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Chapter: Chapter 2. Sightseeing

  • The golden light drowned the table. As the beams of light reached for the skies, so too did the woman’s arms lift like a marionette’s. Her grin split wide, and as the formless words began slithering past her lips, the night sky burst into flame. Mirabel watched in terror as the pillars of fire reached out for the night, where three stars looked down upon them in brilliant sheen. The unbearable heat that erupted from nothingness burned so hot that even the moon itself began melting, its silver surface dripping into strands of mercury. Then the woman’s echoes coalesced into being, and the depth of her murmurs resonated into the night: “Deep within the cracks of time, the slumbering sister awakens, and the stars begin life anew. In flame, will you bathe, and from the embers will an old promise rekindle. And there it will all end where it started. Solemnly, as the stars weep and dusk alone bears witness. As steel and flame clash in the crucible of a new world, with the guilt of sin and a heart everbright.”

    Home Cauldron Page 33

    Mar 05, 2026

  • The woman flinched, the akarta slipping through her fingers as if they were paralysed by venom. Mirabel’s eyes trailed the falling card, and as its corner hit the table, she could feel the aether flow around her like a dry, hot gust of air. The citrine trims lit up like candles, and the old lady’s voice echoed with deep resonance that was far removed from her high-pitched cackling. “Yes, o’ night…” she said, her voice echoing in the room with a low murmur. Depicted on the card were 8 people of different origins, engulfed in a golden flame, and all stared at the sky where the flame first erupted. She knew the story well, as did everyone. The Fouding Flame. She could feel her blood pumping as the woman’s voice deepened further. “Heed my words…”

    Home Cauldron Page 32

    Feb 18, 2026

  • Mirabel gave the woman an impish look. ”Well, let’s hear it then, old hag! I hope Ikitar has some good fortune in store for me! Maybe I will stumble upon some stunning noble lady who offers me her hand and half the kingdom?” she sneered. The blue-cloaked woman cackled with a wide grin, and her teeth shone in the candle-lit tent as she laid the deck of cards on the table. “Seers tend to be an eccentric lot. Interpreting the threads of time is a cryptic form of magic, and they use peculiar mediums to better concentrate on it. Hers was a deck of Akarta with a citrine trim. Goes well with getting swindled, or so I thought.” The woman reached the velvety cards with her rough, pale-furred fingers. She flipped the card on the table with a single snappy motion, and she let out a chuckle. “The Minstrel. Herald of adventurous souls, creative minds, and visionaries,” she said as she looked down at the picture of a singing bard elegantly painted on the bone paper with gold and black ink. “Or perhaps foreshadowing greater events yet to come…” She flipped another card. “Ahh, the Lady of Fate. Many seek Ikitar’s wisdom and guidance, yet only a few are ever blessed by her light. She must have great things in store for you…” Mirabel looked down at the cards with her eyes half-lidded. “Whoa… Riveting…” she said with an impassive tone. But as the woman began reaching for the third and final card, something in the air lifted. “I was beginning to believe it was a mistake…” The pale hag’s golden eyes widened from beneath her dark cover, lighting, and swirling up with awe as she looked down upon the last Akarta. “…and to be fair, maybe it was.”

    Home Cauldron Page 31

    Jan 23, 2026

  • Mirabel pulls open the curtain to the shady tent. Its shady interior is only lit with an assortment of candles and baubles emitting a magical light. Despite its meager outward appearance, the interior holds within it a set of equipment that rivals even a more established witch’s study. “I was curious I could not lie. My mentor was a reflection witch, so I wasn’t easily impressed by some cheap parlour tricks. But there was something about it. Something about those words that drew me like a moth to a flame.” She glances around the tent until her eyes land on a robed figure and her deck of cards which she shuffles with ominous determination. “Good.” the woman says with squeaky age rasped voice. “It is wise not to mute one’s mind to the murmurs of fate. To not stray blindly into the dark.” She continues as the candlelight shines upon her robes and that are adorned by a silver. She grins. Like the night sky, her robes frame her long pale muzzle peeking from withing the dark covers of her hood, and she opens her mouth again and continues: “So, I ask you again, young witch. Care to witness what lies in the path of stars? To listen to the whispers of the Star Mother and what she has woven in the endless bed of night?”

    Home Cauldron Page 30

    Nov 13, 2025

  • “Psst! You there young lady...” A voice calls to her as Mirabel is strolling around the populated marketplace. “What now...?” she says turns around to see where the sound originates. It’s hard to see but Mirabel manages to catch a glimpse of the shady figure inside a tent. The pale furred figure flicks a purple card with bright yellow etchings. A trail of golden magic follows the card’s movements as the woman speaks to her again with an old and gnarly voice: “Care to witness what the stars have in store for you?” she says. Mirabel looks at the small tent set up in the alleyway for a moment. Like a robe with dark blue trims and snowy fabric it stands in the vacant dim alleyway. Underneath the hood that covers the spindle, a silver crescent decorates the tent like a head of a figure. The brooch, too made of silvery metal, shines against rogue rays of light piercing into the alley. Mirabel sighs: “I’ll pass” she says frustratedly. “I prefer to worry about my future tomorrow.” The innards of the snowy tent illuminate, lighting up the back street with warm golden light. “How about your dreams then, Mirabel?” the woman says with an ominous tone and her words are enough to fully draw in the intrigue of Mirabel. ‘How does she know my name?’

