The Priest and the Witch

Poppy walked from Kegan’s garden toward home, feeling her neighbors’ stares. She avoided their gazes but met the eyes of anyone who stared back with a glare of her own.

She then heard footsteps approaching her.

“Excuse me, Poppy?” A boy asked in a timid voice.

She turned with a scowl and saw Caleb Cole, the apprentice slayer.

She rolled her eyes.

He stood there with an awkward grin. She was still angry at him and his partner, but she could overlook Victor who was just doing his best in the situation. But this boy’s attempt to act like an adult just annoyed her.

“What do you want?”

“I have a request, can you show me around town?”

-

After seeing Poppy off, Kegan walked back indoors and was now sitting on a bench in the front row. He took out a flask and looked up to Israphel, and raised it before taking a swig.

“A priest who drinks as well, you are a stack of oddities.”

He didn’t so much as blink when Victor had talked, and put down his flask with a grin. “Hello, Mr. Troika. Are you here to pray?”

“I’m not, and if you want me to call you Kegan, you need to start calling me Victor.”

“That’s true. Well please sit with me, Victor.”

He took a seat beside the priest.

“Here to talk about Alyssa?”

“Actually, I want to know whether you believe in god.”

Kegan smirked. “I don’t.”

“Well then I don’t want to talk about Alyssa. You are one of the most fascinating people I have come across. A half elf, who was sentenced to be a priest, is an atheist and openly drinks in the house of god.”

“Life has taken me down very strange paths.”

“I have to say good on y0u for maintaining muscle. I look up to people who take care of their bodies.”

“Well, it’s a habit I don’t ever want to break.”

“Tell me, were you a banisher before being a priest?”

“I was.”

“A former banisher too.” Victor chuckled. “Seriously, if I never met Enderan, you would have taken the cake as the most interesting.”

“Taking the cake, I never heard that before.”

“Just one of the many phrases I’ve picked up while reading.”

“I like it. I’m going to start using that one.”

“So, what brought you to Galebrook?”

“Banishment. I was excommunicated to serve as a priest here.”

“A banished banisher.” Victor smirked and Kegan chuckled.

“I’ve thought of myself as such. I can’t tell you any specifics about my past, I was forbidden to.”

“It’s alright. I have to hold many secrets to myself as well. Lots of skeletons in my closet.”

“Another saying I haven’t heard before. You really are well read.”

“There is one skeleton I want to pull free from your closet however. As a banisher you should have known the importance of performing Alyssa’s death rites.” His voice wasn’t stern, but it was touched with sympathy. “You were in love with her.”

“It’s not polite to assume Victor.”

“Did I assume wrong?”

Kegan was silent for a bit. “I was. And she loved me too.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

A glimmer of appreciation shone in his expression. “Thank you. Not a lot of condolences are given for a witch.”

“So she really was a good witch?”

“Alyssa was the kindest person I had ever known.”

“I believe you.”

That caused Kegan to look at him in suprise. Even with all the unbecoming things Victor had learned about him, he dared to believe him.

“Even with all the unpriestly things you have done. That I could believe whole heartedly. I’d imagine being a priest and former banisher made having a relationship extremely difficult. And that tree was one of the places where you could be together. Wasn’t it?”

“It was. That’s why I buried her there. Were you really able to piece together all of that?”

“As I said, I’ve read many stories. Not saying your story is a common one, but I was able to make a connection because I have been on the outside looking in on many tales. Tragic loves have always been some of my favorites. But they are the most devastating to me when they are true.”

Kegan took a swig of his flask and sighed.

Then Victor stuck out his hand. “You know, it helps to drink with company.”

Kegan smiled and handed him the flask.

- - - -

Moments earlier

“I have a request, can you show me around town?”

“Why?”

“Because Victor wants me to learn about this town. And while we could have asked the Mayor, we don’t exactly trust everything that the Mayor has said.”

Victor had told me to bad mouth the mayor to get on her good side. Upon seeing her agitation lessen, I once again tipped an imaginary hat to him.

Tipped my hat. Victor’s odd sayings were rubbing off on me. Two months on the road with someone just might do that.

“Please. We want to find a way to resolve this without having to kill the tree.”

She finally gave in with a sigh. “Alright, let’s make this quick. Where do you need to go?”

“Wait before we begin, I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Is this of your own accord, or did Victor tell you to apologize?”

“Mine, I swear. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Her gaze was intense, and I felt my face heat up. 

Her eyes are so beautiful. I looked away.

“Why are you so awkward?”

I was taken aback by her straightforwardness.

“And why are you so rude?!” I retorted.

“Because you are being awkward. You act like you haven’t talked to a girl before.” She gave me a look and before she could speak, I cut her off.

“Well, you’re right! Kind of.” He raised his voice again. “I have been kept in doors for the past fourteen years of my life!” I said it, feeling I’d just gained the upper hand in this conversation.

“How old are you?”

“Thirteen.” I said. I was now brimming with newfound confidence, then deflated when I asked, “How about you?”

“I’m fourteen and a half. So now you definitely need to show me more respect. I’m your elder.”

I rolled my eyes. “What ever you say.”

She was unfortunately taller than me by a good amount. So on the outside she really did look down on me.

She finally gave him a quizzical look. “Did your injuries keep you at home?”

“You could say that.” I sighed, wanting to change the subject as quickly as possible. “Anyways, we’ve been standing around too long, we have places to go.”

As they walked, she suddenly asked. “Your friend Victor is cute.” She said. “Is he taken?”

“That guy?!” I bristled. “He’s married to that book of his, now let’s go!” I stormed off.

“Where are you going?”

“Wherever you tell me to go!”