Hello there!
Sorry for the delay, I may have made a mistake in the posting planning, this chapter would've been sent one week late😅
So here it is, one hour late instead, lucky me 🍀
Have fun reading 😉
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Two days later, Dorian stands in front of more than twenty women of all ages, including the two missing ones, now awake. While the mother shouldn't have any say in the matter, not being a witch at all, as her daughter's guardian she is allowed to attend and ro give her thoughts to her. This one, despite being a witch for less than a week, has a say in this matter. Sandra smiles at everyone.
— Hello everyone. We will talk about a problem that the Stalker faces, and brought to me. But before that, I want to welcome Gloria in our ranks.
She nods to the daughter, who blushes.
— Gloria, you are the first, in our knowledge, to be dragged in such a council the very next day to your awakening, so don't worry about anything, if you want you can just observe or give your vote to your mother.
Looking at this, Dorian smiles warmly. He already knows, thanks to the prep talk that Sandra gave him the day before, that all witches are given council rights as soon as they awaken. She even told him that, while there usually isn't any hierarchy in the coven, the one who asks for a meeting is given the spokesperson role.
— Now, onto the matter at hand. The Stalker explained to me that he began his journey with a goal in mind. He wants to hunt a rogue wizard, who was an authority figure in his formative years, to whom he exposed the magical world at his awakening, since he didn't have anyone else to turn to.
Dorian hears the gasps, he sees the concerned gazes at the mention of the 'rogue wizard', and blushes at this. He pales, however, under the judgemental glares he receives when Sandra exposes that he is the one who initiated Belle to the magical world. In shame, he slumps his shoulders and looks down at his feet, unable to bear the weight of it.
*It's my fault, then. Belle really became like this because of me. Once again, I stole a life from someone dear to me.*
Drowning in guilt, he can't see the softening in the witches' eyes when they understand his past completely, with his lack of a proper mentor in magic.
— As such, when I heard his story, I wanted to talk to all of you. I personally believe, after seeing his actions and confronting them to his reputation, that we can recognise him as a witch hunter. I, personally am all for him joining.
Dorian lifts his head in shock, his eyes widened as he stares at Sandra. He sees, at the same time, other witches beginning to talk in low tone to one another while Gloria lifts her hand.
— S… Madam Sandra… Can… Can I ask why ?
— You can call me Sandra, dear, we're all equals here, as each one can teach something to the others. Then, what do you mean by 'why' ?
Dorian understands immediately. Sandra does know exactly what the girl means but he thinks, when she asks for clarification, that in those councils everything has to be clearly said. He doesn't know if it's more of a tradition or really important for anything magical.
— Why do you want, as a witch, to recognise a Witch hunter ? Doesn't that mean that you want to be friendly with someone hurting our sisters from other covens ? Do different covens… Wages wars against each other ?
Sandra smiles softly at her newly awakened sister.
— While it can happen, usually most covens keep to themselves and their own usages. Some cities even host multiple ones without any feud. Of course, some covens can have rivalries but we usually prefer to follow the peaceful ways, as our ranks are sparse and every coven knows this.
She glances at Dorian, while keeping her smile, before continuing.
— There are some rogue witches, however, who don't follow the rules. Those put our entire species at risk and need to be put down. Most witch hunters that the mundane world knows are, in truth, witches themselves.
Before Gloria can ask more, as she takes her time to assimilate those revelations, the other witches turn their gazes to Sandra, who nods.
— Sister Mavina, you already concluded your talks ?
An elderly, nearly ghost-looking witch, rights her back. To Dorian, and everyone present, it is clear that she should be the eldest of them all.
— Yes, sister Sandra. But before telling the council's choice, we need to hear Sister Gloria's vote. Sister, there are two questions when we want to officialise a Witch hunter. Do you want to acknowledge him as such ? And, as this man is also a witch, does he have his place in our coven ?
The young girl blushes and looks down, until her mother pushes her back gently with a murmur. As it happens, Sandra blushes bashfully.
— I… I think that… That he can be a hunter… And… For the other… I would like mom to vote in my place.
A subtle smirk appears on Mavina's mouth. The little one talks herself for things that are of external consequences, but lets her outsider mother talk for the internal part. Quite the irony. The mother, on the other hand, suddenly seems shy, probably thinking the same.
— I. I think that it would depend on his powers, right ? You told us that you're forest witches, but if his powers aren't linked to the woods, doesn't that clash with it ? My vote would be to… To accept him if he bears a link to the woods, and keep him as an external ally if he doesn't ?
Mavina looks back at Sandra.
— I can now tell you. The coven unanimously recognises Dorian the Stalker as a witch hunter. He will, however, stay as an outsider, with a vote of twelve in favor, five against and everyone else abstaining. As per your declaration, we counted you as in favor of his integration.
Dorian blinks, stunned, as he sees the witches approach him. He barely hears Sandra whispering an apology to Gloria about forgetting to tell her what entailed her question for him before finding himself surrounded.
— Don't worry, Dorian, we will simply give you our coven acceptance, which will let other covens know that you have our blessing.
This sentence, by another witch, calms his nerves. As the blessing happens, he feels something stir inside him, unable to tell what exactly, which leads him to believe that it's their marking. When all is done, Sandra then stays near him with another witch.
— Before letting you go, as you've been recognised as a witch hunter, we would like to have you spar against one of ours. Of course, this can be done after you escort Gloria and her mother back, we already explained everything to them so they'll have a cover story ready, you only have to say that you did find them in a cave.
— I would, like that, Sandra. Thank you for offering.
The other witch smiles at this interaction and extends a hand in greeting.
— G'ad to see that you don't chicken out a fight, Stalker. Name's Margaret, I' be your partner.