maskormenacelogs | That is the rule that governs our work as the Abhorsen

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That is the rule that governs our work as the Abhorsen

WHO: Sabriel
WHERE: Nonah and the other Porter cities
WHEN: Through June!
WHAT: Sabriel catch-all log.
WARNINGS: Mentions of death of a parent

Sabriel's home, June 1-8
[After a day or so spent mostly asleep- partially out of grief, but mostly out of physical exhaustion- Sabriel feels well enough to accept visitors. She's even more subdued than usual, often sitting down and cuddling her pet spikeys, or looking out the window.

It's hard not to think about her father, and what awaits her when she returns home. So she tries to distract herself- with television, with books, with idle conversation.

It doesn't seem to work.]

Out and about, June 5 onward
[Eventually, Sabriel feels restless. There are errands to run, and even if she doesn't feel entirely herself, her mental and physical exhaustion have abated enough that she's willing to use more than minor magic. She's mostly in Nonah- either working out at the training center, running errands, or sometimes, just sitting in the local parks. tracing shining symbols into the air.]

Moving Forward June 8th onwards
[Eventually, Sabriel heads back to work at RISE, and tries to spend more time out of the house. You may find her there- or surruounded by a small crowd in a park in any of the Porter cities, putting on an impromptu magic show- conjuring fountains of light, gouts of flame, and making small object appear in her hands before vanishing them again.]

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[Kel did make sure to check ahead that she was welcome before showing up on Sabriel's doorstep, but to make even more sure, she packed a basket of food (with some help from Six) and the smell of fresh bread will meet Sabriel as she opens the door]

I wasn't sure what tea you prefer so I brought a selection...

I- Oh, thank you! [Sabriel looks... better than she did when she first returned. The shadows under her eyes have faded, and she no longer seems utterly exhausted as she leads Kel over to the table and chairs.]

I'm fine with most varieties, actually. But that was kind of you.

[Kel sets her basket down and starts unpacking it. First a few boxes of varying teas, then fresh bread, blackberry jam, and a small thermos of soup ]

My housemate has been cooking nonstop for a week it feels like, in between showing me a few tricks.

[Food is traditional for bringing to recently bereaved, yes?]

Thank you- I'll start the kettle, and we can try some of the tea.

[Sabriel also pulls out some bowls and plates, along with the cups.]

I've been learning how to cook, but after this...

Well, I appreciate the help.

[Kel's hands pause as she goes to unscrew the thermos]

...It's traditional.

[Forcing a lighter tone to her voice, she continues]

And I've been learning as well, but there's only so much of my own cooking I can take before letting Hawke bring out the takeout menus.

Hah. I've had help, but... Honestly, I've had better luck sticking to simpler things. Or ones with very clear directions. I've had help from my friends too.

[Kel laughs softly]

Clear directions are gods blessed hard to find, especially when they assume you know the meaning of some words.

I admit, sometimes I really prefer the boxes that just tell you to mix the contents with eggs and a bit of milk and oil.

Yes, I tried bringing one of those home once. Six nearly had an apoplexy, I think I insulted his pride.

[After reheating the soup on the stove, she carefully places a bowl in front of Sabriel]

I bow to his better judgement on these things.

Hah. Well, I live alone, so that's less of an issue, since my pets don't complain.

[And slowly, Sabrier lifts a spoon and starts eating.]

Thank you. This- this is good!

I'll pass on your compliments.

[Kel gets herself a mug of tea and sips it slowly, letting Sabriel eat and the quiet set around them. She's not much for talking of Feelings, and she isn't sure they know each other well enough for it anyway. But providing a presence and a distraction is good too]

Kel, have you ever dealt with the supernatural back home? Dangerous forms of it?

[Will Kel understand, is what she really wants to know. Because as determined as Sabriel is to finish what her father started, she's scared.]

[Kel frowns, not quite understanding]

Supernatural as in magical? We've plenty of beings of that sort, and not all of them friendly, yes.

And necromancy? Have you ever had to deal with people who used that?

[Kel goes very still and grips her mug tightly]

Yes.

