Hiraeth - A Tale of Witchcraft and Wonder [HIATUS]

Chapter Ten: Prelude

A fishlike being steps towards me, nudging a pair of oval glasses up their flat nose. I don’t recognise their dosilite, but they’re clearly not from here. They look like they could be from Chórounera, which is far from where we are. Their mossy eyes shimmer like the surface of a clear pool in the summer, stark against their pinkish, translucent skin. Fiery red fins flow behind them, long and wavy. A taller brunette trails behind them, a salamander resting on their shoulder. They looked a lot less enthusiastic than the piscine humanoid. They fell into a deep bow, tipping their pirate hat with a playful grin. “Pleasure to meet you, m’lady.” They quickly pulled their body up, twirling behind me. They placed their damp hands on my shoulders, moving their face next to mine. “The name’s Jenkins. Stacey Jenkins.” Her hands slipped off my shoulders, motioning to the now-flushed figure standing somewhere between the somewhat dispersed group, and us. They were petting the salamander, now resting in their hand. Every few moments, they would glance at me and Stacey. Our eyes would meet for a moment, and then they would look away, embarrassed. Stacey sighed blissfully by my ear, slumping into my shoulder. “That beautiful gal over there is my lady, Lena. She’s the prettiest witch I’ve ever met.” Hearing this, Lena’s face flushed even darker, and she stormed up to us with a huff. She grabbed Stacey by the ruffled collar of her pirate shirt, dragging her away from me. Lena smiled apologetically, sighing once more. “Sorry about her. She’s a little bit… Well, flamboyant, I suppose. She’s an Axolotl, so I suppose it’s a dosilite difference. Uh…” She trailed off, seeming to be at a loss for words. She was still holding a squirming Stacey by the collar, and it seemed like she had all but forgotten her. “Oh! Right, right. This is my familiar, Ronald.” She held her free hand out to me, the blackish amphibian flicking his eyes. Lena smiled down at him, before her dark, chocolatey eyes came back to meet mine. “Myself, Ronald and Stace work as a team, and we dapple in foreign affairs and seabound escapades. I'm a witch, so I also deal with magic uses. You'll see what I'm talking about when they get you doing field work."  I’m a witch, so I also deal with magic uses. You’ll see what I’m talking about when they get you doing field work.” Field work? What did she mean by-

All of a sudden, a figure forced themselves between Stacey and Lena. Surprised, the two made way for the newcomer. Their pleated skirt flowed airily around them as they walked, a corset layered over the top of it. They were the definition of air and grace, aristocratic superiority. They walked up to me on platform boots, tipping my face up to look at them with their index finger. “Why hello there, darling~. You’re quite the cute one, aren’t you?” Words dripped from their glossy lips like warm honey, sugary and enticing, and I felt a bead of sweat drip down my face. Their periwinkle blue irises felt threatening, and their honeyed words seemed more patronising than they should. I managed to choke out a reply, clutching my arms. “A-Aha, yeah.. Yep. Aha..” Before I could shove the freckled giant out of my personal bubble, they were yanked away from me by none other than Lena. She seemed to grab people a lot, huh? “Kaitlyn, do you really have to harass every new recruit here?” She let out an airy laugh, her two-toned locks bouncing slightly as she did so. “I would never harass the darling, Len. I was simply greeting her.” She smiled, before turning her attention back to me. “Well, I do suppose I should ‘introduce myself to the newbie’, in the words of Malkomin. Kaitlyn Ocaise. You may call me ‘Your Majesty’, ‘Your Royal Highness’, or-“ Lena shoved her, causing her sentence to drop off. She sighed, almost reluctantly continuing after having tucked a hazel strand of hair behind her ear. “I do suppose just Kaitlyn shall work. Ocaise, if you wish to be formal. I am a dark witch, though I’m sure-“ She presented her dark hands to me, although I had already noticed the deep tone of her skin. “-You would’ve already gathered as much from my appearance.” Sure, dark witches were known for their unusually dark skin, but I didn’t expect it to be as pale as it was. Almost pure black, like a midnight skyline. It was beautiful. I smiled, nodding slightly. She returned the gesture, continuing. “My job is to conceal our presence with magic, and to lead all nighttime ventures in this group.” I nodded once more, considering it. Her job definitely made sense. From what was said about them, dark witches were great at seeing in the dark, and even better at hiding in it. These rumours were probably true, if the work she was tasked with had anything to say about her abilities.

