Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"No, Rook"

"Wh-why n-not?" Rook stamps her foot in annoyance.

"You know why you're not allowed near a grill, an oven, or a stove, Rook"

"Those w-were f-f-freak ac-accidents, Joey!" Rook wails. She turns to the person adjacent to Hudson to plead her case, making the most ridiculous puppy eyes she can manage. It usually worked with him.

Unfortunately, today wasn't her day.

"If you think I'd say 'yes' to that, kid, you're out of your mind", John Seed raised his eyebrows at her using the sternest voice he can manage.

And since it was John, who spoils her rotten, it was kind of impressive.

"B-but, I'll be re-really c-careful th-this t-time"

Hudson presses the keys of her laptop a little too hard. Today is one of the days Rook would be difficult. She can feel it.

"No butts Rook! Or do I need to remind you of the 'Incident' we had 2 months ago?"

"Wh-Why does th-that get a c-capital letter!?!" Rook is near tears. John would have caved by now but even he wasn't budging from his stance.

"Because, Rookie", John says slowly. "The grill you worked on exploded with an impressive blast radius upwards and all around. It left a crater. You singed Deborah's tail and she was more than ten feet away. Jacob had a fit."

"N-no one g-got hurt! Th-there w-was a f-faulty gas l-leak" she cries defensively. Then she adds, "Deb forgave me f-for that. She said her t-tail l-looked like it w-was dipped in i-ink and she s-said Staci liked it t-too"

"It was impressive fireworks display", pipes up Matthias on the table. He is between John and Joey's laptops and is playing some kind of bird foosball with Esther. Currently she was squatting on the ball and not budging despite Matthias's playful nudging with his head.

Matthias can feel the glare of both John and Hudson so he adds, "Still, Rook. It was dangerous. Can't you uh-do something else other than cook today?"

Rook's hands tighten on the basket of vegetables she was holding. That was their answer.

Fortunately for them (and unfortunately for her) she didn't hold the basket as tightly as she thought she did.

Jacob Seed grabs the basket and lifts it out of her grasp. Rook cries out in dismay and prepares to jump for it but Jacob holds her down with one hand on her shoulder while Deborah catches Rook's skirt with her teeth and tugged down.

"No", he scolds her.

And that was supposed to be the end of that. Jacob was one of Rook's stricter guardians, she would have listened to him.

But today was one of those days.

"W-what h-happened t-to t-teaching me b-basic life sk-skills? C-cooking is a m-major o-one. A-also it's just s-soup t-today!", Rook whines.

"I said food preparation was a basic skill. If you know how to hunt, and fish, and build a fire and basically make jerky or make anything that doesn't need a goddamn stove or oven, i think we'd be forgiven to say it counts", Jacob answers her patiently.

"There's always instant ramen", mumbles Joey.

"Instant ramen is not food, Hudson", John says aghast.

"I'm sorry if I'm not priviledged enough to have my own chef, Seed"

"We didn't grow up priviledged Hudson! And I'm one of the better cooks in this family. I don't need a chef and your arguments don't hold any water in court"

"Oh wow, rub it in"

They would have argued a bit longer if Jacob hadn't carefully put the basket of food (out of Rook's reach) near them and focused on Rook who was already in tears.

He tapped her forehead gently. She looked up at him and pouted.

"Why is it so important you learn how to cook?"

Rook shuffled her feet and looked at Deborah sitting patiently between them. He was one of the only ones who can manage her bouts of tantrums and manic episodes. He deserved a proper answer.

"I w-want to f-feel l-like I'm a n-normal kid. Not s-some k-kind of f-freak"

All conversation stopped at that admission.

Jacob frowned at that. "What makes you think you're a freak?". He and Staci hated that word ever since-

"And who called you a freak?", Esther coos from her position cheerfully. She was fluffing up though and that means John and her were building up their anger.

"N-no one!", Rook says with exasperation and crosses her arms. "K-kids m-my age do all k-kinds o-of th-things l-like go to school a-and d-date-"

There was a loud protest from John and Matthias at the mention of 'dating' but Rook continues on.

"And h-have fr-friends th-their age that d-do things like shop for st-stuff they don't n-necessarily need and d-do sp-sports and j-just hang out with sl-sleepovers" Rook tries.

Two years ago, she hadn't been able to speak. Everyone was so patient with her but sometimes the words come out in a garbled mess. She continues in sign languange because she feels she's way too upset to even talk.

"And I want to be able to cook because I don't want to be that weirdo kid whose skills are knowing a few hundred ways to effectively kill people and handle weapons fit for an arsenal and being able to defend themselves. It's not fair I know how to jerry rig a car or plane, to hunt for food but I don't know how to properly feed myself or the people in my family"

Wow, even her hands could barely sign that one out. She continues on, steadying her hands.

"I know codes and know how to break them, but I don't get social media since Joey and Jacob and Grace won't allow me on the computer. I hate that I know which plants help in making drugs or have medicinal properties but I don't know which plants to use in cooking. Basically I have all these important information in my head but its useless in things that actually matter"

Hudson and the Seeds looked at one another. All of Rook's guardians should be here for this conversation but alas, Rook is having her crisis now.

Joey closes her laptop and wishes Whitehorse or Staci were here. They were so much better at this than her.

She reaches out to her baby sister (because that's what Rook is in her heart and no one can take that away, even if she now has to share her with an entire village) and hugs her.

"Rook- you're not a bad person because of the things you know or experienced. Never think that. You're the sweetest girl we've ever met. The fact that you're trying to better yourself is proof"

And it was. She was a good child. In the days before they had this peace, Rook would always aim to maim only. And if there was no other choice to kill, well... she did it efficiently but she would give the corpses due respect after.

"So what if you're learning a few things backwards? You're willing to learn it right?"

Rook nods and sniffs in her position in Joey's shoulder.

Joey lets go to allow John and Esther to gather Rook in their arms to comfort her.

Rook slowly reaches for her basket. Esther and Matthias quickly push it further away towards Deborah waiting at the edge of the table.

Jacob chuckles at the sight, "And for a minute there we thought you were planning to steal the basket".

John had caged Rook in his arms as she squealed at being foiled.

"Hah! You can't Trojan Horse your way out of this", John gave her a gleeful grin at her betrayed scowl.

"Th-that's a name of a v-virus, I d-don't get the reference"

"We are getting her actual books, Hudson. This is a travesty"

"When Amazon ships all the way out here in our neck of the woods, let me know"

"Send it to Fairgrave over at Falls End!"

They continue on like that with Rook trying to wiggle out of John's grasp only to be caged in by Joey.

Jacob mulls over what Rook has admitted to them. They'll have to tell everyone of course but to be honest, Rook being near any flammable device has been a complete disaster.

Sharky had a theory that it must have come from an instinct with knowing how to make bombs. Armstrong and Jacob can't exactly deny that.

Deborah was edging away from the table with the basket balanced on her head. She looked up at Jacob with a "What now?"expression.

"Hmm" he said.

He entered the kitchen and stopped when he felt the slight pull of his bond with Deborah.

"Hey, is Rook still banned from the kitchen?"

"Heavens, naw! She ain't banned. She's banned from cooking innit" Adelaide cheerfully says from whatever she was making today on the stove.

"That's the problem, she wants to help. It's just soup, right?", Deborah had moved closer towards him so Jacob took a few more steps in and leaned on the countertop.

"It's not just soup, Mistah Seed. It's mah special Tomato soup served with Grilled cheese Sandwiches. Hurk is out there in the porch doin' the grilling. Perfect for a beautiful summer evening", huffs Adelaide.

Then she frowns in dismay. "Ah hate to break it to ya but I don't think it's a good idea. Remember when she burned water? Didn't think it was physically possible but she did, bless mah baby girl's heart".

Jacob winced at that. Yes. The Kettle Incident.

He wasn't there for that but he was told, on Jerome and Staci's honor, fortunate to miss it. The kitchen still had lovely criss cross burn mark patterns from the water. The kettle was firmly imbed in a tree outside. Jess Black had hung a shirt under it and stuffed it with old hay and drew a jagged face on the mangled kettle. Called it their personal scarecrow.

It was certainly a kinda grim reminder. At least it kept Cheeseburger and Peaches away from the food storage.

Jacob tapped his fingers on the counter top.

Adelaide smiled when she sees Deborah nudge Rook's basket off her head beside Jacob.

"Aww, Bless. Rook really wants ta help, doesn't she?", Adelaide cooed. Her dæmon was somewhere outside, probably keeping an eye on Hurk.

"Yeah" mumbles Deborah pushing the basket fully on the countertop. "She's pouting over there with John and Hudson"

Jacob scratches Deb's head and she almost wags her tail. Almost. "Is there anyway Rook can at least do something? She's having one of her bad days"

"Hmm she could help me puŕee some of these veggies. And she can help Hurk with the sandwiches after that...Hurk won't let anything bad happen to his 'baby bro-sis'" she said amused. "Will that do?"

Jacob gives a thankful nod. "Not what she wants, but she'll take it".

Deborah goes on ahead to give Rook the news and Jacob follows after her slowly.

Rook is right, no matter what words of comfort come out of their mouth.

What was forced and drilled into her head to make her how she is pushed away anything else away.

Two years ago, he would have given anything for a soldier as perfect as Rook.

Now he thinks, looking at Rook trying to escape from John's clutches and Joey's headlock, he shakes his head. He thinks of Staci.

He thinks of his own childhood and compares it to Rook. It wasn't heaven at all, sure, but he had Joe and Johnny, to make things better. He at least had one.

Rook, before Whitehorse and Pratt and Hudson. Before the Seeds. Before Jeffries and Fairgrave and the Ryes and the Drubmans and everyone else.

Rook's childhood was non-existent. What need would she have of it with the things she can do?

But as the day goes on and he carefully supervises Rook with the food processor (to her slight dismay and to the great relief of John who was present at both of Rook's food Incidents), he thinks of small miracles.

Joey is right too.

Rook is here with them. She is Theirs and that's all that matters.

They can figure this out together, as a family. Nevermind they do some of it backwards.

Chapter Text

"You know, when we promised her a kingdom of her own, I don't think anyone meant this" sniffs John.

Three of the Seed Siblings were milling around the new animal pens the Hope County residents set up in their hideaway.

John was pointing at the pens with as much disdain he can. Said pens at the moment had a few piglets, a sow, a bemused cow, goats, and many chickens.

Chickens as far as the eye can see. They can militarize at least one region with those chickens.

Jacob scowls at his youngest brother, "Rook would have hated an actual kingdom, John"

Rachel swings her legs from where she was perched on the fence. Nods. "She would have been miserable. Have you seen the way she stuck by Joey's side the whole day at market? Everyone there was asking for a blessing or they wanted to speak to or at least see her. I think a few even left gifts for her?"

This was the first time Jacob or John has ever heard about it actually. But Rook did come back home frazzled beyond belief with an irritated Joey in tow and an exhausted Grace and Eli carting a lot of gift baskets.

"Well she deserves better", mumbles John, a bit petulant.

"She's happiest around family and around animals. I don't think she wants any more than that", Rachel says.

They look at said girl running around chasing her little army of birds.

Deborah was sitting in the shade of a barrel, Job lounged on the scruff of her neck, and Esther on top of his head.

She thumps her tail on the ground to catch their attention.

"I think Joseph would insist otherwise", Job and Esther sit up in attention at this.

Job looks at Rachel whose hands had gripped the fence tightly, her anger reaching to him even from their distance.

"Joe...has no say in anything. Not here, not anymore", he says. He and Rachel are used to defusing situations, it comes so easily to him. "You'll have to go through the Family. Our Family now, whether we like it or not. God knows what she saw in us all to choose us as Hers. Technically, I think she's the head of Hope County now but I won't bring this up with the Sheriff. Not yet, anyway."

