Fin’s eyes went wide, and his hands balled into fists at his side.

“That friggin’ mage.” He couldn’t help but mutter, earning a cold look from the King.

“Your insolence will be excused only once as I understand there is some bad blood between your kinds, and you appear to be caught off guard.”

Fin looked sheepish at being chastened, and nodded in acceptance.

“I am certain that you can imagine my concern, as very little is known about your kind. Aside from the fact you all were hunted until nearly fifty years ago, and your abilities are based in the elements. While my mage does not think you are here as a threat to my people or the Kingdom, I prefer to err on the side of caution. I am going to request you answer my questions for you truthfully. Failure to do so will result in your immediate termination.”

Fin swallowed with great difficulty.

“Your grace, might I please beg a small favor prior to this discussion?”

The King leveled him with his gaze.

“That would depend on the favor Mr. Ashowan.”

“Would it be possible if this conversation remains confidential?” The trepidation on Fin’s face, made the King narrow his gaze.

“Why would people knowing be problematic?”

“While hunting, burning, and decapitating of witches has been made illegal your majesty, there are still many who feel hostile towards our kind. The ones that are not hostile come to us asking to use our magic on their behalf. I would be concerned not only for my safety, but for my ability to perform my job if word got out.”

The monarch studied him with a stony expression, and after several moments, gave a short nod.

“Very well. You have my oath as King that I will not expose the information you share with me without your consent. Unless of course extenuating circumstances require it.”

Fin didn’t like the last part of the oath, but figured he was not in the best position to bargain at the moment. He slowly let out a breath, and braced himself despite his stomach roiling.

“What is your element?” The King questioned shortly.

“Erm. I suppose Earth. However, I am what is called a ‘mutant’ witch.”

Norman’s eyes widened a fraction at the news, but otherwise kept his emotions in check.

“You know what those are, don’t you.” Fin looked pained as he stated, more than questioned, the King.

“What is it you can do?” Came the even reply from his majesty.

Fin was already blushing as he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously.

“I am called a House Witch.”

The King blanched.

“I beg your pardon?”

“A House Witch. Or Hearth Witch if you prefer. My powers are centered around the Home. Food, protection, so on and so forth; I can do a lot of things to make life comfier, and homier.”

“Such as?” Norman’s voice sounded distant to his own ears. The young man had to be jesting.

Fin’s shy smile was mysterious, as he then snapped his fingers.

The King took a step back in shock as dishes, and cups floated into the air all around them, knives started to resume prepping the food that lay on the table, and a nearby broom sprung up and began sweeping the floor. He watched frozen for a long while, and when he finally blinked himself back to reality, turned abruptly to the garden door, marched over, and wrenched it open.

Fin immediately stopped all magic, and returned the floating dishware to their previous locations.

“Antonio, inform my secretary and advisor to clear my next appointment.” Without waiting for a reply, he closed the door, and turned back to Fin whom had the knives continue working on the food.

“You could have easily killed those Knights.” He stated while staring at the witch with a raised eyebrow and flat tone.

“No, I couldn’t have. That is against my ability. Magic in witches is fused with a their personalities, and the elements they are aligned with- and each one has limitations. I am not a killer by nature. I am a protector, and a nurturer. I could have erected a barrier that would have immediately blown the Knights clear of the grounds, but they wouldn’t be killed. The only other way I could’ve bested them would’ve been by knocking them out in the name of self-defense.”

“You are able to create a barrier?” The King sounded keenly interested, which made Fin swallow in reluctance. He knew how to a ruler of a continent how useful such a skill could be, however…

“I can create a shield around ‘my home’.” Fin gestured around the kitchen.

“Does that tax you in any way?” The King seated himself at the cooking table, and gestured for Fin to do the same.

“Conjuring a shield that blows people away from me? Absolutely. I would need to fall asleep probably within a couple of hours. Moving parts of the home isn’t too taxing- especially if it promotes the feeling of ‘safety’, and ‘home’. The more people that share my ‘home’, the more power, or energy that returns to me. Though at most, it would only rejuvenate me about half my normal stamina. I still need rest like any other person.”

