We soon reached the village square. It was simply an open space with dirt packed from many people stepping on it every day. Some villagers were standing around and watching us. The buildings around were nothing special except for two. There was a large warehouse or barn on one side and the only two-storey home on the other side. That was where we were headed.

As we reached the door, I jumped off my friend’s arm. We filed into the main hall which spanned over most of the ground floor. There were a few wooden pillars holding up the structure and a large table but most of the space was clear. A few doors led off to the sides and in the back was a staircase.

“Welcome to my home, Fio”, Circe said with a flourish.

“I guess this room is used for gatherings?”

“Correct”, Joanne said, “We have our bedrooms above but the kitchen is over there.”

She pointed to one of the doors.

“Circe? Is that you?”, a voice called from above.

I heard steps moving on the wood above. They were not as heavy as the deep baritone had suggested and when the owner walked down, I could see why. It was a young man almost looking like a boy. He seemed much too soft for such an out-of-the-way village. And yet he demanded attention with his every movement.

“You’re back!”, he beamed when he saw us.

Circe smiled and ran into his arms. Even though she was supposedly almost a decade younger, he was only one head taller than his sister.

“I am! Hey, Tom.”

The two hugged for a minute as more steps moved above. These were a bit heavier but not by much. The next man to make it down the stairs looked scrawny in that typical way of old people. His hair was starting to grey and his skin was wrinkly and sun-tanned. Once again, there was a presence to him, even stronger than on Thomas.

“Welcome home, daughter.”

“Dad!”, she cheered as she jumped into his arms. I almost expected him to buckle over but he caught her safely and chuckled.

“I missed you, girl. You should come visit more often.”

Soon they were separated and everyone was gathered around the table. Circe wanted me to sit on her lap but I insisted on my own chair. She had started putting me out there so I would be myself.

“Now”, Circe’s father began, “Why don’t you tell us about that owl of yours?”

His wife cleared her throat.

“Dear, she is a little more than you think.”

“Is that so?”

He looked at me. I had half a mind to pretend not to be what was claimed but decided to connect to the others with [Telepathy] instead.

“Good day, everyone. I am Fio Catori. I hatched in the mountains close to this village and was sapient from the very beginning. I met Circe a few weeks ago in the woods and joined her and Mira, eventually deciding to become an [Apprentice Witch].”

Thomas’ eyes widened more and more with every word. His father had a more subdued reaction but I could see concern in his posture.

“I see”, he said, “Welcome to Greypeak village, Miss Catori. I am Herbert Helio, current head of this village. Would you mind if I [Identify] you?”

“I would, in fact.”

“She’s fine, Dad. Master can vouch for her. So can Leon.”

At that, Joanne perked up.

“Leon knows her? Why did he not say anything?”

“That’s what I want to know as…”

Thomas was interrupted by the door banging open.

“Hey, I’m here”, Leon said, “The work is done!”

He winked at me.

“What work, Sweetie?”, his mother almost snarled. There was a hint of a smile on her face.

“Uhm. Dressing the kill?”

“What kill? And why did you not tell us about the sapient beast living with your sister?”

“Animal, please”, I said, “I’m not a monster. Or person, if you want.”

I met the woman’s glare without flinching.

“Well, Mum, you see…”, the boy started but was interrupted by his brother.

“You really didn’t think we’d want to know?”

“Uhm… I thought you knew? I told Bert and the other hunters…”

That took the steam out of the men. His mother was not so easily subdued, though.

“And you did not tell us? It should be the first thing you do after finding out.”

“I’m right here, you know?”, I said.

“And you are a threat”, Joanne stated.

I bobbed my head.

“I am. To those, I do not deem my friends.”

“Guys! Calm down!”, Circe sniffed, “Please?”

Joanne’s pressed-together lips opened slightly.

“Mum? Can you not talk like that to my friend?”

The woman hesitated for a moment before relenting.

“Fine. I will talk to you later, Leon.”

“Yes, Mum.”

He sat down on the other side of me that was kept free until now.

“Let’s start again”, Herbert said, “How long have you been living near our village?”

“Not long”, I said, “I like to travel a lot. I only returned recently from the south.”

“I see. Do you want to live in this village?”

“I don’t.”

Circe pouted.

“But I will likely visit every now and then.”

“That will make things difficult. Any sapient beasts… or animals – have to be reported to the lord if they do not live as a citizen.”

“As I said, I like to explore. What do you want me to do? Not fly everywhere?”

I flapped my wings for emphasis. Circe giggled at the gushing air.

“I suppose I can’t stop you but there will be someone coming to try and take you in.”

“No!”, Circe exclaimed.

“Yes”, her father nodded, “If I don’t do my duty, I’ll be the one punished. Or your brother, I suppose.”

“What would I need to be considered a citizen? And who would come after me if I wasn’t?”