Jacob and John glance at each other, then at Rook.

She did choose them. People from all walks of life. Poor or Rich. People who at one point or another tried to kill her. The crazy, the broken, the strange, it didn't matter to her.

Someone like her could have just picked up her loved ones from danger and just left them all to rot but not her. She walked all of three regions saving everyone, making friends with that gentle smile of hers.

And from the people she called her new friends, she chose a few inadvertently as her Family. Among them she chose the Seeds. All of them. Even Joseph, the one man who had increasingly made her life difficult. Unworthy as they are, she chose them.

A spike of affection for Rook passes between the three and their dæmons.

She gave most of Hope County back to its people.

She gave the three of them their freedom, and opened new possibilities for them beyond the thrall of being the Project's Heralds. (Possibilities like falling in love)

She even gave them back Joseph, somewhat sane and intact, even though that battle almost cost them.

She keeps the County and its people safe. And she did all this by being an infuriatingly friendly, little girl.

Is it no wonder they'd do anything for her? Even if all she wants is a place where she can be around animals all day? With a disturbing amount of chickens.

There was an upset noise from the pens and the three of them turn to see Rook trying to deal with the biggest, meanest, looking rooster they have ever seen.

John whistles. Rook looks to his direction. She then shakes her head. This is her fight.

Rachel pinches John lightly, "She can handle this, Mom, give her space"

John gives her a scowl.

They watch Rook as she tries to shoo the rooster into an enclosed space. The Rooster answers by giving her hand a hard peck. There was another upset noise from Rook.

Esther tilts her head, "We are having that bird for dinner later, yes?"

Rachel squints at the Bleeding Heart dove roosting on Job's flank. Their three dæmons form a funny animal totem pole.

"That's disturbing coming from you"

"Dæmons don't need to eat, Rachel"

"It's still really weird. And I've seen Deb bite into things"

"I don't eat them", Deborah points out.

Rook was actively trying to manhandle the Rooster now but the thing is able to get a few hard pecks in.

"We could feed it to her dæmon? He still does that, I think?", Job says slowly.

They all peer at Rook's dæmon lounging on the other side of the small farm. As if realizing it is being watched, it suddenly turns to stare at them.

They all immediately look away.

"That would mean interacting with him, no thanks", Esther gulps.

The Rooster pecks her arm hard enough to draw blood.

That's where they draw the line on fowl pacifism.

Jacob grabs his rifle and aims for the offending bird getting away from Rook (who was nursing her bleeding arm).

Most chickens are evil incarnate anyway.

He feels someone slap his arm and grab the rifle.

"I hope you're not planning to shoot my baby sister's favorite chicken, Jacob Seed", Joey Hudson scowls at him, hand on her hip, Matthias roosting on her shoulder. Staci follows her hauling a sack of birdfeed, Judith following him with a sack of her own on her back.

John's hands fly up the air in frustration, "That beast is her favorite? Oh, of course he is! Of course she'd love the meanest, ugliest, rooster I have ever laid my eyes on!"

"She can handle him", Staci says. He throws the sack of feed over the fence and hops over it. Deborah makes her way to Judith, the two dæmons nuzzling snouts.

Joey, Rachel, and John had the most irritating smiles thrown over Jacob and Staci's way. Staci flips them off.

Rook had gotten a towel from somewhere and has now backed the hell fowl into a corner. It looked ready to attack. She pounced and wrapped the towel quickly around the bird. The Rooster suddenly stops confused. What is this weird, soft contraption around it?

"Told you", Staci says with a bit of pride as he watches Rook carefully keep her towel wrapped around the bird and carried it to one of the enclosing pens.

Jacob shakes his head. "Do I want to know how we got this many farm animals in such a short amount of time, or do i chalk it up as one of her little miracles?"

Joey shrugs, "Some of them were gifts from people around Hope County. A lot, and I mean a lot, offered when they heard that Rook wanted a few farm animals to take care of"

Addie had put up the suggestion and asked around, but a few days later she had to call Fall's End and the Wolf's Den because apparently people were too enthusiastic in their offerings. They had to turn so many people down with the larger animals, but the chickens apparently stayed.

Rachel swung her legs again, "I think Nick and Kim have ducks and geese set up near the lake. Dutch said he's setting up some traps to herd salmon when they migrate from the Henbane into a section he and Jerome were planning to turn into a fish farm? I think he has carps in there too"

John snorts, "The rate this is going, she'll have a pony by fall"

Joey looks to the side. They all stare at her.

John's eyes widen. "I was joking, Hudson. Holy, shit"

Joey shrugs, "Ehhhh, you know how persistent the Heads are? This is their gift to her. Believe me when I say a pony is tame" Joey scratches the nape of her neck, "Also, I think Fox and the guys pulled some strings for that to happen"

"Your friends scare me, Joey" Rachel says deadpan.

"Well, they're your friends too and at some point you'll have to interact with them" Joey laughs.

Staci leans on Jacob, the older man mirrors him. "At some point, we all have to interact with members of the Family, whether we want to or not, Joey"

Yes. Something... happened in that final battle with Joseph. Something that happened to the rest of the members of the Family. It tied them all together in a way and not even the Heads anticipated that. Supernatural bullshit only happened in stories.

"I can't wait to embarass you in front of the Islanders or the Kyratis, Staci. I mean I think we have a long time to figure out how it works", Joey gleefully says.

"Great" groused Staci.

Joey nudged Staci. "You know I won't really do it"

Staci snorts but nudges her back.

Jacob would rather not have to deal with it but he kept his peace. He will see how it develops in the long run.

Rachel thinks about it. It sounds exciting in a way. But she needed to know one thing.

"Are...are we the reason she's staying in Hope County? Didn't you two and the Sheriff plan to leave?"

Joey and Staci look at each other, then at their little sister. Rook had successfully isolated her foe in a cage of his own but alas, he was able to get back at her with a final peck.

"We were. But then... we thought about it. After what happened with Joseph, we realized the world was so big, we can go anywhere...but the same problems will crop up again", Joey looks up at the sky, it was a lovely bright blue color, almost like Johns eyes. "Besides, she has made this place her home. She has Family to call her own and the people of Hope County know about her now. It's not completely safe but we'll figure this out. Better the devil we know, right?"

Rook looks over at them and enthusiastically waves. They all wave back.

"I say it's almost like how Joseph was treated but she clearly hates the attention", John says a bit too smug.

Staci glares at him. "She can't help it"

"I thought we all agreed not to use that bullshit excuse", Jacob sighs. Not this again. "And John's right, she clearly hates it, but I'm afraid she'll have to step up on the mantle. Hope County is hers now"

He stalls any angry argument with a hand, "Can't we ask help from her big brother and sister? They've been doing this for awhile"

Staci huffs. "She had more training than them. They may be stronger than her but she has more control over her abilities. I'm surprised they were even able to do what they did a few months ago but I'm thankful they pulled through for Rook".

That was a fucking miracle in and of itself and a revelation, nevermind the weird side effect they noticed later.

"So you'll still continue training her?", Rachel asks.

Matthias bobs up and down on Joey's shoulder as she thinks about it, "You know, now that we're connected to her, we all need to train with her. Staci and I know this should happen so Hope County can properly flourish and stuff. Unlock her full potential and shit. And ours in the process"

"What, heal dæmons and people?", John looks aghast at the idea.

"No, Johnny, her offensive capabilities. One of the basic abilities of- uh...you know- is that they can actually augment their Chosen's dæmon's abilities with their own. I explained this before. We think it's the reason why they can touch dæmons with no ill effects"

"I still am processing this, Hudson. I still am processing the fact you and Staci and the Sheriff and so many people in Hope County are part of this real life ancient order shtick that can do real magic"

"Magic is not a thing, Seed"

"Explain the fucking Witches, then"

"We talked about this too, it's just energy and Dust. Everything can be explained by science"

The other three tune out. Joey and John like arguing as much as they like breathing. Thank goodness they have one more person to balance them out in whatever weird relationship the three of them have.

Rook now walks toward them carrying her tools in one arm.

She greets them and then drops down to envelop Deborah, Judith, Job, and Esther. Matthias makes a "Hey! What about me?" sound and rushes to alight on Rook's head.

"Hi, what're you doing?", she signs.

"Watching you valiantly battle that horrible pest and ignoring Joey and John. Well done by the way!", Rachel answers. Job climbs up the girl's shoulders and deposits Esther next to Matthias.

Rook frowns. "Big Joe is not a pest"

Jacob and Staci blink. "I'm sorry, pup, but did you name that monster, Big Joe?"

John and Rachel's eyes widen.

At Rook's hesitant nod they burst out laughing.

"It fits him", giggles Rachel.

John has doubled over and couldn't speak.

Joey and Staci look at each other in dismay.

"You named a Rooster after Joseph Seed?"

"No", Rook signs annoyed. "He just looks like a Joe. He's super intense, and bad tempered, but I think he needs a bit of work to be nicer?"

A fresh round of laughter from Rachel and John begin again and even Jacob couldn't contain his grin.

Joey sighs. "That. That sounds just like Joseph actually"

Staci kicks John in his expensive shoe clad shin. "Stop encouraging her. She'll name all the chickens at this rate"

"What's wrong with that?"

"You don't name your food before you eat them"

"On the contrary it breeds character. You know that the food is taken care of before being humanely killed"

"We are NOT naming all the stupid poultry"

"Ah Yorrick I knew thee well, now I must eat in your honor" SNORT

"So no chance in roasting Big Joe for dinner?"

Rook makes a very upset noise. Nope. Bummer.

Rachel envelops Rook in a hug.

"Don't worry, Big Joe is safe from the cutting knife. For now. (upset noise) But we can't have a thousand chickens without a proper facility to house them in"

"They're not a thousand!", protested Rook.

Staci snorts, "I knew you counted them. Ready to go home?"

Rook nods. Rachel drops from the fence and clings to her and the group make the trek back to their home.

---

A few days later, Joseph wakes up in his room/prison (there really isn't much of a difference) to the sound of a frustrated scream.

"JOE YOU BIG FUCKING IDIOT, COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW"

Joseph startles at his name. He looks over to his dæmon groggily trying to get up. He can't go far from the house because his aquired narcolepsy hits randomly and sudden, magically infused as it is.

He opens the window next to his bed and looks out.

Jess Black was chasing the ugliest, biggest, meanest, rooster he has ever seen. It had stolen one of her quivers and is now glaring at her from the top of one of their new sheds.

"I swear to the Great Mother, if Rook didn't love your ugly mug, I would serve you for fucking dinner"

Oh. O H N O

"Is that rooster named Joe?", Joseph wonders if he should honestly be upset. Surely Rook can't be that cruel? Or maybe his brothers named it.

Not that it didn't hurt a little, ok it hurt a lot, and maybe he deserved it but really? That thing was nasty.

Jess slowly turns to him like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Oh, Uh. Rook says he looks like a Big Joe"

Ah. That explains it. She's innocent like that. It still stings...

"He's her favorite?" Jess tries again.

That makes it a bit better but still. (And maybe Joseph preens a bit but then he realizes he is comparing himself to a stupid chicken)

Joseph huffs and glares at the fowl. The thing smugly looks at him.

He will never let his brothers hear the end of it for this until that thing is gutted. (He can find Rook a sheep or something to replace it)

There can only be one.

Chapter Text

"How old is she?"
"Turning thirteen this Samhain"
"When's that?"
"Oh! Around 11:30 pm Oct. 31 and 3:00 am Nov. 1? We're not exactly sure what time she was born but uh... we just celebrate it those two days."

They were sitting in the porch of the house they erected in Haven. Jerome has been hinting at making a porch swing and Dutch and Hannah have been arguing about the wood they're supposed to use and measurements for the past hour.