The King stared at the fish that was being cooked and plated without any human assistance in front of him as Fin spoke.

“I understand now why you didn’t want any aides.” He declared before turning his gaze back to the cook.

“This all generally seems… non-threatening.” The monarch continued slowly as he began to absorb the information. “Aside from the blasting attackers away.”

Fin nodded.

“Are all witches powerful like this?”

Fin laughed and waved his hand to summon a tankard, which then zipped over to the ale barrel and filled itself. It settled in front of the King whom stared in awe at it for a few more moments before picking it up and drinking.

“I am not deemed powerful in comparison to other witches.”

The King choked briefly.

“Fire, water, and air witches can kill and hurt people. If in a battle they can do brutal damage. Air witches can do most of what I am doing right now, but aren’t limited like I am to the house. If I were to step off your majesty’s grounds, I become powerless. Right now, I only identify the kitchen and perhaps the gardens as my home. I probably couldn’t even float a spoon in the dining hall, unless I frequented there more often.”

The King considered the information, and found himself somewhat relieved that there were limits to the abilities.

“How many witches are in this Kingdom?”

“I do not know exactly but, not including those that reside on the Isle of Wittica, less than five hundred I would say. I have a very narrow view of the world given that I have not traveled much, however I am not the best person to ask.” Fin bowed apologetically, then continued as the King continued to openly study him while drinking his ale.

“There are a good chunk of witches aren’t powerful at all.” Fin continued as he succumbed to his tendency of nervous ranting. “Some fire witches can only light small bonfires and candles. Some water witches can only fill a goblet.”

“Can you tell me percentages of how many harmful witches there are in my Kingdom?”

“You don’t have any harmful witches because the Coven of Wittica holds us all to the law.” Fin frowned while staring at the table, clearly displeased at the inference that there was a bunch of magical murdering witches loose, but knew he could not challenge the monarch.

“Witches whom, if they abused their powers, would be dangerous.” The King corrected carefully eyeing the cook.

“Again I cannot say, as I do not know the exact numbers of my kind. I too would be interested to know exactly- witches are usually wary about making themselves known.”

“Are you able to recognize them when you meet them?”

“Only if we shake hands or touch somehow, and even then, their abilities would have to be potent enough to be sensed.”

The ruler pondered the discussion over, then stroked his beard tip thrice before speaking again.

“Why did you come here to the castle?”

Fin straightened his shoulders, as his eyebrows knit together out of concern for the direction of the discussion.

“I grew up on one of the Southern Isles, and found my Island confining… Everyone there knew who and what I was, and I didn’t want that. I had wanted to learn more about myself and my abilities my entire life, and then your former cook Luca came across our path. He stayed with my mother and I for a few months, and when he figured out what I could do… recommended me for the job here.”

“Is your mother also witch?” The King asked, hoping to humanize Fin in his mind.

“Yes. Though I’d rather not say what her abilities are if it’s all the same to you your grace.”

The monarch debated ordering him to tell him, but decided it was better to keep the exchange on a far more amiable track.

“Did your father know?”

Fin’s expression hardened, and the King sensed a surge of emotion in the cook.

“My father was a witch as well.”

“Was he a mutated witch?”

“No.”

There was something in the cook’s tone that made it clear it was a deeply uncomfortable topic, and so decided not to press the matter further.

“I will be sending a letter to the Coven of Wittica to verify everything you have told me today, and so if you have fabricated anything, now would be an excellent time to tell me.”

Fin bowed his head, but said nothing.

“I have one final matter I would like to query about Finlay Ashowan.”

“Yes sire?”

“Captain Antonio and myself were not giving you false praise concerning your level of education. How is it that you are so well read, and yet come from so little?”

Fin smiled, at last, an easier question.

“The Coven of Wittica enforces education upon all registered witches. They believe that an educated witch, is a witch that will make educated decisions- especially when it comes to wielding their power.”

“You said that you have to learn about your ability on your own, wouldn’t the Coven’s instructors guide you?”

“If I simply had pure elemental magic, yes they would. However, I am the only one of my kind on official records. There was once a witch more than a century ago whom, some records indicate, had the same abilities, but it was before the current Coven’s time.”

