Imago: Chapter 6 - It Takes a Village

CONTENT WARNING: discussion of murder of a child

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Speech written entirely in italics denotes telepathic speech.

Áine 

"Earlier, when I said you reminded me of Róisín, she was not an old student. I had lied so you wouldn't worry about me. The reality is that...Róisín was my daughter."

"She was confident, charismatic and kind. Full of love and curiosity. My partner was one of the ill-fated mooncasters, and so was she."

"Lunar magic had the ability to heal flesh wounds, even serious life-threatening ones. She had aimed to use her powers to help save the lives of the victims of witchfinders. A witchfinder who knew of the story of the witch with healing abilities happened across Róisín when he was almost struck down by a fellow colleague, and of course she healed him, having no idea who or what he was. He kidnapped her...and burned her at the stake. She was sixteen years old."

Morgyn gasps, and I notice their eyes sparkling in the muted light.

 

"Sage Ó Sé, I...I don't know what to say. You had to watch your own child burn..." They take a moment to wipe their tears. "I saw it in your eyes when we spoke after my duel with Louis. When you told me the truth about you, I could see you were mourning the past. Now I know it wasn't just about the conflict...I'm so sorry."

"No need to apologise," I reply. "The past is the past, and all we can do is prevent it from repeating."

"I hope that those who murdered your daughter suffered a terrible fate."

"They did, child."

"Good," they reply, with a venom I've never heard in their voice. "I wish repercussions were still common in the modern day, Sage Ó Sé. It took my father nearly being attacked by a wild animal for him to leave me alone - the same for my mother, by the sounds of things. Revenge is the only way to keep people in line. Otherwise, they will just do whatever they please. Do you understand what I mean?"

I understand exactly what they mean.

The Magic Realm and education was mainly what saved the witches, but to pretend that our violence upon the witchfinders did not kick-start change would be ignorant at best and revisionist at worst. It was not a linear process, but had Owen Annorin not killed Lord Volpe, had I not killed James Tanner and had we as a people not killed countless numbers of his cohorts, then perhaps there would be no spellcasters whatsoever in either Henford or Glimmerbrook. Of course, this is not something I want to instill in my dear student. But how do I tell them this without minimising their own issues?    

"I believe it all depends on context, Morgyn. Sometimes it is worth it, and sometimes it is not. That is all I can tell you."

Morgyn

I woke up a few hours ago, and didn't speak to anyone else or even eat any breakfast. I'm still heartbroken after finding out what happened to Sage Ó Sé's daughter. I haven't stopped crying about it. Sixteen years old, and burned for her magic...

 Sage Ó Sé has cancelled all classes for today, and Sage Hughes is trying to cover alchemy classes. The Sages cannot tend to the gardens due to them being busy and Sage Reyes being unwell, so I offer to do some work here.

The botanical gardens are beautiful, even though the glass windows of the greenhouse are broken in many places. 

I wonder why the Magic Realm appears to be crumbling and breaking up the way it is. I hear rumours floating around the common area about a vortex closing in on the Realm.

Could the realm really be destroying itself? Or is something else responsible for its decline?

It is strange to see the plants grow so well here. Penumbra assists me by carefully plucking the lemons from the tree, dropping them into the basket. She is a valued companion, although enigmatic, and her words are cryptic.

I keep thinking back to Sage Ó Sé, and her daughter, who I so-say resemble a little.

 

I wonder if that is why she is so caring and attentive around me... Then again, she seems that way around everyone, including the other Sages. I value her a lot more than she likely thinks I do.

Penumbra and I also catch some fish from the pond. We catch a goldfish and quite possibly the most beautiful fish in existence, a rainbowfish. Rainbowfish are such beautiful creatures, aren't they? It seems a lot of marine animals waste their beauty living far underneath the water's surface, where no-one can appreciate their majesty. 

"Penumbra...may I ask a question of you?"

 

"Speak." Her telepathy feels strange in my mind.

"If someone had wronged you, and it deeply affected your life in some way...what would you do? Would you try to overcome it, or would you do to them as they did to you?"

"If one adds fuel to a fire, then that fire only grows and continues to burn all it touches. But, sometimes, throwing water on a fire does very little..."

 

I do not know why I expected a simple answer.

Two older students come up to me whilst I'm reading a spell tome in the foyer. One has bright pink hair, the other dressed in dull shades of brown who gives me a smile before delving straight into an equally-as-dull-looking book. I hear them chattering about examinations and Sagehood. I wonder...

"Excuse me? Are you two Leonora and Simeon?" 

"Huh? Oh, yeah, that's us! I'm Leonora Faba, and this is Simeon Silversweater. Don't mind him - he's got a resting bitch face."

"Leonora..."

"Oh come on, lighten up! I'm just trying to make Baby-Face here laugh. You must be Morgyn, right?"

"That would be me." 

"Sage Ó Sé sings your praises. That's how we know you."

