CONTENT WARNING: mentions of mass violence, but this is a pretty tame chapter (for once).
A year or so later...
Róisín
Tonight, I finally return home.
I've said my goodbyes to most of the witches, who I'll miss dearly. I've spent most of the afternoon with Verity and Matis. I'll miss them greatly, but they say we can still exchange letters, and some day, I'll be sure to visit them again.
Glimmerbrook is a beautiful place, but there's just something trapping about it. It's a beautiful cage. It's a lovely place full of lovely people, and we can be ourselves here- but I suppose that is what feels so uneasy about it.
Why can we only be who we are in this place? Why only here? It feels wrong. It fills me with rage. Not only that, but I've spent so long trying to convince Tsuna as well that I deserve the right to return to old friends and old family. I understand why she's so overprotective, but I feel as if we cannot hide here forever. I'm nearly a woman now- the other people my age will need to learn to live amongst everyone else eventually as well. I could stay here in complete safety, but as my mother always says, a witch is always running, never in one place. It sounds terrible out loud, but the brighter side is that sometimes we get lucky enough to have interesting experiences and meet interesting people.
"I want to leave eventually too, Róisín, but I just hope things are as quiet there as everyone has been saying."
"We've had hardly any witchfinder problems in the time we've been here,
Matis. I'm sure it'll be fine. After all, if it were bad, Alistair would
have said so in his letter, and Eli would have warned us by now."
"I appreciate you worrying about me, Matis, but you don't need to. I'm looking forward to starting something of a new life. I'll get to meet family again, and hopefully I'll find a way to pay it back to all the people who helped us when I was a child."
"Argh! I can't believe you're going to leave us! What about magic lessons? Matis is is going to end up burning my eyebrows off as well as your mother's!"
"Like I said, I will come back and see you both, I promise. I love you both to pieces. There's no way I wouldn't come back here. You don't think I'm just going to go and forget about my two best friends, do you?"
I don't expect Matis and Verity to both give me an awkward hug...I should probably cherish it.
* * *
I try to push the butterflies in my stomach back down. It's been so many years - I wonder what's changed?
There's a mixture of emotions. Some are glad to see that I'm going to try and integrate again. Some are understandably nervous, and others a little tearful - namely, Matis, though he keeps saying it's just something in his eyes.
Tsuna's piercing gaze scares me a little. She's always been good to me, but knowing what she is, and that she was once practically worshipped always makes me fearful that I'm going to trip up.
"I admit, it has taken me a while to come around to the idea of you leaving us... but your mother is right. We can't all be on the run forever, and we have hardly had any issues with witchfinders for some time now. You've been a pleasure to have with us."
"I hope that, whatever happens, you will be safe and happy back in Henford. I hope that you will reunite with old friends and family, and that they will welcome you with open arms. No matter what you say about yourself, Róisín, you're a delight to have around, and I am sure you will be just as loved back in Henford."
"Thank you, Tsuna. I'm more than appreciative of everything you've done for me, and the same goes for everyone else here. I hope you will all be safe and find your own paths whenever it feels right to do so. Farewell, everyone - I'll write back, I promise!"
Just as I make my way to the outer edges of Glimmerbrook, my mother and father approach. Father appears to be wiping his eyes, but he insists he isn't crying.
"Please, do not forget to write to us, sweetheart. We think the world of you. I hope you know that."
"I do, Father, and I think the world of you two, also. I will always be thinking about you both. I love you both so much. Everything you've done for me means the world. I just hope I can make you proud when I see you again."
"You'll always make us proud. You deserve the world and more, my darling," my mother says, her voice on the edge of tears. "Say hello to our friends back in Henford for us, won't you?"
As I head towards Henford, I keep stopping to look back at my parents. I can't imagine how they must feel, but I'm thankful to still have them, and I'm thankful that they are so supportive of me. Hopefully, once I find my feet, I can pay it back to them somehow.
* * *
My feet are aching, but I am finally back in Henford- and most things are just as I remember them. It definitely feels quieter than it used to here. It's still as beautiful as I remember it to be.
Before I go to Alistair's, I want to go and meet the people I haven't met or don't remember yet. My curiosity has gotten the better of me. I don't remember Aunt Clementia, the abbess of the Peteran monastery, and I've never met Dr. Annorin, Eli's brother, who did everything he could to save my father. I see signs pointing towards the local doctor, so I suppose that'll be my first stop. I just hope he isn't too busy.
