Familiar's Calling - The Bond

They walked on in silence for the first few blocks, taking in their surroundings with Krista occasionally smiling at passersby. Jinx trotted along proudly at her feet occasionally rubbing against her ankles when she stopped to chat with people and receiving more than one pat on the head from random strangers. All the while, Jinx cautioned and reminded Krista in thought-speak to be careful what she did and said.

After a while they began a silent conversation in their heads about what they thought their destiny might be. Jinx speculated that he had a feeling they would be part of some sort of big change in the world. When Krista asked him what sort of change he said he didn’t have a clue.

I just hope our destiny isn’t to die to effect this big change, Krista replied uncertainly.

Jinx agreed adding, But that has happened in the past. Balance and ripples and all that.

As they considered with no real clue why their unique and matching birthmarks would suddenly turn all silvery, Chase and Sylas were catching snippets of their conversation and discussing just what they might have to teach this young witch and her familiar.

As Krista and Jinx rounded a corner on to the main street, Chase and Sylas blocked them from their thoughts. On the street was a gathering crowd some of whom were shaking their fists at someone out in front. Intrigued, Krista slowly wormed her way to the front of the crowd and immediately frowned. Jinx sensed her change in emotion and soon saw why as he too managed to squeeze to the front.

*

Out on the street a young girl, who couldn’t have been much older than Krista, was lying on the street. Her clothing torn and obvious burn marks on her slender shoulders.

Krista’s brow furrowed at this and she mumbled in thought-speak to Jinx, I don’t sense any magick, do you?

Jinx focused on the girl before replying. No, she is definitely not magickal, but I know what you’re thinking. We cannot interfere. You have no way to explain how you know she is not a witch without exposing yourself as one.

Krista gritted her teeth as the so called ‘judge’ declared the girl guilty of practicing witchcraft and sentencing her to death amid jubilant cheers from the crowd. As Jinx looked around at the excited faces, he caught snatches of those wearing frowns like Krista’s, or unsure expressions. Everytime he caught one, he sensed the magick emanating from within them; as well as the uncertainty of what to do.

Jinx could tell she was having such a hard time stopping herself from running out into the street to comfort the girl, so he began to mentally hold her back with his own power, constantly whispering, There’s nothing you can do. We’ll find a way to stop this from happening again.

Krista scooped him up into her arms petting him in an apparent attempt to stop herself from moving. As Krista stared down at the girl, who was frantically staring around at the crowd, hoping that anyone would help when their eyes met. The moment they did Jinx could feel that she had an overwhelming urge to reach out telepathically to at least comfort and reassure her. He watched as she had to tear her eyes away in order to fight it, and buried her face in his fur coat. A couple of tears rolled down her face and into his black fur, and she stayed that way as they began dragging the girl away. Her pitiful screams pierced the summer afternoon air, and Jinx found himself squeezed tightly as Krista hugged him to stop herself from sobbing.

He kept up a steady stream of: It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m here, in her mind before finally saying. Ok, they’re gone. Let’s get to the Hall of Records, pronto.

Krista nodded, and still holding him tightly to her chest, sped off up the street in the direction of the Hall of Records. As they approached the bistro that concealed the entrance, she slowed down and set him down so that he could lead the way inside.

After carefully looking around to ensure no non-magickal people were around, he proceeded to a broken-down newspaper dispenser and instructed Krista to push the coin return button. When she did, the wall to the left of it shimmered slightly, and he proceeded to walk right through the wall. Seemingly shocked, Krista must have paused before following him, because it was a moment before he saw her walk through the wall - eyes closed.

What she saw when she opened her eyes made her jaw drop. They had just stepped into the grandest entryway anyone had ever seen. Right in front of them, lining the walls all the way to the other end of the room, were fifty-foot tall marble pillars. The floor was a polished mahogany, and every few feet down the middle of the aisle were smooth, perfectly circular pools of light that seemed to sparkle as they shone upward.

As Krista stood admiring the immense hall, a voice called out in thought-speak. Hey, Jinxy! Come to see if you still have a destiny to fulfill? Jinx, sitting at Krista’s feet, looked around to locate the voice and scowled when he saw Bruno and his witch companion, Charles, walking toward them.

No, as a matter of fact I know I have a destiny, Bruno. He gestured at Krista with is tail, who was broken out of her admiration of the room by the thump of Jinx’s tail against her calf.

