Chapter Text
“ Life has always been tranquil for me. My mother was the head of our village, my siblings were good people and I was never forced to be anything I didn’t want to. I have good friends, ate and dressed well. And the season's were always gentle. I am grateful for everything I have here, Yunefe thank you for these blessings, but as the years passed the stories I read were not enough to satisfy me. Daily life in Giethoorn is limited, although it is safe, it is simple and boring. Maybe when I return I will be able to settle down with someone and teach of the outside world to my home.
I am a grown man now, yet am sheltered from the ache and pains that roam the earth. There is more out there waiting, my spirit grumbles in agreement, his restlessness inches my bones when another full moon passes. Which is why tonight I plan to tell my family I am moving away to the city to seek opportunities tonight. Mother can be overbearingly protective, but I know she feels the pull too. Neither of us get much sleep when the winds howl and trees whisper of unbalance. The universe is speaking, but few are listening. “
Dieter smiled at the ink stained paper, now filled with his thoughts on the layered leather journal. He shut it promptly and closed his eyes. Tomorrow, it will come too fast. But there is a fire of excitement in his core at the many entertained ideas of adventure. It was a perfectly crisp autumn day to write in the woods and allow nature to guide him through his conscience, the sleepy energy of the trees around him relaxing and wise.
He had spent the entire day helping around the house and sharing laughter and treats with his family, despite being usually busy in the school. It was a mini celebration to him to just enjoy those simple things with them in peace before going to the- likely busy and serious- atmosphere of Lithag. A place absolutely brimmed with magick, business, and knowledge. The young poet always dreamed of college, but his home was never changing. The academy of research and talented students he had heard of from the library, only after reading almost every last book.
It was mid fall in the forests now, bringing forth a gentle breeze that rattled the leaves and guided them to dance to the ground, littering the grass with warm hues. As it was getting late, the sunset bled lower on the horizon and casted long shadows in the clearing, contrasting the bright rays. He knew it was time to head back, for soon there would not be enough light to see his writing, or the path back home.
But the loud snap of a twig startled Dieter from his contemplating thoughts, making him look around with open eyes to see a cloaked figure standing on the outside of the foliated clearing. The poet stood up and put his book in his bag, curious to see who came to get him. As the figure pulled their hood down, he realized this was not a person that smelled or looked familiar.
“ Who are you? I have not seen you from around here.” he asked, taking in every feature of the mystery person. Short midnight hair, amethyst eyes, and pointed ears.Their aura felt foriegn. It fit the description of a Lithagian citizen according to books, but no one could leave or enter the forest without breaking the decades old spell. There was only one descendant from the city of magick he had actually met, which was heather, an old lady who ran the bakery and did not speak of her past.
The strange man did not respond for a moment, simply observing Dieter with piercing eyes before opening his mouth.
“ My name is Norin. Lead me to the village, I have been lost.” he said in an unexpectedly deep voice, tone impatient. And then paused as if he forgot something. “ ….please.”
The other did not know what to do in response to this, they did not get travelers unless it was a planned trade from another town, or a powerful mage found their border interesting and came in to explore the hidden forest. Which was usually ridden with wolves and trickery to those who do not know it. But he could not leave Norin alone in these woods, it would not rest on his conscious right. So, he figured the man was the second.
Dieter hums, noticing the lack of last name “Okay Norin! Welcome, my name is Dieter, I suppose I can lead you to our village. ” he smiled the way he usually did when making first impressions, always eager to know more about strangers. A bad habit, maybe. But everyone had a story to tell and experiences to share, why not try?
Norin nodded, expression soothing when he got what he wanted. He seemed strong, based on his towering stature. He really hoped this stranger was a user of magick, they were spread thin and when Dieter thought he knew most of it- there was new discoveries about the craft and it’s uses.
As they walked through, Dieter led the way with a slight wag in his tail. There were no paths, only undergrowth and winding elm and oak. Mushrooms peeked up from underneath the wood, and the occasional critter scattered away as they passed. He could tell they were beginning to be close, when the smell of fresh bread and wet hay was home.
He slowed down and turned to look back at the dark stranger, conscious too pressed to keep it to himself. “ You are from Lithag, aren’t you? What are you doing all the way out here?”
Norin remained unreadable.. “ I am here in regards to offer every village a better standing from the council. It was an order established after the Mages began to sense great magick within the dark forests.” That statement had made his ears perk up immediately in interest, gold eyes going wide to look back at the other.
“ You serve the royal council!?”
He sighed. “ I implied it. And I am here on orders, nothing more. That is all the likes of you must know.”
This made Dieter stop entirely and frown, wanting more information but sensing this one was not fond of talking, or him. “ We have never needed help from the council, if magick is why they are suddenly taking interest now. You will not find abundance here. Please don’t disrupt our peace with your orders.” Most of his family were witches, but they would never leave this place, let alone use their magick for an unfamiliar party.
