HISTORY OF WITCHES

"Family Ties

As the night drew to a close, my mother tucked me into bed, her gentle hands smoothing out the blankets. She leaned down to kiss my forehead, her lips was warm and comforting. "Sleep tight, Arachne," she whispered. "May your dreams be sweet."
I snuggled under the blankets, feeling the softness of the wool and the gentle give of the mattress. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt my mother's presence lingering in the room, a soothing energy that seemed to watch over me.
But my dreams were not sweet. Instead, I found myself in a dark and foreboding forest, the trees looming above me like sentinels. And then, I saw her - Nyx, the girl from the village, but not as I knew her. She was older, her features sharper and more defined, her eyes flashing with a fierce determination.
But she was trapped, bound by chains that seemed to wrap around her like living vines. I tried to reach out to her, to help her, but my hands were frozen in place. And then, everything went black.
I woke up panting, my heart racing in my chest. I didn't know what had happened, or why I had seen Nyx in my dream. It was just a random image, a fragment of my subconscious mind. But it felt real, felt like a warning or a portent.
I lay in bed for a moment, trying to calm my racing thoughts. But eventually, I threw off the covers and got out of bed. It was time to start the day.
My mother was already up, busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast. My brother, Theron was helping her, his face wa serious as he cracked eggs into a bowl. My father was away, working in the fields, and when he was gone, My brothers were allowed to help with the chores.
But when my father was home, it a different story. The boys were not allowed to do anything, not even help with the simplest tasks. It was as if my father believed that they would be somehow tainted by the domestic work, that it would make them less masculine.
I rolled my eyes as I helped my mother with the breakfast, feeling a familiar sense of frustration. Why did my father have to be so stubborn, so set in his ways?
After breakfast, I helped with the chores, feeding the animals and sweeping the floor. It was hard work, but it needed to be done. And besides, it gave me a sense of satisfaction, of accomplishment.
As the morning wore on, I began to feel tired, the lack of sleep from the night before catching up with me. I decided to take a quick nap, curling up on my bed with a sense of relief.
As I drifted off to sleep, I saw the book that my mother had given me the night before, lying on the table beside my bed. I reached out to pick it up, feeling a sense of curiosity. What secrets did it hold?
But before I could open the book, I heard a loud burst of laughter, followed by the sound of footsteps pounding up the stairs. I smiled, knowing that it was Daphne, come to visit me again. Judging from the laughter I could tell Attitus was behind it.
"Daphne!" I exclaimed, sitting up in bed and smiling at my friend. "What brings you here today?" Daphne bright smile illuminating the space. "Arachne, what's that?" she asked, her curiosity piqued , ignoring my earlier question. I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to share Mother's gift. But Daphne's enthusiasm was infectious.
"It's a book Mother gave me," I said, handing it over reluctantly. Daphne's eyes widened as she flipped through the pages. "Oh, this is beautiful! The illustrations are stunning." "I know," I said, feeling a pang of possessiveness.
Daphne looked up, her expression thoughtful. "May I borrow it for a while? I promise I'll take care of it." I hesitated, but Daphne's genuine interest won me over. "Okay, but promise you'll return it soon." Daphne grinned. "I promise."
As she tucked the book into her apron pocket, I couldn't help but think that Daphne was the daughter my Mother would have wanted – obedient, domestic, and kind. Daphne's presence was a reminder of the life I was expected to lead, one that seemed so different from the adventures I dreamed of.
"Thanks, Arachne," Daphne said, hugging me tightly. "You're the best." I smiled, feeling a mix of affection and envy. Why couldn't I be more like Daphne – content with the simple life?
Soon as night came Daphne skipped out of my room, our four brothers clomped upstairs, their boisterous laughter and teasing filling the hallway. First, there was Theron, the eldest, with his serious demeanor and sense of responsibility. He was the one who took Father's place when he was away.
Next was Atticus the charming jokester, always ready with a witty remark or a playful prank. Then came twins, Lysander and Cassius, identical in appearance but vastly different in personality. Lysander was the dreamer, always lost in thought, while Cassius was the adventurer, eager to explore.
As they entered the dining room, Mother's eyes lit up with warmth. "Wash your hands, boys. Dinner's ready." As Daphne was heading out my mother invited her for dinner.
