Chapter 6: The Art of Convincing
Sylvia stood before me, her eyes sharp with suspicion as we settled into the dimly lit study. The flicker of the fireplace cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, while Lyra sat nearby, still quiet but attentive. I could see Sylvia's hesitance—she was powerful and cautious, exactly the kind of witch I needed on my side. But convincing her wouldn't be easy.
"So," Sylvia began, folding her arms across her chest, "you claim you're building a safe place for witches here, in a world ruled by the Church?"
"That's exactly what I'm doing," I replied calmly, meeting her gaze evenly. "Harrow's Reach will be a haven for witches. A place where you'll be free from persecution, and where you can use your powers to their full potential. Except one day the church will not exist!"
Sylvia narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "I've heard promises like that before. Most of the time, they're nothing but empty words. And your last words sound too unrealistic."
"I understand your skepticism." I stood, walking over to the window, looking out at the growing town below. "But my actions will speak louder than words. You've already seen what I've done for Lyra. She's not just a witch under my protection—she's part of my vision."
Sylvia glanced over at Lyra, who nodded slightly in agreement, but the seasoned witch remained unconvinced. "Even if I believed you," she said slowly, "I'm not about to rally other witches to come here based on promises alone."
I expected this resistance. "Stay for a few days," I suggested. "See how things work here. You can observe everything, and if you still have doubts, you're free to leave. But I think you'll find this place more than meets the eye."
Sylvia flinched, her guard suddenly up. "And why should I stay? What makes you so confident I'll even consider this?"
I turned back to face her, my expression neutral but pointed. "A few days ago, a witch kidnapped a child from a nearby village. Now, you're here, offering to take Lyra away, claiming to be her savior. The timing is too convenient. You're the witch who took that child, aren't you?"
Sylvia's eyes widened, the surprise flickering in her gaze before she could mask it. "You have no proof of that," she said, her voice quieter now.
"I don't need proof," I said calmly. "It's a simple deduction. The moment I heard about the kidnapping, I suspected there was more to the story. You didn't come here by chance, and you certainly didn't just happen upon Lyra. You had a plan, and now you've met me."
For a long moment, Sylvia said nothing, her eyes scanning me as if searching for deceit. When she finally spoke, her tone was measured. "You're sharp, I'll give you that. But that doesn't change the fact that I still don't trust you."
"I'm not asking for blind trust," I replied. "But you've seen for yourself that I have knowledge and resources far beyond what others can offer. Stay and observe. You have nothing to lose."
After a few moments of tense silence, Sylvia finally nodded. "I'll stay. But I'll be watching closely. If I see anything suspicious, I'll take the girl and leave."
"That's all I ask."
---
The Growth of Power
The next few days passed quickly. Sylvia kept her distance, observing everything with her keen eyes, while I focused on Lyra. If I was going to convince Sylvia, I needed to show that I wasn't just another power-hungry lord—there was something deeper at play here.
"Today, we're going to talk about the building blocks of the world," I told Lyra one morning, as we stood in a clearing outside the town. I could see she was curious, eager to learn.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her green eyes wide.
I bent down, picking up a handful of dirt. "Everything around us is made up of tiny, invisible particles called atoms. They're the foundation of matter, and with your power, I believe you can control more than just the stone and earth—you can manipulate the very essence of these particles."
Lyra furrowed her brow, clearly fascinated. "How?"
I smiled. "It'll take time, but I'll guide you. Start by focusing on the stone as if it's made of smaller pieces. Picture those pieces breaking apart or moving as you will them to."
With patience and steady guidance, Lyra began practicing, her control over her power growing sharper each day. I watched her focus, her magic becoming more refined as she shaped the earth with precision and finesse. Soon, she was creating intricate stone formations with ease, her power evolving in a way that I had anticipated.
One day, as Sylvia watched from a distance, even she couldn't hide her surprise.
"That... that shouldn't be possible," Sylvia muttered to herself, her eyes locked on the magic inside the body of Lyra. The shape of magic inside Lyra which was untill now in form of gas without any shape now looked like a solid sheet. I smiled to myself—this was exactly the kind of proof I needed to convince her.
---
A Deal with Lyra
After a few days, I called Lyra into my study.
"You've been doing great work," I said, watching as she sat down across from me. "But now it's time to take things further. I want you to build something permanent—a wall around Harrow's Reach, using your abilities."
Lyra's eyes lit up with excitement. "A wall?"
"Yes. A defensive structure that will protect the town and its people. It will be your creation—a symbol of your strength and our alliance."
She nodded enthusiastically, but I wasn't done. I slid a contract across the table, written in simple terms. "I'm also offering you formal employment, Lyra. Twenty silvers a month. You'll work with me as my partner in building this town and our future."
Lyra's face brightened even more. "I accept! I'll do whatever I can to help. And I don't think I need that much money. "
I smiled. "I knew you would say that but don't reject, if you can't spend them all just save them for future use, okay? . Now, let's get started."
---
Sylvia's Decision
Although Sylvia still held onto her suspicions, she couldn't deny the progress she had witnessed. A few days later, she came to me with the child witch she had kidnapped.
"Her name is Elara," Sylvia explained. "She's newly awakened, and she has control over water."
I looked at the young girl standing beside her, nervous but curious. Water magic. That was a rare and valuable gift. I nodded in approval, pleased with this new addition.
"I'm happy to offer her the same contract," I said. "Both of you will have a place here, and I'll make sure Elara is treated well."
Sylvia hesitated but eventually nodded. "I'll stay—for now. But don't mistake my decision for trust. I'm still watching."
I chuckled lightly. "That's all right. In time, I think you'll find there's more to trust than you think."
With Elara's arrival and Sylvia's lingering presence, Harrow's Reach was slowly becoming a sanctuary, just as I'd envisioned. But there was much more to be done—and many more witches to find.