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 Agnes' mother of her daughter's rich inheritance one which Torkel is here to bestow. He skirts around any direct questions but holds a heavy purse. A promise is made that he would see to the girl's 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.

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 non-hermetic hedge wizard and watches in shocked surprise at the speed and brutality in which Merewen magically pummels the weak and malformed hedge wizard.

Torkel leaves this scene of violence and 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 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.