CONTENT WARNING: Bereavement
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's not entirely clear below, but the magic in Ellie's palms is for the shield she is keeping up around Clara.
Eli
Dan visited last night; it was good to see him again, but he didn't bring good news. Apparently, Áine and Gideon got into a huge argument when he gave her the closure about her father, and it didn't go well. It became a game of his father and my sister blaming everything on one another. She was of course devastated to find out that two members of the Reyes family had been witchfinders, even if one didn't choose it and one didn't hurt a single witch.
Gideon hasn't done it for years, and Dan didn't hurt anyone or even come close to doing any harm. It wasn't even his choice. Shouldn't she be focusing on dealing with the ones who weren't willing to change? Gideon has turned everything around and did so sixteen years ago. Still, I also don't blame Áine for her reaction. Her grief is still fresh. So is mine. So is everyone's.
Early in the morning, I get a knock at the door from a complete stranger. Usually, these are commission enquiries, but today is a little more interesting.
This lady, Lucy Groves, says she has been taking care of my brother; her son found him collapsed and unwell in the local woods. To prove she isn't lying, she hands me a letter. The handwriting is definitely his - a bizarre combination of flourishes and the typical intelligibility you'd expect from a former physician. At least being his brother has given me enough exposure to this to be able to decipher it.
[Letter from Owen Annorin to Eli]
Dear Brother,
I have asked that Mrs. Groves deliver this to you personally, as I want it to reach you as quickly as possible.
I owe you an enormous apology. I have broken my promise to you - but for a good reason. I did it to protect a child from witchfinders who had planned to kill him. I set two men on fire, and impaled one in the eye with a burning-hot wand, though I have no recollection of the latter. I apologise for the image that created in your mind - I wanted to be honest with you.
My magic of course reacted badly and I collapsed due to overcharge. This kind family took me in for the night and gave me food and a bed. I understand that you are likely upset, but you must understand why I did what I did.
All my love,
- Owen
"He did what?!"
Again - I don't know how to feel about him!
He did it to protect a child, but... I made that wand to protect him, and then he goes and - but then he was trying to... Oh, why does everything he does leave me feeling like this?!
"Are you okay, Elijah?"
"I'm sorry, I just - I told him I - never mind. It's hardly important."
"Look, Elijah - your brother is taking up space, time and money that I do not have. I can't afford to feed three of us in the long run. You have a beautiful horse there- would you mind taking him off of my hands? Though I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want him back - I'd appreciate it a great deal."
"What do you mean, you wouldn't blame me? Of course I'd want him back!"
"Good. Thank you, Elijah - and I'm sorry to trouble you out of nowhere."
* * *
When I head to Lucy's house, I find Owen in an awful state. The bags under his eyes are darker, and his voice is hoarse. The little boy, Rowland, said he's better than he was, but even then, there's a sort of hollowness to Owen that I can't put my finger on.
I ask Rowland if my brother scared him, and apologise on his behalf - but he doesn't seem too shaken - more awed than anything. Owen's eyes are still bloodshot, and his hands were still trembling quite badly. I try to put my feelings aside - both on what happened in the park, and his sickly look making me wonder just how much time I have left with him.
August toddles around the bedroom, babbling at his father. Owen tries to shield his eyes from the light and keeps putting his hand to his forehead. I don't bother to question him about what happened in the park - I'm so tired and feel too much at the moment to think about anything else. I just take his word for it.
"I assume you heard from Áine about her meeting with Gideon... and how badly it went. I'm starting to wonder if I should talk to her."
"No, but that doesn't surprise me. Don't bother trying to talk sense into her. It isn't possible."
"Why not?"
"I tried. It did nothing. She wouldn't listen to me, tried to make it almost entirely about my own failings - and I doubt she's going to listen to anyone else!"
"Well, she might listen to me. She's got nothing to use against me like she has you and Gideon."
"Even then - what makes you think you'll have any more luck than either of us?"
"Are you worried I'll succeed where you didn't?"
"Of course not!"
"Ohh, I get it. You're worked-up about it because you hate losing, don't you?"
"That has nothing to do with it, Elijah!"
"You didn't deny it."
"My head is pounding enough as it is," he growls. "Don't go exacerbating it. And don't bother going after Áine. You won't change her mind. Only time can show her that she's on the wrong path, I believe. It's not worth potentially getting caught up in it all."
Owen looks longingly at his little son, whose bright eyes almost sparkle.
"I don't think there's anything more I can do about all this other than giving my Simoleons to the witches and the monastery. It's rather difficult, Eli. Trying to balance defending the witches, the children, my family, with my own dwindling wellness. If I overexert myself too much then it's no good for me or anyone else. I couldn't even handle three witchfinders without collapsing - it's pathetic."
