Myosotis - Exorcist's Beginnings

Chapter XII: Witches

Meanwhile, Beatrice returned downstairs, where Dumah was already working on decoding Lucero's book. Almost half of it was done, which was a lot, since the book had a couple hundred pages and it had enigmas everywhere. Some were so complex, they gave up on them and proceeded with the next page.

"Did something happen?" Dumah asked, as he noticed she was upset.

"No" Beatrice replied with a feigned smile. "Actually, I was wondering why you don’t let Macaria work with us. We could teach her the alchemist's code. It would be much quicker with one more person."

"You know why. And why do you want to do this quickly? Are you desperate to get rid of her or something?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the book and writing his notes.

"No, of course not. She is lovely and a breath of fresh air, to say the least" she said, without showing a hint of irony.

Dumah laughed. "Ok, let's not get that far."

"No, really. I also think she's more talented in... our ways than you give her credit for."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think supernatural powers work on her" said Beatrice, and Dumah frowned. "I'm telling you. I'll admit: last night, I was upset, so I tried to enter her dreams. But I just can't seem to... connect with her at all, you know?"

"You can't do that to too many people, maybe she is just one of them" Dumah argued.

"No, it's completely different. Did you ever have a dream about her?" Beatrice asked, which flustered Dumah.

"Hum... What kind of dream?" he asked, flustered at her question.

"What do you mean? Your visions, what else?"

"Oh, that! Yeah, no."

"See?"

"That does not prove anything" he said.

"Are you sure? I think it does. We should be careful with her."

"That's nonsense. Supernatural powers work on her. I saw the effect the demon from Aganipe had on her", Dumah said.

"Maybe it was not the demon's effect, maybe it was just her" Beatrice argued.

"You think?" he said and smiled without thinking, which was not appreciated by Beatrice.

"You seem to like the news a bit too much. Don told me he caught you two in quite a... messy situation. You're not thinking she was sincere about that, are you? Now, that I think about it, it's very unlikely that demons' effects won't work on her. After all, demons are way stronger than us."

"Sure, probably not."

After the incident with Beatrice, Macaria decided to go to the only place she knew in that town, however there was a problem: she really didn't remember the way that well and was a bit scared about going there to begin with. Still, it was worth the shot, since the information she could gain could be crucial. As soon as she left her room, she met someone who had just arrived with a couple of new bags.

"We meet again. It must be fate" said Macaria with a broad smile.

"Yeah, sure. I should really move from this place" said Ector.

"What do you mean? You don't like seeing me?"

"It's not like I don't like seeing you, it's more like I already know you're going to ask me for something" he stated.

"Oh! How did you know? Are you also one of the... special ones?" she asked.

"What?" he frowned.

"Never mind. But yes, I do want to ask you for a favor" Macaria said, and he sighed. "And in return I promise to not ask you any uncomfortable questions."

That last piece of her sentence did make him more interested. "Alright, what is it? As long as it's not to return to that swamp. Ugh, I still did not change. Can't believe I went around smelling like an infected toad", he said, and she laughed. "So? What is it?"

"We have to return to that swamp" she stated.

"Hum, I see. Bye then" he said, while opening the door to his room, trying to close it on her, but she blocked him.

"Please! It's important!" she begged him.

"Why don't you go with your grumpy friend?" he asked, referring to Dumah.

"He's busy. Come on!"

"Fine, but let me wash up a bit first" he finally agreed.

"For what? You are going to end up the same in a little while" Macaria said, and her words made him rethink the whole deal. "Are you at least going to tell me your real name?"

"I beg your pardon?! I told you my real name! It is... What name did I tell you again?"

"Emil?" she jested.

"You promised not to ask questions!" he reminded her.

"Fine, let's just go then."

Since neither Macaria, nor Ector were native to that town, both of them ended up losing themselves a bit on the way to the swamp and then even more in the swamp. She then realized how familiar Dumah was with that place. He must have been there many times to make the way look so easy, when it wasn't at all. Ector was particularly apprehensive; he was worried a crocodile might jump out to take revenge on his cousin, who was now his shoes.

"I've seen this before. We must be in the right way now" said Macaria, looking around, but it was just tall grass around that dirt path.

"There's a house over there. I mean not really a house, more like a... hut" pointed out Ector, who was a bit ahead of her.

"That is it!" she exclaimed, running to him. "Alright, I think Lady Marabel is particularly fond of men, so you have to go first."