The Annorin mansion and the gryphon statue are both rather daunting. No wonder people are so terrified of going to the doctor. Thankfully, the interior is a lot cosier, and there are lovely, cheery-looking long-bodied dragons to offset the unsettling gryphons.
When I enter, I'm greeted by the housemaid. I tell her that I'm here to see Dr. Annorin if he's free. After she enters his office, I hear a muffled, surprised and eager voice of an older man through the door. She opens the door for me, and I try and gather myself before speaking to him. He's hard at work scrawling through some paperwork.
"Thank you for your time, Dr. Annorin. I'm sorry if you're busy. I'm-"
"Róisín...How many years has it been? I apologise - I don't believe I ever found the time to respond to your letter."
He still has it - my old drawing from when I was eight years old, framed on his wall. Even after all of these years, he remembers.
He turns around to me and gasps.
"Good gracious, it has been a long time, hasn't it? Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. What can I do for you?"
I find myself hesitating, thinking about my grandfather again. This man did everything he could for him, and now I finally have the chance to thank him - but how do I get across just how grateful I truly am?
"I just wanted to thank you for everything that you did for my grandfather. I know it's been many years since, but I know that you did everything you could and more to try and save Oskar."
I worry I may have upset him, but he doesn't remain silent for long.
I'm not sure how much of the story you know, Róisín, but I think I owe you the full truth about what happened. My father managed to create a cure for vampirism, and had one of his witchfinders ingest it so it would eventually end up passed on to Oskar. My father theorised that his illness would return to him... and it did. I defied him to try and do something about it, and yet-"
"It's okay, Dr. Annorin. I know that you did everything you could. I believe that. I know you and Eli are nothing like the horror stories I've heard about the Annorin family. It must have been difficult to stand up to your own father like that."
Owen looks down for a moment. "I won't let anything stand in the way of curing patients, Róisín- no matter who or what it may be."
I didn't expect Owen to be so warm as he is, even if what he just said came across with a stern coldness. I notice a cane from across the room. Perhaps it's just age, but I hope he isn't unwell.
"Is there anything I can help you with to repay you?" I lower my voice a little. "I have healing magic myself. I could likely lend a hand with healing injuries. The only trouble is that I can only use it on a night where the moon is visible, but..."
Owen lets out a deep sigh and looks to the gryphon drawing. "In an ideal world, perhaps you could lend me a helping hand for certain injuries. I heard about how your father managed to fully heal an otherwise-fatal stab wound with his magic, and it's particularly impressive. The trouble is, the world still isn't ready for you or myself, Róisín."
"What do you mean? You haven't had a witchfinder problem in years, yes?"
Owen asks me politely to bring him his cane and he heaves himself to his feet.
"The witchfinders are a lot less of a problem than they were, yes, but that doesn't mean it's safe to use your magic in the open just yet. I know it's suffocating, but in time, you'll be able to. We won't have to live like this forever - I promise."
That wasn't what I wanted to hear, but it's what I expected. Perhaps the reason the witchfinders have quietened down since the time of the last major hunt is precisely because fear silenced everyone and because a good chunk of those with magic died in the attack. It seems good on the surface that the witchfinders have been less active, but it's entirely for terrible reasons.
I can't imagine how it must feel for Owen. Of course, he's ridiculously rich and many are afraid of him, but the thought of being found out must be awful to deal with. If anyone were to find out about him, I can't imagine the size of the scandal that would result from it.
I say my goodbyes to Owen and head towards the monastery to meet my aunt Clementia.
* * *
Withernham is a quaint little town- it's strange to think I once didn't live terribly far from here. It doesn't look too different from what I remember - the farm animals still graze outside. It feels much quieter, though. It's almost sad. I remember the juicy-looking fruits at the markets and the smell of freshly-baked bread and cooked meats...but the market stalls look like they've been empty for some time.
It takes a good shove to open the doors to the monastery, and an old, damp smell fills my nose. I half-expected it to be as busy as I remember it to be during my childhood, but the only person in here is Aunt Clem. The abbess robes look a bit loose on her.
"Hello? Sorry to disturb you, Aunt- I mean-"
"Aunt?"
Her eyes glimmer at me, as if she already knows who I am.
"It's been many years since I've seen you, Aunt Clementia. I'm so glad to finally get to properly meet you."
"My goodness...Róisín, my dear - I can't believe it. The last time I saw you, you were so small. Time flies, doesn't it? - but what brings you here?"