When she saw Bruno and Charles approach she held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Krista,” she said, offering her hand for Charles to shake.

Charles looked briefly down at Bruno before stuffing his hands in his pocket. “And I care who you are, why?” He arched his eyebrow at her.

Krista dropped her hand furious. “I was just trying to be polite,” she growled back.

They matched you with a girl, Jinxy? Bruno was saying. How embarrassing!

Charles laughed at this and said, “Good one, Bruno!”

Krista glared at Charles, then Bruno. “What’s wrong with me being a girl?”

Charles rolled his eyes. “Well everyone knows that girls with magick are too weak and emotional to have any real destiny.” He paused to smirk at Jinx who glared back. “So the standing joke is any familiar who gets paired with a girl is useless. They just want him out of the way, I reckon.”

Krista’s hand balled up into a fist. Jinx could feel the magickal energy just radiating off of her. He knew already what Krista was capable of, and he also knew the probability that Bruno and Charles would actually walk away from this confrontation alive was slim to none if he let it continue.

Jinx cleared his throat and spoke up. I highly recommend that you not make her any angrier. Trust me, you do not want to get into a witches’ duel.

Charles was about to protest when a merry yet tired voice interrupted. “Jinx is correct,” it began. “You should not underestimate someone just because of their gender or physical body type. If you were paying attention, you would have felt that the energy radiating off of her has increased.”

Bruno and Charles paused for a moment, watching Krista, whose hands had started to rise slowly into the air. After a moment’s indecision, Charles grunted and Bruno sneezed.

Charles muttered, “Good day, Dozhan,” out of respect, and Bruno bowed, and the two retreated quickly back out of the hall.

It took her a minute to collect herself, but Krista finally was able to lower her hands and calm down with a little magickal assistance from Jinx.

He mumbled to her, I know, those two are a right pain, as he watched their departing backs. All Krista could do was sigh and nod.

The Dozhan smiled and turned to Jinx and Krista, folding his wizened hands in front of him. “I have been expecting you. Do follow me,” he instructed before turning on his heel and leading them down the hallway, leaving the two of them to scamper after him.

Krista and Jinx entered the Dozhan’s office in a state of apprehension and confusion. In addition to the large desk in the middle of the room, there were also scattered about several ritual tools. They glanced nervously at each other as Krista sat down in a chair in front of the elaborately carved mahogany desk and Jinx hopped up into the other and settled back on his haunches. His piercing, emerald green feline eyes flicked towards Krista every now and then.

The man before them sat down at his resplendent desk, folding his hands as he watched the two of them. He was dressed in magnificent robes of royal blue with what appeared to be crescent moons dotted all over its surface. As Jinx’s eyes darted between the man and Krista he could have sworn the moon’s were glowing. However it was the man’s eyes that kept drawing his focus because they seemed to glow and Jinx could have sworn they were a gold-brown colour that flickered in the low light.

Why are we in here? Krista finally asked Jinx, her eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

Jinx shrugged. I’m not sure. As far as I know, most familiars and witches don’t visit his private office.

“But you two are not most pairs,” the Dozhan replied to Jinx’s thought-spoken statement causing him to look around in alarm. The old man chuckled. “You should know by now I am the one person your thought-speech is not hidden from, Jinx.”

Jinx swallowed nervously. Right, of course, I forgot, he bowed his head. I am sorry, your Eminence.

The Dozhan waved his hand in a dismissive way. “Forget about it. It is not important, and while we are at it, do feel free to transform into your human form. It will make this conversation much easier.”

Jinx looked sideways at Krista as she did the same. Err, he began.

The Dozhan smiled and explained. “Within these walls I am the authority, and I say you are perfectly entitled to be in your human form. It is much quieter inside my head that way.”

He nodded and slowly transformed into his messy-haired self. “As you wish, sir,” he replied.

The Dozhan chuckled at his slightly rumpled appearance. “That,” he gestured at Jinx’s hair, ”gets me every time I open your file.”

Jinx twisted his face up as he proceeded to try and make it lie flat, to no avail. “It annoys me, and it never flattens out,” he grumbled.

The Dozhan chuckled again, then cleared his throat. “It is who you are, my boy. It is who you are.” His face took on an almost fatherly expression. “Now, my dear children, what is it you have come to ask me?”

