CONTENT WARNING: Destruction by fire, but it's funny this time. And the usual talk of death and murder (welcome back!)
Áine
Tsuna leans against the wall, gazing down into the grass. I don't normally interrupt her, but she looks more solemn than usual.
"I've been thinking about the lack of witchfinders, Áine. It seems something to be grateful for, but if their numbers have truly thinned, then I would no longer be here. I would have completed my task, and then I would have passed on."
Tsuna has a point. We've tried to appreciate that it's been some time since we had a major problem with any witchfinders in Glimmerbrook. I have been teaching the older ones the ways of magic. I teach them out of classrooms hidden in the caves of Glimmerbrook.
"It could be they're planning something, Tsuna- or it could be that your task isn't to kill every single witchfinder." I don't want to say to her that there's every chance that this will never change for her.
Tsuna sighs to herself, her eyes lost in the gathering clouds.
"You may be correct. Kori-Ryūjin Himself warned me of becoming vengeful, but that is the nature of what I am- what my 'spirit' is. What other way is there to redress what happened all those years ago?" She shakes off her anger for a moment, looking down at the floor. "Reynold Morgan proved to me that it is possible to find a way out of this state of 'living', and it has been weighing me down ever since. It's been five hundred years, and I still haven't worked it out..."
Tsuna rarely speaks to Reynold since I'd saved him. He doesn't take it personally.
"In the event that the witchfinders are on their way out, then maybe we won't have to remain here forever. Maybe the children can actually have lives outside of this area once again."
"Is that so?"
Tsuna sits at the altar, asking the Great Dragon once again what is expected of her.
"I think you're forgetting something, Áine- we're practically a family of our own at this point. I know some of you don't want to be here for the rest of your lives- but we all look after each other. We're stronger together. I'd appreciate it if you didn't think so selfishly."
"Selfishly? Is it selfish to want my daughter to not have her entire life confined to Glimmerbrook? Is it selfish for me to have hope that she might one day lead a normal life?"
"I'll tell you the same as what I told your friend Katlego so many years ago- I do not believe that we are not meant to live in regular society. I understand that some witches, especially the younger witches, wish to travel the world or return to Henford- but a life like that is not a life for us. We have all the power and happiness we could ever want, and we've not had to pay a Simoleon for it. The teenagers will have a much more enriched life here than they will trying to re-integrate into a society where another witch-hunt could be revived at any moment."
"Do you really care for everyone as much as you say you do, Tsuna?"
Tsuna huffs at me, and Emerald's head rises, her tongue flickering. Tsuna tucks the snake's head under her hand.
"Do you have any reason to doubt that, Áine?"
"Of course I do. If people don't 'do enough', they have to leave. If people don't fight against the witchfinders enough, you force them out- even if they have nowhere else to go, even if they're otherwise an asset. I want every witchfinder dead just as much as you do, but I want that for the sake of the witches- not for my own gain."
Tsuna nods to the sides, laughing to herself, and Emerald's eyes are fixed on my own. Glimmerbrook has expanded, with many of the witches making their own pocket communities here. That said, those that had fled here over the years - and were taken in by Tsuna - not all of them lasted. Some of them couldn't bring themselves to fight, and so they had to do what every witch has to do, as much as she doesn't want to. They had to return to a life on the run.
"You say the witches aren't meant for everyday society, and then you make them leave if they don't live up to your standards."
"If we all work to defend each other, then we all benefit- including myself. You have been a great help to us, and we've helped you grow as a witch in ways that no-one other than our mothers ever did. The witches that have helped me toward my own goal have been rewarded with my protection and with everything they need to thrive. If they don't put in the effort, then I don't get what I want. It's only fair.
Róisín's healing magic will be a great help to us, and when she's older, she will realise she's better off staying here, where people want to nurture her gifts and don't want to burn her. Don't you agree, Áine?"
* * *
The stones outside of the classroom in the cave were marked with the symbols of the three main disciplines of magic- a sign to anyone fleeing here that this was a safe haven for them. With the lull in witchfinder activity, I figured it was the perfect time to teach the teenagers their craft whilst it was safer to do so. If things remain as they are, then they can practice freely. If they don't, they at least have a manner in which to feed and defend themselves in a survival situation.
"Now, the most important component of a spell for any witch - even more so than pronunciation- is intent. If you do not have confidence in your abilities, your spells will fail. If you cast a spell from a place of strong emotion, you may risk others and yourself in the process and it may lead to unwanted outcomes. Now you all have less reason to be on-edge about doing so, I believe it's finally time to start practicing Wild Magic. So, let's start with a personal favourite of mine- the Ignis spell, and I'd like to remind you all to exercise caution. Who wants to-"
"I'll start."
"Really, Matis?"
"Of course," he gloats, sweeping a hand through his hair. "You two won't have to fear any witchfinders- not when Matis Rochefort, expert in Wild Magic, is around!"
Originally from Champs Les Sims, Matis arrived many years back alongside his friend Verity Mei, having fled their own settlement in Henford from an invasion from Volpe's men. The two are a year older than Róisín, and have been close friends with her ever since childhood.