Alex and John were staring at Joey. Their dæmons were glaring at her and Matt.

"Ah. So she's twelve", Alex says carefully.
"Turning thirteen" , insists Joey
"You brought a twelve year old to this mess Joey", counters John
"Turning thirteen", sighs Matt.
"That doesn't make it any better, Matthias", Dara raises her paws in exasperation.

"Who's turning thirteen?", Rachel comes toward them, Sara and her dæmon in tow.

"Rook", Alex and Dara say simultaneously.

Sara blinks, "You know... I thought she would be older. It kind of makes me feel better about the stuff we did...to her"

Joey snorts. "I think a lot of people in this Family have tried to kill her at one point or another, don't worry about it"

They all stare at her again. "Joey...trying to kill her or her dæmon shouldn't be used as a measuring stick to become her friend. Or part of this Family" Rachel says horrified, "That's not okay"

Matt tilts his head amused, "A whole lot of things about this situation are 'not okay' but here we all are, for better or for worse".

No one can honestly argue with that.

Still.

"You know Joey, I didn't think you'd be the one so chill about this, while Staci is the one absolutely anal when it comes to Rook", Hannah says coming behind them dragging a grumbling Dutch in tow. "Aren't you the 'responsible' sibling?"

"I don't smother Rook" Joey points out in annoyance. "She needs discipline yeah but she also needs space to spread her wings"

"That's why she's the 'responsible' one. She's pretty much a very good voice of reason"

They all turn to see Sheriff Whitehorse coming up to them with a bunch of Rook's Family from Fall's End and The Whitetails. He had an amused smile on his face.

"Staci's our Mother Hen", he gives Joey a look.

"Wow, Gee thanks", Staci comes up behind the Sheriff. The Sheriff ruffles his hair.

"Speaking of, where is she?", Staci realizes any defense he was about to make just flew out the window.

To their credit, everyone does try to hide their smiles.

Jerome joins them on the porch. He wasn't smiling. "With Joseph", Ruth answers for him, the Sheep's tail twitching.

Happy mood killer that one was.

Staci's snarl could cut through anything, "Why is my sister with that particular psycho-"

"Is she alone?", cuts Whitehorse. He'd rather not there be any fighting. Staci's temper is hair trigger when it comes to things he cares about, he eviscerates everything in his path. Even shaky alliances built on the good faith of a little girl.

Jerome then tilts his head. "No, actually"

He looks behind him. There leaning on the entrance to the house was one of their "guests" listening to their conversation.

He had no dæmon beside him. He doesn't need to. He's a particular solid astral projection made of Dust. He was here and he wasn't.

This was one of the lasting gifts given to them before that final battle with Joseph. A weird kind of connection to everyone in the Family, no matter the distance. They honestly are still figuring out how this worked.

"Addie's keeping an eye on her", Pagan Min drawled. He had a flute of champagne balanced in his hand. "You can stop worrying your pretty heads. And I MUST say you all are very pretty, in a rustic sort of way"

What everyone knew of Pagan Min was that he was one of the former Heads's significant other. He is the loving adoptive father to Ajay; a Knight, and Bhadra; a young woman just like Rook. He enjoys making people uncomfortable with the truth. He was the former insane dictator of Kyrat.

"Thank you, Sir", Joey tries to inch away from him.

He laughs, "Please, it's just Pagan! I am done with titles! Let Ajay and Bhadra deal with that mess". He drinks from the glass. "After all, we are Family now, whether we like it or not". He says that with particular relish, like a joke only he knows.

"Adelaide's in the Henbane dealing with a few outsiders", Jacob says holding Staci's arm. Staci looks ready to murder someone.

"And she is here too", Pagan shifts, "I still don't know how this particular magic or whatever this is works. One moment I was in the War Room of the Palace, watching my son and daughter argue with their generals, Amita and Sabal, and then here I am!" He gave a flourishing sweep of a hand. "It looks like I'm needed here".

"You don't know what happened to us. You don't know what happened here. You don't get to call us 'Family' so easily", Staci snaps.

Pagan, to his credit, doesn't laugh. He eyes the young man up and down.

"I know enough, Young Knight. Vaas was right. Our stories are cyclical. But it is what we do with it that makes the difference", he turns and gives a wave.

"That's what connect us. That's how we're Family. We're all caught up in this fucked up mess, but we make do". He laughs.

"Joseph won't harm the girl. I'll make sure of it", he finishes his champagne and leaves.

"So am I the only one who still isn't used to that?", Nick says to the silence that followed.

"I'm pretty sure no one in the Family is", Matt mumbles. "The Guys say they've gotten Guests regularly"

The Sheriff scratches his moustache, "And I have visited the Islands just recently. Damn near surprised me". All turn to him and begin asking questions. He raises his hands, laughs while Salome huffs.

"Salome wasn't with me physically but she can feel what I feel and I felt her here". It was strange, to say the least. He wonders what his body would look like while he was on a trip?

"Why where you there? What was it like?", Alex leans in fascinated. It was his dearest wish to travel the world, before- well... John looks away guiltily. Joey curls an arm around them both.

"You'll see it for yourself soon", the Sheriff says amused. "I was there for business actually so I wasn't able to take a tour of the Islands properly". He was...he helped a Ms. Daisy Lee protect her incoming cargo from some of the natives.

What he knows is that there is an ongoing civil war with the native Rakyat and the Pirates that have called the place home for almost a century.

He doesn't tell them of the humongous unnatural storm clouds that protect and divide the Islands.

A civil war. Like one that almost ended Kyrat. Like the one here. The same damn story. But what we do with that story matters.

Staci shakes off Jacob's arm. "Joey, I need to let off some steam"

Joey perks up. "Now?"

Judith looks a bit apologetic as she follows Staci towards Joey, who stands dusting off her pants.

"Yes, Now. Let's train"

The training area that the Assassins and Templars of Hope County erected in Haven is filled with debris taken and cleaned out from the different regions.

There was an obstacle course, and a sparring area.

Currently a few number of the Family had gathered in the sparring field.

The Sheriff was not particular happy. But he had taken out two sets of padded armor used in mixed martial arts. Staci and Joey kitted themselves up after pre-wrapping their hands and barefeet. Then the Sheriff took out two sets of wooden sticks, longer than the length of Staci and Joey's arms. They each took a stick in each hand; Staci testing his by twirling them, Joey begins jumping in place.

Matthias and Judith had positioned themselves beside the Sheriff. They weren't to participate today. The Sheriff has taken out a timer.

"The usual rules you two. This is just a sparring match. No hitting beyond the usual areas and for the Blessed Mother's sake, minimal damage please. We aren't in a controlled area anymore"

Staci and Joey give an affirmative.

"Good. Knights, ready?"

"Sir". The two nod at each other.

The Sheriff looks at their audience. He suddenly sees a few extra Guests that weren't there before. Ah good. They can see firsthand what being in the Family usually meant.

Sheriff Whitehorse snaps his attention to Joey and Staci, says the trigger; "Knights, your Queen is in danger"

Something visibly snaps within the two combatants on the field. Staci charges. Joey stands her ground. Leaps over Staci, twirls, slams a foot down . Staci arches his back as he suffers whiplash from the blow.

He quickly counters by rolling and intercepting Joey's kicks with a combination of his knees and elbows.

There were surprised gasps and murmurs (and a few oohs and aahs) from the onlookers. Two of the Guests go nearer the Sheriff. He nods his head at them both in acknowledgement.

"Hmmm. Staci has learned to temper himself", Berg says with approval in voice. "He observes and counters Joey a lot better than before"

Kenny hums. "Joey still being her unpredictable self?". Joey breaks through Staci's defense with a particular hard jab of one of her sticks, catching Staci in the stomach. She continues by delivering a particular hard kick. Staci catches her foot. He ducks then throws her. She lands on one of the haystacks dotting the perimeter of the sparring area.

There was a particular cry from the audience, the Sheriff isn't quite sure if it's from Dara or Esther.

"Looks like her usual strategies don't work anymore", Berg looks at Kenny. "Tell her to switch it up?"

Kenny smiles at Berg, "Tell your boy that brute strength isn't always the answer". He points at Staci stalking towards where Joey is. Joey seems to be down. But the moment Staci is within reach, Joey rallies by pushing herself up the ground and delivers a particular nasty uppercut to Staci.

Earl notices that he can hear growling. Hannah and especially Jacob are not pleased.

Staci staggers backwards. Joey strikes another jab, Staci grabs the stick, twists his hand hard, making Joey lose one of her weapons.

Now they each have one stick. Staci holds his like a baton. Twirls it once or twice. Joey holds hers like a long sword, stance steady.

"At least they're a lot more focused. Remember when they used to hate each other's guts?", Berg muses.

"Yeah, they usually took it out on each other in training", Kenny huffed.

"I'm sorry what?", Nick says surprised. Kim was watching the two duke it out with Lucy on her lap. "Joey and Staci hated each other?"

"Oh yeah! They did!", Kenny says a bit too cheerful, "See you usually only get one Knight, chosen and trained but sometimes the heart knows who they want. Staci has trained to be Rook's Knight but we discovered that Joey is her destined Knight. Rook, bless her, chose both of them but the two kind of carried some kind of resentment for each other for years". There was an audible crack as the sticks clashed. Kenny winced but still is smiling. "This is tame for the two"

"They once set fire to the training area when they sparred", Berg shook his head. "Ishwari had a fit. Took an hour to control the fire"

Staci slams a heel forward. Joey gets hit in her stomach. She bends forward. Strikes Staci's knee hard with her palm, the two both go down.

There was a shout coming from the house. Rook seems to have sensed her brother and sister fighting because she came running barefoot into the training area.

"I remember that day. Bill gave you and Ishwari a hard time, Ray", Salome says.

"Ah Good old Bill. You can never make him happy", Kenny says with a laugh.

Rook barrels her way toward the three men. Berg and Kenny catch her. She squeaks, absolutely upset.

Kenny rubs a hand on her back. "Rook, honey, they're just training, don't cry! They're not fighting".

Berg pats her head. "They don't do that anymore. They promised you, remember?"

Rook babbles something. Earl smiles at her. He looks over at Joey and Staci the two struggling to get up.

"That's enough. Knights, your Queen is safe"

Joey and Staci suddenly lose all tension in their body. Joey in particular doesn't seem to want to get up.

"Godfuckingdammit, Staci what the hell? What's up with you just acting like a fucking bull?", Joey heaved.

"I'd say the same to you, what's with your fucking sword and kick routine? Your defense is shit, you leave yourself open too much" Staci groused from his position. When Joey hits, she hits hard. A lot of things he'll feel for days

"Need to be quicker. Don't exactly have time to defend". Joey huffs. Staci was a beast though in strength. The only way she could sucessfully counter is to play differently.

"And you both are clearly way behind on training". Berg's face pops into view. They both groan out a "Yes sir".

"This is Eskrima, Joey, not fencing", Kenny calls out.

"Does this mean I get my sword back, Sir?" Joey wants to sit up excited at the prospect. But she can't feel her arms or legs. Maybe she shouldn't have done all those fancy kicks.

"She has a sword?", someone in the audience says, horrified.

"She named it too. It's called Mercy". Staci says. He grins when he feels Joey nudge his head hard with her foot.

"I want to know, but I kind of am afraid to ask", that was Alex.

Rook swims into view, her face a mess of emotions.

Ah no...she thinks they're fighting!

"Rook, it's training. I don't hate Joey, you know that" He once did. That was stupid of him. He sits as Rook kneels to bury her head in his shoulder. Joey shuffles closer and pats Rook's back.

Staci sees Hannah and Jacob come toward them as well as a few others.

Hannah reaches them first, "Do you have a sword too?"

