For that, I thank you, Owen."
I appreciate his thanks, but there's not really much I can return in pleasantries given that this was almost entirely Samuel's fault. "No need to thank me, Oskar. All I can suggest is to think of some things you'd like to do whilst you still feel mostly okay in yourself."
"I don't think I'm the only one who needs a break, Owen."
What on Earth is Oskar talking about? Given the grim revelation, I decide to hear him out.
"What do you mean?"
I feel his hand on my back for a moment, and he circles me.
"I can see the bags under your eyes, Owen. It's a lot of hard work for one man, isn't it?"
"Well, it isn't all my work," I tell him. "Katlego the herbalist deals with the more minor ailments. I send those patients her way to free up my schedule and send some Simoleons her way."
I do wonder how he got that scar on his face, but considering his recklessness, it's probably of no concern.
"I think you should hire more people."
"More people? Nobody wants to work for the Annorin family now, do they?"
Oskar's laugh is grating. "What's the one thing people most want when it comes to work, Owen?"
Before I can answer, Oskar grabs me towards him, startling me in the process.
"Money! And you just so happen to have plenty of money," he says, chirpily. "Their personal morals won't matter if you pay them a juicy enough wage, will they? Anyone is willing to work for someone they hate if it means having a little spending money and not starving to death, hm?"
I hate to say it, but Oskar does make a good point. Even with giving a large sum to Katlego and the Peteran monastery each month, there was still plenty to the Annorin name. People were healthier now that there was less malnutrition in Henford, but there were always going to be the sick and injured no matter how much the base problems improve. The trouble was that Samuel had driven most practicing physicians and surgeons out of Henford already. I understand Oskar's just trying to be friendly, so I try and relax my tone with him.
"After all of the damage my father has done, I really don't think anyone would come back to work for the Annorin name, Oskar. Anyone who even had a fleeting interest in going into medicine all fled for greener pastures- or at least pastures where they weren't competing with someone like my father."
"Then when you post your pamphlets all over the place, make no mention of your father," he replies. "You were away in San Myshuno for so long that I doubt anyone really knows much of you. They won't want to work for Samuel, no, but they might take a chance on working for you."
I just stare at him.
"You can tell me I'm right, you know," he says.
"I could, but I fear your head is big enough without my input, Oskar."
The two of us laugh together. I don't understand how these people can laugh and smile in such situations. I feel as if every single one of my patients is much stronger than I am, but then I suppose they've lived without the comfort blanket of a rich father. They've had no choice. I suppose in severing my connection to my father, I might learn to understand my patients better.
Oskar is correct, though- I cannot do this alone, and simply by not being Samuel, I might be able to fix the mess he's caused.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: the title is taken from a line from the more modern version of the Hippocratic Oath: 'must I tread with care in matters of life and death...'