“So how’d you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Earn the Captain’s ‘conflict resolution’.”

Sir Harris had been pestering Fin the entire morning for details following the match. As a result the original trio of Knights, Peter, and Hannah resumed their work without their new team member.

Fin was already feeling sore and stiff from the encounter with the Captain. The aches in his arms and legs forced him to silently admit that he was far more out of shape than he had realized. It also meant that he was far more exhausted than normal as he worked on tidying up his table to make way for his dinner preparations.

“Sir Harris you have dumped your work on the rest of your team. You will stay alone after dinner and do the dishes.” Fin didn’t look up or bother masking his irritation.

The cook turned and retrieved a bowl of seasoned bread dough that had been rising.

“I’ll make you a deal! If you answer three of my questions, I will do all of dinner and breakfast dishes by myself!”

“You’re aware I could just order you to do those things regardless of a deal, right?”

“…You’re too fair-minded to do that.”

Fin’s fists rested on the table as he leaned onto them and bowed his head wearily while sighing heavily. He could easily order the Knight away- he didn’t owe him any explanation. Then again, if he ever expected Sir Harris to own up to his own short comings and errors, he best lead by example.

“Get on with it then.”

Despite Sir Harris being close in age to Fin, he looked as excited as Eric would if Fin gave him a cookie instead of fruit for a snack.

“Alright, what did you do?”

“I spoke disrespectfully to the Captain and overstepped my station.”

Sir Harris nodded thoughtfully and jutted out his right hip as he listened.

“Yeah? I did something similar when I first got here, and you did a lot better than I did! I’m not just saying this either, you fight better than most of the young Knights.” Sir Harris complimented with a grin. “It’s a good strategy the Captain uses when you think about it… I learned to respect him, and the other Knights admired me more for it.”

Fin frowned suddenly and straightened.

“Sir Harris, did you have a poor relationship with your father?”

The Knight’s face fell and his formerly pleased expression turned angry.

“I’m the one asking the questions.”

The cook filed away the reaction into his mind, but shrugged casually to encourage the conversation along. Sir Harris shook his head and resumed his questioning, though he was noticeably more subdued.

“Second question; why didn’t you say no to the match? You aren’t a Knight, you probably could’ve just taken an easier punishment from Ruby.”

Fin pinched the bridge of his nose as he forced words from his mouth. He really wasn’t one for lengthy discussions regarding his thought process.

“The Captain wasn’t trying to be an ass. He was right to call me out and I don’t fear physical confrontation.”

“You just accepted his side? No complaints?”

“I choose my battles. I meant what I had said to him. My argument on the matter I addressed is by no means over. However I find it best to be mindful of how to get what I want without starting a war.”

Sir Harris looked pensive but also respectful towards the cook, as the man slowly raised his heavy gaze to the Knight.

“You are out of questions. Be prepared for the cleaning of a lifetime.” Fin pointed towards the open garden door, making Sir Harris blustered.

“I meant my third question to be where you learned to fight like a Zinferan.” He declared giving a charming smile that Fin had no doubt made him successful with women.

The cook’s wry expression in response made Sir Harris’ façade fall, and he grumbled to himself as he exited the kitchen.

‘The Captain made me admirable to the other Knights while putting me in my place. Could it be, he did so for my words to carry more weight with them?’

Fin to rubbed his face and began counting down the hours until he could sleep, when the castle door sprung open.

“Hilda’s coming!” A maid Fin had never met before appeared. She wore a rose dress with a blue apron, which informed him that she was one of the mid-level maids.

“Am I supposed to know who Hilda is?” He asked as he set the freshly risen dough onto the floured surface of his table.

“The infamous drunkard of Austice?!” The maid replied breathlessly.

“Ah, yes. I have heard of her once or twice from the Knights. Does she have specific dietary restrictions?” Fin inquired dully as the young woman kept glancing over her shoulder as though expecting an attack.

“Other than always needing spirits? No!” She exclaimed while shoving a lock of chestnut brown hair that had become loose behind her ear.

“… Miss, you are not making sense.” The cook tilted his head and stared at the woman emotionlessly.

“One of the tavern owners cut her off!”

Fin was doing his best to stay patient, as he attempted to understand the hysteria behind a drunken peasant being forced to become sober for a short time.

“Is there something I need to-”

“The King has summoned you! He is in the counsel room on the second floor- the third door on the right from the servant’s stairwell.”

Fin’s puzzled expression went unnoticed as the young woman scurried away.

