Amber - 10 (Patreon)

"–And that is the plan we have so far." I said, folding my hands in my lap as I finished explaining our thoughts on leveraging resolving the famine to bring the Witches into the limelight in a positive manner. "There will be a meeting during Midsummer where we can try to bring the rest of the Witches on board."

Darius mused at the hair on his chin thoughtfully.

"While we have the capability to prevent the failure of the harvest, and many of us would step up to do so in our own homes without much hesitation, we have not been organised in such a manner within known memory." Celestine said, tipping her head slightly towards Darius. "My former apprentice believed you were the best choice for aiding us in this."

"Father," Lorna said, looking at him with a hint of worry. "How many petitioners have worried how we will feed the refugees?"

"Too many." He answered with a sigh. "It is not a concern before winter, perhaps not even until spring. The stores hold strong. But if this year's harvest were to fail..." Darius folded his hands and stared downward grimly for a moment, concern flowing across his features before being banished behind a stoic facade. "If it is as you say, that you are capable of preventing this, then I cannot in good conscience withhold my support from you doing so. But those outside my lands may not look so kindly on stories and myths stepping forth to turn their magic upon the harvest."

"Which is why we're asking for aid." I bluntly pointed out. "And why I thought to prey upon the king's, well, patriotism."

"I don't like it," Lorna muttered. "Anything that supports the thought of us being better off isolated is a mistake."

"And yet, it would work. Those of a like mind with me, and those like Lord Walden who asked that you be loaned to him for a time," Darius said, nodding his head at me, "could be brought around to the services of a Witch in their lands easily enough. But those more prideful and disdainful towards the unknown would be harder to sway. With the king's blessing such difficulties could be avoided. As for the argument against isolation, it has already passed. The wall is closed."

There was an undercurrent of distaste in Darius' voice, which I could understand.

"He's not going to reopen the wall even if the plague abates." I frowned, glancing at Lorna and Celestine for a moment. "Not willingly."

Darius raised an eyebrow at me. It wasn't like I was going to say more than that without his say-so!

Celestine crossed her arms. "All well and good convincing the lords, but it's the peasants I'm more afraid of. Most nobles don't care if a Witch's in their lands unless they see them, and we're good at avoiding that. Had to be after you lot converted to the Light."

"That was over a thousand years ago!" Lorna protested, to which Celestine raised a single eyebrow. My former teacher was asking how, exactly, a thousand years passing changed things. And the truth was it didn't until the church changed its tune. "Sister Roper and Bishop Warrens would both surely lend their support, and Sir Magroth has been–"

"He's still here?" I blurted out, blinking in surprise. "I would've thought he would return to Lordaeron."

Lorna huffed at the interruption. "Yes, he is."

Darius nodded his head minutely. "I managed to convince the Paladin that with the increasing isolation placed upon us that while the rest of Lordaeron has the whole of the Silver Hand to turn to, Gilneas has no such righteous defenders. He is deep in the Ember Hills still, hunting down a band of gnolls that were trapped within the Wall and have made a nuisance of themselves."

That was good, most likely good at least. A Defender wouldn't stand for abandoning those who clamoured outside the wall for aid and would, near certainly, join a rebellion intent on opening the wall for those trapped outside. Or aiding Jaina Proudmoore in her journey to Kalimdor.

"Doesn't change what they've done to us in the past." Celestine said, dismissing the concept of a friendly church with a wave of her hand.

Lorna looked at my teacher, the faint downward turn of her lips revealing her disapproval; Celestine didn't seem to notice. "I would think it unwise to speak harshly of the Church, while many nobles see it as a puppet of Lordaeron–"

"The king's thoughts spread far," Darius interjected, and Lorna nodded in agreement.

"–the common folk still look to them. They hold faith and listen to the Priests, sometimes more than even their Lords. Alienating the Church of the Dawn is a foolish move."

"If anything we should ask that they bless the harvests alongside us," I said, though I felt the urge to roll my eyes at the thought. "Pointless as it might be, it would ease the fears of the sceptical."

Celestine scowled, her nose wrinkling at the idea, but both of the Crowleys seemed thoughtful.

After a moment Darius shook his head. "While it is worth asking for their assistance in quelling the masses, they are unlikely to take part directly. Church doctrine is not kind to those who wield magics not of the Light. Sir Magroth will likely be our greatest aid on that front."

