As Journeyman Jones had written, it took the crisis teams a little over 3 days to arrive.
In the meantime, Amy had done her best to ignore the rumours and scared looks she got, the consequences of what she'd revealed that night taking their toll, and began to openly practise her magic. Frieda was more than enthusiastic in accepting her help in less mundane ways and soon they were flying. Unfortunately, there were some unavoidable casualties. Out of the twenty or so originally infected, a few of them didn't make it. And the next ones after that had only a fifty percent survival rate. The plague was growing deadlier. And by the time help finally arrived, the number of infected was in the hundreds, an entire section of the village cordoned off to contain them, with a large number of deaths stacking up alongside them.
During the horrible treatment, Soothe Wounds could only go so far. So, taking advantage of her FPG, and her new Apprentice capabilities, Amy studied and eventually learnt to cast the Tier 3 version of the Tier 1 Spell; Treat Wounds. Not only was it much more effective in treating the symptoms of the plague, it actually helped fight back against it too versus how it was before. Another Spell she had wanted to learn was Alleviate Lesser Pain - a specialised Tier 2 Healing Spell geared towards dulling some of a patient's pain - but the Mages came before she had time to even properly practise it.
And, as expected, some of the villagers did not take to the Mages kindly.
"Get out of here! Get out of our village! Devil worshipers! Evil witches and warlocks!" One of the villagers screamed at the passing enforcement squad, hiding behind the cover of the watching crowd.
The squad themselves paid the man no heed, simply carrying on with their day. They were all no-nonsense men and women, dressed in an assortment of enchanted combat robes and armours, sceptres and wands by their sides or strapped to their belts. Almost every single one of the members' fingers had decorated and intricate rings, practically blinding Amy through her mana senses with how much magical power they each contained. The head of the squad, a tall burly woman with a gemmed circled around her head, didn't even send him a glance as she repeated her previous question to Amy.
"How far did you travel down the river then?"
"Ummm... not too far, I'd say about a thirty to forty minute walk along the bank? Anyway, as long as you follow the stream, you literally won't be able to miss the thing," Amy described, looking nervously between the uneasy crowd and the intimidating Journeyman Mage in front of her.
"Understood. Thank you, Apprentice Wachlund," The woman said, giving a curt nod, before looking back to the rest of her squadron. In synchrony, they all tapped the temple of their heads and gave a nod back, communicating without speech. Without making any noise - and, as Amy realised, it was literally no noise - they marched away and towards the river. As the rest of them left, the other team, and the man heading it all, joined her.
"A pleasure to meet you again, sir," Amy greeted, looking about who joined her. The healer's team, for that was all they could be, looked like a congregation of nuns and priests, if their garbs were all woven in white, silver and gold, and absolutely covered in enchantments.
"Pleasure," Journeyman Jones said, appearing the same as she remembered him. A bit on the shorter side for a man but always assuming a look of command, as if no one, not even an Archmage, could deny his orders. To his side was a young looking lad in normal looking clothes - at least for a Mage - giving her a bright and easy smile. "That reaction right there, Miss Wachlund, is why we are always hesitant to introduce a large number of the mundane population to magical society so abruptly. That is why I've brought a friend from the Weavers to help out."
"The Weaver's Web, sir?" Amy muttered, paling. The Weaver's Web. Mind Mages. They can read my mind, and find out all about Felin and all-
"Hah! There's no need to worry about that, Miss Wachlund!" The Mind Mage grinned, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "Unlike what most folks believe, we Weavers can't actually read any thoughts or minds until Archmage. And to go so far as to control a mind, well, that's firmly in the realm of Monarchs. I'm merely a simple Apprentice, like you, Miss, so try not to worry about it. Your mind's practically burning through my Detect Thoughts with how much you're stressing over it."
"Al-alright," Amy stuttered, taking whatever he said with a grain of salt.
"Apprentice Becker here will be helping corral the mundanes and try to stop any riots or the like from breaking out. Isn't that right, Apprentice Becker?" He said, looking pointedly at him.
"Yessir!" He saluted, instinctively. Relaxing, he gave what was trying to be a reassuring smile to Amy and said, "I'm here just to calm some people and make sure nothing bad happens, whether that's to you, Miss Wachlund, or other Mages here like the healer team."
"Ah yes, the healers. Today, we are honoured to have envoys from the Holy See with us today to help fight the plague," Journeyman Jones said, gesturing to the team behind him, all seeming jolly and, well, holy. "Would you mind directing them towards the patients please, Apprentice Wachlund?"
"Yes sir, I'll be glad to," Amy said, looking to face what seemed like the leader of the group, an older man with a full head of grey hair. "Would you like to follow me then?"
"It will be our pleasure," The man said kindly, his very voice seeming soothing, as if a balm to her soul.
"I shall be seeing you then, Journeyman Jones, Apprentice Becker."
"Good day, Apprentice Wachlund."
