A Gentle Abduction

Merewen decided to test Torkel's ingenuity with the task of convincing Agnes to willing go with Merewen to become a witch.

Waiting for the men folk to leave for the fields, Torkel - richly dressed - approaches the hovel and announces his presence. He informs the Agnes' mother of her daughter rich inheritance one which Torkel is here to bestow. He skirts around any direct questions but hold a heavy purse. A promise is made that he would see to the girls education and that her full inheritance will be given at her maturation. Torkel gives some of the money to the mother and promises the rest at dawn when her daughter must decide if she accepts her inheritance or not.

When Torkel goes to report to Merewen, he is confronted by an evil-eyed hedge wizard who threatens him magically to stay away from 'her' apprentice. Torkel knowing magic, avoids eye contact and immediately seeks the assistance of Merewen, not knowing if this wizard who refused to identify her House was in fact of the Order. Torkel in raven form aids Merewen in finding the hedge wizard who was not of the Order and watches in shocked surprise at the speed and brutality in which she magically pummels the weak and malformed hedge wizard.

Torkel flies out to find Agnes, who shirking her field duties wandered into the woods. There in private, he speaks to her of her inheritance - how she is to be a witch and member of a great Order of wizards. How she will wield great magic and will answer to no man. He then takes his Raven form and flies off.

At dawn, Merewen and Torkel approach the hovel. There Torkel speaks again with Agnes' father. Presenting the rest of the purse to him. He objects as any good father should but catches the eye of Merewen and goes silent. Agnes then steps forward and takes Merewen's side and together they walk back to Stranggore.