A figure pushed through the small crowd, their dull appearance stark against the bright hues of the group. They carried themselves with an air of erudite poise, some kind of elegance. I hadn’t even talked to them, and I already got the sense that it would be in my best interest to give them my utmost respect. As they lithely pushed past Kaitlyn and Stacey, I noticed dark feathers creeping up the side of their face, not unlike the feathers of a raven. There really is a wide range of people here, huh? Birdfolk are on the other side of the country, all the way in the grey mountain ranges of Trachyfosia, or the depths of the forest-filled Movrádeus. This one doesn’t look exactly like a birdfolk, though. They had pale, translucent skin under their loose blouse, and they had delicate hands instead of claws. Might be some kind of hybrid- People didn’t take too nicely to them at all. They were often abandoned and ostracized, even by their own people. I see why they would be here, and my heart softens slightly. They're just like… Me. Lost, without any real direction. That’s right. This institution isn’t just a rebellion against dictatorship. It’s a safe haven for people who need it the most. Just like them, just like me. I smile at them as they near, and they return it. A small sliver of hope in a cold world. A short conversation, yet so meaningful. They idle in front of me for a moment, not making a move. Eventually, they gently extend a hand to me, offering a slight smile. “Hello. I am known as Juliet.” I take her hand, shaking it. “Phoenix.” I release her hand, and for a moment, there is only silence between us. I can feel the eyes of Stacey, Lena and Kaitlyn on us, but my eyes are locked with the dark, glittering eyes of the taller woman before me. She clears her throat, averting her gaze. “The part that I play in this group is the navigator, of sorts. It is my job to get us into and out of places.” I nod in affirmation, remaining silent. That sounded really important… She would probably need to be very prepared, sensible and mature. It’s no wonder that I got that impression from her. It made sense, too, if she was from where I expected. Both Movrádeus and Trachyfosia were on the other side of the country, and it would’ve taken a few months just to get even halfway from there to here, and that would be if you went through Maiochíkaftós. Maiochíkaftós was hell on earth. A hot, barren wasteland, with not another living being in sight. It was much safer to go through Chorounera or Kryapteia, the ice lands, but at the expense of time. Neither Chorounera nor Kryapteia were particularly pleasant environments for outsiders, from what rumours said. If you couldn’t swim for days on end, Chorounera was completely out of the picture, and you would be lucky to get out of Kryapteia without freezing to death. Juliet would definitely have a large network of connections from her travels. The people here really were something, huh? Talented, strong, cunning… I almost felt as though I didn’t even belong here. Perhaps picking up on my discomfort, the ravenette laid a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, Phoenix?” I look up, her abysmal eyes drawing me in. I tilt my head to the side, imploring for her to continue. “Phoenix, I don’t know you well at all, but I’m sure you’re more than worthy to be here. Welcome to the family.” Four words… Four words, and I'm- I swipe the back of my hand over my eyes, brushing away furious tears. That means… That means everything to me. I wanted to say something, to express my gratitude, but I just couldn't get the words out. Almost as if she intuitively knew everything that I wanted to say, she wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace.

"You're welcome."

Our moment was jarringly interrupted by a loud whistle, Juliet quickly pulling away at the sound. It seemed to mean the same thing to the rest of the group, as they all turned to the source of the sound. As did I, intrigued. Winnie stood at the front of her room, stance wide and her arms crossed. Her voice rang out, clear and perfectly enunciated, words spoken so perfectly that they had to be rehearsed.

"Soldiers, training has ended. Please exit the training grounds, and make your way to your designated sector."

Juliet looks at me, eyes curving into crescents, a sure smile. "Welcome home. Have a good evening, Phoenix." Without giving me time to respond, the birdlike creature had disappeared, almost as though she were a mirage this whole time. The group slowly trickled out of the room, Stacey looking back to give me a grin and a wave, and Kaitlyn giving me a slight curtsey before leaving along with everyone else.

My mind felt unclear, overloaded with information. I really needed to get some rest. I turned to leave along with the rest of the group, before I was stopped by a familiar voice.

"MacArthur, wait."