CONTENT WARNINGS: ...None I don't think? Am I feeling okay?
Áine
Tomorrow, the new magic school in Glimmerbrook will finally open.
We're starting small and letting new students find out about the school by eventual word-of-mouth for safety's sake. It's been quiet and we haven't dealt with a witchfinder in some time, but it's a little up-and-down amongst the residents of Glimmerbrook as to whether it's a good sign or not.
"Isn't it wonderful to be here, sweetheart? It's so much less stifling than the old settlement, don't you think? It feels like a proper little village."
"I know it's nice to have a fresh start, but I don't think you should be talking like that about the village. Tsuna took everyone in and did what she could with what she had, didn't she? Who knows what might have happened to you and Róisín otherwise."
I won't pretend that Reynold's reply didn't leave an aching in my chest. He's been in a bit of a strange mood since he got here, and I don't think it's just the nervousness of moving to a new place. He's been living away from the settlement, so now he has to get used to regularly being around people again.
"I know, I know...I'm sorry. I'm just excited, that's all. It'll be nice to not have to teach out of a cave." I try to change the subject. "Have you gotten to know everyone yet?"
Reynold lets out a sigh. "I've tried to get to know the townspeople these past few days and I know for a fact they're still on-edge about me. I used to understand, but now I can't help but feel exhausted by it."
I don't have any doubts that they'll come to eventually. After all, Reynold has lived in Glimmerbrook for a fairly long time and yet there haven't been any attacks by a werewolf - only sightings.
"You'll just have to give them a bit of time, Reynold. They wouldn't have let you stay here with me if they thought you were a genuine threat, would they?"
Reynold
As much as I love Áine, I'm starting to wonder if things will go back to the way they were - constantly being on the move again.
We found comfort and security near Tsuna's little settlement, and yet I fear Áine will want to go from place to place once we get used to the comforts of the old one. There's nothing wrong with trying to find something better, but I was under the assumption that Áine enjoyed the time she spent with Tsuna and the other women. Living near the settlement was fine for me.
I know that Áine has been desperate to get back to properly teaching in some form again, but I don't want her to forget what Tsuna and the others did for her as well as for our daughter.
I head out to help the villagefolk tend to the livestock. The sheep are so sweet, curled up like little sleeping clouds. Outside is Xander, seemingly the Tsuna of this village, and Aziza, who hails from Al-Simhara.
"I'm surprised the animals seem so calm around you, given, well..."
I try to withhold a sigh. "I'm assuming you don't trust me?"
"It's not that we don't trust you, Reynold. We wouldn't let you stay here if that were the case. It's only that none of us have ever met a member of the Luhvin...Lunvon...Luhnvonshe-"
"Lunvinchenaîne."
"Yes, that," he says, clearing his throat and giving an awkward smile. "I suppose I ought to admit that I still have a few concerns that I would like to have cleared up."
"And what are those concerns?"
"Well, I trust you when you say you're no danger to humans as a werewolf. I've never heard of any werewolf attacks here in Glimmerbrook. However, I must say that I'm concerned about what it might mean for our livestock. These animals don't only keep us fed, but some other parts of Glimmerbrook as well."
I think back to my time with the pack in Lunvik, and the gap between their ritual howling and my waking up to them eating deer.
"I can't promise anything there, Xander. The only way to prevent anything from happening is if you keep the animals indoors somewhere near the full moon.
I know everyone is nervous about me being here, but I promise I'm no danger. If anything, you're all safer with me here. The only people who have ever died because of me have been witchfinders, if the rumours floating around Henford are anything to go by."
I hear a shrill bleat, and the little lamb looks up at me with shiny golden eyes. I put my hand near its nose, and it leans in, seemingly wanting to be petted.
"I appreciate all of your honesty, Reynold. I apologise if I came off as rude. I just have a duty to try and look after everyone here, that's all- and that includes the animals."
"It seems as if many people in Glimmerbrook are convinced that the witchfinders are no longer the enormous problem they used to be," he explains. "Despite it, I don't think you can ever be too careful. Who knows what they're organising behind closed doors... Having a werewolf around might come in handy."
"Are you certain about this, Xander?"
"I'm certain, Aziza. We can't get too used to our peace no matter how long we've been lucky enough to have it for."
I'm at least glad to know that Xander and I have come to a solid understanding, even if it takes a bit longer for everyone else to come to the realisation that I'm not going to devour their livestock.
"You know, I'm surprised Betty took to you so well! She's normally quite the feisty little-"
"...thing."
If anything else doesn't convince them that I pose little danger to this community, then hopefully little Betty's approval might mean something to them. I do wonder why animals fear vampires, but not us...
* * *
On my way back to our house, one little boy, Charlie, runs screaming from me.
"Nasir, what are you doing? Get away from him! He's a werewolf!" he says, mockingly. "Pfft. Werewolves aren't real. They're just real wolves and everyone says they're werewolves so us children will be good and stay indoors at night!"
"You boys had better get to bed, whether I'm a werewolf or not. It's late."
"Can I ask you something first, Mister?"
Nasir tugs on my trouser leg.
"So...are you really a werewolf? Really really? I heard a rumour."
I suppose I ought to be upfront with these children. If they just so happen to see a werewolf running around, they're going to be genuinely terrified.
