CONTENT WARNING: murder, one instance of bad language, heavy use of alcohol and drunkenness but for comical reasons.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This and the next few chapters will jump around a lot chronologically and between characters as it discusses what the characters got up to over the years after the main story. I will try to make the points where things happen as clear as I can. Also the names of these sort-of-epilogue chapters are a playful little parody on common modern fantasy book titles, so I hope you'll enjoy them, haha.
Maddie
five years after the Magic Realm was created
My muscles burn, and my injuries sting. My scars feel rough under my fingers.
The witchfinders have dwindled in comparison to what I remember. They're still a threat, but nowhere near as much as one. The Reyes family have helped rehabilitate them and give them a way to earn money without bloodshed, and half the reason people fell for Volpe's siren song - me included- was largely because of the pay. Not only that, but the witches have not been quiet over the years. They've made it clear that they are not leaving, and that they are more than willing to fight back.
Killing and swordfighting have been the norm for me for countless years, and with that part of my life being less common now, I find that the feelings and memories that part of me buried deep are beginning to resurface. The humanity I had to shed to fulfill my duties is slowly coming back to me in the form of hazy recollections of the not-so-distant past.
When I was twenty, his long life of hard labour and numerous injuries from said labouring meant he could work no longer. He was in constant pain - pain we could do nothing about because of that bastard Samuel Annorin.
I had no luck finding work anywhere that didn't require my leaving the home to be a maid in some posh house somewhere. I couldn't leave my father; he needed me to do pretty much everything, which I did willingly.
He once asked me why I never went looking for my mother, that she had more money than my father did. I told him she was not my mother. She left, he stayed. I would rather a normal life with the parent that loved me, than a gilded life with the parent who did not. For many years, I wanted to find her and slash her throat, but the day never came.
Colin was a friendly man, gruff-toned but entirely well-meaning. He never asked for much, got on with his work and came home. He thought of the world of me, and I thought the world of him in return. You wouldn't believe I was so compassionate, once. He told me to keep looking for a job, and to not fall back on something like working in the new and dangerous factories or ending up selling myself on the streets.
He was always so protective of me, but I insisted that I would take whatever work that I could get. I insisted that I would look after him the way he looked after me. He spent twenty years working his rear off to give me a decent life, and now it was my turn to repay the favour.
I told him so many lies about the work I took up that he never questioned. He'd assumed I was selling my body, and at one point that was one of the lies I used. In a way, it wasn't even a lie that I'd said that.
I think he always knew what work I truly took up to keep us alive. He never once told me that he was disappointed in me, but I often wonder if he was. A part of me doesn't blame him, if he was. I was completely and utterly terrified at the premise, but there was only one line of work which paid decently enough if you were a woman - and that was to turn on your own kind. It didn't matter to me - all I cared about was Colin.
Volpe's daunting gaze was something so horrifying back then. He bombarded me with all sorts of questions that I had to lie my way through. Back then, I didn't hate the witches - I merely didn't trust them and thought they needed to be kept in line so they didn't abuse their power.
He told me the story of what happened to his family, and I sympathised with him. I understood why he was doing what he was doing. Back then, I had no idea he'd let the richest man in Henford off the hook for it whilst killing off the poor masses. I should have known better - we all should have. I suppose I can't fault Owen too much. He's done a lot for the community since.
I learned the art of swordfighting, and every cut and slash I sustained by accident was a chance to learn. It turned out I had quite the talent for it, and I found I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the power of the sword, and I enjoyed the elegance of bladework. Nameless faces surrounded me, all here for either of two reasons - they needed money, or they hated the witches as much as Eduardo Volpe did.
For a while, I was one of the only women. They didn't start joining commonly until a few years later, when Volpe made a point to bring non-magical women onto his side by telling them that the witches would kill their children like they killed his. The women that had spent their lives being ridiculed and dehumanised by men like him, he'd set them upon the women less fortunate than them like they were starved dogs - and I have no doubt that's how he saw all his workforce. Henfordian women jumped at any chance to shift the blame and the shame from them onto someone else - and that included me. Me and my father would live, and it would cost the lives of thousands of people who never did anything to us.