Staci smiles, "Why would I need a sword when I can just snap someone's neck with my hands? No, if you're a Knight, anything can be a weapon"

That...was true. Staci had snapped necks for Rook. Hannah has seen it personally.

Joey rolls her eyes, "Tell them about the spoon thing"

"We are not talking about the spoon thing"

"I want to know about the spoon thing!" Sharky says cheerfully.

"I actually know about the spoon thing, cuz" Hurk says. He eyes Staci and Joey, his lips thinning. "Seriously you two. Why?"

"Uh...", Joey shrugs. "Instinct?"

"Mutants" Staci shrugs too. Honestly it wasn't that big a deal.

"You are definitely telling that story" Mary May says, grin wide.

The rest of the Hope County clan surround the two and Rook.

Far above, Joseph watches the scene from the porch of the house, expression blank.

It was a beautiful fall afternoon.

Chapter Text

Linny Barnes had always considered herself Rook's tutor ever since she had accidentally met her in a shootout.

After the-ordeal with the Father- Linny surprisingly was allowed to keep her position.

When the Family had offered to pay her, she had to baulk at the idea and turn them down because The Project at Eden's Gate is a community willing to serve.

Still they seemed to have found a workaround to that. Her cupboard and fridge never runs out of food and things that break around the house mysteriously get fixed.

She will not ask Herald John to check her bank account. She had a feeling there would be a bit more money than what she had put away.

This mysterious Family is seriously scary.

Even then, she would put up with her discomfort if it means being with Rook.

They are at the Rye's today. The couple had initially been hesitant to house anyone from the Project but if it came to Rook, any hostility or bad blood seems to melt away.

Anything for their magical little savior.

Linny was waiting for a shipment of books that she'll be using to teach Rook and Nick Rye was tasked to deliver it.

Rook is huddled in a corner making funny faces at something Linny cannot see.

Nori, Linny's chinchilla, is on Rook's head, Kim Rye's bear daemon is sitting behind her.

Rook makes a loud raspberry and is rewarded with a squeal from somewhere in front of her.

Linny gets up to investigate. On a bunch of blankets and mats with pillows surrounding her, in front of Rook, was Carmina Rye. Little Carmie was wibbling her little hands reaching out to her godsister. Carmie's daemon takes the form of a tiny kitten today, curled around her head.

Rook flops down to the floor to allow the baby to reach her face. She makes another raspberry on Carmie's stomach and Carmie responds with another loud squeal.

Nori climbs down from Rook's head and scampers towards Linny when he notices her approaching.

"Rook? Be gentle with the baby, please"

"She's fine. She's been around her godsister for awhile"

Linny knows Kim Rye was near since Steven was there but she still jumps. Mrs. Rye is quiet when she wants to be.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I didn't see you"

Mrs. Rye gives her a mysterious smile. "Please. No formalities, Ms. Barnes" .

Linny nods her head. "Understood, Mrs. Rye. I was told Rook didn't have many children her age to play with"

Rook grew up extremely sheltered because of her powers. The Family did all they can to keep her safe.

Rook makes a protesting noise. She shakes her head.

She then signs out, "I have Elina and she's 5 years younger than me! And Joey and Staci always made time to play with me"

Kim sits down next to Rook and her baby. Linny sits on Rook's other side.

"It's not lonely? You didn't have any other friends to play with?"

Rook shakes her head. "The one time I went to school was fun, but the very bad men found me. The Family had to send me somewhere safe so they gave me to Daddy! Staci moved in with him too. Then I met Joey. They take turns every year to visit Family and train"

Linny shuffles uneasily. That explains a lot of things. Very bad men, huh? There was a reason why the people of Hope County decided to collectively solve their own problems themselves after Rook's fight with Joseph Seed. There were barely any charges, almost all seized property was returned and everything was chalked down to the Bliss.

According to the members of the Family, if anything, ANYTHING, about Rook got out, no one will survive. A Witch Queen not of the Great Clans is unheard of and anyone she interacts with would have been experimented on and no one would have batted an eye or known.

That is how powerful these new, unknown enemies are.

It was horrifying to realize that Rook cheerfully lives on despite something like this hanging over her head. She even had apparently lost a Brother, a Witch King, that way.

"You don't mind not being around other kids your age?", Linny asks her charge. She should be having the time of her life, not solving everyone's baggage and dealing with prophecy or supernatural shit, dammit!

Rook waves her hands to Linny, Kim, Carmina, and Nick who enters carrying a heavy box.

"Nope! I have my Family and now you guys! And I have more people I'm going to get to meet in Kyrat and the Islands. We'll have a lot of fun exploring and seeing many animals, I just know it!", Rook giddily signs.

The adults all can't help smile at her enthusiasm.

Nick opens the box and hands Linny a book while Kim picks up Carmina.

"Alright, Little Miss Croft. Before you go on any grand adventures, promise me you'll study first", Nick says to Rook.

Rook cups Carmina's daemon and deposits him on Carmina's belly. He morphs into a tiny chick.

Linny stares at the thick History book given to her. It says, "World History" but something is jutting out from the front page.

Written on the note was a short message for her:

"I have taken the liberty of adding notes and annotations to this book. There is too much missing that Rook needs to know of this Family and of the Order and Brotherhood. Be sure to teach her this, Ms. Barnes. I will not let her knowledge be lacking.

-William Miles

PS. If any Templar there has a problem with me doing this, tell them Berg has reviewed my notes and given his blessing. I'll be testing Rook one day, Ms. Barnes. Be sure she's ready"

Linny blinks. She peeks at a random page. It talked about the Rennaisance era and the Borgias but everything was a highlighted mess of yellow and red ink. On the bottom of the page sticks a taped-on long typewritten rant by someone named Shaun saying that is NOT how it happened and goes on to tell things in excuriating detail.

Linny is halfway through the rant finding out things she maybe shouldn't know but has to since she's teaching Rook when she hears a groan behind her. Nick was reading the page and rant over her shoulder.

"The hell? Did William Miles do all this shit?"

Linny hands him the note as Kim goes to her husband. Her lips thin as they both read the note.

"Miss Barnes, I'm really sorry about this. Mentor is a bit...thorough", Kim sighs.

"You mean 'anal retentive', Kim. Berg allowed it too. I bet there is nothing in that history book BUT ranting", Nick shakes his head.

Linny skims through and yep, almost all the pages are a mess of sticky notes and taped rants and red ink.

She'll have to go through EVERYTHING before tutoring Rook.

"Let's start with Geography instead?", Linny says already reaching for the box on the floor.

The Geography book was in worse shape. A lady named Melanie greets her in cheerful handwriting and more post-its greet her.

"No fucking way", groans Kim.

"Will all these books be like this?", Linny sighs exasperated.

"Let's hope not", mutters Nori. He lifts out a World literature book. This one was relatively normal, but when they get to the Myth section, there were more post its and even angrier ranting. Their queries were answered when a certain Rebecca writes to her;

"The Family believes myths that put the supernatural in a good light are propaganda for the gods. Before teaching her, I advise being cautious when you read Ms. Whitehorse this"

All the adults look at Rook now. That explains SO MUCH. Linny carefully sets the book aside and away from her.

Surely Math isn't going to be a problem? Linny breathes a sigh of relief when she sees how normal the math textbook is. Unfortunately, Rook makes a scowl. She doesn't like math it seems.

Rook takes out a book and excitedly points at it. Advanced Zoology and Biology. She happily takes out another and it is an illustrated encyclopedia all about animals.

At least there will be one subject Linny will be able to review and Rook will have fun.

"Oh! What's this?", Kim peeks at the last book in the box. Nick's daemon had settled on her head is squinting at it. It looked like bound paper.

Linny takes it out and turns to the firstpage. The only thing written on the first page is:

We have never imagined that our Family would have grown in such numbers and we Welcome you all.

We are glad that Mother is not alone anymore.

Family will always find each other in the end. To those that came before, tell our stories both good and bad. Hide nothing, for our scars, our shame, and our triumphs make us who we are.

Blessed be siblings and children

There was a tiny scrawl that followed with a:

Rook, if this gets to you first, terribly sorry this should have been your birthday present. We'll find a way to make it up to you on the day itself.

Blessed Be, little sister. Give Staci, Joey, and our other younger brothers and sisters our love. We are very proud of you, but this is only the beggining. Tell our stories, dear heart. The Family that you have chosen for yourself will need to know our history so they will learn from our mistakes.

There was no signature.

Rook makes a peep. She takes the book from Linny's hands. The very next page is a sketch. It was a rendition of Rook with Staci, Joey, and Whitehorse all in a portrait. There was a neat scrawl that says their name. She happily claps her hands.

More sketches of people and places are in the book. Mary May, and the people of Fall's End, the Whitetails , The Cougars, various people from the Project important to Rook, the Ryes, even the Seeds, all in mid casual poses and places.

Nick frowns. It was really eerie how accurate the sketches are, like looking at a photo which is weird since he cannot ever remember making that pose in front of his plane with Kim or Carmina.

Then there were more sketches. Miles reading, with a couple of people next to him. Berg with his daughter.

Rook makes a sad sound when she gets to a portrait titled 'Desmond Miles'. He looked happy. Next to him were two men arms linked with his and hands clasped, laughing like they had no care in the world. 'Daniel Cross' and 'Clay Kaczmarek'.

Under it was a sad note,

'What could have been: A King, his Knight, and his Aide. Our sons deserved better'

Linny wraps her arm around Rook.

Nick looks at the sketch in awe, "Those...those men. These people...those three are heroes!"

Kim nudges Nick when Rook signs angrily, "They were tricked! The bad men tricked them! They should have been here with us and with me. I would have had more brothers! I wouldn't have been alone in being a Witch Queen. They should have been happy! But they're dead and the bad people got what they wanted".

There was a very long story there. Linny will demand it from this William Miles (she has a feeling Kim and Nick will back her if she does). Seeing Rook this agitated makes her feel anxious.

Linny turns to the next page. There are more sketches; People from Kyrat. People from the Islands. Dedsec and other members of Rook's Family. The other two Witch Queen and King, and their families. Drawn regally, then wacky.

Rook tilts her head at an angrily torn page that had been put back with tape. There was a note attached.

"Rook, you're now old enough to know. When you, Staci, and Joey have the time, go to Addie and Sharky. Show them this note".

There were a few people drawn there. 'Hoyt', 'Buck', 'Citra'. They are drawn in jagged, rough lines.

Under Citra's name was an inscription, "Still alive and dangerous"

Rook turns to the page after that. She peeps happily! Sketches of people littered the next few pages, all in different states of happiness. Like candid shots from a polaroid. Under each were their names, their birth dates and what Linny assumes are their death dates.

"No way", breathes in Kim. She adjusts Carmie in her arms.

"These- these are all Templars and Assassins long gone-", Nick says confused.

The three adults jolt when Rook signs simply, "There are a few who aren't from either! They're my Big Brothers and Sisters. They're the rest of the Family"

"Rook-they're dead", Lulu quacks from her perch. She too was confused.

Rook nods happily. "But as long as we live, and we tell their stories. As long as we remember them, they get to live on as well"

That was a beautiful sentiment.

Rook seems to want to unload so many things to them. Linny maneuvers the four of them to sit down.

"Rook, why don't you tell us about them? About your Family long gone?"

The way Rook's eyes brighten was worth it.

So for that day, Rook teaches Linny and the Ryes the history of their Family. Tale after tale that couldn't be found or never told in history books. Small anecdotes about their lives and personalties.

She tells of their tragedy and triumphs. Of their sorrows, the consequences of their greed and wrath. Reunions and forgiveness.

And Linny feels, even for a moment, that she is part of something big. That she does belong to this wonderful, horrid, lovingly crazily large Family.

It was a beautiful thing to hold on to.

Chapter Text

It was peaceful. That's how stories like these usually started.