Krista spoke in a voice so small the Dozhan had to ask her to speak up and not be shy. After clearing her throat, Krista asked again, “Well, sir. We were wondering, sir. If you kne... remembered a matched pair named Chase and Sylas?”

The Dozhan smiled which made her blush. “Yes. Yes, of course I remember them. Their chime, and yours, is drilled into my memory. What about them?”

Jinx answered for her. “On our first afternoon after the matching ceremony while Krista and I conversed in thought-speak and slept, he - and I assume Sylas was also lurking - spoke to us. He… he asked us to meet him. Tomorrow, actually.”

“Expected. Definitely expected.” The Dozhan nodded thoughtfully. “Well, I won’t tell you why. That is for you to determine, but I can say you should definitely go to that meeting. You may learn a few things - in more ways than one,” he hinted, winking at them.

Jinx and Krista looked at one another for a moment. “Yes, we thought we ought to,” Jinx replied.

“With how famous the two of you are all ready, it is of the utmost importance that that meeting happen as soon as possible,” he added more sternly bringing a finger to his lips in thought.

Both of their eyes widened in surprise at being considered famous. They hadn’t even done anything yet.

The Dozhan chuckled. “It is amusing that you two are so surprised that you are famous.”

Jinx cleared his throat. “Well...“ He glanced at Krista. “We haven’t exactly done anything to be famous for.”

The old man chuckled again which was beginning to annoy Jinx slightly. It made him feel like he knew things he wasn’t willing to tell them. “On the contrary. If the rumours are to believed, you put on a pretty impressive display at your matching ceremony.”

Both Krista and Jinx simultaneously blushed a deep crimson and shrank in their seats.

The Dozhan chuckled once more. “It is something to be proud of, young ones. Even Chase and Sylas never accomplished such a feat!”

Jinx blurted out, “Well, he was - what? Five years old when he and Sylas were matched, wasn’t he? I mean - according to history and legend.”

The Dozhan smiled at Jinx, and the blush deepened. “Yes, you are quite right. But the strength of the connection between a familiar and witch is not determined by age. Trust me. What you two accomplished is indeed outstanding, and you impressed all who were present.” He paused for a moment, thinking before continuing. “Tell me, how did you feel during the ceremony? Describe the experience.”

Jinx bit his lower lip and looked at Krista, who shrugged. May as well, he said privately.

“It was... effortless,” he began.

“I see. Go on.”

Jinx took a deep breath, “We felt the connection the moment she walked into the council chambers. Actually... I spoke to her to reassure her, because I could tell that she felt nervous before we approached the table.”

“Then,” Krista broke in, “the fire test. I - we - never even saw the flames. All we saw was each other. The height and all that happened just, well... happened on their own, really.”

He nodded. “Yes. What happened was supposed to happen on its own. It is a sign that you have developed your connection. Fought through the… mind fog, I suppose you could call it, in order to reach each other.” He paused to reflect for a moment. “The fact that you have such an instantaneous bond is very telling. The prophecy must be correct. We have been waiting for you for a long time.”

Both nodded simultaneously thinking about that day before Jinx shook his head to clear it. He changed the subject. “We had a... question about something that happened last night, actually.”

The Dozhan tilted his head in honest curiosity, as if he really didn’t know what had happened. “What is your question, young one?”

Jinx swallowed, anxious. “Well, these strange moon-shaped birthmarks we have...” As he spoke, he turned his head to show the Dozhan.The older man nodded. “Yes, I am well aware of their existence.”

Jinx looked at Krista nervously. “Well, they have… changed.”

The Dozhan narrowed his eyes, suddenly serious. “Changed? How so?”

Jinx nodded at Krista, and she stood and turned around pulling back her t-shirt to reveal the silvery mark as Jinx folded his ear over to show his.

The Dozhan clapped his hands together in excitement. “Ah! Excellent. So things are progressing much quicker than anticipated.” On their stunned expressions, he added. “Prophecies are funny things when it comes to time.”

“But what does it mean?” Krista asked, an expression of utter confusion on her face.

Jinx nodded his agreement, curious.

The old man smiled. “It means you two are connected more deeply than you can possibly imagine. It means that instant connection you felt upon being in the same room, how quickly you accomplished the matching ceremony task - those things were all predetermined; something that has been waiting years, centuries, to happen.”