I remember my first witch clear as a summer morning. She was in tears, but I wouldn't say she was fearful. She and I locked eyes for some time, wondering what it was that was so different about two Henfordian women that meant one was bound in rope and the other brandishing a blade.
Volpe watched intently. I wanted to apologise to her and tell her it was nothing personal, and that I was trying to do as she would do - look after my family.
Volpe berated me as I stalled. I couldn't bring myself to do it until I'd grown tired of his insults.
It was over so fast. Her eyes opened wide. A guttural sound erupted from her throat as the blood poured from her chest and she collapsed into the grass. When I got home that day, I was sick so many times I lost count. I pictured her face in my dreams every single night for years after.
Her blood, and the blood of many others, it kept my father and I housed and fed. Even with Volpe's money, I still didn't have enough to get healthcare for my father. I quickly became one of Volpe's best, sharply focused and devoted. Many of the men did not like the fact I was better than them - especially a certain James Tanner, who considered himself replaced by me as one of Volpe's best witchfinders.
* * *
Months later, my father had died. His heart had given up on him, but not in the same way that mine had given up on me - and on everyone else.
With my father gone, I had no reason to remain my usual compassionate self. I devoted myself entirely to the job, and any semblance of care for others had dissolved. I was Volpe's attack dog, plain and simple. I did not care for the feelings, wellbeing or lives of others. I cared about myself and myself only; the only person I had ever truly cared about has gone, and it hasn't been the same since. All these years on and I've still never managed to muster anything close to that spike of warmth you used to get when you really, truly cared.
"It isn't like you to be so deep in thought, dearie," says the old barmaid.
"I can't do as he did. I can't work myself to death."
I don't realise I've said it out loud, but she goes back to cleaning the glasses. I'm sure she's heard the personal issues of far too many strangers to care. I will never be compassionate or caring, I know that - but lately, a lot of folk around here have been giving back to the people that helped get them to where they are now. Do I need to try and do the same, even if I'm numb to it all?
I won't ever be able to ditch my sword entirely, I don't think - but maybe I need to try and at least find something else to live for, otherwise I'm going to end up like my old man was. Not too long ago, I lost an eye to a witchfinder, though I admit that the physical pain was nothing compared to my hurt pride. It felt like losing a chess game to a toddler. One less eye and cut to pieces, and you'd think I'd have learned my lesson by now.
"Good evening, Maddie. I assume that eyepatch is not solely for a rugged look?"
That voice, smooth as silk... I'd recognise it anywhere even without seeing who it is. Violeta, sweet Violeta. I've never met anyone quite like her. She's cold as stone, but she sets me alight every time I see her. Fighting alongside her for so long, smart and capable in battle - she's the perfect cure to countless years working amongst utter morons who can barely wield a butter knife, let alone a sword.
"Nope. One of them managed to poke out an eye. Maybe I'm getting sloppy, I don't know. Speaking of sloppy, there's blood on your lip."
"Hello there. Can I get you anything, ma'am?"
"Sorry, Doris. Violeta's here for a drink, but not the kind you can give her," I say to her, prompting a tut from Violeta. "You know, now I'm a few wine glasses in, I don't think I'm too proud to admit this to you, Violeta, but you're a wonderful woman, you know that? Smart, and good at fighting, and always wearing such nice clothes, and...I like your hat." I sound like I'm rehearsing this off a piece of crumpled paper from my pocket. Am I really so bad at compliments and kindness?
"That's very kind of you, Maddie. You're a fine and capable woman yourself, though I'm sorry you lost an eye. I'm glad I've seen you - you see, I have some news I'd like to share."
An evening with Violeta at the bar is beginning to pique my interest, though I might need another glass before I muster the confidence to ask her. It'd be nice to get to know her a little better, I think.
"I'm leaving Henford."
I spit my wine everywhere.
"You can't leave!"
"Oh? How come?"
"Well - Well, I-"
"My dear, do not panic," she says, softening her tone. "I am going back to Windenburg."
"What about Henford? What about the art classes?!"
"I believe everyone here has the witchfinder issue in their hands. My art students were kind enough to gift me a portrait they painted of me, and it was the first time I've seen my face in over two hundred years. I must say, it was quite a relief."