"Yes, I am. But I won't hurt any of you, okay? And I won't hurt any of the animals either, I promise. If you see me in my wolf form, you don't need to be afraid of me. I'll protect you."
The two boys look to each other for a moment and jump up and down on the spot.
"That's incredible!" they cheer, waving their arms. "So you are a real werewolf! But I thought werewolves were supposed to be - you know - scary."
"They are, if you give them a reason to be afraid - and none of you have done, and none of you will. No-one here has any reason to be scared of me, okay?"
"Wait, one more question and we promise we'll go to bed!"
"Okay, okay. What do you want to ask?"
"Do werewolves eat people?!"
"No, we don't eat people."
"Aww... That's no fun!"
"And I thought you were going to be really interesting, too..."
* * *
Áine
To be teaching in the comfort of a building is quite the luxury. I'm sure the students agree.
So far, the only students I have are Matis and Verity, and two new faces. One is William Crowe, a young man with a rather inflated opinion of himself, and Sebastien, a teenager from Champs les Sims who is something of an adoptive son to Xander. Matis will enjoy having someone else who shares his heritage, I'm sure.
"All of you are welcome to recommend this place to your friends - just be very careful that only witches end up knowing this place exists for now, okay?"
Once we're all done introducing ourselves to one another, I figure I ought to return to basics just so everyone is on the same page.
"Now, what has the biggest influence on the success and potency of a spell?"
"Strength."
"In a sense, but not quite."
"Saying it correctly?"
"To begin with! Think about it, class - other than our own magic, what is the main ingredient for a basic spell?"
"Intent."
"Precisely, William! Yes, the verbal and physical components of a spell are especially important, especially when you begin learning specific spells - but the most important aspect of a spell is your intent. If your intent is not powerful enough, it will be weak or it won't work at all. Too much, and you can cause all sorts of problems."
I find myself reflecting upon stealing my father's life force, which I had not meant to do, yet I did not regret it. Were it not for his death, he would have gotten away with everything, and I never would have met my true father, nor my little brother.
The nature of my eventual lifespan dawns on me once again. Oskar had to struggle with his own lifespan being cut short, and had to quickly decide what was worth doing in the little time that he had. Tsuna had to accept that she may never find any peace in her seemingly-indefinite lifespan. Recently, I had not any detailed dreams of what may have been Brádach's memories, other than vague images of my mother at Brindleton Bay.
I have more time than I ought to, only I don't know how much. My dear father wanted to do so many things with his extended life, and yet it got cut short when he least expected it. Come to think of it, a part of why I felt held-back in Tsuna's settlement must be because of this - spending whatever additional time I have in that environment would be a waste of what other people were not so fortunate as to have been granted, and sometimes, I feel as if Tsuna's immortality terrified me. I don't want to end up aimless and trapped the way she is.
I must dedicate the extra time I have been granted to something useful, and I pray to the Moon that this school will be the start and potential end of it.
* * *
"Will we be doing any spell practice today, Miss? I quite enjoyed it last time."
"Not for now, Matis. I'm still mourning my lost eyebrows! - Eventually, yes, but I have to admit, I still haven't planned everything out properly just yet."
William raises a hand.
"What about alchemy? As a protector of Glimmerbrook, I would love to know how to make protective potions for myself and others."
"Well, unlike the cave, we actually have a proper classroom for it now, so that's a splendid idea. I admit I'm not the most well-versed in alchemy, however, so it may take some time to get around to it."
"You know, Miss, I've been wondering what the most powerful spell is."
"Your Ignis spell, I imagine, Matis," Verity adds, chuckling.
"The amount of spells one could perform with 'ordinary' magic I assume is infinite. However, one of the strongest spells in my mother's grimoire involves the potential to shape even the universe itself to some degree."
The door bursts open, alarming the students as well as myself. No. No, it can't be. I've finally established a safe place to teach the children...
Xander throws his arms out, and a smile beams across his face.
"Xander, I appreciate your smile, but I'm currently trying to teach a-"
"I have wonderful news! Lord Eduardo Volpe is dead! He's finally dead! Murdered, in fact!"
Murdered? He's always flanked by his henchman or hides in his mansion. Who managed to murder Eduardo Volpe? The only person I can imagine being capable of getting to him is Violeta - perhaps she went after him knowing it's what Oskar would have wanted...
"Goodness. Who would have managed to-"
"Finally! Henfordians know how to deal with a problem the Champs les Sims way! Oh, this is amazing! Now once his witchfinders give up, we'll be safe! We'll all be well and truly safe! Áine, may I kindly suggest we resume class another time so we can celebrate?"
"Oh, indeed, there'll be plenty of celebrating! Food, drink, and plenty of cheer! Won't you join us, Áine?"
The weight in my chest lifts, and a circling warmth spreads throughout my body. It will take some time, but we as witches can finally begin to heal and regain our presence across Henford without the looming threat of Volpe. His witchfinders will likely disband without their leader...and my dear Róisín will grow up. She'll get a chance to grow up as her true self, safe and celebrated. Every witch, young and old, male and female, they will be able to rebuild their lives and stop hiding. My joy is immeasurable.
"Yes! Yes, class, I know this is our first lesson in this building, but we can revisit this! For now, let us celebrate!"