CONTENT WARNING: religious violence and discussion of such
Clementia
Winter rages on. For now, I am still alive, and the witchfinders have not come for me, but I currently have three witches hiding out in the basement of the monastery, saying that a Justicer chased after them.
He did it. He really did it. Everyone thought the Jacoban Justicers were confined comfortably and solely to history, and yet they have been revived. The Justicers were sent after 'enemies' of the Jacobans. At one point, this was people who upset the Watcher through terrible deeds who they punished for the sake of the Watcher and for Jacob. These days, it seems the 'enemy' is anyone who dares not follow Thorne's bastardisation of the religion he claimed to love and worship.
Hardly anyone has come to light candles apart from familiar faces. I have taken to lighting one on occasion myself.
I light all of the candles eventually. They are to mourn all of the people who will be lost to the witchfinders. I pray for them. It has gotten to the point that, until this period is over, it is all I will do. I will pray to the Watcher for the sake of the innocent people who will no doubt lose their lives to what will soon happen.
I pray to the Watcher for Their forgiveness for what I may have to do for the sake of protecting the people of Withernham and the countryside.
My chest freezes up inside when someone throws the doors open - thankfully, it's just the Peteran regulars. I feel I ought to ask for their forgiveness, also.
"Did you hear about-"
"The Justicers? Yes, I heard, but please do not worry about me."
"Don't worry?" Susana exclaims. "Of course we worry about you! You're our friend, and you're the abbess!"
I love the Peteran regulars to death. I don't want them getting muddled up in all this, but I know what they're like. They stood by Reynold no matter what, so perhaps they'll stand by me all the same.
"I have something I have to explain to all of you. I've been thinking on this whilst I've been here, and I know that most of you don't want this to come to bloodshed - but I may have to resort to using the Angel's Talon."
Most of them don't react. Elias puts his hand to his chin, deep in thought.
"Elias, I understand your thoughts on violence, and I feel I owe you an apology - but there's no way we can do this if I don't stand up to the people who will tear Henford apart if we give them a chance. I can't guarantee that the Justicers won't come after me or one of you, and it is my duty as abbess to protect you and the people of Withernham."
I still remember when I killed the witchfinder that came into the cathedral without a care in the world. For me, it was merely duty. In an ideal world, I would never have to do it again - only an ideal world isn't a world where the innocent are slaughtered.
To my surprise, Elias gives me a soft smile and puts his hand to his chest.
"I trust your judgment, Mother Clementia. I stood by your brother despite everything, and I will gladly stand by you. I know you wouldn't take any pride or glory in anything you had to do. We can't just do nothing about it anymore - I understand that now, and I'm sorry it took so long for me to-"
"Don't apologise, Elias. You've done nothing wrong."
"You know we trust you, Mother Clementia, and you know we'll stand by you no matter what. We love you."
"Is it bad that I've wanted you to say something like this for a while, Mother?"
"I've had your back ever since you were shepherdess, Mother. Nothing has changed."
I have to try and hold back tears. The aching in my face won't subside. I'd fought for this for years, and now I finally have it - a following of honest people who have complete confidence in me. They have as much confidence in me as they did in my brother. Twenty-year-old me would not believe that I had finally managed to convince everyone that I had as much worth as he did.
"Everyone...Thank you so much, for everything. I love you all, and I appreciate everything you have ever done for me. I know that this decision is a little rash, but for people like you...it's completely worth it."
* * *
The three witches in the basement claimed they ran for their lives from a justicer. The woman tells me she did not want to fight back in front of her young son - that he 'carries enough scars already.'
The little boy plays with the fancy doll house, almost acting out what likely happened before he arrived here.
"And you're certain it was a Justicer?"
"It wasn't a run-of-the-mill witchfinder, that's for certain. I noticed the Eye of Jacob symbol on her armour. My poor little boy was terrified. If I had it my way, I'd have done something, but...I feel like the Justicers are going to be impossible to deal with."
It leaves a soreness in my chest that she may be right. The regular witchfinders will fight amongst each other to be leader of the pack for a while, then once that fails, they'll eventually dissolve. There's no chance of this happening with the Justicers under Thorne, and after all that's happened with the Finchwick cathedral, I doubt the Proxy will bother to get involved at this point. None of this is anything that can realistically leave a Peteran abbess's mouth.
"Nothing is impossible, my dear."
Sometimes, it feels like hope is nothing more than a soiled bandage, but it's all that keeps us regular folk going.
"With any luck, we won't have to be here for long."
"But Mother, I want to stay here and play dolls!"
"You have dolls at home!"
"Anyone is welcome here at any time. You can both stay for as long as you'd like."
A teenage boy that tried to protect them - I assume a fellow witch - bursts in from the bedroom.
"Mother Clementia, there's a chance they'll find us here and target you. You realise this, don't you?"
"Put it this way - if they come for either of us - whether it be you, the Peterans, or myself - it won't be the first time I've killed a witchfinder."