"Yes, yes, you are...you are..."
Spit it out. Maddie! A compliment won't kill you.
"...beautiful."
Her eyes glitter in a way I've never seen them glitter before, and she lets out a soft chuckle, briefly flashing her blood-coated fangs at me. "Aren't you a charmer? I'm sorry it's such bad news, but you see, my son is buried in Windenburg and I would like to be closer to him. Windenburg welcomed me after a terrible point in my life, and I want to go back there and start afresh. I believe you should consider doing the same. Find a life outside of all this before you lose another eye."
Even Violeta is moving on, and she's even more tied to violence than I am. The trouble is, me and a good chunk of the other reformed witchfinders have been the main line of defense here alongside Violeta!
"And if I don't protect the people-"
"The witches know what they're doing, Maddie. There are people other than yourself that can handle it, like the others living in the house with you. I know that you think others aren't as capable, but you need to let someone take the reins at some point. You're only human - you can't go on forever. Anyhow, I ought to go - I have some packing away to do. Please, Maddie, take care of yourself. You've done your duties, and you've made up for what you did - at least, in my eyes. Now it's time to live a normal life, don't you think?"
"Maybe! Just - maybe. Take care, Violeta, and I wish you all the best."
She gives me a polite nod and leaves, the door slamming behind her.
"Are you okay, dearie?"
"Perfectly fine as always, Doris!"
"Now, now. That doesn't sound like 'fine' to me."
"No? Alright, then. Let's wash that disaster down with another glass of wine, shall we?"
Thanks to our hard work, the Reyes family, that 'Friend of the People' woman from the former Peteran monastery and from Owen Annorin, the reformed all witchfinders all live in his nearly mansion-sized house. It's a tight squeeze given how many rooms there are, and we haven't quite made it a home yet - but it's a place to live that isn't infested with rats, though I do miss the rats - especially Nibbles...
"John, Charles - I have something to tell you both, okay? Okay. Listen to me, okay?"
"...Why are you looking at me like that? It's me! It's your good friend Maddie!"
"Oh. That's why she remembered our names. She's bladdered."
"And she made it through the door without subtly insulting one of us."
"Neither of you have any faith in me, do you? I've just had the worst day of my life and neither of you care!"
"What on Earth are you talking about, Maddie?"
"Appreciate us? You don't even remember our names!"
"I do appreciate you! We've killed a lot of people together, and you two have been by my side a lot. So I'm saying - thank you! Thank you both. And I think we could all do with a nice break - I'm thinking a coastal break. Brindleton Bay, anyone? Or do we save up a bit more and head for Sulani?"
"What's the catch?"
"I don't know, do I? We'll have to see when we get there what we can fish out of the sea."
"No, I mean-"
"John, just go with it. She's being nice. Make the most of it."
"Okay. Yes, Maddie, we would love to go to either of those places with you. Now will you please sleep?"
"What do you think, Charles? We should get her drunk more often."
"I'm not asleep yet, you know!"
* * *
Gideon
Five years after the Magic Realm was created
There was once a time where I was flinging around a sword and dashing across Henford like it was nothing. Of course, back then, you take those days for granted, don't you? However, there comes a time in a man's life where his body doesn't quite work like it used to, and he finds himself confined to comfy chairs and sleeping the last of his days away.
It's not as gloomy as it sounds. If anything, it's quite peaceful - because everything now becomes the problem of your sons instead.
Josiah now lives with me. I don't see him terribly often, since he's always so busy with his patients, but he takes good care of me in my old age. He always looks so exhausted, and he seems to have even more bags under his eyes every time I see him - but he'd never slow down even if I told him to. I suppose it's not like he has much choice. He still hasn't settled down with anyone. I don't know if he ever will. I feel the only thing Josiah will be married to is his job. I'm beyond proud of him - he's worked so hard to get to where he is.
I've considered Edwin an adopted son for many years, and he's grown into a kind and confident young man who has always been eager to help out around the house. He's assisted with the fishing, the weekend markets in Withernham and with helping matters at the reformed witchfinders' house. It was built where Katlego's cabin used to be, with her permission. She was delighted to hear it was being put to something good.