Rook was picking flowers by the banks of the Henbane that was near the borders of their Sanctuary. Normally, she would be guarded by three people; one from the Project, one from the Resistance, and a neutral party, usually Family members. Today was no exception.

Linny and Mark Barnes, siblings respectively from the Project and Whitetail's Militia, both glared at each other and they both politely ignored Hurk as he happily babbled away about everything and nothing.

There was a noise by the riverbank very near Rook. The three adults froze. Their dæmons chittered or growled.

There was a humanoid shape by the bed of the Henbane.

Linny swallowed, "Rook, sweetie? Come to us, but slowly"

Rook didn't seem to hear as Linny called out once more, transfixed at the outline of the thing.

She squeaked. The thing tilted its head. She squeaked again. It gave a strange rattle.

"Rook-"

The thing rotated its head at almost 180 degrees. It screeched then charged at Rook.

Rook frozen in fear, couldn't move. The adults had a fraction of a second to react.

Linny scrambled to grab Rook and rotated her so it was her back that was facing the beast, shielding the girl. Mark pulled up his weapon and aimed.

But Hurk? Hurk was a strange fellow, and he was even stranger by Family standards. Hurk barrelled his way past Mark, Linny, and Rook carrying a large piece of cloth. He balled it up and jammed it into the thing's open maw then put it in a headlock. The thing struggled but Hurk had a surprising superhuman grip.

"Someone get the rope and tie this damn thing!"

Mark obliged. After a few minutes of struggle Hurk also said, "And call the others ASAP. This is a Family emergency”

---

"The fuck is that thing!?!"

They were in a barn just near the edge of the river where Hurk caught the beast.

Almost all of Rook's guardians were there. Everyone except Joey and Staci which was a bit alarming; the two would never venture very far from their sister's side at the same time.

"Staci is on patrol but Joey just got a call for a parcel from the Heads," Earl offered to the people looking for the two deputies. He then observed the monster.

The thing was a grotesque parody of a human, limbs stretched longer than normal, hind legs, milky eyes, and a jowl that seemed to stretch lined with two rows of sharp teeth. It began a horrendous clicking sound in a parody of a laugh.

“Fools” it cackled.

Sharky, never one to miss on cracking a joke, retorted, “Yeah? We get that a lot”.

The thing hissed, displeased at the non-reaction.

“ The girl is ours. Surrender her to us ”

Whitehorse bristled. The audacity of the people that were after them never ceased to amaze him. This is likely HER doing then.

Before Whitehorse could react Addie had positioned herself in front of the beast and gave it a crude smile. The thing recoiled from her and hissed. Power move likely on her part, but Adelaide Drubman was not someone to mess with, especially if it’s about Family. 

She leaned down and said, “That bitch will not get her crusty old hands on our little girl. Not while we are all here and breathing”

“ Then you all choose to die”

Addie laughed and took out a shotgun. “Nothing we can’t handle. I know all about your hivemind. Tell her to do her worst, we can match it tenfold”

The creature gave a mix of a raspy howl and laughter as Addie shot its head and tsked. “There would be more where that came from. The question is, why it ventured out here alone”.

Alex frowned. In the first place, how did, whatever THAT was, get past Hope County defences? He turned away to report back to John and almost jumped at the sight next to him. Three “Guests” without daemons were observing the dead monster. Two Kyratis, one male and one female, both clearly important, good looking, and dressed well. The last Guest was a young man, around Staci’s age. Most likely an Islander. He was exceedingly handsome, but something seemed off in the way he was exuding calm.

“It’s strange,” said the female Kyrati in perfect English. “How things are so different here...and yet the conflicts are the same”. She shook her head and quietly murmured, upset, “The monsters' goals are the same”. The man with her puts an arm around her shoulders and squeezed it.

“It just never ends,” her partner muttered, sounding frustrated. Nick frowned. “What do you mean it never ends? What the hell is this?”. He angrily motioned at the monster. “That thing clearly ain’t human. Don’t tell me there’s more!?”

The third Guest just tilted his head at the proceedings, thinking and observing.

Whitehorse eyes widened as he finally recognized the third guest. “Riley!? Riley Brody? ...Jesus Christ, Riley! It is you! Oh God, it’s been…”

“About six to seven years since we last saw each other physically, Mr. Whitehorse. But I was there for that fight with Joseph Seed a few months ago,” Riley replied, amused.

A few of Rook’s guardians flinched, the ones from the Project and a few of the Family just glowered but Addie straightened up and smiled at Riley.

“I remember ya, kid. I owe you one for that time, Thanks”

Riley inclined his head in acknowledgment, then went closer to the corpse. “Same creature we encounter on the Islands too with the same M.O.” He kneeled and examined the balled up cloth in the mouth. “Although...ours don’t have that overbite”.

The male Kyrati also wanders towards the monster’s corpse. “You’re right... ours have slightly bluer skin, and they are undernourished. They also have this tendency to wear masks over their faces. We’re quite sure they are not human because they fly”. He takes out a notebook and thumbs through the pages. “We also have winged eyeballs. Not as terrifying but they are annoying”

“Winged… eyeballs,” Alex said incredulously.

“Nice. We’ve got flying heads dragging their innards behind,” Riley said, amused. He toed the carcass. “Ours is a mismatch of a human with a head that could be a dog. They don’t come in herds, just by ones or twos. But they’re very fast and ravenous. Our King calls ‘em Chupacabaras” 

“We call ours Rakshasas,” the male Kyrati offered. He was writing all the info down. “Ours travel in groups and they do raids. It’s a problem with villages farthest from the capital, where our Tarun Matara resides”.

Whitehorse took off his hat and wiped his face. Jesus. 

Addie had a frown. “That’s unfortunate. This is a messenger ghoul. They usually come before a pack attacks”

“A PACK!? A pack of what!?,” demanded Dutch.

Addie sighed. Sharky scratched his nose. “Werewolves, believe it or not”. There was a silence, maybe hoping Sharky was bullshitting them. He wasn’t.

“Well, fuck ”

“We better get ready then. What’s their usual M.O.? Their weaknesses?”

And the Hope County residents begin to plan.

Alex pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed to tell John. Dara buried herself in his hood, miserable. He noticed the female Kyrati checking her gear, what looked to be a compact hunting bow and her arrows hidden behind her sari. She noticed him looking at her and she gave a shrug.

“Well, I guess Sabal and I are duty bound to help you here. My name is Amita, by the way”

“I’m Alex,” he offered out his hand to her and she took it. Her visage glowed. Huh, so that’s what pure Dust feels like. Neat .

“I remember Pagan Min said that you and Sabal were generals in your court, right? We really appreciate the help”

Something crosses Amita’s face but she quickly schooled her features. “Yes...Generals…”. She glanced at Sabal who was having an animated conversation with Riley. Sabal had a smile on his face listening to Riley. Amita chuckled. “Yes, we are. Let’s just go with that”.

Weird answer, but Alex had no right to judge. He may be John Seed’s boyfriend, but he also was his right hand man. And John was one of the Heralds of the Project. Titles were kinda murky when it comes to them. Dara was openly staring at Amita, and the woman smiled at Alex’s daemon. Dara hid in his hoodie, suddenly shy.

“Excuse me, but I’ll be right back. I have a report to do”

---

Alex finds John with his siblings, trying to comfort a crying Rook. Alex’s heart hurt, seeing her like this. She was always so joyful, and full of life. Seeing her terrified or upset worried her family.

Rook was in Joseph’s arms, babbling and trying to explain with her shaking hands. Alex frowned and he heard Dara growling quietly. He noticed Hannah and Sara were there too, as they served the same role as him for the other Seed Siblings that weren't Joseph. Judging by their daemon’s reactions, (Hannah’s Theo’s ears were down, tail swishing in agitation, while Sara’s Tristan had an arched back and his fur raised) they were just as displeased as him seeing Joseph with Rook.

A lot of people remember what he did in that final battle, and maybe Rook loved him and forgave him, but other people hold grudges and they do not forget.

Alex touched John’s arm to get his attention. He then explained everything that happened in the barn.

Jacob snorted, then shook his head. “ Werewolves , huh? Sure. Let’s add more crazy shit to our lives. Rook just kept calling them “the very bad men” so I had no context”

“You said the messenger attacked Rook”, Hannah asked. “And a pack is coming for her? Why did the ghoul attack her then?”

Jacob scratched at his beard, “Wanted to try and get a headstart. If it can just grab her now, it would make things easier for them”.

Rook gave a whine. Rachel stroked the girl’s head to calm her down.

“They’re called The Hounds of God ”

Everyone turned to Joseph. He still has a protective arm around Rook. Joseph continued, “The Hounds of God are what they called the creatures after Rook and any unfortunate solitary Witch that they encounter. For what end, we don’t know. They’re named after an old Swedish folktale”. Joseph squeezed Rook’s shoulder and smiled at her.

“They call themselves the servants of God, even if they practice dark magics in Their name. They are known as hounds because they will stop at nothing for their master”

John folded his arms and looked at Joseph pointedly. “So, we’re dealing with supernatural extremists. How poetic for us Joseph ”.

Joseph narrowed his eyes at John. Rook curled into herself. Rachel hit John’s arm, “Not a good time, big brother”. Alex turned around just to make sure Joseph didn't see him smirking. He blinked. There was another Guest there. She was floating and had her head resting on her arm, observing them. She had shaved sideburns and had garish, neon pink highlights.

She yawned. “You all done with your pity party?”. She definitely knew how to make an impression.

Jacob frowned. “You’re one of the witches that helped us in the last battle”

She snorted and waved her hand. She then noticed Rook had stopped crying and stood. Then she gave Rook a proper bow. “Your Majesty. My name is Yuma Lau. My Queen sends her regards”.

Rook sniffed and signed, “ Thank you. Is big sister Bhadra okay?”

“Yes. She also ordered me to help out here. She had a feeling you guys will start getting attacks soon,” Yuma tsked, showing displeasure.

“What? This is normal for you!?,” demanded John.

Yuma snorted. “For Witch Queens and witches who are stupid enough to not stay in the safety of clans? Yes. Especially if the Queen is young. What is this coven doing? Why are you all so under prepared?” She noticed Rachel and looked her up and down. “You have a talented alchemist right here and I was told there was a sorceress and she had an artificer apprentice, aside from Her Majesty’s witch aide. Why aren’t they out there fortifying your defences?”

Rachel’s eyes widened, “I’m….I’m sorry? I’m a what?”

Yuma swivelled her head incredulously. “You don’t know, do you? Child, you have the rare ability to touch and bend reality as a practitioner, and you weren’t even aware. Yalung, preserve us”.

Yuma turned away from a stunned Rachel, then regarded Hannah. Hannah’s hands balled into fists and Theo began to growl. Yuma snorted, “At ease, it’s not my business to divulge secrets”. She put her hand over her mouth, thinking, then she tilted her head, listening.
“You have less than an hour to prepare,” she announced. “The pack is small but the hounds have runners. This is most likely a kidnapping”.

----

Yuma seemed to have hit it off with Jacob, seeing as the two had the same temperament as leaders and soldiers. They were busy planning with Rook’s other older guardians, though Yuma insisted that a very confused Rachel be there to help. There were snippets of Yuma drawing strange symbols in the air, Sharky muttering about nosy witches encroaching on territory while carrying a torch, and Amita and Jess comparing bows. Riley was sharing notes with Sabal, Father Jeffries, Whitehorse, and John. Kim was with Eli and Hannah, quietly preparing their weapons.

Adelaide, determined, was putting sharpened stakes at an angle tinged with something, likely poison, around dips in the earth surrounding the barn. She then began to cover the sticks with foliage.

“Magical AND practical,” chuckled Adelaide.

Alex didn’t know whether to be horrified or laugh. “Addie, punji sticks are banned by the Geneva convention. This is a war crime”.