"I've heard much talk of how speaking to one man or another might make our work easier, but Gwyneth brought me to you for a reason." Celestine said, staring fiercely at Darius. It had been clear from when we first entered the manor she wasn't comfortable with being here, the quiet confidence she usually showed around others fraying slightly. I didn't know if it was the distance from home, the unfamiliarity of the setting, or worry for either her daughters or her husband. "What aid do you offer? Presenting the king with an order of magic wielders, ones who have proven themselves, would be a great boon for anyone. For a noble lord like you? Worth more than gold or land. So, what is it you offer? Why should we look to you?"

Darius lifted his hands from his desk and leaned back, looking at my old teacher thoughtfully.

"The ability to speak to the right people, foremost. Never underestimate the value of connections and knowledge of who can convince whom to do something they might otherwise wish to protest. Secondly, while Sir Magroth's efforts are still underway, a number of regular nuisances have been removed from my lands, and I find myself with an excess of men. Soldiers. Many of whom are familiar with Gwyneth and her Witchery and could be trusted to serve as guards and representatives while your women do their work."

"Men too," I said, earning a curious look from Lorna. "I'm teaching three boys already! It's not like you didn't already know men could be Witches."

"You've never spoken of them." Lorna pointed out.

I shrugged. "Never met one; I will at the meeting."

"Shush." Celestine shot a glower my way before refocusing on Darius. "You're right to speak of the value of connections, and strong arms to keep an unruly mob away sounds grand. Yet it merely makes you more..." She frowned, searching for the word.

Darius' lips quirked. "Accomplished, the more involved I am the more the accomplishments of your order will appear to be my own." He nodded his head at Celestine. "I cannot deny that, however, there are things too important afoot for me to refuse the opportunity to gain such political capital. Things your apprentice set in motion."

Celestine frowned slightly, but behind that she seemed reassured by his honesty. And as she glanced at me for confirmation I provided it; if our siding with Darius could swing a single major noble to our cause, the Candrens, Waldens, Tulvans... even the Harfords or Hewells.

More men to our cause, and especially in the case of the Hewells more resources to put behind the Rebellion.

He stood from his seat, walking around his desk to a map of his lands that hung in a frame on the wall. "Much of my seat has been lost due to the actions of the king and the closing of the wall." He said with barely restrained anger as he drew a line cutting off nearly nine-tenths of his holdings. "But I am still a lord, I still hold enough land that offering a grant upon which to establish a school, a hall, would not be a great sacrifice."

I looked at him curiously, was he thinking of recreating Dalaran in miniature in his lands?

"The King would see you situated in the capitol, but I have learned enough about your magic to know that such is unsuitable. The Northgate Woods are not the Blackwald, never so wild nor ancient, but still a place far closer to home for you and yours, I believe."

"What obligations?" Celestine asked. "What price?"

"None." Darius said bluntly, meeting Celestine's gaze evenly. "None save that you are present here."

Lorna and I looked at each other while they stared, neither blinking as they took each other's measure.

Eventually, Celestine shook her head. "No, we have a home and it is not here. A fine offer, but no."

"Then you refuse?" Darius asked, allowing himself to frown.

Celestine snorted. "No, perhaps we do not need your aid but it is worthwhile." She looked at me questioningly, trying to root something out. "And whatever scheme you have cooked up with Gwyneth, it matters little what it is. She is a sister to my children, she is family, and I trust her judgement." She stood and walked up to Darius, spitting into her hand before holding it out. I had never seen her do that before, and I cringed at her doing it here of all places! "Lord Crowley, I accept your offer. Word to the Lords so that they accept our aid, men to watch our backs as we work. So long as these are provided I will speak of you as instrumental to our efforts."

As Darius stared at her hand, some level of disgust reaching his eye, I thought he would refuse. Deny the breach in protocol. But he pulled off his right glove, spat into his own hand, and clasped hers.

"I shall endeavour to be worthy of what you offer me here today." He said clearly, pumping her hand thrice before letting go.

After a moment Celestine let out a loud guffaw, her laughter bordering on outright cackling.

My eyes widened, mortified, as I realised what she'd just done.

"I didn't expect you to actually do it back!" She roared, before laughing further.

"I..." I looked at Lorna. "We don't do handshakes like that," I said, seeing her staring at her father's hand like she didn't know if it was actually his anymore. "We don't. My teacher... Celestine..."