"What?! I don't even know her!" he argued and sighed, defeated. "Ladies do tend to like me, though" Macaria smiled at him and gave him a little push.

They approached the hut, where chickens were pecking the dirt floor looking for worms, which were far from a rarity in that place. They peeked at the little window, trying to see any signs of life, but it was too dark for them to see anything. Suddenly, an alligator jumped out of the water, which almost gave them a heart attack. Macaria remembered him, it was Mr. Roger, Marabel's pet alligator. He blasted a chicken with his powerful jaw and fangs and returned to the water much more peacefully then when he came out of it.

"Hello?" said Ector shyly and, suddenly, a bustle erupted from the inside the hut, which startled them. "Is this person dangerous?"

"I'll be honest with you: I don't know. All I know is she is a witch" Macaria replied.

"What?!"

"Well, she lives alone in a hut in a swamp. What did you expect?" Macaria retorted and at that moment Lady Marabel appeared.

"Greetings, young ones" she said.

"Gre... greetings" they stuttered, a bit astonished by her opulent, yet decadent appearance. Her clothes were rags, but her jewels were shiny, which impressed Ector quite a bit.

"You seem familiar" Marabel said to Macaria.

"Oh yes, I'm Macaria. I was here before some weeks ago with Dumah" she replied.

"Oh, Dumah, yes! One of my best... clients..." she sighed with a strange look of lust. "And who is this charming handsome young man?" she asked, and her compliments made Ector smile widely.

"Oh, you flatter me. I'm not important. I'm here only to accompany my friend, who needs you" he replied.

"Well, we don't have to be here outside putting on a show for the chickens. Come on in", Marabel invited.

They sat at the same table Macaria and Dumah had sat before. Nothing seemed to have changed in that place. The only difference was that Ector was there and not Dumah; and Ector was a lot different from Dumah. He tried to keep his posture, but he seemed quite overwhelmed, disgusted even, by the new environment. There were chicken droppings even inside Marabel's home, as well as jumpy frogs.

"So what bothers you, child?" Marabel asked, as soon as she sat down.

"Well, I would like to know..."

"Don't go so fast. First, we have to discuss payment", Marabel said.

"Payment? But last time..."

"It doesn't matter what happened last time. Dumah is an old and dear, dear client and I'm afraid you are not. So what is it going to be? Will it be a kiss from this striving young man?" she winked at Ector, who widened his eyes frightened.

Macaria exchanged looks with him and at that moment he sighed, as he knew what that look meant. Ector wore many rings and many bracelets, hence he decided to give up one of his gold bracelets, which appeased the old witch. At that moment, Macaria was able to take a good look at one of his rings in particular. It was made of gold and it had small hearts, crescent moons and suns all around, but with one sun highlighted in the center, which looked awfully familiar to her.

"Is that enough?" Ector asked, dissatisfied with the whole deal and conflicted about why he had to pay for something that wasn't even for him.

"Very nice" Marabel said, dazzled by the gold piece and even going as far as to bite it to make sure it was real. "Now we can speak about whatever you want. Tell me."

"I want to know about a girl named Beatrice, who works in the Bawdy Shirina . Do you know anything about her?" asked Macaria, and Lady Marabel was mortified and even gagged. "What is it? Is it because she is an inquisitor?" Macaria asked and Marabel did not respond and her eyes were wide and unfocused. "If you're not going to answer, we will just take the jewelry back."

When Macaria attempted to snatch the jewel, Marabel blocked her. "Why do you want to know?! Are you acquaintance with her?!"

"Not particularly. I have... a friend who really trusts her, but I don't think she is that trustworthy" Macaria replied.

"And you're perfectly right! She is a witch traitor!" she exclaimed, almost jumping from her seat to deliver her response, just like her eyes, which were even bigger.

"A witch traitor? What do you mean?"

"I mean she is a witch, who has no problem selling out fellow witches" Marabel replied.

"She's a witch?!" exclaimed Macaria.

"Is Beatrice the one who is at the bar? The one with green eyes?" asked Ector, and Macaria nodded. "Why are you so surprised, then? She totally looks like a witch."

"This is not about looks. She says she is against witchcraft and helps to hunt demons" said Macaria.

"Exactly, she is deceitful! She only says what a person wants to hear! You two should stay as far away as you can from that w***e, if you know what's good for you", Marabel advised.

"She also says that she is a psychic. That is another lie, then" said Macaria, and Ector laughed.