"See you later, Miss!" Apprentice Becker smirked, only dropping the smile a bit when he turned away to the crowd, shouting at them. "Alright, alright, I know this is a confusing time and you all have questions but-..."
"Lead the way then?" The man asked softly.
"Oh yes, please," Amy said, heading towards the plague quarter. Nowadays, the village as a whole truly was different. Before there was merely an undercurrent of unease, but now it was on full display, only exacerbated by the presence of the strange Mages intruding on their regular lives. God, I haven't even talked to Maria yet. What would she think of all this?
"You seem disturbed, Miss Wachlund," The man commented from behind, causing her to jolt in surprise.
"Ah... yes. It's all just a bit... much," She murmured, almost whispering.
"Well, I know I can't ease all of your worries, but there is one you perhaps shouldn't be worrying about," He said. "Apprentice Becker is a good soul, at heart, and so are most of the Weaver's Web. They may not disclose all of their capabilities to the public, but they always do try their best to dispel bad rumours about themselves. Otherwise it wouldn't go very well for them would it? Think about it. If they truly did all of these bad things, and were lying about not being able to read or control minds so easily, then how would other more powerful Mages let them survive? If all of these Archmages, Monarchs, and Schools had their secrets stolen and they find out? Well, I can't see a future without them being exterminated."
"That's... a bleak way to put it."
"Perhaps I am mistaken, but isn't that the best way to put it? For you at least. I imagine you've had plenty of flimsy justifications or emotional explanations about the Weaver's Web given to you, but never an actual rational consideration. Am I wrong?"
"No, you're not," Amy admitted, frowning a bit.
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"And did I help at all with your fears?"
"...A bit, yeah."
"Well then! As long as you're happier than before, then that's all that matters," The man beamed, Amy able to hear his smile through his voice.
"I guess... we're here, anyway," Amy said, pointing to a frazzled Frieda standing by the entrance to the main ward, squinting at both her and the congregation behind her.
"Thank you for guiding us here, Apprentice Wachlund. We shall take it from here."
"Please make sure to work with Frieda over there, as she knows the layout of it all."
"Thank you then. May the light of the Holy illuminate your path," He bowed sagely towards her, the others behind him joining too. With a gentle smile on his face, he walked away, towards an increasingly concerned Frieda, caught completely off-guard.
Laughing to herself, Amy walked off, finally free of any burden. From the plague quarter, it wasn't long before she was back home, the sounds of incessant chirping filling the room. Felin was there, feeding them, although his gaze was distant as if he was seeing off into a great distance. Shaking his head, his usual yellow gaze returned, the black cat looking up at her.
"Though I don't always agree with the See, what that man said about the Web is true," Felin acquiesced. "They tried their best to stay out of the Wars, as things always get messy with Mind Mages involved, and helped out any casualties where they could. A respectable School indeed."
"You don't like the See?" Amy asked, setting down her things onto the table. As the birds settled into their new home, a specific space had been made for them on the mantelpiece, their old twig nest, breaking apart, replaced with a warm box, covered in a blanket.
"I don't have anything against them in particular per se, but I've always had disagreements with one of their Angels and... Well, we simply didn't always get along."
"Alright, then, if you say so," Amy frowned, turning her attention to the hawks. From what she had learned by asking about the village, it seemed the birds had been somewhat newly hatched when she and Felin had found them. Now though, they seemed healthier, fuller and a little less bony. Their beady eyes seemed especially more attentive, locking onto her as soon as she neared the box. "Hello, little ones, how're you all doing?"
"They seem to be doing okay, but I've never cared for chicks before so I wouldn't know," Felin shrugged.
"Hopefully, soon, they'll be getting some proper care. If all goes to plan anyways."
"You're going to ask now?"
"I might as well. I see no reason for him not to allow me to take a holiday. I'm all packed too, and nothing important is being left behind."
"If you must. Remember to be careful however. This 'Jones' is a Journeyman Mage and he will notice anything you give away."
"I know."
"I know that you know, Amy, but regardless, I urge you to be cautious. I noticed your anxiousness with that Mind Mage was more than just regular worry, and if you show that same degree of hesitation in front of him, he'll become suspicious and investigate without the benefit of the doubt you had before."
"I know, Felin. I know."
"As long as you understand, my dear Apprentice."
* * *
"Would you mind repeating that, Apprentice Wachlund?" Journeyman Jones asked, glancing at her. He had been overlooking Apprentice Becker talking to the amassing crowd, growing larger by the second as word spread more and more. It seemed she had interrupted him while he was deep in thought.
"I'd like to formally request a break from here, for at least a few months. I'm... to be honest sir, I'm at my wit's end with this place. I just... want to get out of here," Amy confessed, fidgeting with her hands.
"Of course there would be some paperwork to do on my side, but I see no obvious issue with this request. Depending on how much holiday time you've used up in your contract too, we can easily do a couple months," He said, implying a question.
"Ah, well, I haven't used up any of my holiday time... sir."
