The Penance

Once upon a decrepit autumn night, a gust of wind kissed the face of a grief-stricken Kwei. She clutched her child’s ashes and walked down the snowy pathway. The moon’s blood red gaze was her only ghostly guide through the dark night. Every witch dreamed of this moment, and Kwei refused to flounder it. The leaves crunched under her boots and the air was getting thinner and colder. Kwei was arriving at the precipice of the mountain. She smiled.

After months of waiting, she finally made it to Lover’s Peak. The goddess that provided the beautiful lands that humans dwell on is said to have grant woeful souls wishes here each night of a blood moon. Kwei, a person born from darkness didn’t believe in such tales. But sometimes when you need to have faith, even the tides can move under your command. Kwei could feel a heavy presence on her shoulders. This indicated that she was entering a realm of magic.

Kwei could hear the coo of the midsummer owls perched in the dense forest. It almost sounded magical. “Welcome my child” a voice whispered against the nape of her neck. Frightened Kwei turned around to see if someone was behind her. Nothing was there, so Kwei turned back to the direction of the precipice to be greeted by a black owl. The owl’s feather’s looked ruffled and it had dark purple eyes filled with curiosity. “Kwei Ayomiday, what brings you the granddaughter of the great sorcerer here” the owl said.

Kwei wished she knew more about her ancestry, however her relatives died in the great purge. There was a deep pain, she had nothing now. The hot tears fell down her face. “My child.” The owl said, “Regale me with the tale, that makes your heart so heavy with grief.” Without concern current situation she was in Kwei told the owl, the tragic tale of her child Issa.

Issa was almost the splitting image of Kwei, with one exception she had a large afro of curly orange hair. This was rare for regular humans but even more unique for those who had some form of magical presence. Kwei thought that her partner loved both her and Issa. However, began to become filled with anger and jealousy. He was so consumed by it that he began to deny Issa as his daughter. For her and her child’s safety Kwei remained doting and protected Issa in any manner she could. She was tempted multiple times to use magic against him.

Kwei thought that if she allowed the imbecile to do as he pleased, he would keep the secret of Kwei and Issa. Even when he abandoned them to begin a new family with the daughter of the next-door neighbor. Kwei felt no ill will becaue the man was out of the house and Kwei and Issa could at least live in peace until they had the monetary ability to move. Kwei just wanted to have a little slice of heaven but the fear of him releasing their family’s secret weighed heavy on their shoulders.

Kwei and Issa can both practice magic. Not many halflings can, but Issa showed signs from an early age. This caused an uproar and their livelihood changed for the worst. Humans fear what they do not understand and the punishment for practicing magic was death. Kwei’s submissiveness was only to accomplish one goal.

Unbeknownst to Kwei, trouble was stirring up in the village. Her former partner started spreading rumors about his bewitchment and being forced to raise a bastard child. One unfortunate afternoon Issa was kidnapped during the time she was helping Kwei pick berries. She was then murdered; her ashes were placed in neatly decorated box on Kwei’s doorstep the next day. Kwei was enraged.

The town was plagued with misfortune until Kwei got her answers then she burnt it to the ground. Her former partner received the most horrid death. He was the mastermind of the situation. Kwei did not get any time to grieve. Filled with regret, Kwei spent her days researching on any manner to bring her daughter back. On one restless night Kwei was given a vision during her drunken stupor. This foresight lead Kwei on this journey of redemption. In hopes to bring her beloved daughter back.

“Kwei Ayomiday, since the dawn of time I knew everything that happened on this blessed land. I tend to try my best when it comes to involving myself in situations involving man. I will grant you your wish, if you give your soul to me.” The owl responded. Kwei pondered on the situation. She wanted to be there for Issa, that would be a selfish desire. So Kwei said “I no longer have any desire to live on this earthly plane if my beloved child is not with me. So please oh great goddess of the night exchange my life for Issa’s.”

Kwei wished she could spend more time with Issa she hoped she taught enough for her to figure out the witchcraft and the world on her own. Kwei sat down on the edge of the precipice looking at the moon. She could feel the life force leaving her body. Kwei felt a lot heavier and her eyes slumped closed. She only wished she could see her daughter’s face once more before the god of death guided her to the underworld.

Kwei then let out a coo. Then another one. Kwei’s skin started itching to the point scratching became unbearable. She looked over to the owl. The eyes made almost a human facial expression of smirking. The owl then said “Your payment for bringing Issa back to life is becoming one of my children. You are now an owl.”