Eylderfell || ONC 2024

4-4

The first few nights were difficult.

He'd used the Elder's magic as a source for his own, which meant their powers were connected. Even from the Eylderfell, the Elder seemed determined to torment him. At first, there were nightmares; that left him bolting awake in the early hours of the morning, sweat-drenched and screaming in terror.

But after a while, the Elder seemed to grow bored, and finally Tavor could rest. He awoke one morning to the light of the sunrise and lay comfortably in bed, enjoying the warmth of dawn. Sunlight still felt like a novelty to him after his time in the Eylderfell, and, like the cat, he relished every moment in the light.

The crow was already awake, perusing some of the medical textbooks while the cat snoozed on Tavor's chest. The villagers had set up a bed for him in the hospital, far in the back away from the other patients. One of the nurses wordlessly left medicine by his bedside in the morning and cleaned everything up at night.

The rest of the time he was left alone.

Tavor supposed that was the best outcome he could hope for. He'd promised them revenge, if they wanted. And they'd had ample time to take it while he was recovering and couldn't resist. So he took the silent treatment as a sign that they were willing to forgive, but perhaps not forget.

"Ah, you're up," the crow said. His left wing was still bare bone, but he had gotten better at using his beak to climb up and manoeuvre around. He insisted he didn't mind the change, but Tavor struggled to believe him. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," Tavor said. And he meant it. The rest and medicine was bringing his strength back. He was walking properly now, getting used to his strange plant-hand. The fight with the Elder had mostly depleted his magic, but he felt it growing bit by bit each day. "I think...I'll leave this place soon."

"Oh?" The crow closed the book. The cat stirred a little, blinking sleepily up at him. "I thought you wanted to stay? The townspeople don't seem to mind."

"It seems like it," Tavor said. "But..."

Perhaps they didn't fear witches as much now as they did before. But the scars of magic cut too deep here. Some he'd inflicted, and some by people years ago. Either way, there was no place for him here. He still wanted to return home, yearned for it. But home wasn't here for him anymore. Perhaps it had never been.

"There's more to the world than just the village," he said finally. "I want to start over, and find somewhere I belong."

The crow nodded. "A noble quest."

"What about you two?" Tavor asked. "What will you do?"

The crow chuckled. "Perhaps we'll stay here. There is much knowledge in this village. Did you know they have a building here, for the sole purpose of holding books? I visited the other night. An incredible experience."

The cat giggled. "Watch out, or you'll turn into a creepy spirit too," she said. "Hanging out in the library and eating people."

"Absurd," the crow said. "I have far more self-control than that."

"Maybe you could move in with Imizael," the cat teased. "She's got lots of knowledge, and she's probably super lonely in that little house."

Some of the good spirits left her, then. She glanced at Tavor and shuffled her paws, tail flicking across the surface of the duvet. "Do you...think you'll get lonely?"

Tavor shot her a quick look, but her gaze darted to the window before he could meet it.

"Perhaps," he said. "But it's better that way." He drew his knees up to his chest. "I've already hurt so many people. If I'm on my own, it'll be safer."

The idea filled him with terror. He'd only ever known rejection. Was that all that awaited him out there? He looked over at the familiars and forced a smile.

"It's better for you two, as well. You were working for Nestani for a long time. Now you're free to do whatever you want."

"But—" The cat looked at the crow, then back at him. "We want to go with you."

Tavor tensed. "What?"

"I know what you said in the forest," she continued. She sounded urgent, almost desperate. "But we didn't just work for Nestani. We were her friends. And you're our friend, too, Tavor. If you'd really be happier out there on your own, then that's absolutely fine. But...if you're just pushing us away because of what happened to Nestani, or because we were mean to you at the start — please don't."

She put her paws on his knee and looked up at him, eyes wide and imploring.

"Take us as your familiars. We'll go with you together. Every step of the way."

Something lodged in his throat. Tavor looked at the crow. "But I...I thought you wanted to stay in the library."

The crow scratched at his chest. "Well — I assumed you'd already made your position clear in the Eylderfell," he said. "There are books all over the world."

Tavor opened his mouth to argue. He couldn't understand why they'd choose to go with him, when they deserved so much better. But his rebuttals died on his lips. His heart felt light, buoyant with relief, and something straying dangerously close to happiness.

"Then...of course." Tavor smiled. "I'd be happy to have you."

The cat let out a mewl of happiness and jumped into his arms. "Really? You mean it?" She stepped back and sat upright, tail curled up behind her. "Wait, we should probably do this properly." 

She took in a deep breath. "Take me as your guide, that I shall be your hands, your ears, your eyes." She dipped her head. "Ife Nefeli, ready to serve."

The crow fluttered down to stand next to her. He bent his head and echoed, "Take me as your guide, that I shall be your hands, your ears, your eyes. Ostus Argiris, ready to serve."

"I...um." Tavor glanced between them. no idea what he was supposed to say. "Tavor. Ready...to accept?"

The crow shook his head, exasperated. "It'll do."

The cat opened one eye and giggled. "We'll work on it. You've got a lot to learn, little mageling."

FIN.