Chapter 5: A Family Lost

At the academy Vincent finishes teaching a class. It is a habit he continues even as headmaster occasionally. There is just something about teaching and sharing his knowledge with others that fills Vincent with joy. Perhaps because he sees it as contributing positively to the world. As he prepares to enter his office with a smile he is caught by his secretary.

"Sir, the church has sent a response to your letter.", he says stopping in front of him.

"Thank you, Frederick.", Vincent says with a smile. He takes the letter from him and continues inside. Opening the letter it reads that the church has approved of his visit and that he can come at his earliest convenience. Satisfied Vincent decides to take the church up on its offer later on today. Perhaps while the pope is meeting with Winston.

Vincent sighs as he sits in his chair. Now he will be able to locate where the church's most sensitive information is kept and possibly see if his mother's and father's deaths are on record under the inquisition.

However, a new idea comes into Vincent's mind. He should make sure there is nothing he can learn from Mother Margaret and the orphanage he spent some time at when he was younger. The only thing he learned from his caretakers, specifically Mother Margaret, was that his parents lived outside of Gordowe, they came from the eastern part of the kingdom, and his father was a fur trapper. Which also means they weren't bowed to a lord's land. He decides to leave when the school time ends.

Vincent sets out at once when he is able to do so. Though the option of taking a carriage is open to him Vincent still prefers to travel by horseback when he can. He reaches the town in no time and heads directly to the orphanage.

After knocking on the door it isn't long before one of the sisters opens it. He recognizes Sister Sarah right away by her blue eyes and blonde hair peeking out from under her headdress. She smiles at him with bright eyes.

"Vincent, what a surprise! How are you?", she says, hugging Vincent.

"I'm fine. It's so good to see you.", he says, returning her hug. During Vincent's time at the orphanage Sister Sarah was the one other person that he grew close to and she genuinely cared about whether Vincent was learning or not. Now that he is older Vincent could say how thankful he was.

Coming out of their hug Sister Sarah invites Vincent inside. "What are you doing here? Is something wrong?", she asks once Vincent is inside.

"No. I just want to speak with Mother Margaret; if I can?", Vincent replies, facing Sister Sarah.

"Oh. Well I'm sure she's around here somewhere. I'll find her for you."

"Thank you.", Vincent responds with a nod of thanks. She walks a little past Vincent before turning around back to him.

"You know...she is getting older.", Sister Sarah says somberly. Vincent turns to her. "She has been around a long time although I doubt that will make that day any less painful.", she goes on softly with half closed eyes.

Vincent knows she is right. Just when he was at the orphanage Mother Margaret was forty-five years old. Now it has been ten years. He forces a smile to come on his face.

"She still has a bright fire in her I'm sure. She won't be going anywhere anytime soon.", Vincent offers. Sister Sarah looks back up to Vincent and smiles back at him agreeing.

"Who won't be going anywhere anytime soon?", comes a voice from the hall behind Sister Sarah. It's Mother Margaret with a smile on her face. Three children about the ages five and six come from behind her. Vincent smiles at them.

"You hopefully." , Sister Sarah answers. Mother Margaret waves off her words with a hand.

"Oh please.", she says simply before her eyes move to Vincent.

"Hi there, mister.", says the oldest of the children. A girl with light brown eyes and brown hair.

"Hi.", Vincent says to her with a friendly smile.

"Vincent. It's good to see you.", Mother Margaret says, getting his attention. Vincent lifts his eyes to her and comes back to his full height.

"It's good to see you, Mother Margaret."

"Children, why don't you go and play with the others. Thank you again for helping me clean up a little upstairs.", Mother Margaret tells them.

"Okay!", they all say.

"Come on kids. Let's go while Vincent and Mother Margaret talk.", Sister Sarah says before she leads the children away. Mother Margaret's attention then shifts to Vincent who watches as the kids and Sister Sarah go. He can't help but think about when he and Selena will have kids of their own and he will be able to watch them grow.

"So what brings you by?", Mother Margaret asks after a moment. The question brings Vincent back from his thoughts. His head snaps back to her and he remembers why he is here.

"Um, Mother Margaret I wanted to ask you some things…about my parents.", Vincent begins hesitantly.

"Oh. Well, what do you want to know? Now remember I don't know much about them, but I will tell you all I know.", Mother Margaret replies.

"Do you mean that? You will tell all you can about them?" , Vincent questions. Mother Margaret's eyes widen as she is taken back by Vincent's words.

"Yes, Vincent. I have no reason to hide information about your parents from you.", she assures him.

