The Council Decides

Evallavena Tempest, the Mother of all, folded her hands in front of her, her attention on the two senior council members as they argued about the news of Sebastian Howe taking on an initiate. When there was finally a break in the debate, she said, “Sebastian is within his rights to take an initiate. Even if he hasn’t done it before, he simply needs to present her at the next Gathering.”

”We are not disagreeing about his right to take an initiate. It’s the person he’s chosen that is the issue,” said Vivian Onyx. Her hands were folded demurely on the table, but Evallavena could see the tension where her fingers were turning white.

Evallavena tapped the tablet in front of her, pulling up the information on Sebastian’s initiate. “Her last name is Bradbury?” she questioned. “As in Mary Bradbury?”

“We have traced her lineage to Mary,” Vivian confirmed. “We don’t agree on whether a member of our Coven should be training the child of a traitor.”

“The child should not be punished for the sins of the ancestor,” another elder broke in. “It’s safer for one of ours to be training her than for her to be on her own. She almost set fire to her room at Spellbound Broom and Breakfast. And something brought her here. We need to find out what.”

“She should be cast out,” Vivian argued. “She should be forced to be on her own. Her ancestor fled Salem and left our ancestors to die. Why should we offer her shelter now?”

Evallavena held her hand up to stop the argument that started at Vivian’s words. “Peace, daughters,” she commanded and the group fell silent. She looked around at the women gathered before her. “Sebastian will be here at two pm. We need to have a decision for him then.” She folded her hands on the table. “I will hear all arguments one at a time. Each person who wishes will have five minutes to present their opinions.” She turned her attention to the woman to her left. “Magnolia, you may begin.”

For the next thirty minutes, she listened to each elder’s opinion of allowing Sebastian to continue to guide and instruct Morgan Bradbury. When they finished, they were evenly divided and she found herself having to cast the deciding vote.

The elders looked at her, waiting for her final answer. Evallavena had listened carefully to all of their opinions and reasons, but she couldn’t make a final decision. She knew they were supposed to put aside all familial ties when they rose to the rank of elder, but she found herself watching her children. She wished she could do more for them, but being the Mother of All meant she couldn’t be the mother to her two.

She was about to render her decision when there was a knock at the door. A moment later it cracked open and the initiate that was manning the desk poked her head in. “Mother,” she said, “Sebastian Howe is here to see you.”

“Show him in,” Evallavena ordered. When Sebastian entered the room, she locked eyes with him. “We have made our decision,” she told him. “Are you ready to hear it?”

“I am,” Sebastian said. He clasped his hands in front of him, a blank face not betraying his thoughts. Whatever the decision of the Council, he would have to abide by it or risk being cast out.

“You may continue to guide Morgan Bradbury, but you will report on her progress and demeanor every week until we are satisfied that she will not betray us like her ancestor did. I have spoken as Mother of All and my word is law.”