CONTENT WARNINGS: One sexual joke.
"What I saw...I cannot explain to you how horrific it was, Clementia. I tried to get Volpe to let me step in and slit her throat instead of setting her alight."
"And you think death by a sword is somehow more noble than death by fire? The death of an innocent is a death of an innocent. Whether you like it or not, you have more blood on your hands than you might think- all because you cared more about your place in power than your fellow woman."
"To tell you the absolute truth, Clementia...I'm beginning to wonder what Jacobism is even about these days. High Priest Thorne was happy to let a woman burn, and her soul be destroyed. I can't think anything that would anger the Watcher more - Jacobism hinges on Their judgment whether you are alive or dead. And if High Priest Thorne can bend the rules like that, well, we may as well just become Peterans in silk robes."
"Clementia...I believe I owe you an apology of some form."
"You owe an apology to a lot of people - to my brother, to Julian, to your own people, to the Watcher! You've tried to ruin the lives of countless people for your own gain- it's about time you tried to make up for it. You can start by apologising to Julian."
"Julian is no longer with us. He's a part of the Watcher now, in your eyes, isn't he?"
"You still owe him an apology."
* * *
"Julian, this apology is likely far too late to be of any use- but, after some outside perspectives, and some of the horrific things that I have seen as of late - I owe you an apology."
"I said some terrible things for you. I had you removed from the position you devoted the majority of your life too. I accused you of no longer knowing the meaning of Jacobism when the reality is that no-one seems to."
"I apologise for what I did to Clementia. I should have never made her out to be my enemy when High Priest Thorne and Lord Eduardo Volpe are bigger threats to Jacobism than she or you ever were."
"I don't know how much I can put right. I don't know entirely what I'm supposed to do about all of this, and to tell you the truth, I am terrified, Julian..."
"But, for the sake of yourself and Clementia, I will try."
* * *
Owen
After seeing my last patient for the day, leaving the rest of the easier cases in the capable hands of Josiah and the other apprentices - I hear a strange sound coming from the nursery...the sound of a bird's calling. I've told her to be quiet during practicing hours, having to explain to everyone that birds every so often come in through the windows upstairs, and that I keep the windows open to keep the place well-ventilated for the patients.
I find Valravn perched on the edge of August's cot, making little chirps and calls to him. He giggles at her, trying to reach for her. He probably thinks she's a stuffed toy.
He's very cute!
August usually cries around me, or immediately wants to be handed over to Lydia. He seems unusually calm around Valravn. I gently lift him out of his cradle, and he babbles at me, trying to pull my spectacles off again.
The working classes are a lot more attentive around their children than the upper classes are. Many rich children rarely see their parents, but I want to be there for them as much as time and my health allows me. It's worked wonders for the children - they seem much happier than Eli and I were in our childhood. August gazes up at me with sparkly brown eyes. Valravn chirps at me, hovering at my side.
That little chick loves you as much as you love him. Look at those eyes! - But why are you so uneasy?
August giggles at me as he tries to suck my thumb instead of his own. I don't bother to answer her question.
I think it's about time you introduce your family to me. I'd like to meet them.
I'm still not entirely sure how my wife will react to having an ancient creature living in an orb and around the house. The children, well, Valravn may find herself occasionally dressed up in doll dresses and colourful bows...
* * *
"Now, I understand that I've been rather secretive about something as of late- and for good reason. You see, it turns out we have had a very imporant individual in the family for countless years. Now, there's no need to be worried or shy or-"
"Alright, Owen- spit it out! Who is she?"
"What? No, Lydia, nothing like that! You see, all this time, we have had a special orb stashed away that is the home of a very important creature and a new member of the family, at least to us. Everyone, meet Valravn, the gryphon."
There's a mixture of squeals of excitement, and one squeal of fear.
"Owen! Where on Earth did you find that thing?"
A look of confusion crosses everyone's face, looking all around the room. Valravn must be speaking to them.
There is no need to be afraid. I was sealed into a glass orb almost one thousand years ago, and I have served many since that time. I've spent many years in service of this family. I last remember fighting a battle against witchfinders alongside vampires and werewolves, and I spent many years recovering from my injuries inside of that orb.