The King made a slight ‘hmm’, and stood, forcing Fin to his feet hastily as well.

“As of this moment, I believe what you have told me to be the truth. I will have you informed of when the Coven confirms what you have said. Until then, continue performing your duties.”

The noble man strode towards the garden door, while Fin began rubbing the back of his neck again.

“Oh, and Finlay?”

Fin had his head bowed and his hands back at his sides by the time the King swung around raising a finger in the air.

“Yes your grace?”

“For your punishment for inflicting a burn wound on Sir Andrews, you will be helping our Royal Botanist every Sunday for an hour over lunch, for the next six months.”

Fin bowed, and fought the urge to sigh. He was already busy enough as it were… adding more to his workload was getting insane, but he understood he couldn’t get off without consequences either.

“I understand sire. Oh uh…”

The King raised an expectant eyebrow as Fin’s hand gently curled into fists and released several times over.

“Could the Knights please retrieve their sword and wipe down my table? I can do it myself obviously, but it’s the principle of it all.” Fin was blushing at the request, knowing that he was already most likely considered incredibly lucky.

“I see. Captain Antonio and I will decide for their punishment, but we will take your suggestion under consideration. Though I do not recommend you letting it be known that you had any hand in the matter.”

“Yes your grace, and… thank you for the opportunity to work here.”

The King nodded once in acknowledgment, then exited the sweltering Kitchen with his head held high.

Once the crowned head had disappeared around the huddle of women at the end of the garden pathway, Fin let out a breath while half collapsing half sitting in one of the chairs. Kraken had returned to the kitchen, having been waiting outside the door worriedly.

“Alright Kraken, that’s now three people who know I’m a witch; The strange hooded figure, the King, and… that mage. Don’t tell anyone else okay?” Fin looked down at the kitten, who gazed back up at him and remained silent with his tail swishing on the floor playfully.

“Well, time to get cooking.”

*

The three Knights had come in wordlessly, their ears burning red from hearing about their punishment, and cleaned the table. They promptly left without once glancing at the bustling cook, not wanting to risk another confrontation.

Fin was using his own manpower to send off the lunch dishes with the last of the servants at the time so paid them little mind. Once the kitchen was cleared of everyone but the cook, Lady Jenoure stepped over the garden door threshold.

“Lunch is served in the banquet hall. I suggest you go now so that the food is still hot.” Fin informed her while nodding towards the open door leading to the castle.

“That was impressive what you did before.” She stepped closer to the cook’s table, ignoring his previous statement.

“I serve three meals a day. There isn’t anything spec-”

“I meant with the Knights.”

“Oh.”

Fin began compiling a plate of his own lunch without lifting his face to the Lady, though she stopped to pet Kraken as he brushed himself against her emerald skirts.

“That was Hannah’s doing. I merely offered support.”

Annika stood in front of the table as Fin picked up his utensils, and began divvying up the vegetables on his plate.

“I think you did a lot more than that. While those Knights have the collective intelligence of a fruit fly, they are not weak. I’m relatively certain a single slap from Sir Taylor would render you unconscious.”

“It wouldn’t. If you will excuse me Lady Jenoure, I would like to eat my meal now.” Fin moved over to the side of the table with the chairs, and seated himself turning his back to his visitor.

Annika said nothing as he began to eat his food. Instead, she wandered over slowly to the nearby shelf, and picked up a cup. She drew out a flask from her skirts, poured a strong smelling liquor in, then walked back over to Fin’s side, and took a seat.

“Isn’t it a little early in the day to be drinking?” Fin asked as Kraken, smelling the fish, leapt up onto his lap.

“Was it not you who said that everyone in this castle needs a sedative?”

“I have a tea for that.”

“While your tea may help Ruby from exploding some days, it will not stop me from strangling a few of the Ladies at court. This stuff is a failsafe method that I remain agreeable.”

Fin raised an eyebrow, and shot a sidelong look at her.

“Do you rank beneath these Ladies?”

Annika looked at him, only mildly stunned by his words.

“My dear cook, don’t you know that it is considered a terrible social blunder to ask such a question?”