Addie raised her eyebrows, “Ah, but we’re not dealing with humans. They don’t respect our rules, they started it, so we respond in kind”. Addie then smiled at Alex. It wasn’t a friendly smile. “Alex, there is one thing you must understand. I love this family. I love this family to a fault, and I will not let any harm come to it. But I am not a good woman and I do not play fair. I hope you get what I am saying”.

Alex could only give a quiet nod. Addie grinned. “Fantastic. Now, either tell the others where this trap is or help me set this up”. 

---

There was a snuffling, then a howl. Then more howls. It was loud and hair-raising. There were snarls as the werebeasts descended towards the barn.

Addie’s trap stops two of the beasts, then slows down the rest of the pack, unearthing most of the sticks off their place in the mud.

A hail of bullets rain on the monsters, then a few well aimed arrows from Jess and Amita.

Those that survive the ammunition fire are engaged in melee. Sabal had jumped down from the barn and began to tear into the pack with his kukri. Nick and Jerome blast a few with their shotguns, while Kim, Eli, and Hannah weave in and out around the intruders, slashing and cutting a path for the others to follow. 

Rachel, with Yuma’s guidance, is throwing homemade molotovs mixed with something, as the molotovs do not only explode upon impact, there was also the telltale effect of bliss on the monsters only.

“These bastards are hardier than rakshasas”, muttered Yuma as she watched a flaming beast try to claw its eyes out and put out the fire. “I’m not a weather witch so I can’t control how far the effect of that drugged smoke moves without affecting people on our side”. She took out a revolver and aimed at the crowd of monsters.

Sara is frantically helping Rachel make more molotovs, while Jacob and John take turns shooting.

“Jake… I don’t have a good feeling about this. There are more beasts than we initially thought and they just keep coming. At this point, we could be overrun. We shouldn’t have left Rook back there”

Jacob grit his teeth. John was right but they couldn’t get Rook into a bunker on time without risking her out in the open. So they kept her hidden with Joseph, Linny, and Alex.

“I know. But this is all we can come up with on short notice”

They see Sabal having a bit of trouble and they see he is back to back with Amita, who has joined the fray. A werewolf opens its maw and is about to attack the two. Sabal grabs Amita and put her behind him to take the brunt of the blow.

There was a whistle, and a dagger flew to imbed itself on the attacker’s forehead. The Kyratis turn to see Riley, stationed on the roof of the barn above the Seeds and carrying a sniper rifle, waved at them. “I’d like my dagger back, please”, he said with a grin. 

Amita jokingly nudges Sabal who was noticeably red in the face as he liberated the dagger, and the two return to the battle.

“Impressive aim”, John commented as he quickly reloaded.

“Thanks. It’s a gift. Heard you were a flyer, right? We should have a go once this is all over”, Riley commented as he sniped a beast that was about to slash at Jerome’s daemon.

John nodded, “If my boyfriend won’t kill me because I promised I wouldn’t go recklessly flying, sure”. Jacob shook his head in exasperation.

As the din died down, the last werewolf slain by Sharky and his fire, a scream pierced the air.

Everyone’s blood went cold.

Rook!

----

Joseph and his daemon formed a protective barrier in front of the terrified girl, but it was not looking good. Alex lay on the floor bleeding, him and his daemon trapped under a werewolf’s claw, Linny struggling to breathe as another Hound had her neck in a vice.

They had underestimated how silent these Hounds are, and the four of them were ambushed.

“Give us the girl”, chittered one.

Joseph would have given anything for a gun about now. But he wasn’t allowed to carry one, especially around Rook. The girl pressed herself to his back and she gave a whine. Poor thing was crying.

Joseph clenched his hand into a fist. Nothing will get to his little girl. “No”, he said quietly.

The Hounds cackled, “ Were you not one with us, brother? You had the same goals. Our Lady’s offer still stands”.

Joseph’s knuckles turned white, his daemon rose up and she bared her teeth in anger.

“Nothing that she offers me now will sway me in giving up Rook to her. She failed in her first attempt and I don’t think she has the capacity to even try. So, may I humbly suggest to fuck off”.

“Then die!” , snarled one of the Hounds. The one that had Linny in a stranglehold tightened its claws around her neck, and Linny began to choke. Alex struggled but the beast holding him stamped on his wound and he screamed in pain. Rook sobbed.

Joseph backed Rook into a corner, silently coaxing her to get on his daemon so they could make an escape when suddenly there was a loud snap followed by a sound of something sharp going through flesh. Joseph’s eyes widened at the sight.

The Hound holding Linny dropped her and she gulped huge swathes of air. The beast that held Alex gave out a guttural death rattle, blood oozing out of its mouth and wound.

The two Hounds are dead where they stood.

Deputy Staci Pratt dropped the head of the Hound whose neck he had so easily snapped and Deputy Joey Hudson pulled out the sword she wielded through the beast and kicked the corpse away from Alex and his daemon.

The two Deputy’s eyes were tinged with red, their daemons looking almost otherworldly in their rage.

Rook peeked from behind Joseph and saw her siblings. She gave out a cry. At once, the two deputies snapped out of it and simultaneously replied in relief, “Rook!”.

Joseph allowed the little girl to run to her siblings and they welcomed her with open arms. Linny and Alex were looked over but Joseph could not join in their celebration. His eyes began to droop.

This goddamned curse... , he thought as he sagged to the floor, helpless, and fell asleep.

---

Rook is firmly attached to Joey’s side as the Hope County Coven assessed the damage. John and Esther fussed over Alex and Dara (healed by Rook), who insisted he was fine, Jacob had carried Joseph’s limp form to bed, and Whitehorse led the cleanup of the carcasses. They made sure Rook did not see any of it.

Kim eyed the sword Joey was carrying at her side; a beautiful rapier. The blade is simple but the metal gleamed in a strange way. The hilt had small swirls that entwined the base of the sword and the handle had a solid grip.
“You know, I thought you were shitting us when you said you had a sword”.

Hannah leaned forward to examine it too. Joey twirled her sword and Matt puffed his feathers in pride. The blade felt like it sang.

“Her name is Mercy”, Joey said with a huge grin on her face. Staci rolled his eyes.

“Glad to know you two shitheads are doing well”, a jovial voice said. Joey and Staci’s eyes widened and they turned to see Riley walking towards them, followed by Yuma, Amita, and Sabal.

“Riley!”

Rook squealed and, to the surprise of many, she ran to hug Riley. Riley kneeled to receive her hug.

“Hi, tiny baby. You’re a big girl now, right? A proper Queen”, Riley put a comforting hand on her head and then wiped the tears forming in her eyes. “Don’t be sad, your Majesty. I’m okay, see? And my daemon is healthy”. Rook babbled and signed. Riley gave her a tender smile, “I miss you too, baby. Big brother Jason gives his love. And so does my King. My King wants to meet you properly. You’ll visit us soon, right?”.

Rook tilted her head, confused. Although Daddy and some of the others have already “visited” Kyrat and the Islands, she and her knights haven’t. It was very frustrating. She wants to see!

Amita had wandered closer to Joey. The two deputies straightened, unsure of what to do or how to greet someone they have only met in battle, and then heard about in increments and reports. She smiled at them both, then gestured to Joey’s sword. “That’s a divine weapon, right? I can recognize Damascus Steel and the sound of a Piece of Eden”. John and Alex freeze. Kim, Hannah, Eli, Nick, and Jerome step back in horror. Staci and Riley snickered. Joey pouted.

“Knights can safely wield the Pieces of Eden”, Amita explained in amusement. “Ajay told us this and demonstrated on this bow”. She offered up her weapon for inspection. Now that she mentioned it, there was something strange about the bow. It looked like a modern compact bow but the materials were noticeably not modern. It was something impossible.

“Wait, you’re both Knights?”, Joey said, surprised. Amita shook her head. She then grinned and looked at Sabal. Sabal chuckled. “No, we’re not. But Ajay told us as much as he could and helped train us. This weapon is his, actually”.

There was a stunned silence. Then Riley and Joey burst out laughing. Staci had a shit-eating grin and exclaimed, “No fucking way!”. Rook puffed her cheeks out, upset. She didn’t like them laughing at big brother Ajay.

Yuma rolled her eyes and explained to the confused people, “Ajay can’t snipe or shoot a bow without injuring himself. He got the short end of the stick when the holy weapon that chose him was that thing ”. She motioned to the bow in distaste.

Joey has doubled down on the ground, laughing. “HAHAHHAHAH Do you know how many times Ajay shot or injured himself in training?”. 

The pained, deadpan way Amita, Sabal, and Yuma said, “Yes” made Joey, Staci, and Riley laugh harder. Rook stamped her foot trying to make them stop.

Sabal bowed to Rook, “We give Our greetings to her Majesty, Rook Whitehorse. Bhadra and Ajay would love to see you, and our family in Kyrat would like to get to know you”.

Rook curtsied and gave him a shy smile. Sabal hesitated, then awkwardly gave an amused Riley his dagger back. Riley looked Sabal in the eye and said, “Thank you, Sir. I want to formally extend an invitation to everyone here to come visit us in the Islands”.

Amita nudged a red-faced Sabal. “We would love to, thank you”. She then turned to Joey and winked. Joey laughed in delight at the absolute cheek. “And if you visit us again, we’d love to give you a tour”. Alex swatted Joey’s arm, “Down girl”. Joey stuck out her tongue at Alex. Matt, on her shoulder, bobbed up and down excitedly.

Yuma snorted in disgust and rolled her eyes. Staci patted Rook’s head then gave Riley a soft bop on the head. “It’s good to see you again, Riri”. Riley gave Staci a pained, but fond smile. He put a hand over Staci’s hand and the two intertwined fingers. “Same here, Stace”.

Joey laughed and scooped Staci, Riley, and Rook in a bear hug. “It’s damn good seeing you. We need to have a long talk”. She then turned to the Kyratis. “You helped save Rook twice now. As a Knight, I give my thanks for saving my Queen. As Rook’s sister, I am eternally grateful”.

Yuma nodded her head in acknowledgment, Amita blushed and rocked on her feet, Sabal gave a chuckle. “What kind of person doesn’t help a child in need? Think nothing of it”.

Rook watched as her siblings exchanged banter with their Guests, as her Family cleared the surroundings, and talked to each other. She weaseled her way out of Joey’s bear hug and sat between John and Alex.

John put an arm around Rook, Alex held her hands, and Rook thought, “This is nice. This is home”

Chapter Text

Rook opened her eyes to find that she wasn't in Haven anymore. It felt cold. Very cold. She was thankful she had her favorite thick black flannel that Dutch had given her but her bare legs and feet were freezing. 

She looked around and realized she was in a beautiful garden mostly filled with pretty red flowers. There were fruit trees here and there and strawberries! What a pretty place! But why is no one here, and why is she alone?

She noticed that the building that housed the garden was beautiful but its architecture looked different from the buildings of Hope County. The arches and the pillars and the banners swaying gently in the wind. To a romantic little girl, it looked like a fairytale castle.

“Hello there, little one. It’s about time you visited us,” an amused voice said.

Rook jumped, turned around to find the source of the voice. She gasped.

Lounging next to a grove of flower trees was a beautiful elephant. It was reddish grey in color so Rook knew this was an Indian Elephant….except…. He’s too big for an Indian Elephant. Almost like he was the size of an African Elephant. She then noticed he glowed and Rook realized...

This was Big Sister Bhadra’s dæmon!

The girl squeaked and then ran up to the majestic beast. He chuckled and moved his trunk to receive her hug.

“Greetings to Our Little Sister. Welcome to Kyrat”

---

“With all due respect, Ajay? This plan is bullshit”

Amita tapped her pen on the papers in front of her and sighed. This was the Kyrat Coven’s usual problem with its members disagreeing with how to deal with the Rakshasas.

