“JACULUS, CAN YOU FETCH ME MY SATCHEL?” ABIATHAR SAID OVER HIS SHOULDER.

He was crouched in front of a bush, tending to a spirit that appeared to be ill. He had awoken Jaculus early that morning, stating that it was time for a sweep of the entire garden.

Jaculus was still bleary-eyed as he staggered outside, the sun not quite over the horizon yet. The morning air was crisp yet refreshing, heavy dew clinging to the grass, wetting Jaculus’s feet. Abiathar was barefoot as well, so he figured that he didn’t need shoes. His cold toes were telling him otherwise.

Jaculus ran back into the garden, a large leather bag in his arms. Abiathar’s belongings shuffled and stirring concerningly as Jaculus sprinted to him. He hoped nothing in it was breakable.

Abiathar glanced up, the spirit, a snake-like being, weakly crawling on his arm. He was smiling, a gesture Jaculus found particularly pleasant in the morning. The morning after the full moon, Jaculus had awoken to a surprise- Abiathar wasn’t wearing his mask. He couldn’t help but see the change in Abiathar. His entire body was less tense, and his movements seemed less stilted. Only now Jaculus saw how often he smiled.

“Would you like to see me treat a spirit?” Abiathar asked, reaching over to grab the satchel.

Jaculus knelt down by his side, nodding enthusiastically.

Abiathar brought out a vial of lavender liquid, holding it out for Jaculus to see. “It’s called the essence of well-being. It’s what I put in our tea. It enhances the body’s natural recovery process, and it tastes pretty good as well. But this,” he said, waving a different vial, filled with dark green liquid, “Is a bit more powerful. Strictly medicinal uses. It kills the sickness upon ingestion. Doesn’t taste very good at all.”

He placed a stone bowl in his lap, his movements slowed so Jaculus could follow with ease. “Now for the base of the elixir. It mixes the essences together into one substance. It has no effect on the potion itself, as it’s just a medium.” He poured a thin, clear liquid into the bowl, letting it settle. “Essences must be added in small amounts. They’re volatile if mishandled.” With a steady hand, he let several drops of each vial into the bowl, giving it a gentle stir. “If you stir too fast,” he explained, “It will ruin the potion.”

He patted the spirit on the head, bringing it forward. “Contrary to popular belief, not all potions must be manually ingested. Lesser spirits are unable to process liquids and solids like humans, so feeding them a potion is futile. A simple soak will suffice.”

Abiathar poured the bowl’s contents over the spirit’s head, the potion soaking into its skin like a sponge. The spirit seemed to regain its glimmer, casting a soft light on Abiathar and Jaculus’s faces.

“And now its all better!” Abiathar exclaimed.

“Do you think I could do that?” Jaculus asked, rubbing his wrists.

Abiathar scratched his chin. “That’s something I’ve been wondering too. I can’t recall reading anything about higher spirits being capable of witchcraft. Lesser spirits are only capable of being familiars, mere extensions of a witch’s power, while a divine spirit like my spirit animal is far more powerful than any mortal alive. That should, theoretically, place a being like you in the middle of the spectrum, like a human.”

“You really think so?” Jaculus asked, eyes shining.

“I wouldn’t get too excited, if I’m being honest. My fellow witches aren’t too keen on the idea of higher spirits being witches, or being equal to witches at all.” Abiathar grimaced, “It’s seen as uncouth for a witch to fraternize with a higher spirit.”

“You...you don’t think that, do you?”

“I’ve always studied spirits. I want to learn more about them, even higher spirits. If I’m being honest, you’re the first higher spirit I’ve ever met in person. You really opened my eyes, Jaculus.” He took Jaculus by the hand, pulling him up, “I think it’s finally time for breakfast. I know I’m starving.”

Throwing Abiathar’s bag over his shoulder, Jaculus tailed after Abiathar, instantly energized by the prospect of food. Back inside the house, Jaculus hovered beside Abiathar at the counter, who was asking a spirit to help prepare meat. Jaculus didn’t know how to cook, but he was hoping he could pick up knowledge from Abiathar.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Abiathar slowly approached the door, squinting into the peephole. His eyes widened.

“Vedast?” he whispered, his face draining of color. He turned his head, staring at Jaculus with sweat on his brow, “Jaculus, get in my bedroom. Now.”

Jaculus nodded, spiriting out of the kitchen without a word.

Abiathar breathed a heavy sigh, placing his mask back on his face. Beginning to tremble, he opened the door, the tall, imposing figure of Vedast staring back at him.

“Greetings, Vedash,” Abiathar breathed, “What brings you to my home? I didn’t think we had a meeting anytime soon. Have I missed an event by accident?”

“Don’t be so coy, Abiathar,” Vedast hissed, blue eyes flickering from under his mask, “I received a tip that you were holding a higher spirit in your home.”

Abiathar crossed his arms, planting his feet on the threshold and effectively blocking Vedast from entering the house. “Vedast, there are no laws against that, even if you find it distasteful.”

Vedast’s fingers twitched, purple energy boiling to life at his side. Two spirits appeared, canine bodies blazing violet. They trembled and snarled, barely contained by opaque leashes clenched between his fingers. “I have reason to believe that this higher spirit is the very creature that broke into my temple several days ago, stealing something from my collection.”

“Find the child,” he murmured, letting the leash go. The hounds shoved past Abiathar, running down the hallway.

“You can’t just release those beasts into my home!” Abiathar barked, balling his fist, “This is an invasion of privacy, Vedast!”

“Well, well, isn’t that curious?” Vedast murmured as Jaculus was drug out into the kitchen, the hounds pinning him to the floor, “The little thief resurfaces.” He reached down, taking him by the arm. “I believe I’ll be taking him off your hands, Abiathar.”