"A prank and a test both," Darius said flatly. Then, after a moment, he smiled. "Well done, well done." He chuckled, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his hand down thoroughly. "I assume you wished to be sure I would not baulk at your ways?"

Celestine grinned, her lips twitching as she fought to control herself. "Quite. A test of how far you'd go; a simple one but you passed. More than I expected!" She relaxed, some of the discomfort and tension she had worn since she arrived fading away. "I think we've much to speak about, Lord Crowley."

He nodded in turn. "Quite indeed. And I do agree, we have much to discuss. But first, Gwyneth." He turned to me, addressing me with his authoritative voice.

"Yes, Lord Crowley?" I asked, standing to attention.

"Before his majesty's order to close the Wall arrived I brought through the gate as many as I could manage. While food is, at least for the immediate future, a lesser concern, I have little space in which to house them. Work can be found but homes cannot be erected swiftly and mere tents will be unsuitable as the weather turns cold, and many do not even have that." He said, dictating the situation to me.

I nodded in understanding. "You wish me to make them homes with magic, albeit temporary ones."

"As temporary as the Living Bridge." He said, a twinkle of amusement in his gaze. "That is your task for the moment, more vital than the healing you provide to my people."

"I shall do my best, Lord Crowley," I said, chewing on the inside of my lip for a moment in thought. "However, the Midsummer meeting will require me to depart soon. There will be little I can accomplish in the intervening time."

Darius tilted his head, conceding that I was correct. Then his eyes turned to his daughter. "Lorna," He said.

"Of course, father." She said with a smile. "Donovan and I can carry Gwyneth to the Blackwald. That should free enough time for progress to be made."

"Good. Now, I will ask the two of you to leave us. I believe our discussion would be better done in private."

I only just stopped myself frowning. He was clearing meaning to speak about the Rebellion, to inform Celestine and bring her in on his planning. There was no reason for me–

Lorna's smile immediately vanished. "Very well, father." She said flatly as she stood, her frustration carrying through despite her court training. "I shall leave you to your business."

Ah. I looked at my friend, the frustration she must be feeling at still being left out of our meetings and discussions, the planning, and scheming must have been building up. And now her father was bringing in someone new to the circle. He wasn't dismissing me because I couldn't take part in the conversation, but to soothe his daughter's temper.

"Understood, my lord," I said as I stood, curtsying politely. "C'mon Lorna, I need to introduce you to my cousins." I smiled up at her as I slipped my arm through hers and started pulling her towards the door. "I'm sure they'd both love to meet Donovan. And you can meet Frazzle too! Have you ever met a gnome?"

"Once or twice, in the capital."

"Aw, they can be quite surprising the first time you see one. Do you think Vivi's met one?"

She shook her head, a hint of a smile forming at the thought.

"Then we better make sure she does. We need to see her react to the bright pink hair and excitability of a gnome." I paused, grinning. "Maybe have her try and explain arcane formula or an invention of some sort."

The idea didn't quite make her laugh or put a spring in her step, but at least it got her mind off her father pushing her away.

-oOoOo-

My eyes very carefully didn't narrow as we returned to the hedges surrounding my garden and home, nor did I look in the direction of my little intruder. However, as Celestine's pace shifted I knew something must've given away what I'd noticed; whether by my former teacher feeling it herself or by my own reaction I couldn't be sure. Either way, I prepared an appropriate response for our unseen stalker.

"Gwen!" She yelled, trying to leap out of the hedges at me. "I've– ack!"

Trix stumbled hard, her right foot anchored to the ground by a root that had grown loose around her ankle but too wide for her shoes to pass through.

My lips quirked into a subtle smile. "Good morning, Patricia. I have guests today."

"Why?!" She whined piteously, pouting up at me in that adorably cute way of hers. "I'll get you eventually! I swear I will!" It took her a moment to register Emma and Rosa atop Donovan's back, and Celestine beside me. "You're not Heather." She said, tilting her head in confusion as she looked at my teacher.

"No, I am not," Celestine said matter of factly as she turned a raised brow towards me.

"If you say so, Twix." I let myself smile wider as I repeated the near ritual greeting my apprentice and I had developed.

One day she would figure out exactly how I detected her and learn to conceal herself. Or maybe she wouldn't, and she'd grow out of it – I hoped she didn't, as disruptive as it was at times I really did appreciate her childish antics. Sometimes they were just the thing to stop me fussing over things I couldn't effectively change.