Letting out a long sigh and rubbing his face, the cook felt dread rise in him. He had only fought with the Captain that morning, and was already out of sorts from the exchange. He hoped it wasn’t going to be a stressful encounter with his majesty.

The first order of business was informing his aides. Fin jogged out to meet them, and found he arrived at the same time as Sir Harris who had clearly taken a leisurely pace to get there. His new aide’s cavalier attitude was an issue Fin would have to deal with later.

Hannah was on her feet immediately when Fin informed them of his instructions for dinner.

“If I am not back in an hour, please put the bread in the oven for less than half an hour.”

“Why wouldn’t you come back?” The fear and worry in Hannah’s voice made a warm sensation in Fin’s chest to appear.

“I might be needed for a long time. You all will do just fine. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“Why does the King want to see you? Is it because of your incident with the Captain?” Sir Harris’ bright eyes gleamed as his love of gossip burst forward.

Rolling his eyes, the cook didn’t bother to answer as he turned and headed back to the castle. He hadn’t realized the night of the festival that the Knight was so energetic. He must have been more inebriated that night than Fin had initially realized.

Not knowing what the commotion was, the witch strode swiftly all the way up to the room that the maid had directed him towards. He passed by several nobles and footmen that all seemed to be abuzz with worry.

He was beginning to form outlandish speculations over the frenzy, and why it pertained to him, when he thrust open the counsel room door.

Inside were Captain Antonio, Mr. Howard, Mage Lee, Keith, and his majesty the King.

The royal remained seated as all eyes turned to the cook. The King didn’t respond at all to his presence, and instead addressed his Captain who stood frowning at the surprise arrival.

“See that the civilians know to stay in their homes. Send three quarters of your men to contain the situation and guard the people. None of the Knights should wear plate armor in case they need to fish out civilians that are unable to swim. The rest of the Knights shall remain here.” The Captain bowed and made his exit brushing past Fin while giving him a quick perplexed glance.

“Mr. Howard you will instruct Ruby to allow the staff to return to their chambers for the time being. Keith you will guard the Queen’s chamber.”

The two men were dismissed, leaving Fin alone with mage Lee and the King.

The cook bowed before drawing closer, and once again ignoring the bewildered expressions he received from Keith and Mr.Howard.

“You summoned me your grace?”

“Mr. Ashowan how much experience do you have with water witches?”

Fin took an instinctive step back from the King, and his right hand twitched in surprise at the forthright question.

“Pardon your majesty?”

“Hilda… we were unaware, but she is a water witch.” The stress in the King’s voice did not go unnoticed by the cook.

“Witches lack proper control and knowledge of their powers to begin with. Hilda was subduing herself with copious amounts of alcohol throughout the years, and no one was the wiser.” Mage Lee volunteered shaking his head sadly.

“She was docile until she was cut off?” Fin supplied as he put the pieces together.

“Precisely.” The King agreed with a nod.

Fin folded his arms across his chest.

“Why not just offer her a drink?”

“Hilda is… unreasonable at this time. It would seem she is beyond reach with words. She has made the main road running through Austice a powerful river straight down to the Alcide sea. Should anyone get in her way, she draws the water into her reach and sweeps the individual away. Fortunately, most residents of Austice can swim, but this still poses as a problem.” The King explained gravely.

“What is it you wish for me to do?” Fin asked beginning to suspect where the conversation was heading.

“I have sent an emergency message to the Coven of Wittica, however we need to detain Hilda until they arrive. What can you tell us about water witches?” The King’s voice was so forceful it made Fin unconsciously straighten his shoulders.

“They are problematic to fire witches and bonfires.” The cook gave a small shrug.

Mage Lee growled at his insolence, while the King’s expression darkened.

“Every witch is different. Why is she heading here?” Fin changed the topic. He hadn’t meant to be rude, he truly didn’t know what kind of answer they wanted. Despite his outwardly calm exterior, he was beginning to panic.

“Something about Keith…” The King turned to mage Lee with a frown, who shrugged and shook his head in confusion in response.

A snippet of the festival snapped into Fin’s mind vividly.

“Keith told the tavern owner to cut her off.” He announced abruptly.

The monarch turned to mage Lee perplexed.

“I think it is a new owner unaware of the rumors about Hilda. I myself have only heard one or two tidbits of information myself.”

Both mage Lee and the King looked at Fin, and in unison both said;

“You do not let Hilda get sober.”

The cook frowned.

“Why is this common knowledge?”