They behave most of the time, and any scuffles tend to be amongst each other - most of which are swiftly resolved by the ever-intimidating Maddie. Edwin checks up on them every now and again and they've become quite protective of him. Most of them are grateful beyond words for the opportunity that has been given to them, and many are wracked with guilt. I told all of them that whether or not they can be redeemed is irrelevant - it is never too late to put something right, and it is far better to do it for the sake of doing what is right than it is to do it with the expectation of forgiveness.
Despite me telling them that the loss of their life was not necessary for redemption, many of them insisted in fighting back against their former cohorts. Many of them had been senselessly killing for so long that they found it difficult to do anything else, and so chose to put that energy somewhere useful. Many of the rooms in their home that used to be full are now empty, and so many have lay down their lives for the cause that I would ideally like to have a memorial somewhere for them.
Daniel now lives with Eli, still as in love with him as the day they met, and now works with him in his business. He's been rather quiet for a while now, saying he's been busy with work - but he says he has a surprise for me today.
Looking at Daniel and Josiah, it seems as if it were just yesterday that I held them both in my arms...and now...
"Is this the 'surprise', Daniel?"
The little girl makes awkward, whining noises, and as I reach out to her, she pulls away at first.
"This is Annie, Father. I adopted her from the Eyrie. She's still very shy and not the most trusting, so you'll have to try and be gentle with her. Go on, Annie, he won't hurt you. This is my father, and your grandfather. His name is Gideon. Say hello to Gideon."
"...Giddon?"
She's beautiful, but my heart sinks for her the moment I see her. The Eyrie is a large and luxurious orphanage funded entirely by the Annorin family. As well as taking care of these children, The Eyrie was built to give these orphaned children a chance to thrive and hopefully find new and loving families. The orphanage makes it very clear that any of these children could be capable of magic, as many magical children were orphaned over the years, and does its best to vet potential parents and their attitudes towards such things. Whatever her blood, I know she's been through too much - and a loving and patient soul like Daniel will be perfect for her.
Annie reaches her arms up. "Uppie."
Daniel's face is stricken with surprise. "Oh? She's - she's never wanted to be held before."
It takes all the energy I have, but it's worth expending it for. I heave myself out of my chair and bend town to pick up the little girl, and the beauty of seeing my granddaughter for the first time distracts me entirely from my back pain. Her smile lights a fire in my chest, and she giggles.
"Don't you worry, Annie. Your father is going to take very good care of you, okay? You're safe with him. Whatever happened to you before, and your family...you're safe now. I promise you."
"That's amazing! She's never let herself be held or hugged or anything until now."
Josiah and Edwin each let out soft 'awwws', and she waves at them.
"I never thought I'd see the day that any of you had children of your own. It feels like I was holding you like this a few days ago. Don't times fly?"
Daniel looks around the house when I say that, and his expression turns solemn. I understand. It is difficult for them, and it is difficult for me. In my younger years, I never feared death. I never feared anything, and now, I'm rather on edge knowing that I may not have much longer left. I've led a wonderful life full of love and plenty of second chances, but there's still an element of fear for the future.
Looking into Annie's eyes, I realise that even if I won't be around much longer to look after my boys, they can look after themselves now. They're still close-knit, they all have somewhere they want to go in life, and they've all made me as proud as any father can be. They will be fine, I'm sure.
"Now, you make sure you cause lots of trouble for him, okay?"
Annie laughs shrilly right in my ear. She's going to be a little handful, I know it. Good on her.
Eli
Five years after the Magic Realm was created
Life has been full of unexpected but welcomed twists and turns since my sister created the Magic Realm.
My poor Griselda passed away, but she led a good and long life. We have a new horse, a fairly young yet patient stallion with a lot of energy. He isn't the only new addition to the family, however.
As I got older, I felt a draw to something I never had a draw to before, except briefly whilst holding my nephew Simon when he was a baby. I was lucky enough to have a family that loved me when my own father did not, and I wanted to do as Oskar, my true father, had done. I wanted to adopt a child and give them the kind of life they deserved, full of love and hope. I don't know if I could do it as well as Oskar could, but I had the money and the emotional availability to raise a child - and so that's what I set out to do. My brother funded the Eyrie, an orphanage. After a long period of answering questions, looking at the house and evaluating my character, I adopted a young girl named Susan. As expected, she's shy, sometimes irritable, and she's quite sensitive to loud noises sometimes, but I don't make sure not to raise my voice at her. In time, she will realise that this house is a safe environment for her.