"A pleasure to meet you," Simeon says, looking straight back at his book.

"So you're somewhat new-ish, right? How's your spellcasting going?"

"Oh! Quite well, actually," I tell her. "I earned my Adept certificate. I'm trying to learn Master-level spells, but they're far trickier."

"And you're, what, sixteen?"

"Seventeen."

"That's amazing! Especially for someone so young who's only had magic for some months!"

"Let the kid have some breathing space, Leonora!"

"It's alright. I don't mind." Her smile is a little intimidating.

"Yes, Morgyn, that's incredible. Genius, even," Simeon says, with an attempt at a smile.

Genius? I could get used to these compliments...perhaps I need to stop explaining myself and let people say such nice things to me...

"You know, we're some of the oldest students here, but we've decided to stay here and train to be the next Sages."

"Sages? That sounds like an awful lot of hard work."

"It is - nearly five years we've been studying for it. That said, it will be a great honour to train other people in the arcane arts. Magic is life-changing for so many people." Simeon speaks with a rather sophisticated accent.

 

"I just like to mess with people," Leonora says. Her laugh is chilling. "I come from a family of Mischief casters. It's in my blood!"

 

"One moment - so who's training to be the Untamed Sage? Anyone?" 

 

"Nope! Not yet, anyway. You reckon you have what it takes?"

 

"A Sage? Oh, heavens, no. I don't have the experience for something like that."

 

I wonder if there is always new Sages lined up at the Magic Realm, or if the Sages are changing over for some other reason. I hope that Sage Ó Sé is not leaving. It would be terrible without her.

 

Leonora mentions that she has some kind of illness caused by repeated overcharge stress on her body throughout the years. Her skin is pale, like Sage Ó Sé's. I wonder if they both have the same affliction? What she tells me about overcharge is a little horrifying. Apparently, it's not all that difficult to accidentally overcharge yourself dangerously as well. I can't tell if she's winding me up or trying to warn me to take it easy! Could it be true? Could you really cast so many spells you explode?!

 

Sage Ó Sé walks over to greet us. 

 

 

"You two, this here is Morgyn Ember - a young and hardworking student of the Untamed arts. I hope you are treating them well, Leonora - none of your tricks! I trust we are all getting along well?"

 

"...Morgyn?"

 

 

 Simeon has called me to stay behind after alchemy class has finished.

"First off, Morgyn, you're doing fantastic in these classes, both theory and practical work. I'm impressed with your progress. Thank you for collecting the ingredients from the botanical gardens for us as well. We're very appreciative of your kindness."

"You're most welcome, Sage Reyes. You're welcome to ask me anytime if you aren't feeling up to it."

"However, I do have a few concerns about matters outside of the classroom."

Whatever is he talking about? Whatever concerns could he possibly have about me?

"Which are?"

He lets out a deep sigh.

"I'm a little concerned for your well-being, Morgyn. I understand that you are making quick progress as a spellcaster, but Untamed magic can take rather a toll on the body and mind. I sometimes worry that perhaps you are too young for such powerful magic. Do you think you might consider sticking to alchemy and arcane history until you're a little older?"

"Absolutely not!"

Who does Sage Reyes think he is to be intruding on me like that? I'm getting on fine. I'll be eighteen next year. What's he so worried about?

"Do you think I am incapable, Sage Reyes? Is that it? Is this your polite way of telling me I am not capable of being a spellcaster?!"

Sage Reyes stutters a little.

"Morgyn, I said nothing about your capability. I just worry for your health and wellbeing. It's a lot of pressure on your shoulders, you know. You're a talented spellcaster and alchemist, and I don't want you overworking yourself. You don't want to end up in lifelong pain, do you? And you don't want to end up with witches' pallor?"

I try to soften my tone with him. "Sage Reyes, I appreciate your words, but I absolutely cannot let Sage Ó Sé down. You respect her just as much as I do, I imagine. You understand."

"Morgyn, you won't let her down, I promise. You are the only dedicated Untamed caster in the entire school and you've done well and worked hard-" 

"Not hard enough, Sage Reyes. I need to get back to my studies."

I hear another disgruntled sigh. I can't let my mentor down. Especially not when she took me in when I needed it most. No, I won't let Sage Ó Sé down.

The following day

"I think we need to keep a close eye on Morgyn."

"Why? They seem bright, they seem capable."

"I just worry, Leonora. Don't you think they're progressing a little too fast? I don't want them becoming unwell."

"Not everyone gets witches' pallor, Simeon." 

"I know, but... I guess I'm worried as to what made a teenager want to dedicate themselves to Untamed magic."

"I doubt it's anything serious. I mean, it's nothing new for teens to think destruction is cool, is it?" 

"I'm just worried that it was the same reason I got into Untamed magic at their age."

 "Ah... I see. I don't know. I guess we can try and keep an eye on them?"