It would mean I spent less time with her repairing her clothes, admittedly. She picked up quite a few torn skirts and ripped hose from pushing her way through the bushes.

"Trix!" Trix protested, puffing up her cheeks. She scrambled to her feet, looking up at Celestine for a moment, before bowing. "Hello," She said.

"Celestine, Emma, Rosa, this is my best apprentice, Patricia Rhys," I said, gesturing to the rest. "Trix, this is my old teacher Celestine, and these are my cousins Emmaline and Rosaline."

"Hi!" Emma said, waving down at her from atop Donovan. Rosa just nodded.

As did Celestine, at least in greeting to my apprentice. "Will you be bringing her with us?" She asked me.

I'd already considered doing so for the Winter's Solstice, to induct her. She was capable enough in magic and herblore, and was capable of basic imbuements if given time. But I also knew that this would not be a normal meeting and it was still just six months since I had officially stopped being an apprentice myself. Could I? Yes, easily. The question was more if I should. Whether it would alienate some of the circle by being too swift in pressing forward.

Not that I thought I could win everyone over, there would always be those that disagreed with change. No matter how essential it was.

Trix widened her eyes, staring at me pleadingly.

"I think you should," Lorna said, moving to pat Trix on the head. "She's going to be helping with your work, isn't she? She should be recognised before that, in whatever manner you use."

I hummed thoughtfully, turning to Celestine. There was another issue too. "Is this even the right time to do so? It will be midsummer, not winter."

"We only diverged from inducting all at either solstice due to the Inquisition. Bringing her is a show of stepping away from that." Celestine answered. "Do you believe she's ready?"

Glancing back at Trix, who was now holding her hands to her chest and using every trick the manipulative little girl knew to make herself cuter and me more agreeable, I nodded. "In magic she is capable, in maturity... perhaps not." Her act intensified as she pouted up at me miserably. "Her herblore and practical knowledge are decent enough, however, I have not been as thorough in teaching our Lore as may have been appropriate." Most of the students wouldn't ever be Witches, not fully, even if I selected those who had the potential that didn't mean they had the right mindset to learn properly. "If you test her lore, and you find her acceptable, then yes. I will stand for her in the circle."

Celestine shot me a side-eyed glare for passing the decision off onto her and I looked back shamelessly.

Teaching them the stories and histories I had learned as a child, without mixing in everything I knew from before, wasn't something I was good at. It also hadn't been a focus; I had started teaching to expand Gilneas' magic and to gain healers.

Finding an apprentice was more of an accident than intended. Not that I'd ever tell her that.

Emma slid off Donovan, nearly falling to the ground and only just catching herself. She marched up to Trix and stood right in front of her, hands on her hips.

"You're my sister's apprentice?" She asked demandingly, looking down at the shorter girl.

"Uh-huh!" Trix replied, her eyes narrowing. "And you're her cousin."

"She's my big sis, we decided that back when she taught me."

I glanced at Celestine as the two squared up against each other.

"And she's taught me a whole lot more!"

"She taught me just last night, how to feel the stars and have visions and stuff!"

"Really?" Trix seemed taken aback, which was odd. It wasn't as if I hadn't had her try and commune... ah, she thought I'd actually taught Emma how to perform a divination. "Well, she gave me a pen!" She snapped, using the gift I gave her as a weapon.

"She made me a big stuffed animal for my birthday, mama said it was worth lots!"

Rubbing at the bridge of my nose I couldn't help but find this entirely ludicrous. Emma hadn't even brought the toy I made for her, and what were they even arguing over? Who I liked more or something? Was Emma jealous I had taken someone else on as an apprentice? She was always going to be her mother's.

Even if she had called me her teacher back when she was a little girl.

"A pen's worth lots too!" Trix protested.

Lorna was suppressing a chortle, Rosa was staring at her sister like she had an epiphany of some sort, and Celestine was watching to see what I would do.

"Girls, please." I grumbled.

"Gwen!" "Sis!" They both said at the same time, turning to me.

"Emma, Trix is my apprentice. I'm happy to give you lessons as well, just as I teach others, but just as your mother taught me and teaches you I need to pass on what I know." I took her hand and squeezed it. "You're my cousin, my little sister–" Even if she was shooting up like a sodding bean sprout, she was going to take after her mother in height and tower over me. I knew it. "–and I'll always have time for you."