    Home Cauldron Page 29

    Jun 26, 2025

  • Wooaahh… Mirabel lets out as she glances at the display. The stall has beautifully displayed different coloured and shaped gemstones, resting on purple velvet. Citrine, verdanite, amethyst, fire quartz, and azulite, all neatly organized into a pentagonal shape. "Don't be shy! I judge not whether you're a mage or a witch. I will leave that judgement to the all mighty God of Law Waltari, ha!” Utu, the hume salesman says as Mirabel’s eyes are locked on the gems. All of them pristine in every detail. Their colours magnificent and all of them are cut like they were the royal gems. 'All magic begins with a Spark, but to truly mold the essence of cosmos, you need magestones. Those are the catalysts aether is channelled through. ‘Purest gems are the strongest and last the longest, and while these stones were cheaper impure ones, they too were worth more than a month’s salary. And as you might already know, each school of magic is best cast through a magestone of a proper quality.' School of Reflection: ‘Magic imbuing light and the fate woven into the stars through gems like Citrine (impure) and Sun Beryl (pure)’; School of Antiquity: ‘Magic unearthing and mending what once was through gems like Verdanite (impure) and Emerald (pure)’; School of Cognizance: ‘Magic manipulating the senses and mind through gems like Amethyst (impure) and Staranite (pure)’; School of Shaping: ‘Magic reshaping and manipulating physical material through gemstones like Fire Quartz and Ruby’; School of Flow: ‘Magic commanding energy and force through gems like Lazulite (impure) and Sapphire (pure)’. Mirabel sighs and shifts her attention to pouches on the far side of the table. ‘While there are some other types of catalysts, the most common of them is quartz. Quartz is a universal catalyst, and it gets most jobs done. Rather poorly might I add but hey, it was something even I could afford. Well, just dust to be more precise.’

    Home Cauldron Page 28

    Apr 10, 2025

  • “I’ll go looking for some exotic herbs. I’ll catch up with you at the foot of the Old Rowan when I’m done!” Erika says. “Alright, sounds great! See you soon!” Mirabel replies as Erika fades into a crowd of people. The market is like nothing Mirabel had seen before. Stalls, people, common and exotic goods of all kinds. Delicious smells of fresh bakery goods, shiny metal swords and knick-knacks, vibrant cloths of all colors and designs. “I had never seen so many people in my life. So many things to try. So many things to see. It was almost overwhelming. But there was one thing I was really after”, the text boxes read. As she strolls past the tents and stalls, a voice yells at her from a caravan: “You there! I can spot a spark wielder from a mile away!” the voice of a man yells. She looks to the lavishly decorated purple caravan. “Welcome young ferin miss!” the human with dark complexion dressed in a flamboyant purple and blue suit yells from behind the counter. “Looking to buy some of Utu’s exquisite magestones?” he asks as the shine of a beautifully cut red quartz piece shines against the sunshine.

    Home Cauldron Page 27

    Jan 23, 2025

  • Erika smiles. ”Well anyways, we’re here!” she says. “Welcome to Rowanill Mirabel!” Mirabel gasps, her eyes widening and ears spiking up in excitement. The grand rowan tree stands tall in the middle of the square, twisted around its own trunk, stretching out its branches and berries to the far side of the market. The wooden buildings framing the grand rowan tree are decorated with carefully crafted red painted timber frames and their mismatched walls are raised upon crumbled stone bases. The yard is filled with stalls and wagons with tarps all in plentiful and lively colors. People are wandering around and spending time conversing, perusing the varied collection of goods for sale, or simply just enjoying the warmth of the late summer morning.

    Home Cauldron Page 26

    Dec 05, 2024

  • ”So Mirabel, have you ever been to Rowanill before?” Erika asks and glances over to Mirabel. “No, never. I have to say I’m quite excited!” Mirabel responds gleefully. “Well, you’re in luck then as the caravan market just so happens to be in the town today!” Erika responds with a smile. “Lots of travelers come here often?” Mirabel asks. Erika lowers her gaze, and her voice shifts into a subtle but still noticeable solemn tone: “Well, not as many as I heard used to. The thick woods make travel difficult and risky for large caravans. But I think many still avoid the place because of its, well, history.” The two women approach the town gates. Beautifully crafted rich woodwork embellishes the stone structures. Bright red trims with splashes of white paint frame the gate and the 10-meter stone watchtower. But despite the quality of the tower, its brother lies crumbled, barely holding the gate together and it too only barely held together by makeshift scaffolding. Two guards stand under the gate in colors similar to the trimmed gate bridge and inside the gates, a stableboy is harnessing a three horned kaurin stallion ready for travel. There is a text box which reads: “At the time I didn’t know of the events that took place in Rowanill during the Avelonian civil war, though it was clear from the first glance that even decades later the place hadn’t fully let go of that night.”

    Home Cauldron Page 25

    Nov 21, 2024

  • Mirabel and Erika are walking on a quiet forest path. In front of a large old oak is a sun scorched post with a sign that reads Rowanill. ”So Erika, how long have you lived here?” Mirabel asks. “Around four years. My mentor had a summer retreat here which he sold to me after my apprenticeship”, Erika responds. “I take it you are not around these parts then?” Mirabel adds in which Erika responds “No, I’m from Vinen.” Mirabel’s ears zap up in excitement and her eyes glow up. “No way! Across the sea?” she shouts. “I’ve always wanted to see the golden prairies, the endless vineyards, the coastal cities! It all must be amazing!” she says enthusiastically before her excitement fades. “But why would you come here out of all places? It’s not like Avelon is a great place for witches.” Mirabel then asks. Erika smiles. “Oh, Vinen is lovely in its own way for sure! But when I came here for the first time, I just fell in love with this place. There is just something about the atmosphere, the seasons, all this!” she says and gestures around her. The old stone bridge crosses a blue stream and all around them greenery new and old surrounding them in multitude, all bathing in the golden rays of sunrise.

    Home Cauldron Page 24

    Nov 14, 2024

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