Jinx arched an eyebrow. “But why a physical mark? I mean, I get the destiny thing - everyone has gone on about it - but why the silver mark?”

The Dozhan smiled at Jinx. He rose from his chair and cupped Jinx’s right ear, laying the other on Krista’s shoulder. “This mark, this colour, is a side effect.”

Krista winced slightly at his touch. “Side effect? Of what?”

“A story such as this,” he replied, settling back in his chair. “It is best to begin with the reason why it is so rare and special when someone is born under the moon’s influence.”

He smoothed out his long, red velvet robes and clasped his hands together on the desk. “As I am sure you know by now, in general, our magick is fuelled by the sun. Everyone’s is no matter what celestial object they are born under.” Krista nodded as she sat back down. “Well, what you must understand is all magick has a taint to it. Impurities, if you will, much like drinking water directly from a stream. Now, there is nothing wrong with this. It does not harm us, but the magickal energy is contaminated nonetheless.” Krista and Jinx listened intently as he went on, “Now, lunar magic - that is, when the sunlight is reflected off of the moon - is different. The reflection acts like a sort of filter eliminating these impurities. What is left is pure magickal energy.” He paused again, looking seriously at them both. “Magick so pure that in order for someone to be able to use it with any control or frequency, without going mad, injuring themselves, or potentially killing themselves, takes several generations within a family before such a person - or familiar - can be born.”

“In fact,” he continued, “this magickal energy is so pure that in addition to the generations of preparation, a magickless generation must occur.”

Krista gasped. “So that’s why my pa doesn’t have magick?”

“Precisely. Now, technically speaking not all magickal families will produce magickal children every generation, but yes, in your case, that is why your father is completely devoid of magickal power.” As stoic as the man was there was something in the way he said your father that made Jinx suspicious - however he filed this feeling away as Krista nodded in understanding, and fell silent once more.

“Actually,” he continued, "that brings up an excellent point. Why do you think it is so rare for a child to be born under the moon’s influence, though many children (and familiars) are born near your birthday?”

Krista and Jinx exchanged puzzled looks.

“Not a clue,” Jinx replied for both of them.

“It was a rhetorical question, more or less. The answer, my dear children, lies in the natural instinct for self-preservation of any human or animal. In particular, those with magick have a natural instinct to avoid conceiving a child or offspring on a day that would put the birth of said offspring on such a powerful day. In addition, there is a force that steers most births away from coming into such powerful influence. For the ill-prepared soul, to be born under the moon would kill both the baby and the mother,” he explained somberly.

On their shocked expressions he added, “Yes, it has happened.”

Jinx made a choking sound and when the Dozhan looked at him and nodded he found his voice. “How is a soul ‘prepared’ for such power then?” he asked, making air-quotes around the word.

“Excellent question!” He clasped his hands together in excitement. “The answer lies in both impurities from ordinary magick as well as residual magickal energy from other celestial bodies those in the family have been born under. In order for such pure magick to fully permeate the child or familiar’s body and soul, there must be no other magickal influence present - a clean slate, as it were.”

Their confusion must have been written on their faces, so he stood and walked about the desk as he talked. “For a body and soul to be completely free from magickal influence allows the pure magick from the moon to more efficiently permeate every fibre of your being,” he said again prodding a finger into each of their chests as he said the word ‘your’.

As they touched the spot over their hearts where his finger had landed he continued, “This full permeation of not only the lunar magick but also a single celestial object is what allows those like yourselves to use magick so efficiently, with little to no effort.” He eyed them, and after assuring himself that they were still following him, posed another question. “Tell me, how does it feel when you use your powers? When the magick begins to flow?”

Krista was the first to speak. “It feels effortless. It feels...“ She grasped around for the right word. “Natural. It feels natural.”

Jinx who had been looking at her, his head tilted like it would when he was a cat, nodded, saying, “Yeah. It feels natural to use it, and it feels natural to feel her use it.”