“No one knows where the rule came from, but elders have passed down the warning. Hilda is in her late sixties, nearing seventies by my estimation. Much about her youth remains a mystery. She has never made it known she wielded such power.” Mage Lee explained his voice taking on a wizened tone.

“I gather we all know the reason to keep her cup full now.” Fin pointed out dryly.

He received dirty looks and bowed quickly while offering his apology immediately to the King. He truly didn’t mean to aggravate the situation. The witch’s growing anxiety was making him feel lightheaded despite his composure remaining aloof. Other than the unhelpful remarks he kept making of course...

“What is it you would like me to do, your highness?” Fin addressed the King humbly.

“I am asking you to partner with mage Lee to neutralize her.”

Fin briefly flitted his gaze the mage before returning to the King.

The request sounded more like an order.

“She needs to be on castle grounds. Somewhere I’ve been if I am to have any kind of help.”

“Have you ever been to the front door?”

“No, but if I go now before she arrives it will be fine.” The cook answered with a bow.

“Good. Mage Lee, please accompany Mr. Ashowan so that in the event that Hilda arrives too early, he does not get washed out to the Alcide sea.”

Mage Lee gave a short brisk nod at the King’s hard tone, and the two men bowed in unison before turning towards the counsel room door. Both men had begun to move out of the room when Fin suddenly turned back around.

“Your majesty, please keep as many people from seeing me as possible. I still prefer to not have my abilities known.”

There was a tension in the King’s forehead as he leaned forward.

“I cannot guarantee anything Mr. Ashowan. In times of emergency for the greater good, we must make sacrifices. The best I can suggest is to remain under the covered entryway, no one will be able to spot you there.”

The reply made Fin’s stomach thicken in knots. He wasn’t ready to deal with being discovered…

He didn’t want to ever hear the horrible names people invented, or to be unable to help those in desperate need that would surely call out for his help.

The mage and cook exited the chamber without another word, and made their way down to the first floor as tensions rose around them.

The memories and worries of his previous experiences when a person learned of what he was, dug deeper and deeper into Fin’s mind.

With each step he took, the wriggling maggot of fear gnawed his insides until he was quite certain he would be ill.

“Try not to vomit before we capture the witch.” Mage Lee chortled at the pale complexion of the tall redhead as they neared the front doors.

“Why is it you cannot handle her alone?” Fin demanded in response without taking his eyes away from the massive high arching doors that two guards began to open upon their arrival. If the soldiers found it strange that the cook was accompanying the mage, they did nothing to show it.

“My thoughts exactly. If you wish to stand back and allow me to work, I couldn’t care less. The King I believe is being overly cautious.” The smugness in the mage’s tone grated Fin’s nerves, but he was too desperate to retort.

“I will only become involved if you need me to.” He announced managing to keep his voice calm.

Mage Lee turned then and studied the witch closely.

“Is it Hilda or discovery you fear more?”

“Discovery.”

The mage frowned.

“You will not be hunted or harmed for being a witch Mr. Ashowan.” He reminded his voice more patient.

“There are worse things than being hunted.” The look on the young man’s face forced the mage into silence as he began to ponder what on earth had made the cook so fearful.

The duo exited the front doors and stood on the wide stone landing that spread out before the stairs, and overlooked the ring for carriages. In the centre circle grew flowers of various blues, whites, and yellows. Rising above the cheery blooms, stood a statue of the Goddess and the Green Man. She was in her virgin form, and he in his prime. Between them stood the first young witch they created as a child. She had long hair, a freckled nose, and an impish grin. Beside her stood her brother the devil.

“Where is Hilda pulling the water from?” Fin queried as the faint cries of the citizens and rush of water slowly reached their ears.

“Whatever do you mean?” Mage Lee turned perplexed as Fin leaned away, shielded his eyes from the sun, and gazed at the sky.

“Hilda is a powerful witch to be drawing enough water to create an entire rushing river down to the sea. Where is she pulling the water from though? There wouldn’t be enough in the city wells alone. If she is pulling water from the air-”

“Pull water from the air?! Are you daft? There is no one with that kind of power! It simply-”

Fin casually waved his hand and drew out a bubble of water from nothing. He drank it straight from the air and turned to stare calmly at the mage who was rendered speechless.

“It would be harder for her to do that for large quantities. If she pulled it from the clouds however…” Fin glanced to the sky again and nodded. There were only a few wisps in the blue canvas.

“She will be running out of power soon. Unless of course she keeps using her magic to the point that it requires her life energy to sustain.”

The mage continued gaping.