Constance rushes up to her mother, shaking on her dress.
"Mother, can we keep her? Please? You always said we could have a pet one day! Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease? I'll do all of my work on time, I'll help out with chores every day, and I'll be really, really, really good for ever and ever and ever!"
"Well, my dear, when I said about a pet, I meant something like a cat or a dog."
"No worries, Constance. Valravn is here to stay with us."
"Yes! I can't believe it! A gryphon, a real one! This is the bestest day of our lives ever!"
"Okay, fine," Lydia says, with a sigh. "You children better be nice to Valravn. I don't like telling you children to keep secrets, but you have to not tell anyone about her, okay? Gryphons are magical creatures, so we don't talk about them to other people unless we know they're magical too, okay?"
"And remember, children, that Valravn is a majestic and ancient creature, and not necessarily a pet. Treat her like she's one of the family, okay?"
Whilst the family chatter with each other in excitement over Valravn, part of me breathes a sigh of relief that we have her. She already helps me with small things and saves me some energy. I'm still musing on Valravn saying that this isn't her true form. I wonder if she's able to return to her original form? She must be able to if she fought in the Bloodmoon.
Owen? Owen, her hands are covered in dribble! Eugh, it's going to ruin my feathers- Owen! Owen - DO SOMETHING!
You'll be fine, Valravn. She's only a toddler.
Fine? Do I look fine to you?
You fought witchfinders with swords and you're complaining about being petted by a toddler?
Toddlers are far more terrifying than - OWCH! Careful! Owen, do something about her this instant or I'll be as bare as a hatchling!
* * *
Valravn accompanies me as I begin my work on another batch of alchemical remedies. I always get a sense of uneasiness doing this now, not knowing how the magic I have to use will effect me. It hasn't been as intense these past couple of weeks. Valravn passes the ingredients down from the shelves.
About the Bloodmoon, Valravn...You say you were recovering from injuries. Can familiars be killed?
Orb-bound familiars cannot be killed, but it takes me many years to recover from what would otherwise be a mortal wound. I sustained my injuries from protecting Jonah and some witches from death. Orb-bound familiars can and will protect their bound caster from death, if they so trust them enough- but it can take years to recover.
Valravn sacrificed her own life for my uncle... I suppose it makes sense. Jonah's death would be permanent, and Valravn's would only set her back a few decades, nothing to the apparent lifespan of a gryphon.
I see. I hope I am not intruding, but I have another question, Valravn. I'm most intrigued about your true form. When will I get to see it?
I have a question, Owen - did you bare yourself to your wife within two weeks of meeting her?
Of course not! What kind of a question is that?
I'm only toying with you. Within time, I will show you- but I'd rather get to know you first. You seem on-edge still. Is everything alright?
Valravn's ability to pick up on emotions is infuriating at times. I suppose I ought to start being honest with her, if we're to have anything of a connection.
I don't know where to start, Valravn. What to do about Volpe, what to do about this mysterious illness, what to do about the family business... Normally I always have something of a plan, but not this time.
Valravn straightens her back and tilts her head at the candle flame.
Well, it's no good worrying until you have a reason to. Otherwise, you're worrying for nothing. Besides, I'm here to help you and your family.
I click my fingers and brace myself to sanitise the alchemical remedy with magic. I hope to whoever is listening that I can do this without any issues...
I hold my hands as steadily as possible over the cauldron, my hands quivering despite all my efforts. I manage to keep the spell active for a bit longer than normal, until Valravn yells out to me in my mind, telling me to sit down.
The magic dissipates from my palms. I feel a warm trickle under my nose again, and something of an emerging headache.
I apologise- I know that was sudden.
Had Valravn had picked up on the potential overcharge before I had done?
How did you know?
I sensed an oncoming pain of sorts, and something strange in your mind, something hard to describe.
It's taking everything to try and come to terms with this. Some ailments are impossible to predict - manageable some days and unbearable the next. If Valravn can sense such episodes before I can, then that will be more than helpful in the long. Perhaps, if I can manage this with Valravn's help, it'll impact my business and my family far less than I'd anticipated.