Personally.

[Sabriel recognizes that tension. She frowns.]

Necromancers are generally a pretty foul group of people. Desecrating corpses, enslaving souls... There are fates worse than death.

Yes. It's illegal in Tortall.

[Which isn't to say it doesn't happen, but there you are]

And with the exception of my family, it's the same in the Old Kingdom- the extent the law holds any sway there at all.

But it doesn't stop people there. Fighting necromancers, and the things they raise- and the things they serve, or force to serve them- that's what my family does.

I see.

[A vision of knife like hands and a blank helmeted head rose in front of Kel's eyes until she blinked it away]

Necessary work, but not something to be wished on anyone, I take it?

I- for the last two hundred years, the Old Kingdom has been without a monarch since the last queen and her daughters were killed. It's been slowly declining, despite my family's best efforts- but before his death, my father explained the cause, and what was necessary to fix things.

[Sabriel's hands tighten into fists as she remembers the reservoir, the stench- and Kerrigor's distorted construct of a form.]

The Queen's son delved into forbidden magic- he traded Life for power, becoming a Greater Dead Adept- Kerrigor. He murdered his family, and has been overseeing the dissolution of the Kingdom- all to create a better hunting ground for him.

[Kel grimaces, thinking of the devastation that would reign if the whole Royal family...!]

I...That's awful, I'm sorry.

[She grimaces at how weak that sounds]

Something like that was tried once when our King was crowned but...before I was born.

[But slowly the pieces start to come together]

And...and your father is dead now. And it's in your charge.

Exactly. Before he died, he explained what he'd learned.

There's a way to destroy Kerrigor for good, and-

[Sabriel pauses, trying to decide how much to explain.]

I was in the process of doing so before I arrived here. But he's closing in at the same time, and I ended up having to recruit more mages for it, even though I'm putting them in danger because of it.

I see.

[And she does, she wonders what would have happened if the Porter grabbed her before the attack on Blayce's castle, or after Haven had been destroyed, or a dozen other points in time]

I can only say that...I've led people not trained for the horrors they're about to face, and broken my heart over the necessity. But if the survival of their realm and their lives depend on it, it's better to let them do what they must.

And I think it is good that time stands still there. If you may take this time for grieving.

Well, some of them are soldiers- they've spent years defending Ancelstierre's northern borders. But the rest- [And Sabriel's voice suddenly grows strained-] they're my schoolmates- my age, or a year younger.

I can't say I'm not grateful for the reprieve, but- I worry about what lies ahead.

[Kel stares into her cooling tea, recalling Tex's shock and anger over the ages of her year mates when she began page training]

...I was eleven in my first real fight. Twelve when the next one came. It wasn't expected, and we weren't ready, and it was a fair amount of luck we survived at all.

If I'd had time to think, I'd have worried, but...I didn't. There was only what needed to be done to survive.

I know it's... somewhat hypocritical of me. I was twelve when I first walked into Death and started facing the Dead. But they're not necromancers.

With distance, with safety- things look different than they do when you're in the middle of a fight. I'm not sure which view is more accurate.

No, they aren't necromancers. I imagine from your reaction they've no experience whatsoever.

But what needs doing needs doing, and the ones that can, will. Else you all will die and they lose their innocence and lives anyway.

[Kel closes her eyes and breathes out]

Sorry, I...It's something I've to come to terms with often in the last year.

I understand it. I accept it. But I still mourn that it's needed in the first place.

[There's always that nagging voice suggesting that if she was stronger, more experienced- that if her father had been there, he'd have been able to do it without endangering her classmates. But such thoughts are pointless, and Sabriel tries to ignore them.]

You are human, there would something wrong with you if you didn't.

[She reaches out to touch Sabriel's hand lightly]

[Sabriel pauses, flinches back- and then grabs Kel's hand and squeezes.]

Thank you.

Anytime at all.

[she squeezes back]

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That is the rule that governs our work as the Abhorsen

home visit, June 2nd

Re: home visit, June 2nd

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I'm sorry I think I missed the notif for this.

it happens!

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