“We cannot let her die while maintaining a river in the middle of the city, otherwise it will become permanent.”

Finally Lee found his voice.

“Magic that drains a witch of both magic and life becomes permanent?”

“That is how curses are formed. Yes.” Fin nodded as the ground quaked beneath their feet.

“Where was this information when the King was asking about it?!”

Fin gave a small shrug.

“I was put on the spot.”

The witch ignored the look of exasperation on the mage’s face. Instead he glanced at the intricate stone carving of trees that cradled the front doors. They mimicked the massive tree shaped pillars holding up the stone ceiling that arched high over the landing beside the stairs.

They were a remarkable show of craftsmanship that made Fin wish he had more time to gawk over them.

“So we need to delay her enough to make her reasonable without using too much magic. Is it that we are better off waiting for the Coven?” Mage Lee’s grip on his staff tightened.

“Preferable, but it is doubtful they will get here in time.”

“You aren’t an air witch.” The announcement from the elder made Fin laugh.

“No.”

“You are powerful?”

“No.”

Mage Lee shook his head.

“I think you are a bigger idiot than you realize if you do not believe so.” He muttered.

“You studied for at least ten years just to be able to compete with witches. Yet your most significant accomplishment to date was reproducing the biggest idiot on the continent. I’m going to trust what my tutor told me.”

The mage turned seriously to the witch.

“That was a grave offense Mr. Ashowan.” His low voice was severe.

Fin closed his eyes.

He knew he had once again let his mouth run off. It was a bad day for it.

His heart was racing and he was terrified, but he shouldn’t lash out. Even if it was just towards mage Lee.

Despite knowing he should, he didn’t offer an apology. He’d been humble and patient enough for one day.

“Your son started all of this by giving bad advice.”

The mage glared but decided to change the topic.

“What kind of witch are you, and what in the world did your tutor say?” Lee demanded casting an understanding but also milky eye over the witch.

“Save your magic for Hilda. If you must know, I am a house witch.” His eyes remained shut as he tried to calm his emotions.

Mage Lee gave no reaction as he continued to study him using magic- blatantly ignoring Fin’s instruction.

“He told me I was born deficient, but that I could be useful to a large household. Doing things like preparing meals and making them comfortable would be the best use of my power. It isn’t great, but then again great witches don’t do much with their abilities, so what does it matter?” Fin knew he sounded strained.

It became abundantly clear to the mage then, that the cook’s opinion of his own magic was a point of great contention.

“I do not care much for you Mr. Ashowan. Your manners are atrocious, you’re condescending, and you hold unbelievably high expectations of the world.” Fin opened his eyes and turned to the mage.

“However, you are honest. I will in turn be honest with you.”

The cook folded his arms across his chest, not caring that he could feel a faint mist waft across his face. Hilda was close.

“I’ve sought to discover your magic twice now. The first time I believed I had not gotten close enough to you to have read it correctly, and therefore dismissed what I saw. This time however, if I allow myself to believe in the unknown, I believe I have read you correctly all along. You are of all elements Mr. Ashowan. You are far from weak. I see earth, fire, air, and water in you. More earth and fire, but the others are there all the same. Perhaps they are centered around the home, but I have not met one of your kind before so I truly do not know.”

Fin was shocked. His mouth opened and closed several times as the mage turned away from him looking all too pleased with himself.

“I cannot use my powers outside of my home.” He blurted without pausing to think. The stupid mage had knocked him off balance with his declaration.

The Coven had performed similar examinations of his abilities, yet none of them had said anything about his abilities being of all elements. It made sense though…

Fin was beginning to feel incredibly foolish for letting his weakness slip out, when mage Lee spoke.

“I saw you quell my mage fire and control items in the air. Perhaps you are only able to use the four elements in your home. It could be nature’s way of balancing your magic.”

The idea that he had great power to balance great weakness, burned through Fin’s mind until there wasn’t any coherent thought.

When he had finally regained an ounce of his composure, the cook began to speak.

“You-”

His words were cut off when a sudden spray of water erupted over the ridge of the castle’s laneway from the main road leading down to Austice. Riding atop the waves stood a woman with long wavy gray hair, eyes filled with swirling blues, a long dirty peasant dress, and hemp cloak fluttering about her in the wind.

Both Fin and mage Lee walked purposefully towards the edge of the landing.

“Try to finish up quickly, I want to get back to making dinner.” Fin sounded bored and the mage gave him a small bitter smile.

“I’ll do what I can bitch witch.”