I can use the magic I carry from my bound orb as a sort of reserve, Owen. If I lend you my magic momentarily, that might lessen the strain of your own magic on your body.
I realise Valravn may have been even more of a blessing to this family than I'd previously thought. If I use her magic as well as my own...
We could try it now.
Owen-
Valravn, I have never met anyone else with an affliction like this. Unfortunately, the only way to learn more about it is to test my own limits.
Medicine is majorly about sacrifice, whether people want to admit it or not. It is about experimenting, it is about trial and error. Many with or without intention pay with their lives or livelihoods so that future generations can hope to survive with what was learned from their deaths or their ailments. Most of the time, the sacrifice is upon the patient. It is unlikely I will ever have a patient with a condition like this - nobody with magic would visit the Annorin family even if they believed it was what was making them unwell.
This time, the subject of this study will have to be myself - for both my good and for the good of future generations, those who, with a stroke of luck and a lot of hard work, may be able to open about their magic.
Valravn grants me some of her magic, and I once again hold my hand over the cauldron. All I feel is the familiar tingling of magic at my fingertips. No more bleeding, no headaches...It's something of a small miracle.
I hope Valravn can sense in the warmth in my chest that I am grateful for her. Thanks to her and my family, I may be able to keep doing what I've always been doing.
With an eventual fully-sized gryphon behind me, and with my new friend and familiar able to lend me some of her own magic - the possibilities have broadened. For centuries, the Annorin family have been feared across the country and in some parts of the world for the draconian attitudes of its patriarchs - but I won't be like my ancestors. The only people who will fear the Annorin name is Lord Volpe and his witchfinders.
Áine
Today's lessons with the students have weighed on my mind all evening. Reynold and I decide to spend the night outside by the stone circle, one of our favourite spots. Glimmerbrook is something of an arcane cage, but at least it has places like this. His longer, wilder hair suits him, and unlike myself, his life out in the wilderness hasn't affected his soft and wonderful figure. After seeing him so thin and dishevelled when he was trapped between life and death, I'm glad he managed to return to his old self for the most part.
"I've been thinking about Róisín again. My students were discussing life in Glimmerbrook and almost all of them spoke of wanting to go and live in other places. Some were a little fearful of what other places might be like, but Matis seems excited at the thought of leaving someday."
Reynold holds my hand gently as I sit next to him. His eyes sparkle a little in the moonlight.
"Just a teenage sense of adventure, I suppose. When I was a lot younger and living in Lunvik, I didn't want to stay there forever. To be honest, I've been starting to think that we can't keep holding Róisín back if she wants to go back to Henford. She can always stay with Alistair. I think Clem and I made him realise the mistakes he made. I don't think he'd do the same with her. If not Alistair, then there's always Eli."
I didn't want to keep her trapped here forever either, especially not when she longs to return to Henford to see all the people she knew in her childhood and to repay their kindness back to them. Alistair at least would be able to protect her, at least. I left my situation because I wanted to lead a full life...I cannot deny that to my daughter.
"I think back to when she ran away that time. She was almost killed by a witchfinder, but we haven't had many, if any witchfinder incidents in years now, and that was in the middle of the night. Even at that age, my telling her off wasn't going to stop her doing what her heart told her to do. I doubt she's going to be any different now, Reynold. The only trouble is, she's still so young. The people of Henford won't know how to deal with her full moon tempers like we do. She'll just end up feeling isolated again."
Reynold lifts me from my feet and we stand and watch over the waterfall, the soft sounds of the water cleansing our spirits.
"In a few years' time, she's going to be at that difficult age, isn't she? She's going to do whatever she wants regardless of our say in things. She'll be a woman in four years - she'll want a life of her own, a place of her own, a partner and children..."
"The two of us eventually had to flee for the safety of ourselves and others, and yet we found each other, and we found new friends and family alike."
Reynold is right. We may have been adults when we fled our homes, but if we don't let her do what we also did, she'll also never know of a life outside of the confines of pine trees. The life of a witch is almost entirely one of equal risk and reward in every corner of our lives.