The brothers chattered and argued, their energy infectious. I watched, feeling grateful for this chaotic, loving family.
Just as we sat down, shortly Father walked in, his face weathered from the outside world. His eyes scanned the table, lingering on each of us before settling on Mother.
"Ah, welcome back, dear," Mother said, her smile tight. Father's presence was like a storm cloud, casting a shadow over our lively dinner. The brothers sensed it too, their chatter died down.
Theron cleared his throat. "Father, how was your trip?" Father's expression turned grim. "It was...eventful." Atticus snickered. "Did you bring back any tales for us?" Father's gaze narrowed. "This isn't a joke, Atticus. The world outside is treacherous."
Lysander's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Tell us, Father." Cassius leaned in, his face set in a determined expression. "We can handle it." I exchanged a glance with Daphne sensing the tension building.
Daphne pushed her chair back. "Thank you for dinner, Mr and Mrs Asteria. I should head home." I stood up, grasping my cloak. "I'll walk with you." Mother nodded, her eyes flicking to Father, whose expression had darkened.
As we walked outside, the evening air was crisp, stars beginning to twinkle in the sky. Daphne and I walked in comfortable silence, our footsteps synchronizing. As we reached her doorstep, Daphne turned to me. "Thanks for the company, Arachne." I smiled. "Anytime."
Watching her disappear into the warmth of her home, I felt a pang of envy. Daphne's life seemed so simple, so peaceful. I didn't return inside. Instead, I wandered into the night, picturing the scenes Father was painting for my brothers.
"...and then, I encountered a band of ruthless highwaymen," Father's voice echoed in my mind. I imagined Theron's serious expression, Atticus 's wide eyes, and the twins' rapt attention. "...but I outsmarted them, using the forest as cover."
The wind rustled through the trees as I sat down, Father's tales conjuring images of danger and bravery. Suddenly, the village seemed more suffocating. I yearned to experience the thrill of adventure, to test my courage beyond these familiar streets.
Cassius and I shared a bond that went beyond sibling affection. We were kindred spirits, our restless hearts beating to the same rhythm. People often mistook us for twins, not realizing that Lysander was Cassius's true twin. But Cassius and I understood each other without word.
We had inherited Father's adventurous spirit, his thirst for exploration, and his willingness to take risks. But while Cassius was encouraged to embrace these traits, I was expected to suppress them.
"Arachne, a lady doesn't climb trees or chase after wild animals," Mother would say, her voice laced with concern. But Cassius could be himself, unfettered by societal expectations.
As I walked under the starry sky, I felt a pang of resentment. Why couldn't I be free to follow my heart, just like Cassius? Father's words echoed in my mind: "The world outside is treacherous." But Cassius and I knew the truth – the world was full of wonder, waiting to be discovered.
I returned home, finding Cassius lingering by the fireplace. "Arachne, where were you?" he asked, his eyes sparkling."Clearing my head," I replied, sitting beside him. Cassius nodded knowingly. "You're feeling trapped, aren't you?". I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat.
"We'll find a way, Arachne," Cassius whispered. "We'll explore the world together." In that moment, I knew Cassius understood me better than anyone.
Theron's presence commanded attention, his authoritative air filling the room."Arachne, Cassius, Father's gone again," Theron announced, his expression serious. Mother's worried glance flicked between us before she left the room.
Cassius stood up, his eyes locked on Theron. "Again. What happened this time?" Theron's jaw clenched. "He received a message. He didn't say what it was about."
I felt a familiar knot in my stomach. Father's disappearances were always shrouded in mystery. Theron's gaze fell on me, his expression softening slightly. "Arachne, help Mother with the dinner plate please."
I nodded, though we both knew I wasn't suited for it. Theron and I had never been close. As the eldest, he carried the weight of responsibility, while I struggled to find my place. As the only girl, I often felt like an outsider among my brothers. Theron's seriousness intimidated me, and our age gap made it hard to connect.
But despite our distance, I loved and respected him. He was our rock, holding the family together when Father was away.
After finishing the dishes, I retired to my bed, feeling the weight of the day's events bearing down on me. As I lay there, the nightmare I had the previous night flooded my mind once more. I couldn't shake the image of Nyx, a girl I had barely exchanged five sentences with, standing in front of me as a grown woman, her eyes filled with a deep sadness.