"There's nothing pathetic about saving a child, Owen. And there's nothing pathetic about being unwell. You wouldn't say that about any of your former patients."
He looks utterly defeated. I feel terrible for joking about him and the common Annorin trait of hating being beaten. No, it's not Áine that he feels like he's losing to...
"I just wish I had time and energy for everything, Eli. There's a war in its infancy raging outside my window and I can't do as much as I'd like to. It's like...Hmm..."
Owen rests his face on his chin, and tells me to pass his coat over. He takes his wand from his coat pocket, and pretends to cast a spell on August with it, making him giggle.
"Think of it in terms of wands, Eli. I used to be able to have all the time and energy to look after everyone. I used to have nearly infinite wands, and now they're limited. Fighting back, helping Lydia, looking after the children, eventually getting back to Glimmerbrook - it all costs precious wands that I don't have anymore, and...I wish I could do it all. I wish it were easy to divide my attention between everyone I love."
"I don't know entirely what you mean - but you'll save plenty of 'wands' if you just go and let me talk to our sister and see if it works. I've got a clean slate. She can't try and pin anything on me."
"Very well," he says, with a sigh. "It's not like I can try and stop you. But go careful."
* * *
* * *
Katlego
The Viridis mansion is visible from many different places in Glimmerbrook. From a distance, there's an odd, off-putting kind of brutality about it - an enormous red-bricked rectangle that looks out-of-place compared to the natural air of the place.
Up close, however, you can see it embodies Glimmerbrook's nature perfectly. it is a colourful and beautiful abode. The fragrant scent of various flowers is intensified by the rainfall, and realistic statues of proud lions guard the entrance, worn by time.
There's an air of something peculiar here. Is it just because I know what the Viridis family associate with, or is it something...more?
"You probably think I'm a lunatic, don't you? But I've seen all sorts of strangeness in my life. There's every chance that our good fortune isn't just the riches. Perhaps it really is a supernatural force...perhaps there is some truth to the Lion story."
"There's something I'd like to show you. Come on in."
I follow Jade inside, and I shield my eyes for a second from the garish interior. Green and gold dominate the entirety of the main hall, lions walking across the wallpaper. In the centre of the hall is a fenced-off garden that seems to have attracted butterflies and...are those blue ones butterflies? Are my eyes playing tricks on me? That's like no butterfly I've ever seen.
What warms me is the presence of the symbol of Mischief magic on the walls - the symbol of the tricky and cunning Cat. As nervous as I am about trying to talk sense into Jade's mother, it would be good to know more of my own people.
An old painting looms over the dining hall table, the peculiar symbol of the Viridis family - the Lion devouring the Sun. I am assuming the true meaning of this symbol is something slightly less intimidating than it appears, but who knows?
Jade shows me to the back garden, and the blissful scent of the flowers is even more powerful - and the eerie presence feels stronger. There's a wooden table next to a tree with what looks like fresh baked goods and fruits placed on it.
"Are those for the animals?"
"No, no. Those are offerings for our good neighbours. They're always gone by the next morning."
Neighbours? "And you're sure it's not the animals eating them?"
"More than certain," she says, with a playful wink. "Anyhow, this here is a 'grave' my mother put together for my father."
Why did she stress 'grave' like that? What's not grave-like about this?
The carving of the bawling lion is immaculate. How talented the creator must have been, to give such a human emotion to a creature in a way that feels so natural. The name on the gravestone is 'Phineas Viridis', and below the year he was born and died is some kind of family motto:
VENTURE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE EARTH, AND UPON PURIFICATION, YOU WILL UNCOVER THE HIDDEN STONE.
"What does the line about the Earth mean?"
"Depends on who you ask. Walter is convinced it's scientific...or at least sort of scientific. He believes there's an alchemical method of ours lost to time that can turn any old metal into gold. He's also convinced he can use alchemy to craft a cure-all, and yet he's had no luck - to the surprise of neither of us."
"Don't mention that to the Annorins." I chuckle.
"Oh, Samuel and Owen have already had to keep chasing off their property with his ridiculous proposals."
"And you, Jade? What do you think?"
"Like my father, I think it's more metaphorical - it's a way of life. Having to spend your whole life looking deep within yourself and constantly working yourself out and working on personal flaws to eventually find your true, enlightened self. That's the best way I can put it."
It's something that seems even more impossible than fairies or building an entirely new realm outside of our known world... finding the answer to everything. Figuring out how we're truly supposed to live our lives.