"Oh!" Journeyman Jones blurted, taken aback. "Well then, I definitely see no problem with that. I imagine no one would."
"Thank you, sir. Is it alright if I take my leave now?" Amy asked, hopeful.
"Hmmm... I believe it should be alright, especially with me and my teams here, but ideally we'd get the form filled out beforehand..." Journeyman Jones considered, scratching his chin. With some mirth, he decided, "Very well, you may depart early. Only, make sure not to be too obvious about it. Until I inform you that your break has been officially confirmed at least. Don't want some paper-pusher somewhere in the system getting antsy, would you?"
"Not at all, sir," Amy smiled, sighing in relief.
"Is that all, Apprentice Wachlund? Or would you like to join the introduction talk? It seems Apprentice Becker is getting overwhelmed and he could use some help," He suggested, cocking his head.
"No thank you sir, I... I'm not on the best terms with the rest of the village, and seeing me there... would incense some of them."
"Oh?" He frowned, raising an eyebrow.
"You'd find out if you ask around the villagers enough as Becker probably already has but..." Amy trailed off, undecided on something for a moment. Should I throw him under the carriage? I think... "You'll be able to find out more from the Mayor. I imagine he has kept detailed records of what has transpired."
"Very well, Apprentice Wachlund," He nodded, turning back to the crowd. "Have a good break then, Miss. It seems I need to help him out a bit."
"Good day, sir," Amy smiled, watching him intervene in a small argument between the Apprentice and one of the villagers. And, of course, as Amy inspected the rest of the gathered crowd, she spotted her friend on the edges of it, hanging around awkwardly, holding hands with a lumberjack. Maria. As soon as she noticed her, Maria locked eyes with Amy too. Whispering something to the man by her side, she made her way along the crowd, and headed towards her.
Amy stood still, stuck in indecision.
"...Amy?" Maria asked first when she reached her, keeping her distance.
"I imagine you have some questions then," Amy said guiltily, looking away.
"...Just a few, yeah."
"I'm... I'm-"
"How much of what you told me was a lie, Amy? How much of our... friendship was a lie?"
"Not- Not much; only a couple of things. It just comes with the job and the full truth is... dangerous," Amy explained the best she could.
"Then... are you really a witch? Did you really try to... try to kill Ben?"
"I'm... I'm something called a Mage. I... can be seen as a sort of witch, yes. And, well, I mistook Ben for something bad that day and... attacked him, yes."
"I know you attacked him, Amy, but with... magic? Witchcraft?" Maria frowned, giving her a strange look.
"It's hard to explain without you knowing the full picture but..." Amy grimaced, taking a moment to compose herself. "Yes, in the simplest way possible, I did. With magic."
"...Why?"
"I don't... I can't say too much on that, not without... revealing some things. But... if you really want to know what happened that day, it might be better to ask Ben himself."
"Ben? You... speak with him?" Maria creased her brow, confused.
"If he wants to, he'll explain better than I. But... I can't, not right now," Amy said, blinking away some wetness from her eyes. Interrupting Maria just as she began to speak, "I'm going away for a while, Maria, and... you might not be seeing me again. I hope... I hoped things would end better than this... I- We can still be friends- if you want, of course. But I need to step away from this... it's not healthy, for me, that is."
"Amy..."
"For now though, this is goodbye. At least for a few months. Maybe I will see you again, but... I don't know what the future holds. Not even Mages know that precisely," Amy laughed, half in an attempt to disguise some tears. "I think it would be for the best... to go back to that lumberjack, and take the day as it hits you. You'll learn a lot by the end of it, if what Jones and Becker said to me was correct.
"Go-goodbye, Maria, and... I hope you are- will be well," Amy cried, forcing a smile. Not wanting to hear her response, Amy turned around and left, leaving Maria be. It wasn't a clean break, by no fault of my own, but... it's for the best.
When she returned home, for once in all of the times she had fled back to the safety of her cabin, Amy's face was dry.
* * *
Carrying the box of chicks carefully in her lap, chirping away at her merrily, Amy rode the first carriage back to the nearest city, away from Triesen, filled with a couple of other Mages from both teams who wished to return. Apprentice Becker, who's job was done and taken over by Journeyman Jones, rode with her too. Felin had been left behind to be sure that he wouldn't be detected by anyone riding with her. Her luggage was packed away, and all she had with her was a small bag, filled with various bits and bobs that couldn't fit.
Staring back at the retreating village and forest on the horizon, she looked to where her home would've been, hidden behind distant trees and greenery. It had been left empty, perishable food thrown away, herbs taken with her, and all of her important things and clothes packed. The book on Wizardry and the grimoire specifically had been covered in an Alarm Spell, just in case anyone nosy looked into it.
Amy kept staring at the village until it had disappeared fully behind grass hills and dotted trees. Turning back towards the gravel road ahead, the Witch smiled, whispering something under her breath.
"Goodbye, Triesen."