Róisín
"You could've been killed by that witchfinder, Róisín! You have to be more careful! We've spoke about this!"
"So you want me to just stand by and do nothing? Both the Peteran texts and Lunvin place importance on protecting other people! I have protective magic and you think I should just watch as someone gets slaughtered? I think not!"
Alistair growls to himself, and puts a hand to his head.
"Róisín, I understand that - but you're still very young. I nearly lost both your father and your aunt. I certainly don't want to lose you as well. For all you know, myself, you and your father could be the only Lunvinchenaîné left in Henford - possibly even the world."
"Exactly - so people will need our help now more than ever. You, Oskar, Father, Mother, almost everyone I know has sacrificed something for the good of other people! So why can't I do the same?"
"Because I don't want to make the same mistake with you that-"
"But you haven't! You taught me how to use my magic! Look at how I held up that lunar shield - and I was fine! Look at how I separate myself from you so I don't take the anger of the Moon out on you! All I'm asking you to is to have some faith in me, Alistair!"
Alistair's expression changes, and he lets out a deep sigh. Alistair isn't perfect, but he did teach me how to use my magic well. If he hadn't have done, I'd have died that night- but I was fine because of what he taught me.
"If I lost you, dear, I could never forgive myself. I understand that you want to help protect people, but we would be devastated if something happened to you."
Urgh! I just can't get through to him. I don't want to lose my patience with him, but I wish he'd understand. I'm nearly a woman! I can't just hide when my abilities could be saving lives!
"Fine, then! I'll go and see if Aunt Clem needs any help at the monastery. Maybe there's some pews that need dusting, if that's safe enough for you."
With that, I leave.
Gideon
"And what on Earth are we supposed to do with these poxy fish?!"
"First off, this kind of yield is lucky for this time of year - and only possible with your help. Second, I didn't promise reliable money, Maddie. All I did was give you a chance to make clean money."
She looks dejected. "It's going to take a lot to get used to not making witchfinder wages."
I wonder what became of Volpe's ridiculous wealth. I don't imagine he left it to anybody. His wife left him for pirates and there's not a single other person in the world who he cared for, no children to leave it to... I'm sure he'd have gone out of his way to make sure it never ended up in the hands of working people.
Dan wants to disagree, but I know he felt the same way after I got him out. I'm surprised he didn't stay with Eli and help him with his woodwork after they got back together. He chose to take the pay cut and stay with his father.
"I'll tell you what - we'll let you and the other man take these fish - either to eat or sell."
Daniel bangs his fist on the table.
"Hold on - none of these people have shown any remorse whatsoever for what they've done, and you're just letting them take the whole batch on day one?"
"Daniel, please. We have enough money to eat - they don't. Please, take this batch. You can't help us out on an empty stomach and you can't help the witches either."
I know Daniel is going to take some issue with this, but if I'm to have these people help us out in the future, then they have to have food in their stomachs to do it. I don't know what to do if they lose their homes, but I can at least provide something to eat. We can put together some meals for the Peteran refugees in the meantime with what we have here.
"I know we're far from perfect, Gideon, but we're genuinely grateful for giving us a chance like that. Whatever you need, just say the word..."
The man next to her looks at her with disagreeing confusion, and she elbows him.
"...whether these men want to help out or not."
Owen
Epione was settled into a stable away from the awful weather, and I had become settled in the little house that the settlement's 'leader' Xander had cleared out for me from a previous owner. It had taken some time to unload everything I'd packed, but I had everything ready eventually.
I must admit, I already find myself missing my usual luxuries - and the warmth of my mansion - but I will get used to it soon enough. Perhaps after a life like mine, I could do with the humbling experience of living like everyone else does.
There's a knock at the door and Xander enters, with sparkling, apologetic puppy-like eyes.
"I trust you've made yourself comfortable, sir?"
"Sir? I'll get enough of that from the students," I say, laughing. "No need for the formalities, Xander. Owen is fine. And thank you again for the kindness. It's a rather quaint little village you have here. The buildings and the dragon statue must have taken much hard work. I've never been too good at those kinds of things - that's more my little brother's area of expertise."
Xander clasps his hands together. "I have to admit, I'm in awe. I understand many still do not trust you, but you've earned yourself quite the reputation. You know, there are two bloodline families living in Glimmerbrook and I don't think they've ever done a single thing for anyone in this community."
"Viridis and Charm, by any chance? No, Miss Viridis is quite literally away with the faeries and her uncle peddles false cures, and Mrs. Charm only cares for her own family. Always has done."
"I must say, Owen, I don't think a lot of people expected an Annorin to do anything about it. Regardless of what other people are saying, I want to say thank you."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Xander, but no thanks are needed. I only did what myself and my father should have done a long time ago."
"Well, it's a pleasure and an honour to have you. Having a physician around is rather useful."
"Ex-physician, Xander. I'm afraid I'm no longer licensed to practice medicine, but I'm sure I can assist with any minor ailments."
Xander gives me a confounded look. "And since when does an Annorin obey the rules, hm?"