I wondered why I had seen her older self in my dreams. What was the connection between us? And why did her image haunt me so?
My mother wasn't anywhere in sight to tuck me in, which was unusual. She always made sure to kiss me goodnight and remind me that everything would be alright. But tonight, she was nowhere to be found.
I eventually drifted off to sleep, grateful that I didn't have any more nightmares. But my rest was short-lived, as Theron woke me up early in the morning.
He stood in my doorway, his face stern and his eyes narrowed. "Arachne, get up," he said gruffly. "We need to talk."
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and swung my legs over the side of the bed. Theron seemed to be in a bad mood, and I wondered if it was because Father was gone.
"Come downstairs," he said, turning to leave. "We'll talk about your responsibilities." I followed him downstairs, feeling a sense of trepidation. What did he want to talk about?
When we reached the kitchen, Theron turned to face me. "Arachne, you're getting older," he said. "It's time you started acting like the lady of the house."
He handed me a list of chores, his eyes expectant. "I want you to start taking care of these tasks," he said. "It's time you learned how to manage a household."
I felt a surge of resentment, but before I could say anything, Cassius, sensing the tension, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I'll help with the chores," he whispered. Theron's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. As Theron left to attend to his duties, I felt a pang of sadness. Theron and I will always be siblings bound by duty rather than genuine connection. "Let's get the chores done," Cassius said, breaking the silence.
I nodded, trying to shake off the feeling of melancholy that had settled over me. Cassius and I worked together in silence, our movements practiced and efficient. We had done this many times before, whenever Father was away.
As we worked, my mind wandered back to Theron. I wished we could be closer, but it seemed like an impossible task. He was so serious all the time, so focused on his responsibilities. I, on the other hand, was a dreamer, always getting lost in my own thoughts and imagination.
Cassius interrupted my reverie, his voice low and gentle. "Hey, Arachne, you okay? You seem a little distracted." I smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude towards my brother. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about Father, and where he might be."
Cassius nodded sympathetically. "I know. It's always hard when he leaves without telling us what's going on."
We continued working .As the morning wore on, the sun climbing higher in the sky, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. It was moments like these, working alongside my brother, that I felt most connected to my family.
As the day wore on, the tension in the household seemed to escalate. I was busy helping Mother with the cooking lunch while Cassius and Lysander were outside, playing in the yard.
But then, the sound of raised voices carried into the kitchen, followed by the thud of fists on flesh. Mother's eyes widened in alarm as she rushed to the window, pulling back the curtain to reveal Theron and Atticus fighting in the yard.
Atticus, his face twisted in anger, landed a solid punch to Theron's jaw, sending him stumbling backward. Theron quickly regained his footing, his eyes blazing with fury as he launched himself at Atticus.
Lysander, who had been watching the fight with a mixture of fascination and horror, suddenly darted forward, as if to intervene. But before he could reach the combatants, Mother stormed out of the kitchen, her voice ringing out across the yard.
"Theron! Atticus! Stop this at once!" she yelled, My brothers slowly disengaged, they breath heavily as their faces still flushed with anger. Theron's eye was already beginning to swell, while Atticus had a nasty cut on his lip.
Mother rushed over to them, her hands fluttering over their injuries. "What is wrong with you two?" she demanded, her voice shaking with frustration. "You're brothers, for goodness' sake! Why must you always fight?"
Theron and Atticus exchanged a sullen glance, their anger still simmering just below the surface. It was clear that this was more than just a simple sibling squabble.As I watched from the kitchen window, I couldn't help but wonder what had sparked this latest fight. Theron and Atticus had always had a rivalry, ever since they were kids.
Theron had always felt the need to correct Atticus, to point out his mistakes and shortcomings. And over time, Atticus had begun to feel like he could never measure up to Theron's expectation  Atticus, despite his carefree exterior, Atticus had always been sensitive to Theron's criticisms
It was a dynamic that had been playing out for years, with Theron's constant criticisms wearing down Atticus's confidence. And despite Atticus's attempts to brush it off, to joke about it and make light of the situation, the truth was that Theron's words always had profound effect on him.
Atticus always felt like he was walking on eggshells around Theron, never knowing when he would lash out with a cutting remark or a disapproving look.