He felt the power Norin talked about, it was all around them, sometimes, on lonely and still days, he talked to it. He talked to the sun, whispered to the moon, and they would tell him stories in return. Sometimes he saw shapes in the mist of smiling spirits and faeries underneath the leaves.
Then the river would sparkle like it was made of ground up crystals, and he felt an urge to reach out and touch them, but whenever he did, it disappeared. He knew this was not normal, when he was younger and tried to talk to his mother about it. She would tell him not to tell anyone but her about them. So he didn't. Not even his tree hugging little brother showed signs of seeing strange things out in nature.
Norin gave him a long, hard stare. “ I cannot do that if it comes to be.” Not the answer he was keen on hearing.
Upon entering the village, the sun was setting and people gathered in the street corners eating and talking. Some were simply relaxing by the outdoor fires after a long, fruitful day. Their eyes quickly began to notice Norin, so he pulled his hood up over his head while Dieter grabs the strangers sleeve dragged him to the sacred building he knew not many would be in.
“ Mother?” called Dieter as they entered the large cabin. A cluster of candles illuminated the darkness that began to creep in the corners at nightfall, which revealed four figures standing around a table. “ Welcome back my dear, just one moment. “ A short brunette lady responded, who was occupied with comforting a little girl seated on the table. “ She will be fine, Peony, take her home and be sure to apply this until the wound is healed. “
“ I would sure hope so. She is my girl after all, the toughest flower in the garden. A small tumble doesn’t stop you, does it darlin?”
The small girl giggled and agreed, hopping down and linking hands with her mother. As they left, Peony gave a suspicious look to Dieter and the cloaked figure next to him, but said nothing as they passed in haste out the door. He suddenly felt very nervous. Maybe bringing a stranger here wasn't the brightest move of the moment, He would not have just left him to roam, either.
‘ Who is that?” asked North, One of the druid’s who volunteered to help run the village. She eyed the man next to Dieter like he was a two headed bear.
“Uhm-”
Simone spoke up loudly. “ A moment with my son and the guest please, You both are excused to go home and rest up. I’ll see you girls bright and early.”
North and Ginger nodded promptly and left, not without eyeing Norin. Leaving the three alone in the cabin in silence. Save for the crackle of the fire and creak of wood.
“ Have a seat, I have a feeling I know why you have come here.” She continued, sitting down on one of the stools and adjusting her dress. Dieter walked towards the table first and sat next to her. He remembered two days ago when her raven had given her a letter, one that had made her bristled, even if she had hidden it. He could tell the contents of the letter might have been related to what was happening now.
Norin pulled his hood down at last, and sat down by the table with the rest of them. He spoke up, even though the candlelight was dim, Dieter could tell he was very serious as he cleared his throat. “ It is a pleasure, esteemed chief. My name is Norin of Lithag, I am here to offer the lower society a chance of high education through the means of their magickal gifts. If there are any available applicants, we will gladly support them in their endeavors. There will be a reward to anyone who finds a witch in their respective residence or outside of it, and promptly relays that information to the Royal Council. We would be very grateful to have them join us.”
At this, Simone and Deiter both recoiled, he locked eyes with her and mirrored the barely contained worried look she had. His little brother was a well known magick user, Lithag knew better then to take Simone, But he worried for Elm and Vincent. Who were too young to go to a big city alone. The Royal Council was notorious for going very far to get what they wanted.
“ I already told you this before, but there is no abundance of magick here-”
“Amusing, because our mages found such abundance to be residing in this hidden village. Giethoorn, was it?” Norin said sharply.
Deiter’s ears flattened, and before he could speak again Simone replied calmly.
“ I understand, young man. You are permitted to do what you must here, but If I see it fit I will intervene. Do not make me regret this, See him to a close quarters Hilda.” The chief responded calmly.
“ Before you proceed, I must inform you of our methods, I will not only post paper’s, but I will distribute word among your residents. Let it be known if a witch is not found I will act on my own accord. We know you are a wise.
.” The Amethyst eyed stranger replied, leaning over the table with crossed arms and an intense look.
Simone tittered, her eyes twinkling but soul dimmed ” So haughty the council have always been! I do not chastise. Our people are hardly involved with public affairs, only the overly ambitious ones like my son here. Magick users must be running low in these times of ignorance. I admire those devoted to the craft like myself.” she paused.
“ However, as much as you believe your duty here is needed, Yunefe tells me there is something else planned for you.“
Norin gave no sign her comment meant anything.
At that, Deiter stood up. He got up from his seat and kissed Simone’s cheek before turning to the other man on his way to the door, “Come Norin! You must enjoy your travels, as well as teach me of what you know in exchange for a meal. Not bad, is it? I will even show you around the village at sunrise.
Norin cleared his throat and nodded, getting up from the seat and following with the swish of his cloak made of shadows and loud creak of heeled boots.
“ Not a bad trade. But, actually, I was trained to fight.”