"Well, how about less talking and more showing, Matis?"
He steps forward with all the pride and arrogance of any teenage boy.
"Do remember what I said about casting from heightened emotions..."
"Heightened emotions? Hah! The only heightened emotions there'll be is the witchfinders quivering in fear at my immense power!"
"Matis-"
"Ignis!"
The girls and I dive out of the way of the flames that burst from his palms. A blast of hot air sears through the cave.
I'm always impressed by how much Matis applies himself to learning magic. The only trouble with young men is the boundless bravado that often accompanies them. Add in a little witchcraft, and, well, you get someone like Matis.
Thankfully, no-one is harmed. I use the Glacis spell to quell the flames as fast as possible, all of us carefully wafting the smoke out of the cave. The only casualties were the years-old magic books and some damage to the desk and chairs.
"Matis, when I tell you not to cast from a point of heightened emotion, I mean it! We're surrounded by goodness-knows how many feet of flammable material! Do you want to start a forest fire?"
"I'm sorry, Áine! It's just that I was excited to finally get to practice casting Wild magic- and - and-"
Matis starts cackling to himself, and the girls quickly follow.
"Well? What's so funny?"
"Oh, it's nothing, Mother, really! It's just- wait, are you happy or angry? I can't tell."
Is there something different about me? Do they think it's funny that Matis could have burned this forest down with his overconfidence? Do I just not understand the humour of today's youth?
"Sorry, Áine, it's...Nothing, really. Just remembering an old joke, that's all!"
Róisín
The waterfall here is beautiful. Matis, Verity and I usually come out here to relax. There's something about this place. The symbols on the floor- was this some kind of ritual site, I wonder? A place of worship? Glimmerbrook is so full of unanswered questions, but as much as I love it here...I long for home.
I haven't been to Henford since I was a child. I haven't seen my Uncle Eli since then, either. Nor have I seen Alistair, or Dr. Annorin, the man who tried to save my grandfather. I miss them dearly.
I'm sure Mother misses Eli, also.
"Mother! I'm so sorry I laughed when Matis burned your eyebrows off! He said he's so sorry! I...Are you angry? Sad? Fine? I can't tell-"
"I'm fine, sweetheart. You've nothing to apologise for. Neither has Matis. No-one got hurt, thankfully."
Matis and Verity mean everything to me. They're the only friends I have that are the same age as me. Though my mother surely mourns her eyebrows, it soothes me to see that Matis's magic prowess is progressing well. I worry for them both.
"Well, the good news is that Father did say he would love you no matter what- with or without your-"
"That's quite enough, Róisín."
Mother sits with me, listening to the soft sound of the water and basking in the spray of the rushing current.
"Róisín, I know how much you want to visit Henford. I know how much you miss your family, as do I. But I think you should wait until you're older."
"Older? Mother, I'm almost a woman!"
"You're fourteen!"
"Exactly!" I tell her. "I'm not the child who ran away from home all those years ago. I can defend myself now. The witchfinders are dwindling, Mother. It's unlikely anything will happen to me this time."
I want Mother to trust me, but I know how she worries about me- about all of us. It's difficult to judge if things are truly safe outside of Glimmerbrook. You never know what the witchfinders might be planning.
"I don't doubt you, dear. It's just that I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."
"You don't need to worry about me, Mother. You have enough to worry about, don't you? Besides, in four or five years, I'll get to be a werewolf. If there's any witchfinders at that point they won't stand a chance!"
My father seems nervous about it, but I look forward to finally finding my werewolf form. The main problem is that I worry I might hurt someone without intention. As much pride as I have in being one of the Lunvinchenaîne, there's always an underlying fear that you will hurt the people you love- as I often do.
Mother pulls me into an embrace, and doesn't seem willing to let me go.
I understand why my mother is so afraid. For people like us, the world is not a safe place. Glimmerbrook is a place where we can be our true selves without fear or apology, that's what Tsuna says. She seems unwilling to let people leave and move on if they so wish, but I have family back in Henford. I grew up there- to me, it's a special and comforting place, even despite that one incident. We shouldn't have to confine ourselves to one area just to stay alive, but maybe that's just how it is...Maybe that's how it always will be. I hope that's not the case.
Even with all that has happened to us, I am one of the lucky ones. I still have my mother and my father, and they love me unconditionally. Neither Matis or Verity have any living family. Tsuna is correct when she says that some of us, we're the only family they have. If I ever did leave Glimmerbrook, I would still have my mother and father. The others? They would have no-one, I imagine.
Mother and I return home- Tsuna is likely making dinner at this time.
