A door’s whiny squeal wrested Alyce out of her dreamless sleep and she grumbled unhappily at the disturbance. It had been a blessing, not having vivid dreamscapes for once. Even though the bench she laid on was hard on the back, she was content. A steady warmth lighting her palm, plush woven comfort draping over her –

Alyce's eyes snapped open.

Gauzy daylight replaced the chapel's usual colorful fractures, spilling through the church's skylights. At the sight of morning's frost gathering on the panes, Alyce’s nose tingled.

Though she was still sprawled on the church bench, she found the ground before her empty. Some time during the night, Kytes had left his post.

“Oh, you are more bold than I thought.”

Alyce's heart jumped at the breathy proclamation.

Standing at the chapel's open entrance was Bea, wearing an enormous grin, her cornflower blue eyes gleeful.

Following her gaze, Alyce looked down. Kytes’ coat covered the length of her body, but there was no missing her thin shift peeking underneath the fine garment.

“Bea, what are you standing there for?” A sharp secondary voice huffed from outside.

Hauling the door by its stubborn hinges, Haddie pushed her way into the chapel only to be dragged further in by the shoulders. Staggering, she impatiently clicked her tongue in retort but the noise fell short, her eyes falling upon the coat then the night gown and bare feet.

On cue, a groan sounded from the bench behind Alyce. Favoring a sore spot behind his neck, Kytes slowly sat up. His hair was disheveled from tossing in his sleep, but at least his clothes remained tucked and orderly.

“You slept here?” Alyce croaked, her throat raspy from the morning chill.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I?” He glanced at the two women openly gaping back at them and froze. “Oh.”

Bea clamped a hand over her mouth, crinkles radiating from the corners of her eyes. “Well, don’t mind us. We’ll be on our way.” A giggle escaped her before she skittered down the narrow aisle for the back door.

“Bea!” Alyce stumbled after her. “Whatever you are thinking, it is not that!”

Traversing backward on her toes, Bea shook her head sagely. “You don’t have to explain. I completely understand.” Her smile broadening, she waved away Alyce’s sputtering. “But goodness! A church of all places and with Thyis watching? My stars!”

“And that's exactly why I have to explain!” Alyce desperately appealed to the more level headed Haddie. “It is nothing of that sort!”

Crossing her arms, Haddie sucked in a breath. “Well, it certainly seems that way.”

“Yes, see!”

“Except that's not your coat.”

Covering her face, Alyce groaned impatiently. “It’s not – neither of you were home.”

“Mmhm.”

“And I needed help —.”

“Mmhm!”

“Not that kind of help!” Alyce snapped.

“Oh, I wasn’t thinking it,” Bea replied innocently.

“Colleen Alyce –.”

Three pairs of eyes snapped to the Sanctus mage leaning on one of the bench’s arms. Unnerved by the attention, Kytes took a deep breath. “And I, along with the Baron and my teacher, visited the old cistern by the ruined keep. It was not the most pleasant place and the visit plagued her with nightmares. In hopes for solace, she came to the chapel, where I happened to be working and so I provided her with a spell for better sleep.”

Bea's face fell but Haddie's brows knitted, her eyes boring into Kytes.

“The old cistern? Why?”

Alyce threw a cautionary glance behind her. The baron had made it clear that the Decay’s proximity was not to be common knowledge.

To her relief, Kytes had not forgotten. He steadily met Haddie's unblinking eyes. “Baron Connall wanted to find a way for the cistern to serve its original purpose.”

“But the ruins are unsafe due to lack of care and age,” she pointed out. “We all know that, which is why we have wells –.” Haddie abruptly snapped her mouth shut.

Having known the discerning woman her entire life, Alyce recognized the darkness eclipsing Haddie’s face. The older woman might not know that Scaidun Decayed, but she had certainly realized something was amiss.

“In the company of Sanctus mages, we thought it would be safer. But it – it’s just as we were told. Old, dangerous, and – filled with stagnant water.” Alyce gulped. For a moment, a memory threatened to breach and she drew in a sharp inhale.

“Colleen Alyce.”