"In that case…tell me. How did they die?", Vincent asks. He hopes Mother Margaret will be true to her word no matter the truth. He notices the uncomfortable look that comes into her eyes. She is obviously reluctant, but knows she has already given her word. She takes a deep breath before letting it go.

"Your parents were good people Vincent. They were decently well known even though they weren't from here and your father was a very skillful hunter. It would have been only a matter of time before he would have been employed by a lord.", she begins carefully. "As I told you they died when you were one-"

"Mother.", Vincent interrupts her softly. The two look each other in the eye. Vincent silently pleading for her to just tell him. Understanding Mother Margaret decides to just say it. She looks Vincent in the eyes steadily.

"Your parents were killed, Vincent. Your mother was persecuted by the church for practicing magic, or as they say witchcraft. Your father too was killed. I-I am sorry.", she says regretfully. Vincent drops his eyes at the first sentence. As Mother Margaret continues to speak he feels hollow inside.

"She was a wiccan.", he says a little above a whisper.

"I'm sorry?", Mother Margaret replies, not quite hearing him. Vincent lifts his head.

"My mother. She was a wiccan, but a magic user nonetheless. Who revealed her?", Vincent says.

"She was. I didn't know until the news started circulating. Someone had found themselves at your parents house. They were not from here themselves, but had family here in town. They were sick when your mother took them in and nursed them back to health.

They observed your mother one night using magic by accident. It was not long before word spread after that I'm afraid. The local clergy acted quickly since the inquisition was still fresh in the church's mandates.", Mother Margaret relays the story to Vincent.

He takes a moment to process everything. Suspecting this is what had happened is different from being told 'Yes, your parents were killed.', Vincent rubs a hand through his hair, shaking his head. The tears behind his eyes become more difficult to hold back.

"They never did anything wrong, did they?", he asks.

"No. Unfortunately that doesn't matter.", Mother Margaret replies softly. Her heart is hurting seeing Vincent like this.

"What did you do? When you heard about them?", Vincent goes on. An uncomfortable look appears in her eyes.

"I knew your parents fairly well. When I heard. I did not believe it. So I went to them and told them what was going on and asked them if it was true. They said yes and made no attempt to hide. They accepted what was going on and what was to happen. As a result they both faced their deaths with admirable courage, strength and grace.", Mother Margaret shares with Vincent. A smile appears on his face at her words.

"So why wasn't I killed?", he asks.

"Your parents gave you to the orphanage when I went to see them. It was three days before. Majority of the town didn't agree with their deaths. So they were in no rush to betray you to the church. After all you were a baby.", Mother Margaret explains. Vincent nods his head in understanding.

Oddly enough Vincent doesn't find himself completely broken by the news of the nature of his parents' death. Perhaps because a part of him already suspected it and knew. Now there was one more thing he wanted to know.

"Do you know where my father was from or his life before my mother?", he asks. An apologetic expression appears on Mother Margaret's face.

"I'm afraid not. When they moved here they came together. Neither of them ever spoke to anyone about their lives before and to be honest, no one ever pays attention to people's past. Although there must have been more to him than even we knew. Considering how gifted you are.", Mother Margaret shares.

"I see.", Vincent says simply, yet a smile comes across his face. He would have liked to find out why the church persecuted magic users so much, but something told him that not even Mother Margaret will be able to answer that. In addition to him needing to prepare for his inspection at the church Vincent decides it's time for him to go. "Thank you Mother Margaret for being honest with me."

"You are welcome. If you don't mind me asking ,what made you want to know such a thing. The details I mean and how did you know your mother was a wiccan?", she responds curiously. Vincent hesitates. He is not sure how to tell her about him learning magic or even if he should.

"I have been having visions of the night I was born recently. In them my mother says how she couldn't wait to teach me magic.", he says, choosing to tell part of the truth without the details. Mother Margaret looks surprised at first, but soon nods her head in understanding.

"Hmm, I see. It would be foolish to think you didn't inherit such things.", a moment passes before she continues. "Vincent, should you ever decide to pursue your birthright be sure to do so cautiously.", she advises him.

Vincent looks at her for a moment. Did she already suspect him of practicing magic, but just couldn't bring herself to say it aloud. He nods his head.

"Yes, Mother Margaret.", he says before turning to leave what became his home.

Vincent has no desire for revenge against the church nor the person that betrayed his parents. He sees there is no point in any of that. His life still turned out better than he could have hoped. It is easy to say he most likely wouldn't have had any of this life and considering what he has been a part of and done who knows what that would have meant for so many others.

Before he leaves Gordowe Vincent decides to stop by Sir Marvin's bakery for lunch. Where a friend of his named Charlie works.