I can't think of a single person I know who has ever truly discovered what their place in the world is, what their ultimate end goal is. Either they haven't found it yet, or they had it taken from them, the way Owen did. Tsuna has been trapped in limbo for over five centuries. Every time I find my true calling, I find myself having to run. Reynold always struggled with the balance of both man and beast. Áine has been even more lost since her daughter's murder.
Could it be that Áine's ambitious plan could bring everyone together? That it could answer the question of where many of us truly belong? Could she, Owen and I really continue with our work in a realm completely outside of our known world?
"My father's body was never recovered after he fell ill and died. That's why I believe he may have something to do with the myth I was telling you about.
He always dreamed of protecting this family the best he could, and the Green Lion is a symbol of protection and purification. What's more pure than shedding your physical form to both meld with an Archfae as well as take on the form of the the king of all beasts? It makes sense that the fae that keeps an eye on us might have made him an offer to meld with them. He was a very emotional and joyful man, and that fae would have wanted some of that for itself. Not to mention - even if you did not want to make such a binding deal, wouldn't you take that over dying of illness? Knowing you're about to die has a tendency to make one desperate, does it not?"
This just gets stranger by the second, but I let her talk.
"As for Mother - she will never find this 'stone' if she won't snap out of her grief. She's completely lost in it. She's a wonderful woman. I hate to see her suffer the way she has. Maybe even meeting another Mischief caster would lift her spirits. Maybe it would even attract the attention of the Green Lion after all these years of her drowning in grief."
I see little lights with wings swarm the grave's flowers and the food offerings - and then they start to swarm me as well! I try to hide my nervousness, but I don't think it's working.
"Why don't you offer them something, then?"
"I don't have anything to offer- agh!"
"Oh, they're just being playful! It's my fault - I should have warned you to bring something for them!"
"How do I get them to stop?"
"That isn't on your terms, I'm afraid! Though they seem to like you - after all, you're unhurt and still alive! They can sense the Mischief caster in you!"
I think this is a little too much mischief even for me! But for the sake of Glimmerbrook, and for the sake of meeting another Mischief caster, I suppose I have to stick with the chaos of this household...
Why can't the rich Henfordian bloodline families just be normal?!
* * *
Once the 'fair folk' have had their unfair share of fun, with my hair in my mess and my brain in even more of a mess - we finally visit Isidora's mother, who is sitting in near-darkness in the drawing room with her face buried in her palm.
Everywhere I look, a proud and daunting lion appears to be staring me in the face. Somehow, the Viridis family seem to be more overbearing than the Annorin family.
"Good morning, Mother. I've bought someone from one of the neighbouring settlements who you might be interested to meet."
"Jade, dear, how lovely to see you..." Her voice is light and airy. She barely lifts her face out of her hands. "And who could you have brought here?"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Viridis. I am-"
"Oh, no, nononono! No, you must not utter your name! The fair-folk will take it from you!" Her eyes look like they're about to pop out of her skull, and her irises shine in the candlelight, as if they were made of emeralds.
"Forgive my mother. She has her moments. Do not worry, Mother, The fae-"
"Jade!"
"I apologise, Mother - the fair folk have already introduced themselves to her."
Isidora studies me, and asks me to repeat myself. Instead of my name, I tell her I'm a teacher at the school her daughter attends, and that I too am a Mischief caster. Her eyes glitter in the candlelight.
"Ah, isn't that wonderful?" she says. Her voice reminds me of the Annorins, only more sincere. "You're not from Henford, are you, judging by that accent? Well, it's lovely to know we're as widespread across the world as I like to think we are."
"I would be lying if I said I came entirely for selfless reasons. I was looking forward to meeting another Mischief caster - but I ought to get to the important part first. We need your help defending Glimmerbrook. The conflict in Henford has escalated, and it's only a matter of time until it arrives here. It seems you've been fairly quiet about the witchfinders for years."
"Glimmerbrook is a safe haven for witches, dear visitor. I have been quiet about the conflict because Glimmerbrook sees such little conflict that I do not feel the need to speak up about it. We have not had a serious problem with witchfinders for countless years. And do you know why that is, dear visitor?"
"Because of the hard work of the settlements."
"In part, yes - but in part, it is because Glimmerbrook is protected by the Green Lion. The Green Lion is an ancestor of ours who combined with the Archfae Leòmhann, who has watched over us for many years - though I must admit, I don't truly know if it still does. I've had a melancholy I cannot shake off, even after all of these years, I believe I've upset our good neighbours."
"Why do you believe that?"