She looked up to see Kytes had his fingers splayed before the lower half of his face.

Five.

The corners of Alyce's mouth lifted at the reminder. Finding five objects to focus on was much easier in daylight; the vaulted ceiling, the bare altar, the decorative pillars, the cross braced door –

And Haddie's glower.

Alert eyes darting between maid and mage, Haddie directed a finger at Alyce. “You cannot be found in this state, wearing nothing but a boy’s coat and your nightgown. Ryles would have so many questions and I truly do not care to explain this. Change before the Baron calls us. And you, Esphyr.” Swinging open the chapel door, Haddie impatiently waved at him. “Will come with me. The kitchen is not so odd a place for you to be at and I still need the hearth rune renewed.”

Smothering a snicker, Bea skipped up to Alyce with a wicked grin. “Oh, you needn't worry about Ryles because it is I who has so, so many questions.” Steering them toward the back door, she tossed Kytes a wink. “Would you rather her keep your coat, Esphyr?”

Alyce yanked on the woman’s elbow, prompting Bea to yip in protest. Hazarding a glance, she found the mage looked clearly dumbfounded at the inquiry.

“If – if it helps?”

Alyce ducked her head down to hide her pink cheeks, frantically seeking for sensibility. Either Esphyr Kytes was slow to react in the morning or he misunderstood Bea's teasing.

But Haddie was neither and swarmed on Bea with a snarl.

“Really?” Haddie's brilliant blue eyes flashed with annoyance. “Get out and get her changed!”

Not waiting for compliance or worse, more witty remarks, Alyce shoved Bea out the back door and slammed it behind them.

----------------------------------------

With great zeal, the fire roared into life, the cold kitchen ceding to the warmth’s overwhelming vitality. Removing his hand, Kytes observed the renewed rune. From dull and dark, the sigil now glowed a soft amber.

He had been pleased to discover the rune so free of grime. Kitchen runes were usually coated with grease or other cooking residue but this one had been meticulously cleaned. Besides a few aged cracks, the rune showed little wear.

“They’ve taken good care of you.” He ran a thumb against the bridging point. “Surely you wouldn’t mind storing a bit more magic?”

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The hearth rune delighted in the idea and readily absorbed more of Kytes’ personal fire. A runic mage’s cultivated flame was a rare delicacy, far more human, far more soul.

And surely they wouldn’t mind a few more years of working order as thanks, Kytes mused.

Not that they would know what he did until the allocated time passed and then –

He grinned. And then for a moment, perhaps Alyce would recall his penchant for breaching agreed upon contracts.

His hand lifted away a second time, the rune pulsing in brighter approval.

For one who had very few friends, Kytes found it strange how much he enjoyed Alyce’s company. At first, he had attributed it as novelty, finally able to converse with someone else after a year in Hollis and Mouse's company. Or perhaps it was because Alyce shared her feelings freely, a fascinating trait for a maid servant. He reciprocated in turn, something he found no desire to try in Thalhurst. Not back home where there were too many competitive mages his own age.

Or it might have been the fact that –

She’s a mage.

Kytes formed the word in his mind, his mouth testing the phrase before shaking his head. Very few magicians could sight another element’s blessings. It was the same reason why his own unfortunate ability in detecting other elemental nymphs was extremely rare. But it wasn’t unheard of.

I suppose that talent could lend itself by seeking kinship in another mage —

The scullery door banged open, jolting Kytes out of his pondering. Lugging in a bucket, Haddie expertly kicked the door closed and waved off Kytes’ attempt to aid with a grunt.

He saw her practiced efforts, skillfully heaving the bucket onto the table without spilling a single drop. The adeptness reminded him of Alyce, equally capable of hauling heavier weights. So unlike most Thalhurst girls, who would squabble at the mere mention of heavy books.

Wiping her hands on her front apron, Haddie glanced in the hearth's direction.

“My apologies for taking so long to visit the manor runes,” Kytes began to say. “It must have been inconvenient.”