“The first is simple. You need a place to live, preferably with a human but that isn’t required. And then, you need the acceptance of the townsfolk. I, and Thomas, would be talking to them and if they accept you, we would consider you a citizen of Greypeak.

“The second is more difficult to answer. Most likely a group of mercenaries or possibly even knights would be sent out, depending on the perceived danger. If there is suspicion of you having access to thaumaturgy, the Crimson Church might get involved.”

“I see. How would citizenship work in a larger town? Or a full-on city?”

“There, you would have to appease the mayor or lord and you would likely be questioned by a local representative of the Church.”

“Well, I think it would be easier to make everyone here like me.”

“That reminds me”, Leon said, “She’s brought a contribution for the festival.”

“She did?”, Thomas asked, “Was that the kill you talked about earlier?”

“Yup. She got a whole mountain goat. Clean hole in the skull. Perfect hide. I couldn’t have done a better job.”

“Hole in the skull?”, Joanne asked, “And how, pray tell, does an owl put a clean hole in a goat skull?”

“Uhm…”

Everyone looked at me with a few worried glances at Circe.

“Hey, stop it! She’s super nice! She’s even teaching me maths with Master.”

Thomas blinked.

“She can do maths?”

“I’m right here. Yes. I even have a Skill for it.”

“Oh.”

“As for how I hunted the goat, I used another Skill of mine for that.”

“Which one?”, Circe asked, “Is it from your other Class?”

I wanted to slap my forehead and the human me in my soul did just that.

“Other Class?”, Herbert asked, “Are you that high of a level?”

“Yes.”

“How?”, Leon stared.

“I am evolved. It is much easier to level for me.”

“You… I see. The Church will most definitely want to talk to you, then. And Lord Ekos as well. And I need to [Identify] you to make my report.”

I scoffed.

“I don’t want that. I don’t mind my friends knowing my Classes or levels but it’s not going into some official record.”

We faced off for a moment which was broken by Circe.

“She’s not an enemy, Dad. Just get to know her and you’ll understand.”

I dodged her attempt at petting my wing which made her shout and nearly fall off the chair. Joanne smiled while Thomas considered us.

“I think we can try?”, the young man said, “You said you like to travel, right? When are you planning to leave?”

“I’m looking to get a few more levels under Mira’s tutoring. Maybe a week or two after the festival?”

“What? So soon?”, Circe complained.

“I have some things I want to look for. I’ll be gone for a week or two, probably.”

“Where to?”, Herbert asked.

“The east. I want to scout the edge of the forest and maybe a little deeper in.”

“That’s a dangerous path. I suppose you know what you’re doing.”

“I do.”

“Well, we can get to know each other in the meantime, right?”, Thomas said, “Maybe we’ll get along?”

He had a slightly forced smile while looking into the round. Herbert harrumphed but seemed accepting of the idea, Circe beamed at her brother, Leon seemed lost in his thoughts and Joanne was nodding with approval.

“Where are you staying?”, Thomas asked, “At the witch hut?”

“It’s a proper house!”, Circe complained.

“Yes, yes…”

“No. I have a place in the mountains for the time being.”

“I see. It might be best if you stay in town. If everyone can see you a little more often, they’ll get used to your presence.”

“While that makes sense, I’m not sure I want to.”

“She has family in the mountains”, Leon said, “I don’t think you want to host a whole owl family.”

I cursed my impeccable hearing for picking up the whispered ‘Whowl family…’ from Joanne.

“Is that so? Even more of a reason to get to know them”, Thomas said, “Are they all sapient?”

I hesitated.

“Do you have to include that in the report as well?”

“Yes. If they are.”

I gave Leon the stink eye but he was looking at the ceiling. It did not even seem like he was avoiding any confrontation.

“The answer to that is complicated.”

“I thought you want to meet the Church anyway?”, Circe asked.

“Yes. But I wanted to have it be on my terms…”

“So they are?”, Herbert asked.

“Partially. My sister and parents are. I have two little brothers that are on the cusp. They hatched this year so it will still take some time.”

“… you have access to a node”, Herbert stated.

That made all eyes focus on me. Leon was the only one ignoring the situation. Circe seemed concerned for me or maybe for what I might do. The others were differing levels of being intrigued.

“What made you think that?”, I asked with a hint of mirth.

“Where is it?”

“Deep in the mountains”, I said.

He nodded.

“I see. I’ll still have to report it and you might be conscripted for help by the Paladins if they do send a strike team. If it’s really that far away, they might not bother.”

I did not like how this whole thing turned out. Maybe staying incognito properly would have made this a little easier. At least I knew I was going to see the Church soon. I could ask them if they knew about Ugark. The ork thaumaturge had moved into these lands around a year ago and might have been picked up by them. I was curious as to what they were doing with all that knowledge and manpower they were surely holding.