I'm still always hard at work with wood, stone and metal, though it's much easier with Dan to help me now. I spend a good chunk of my time these days carving glimmerstones, small magical crystals that allow people to end up immediately in the Magic Realm and back to wherever they last used it. I've tried it before. You get used to it, but it's quite a scary experience.
I of course made plenty of toys for Susan and her sister Annie. They both love the dragon and the wooden Valravn figure that I made. It was initially for Owen as a decoration, but it seems she's taken a liking to it...
Speaking of Annie, she gave Dan quite a fright recently. The two girls seem to be closer to each other than us at the moment, still wary of myself and Dan. But they play fine with each other. He heard an excited shrieking in the kitchen that drew his excitement first and his surprise second.
...we just didn't quite expect it!
I took the glimmerstone to the Magic Realm to ask for my brother's assistance on the matter. He's been struggling a lot more than usual, so I feel guilty for asking - but it's a glimmerstone here and back, so not too much effort for him. Every time he visits, I find him more and more resembling a rich couple's spoiled house cat.
"Aren't they darling? So which one of them has magic, then?"
"Annie - the one on the left."
"Ah. So you've taken in a child with magic. That's wonderful."
"I'm not sure it is. Can I add my two Simoleons a moment?"
What's Dan talking about?
"Why on Earth would you take issue with this, Daniel?" Owen asks.
"The issue isn't the fact she's a witch, Owen. It's that...I don't think it's right that we're raising her."
"You're both loving people who are welcoming to magic-folk. They couldn't be in a better situation."
"No, Owen, they could. They could be with their own kind." Dan lets out a heavy sigh. "It doesn't feel right. There were a lot of people at the Eyrie looking to adopt witch children, most of which said they weren't witches. The witches got slaughtered by those without magic and now they want to take their children. It makes me feel sick. I love Annie to the bottom of my heart, but I love her enough that I think she should be raised by someone who can show her her gift."
I don't entirely agree with what he's saying, but I understand his point. Reynold wasn't properly taught his abilities by his father and it caused him numerous issues when he was our age. The trouble is, if we don't keep them, they could end up with someone else who doesn't have magic - or someone who won't look after them.
"I know why so many people want witch children - because they want magical servants. I was fully prepared to have a child with magic, but now that I do - I wonder if I'm really the best for her."
Owen rests his chin on his knuckles, watching our children babble to one another whilst gasping and pointing at this new person they've never met before.
"If I may add my two Simoleons also, Daniel?"
"You have much more than two Simoleons, Owen."
"I understand what you are saying, Daniel. In an ideal world, they would still be with their parents who could teach them all they need to know, but tragically, many witches have been killed. Unfortunately, This world is not ideal, Daniel, and you know that as much as anyone else does what with Volpe forcing you to work for him.
In the coming years, it will be more and more likely that parents without magic will be raising spellcaster children, but the Eyrie does its utmost best to vet potential parents to make sure they are a good fit for the child."
"All throughout your life you've known families that are blended in a rather interesting manner. A vampire who adopted your partner and our sister, for example - and yet look how Eli turned out as a result. Whether or not you have the same blood, it doesn't matter - what matter is you have the understanding and the desire to give her what she needs to thrive."
Dan looks to me and back to Annie, and nods to Owen. He reaches out to Annie who seems fearful of Owen, so much so that she climbs into her father's arms for the first time since she's been here.
"Thank you for your advice, Owen," Dan says. "I appreciate it a lot. We'll do everything we can to make sure they get what they need."
"Of course. And remember, if not Abigail's village, or Xander's in Glimmerbrook, the Magic Realm has classes for teaching the basics to younger spellcasters. You're always welcome to bring them along at any time."
I notice a pink flash in the corner of my eye - and it seems this whole conversation has given a certain someone the confidence she needs to show off her own abilities...
This is certainly going to be an interesting family...