I turned to Trix. "And while I gave Emma a lesson on Astral Magic on our way here, it was only the barest basics. What I've had you working on since winter. After you are inducted we can progress on to what I learned from Modera. Understood?"

"Yes!" Trix beamed, then slipped forward to give me a hug. I wrapped my free arm around her.

Emma scrunched up her face, glaring at Trix even as she held onto my hand. Rolling my eyes I tugged her closer and brought her in.

After a few moments, I let go, well aware of my onlookers. "Now, I want you two to apologise. Emma, you shouldn't have tried to pick a fight. And Trix..." She hadn't picked the fight, but she had kept it going. "Using my gifts to try and hurt someone else, saying you have something they don't, is cruel. How would you feel if I made Richard a suit for his induction and he mocked you for not receiving a dress from me?"

In a few short moments, Trix's face went from triumphant at me telling Emma off, to incredulous I was telling her off too, to horrified at the scenario I presented.

"You wouldn't!"

"How would you feel if I did?"

Trix opened her mouth, closed it, and looked at Emma. "I... sorry." She mumbled. "Gwen should make you a pen too, they're really useful." She offered, holding out her hand.

Emma looked more rebellious, clearly unwilling to compromise, but as her mother cleared her throat she stared down at her feet. "Sorry." She scarcely even whispered.

"And?" I said.

"I miss my big sis and you get to have her all the time!" She shouted. "Sorry. I got jealous. There."

Emma petulantly turned to the side, ignoring Trix's hand.

Disappointing.

-oOoOo-

"You've done well with her," Celestine said, sitting back in a chair and relaxing now that the children were asleep. Frazzle was too, tucked away in bed, though rather than sleeping I think she was crying.

I didn't blame her.

"Thank you, Trixie is by far my best. Richard isn't bad, a little better at imbuing things like you taught me to, but he's a lot weaker on the more direct magic front." I chewed on my lip for a moment before deciding to ask. "What was it you and Lord Crowley spoke about?"

She closed her eyes, her hands folded in her lap, and was silent.

The ticking of the clock on my wall continued on. A minute, then two, and a third.

I turned to the fire, enjoying its warm glow. Much of the day had been eaten up by Trix begging for lessons, and Emma inserting herself into them, but I'd still gotten the basic maintenance done. The Moonleaf was... alive, if not thriving. Everything was cleaned again and my workshop was in order – though with Frazzle having asked to make use of it I was sure the layout would change somewhat.

Part of me had wanted to refuse, to deny her. That possessive little spark that had never liked other people touching my things, my books, my pens, or anything. As always I squashed it when I said yes, but it was still there. Wanting me to keep an eye on her to stop her breaking something.

Or even just rearranging my workspace away from how I liked it.

But it was clear she needed the distraction, and I was fairly interested in what she would make. I knew on her grandfather's side her family were engineers and tinkers, though I didn't know how far into it she herself went. Maybe she could even help me with some of my projects?

"Treason." Celestine said, and my eyes snapped to her. "We discussed treason, but that you already knew."

"Yeah, I did."

"I dislike the thought of turning our arts upon fellow Gilneans in battle. In defence? Against monsters? Yes, to not do so would be the height of folly." Celestine slumped in her seat, her eyes staring into the distance. "But I have no taste for war, even against monsters. Let alone our own people."

It took me a moment to formulate a response, arguments for why it was necessary forming and dying on my lips. "I... understand." Civil Wars were not kind things. Brother against brother, friend against friend. "I will fight, because... I'm committed. But if you decide to keep the Witches out of it, to only offer healing–"

"It is necessary." Celestine interrupted. "Or at least inevitable. That, I understand. And I shall support you, but I do not believe I can bring myself to fight. To allow my daughters to fight. Thomas will join the cause, Markus... will stay home. But my Robin, my dear Robin won't let his little brother go to war on his own."

Her hands shook.

"I don't want us to fight. I will, but it's not where we will do the most good." I said softly. "How many will be injured, sick and hurt, that could live if they had healing? It doesn't matter on which side they fight, not really. We're all Gilneans. This is about our buffoon of a king, not the people who support him."

Celestine took a deep breath, clasping her hands together and quelling herself into stillness. "That... Yes, that I can stand behind."

I smiled, reaching over and placing my hand over hers. "I couldn't let Trix fight either," I confided. "She's... she's too young. I'm too young, but I'll have to and I won't run away from it. We have to win."

She nodded, and as the hour grew later we retired to bed.