Haddie shrugged, fetching a ladle and a drinking cup to pour well water into. “Bea and I managed, mind, not quite as well as Alyce, but we can make a fire – eventually. Besides, Alyce likes the townsfolk and they like her. With you being a – a stranger to these parts, would be better regarded if she’s your company. Bea’s spun enough trouble with most mamas and I honestly don’t care to venture into town besides visiting my family.” She pushed the cup in his direction. “Which reminds me, I was visiting my cousin last night and she had fresh bakes to give us.” He saw her lips twisted before she uttered. “ – and you.”

Dread seeped into his polite disposition, the underlying tone did not escape his notice. “Your cousin?”

Haddie retrieved a basket and lifted the hemp cloth covering the wicker parcel. A sweet and floral aroma reached his nose, the kitchen quickly immersed with the scent of apples.

“My cousin mentioned that you liked her apple pottage and so she wanted you to try these. And also as thanks to the two Esphyrs, who stopped the fire.”

“Ah – Meachar Fanya.”

“Meachar Fanya,” Haddie echoed the term used for married or older women. She ladled the freshly drawn well water into a cup and set it before him. “A more understanding woman than I’ll ever be.”

Despite the raven haired maid being of smaller stature, she was strangely intimidating; her sharp gaze reminding him of a watchful cat. Hastily, he seized the drinking cup and gulped its content.

“It tastes different, doesn't it?”

Mid sip, Kytes froze, his upper teeth clacking against the cup to prevent himself from swallowing. His ear cuff had not warmed, there was no poison, no faultiness in the water.

“The water, Esphyr Kytes,” Haddie continued, her tone was rigidly firm.

He hesitantly withdrew from the cup, eyeing the translucent liquid. It did not hold the invigorating spelling Alyce had accidently cast a few nights ago but nor did it have its usual sweet and crisp flavor. Instead, there was a bitterness to it. Alyce's terror had taken hold of Neburh's water.

Lowering the cup, Kytes met Haddie’s unblinking gaze.

“You knew about Alyce,” he murmured.

Haddie broke the frigid contact first, reaching for a piece of bread from the basket. “Yes, I did. I knew and chose not to inform my lord, nor the Chapel mages.”

Scraping a fingernail against the loaf’s hardened crust, Haddie proceeded to peel it away from its spongy center. “Ever since they were brought into the household as babies, I have looked after Alyce and Bea as my own sisters. And in my efforts, I’ve noticed that when Alyce laughed, the water would become sweet. When she would pout and scream, the water would taste bitter. Mind, never spoiled nor dangerous to consume, only mildly changed in flavor. But as she grew up, and her toddler years behind her, the water fluctuated less. Only a few times, like when Lady Síle passed, were there great and vile tasting changes. On those occasions, I had laid the fault upon fallen children's toys or something of the like in the well.”

“You knew that she was affecting the water —.” Kytes gritted his teeth. “Not knowing is one thing but keeping this quiet, it could have been disastrous for her, you, and the people. She could have accidentally changed water to poison! The closest Chapel should have been informed —.”

Slamming her hands on the table, Haddie glared back, her blue eyes flashing. “And what? Let them take her? Teach her to become like them?” She scowled at him, when he recoiled. “You saw it too, saw it in those shoddily written contracts and in those half hearted renewed runes. We've paid enough for their deception over fire runes, can you imagine if they knew she influenced the water? What if they use Alyce against her home? Why – why would I give them someone I love and risk watching her turn into them?”

Her words stung him like a slap. Suddenly, the disapproving leer, her growing animosity as they spoke – all became clear.

“You hate mages.”

“Hate is a strong word, Esphyr,” Haddie replied stiffly. “I do not trust them. And I am trying my hardest to trust you.”

Straightening his back, Kytes stepped away from the table. “Then why are you telling me this, Colleen Haddie?”

Her lips tensed into a thin line. “The night of the fire, something strange happened to Alyce. During deepest night, our room became flooded with a freezing haze. Bea and I woke, but Alyce couldn’t, no matter how much we tried shaking her, hugging her, doing our best to have her stir. Then Bea discovered this blue crystal at the foot of her bed.” Her eyes narrowed. “Within seconds of returning it, Alyce stirred and all seemed well. It was very much like she woke from some enchantment and she remembered very little. I truly had thought it was nothing but a nightmare but when I checked the well in next morning, the water – although barely noticeable, was bitter.”