"And you believed it? Wow, so it's people like you who get scammed" he jested.

"No, no! That is very true! Don't ever underestimate her powers. They come from the devil!" Marabel exclaimed and banged her fists on the table, which startled them. "It is said that once you fall into her charms, you can't get out."

"Really? That is... worrying" said Macaria. "I'm afraid my friend has already fallen long ago."

"Oh... Then forget about him and move on with your life", Marabel advised.

"But why does she betray other witches?" Ector asked. "Why would she work with inquisitors?"

"Who knows? Some say she regrets her choices and wants to forget who she really is, but others say it's her way to climb up the ranks. One can be the high-witch honorably, by subduing demons and using them as they wish; or by killing witches who are in higher places than you" Marabel explained.

"She definitely does not seem the type to go on a redemption arc" said Ector.

"Oh my God!" Macaria yelled, putting her hands on her head as she remembered something. "He gave the demon to her!" she exclaimed, as she recalled seeing Dumah collect Lady Dora's demon into a flask after the exorcism.

"What?" said both Ector and Marabel.

"Hum... Nothing. So she works with inquisitors, so they can do the work for her" Macaria realized.

"It certainly looks like it" said Ector.

"She is playing all of us. It is as I told you: she is a master manipulator. She even manipulates those inquisitors, sons of bitches" said Marabel.

"Ok. Well, this was most helpful, thank you, Lady Marabel" said Macaria.

"You're welcome, darling. Next time, bring more gold and more men."

"Actually, now that I'm here and had to give up my goods, can you tell me anything about Lucero?" Ector asked, and Macaria was as shocked as the witch.

"You two are asking too many questions about very dangerous people. You probably don't even realize how dangerous they really are" said Marabel.

"No, I do realize, that's why I want to know. The more you know, the more prepared you are", Ector replied.

"I only know what I've told your friend over here" Marabel said, and Ector exchanged inquisitive looks with Macaria. "I guess he is known as Lucero these days. I always knew him as Flamel", Marabel said. "He also frequents that bar where the witch traitor works."

"I've been told that already, but until now I've never seen him. Can't you tell me anything else? I may even give you an extra something", Ector said, pointing at his expensive jewelry and Marabel looked at it tempted.

"No! I can't say anything more. It is against the witches' code" she stated.

"So you know more" he concluded.

"It's getting late and the swamp is dangerous. You better be on your way", Marabel said hastily.

Things were far from over, but they were at least starting to get clearer. Macaria may still not know how to find her father or who was that familiar stranger next to her, but she knew what she had to do next.

"Why are you looking for Lucero?" he asked as soon as they stepped outside.

"Where did you buy that ring?" she asked instead.

"Oh... This..."

"Me and my sister have the exact same ring, but in other colors" Macaria said.

"Really? Well, I guess they made more than one then" replied Ector with sarcasm. "Now, tell me why are you looking for Lucero?"

"Because he may be related to my father's disappearance" said Macaria.

"Your father disappeared? How come?" he asked.

"We don't know. We don't remember anything at all that is related to my father" she replied.

"Oh. Since when?" he asked, as they tried to find their way back to town.

"Ten years ago. None of us even remember his name or his face."

"Have you and your family ever thought about stopping to dwell on the past and just move on with your lives?" Ector asked.

"What?! He is my father and he just vanished! I want to know if something happened to him and what happened to us and our memories" said Macaria. "Even if... something bad happened to him and he is no longer in this world, we want to know. We want closure."

Ector sighed. "I will tell you something, but you have to keep the promise you made before about not asking questions, alright?" he said and she just shrugged and nodded. "Your father may have changed his name, but he used to go by the name of Virgil. And by what you told me, it sounds like your father either gave you and your family lethium or he hexed you with the oblivion curse."

"I was right, then! We do know each other! And you remember my father! How?!" she exclaimed.

"Because he neither hexed me nor poisoned me" he replied.

"Wait, how are you so sure that it was my own father who did it?" Macaria asked.

"That's how it works. In order to be forgotten, it is the user who has to directly... do it, by his own hand. You can't make a person forget another person, you can only make a person forget about you", Ector explained.

"But why would my own father do that to us?"

"I have no idea and I'm sorry that happened to you, but if he did it, I'm sure he had strong reasons for it and maybe you should respect his decision", Ector said.

"No, I must know why. I didn't come this far to give up now."

"Well, it's your call."

"You must come with us" Macaria said.

"What?! I think I'm done doing you favors" he retorted.