“I thought you said you were sedated?” Fin was in the middle of a struggle between the cat and himself. Kraken it would seem, was ambitious in his goal of eating from Fin’s plate.

The cook picked up the hastily growing feline, and stared into the animal’s eyes.

“I will set some aside for you, but I am not giving you some from my plate.” He explained sternly before putting Kraken back on the floor, then turning back to see Lady Jenoure fighting against a smile.

“You talk to that animal as though it understands.”

“Animals understand more than you think. Especially cats, they just don’t want to be bothered with people- save for a few they like.”

Annika drank her liquor, her expression a strange mix of anxious and unreadable.

Fin observed this out of the corner of his eye as he continued eating his meal without saying a word. He didn’t trust that the woman wasn’t playing games with him again. He knew in uncertain social circumstances the quieter he was, the more his opponent was forced to reveal.

“They rank beneath me, but that doesn’t mean I can tell them to take their back handed compliments and shove them up-”

“Ah. Is that why you hide in the kitchens? To avoid them?” Fin cut her off while taking a sip of water from his cup.

Annika went still, but a slow smile grew on her face as her finger traced the lip of the pottery mug.

“Not quite. It is an added bonus though.”

“You should go upstairs and eat your food on proper dishware.” Fin announced as he forked the last of his asparagus into his mouth.

“I don’t like fish. Or any seafood for that matter.” She drained her mug, and Fin eyed it suspiciously.

“What have you eaten today?”

“I had one of your incredible scones with some clotted cream and jam, and some grapes.”

Fin shook his head, and stood.

He loosely grasped a loaf of thick white bread that had only just cooled from the oven on his table, then took a knife with a serrated blade, and carved three thick slices. He set the end crusty bit to the side, and dusted off his hands.

Fin then buttered both sides of two of the slices, and drew out his skillet. He placed another dollop of butter in the cast iron, and moved it over the fire. Once there was a golden puddle in the pan, he lay down a single slice of the bread, and rested the pan on a small grate.

Walking over to a small hatch in the ground in the upper left corner of the kitchen, Fin drew out two separate cheeses; one a brick of bright orange cheddar, and the other a wheel of brie. After setting them both on his table, and cutting thin pieces from each block, he rested them on the bread in the pan, then capped it the remaining buttered bread.

Annika’s mouth was already salivating. The smell of the toasting bread and butter had never been so scintillating.

In a matter of minutes, Fin slid from the pan a golden sandwich that had dripping gooey cheese between its slices, onto a plate in front of the Lady.

“It isn’t fancy, but it is delicious.”

She eyed the sandwich skeptically.

“This doesn’t look very… tidy.”

Fin rolled his eyes to the ceiling before snatching a knife and fork from the cups that held the lesser quality cutlery. He handed them to her gingerly, and then proceeded to dump his own dishes into the soapy bucket beside the cooking table.

He turned back towards the heaping bowls of prepped green beans, and began to empty the contents onto the table.

Annika sliced off a corner of the steaming sandwich, and using the fork he had given her, then tentatively bit into golden perfection.

Instinctively, her eyes closed, and a breath of pure satisfaction left her body. Which was when Fin stole a look at her face, and dared a smile before she could open her eyes to see.

By the time she came out of the spiritual experience, the sandwich was gone.

She looked at Fin with dazed surprise.

“That should be illegal.” She said while catching herself already considering licking the plate.

“I am glad you enjoyed it. Now please leave my kitchen.” Despite the abrupt wording of his request, Fin’s tone was softer as he cast her a single bemused glance before returning to the spinach.

Annika stood, and slowly stepped towards the door, still somewhat out of sorts from the experience.

“Thank you Fin. I think that dish has earned a place as one of my favorites.” She smiled at him, and Fin for the first time saw… her. No masks, no games… just Annika Jenoure. She looked as though she had been fighting in darkness on her own for far too long, and that smile…

That smile told him that the grilled cheese sandwich he’d made, had made a single moment of her life a little easier.

The spell was broken as movement in the corner of his eye drew Fin’s attention, and he saw Kraken eating the leftover salmon he had set aside up on the table.

“KRAKEN DOWN!”