More than half of them cannot appear at the palace’s court and to the people of Kyrat, of course. A few of them were most definitely exiled. But whether they like it or not, they were… a messed up unit, and they needed to work together if they wanted Kyrat to be safe.

She looked across the table to see a “visiting” Pagan Min, surprisingly not nursing a drink today, and listening to the conversation with a frown. He noticed her looking at him and he gave a tired smile. Amita huffed and smiled at him in return.

She saw Yuma floating and carving something, she probably wouldn’t care unless she would be allowed to cause mayhem.

Noor who was physically there looked down at her papers angrily and occasionally sent daggers at a visiting Paul. Paul ignored her and her snarling daemon and was sitting next to Mumu Chiffon, who had a laptop open and was taking down notes of the meeting.

There was Rabi Ray Rana who usually dropped his radio persona around them, quietly going over the papers in front of him. There were also three of the Golden Path members; Banhee, Pranav, and Gopal, with differing reports of disaster in their hands.

Longinus couldn’t focus his attention to the meeting but they all knew he was listening in.

At the head of the table were the two legitimate Monarchs of Kyrat; Ajay Ghale, and his little sister, Bhadra. Bhadra was dressed simply today, without the usual regalia that her devotees see her in. Her hair was pinned up in a bun and her lips were pursed in dismay as she listened to Pranav’s report.

Ajay was arguing with Paul, “This is too much, they’re getting closer to the farming villages.This is calculated, Uncle Paul. I think someone is directing them”. He raised a hand before anyone can speak, “An actual person, here in Kyrat. Explain to me how hordes of mindless beasts suddenly realize they could force our hand by attacking our food source”

Amita heard an angry inhale and turned to see Sabal, sitting next to her also drowning in papers. She knew how he felt. The farms were their little joint project. To have years of work, from harvesting drugs and then when the economy stabilized slowly turning the fields back into arable land to depend less on importing food….to have ALL that, just to lose a lot of it to a horde of monsters? It stings.

Paul grounded his teeth, “And may I remind you, Ajay, that you are the fucking King of this country. You cannot go traipsing around Kyrat looking for a goddamn hypothetical mastermind--”

Mumu Chiffon, without looking up from his typing, said, “Not to mention that cult running around--”

Everyone but Mumu Chiffon stopped what they were doing to stare at him.

“What...cult?” Pagan grit out.

Chiffon raised an eyebrow, and then looked at Ajay pointedly. Ajay’s lips thinned.

“I can explain…”

“Oh, Kyra, not again, Ajay!”

The Coven began to argue and Amita noticed that Sabal had buried his face in his hands, too tired to join in today. The exhaustion was real.

Maybe because she wasn’t bothered by Ajay’s ability to attract the weirdest shit, but she was the only one to notice that Bhadra had looked up from her papers, like she was listening to something. Then she smiled. She turned to Amita next to her and then said, “Amita, could you check on Ganesha? I think you and Sabal might like what you find there. You’ll find him in the gardens”

Amita blinked. That was a strange request… but she shrugged and stood up. She then touched Sabal’s arm and then said to the gathered Coven, “Excuse us, we’ll be right back”

Sabal confusedly followed her out as more voices began to raise.

“What do you mean, it was an accident, Ajay? How the fuck can you accidentally find another cult?”

And the doors closed behind the two of them.

---

Amita and Sabal were not witches… but they knew a lot of people were nervous when they saw how far their daemons can be from them. Amita’s daemon padded a few paces behind them while Sabal’s daemon scouted ahead.

The two walked side by side in comfortable silence. The hallway to the palace gardens stretched and it was a beautiful sight to see the rhododendrons in bloom.

Thus it was ruined when Sabal blurted out, “Amita, do you think...we can finally raise a child together?”.

Amita stopped. She then inhaled slowly then exhaled. If he had asked the questions four years ago, she would have been livid. Then they would have another of their shouting matches and they would have both left each other and Bhadra hurt in the fallout.

But Sabal was family and she loved him as much as she loved Ajay and Bhadra, even if he was infuriatingly as stubborn as her...and now that she is older she could talk to him straight.

She turned to face him. “No”.

He looked like she had kicked him. Amita reached out and touched his arm in apology. “Not when there are literal hordes of monsters to worry about, Sabal. Not when we’re still fixing Kyrat. We agreed to this, years ago”

Sabal pulled away, frustrated. “And after we drive away all the Rakshasas? What if there will be more monsters? More people that will cause trouble? Or Natural Disasters? What if the problems of Kyrat never end?”

Amita shook her head. This is getting close to their verbal fights in the old days but she knew Sabal wouldn’t allow it to devolve into that ever again.

“Sabal, how could we even think about bringing a child into this mess?” Amita crossed her arms. “Not to mention, the dangers of having a baby now, of all times…It’s easier for you to say since you won’t be carrying for nine months...”

Sabal leaned on the railing and rubbed a hand across his face. “Amita, we could get a surrogate. Or adopt. I never would have suggested having a child if I did not know you also wanted one,” he raised a hand to stop her from interrupting. “Don’t deny it, I’ve seen the books you thought you kept hidden from us. Where we are now with our responsibilities to this country, there will always be problems. There is always risk. You know this. What are you so afraid of---”

“I refuse to turn us into the people that raised us, Sabal!” cried Amita. Everything stopped. Even if they were alone, out in the cold open air, it felt suffocating. 

Amita felt her daemon nudge her legs in worry. Sabal had a hurt expression on his face. Damn it...Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything. She looked away.

“Amita, we’re neither cruel like Mohan nor secretive like Ishwari. I’m insulted to think you ever thought it would be a possibility”.  He moved forward towards the garden before she could explain.

She quietly followed behind him to the gardens until he stopped at the entrance, then he sighed and turned to her. 

“I refuse to live in fear under the shadow of the past anymore, Amita,” he offered out a hand to her and she accepted it. “We are different people now to what we were before. I just hope you could see that too”.

She smiled, tired. “I’m sorry, but this feeling won’t go away overnight. Please understand and give me time”. Sabal nodded and they both touched foreheads. 

He then straightened and looked to the general area where his daemon was. Amita looked down at her own daemon who bumped into their legs giving out a happy rumble. “What changed that made us so different from them?”

Sabal’s breath caught and Amita looked up. They see Bhadra’s Ganesha sheltering under the many fruit trees in full blossom, and he was indulging a glowing little girl putting a wreath of flowers on his tusk.

Sabal smiled wistfully as he watched the girl, “Is it not obvious? We have a bigger family now”.

---

Ganesha was very patient with Rook as she eagerly decorated the elephant’s tusks. He would angle his head so she would be able to twine the flowers on them. He noticed Sabal and Amita approaching and he smiled.

“Little Sister, look”

Rook turned and gasped. She then stood up but looked woefully at the flowers she gathered in her apron. She hasn't finished them yet. She signed, “ But my gifts…”

“ It is alright, little Sister. We appreciate the gesture,” a gentle voice whispered in her head, amused. Rook’s mouth formed an O and she looked around. That was Big Sister Bhadra’s voice!

Sabal and Amita reached them and before Rook could do anything, they bowed.

“Hail to Her Majesty, Rook Arianna Whitehorse, the Witch Queen of the Hope County Coven, beloved youngest of The Mother of the Great Coven,” recited Sabal.

Rook turned an embarrassed shade of red. It has been a while since she heard her full title. She remembered her lessons though and she curtsied.

Then she turned to Ganesha for him to translate when she signed, “I give my greetings to the stars of Kyrat; Princess Amita and Prince Sabal of the Royal Family. May the sun and moon shine bright on you both. Thank you for having me” .

Rook looked nervous when they both were taken aback, then looked at each other. Did she get the greeting wrong? Oh no…

“Ah, yes. That’s what we are. I’m surprised but who told you, your Majesty? To the other Covens, they just know us as the Generals of Ajay and Bhadra” Amita said gently, noticing the little girl’s worried look.

“ Big Sister said so! You’re Big Brother Ajay and Big Sister Bhadra’s siblings so I put two and two together…” the girl signed shyly.

Sabal squinted at Ganesha who harrumphed. Not his problem Bhadra snitched on them.

“We would like to keep it a secret, for as long as we can your Majesty, so please do so. For us?” Amita smiled at the little girl and the girl nodded happily.

 
The girl then looked left then right confused. “ Where are your Ātmā? ” she signed, looking around.

Sabal smiled, “You even know what we call them here. We are very flattered but you can use the word ‘dæmon’, your Majesty”. He whistled and held out his arm. At once a large, beautiful, eagle with a massive wingspan landed on his outstretched arm. She gave the surprised girl a wink. “This is Annapurna, my Golden Eagle. She usually is airborne and is my eye in the sky”. Both eagle and Sabal then gave a synchronized exaggerated bow and Rook clapped her hands in glee.

Amita laughed at Ganesha rolling his eyes at Sabal and Annapurna’s antics. She then looked behind her. Her daemon gave an upset squeak and hid himself. Amita chuckled. “Shiva. Come on out, please?”.

Her daemon leaped from the bannister and rushed to Amita, almost colliding with her. He then tried to make himself small to hide between her legs. Amita shook her head and stepped aside. “This is Shiva,” she pushed the stubborn, terrified daemon closer to Rook. “This softie is a Clouded Leopard. Don’t be rude, Shiva. Say hi”.

The cat’s eyes widened and ears flattened as Rook went closer to him. “Ng...ngh!?”

“He usually isn’t this shy,” Amita sighed. She patted her daemon’s head. “Do you want to see Ajay and Bhadra now?”

Rook nodded her head. She dropped the flowers in her apron pockets, kissed Ganesha goodbye and eagerly took both Sabal and Amita’s hands.

As the trio walked away, with Annapurna taking flight, Ganesha nudged Shiva.

“What’s up with you? Go on, you’re lagging behind”

Shiva was very embarrassed, “She’s really cute, okay?”

Ah. Shiva’s cuteness proximity meter, whatever Ajay called it.

“Shiva! Come on!” Amita called out.

Shiva muttered a “See you later, Ganesha” and ran after them. Ganesha trumpeted in amusement before settling down to nap.

----

Ajay had to pause the meeting. The reports were bad and tempers grew. Usually things weren’t this frantic, but Uncle Paul and Noor butted heads again. Noor is now talking to her husband through the phone and Uncle Paul is muttering about how some people are ungrateful for going against Pagan and saving their loved ones. Then the three Golden Path members in their Coven gave Rabi a hard time because Assassins and Templars can’t not ever get along even in a forced truce which is REALLY annoying.

Ajay looked down at the reports. He’ll have to do it himself. He knows that whoever is controlling the rakshasas is out there because damn it, he, Bhadra, Amita, and Sabal made sure that the capital is free from she-who-must-not-be-named ’s influence. Yuma, hiding in the mountains, also has a tight grasp of her general area. So that leaves the villages furthest from the palace vulnerable, and they have to fortify them.

The problem is, they can’t...because the people they have are guarding the community farms, and they were finally getting the first set of crops ready for harvesting this year.

He can’t let Sabal and Amita’s hard work go to waste.

Ajay turned to Bhadra to see that she had closed her eyes in concentration. Probably talking to Ganesha. He felt his own daemon snuffling around his jacket and he put a hand over her. Bhadra then opened her eyes and then smiled at him.

“Ajay, how do you feel about a little party around dinner time? To lighten the mood”

Ajay snorted. “Bad timing, sis. Also, we can’t always throw a party just to make everyone get along. It gets old, fast”

Bhadra shrugged, “Eh, worth a try. But this time, I insist. We have a very special guest today”. She then patted both Paul and Mumu Chiffon’s hands. “The three of you might want to greet her”.

Before any of them can say anything, there was a knock at the door and Amita peeked in.