The Dozhan smiled. “Exactly!” he exclaimed, excited that they understood. “By being born under a single celestial body, and the moon at that, your bodies - your souls - have only pure magick within them, and as such you are not subject to the same obstacles other witches and familiars are subject to.” He cleared his throat and reached for a glass of water that had not been on the desk a moment ago and took a sip before continuing, “So this pure magick that exists within you - that is you - is the reason for the silver marks. It is a release valve, of sorts, that allows you to use such pure magick without harming yourself or being uncontrolled.” He sipped some more water. “However it is also a sign that your destiny has begun. That the prophecy spoken before your births has been activated, as it were. Every moment, every decision or indecision made from the moment of activation onward, while not necessarily foretold, is leading you inexorably towards your final goal - your destiny.”

Jinx arched an eyebrow. “But what is our destiny if it is to be so great?”

The Dozhan simply smiled. “That, my young friend, is not for me to tell you, but for you to discover in your own time.” He winked again before tapping a finger to his lips. wandering over to a bookshelf and extracting a small leather book and wandering back to hand it to Jinx. “That should aid your discoveries.”

Suddenly he looked at Krista. “Is your mark still hurting? I noticed you wince when I touched it earlier,” he asked, concerned as Jinx cradled the book in his arms.

Krista shrugged, giving a little nod. “It still stings a bit, yeah. Mostly when people touch it though,” she replied.

He nodded and extracted a tube from his robe, unscrewing the top to reveal a disgusting, foul smelling, green-grey paste. Krista held her nose as he took a small amount of the paste and applied it to her mark. “Tell me, are you aware of the true name of these special marks?” Both witch and familiar shook their heads as he re-screwed the lid on the tube of paste. “It is not a commonly used name, but the proper name is ‘Malaonus Nor’."

He chuckled at their expressions, and then at Krista attempting to sound the word out. Not many spoke the old language anymore, so the few titles, terms and random words that cropped up befuddled many, especially the younger generations.

“It is from the old language. Would you like to learn how to say it?” he asked kindly.

Krista and Jinx both nodded. “Yes, please,” they replied in unison before blushing again.

“Do not be embarrassed. Speaking as one is a good sign of the strength of your bond. Now, repeat after me: Mal.”

Both young witch and familiar repeated, in unison, “Mal.”

“Good, good. Now, ‘ow’,” he added.

“Ow,” they parroted back at him.

“Nuh-ss.”

“N - Nuh-s.,” They struggled for a moment.

“Nor,” he concluded.

“Nor.”

“Good! Now put it together: Mal-ow-nuh-ss Nor,” he repeated together before saying it quickly again. “Malaonus Nor.”

“Mal-ow-nuhss Nor, Mal-ow-nuh-ss Nor. Malaonus Nor,” the two of them repeated, speeding up each time until they reached a normal speed and could say it fluidly. They grinned at each other in triumph once they had said it.

“Very good. Very good,” the Dozhan replied with a smile. His eyes fell on the large clock on the wall and he gasped. “Oh! You really should be getting home. You have a busy day tomorrow, after all. Krista, how is your shoulder?” he asked, as they stood up.

Krista rolled and shifted her shoulder around a bit, testing it. “It feels much better. Thank you, sir,” she replied politely, pulling her jean jacket back on.

“Good, good,” the Dozhan replied, his eyes flicking to Jinx as he transformed back into a cat and hopped on to the chair waiting patiently, a paw on the book.

“Before you leave, I have something for you.” He pulled open a desk drawer and withdrew two identical boxes, opening one to reveal a shining silver crescent moon necklace before snapping the box closed. “There is one of these for you, and there’s one for Jinx. They should help you focus your power.”

Krista accepted the boxes with reverence and a polite, but quiet, “Thank you.”

The Dozhan held out his hand to Krista, and she shook it lightly. “It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Krista. Viewing and recording prophecy is one thing. It is not often I get to meet the subjects of my writings - let alone a pair as powerful as you will become.” He turned to Jinx and held out his hand for his paw (since he had already transformed back into his cat form). “And you as well, Jinx. You will be a fine familiar to this beautiful young lady,” he replied which made the faint pink blush creep once again into Krista’s cheeks.

Jinx smiled mentally at Krista. It was wonderful to meet you, sir.

With that Krista scooped Jinx and the book up, his paws rested on her shoulder and the book lying beneath him, boxes in the other hand and turned to leave the room. As they exited, Jinx gave one last nod of acknowledgement to the Dozhan which the old man returned before Krista exited the office and rounded the corner.