"But you know him! No one else does. You know his face, right? You can recognize him, while I can't."

"You know, I also have my life and my own problems to solve, right?" he said.

"We can do both. When we are together, it feels right" she said, and he stared at her.

"That's what I'm afraid of. I'm sorry, but I can't. I can try making you a sketch of him with the best of my ability, although I haven't seen him in years. That's the best I can do."

"Fine... Will you tell me your name at least?" she asked again and he just sighed in response. "I know it's not Ector. You only did that to spite the real Ector in the room."

"So you know who he is! You really acted like you didn't" he said.

"I only found out the other night. It was quite shocking and... amusing" she replied and "Ector" chuckled and both laughed together.

They arrived at the Bawdy Shirina together and "Ector" actually accompanied Macaria, because he wanted to watch the scene. They went to the area behind the bar, where the kitchen and preparation room were located. It was there, where Dumah and Beatrice were working on the book Macaria stole from the convent.

"Oh Macaria and... you" Dumah said, glaring at Ector. "What are you doing here?"

"Good afternoon, Macaria and... Do I know you?" asked Beatrice nicely.

"No and you don't need to", Ector replied.

"We are working here, so whatever it is, it can wait" said Dumah.

"Actually, I need that book, so if you don't mind..." Macaria said and tried to get the book, but Beatrice stopped her.

"May we ask what is going on?" Beatrice asked with a feigned smile.

Macaria pulled the book from Beatrice's grasp, while trying to appear polite, which was starting to get difficult. "You don't work for me, Miss. He does."

"Macaria, she is doing us both a favor by helping us out. What's wrong? Don't you want to find your father?" Dumah argued.

"I don't have to explain myself to either of you, but something happened at home and I need to get back" Macaria lied.

"Ok, but can't you leave the book here, so we can work on it in the meantime?" asked Beatrice.

"No" Macaria replied bluntly.

"What are you going to do with the book then?" Beatrice insisted.

"That's none of your business. I appreciate your effort, but that won't be needed anymore. I'm sorry my partner made you exhaust yourself with it" said Macaria, and then reached for her wallet inside the pocket of her coat and took some bills out. "I hope this is enough for your trouble."

Beatrice stared at the money on the table and so did Dumah. "It wasn't any trouble. It's nice to do something for someone else. You don't need to pay me."

"How kind she is" Ector commented, and Dumah glared at him once again.

"Are you firing me?" Dumah asked Macaria, although his eyes were on Ector.

"No."

"If not, then why are you not letting me do my job?" he asked.

"I'm paying you and only you, yet there's another person doing what should be your job" Macaria replied.

"So this is about me, I see. If my assistance is making you uncomfortable, then I'll politely step away" said Beatrice.

"No. Come on Macaria, why are you suddenly being so unreasonable?" Dumah asked.

"Unreasonable? She is your employer; the work must be done as she sees fit", Ector argued, which was not appreciated by both Dumah and Beatrice.

"Thank you, Ector. Finally, someone who doesn't see me as a burden in my own case. I will be packing upstairs. Dumah, if you don't intend to continue to work for me under my conditions, come upstairs for a settlement; if not, come and pack with me" said Macaria.

Dumah kept accusing her of being unreasonable all the way up the stairs, but suddenly his attention turned to Ector, who was trying to go to his own room.

"Where are you going?!" Dumah asked him.

"To... my room" he replied.

"So, after you messed everything up, you're just running away?" Dumah said.

"You seem quite outraged, but I really have nothing to do with any of this, so..." Ector replied.

"Before you showed up, everything was fine."

"No, it wasn't. You were just too blind to see", Ector argued.

"Dumah, leave him alone. He has nothing to do with my decision. He has already helped me more than enough and certainly more than you and your friend ever did" Macaria said and Dumah just sniffed offended. "Stop making a scene in the middle of the hall and come to our room."

After leaving "Ector" alone, Dumah seemed a bit calmer, however seeing Macaria starting to pack her things triggered him.

"I did not appreciate the way you treated Beatrice. She deserves more respect" he said, while sitting on the bed.

"Oh really?" she replied, dismissive.

"I know why you are doing this. She told me what happened this morning. I know she made you uncomfortable, but please just try to understand her. She is just a bit more... sexually charged and people around here do that type of things. But she won't do it again. You don't have to worry."

"It is not because of that, although it certainly didn't help."

"Then why is it? Is it because of... Ector?" he asked.