“We have a guest. Can she come in?”

----

Rook was confused that big brother Sabal insisted he should carry her when he noticed she was walking barefoot. Big sister Amita had looked annoyed but she agreed when she realized Rook’s legs were bare.

“I’ll get you something comfortable and warm to wear, don’t worry,”  Amita reassured her. Sabal easily carried Rook, and Rook’s hands were free to sign. She realized that Amita and Sabal could understand her.

“ Thank you big brother and big sister! I didn’t want to be rude ”

Amita’s eyes widened in surprise and Shiva, lagging behind them, gave out an “Eep!”

Sabal chuckled seeing Amita’s reddening cheeks. “You’re not rude, do not worry. I have a question. How’s your big sister who is also your knight? Joey Hudson, I believe- ow! Amita!”

Amita had pinched him and stomped away, now really red. She’ll get back at him later but he couldn’t help teasing her. Serves her right for teasing him about Riley.

Rook tilted her head when she saw Sabal looking away with a strange smile on his face and reddening cheeks. “Ah, I’m sorry little one. I just remembered someone interesting”.

“ Is it Big Brother Riley? ”

Sabal’s eye twitched and he felt Annapurna falter in her flight.

“ Yes . Did Bhadra tell you this too?”

Rook nodded. “ Big sister was very happy when she found out ”

Sabal scoffed. In his opinion, his little sister should stop being nosey. He then looked at Rook. And maybe Bhadra should stop being a gossip. He then realized...Bhadra was connected to one more person. And King Vaas was someone that worried him and Ajay greatly. What would someone like him do with this information?

He almost missed what Rook said, “ Big brother Riley also has a bird daemon! She’s very cute ”

Sabal couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on his face. They reached the doors of the war room and Amita was talking to everyone in there. Probably announcing Rook as a guest.

Annapurna landed on the railing next to them, Shiva caught up then sat down. Amita stepped aside and opened the door.

A gasp, then-

“Rook!?”

---

Ajay couldn't feel his legs when Amita opened the door and he saw Rook in Sabal’s arms. His first thought was “ How!? ” then he realized she must have been ‘visiting’ them. Sabal entered the war room and placed her gently in front of them. Ajay rushed forward, then dropped to his knees. Rook hugged him and babbled. He hugged her tight.

Jesus Christ, it has been four years since he saw her. It hurt being away from her for so long. He may not have been her Knight (and for a long time, that stung) but she was still Family. He loved his little sister and missed her so much. Even if he gained an elder brother and two younger sisters, it still hurt he couldn’t return to America to Rook, and Joey...and Staci.

Kyrat was his home now, and he was responsible for it. And he couldn’t leave it since he was Bhadra’s Knight...and he can’t, in good conscience, leave his newfound siblings who have deep separation issues that still need work, and...and…

Rook patted his face and squeaked. Then she signed, “ Why are you crying big brother? ”

Ajay laughed then wiped away his tears. It was good to see her. It was even better that she is here and that she didn’t look so stressed and there wasn’t a goddamn war happening around her like the last time he saw her.

He felt something trying to wiggle out of his jacket. He laughed again then took out his daemon. “Because I missed you very much, baby. And I’m not the only one who does, you know?”. Rook squealed and then took Ajay’s little bat daemon, Sita, from his hands and nuzzled her. Sita squeaked back her excitement.

Ajay reluctantly let go of Rook and then turned her to face Mumu Chiffon and Paul. “Look Rook, I’m not the only Family you have here”.

Paul smiled and said, “Hey kid. I’m just visiting, same as you. Ashley and Ophelia, say hi”. Rook waved enthusiastically at him.

Chiffon had tears streaming down his face. He knelt down and hesitantly asked, “Do you remember me? The last time I saw you face to face...Desmond was...ah…”, he wiped the tears off. Rook wandered closer to him. She looked around for his daemon and then she noticed, a beautiful, massive, rock python blending in the shadows.

Rook’s mouth formed an O. She signed with the hand that wasn’t holding Sita. “ Are you one of my older siblings? ”. Chiffon nodded. “Yes. Mother sent me to help out here. I’m the fourth eldest--oh!”. Rook hugged him. Chiffon laughed and gathered her in his arms. He wiped his face. Rook signed, “ I remember you! And I remember your daemon. Staci and I used to play hide and seek with them”. The rock python had gathered themselves around the pair and gave out a soft hiss.  They gave Rook an audible boop on the nose. Rook squeaked. “ Big...Sister? Big Brother? Sibling?”. Chiffon shook his head. “You can call me “big brother” here. Kyrat isn’t ready for people like me yet”

Rook nodded solemnly. She looked up and noticed everyone in the room and she squeaked in surprise. She then noticed Bhadra smiling patiently at her from her chair. Chiffon let go of his little sister, and Rook went up to Bhadra.

To the surprise of the people in the room, Rook curtsied, signed, “ I give my greetings to the moon of the kingdom, the Tarun Matara, and my Sister Queen, Bhadra of Kyrat. Praise and Blessed Be ”.

Then she hugged Bhadra. Bhadra laughed in delight then stood up. Rook’s eyes widened as Bhadra rose...and rose... Bhadra was barefoot and Rook knew it was because Auntie Ishwari said that there was a tradition of the Tarun Matara not being allowed to touch the ground until she menstruates or in some cases, she gets married.

Well...there wasn’t a problem with that. Big Sister Bhadra was floating a foot off the ground.

Bhadra genuflected and all the other people in the room did the same. Rook’s cheeks reddened.

“I bid my Little Sister, Rook Whitehorse of the Hope County Coven, and my Sister Queen a hearty welcome to my domain. Welcome to Kyrat”

----

They had dinner in the garden with beautiful string lights glowing as the sun sets. Rook wasn’t sure if she could eat at all but the food looked really good. Rook sat in the place of honor next to big sister Bhadra with Ganesha lounging behind them.

She met Rabi Ray Rana, who revealed to her that he was a Templar and also a part of the Family, and his really cute monkey daemon, Chotu. He was then unceremoniously shoved aside by Miss Banhee, Mister Pranav, and Mister Gopal who showed her their daemons, three different birds native to Kyrat. She thinks they’re a throuple, just like Joey, John, and Alex.

Then Miss Noore hesitantly gives her greetings to her and introduces her daemon. Her Mongoose daemon lounged on her shoulder and nodded his head. She smiled and waved at them both before they left.

Pagan, gave Amita a squeeze on her shoulders and a kiss to her cheeks. Then he gave his greetings to Bhadra and Rook, and with a twinkle in his eyes he disappeared in a burst of light. Miss Yuma and big brother Paul also said goodbye before disappearing.

Ajay came over to the table and sat across Sabal and Amita ignoring Rabi Ray fighting off the three Assassins.

“Chiffon had to go rest. He was overwhelmed seeing you again, Rook. Kind of nice it’s just us siblings today”

Rook nodded eagerly. She’d love to come back and play and explore with them. Kyrat looked beautiful...and so different from Hope County.

She signed, “ I wish Joey and Staci and Daddy were here with me! I wish everyone in Hope County could see this! ”

Amita coughed out her drink as Sabal grinned like a maniac. Ajay raised his eyebrows at them both.

“Same. Well….I’d like to see Staci again. And the Heads. I’d like to meet uh...Dedsec was it? Lenni’s rivals I think. Damn it. I miss Riley and Joey too. I miss the other Knights. The training was hell but there’s a camaraderie in suffering the same shit as others, you know?”

Sabal’s face twitched and avoided Amita’s knowing smirk when Riley was mentioned.

Ajay put down the roti he was eating. “Okay, you two have been weird since you both came back from that werewolf fight from Hope County. Explain”

They both replied, “Nothing”.

Ajay then turned to Bhadra who was smiling like a cat that had seen its prey.

“I’m very sure the members of the other Covens left a good impression on them. Especially Miss Hudson, and the youngest Brody brother”.

“ Bhadra! ”

It took a minute for Ajay to realize why his two siblings were scandalized and glaring at their younger sister. Ajay’s mouth dropped open and Sita fell off his shoulder.

“WHAT THE FU-- REALLY!? Of all people the two of you get a crush on, you get crushes on my exes’ siblings !?”

Sabal muttered mutinously, “He was very charismatic, alright? He also flirted back...”

Amita hid her face in Shiva’s fur, “You should have seen her with her sword! She was so beautiful...I just couldn’t compare!”

Bhadra piped up amused, “May I point out that while Staci and Jason Brody are not on the table, the other members of their family are fair game”

The three older siblings and their dæmons glared at Bhadra. Ganesha trumpeted in glee. Bhadra then turned to Rook. “One day, little sister, if you find yourself having a crush-” “When that day comes, I’ll be ready,” muttered Ajay. He poked Sabal’s arms and Sabal swatted him back. “ If that distant day comes and you’re far away from an overprotective brother like Ajay, make sure to find someone your siblings haven’t dated. It could get awkward”. Rook nodded politely. She had no idea what big sister was saying.

Ajay flicked a pip seed at Bhadra and Bhadra deflected it. Ajay then squinted at the other two and went, “I still want an explanation”

Amita fired back, “Well, in our defense, we didn’t know they were your exes’ siblings, so there!”. Ajay sputtered.

Rook smiled. It felt like Joey and Staci whenever they teased each other. It was cute.

Then things slowed down and a heavy mist rolled in. Rook blinked. She then turned to Bhadra who just sighed.

Bhadra took out a pipe and lit it. She winked at Rook. “This is our little secret Rook”

Rook frowned, “ Smoking is bad for you”.  Bhadra nodded, “I know, but better this than whatever big brother Vaas takes regularly”.

“ Seriously Bhadra? Rude”

A scary-looking man with a mohawk wearing a red wife beater sauntered toward them. Ajay, Sabal, and Amita did not notice him at all.

Rook squeaked and ran toward him. He bent down and then lifted her to receive her hug. He then carried her over towards Bhadra.

Bhadra tapped the ashes off her pipe and then put it in her mouth again. She inhaled and said, “About time you got here, big brother”.

Vaas gave her a smirk. “Didn’t want to spoil the mood. I know how your Knight feels about me”.

Bhadra frowned, “Vaas, you make everyone nervous, not just Ajay”.

Vaas sat next to Bhadra with Rook in his arms. Vaas pinched Rook’s cheeks. Rook puffed her cheeks and pouted in response.

“Heh. Glad to see you doing well, chica”. He then tilted his head towards Bhadra. “Why did you call for me, sis?”

Bhadra exhaled a perfect smoke ring. “I need help with my domain. You heard from Riley that Hope County started getting attacks right? The Rakshasas have gotten much more violent lately”

Vaas chuckled, “The bitch is getting desperate. I think it’s time that our families get together again to brainstorm”. He poked Rook’s cheek again. “What do you say, hermanita? The two of you visit me next time? You and your knights”.

Rook clapped her hands while Bhadra smiled and nodded.

“Good. Now let’s talk about your little warg problem and how I can help”

Rook listened to her big brother and sister quietly discussing the problems in their Domains. Maybe she should chime in. But right now, she felt sleepy. She rested her head on Vaas’s shoulders and slowly fell asleep.

---

Longinus swayed back and forth in front of the small bowl with a fire. His eyes almost rolled back.

“You don’t need to injure yourself just to contact us, nephew”

Shadows appeared in the smoke that billowed from the little fire.

One particular shadow stepped forward.

“Uncle Takkar, I’m sorry. But it is an emergency. The Witch Queens and King met today. Juno’s army of wargs are increasing their attacks. We need help, please”.

An old man’s face manifested in the smoke.

“Hmm. Well...I cannot truly leave Yara at the moment. But I can give advice”

“Thank you Uncle Takkar. May the Sun bless you…”

“It’s Antón Castillo now, my boy. Now report to us everything"