Kytes pondered this finding. Admittedly, he hadn’t paid much attention to the water after being nearly drowned by Alyce’s invigoration spell.

“The taste grew stronger throughout the day, which was why I went to the castle town last night. Even there, the water from all the wells were of the same acrid flavor, becoming odd to even the townspeople. I had planned to share this with the baron, but then this morning, when I drew it once more, it had mostly faded. And what do I find when I return home?" Her brows dipped toward the center of her face. "I find her with you.”

Feeling his face grow hot, Kytes averted his eyes. “I aspire to become a teacher one day, hence why I provided aid to an untrained mage, not because of any want for favors and the like. Truthfully.”

Haddie's chuckle was hollow. “Twice, you were the reason she calmed. And she has clearly placed her trust in you. The only favor I can see her delivering is leaving Neburh with you because she needs – needs to.” She sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as if in defeat. “So, tell me, whatever is – what is happening to Alyce?”

When he did not immediately answer, Haddie looked down at her clasped hands. “I ask because – I want to believe you will tell me honestly.”

Colleen Haddie speaks without hiding her claws. Kytes drew in an even breath. But her mistrust and fear are reasonable, considering the Chapel's practice. If I am the outlier to soften that perception upon mages, it'll be to my benefit , Hollis’, and – Alyce as well.

“She lacks control of her powers,” he told her, reaching for the drinking cup again. “Natural water magicians like hers, it should ebb and flow when in use or put to slumber when not, but she has none of that. Instead, her magic had been on a constant trickle, over many, many years. And when she experiences strong emotions, like fear, it floods. Affecting the water she controls, and even her immediate surroundings, she’s becoming – consumed by it.” He rotated the cup in his hand. “And the nymph at the cistern drove her farther than what she was ready for.”

“A nymph?” Haddie repeated, tension afflicting her tone. “There was a nymph there? And she saw it? Then – then she knows that she has –.”

“As does the Baron and Ryles.”

He noticed her hands locked tighter, white blooming at the rim of her fingertips. It must not have been easy for Haddie to harbor the secret from her home and its tenants, especially her employer.

“What now then, Esphyr? Will you be taking her away from us?”

“She does not want to leave Neburh.”

A moment's relief flickered in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced with doubt. “But that isn’t for her to decide, is it? Not with her magic tormenting her so.”

Finding very little reason to remain in the kitchen, Kytes guzzled the remaining water in the cup. “I will do my best to find an alternative for Colleen Alyce, one that would allow her to stay and learn the depths of her magic. However – Colleen Haddie.” He matched her caution with what he hoped was a firm look. “She is a mage, whether you like it or not. It is a part of her. Will you continue to speak ill of it?”

Haddie huffed. “You misunderstand, Esphyr. I long accepted Alyce for who she is and have no true qualms with the runes and nymphs. What I speak ill of is the Chapel’s practices and in extension, the Sancti that allow them to run rampant, extorting us so easily.” One side of her cheek compressed inward as if she was biting back her displeasure. “I know Alyce. She's not a heartless girl and she loves Neburh. But I don't want her to suffer under their selfish guidance either. And I certainly do not want the townspeople to judge her poorly once they know. It would break her.”

Skepticism roiled in his chest. “Nor do I,” he murmured softly and for once Haddie gave him a crooked but approving smile.

Regardless of the qualms Kytes had for his peers, Thalhurst would have better institutions to teach an adult mage, who had woken to their abilities. Especially one with significant strength and could alter the water in a whole county.

However, if Alyce wished to remain in Neburh, then she would need to study at the Chapel, which had been assigned to serve the county. The same mages that the people clearly held much grievances for.

A visit to that Chapel would be necessary then. And there, I can investigate their books and contracts, Kytes surmised. But most of all, I truly hope that the entire Chapel isn't rotten to the core. Perhaps there is someone good who can teach Alyce and that'll be enough to satisfy the Sanctus.