Katlego
It's late in the day, and Ellie and I are still making herbal remedies. Recently, we've had a strange influx of custom; a lot of people are coming to me for pain relief, health remedies, anti-sickness remedies, and all sorts. Lydia and I have been sharing our herbal knowledge with one another. Henry's wife, the apothecary, has been selling some of the soaps we make, and they've been flying off of her counters. She's had a lot of extra customers as well - mostly because Owen has apparently had to cancel quite a lot of his appointments lately. Sometimes, Josiah, Gideon's son, fills in for him for the less-complicated issues- but Josiah's often busy working at the apothecary. I welcome the extra Simoleons, but I wonder what's going on at the Annorin mansion. It isn't like Owen to cancel anything.
I can't help but feel on-edge when I hear the loud stomp of boots waltzing through the door this time of the day- but, when I turn around, I recognise who it is- thankfully not a witchfinder, but the son of an ex-witchfinder. We've never met until now, and we've been meaning to. He's the spitting image of his father.
"Can I help you, sir?"
"I'm here to pick up the pain remedy for my father, Gideon Reyes. The address is Rindle Rose, Courtyard Lane, Willow Creek."
"Of course- all ready for you, Daniel, and it's a pleasure to meet you. Your father has told me a lot about you."
He seems unsettled when I say that, but Gideon and I have remained close after all we'd done for each other, even in his fairly-old age. He told me his and his son's ordeal with Volpe, and Gideon having to pretend he killed Oskar. Despite our differences and our eventual clash, it still pains me to know he died the way he did. Unlike Gideon's old ways, Daniel doesn't look like the sort of person who'd want to hurt anyone.
"He's told me a lot about you as well- including what you did to him way back. I thought it was hilarious- he deserved it, and I'm sorry for what he said and did to you- but he's not like that anymore. I think I have you to thank for your part in that, Katlego. I'm sorry I didn't bother to make your acquaintance sooner."
"You don't need to apologise, Daniel. I believe what your father told me. I hope this doesn't sound strange, but it resonated with me. Everyone in this country is so obsessed with violence, and even in the face of Eduardo Volpe, you refused to go along with it."
A light seems to shine in his eyes at that moment, and he gives me an awkward stare. I hope I haven't awakened any terrible memories...
"That...I did attack someone, Kat, but I promise it wasn't much, and it was in self-defence. He killed the witchfinder who covered for me so he didn't have to harm any witches. I lost my temper- but I regret it now." A sort of desperation colours his expression. "Can I tell you something in confidence, Kat? I feel like you might be the only person who understands what I'm about to tell you, other than my father."
I don't see why not- it'd be nice to converse with someone who's not obsessed with bloodshed. Nia flaps her wings and hoots at him, with curiosity in her eyes. Daniel adjusts himself in his seat and clears his throat.
"I know that what some of the witchfinders have done is atrocious, whether they were forced into it or not- but they're not all bad people. Some of them are young men who have no choice. Some of them who were pushed into it have never hurt anyone. I don't mean that to excuse what the others had done, but..."
He grits his teeth and shakes his head.
"I know, Daniel."
My response surprises him.
"I've never been able to say this to anyone with magic in their blood- they'd consider me a traitor, but I know that not everyone does it through choice. If it's not Volpe making them, it's financial circumstances or brainwashing. I know now at least that there are witchfinders who do as little as they can get away with. I've been frowned upon by my own kind for my unwillingness to fight, but I don't see how slaughtering every single witchfinder will solve the problem."
"It's brave of you to stick to your beliefs like that," he says, with warmth and kindness. "It's hard to admit, but it's complicated in ways I wish it wasn't. If I could think of a way to help those who want to get out..."
"And if only I could tell you where to start, Daniel," I explain to him. Nia makes a sighing sound on my shoulder. "Even as the witch who gets away with it, all it takes is for me to slip up and that's it. There's only one way to reliably spread awareness in a way that people will listen to nowadays, Daniel - and that's for someone very rich to pretend to care about it."
The killing will solve nothing on either side- not in a way that will last. If Volpe dies, his ideas and influence remain. If the witchfinders die, they'll only be replaced by teenagers who have no choice, or more people lapping up Volpe's grandfather's book like a lost stray dog laps up murky rainwater. I want to say that talking about it and making people aware of its benefits will change at least some people's minds, but it's easier said than done when it might get you killed. I believe that not everyone is against us, but is it worth the risk of finding out who is and who isn't? I shouldn't risk my own life unless it's necessary. Without me, Henford has no affordable folk healer; not everyone feels comfortable visiting the apothecary.
"Before I go, Kat, there's something I want to ask you. Do you still do your card readings?"
"Of course- though you don't strike me as the type to be interested in them."
"I know. It's just that I have something coming up, and a little idea of how it might go wouldn't hurt," he says, with an awkward undertone. "I'm meeting an...old friend, who I haven't spoken to in years, in the hopes of us becoming friends again. We stopped talking on bad terms with one another, but we've both matured since then, and as much as I love my brother and father, it's a bit lonely not having anyone else to talk to that isn't a customer at the weekend markets. To tell you the honest truth...I've greatly missed my friend over the years."
So many repetitions of friend there, and I saw through every single one of them. The most common subject people ask me about when it comes to these cards? Romance. Then again, maybe they will only end up friends after all- let's see what the cards say.