"They took my husband. He was in good health, and then out of nowhere in a mere few days he fell ill, died, and I never saw of him again. Before I even had a chance to bury him, they took him - the fair folk took him!" Her voice grows more frantic. " I still don't know what I did to deserve that, or what he did, and I may never know - it is their nature, and their morals are not the same as ours. The fair folk are easily displeased, but I am always polite with them, always returning their favours.
I've been trying to appease them ever since - leaving out more and more offerings, and he still hasn't returned even after this many years... I don't know if I will ever get him back, dear visitor, and that has been weighing me down ever since. You are the first person I've spoken to outside of family for a long time."
"It seems there's some things you understand that I don't, but I don't believe you should jump to the conclusion that any of it was your fault. Would you mind if I made a suggestion?"
"If you wish, dear visitor."
I don't know how she's going to react to this - but I think it might help her think about things differently.
"You say that the Green Lion combines with one of your ancestors, correct?"
"That it does."
"And your daughter says that Phineas was a protective man who always wanted the best for you and Jade."
Isidora puts her hand to her mouth before quickly returning to her usual formalities.
"I used to know someone who had fallen ill - in a way he knew he would not recover from. He spent the last of his time defending witches from witchfinders. He wasn't going to let illness take him. There's always a chance that the same happened with your husband."
"I have spent so long thinking that his illness and death - and the taking of his body - was a punishment, a curse upon myself and him alike. With the fair folk, they're easily upset. It's incredibly easy to offend them by accident and not know what you've done wrong."
The fair folk are rather like the people of Henford, then.
"I can't, dear visitor. That can't be what happened. No, the Green Lion I saw a long time ago - it was a distant ancestor, I'm sure. I've not seen the Lion since Phineas died. It can't be him!"
"Mother, you know the fair folk are fickle. I believe Ka- I mean, our dear visitor, is correct- as I've been trying to explain to you for years. I'm more than certain that Leòmhann would have been highly interested in someone as passionate as Father was!"
"I know you're upset, Mother, but you can't keep alienating people for the sake of the Fae. If the Lion is Father, he'll help protect Glimmerbrook - I know that. I think we should at least try to see if we can summon it to help us. We've got plenty of meat in the larder. That would make a good offering, surely."
"Your daughter told me of the motto about the 'hidden stone'. She believes it lies in looking within oneself and purifying oneself. You need to try and move past grief, Isidora, no matter how difficult it may be. I've been looking forward to meeting you and getting to know another Mischief caster, so we could always try to befriend one another. You need someone in your life to some extent who isn't your daughter. Maybe it'd help that we have our practice in common, hm?"
"Jade, my dear, I - I've put too much on you, haven't I? You've done nothing but try to talk me out of this melancholy, and all I do is talk to you about the death of your father. I haven't been a good mother to you. All I've done is dwell on Phineas..."
"You've never been a bad mother. Sometimes it's difficult to try and deal with everything, sometimes it's even too much - but it's only natural I would bear it for you. You're my mother."
Isidora tries to with-hold tears, and doesn't do a very good job - though I find myself missing the comfort of my own mother even at my age. After this long, I just hope that she and Father are still alive and well.
"Jade, we have plenty of meat in the larder. The least we can do is try to summon the Lion again. If Glimmerbrook really is in danger, then we have to try and do something. I just... I don't want to lose you as well, my dear, and I don't want to ask too much of our protector."
"You won't. Miss A- our dear visitor told the students to stay out of the conflict. And if it truly is Father, then he would do anything for you without a second thought."
Isidora looks at me with longing eyes. There is a hollowness to her that an obsession with the 'fair folk' and her deceased husband cannot fix - but, if we can summon this lion, and it turns out we're correct, then it may offer her some comfort.
"Dear visitor - I would be glad for us to get to know each other better, if you wish. If you ever want to talk, or if you ever need anything - please, come to me. Perhaps you'd like to stay and see if we can summon our protector. I have only ever seen the Lion once, but it's beautiful beyond comprehension. Come - we'll sort out an offering."
And, of course, they have a giant, lavish silver plate specifically for the offerings to their protector.
"Usually, it's the local animals that go after our meat offerings. Hopefully, this time, it'll go to its intended recipi-"
There's an eruption of yelling and screaming from further away, and in the distance through the trees, the flashing lights of spells crackle through the gaps between the leaves.
The conflict I told Isidora was nearly upon us has arrived quicker than I'd anticipated. I only hope that this 'Archfae' can offer some assistance - Tsuna may be powerful, and Ellie may be clever with defensive magic, but the school and Xander's settlement may be under threat.