"No and don't ask. You won't understand. You are too far gone anyway" Macaria said.

"What? What is that supposed to mean?"

"She is... Let's just say I don't trust her with a book like this" she replied.

"Why not? She is the one you should trust the most. She has fought evil, since she was very young", Dumah said.

"No, she doesn't. She is a witch and a pretty wretched one, in fact" Macaria stated.

Dumah sighed, ignoring her accusations. "Are you jealous of her? Is that what this is about?"

"Jealous? Please."

"Yes, jealous. You were always going on and on about how pretty she was and what I have with her. I thought we had settled that our relationship is strictly professional and honestly, so it is my relationship with Beatrice."

"Is it, though? Because if your relationship was strictly professional with her, you would have no problem leaving her if your employer asked you to", she argued.

"Well, of course, we have a past in common and..."

"If that is the case, stay here with her, I'll pay you and I'll be on my way" she said.

"No, I want to help you, but I can't just leave her. Understand that she helped me a lot when I really needed."

"And I didn't?!" she erupted in an outburst and even stopped packing. "Ector?"

Suddenly, his face went pale. "What?"

"Didn't I help you in the past? When you had problems at home, who helped you? Wasn't it the nurse at school who took care of you? Wasn't it my mother? Didn't I and the others do the best we could so you would feel better? It's not our fault that you developed an inappropriate passion for my mom and decided to run away, when she rejected you."

Dumah sighed and lowered his face. "Did you always know?"

"No, only when I saw your face the other day" she replied, continuing to pack.

"When?"

"When you were about to be sucked off by your dear Beatrice" she said.

Dumah shook his head and took his mask off. "I was too ashamed to reveal myself to you and your family. Does your mother know?"

"I don't think so. Why did you even accept the job? Why did you even come to our house?" she asked.

"Because... it's been a long time and I wanted to help" Dumah replied.

"Did you? Or did you hear the news that my father was gone and decided to give it a go with my mother?"

"No! Stop saying that."

"So how is it going to be? Are you in or out?" she asked. "Mind you, if you decide to be in, Beatrice will no longer be involved in the case."

"I still think you're being too over the top, but fine. It doesn't really matter anyway, I found a lead in the book and I have a feeling the case will be ending soon", Dumah said.

"Really? Finally."

After they were done packing, Macaria knocked on Ector's door, but no one replied. She repeated and again nothing. She rotated the doorknob and the door was unlocked, which surprised her. She found his room completely empty and Macaria couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness. However, on top of his bed, she found a sketch of a man and beneath the poor drawing it was written "I'm sorry, but this is all I remember of your father. Hope it helps". It showed a man with stark traces and dark eyes. She expected to feel some sense of familiarity, but she only felt conflicted.

"I'm sure, sooner or later, we will meet him again" said Dumah, carrying his leather bag.

While walking down the hall, they crossed paths with Don, which did not make either of them happy.

"Where are you guys going? Beatrice is crying downstairs. Aren't you going to see her?" Don asked Dumah, who just stared at him without knowing what to say.

"Let her cry" said Macaria coldly, continuing on her way, and Dumah came behind her without sparing a second glimpse at Don.

They found themselves in the train station once again. As they waited, Macaria could not help, but stare at Dumah's bare face. It was strange to see him without the mask, but not unpleasant. She remembered touching his face and kissing his lips. Somehow, it was even better than what she had envisioned. Underneath his melancholic dark eyes, slightly hidden by his black curls, there was a defined nose and mouth, but most importantly his stark jaw.

"Will you ever stop staring at me?" he said.

"I was not staring, I was only looking. Anyway, where are we going this time?" Macaria asked.

"Didn't you say you wanted to go home?" Dumah said.

"I didn't mean it. I thought you had a lead."

"I do. It's in our dear hometown, Sta. Perpetua" he replied, and for once Macaria was actually happy with the response, as she missed her family. "Don't think about seeing your family, though. We have to remain as discreet as possible" he said, after noticing her subtle smile, which disappeared after his last words.

"Do you really think Lucero is there?" she asked.

"Probably. It is written that every new moon, when the sky is the darkest, an important ritual happens to renew their powers. Since witches do not have natural supernatural powers, they have to extract them from somewhere or... someone. And Lucero is one of them. He's a sorcerer and he was the one who wrote the book, so it is likely he will be there."

"But why Sta. Perpetua?"

"He wrote that it is the best place to acquire what is needed for the ritual."