"I've come back to Henford to live with Alistair." I see her eyes narrow a little when I say his name. Perhaps I should move on. "I wanted to come and visit you. Things seem very quiet here, though."
Aunt Clem sighs. "They've been quiet for many years, my dear. It isn't like it is back when your father was abbot - it's far more Jacoban than Peteran now. The only people who still frequent this place are Susana, Elias, Iliana, and a handful of others."
I feel terribly for her. Father always tells me that Clem has the makings of a good leader, and now Peterism seems to be dying out, at least it does here.
"I have to admit, both myself and my father are entirely devoted to Lunvin now - but it would be nice to rediscover our Peteran roots a little, I think."
There's an emptiness in my chest as I stand in here and see it so quiet. There were always feasts and celebrations and charitable events happening in here in my youth, and now the only people who come here are my aunt and a few of the old regulars. I'm at least happy to know Susana and Elias are still around - they were always so nice to me.
I offer a quiet prayer to the Watcher for the safety of my family and of my friends. I don't know how much it'll do, but Peterism is all about hope isn't it?
"I think I'll start trying to come here regularly, Aunt - I mean, Mother Clem. I know how it feels to be part of a dying community. I'd like to become a part of this again in some way. And if you ever need my help, please just ask me."
"That's a sweet offer, Róisín. I can't think of anything I need at present, but I'll let you know if I need you for anything. I'd appreciate you coming here more often- it'd be nice to have a new face around here. I was so excited to become abbess and then...Never mind."
"Please don't doubt yourself, Mother Clem. I promise, you're doing just fine. Oh, while I'm here- do you know a Katlego Anansi?"
* * *
Katlego is another person that helped me and my mother- and this was before I was even born. She let my mother stay with her whilst she was pregnant and shared some of her Simoleons with her for the work she did for Kat. This was back when Mother and Father had concerns about them living together. I've heard a few stories about her from Tsuna and the other witches. She's had a rough time since arriving in Henford.
Aunt Clem tells me Kat still lives here and still has her herbalism and divination practices. I do wonder how it is she can use magic so much more openly than others can. I knock gently on the door and two women answer. The women back in Glimmerbrook seemed quite surprised about Kat falling in love with a woman. It didn't surprise me at all, what with my uncle and all.
Her owl hoots at me and flaps her wings, slapping Kat in the face with one of them over and over. "Good evening. What can we do for you, young lady?"
I think I've had enough practice of gratitude today that this won't be so awkward as the last time.
"I'm Róisín. You helped my mother when she needed it most and whilst she was pregnant with me. I've moved back here to be with my grandfather, and I wanted to thank you greatly for everything you did for both myself and your mother. I came from the refuge in Glimmerbrook you used to be at, and they all speak very highly of you - especially Tsuna."
"Tsuna?"
"Oh. You might know her as Iris."
Kat ponders for a moment, and the owl flutters its wings at the name. "Yes, Nia. That's a name we both know well- and one I didn't expect to have any kind words for me."
"Well, it's incredible to know that you're still doing well, and I hope your mother is too. What brings you back to Henford?"
"I fancied a change of scenery, and I wanted to see old friends again - and hopefully make it up to the people that helped myself and my mother."
"Ah. Just like your mother, then - not one to stay in one place."
It feels a lot cosier in here than it does in the Annorin mansion - a lot less overbearing.
"This is a lovely place to live and work from."
"It is, isn't it? My old cabin was burned down by Samuel Annorin. His son Owen had it rebuilt for me."
I shouldn't say this, but from what I've heard about the man, I'm almost glad Samuel is dead. Thank goodness his sons are much kinder than he was.
"Is there anything I might be able to do for you, Kat?"
She gives me an eager look. I know she's going to say no, but I want her to know that I'm there for-
"Oh, what timing! You see, my delivery boy Edwin is currently under the weather - do you think you could deliver these remedies to my customers tomorrow morning? It'll get you re-acquainted with the village, so I think it's a brilliant idea!"
"Of course! Is it just these?"
"Goodness, no. There's at least one hundred and forty more in the stock room."
"How many?! - I - I mean..."
"Certainly! Anything for someone as kind as yourself!"
"Thank you, Róisín. You're a star!"
I won't lie...I was not expecting an immediate yes, nor was I expecting a task of delivering one hundred parcels to customers in a village I've not stepped foot in for countless years... but at least it'll get me used to the place again. After I'm done tomorrow, I'll be sure to visit Eli.