When it suits him to do so, of course.
"Oh, don't worry - you'll soon see the power of alchemy for yourself. I may no longer be a physician, but alchemy thankfully does not require a license."
"The students are looking forward to meeting you," Xander says, with an uptick of joy in his voice. "Though I ought to warn you that your...wealth may have something to do with it. That, and they want to learn how to turn ordinary metals into gold."
"Well, the latter is impossible, but I'm happy to fund whatever needs to be funded here, should you or Áine need anything for the village or for the school."
"Oh? But - but we don't want to-"
"Before I arrived here, Xander, I was at least partially convinced that my condition and my ban from medical practice would eventually ruin me. If it weren't for Áine summoning me here, I fear I would have spiralled and became a complete and utter nightmare for my entire family as a result. Even with my history and my status, you were kind enough to give me a place of my own to stay. You and Áine have given me a chance at another path in life instead of forever mourning the loss of my old one. Whether you know it or not, I owe you both the world and more."
Xander gives me a soft, warm smile.
I must say, I've been intrigued about Áine since Eli started talking about her back when he was a teenager. He tells me she is confident, kind, and feisty all at once. She sounds like an interesting character. I have also been wondering for many years now - if she and I share Eli in common as a brother, then what would that make me and Áine, if anything? Something of a peculiar version of a long-lost sister?
Áine
I'm looking forward to finally meeting Owen after everything I've heard about him. Eli didn't always speak highly of him, but always loved him. Eli often wondered if Owen and I would ever meet - and, if we did, would our having Eli as a brother technically make us family? I often think of him as a sort of brother I've never met. I know his reputation and a little of his past of being just like this father, but I trust when Eli says he's different now. After all, he sacrificed his entire life's career - and his life in general - to put an end to Volpe's tyranny.
Once I've let him rest for a while, I go in to visit him. He gives me a kind and welcoming smile, and speaks in a much politer and more formal tone than the unsettling one he used with Xander earlier.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Áine - and thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity. Eli has always spoken highly of you. Thank you for taking good care of him."
Is this him? Is this really the 'daunting gryphon' everyone talks about? He has an authoritative air about him, but once he starts talking, it seems there's more than meets the eye.
"Eli speaks very highly of you as well - most of the time," I say, with a chuckle. What I mean as a playful joke aimed at brotherly banter is something that seems to strike a bad chord with him.
"I admit, I have not always been good to Eli," he tells me, in a low voice. "I've lied to him, I've raised my voice at him time and time again, I wanted nothing to do with him when he was a child. I've put my loyalty to my father before the safety and wellbeing of my brother...I'd give anything to go back and do everything properly this time-"
"You don't need to change anything," I tell him. "Eli loves you. As far as he's concerned, you saved his life."
He takes a deep breath in and straightens his back, and the sliver of emotion across his face is ironed out into a neutral, almost smug look.
"I appreciate you coming all the way out here, Owen, and I'm sorry to drag you away from your family like this... I just know you were out of work and I thought you'd appreciate another role of some sort."
"You thought correctly."
I still can't get used to how formal his voice is. With Eli, it sounds like he forces himself to not speak like that.
"With my condition, I'm useless in the fight against witchfinders, though I can't help but feel guilty for starting a conflict I cannot finish...but I can't overdo it with my magic, and I have yet to properly learn my capabilities."
"When you're feeling better, I have one request - Fulguris. I've always been fascinated by it. I'd like you to show me more about it."
He looks at me with a childlike surprise. "Me? Show you? But - you're a witch."
I laugh in a playful manner. "That doesn't mean I know everything, Owen. That's why you're here now."
"Well, I don't mind. Before we begin talk on my position, I did want to ask you something more personal. It may be a little too personal so early into us meeting, but I understand that we have a brother in common, and so I wonder..."
"What that makes us."
This would be much easier if we were still children.
"It's peculiar, isn't it? Eli is our brother, yet we are not related- so we're not really any form of brother and sister to each other." He raises his eyebrows and tilts his head to one side in thought. "However, at this point, I think we can accept that there's more to family than blood. After all, yours and Eli's father was a nearly one-hundred-and-seventy-year-old vampire," he adds, with a chortle.
Biological science was a walk in the park for him, but the sheer mess of mine and Eli's family was what's gotten him confused. It doesn't surprise me.
"I'm genuinely grateful for all you've done for Eli, Áine. You've been wonderful to him. In an odd fashion, I've always sort of thought of you as something of a long-lost sister who I didn't think I'd ever meet."
It's complicated, I suppose, but if I end up with another brother, so be it. The thought of having more people to consider family comforts me, and to me, Owen also feels like something of a long-lost brother.
"I won't complain about having a billionaire for a brother."
"Now, now." He stifles a laugh. I help him up from the bed and he shakes my hand, and gives me what seems like a genuine attempt at a smile.
"I look forward to us working together, Áine. I fear alchemy is something of a dying art, so to teach it to the next generation is a wonderful idea."