Chapter Text
“My family sided with magic users decades ago.” Victor was explaining.
They’d let him up off the couch and gave him some of Julieta’s medicine. He was un-phased by the magic and explained why.
“After the Madrigal fiasco, however…we had to rethink our alignment.”
He sighed.
“I never understood why, he was only one man with specific associates. Not all magic users are bad people…”
He tossed Julieta’s empty vial up and caught it with a smile.
“Case and point. Which one of you made this?”
…….
“Madrigal fiasco?” Lily ignored his question and acted like she’d never heard the name, silencing the Madrigals with a look
“Oh, you haven’t heard about all that?”
Victor was adjusting his hair and priest attire in the living room mirror. The magical wagon had added that feature just that morning.
“I find it hard to believe magic users haven’t heard of Pedro Madrigal.”
He gave her a long once over.
“Though, I guess you don’t look like you’re from around here. The rest of you though…”
He looked at the Madrigals who smiled awkwardly.
“Seriously, one of you made the healing potion. You must know the name Madrigal…”
“Someone gave us that.” Bruno lied.
“A lady we met on our travels. None of us are magic users.”
He glanced at Lily who seemed to approve of what he’d said.
“You met a healer…and let her be?” Victor gave them a suspicious look.
“Safe and sound? Despite their worth?”
“Worth?” Bruno asked. Lily’s shoulders dropped as Victor began to explain.
“Yeah, a healer is worth thousands. Even more if they’re practiced…you really don’t know?”
He tried to remain casual but Bruno saw his eyes scanning the room intently.
“Like we said, we don’t know anything about any of this…” Bruno replied.
“Well, the hierarchy goes like this…” Victor moved his hand like he was motioning down the rugs of a ladder.
“You’ve got fighter classes up top, fire, water, super strength yadda yadda. If you can find a buyer, they’re worth an incredible amount.”
He shrugged.
“Of course, Jolo’s people would just kill you and take them for his army. After that you’ve got healers…”
He went down the imaginary ladder, naming magic types and prices.
“At the bottom here, you’ve got plant makers and the like. They can grow food, but they’re the most common type…”
Bruno noticed Victor hadn’t mentioned future seeing or shape shifting. His and Camilo’s gifts.
But, were there really that many people like his family out here?
“My great grandfather was also Victor Digs. I was named after him, obviously.” their guest went on.
“He trained Pedro Madrigal and helped him master his ability to pass on magic. Pedro went on to spread it all over the damn place…”
Bruno saw Lily catch her breath and stare at the priest in awe.
He could tell she had so many questions, but they had to act clueless.
“My grandfather and my father made it their mission to clean up Madrigal’s mess…once he started raising the dead.”
“Raising the dead?” Lily scoffed. She could be an actress.
Victor looked at her like she was dumb.
“You killed that monster, right? Where do you think it came from?”
“W…well…” Lily stammered.
“Necromancy!” Victor flung his hands up.
“That thing had a man’s head on a dog’s legs! It’s evil! It goes against God’s plan and it’s my job to destroy as many as I can…”
“For a price.” Camilo mumbled and rolled his eyes.
“All the I money I make goes to the church.” Victor spun and pointed at him.
“Speaking of which…where am I? Are we in Fade? I need to check in with my people…”
“No…” Lily started.
She looked at Bruno with panic in her eyes. If the priest stepped outside, he’d realize he’d been in a magic wagon this entire time.
“We…we’re uh…in a cabin nearby. You should wait for nightfall to leave…”
“Oh please, I’m more dangerous than anything out there.” Victor scoffed and grabbed his sheath.
“Ok but…um…” Lily couldn’t think of what to say to get him to stay.
Victor headed for the wagon’s door and reached for the knob, ready to step out and ruin the Miracle’s illusion…
“Wait!” Isabela burst out of the kitchen.
Everyone looked at her in surprise.
Isabela looked surprised with herself…she’d obviously had no plan…she just stood there awkwardly with her hands out.
But she quickly made a decision.
“It’s uh…so unexpected for a priest, of all people, to be this…interesting.” Isabela purred as she leaned on her hands over the sofa.
Her sun dress showed off her slight cleavage and lovely shoulders.
“I’ve always been fascinated by what drive a man to take such a…um…pious life path. And now you’re a monster hunter…”
Victor lightly touched the square at his throat and raised an eyebrow.
“That is a long story.” He replied with a shrug.
Isabela sat down on the sofa and rubbed the seat next to her. “We’d love to hear it, right guys?” She cooed and addressed everyone else.
“I certainly would.” Lily caught on to what Isabela was doing and also sat on the sofa.
“Are you allowed to drink wine?” She asked coyly.
“Bruno brought the best bottles…”
Victor glanced over at Bruno who just smiled and gave him two thumbs up.
Camilo made a gagging motion behind the priest’s back.
Watching his cousin and Bruno’s girlfriend use their feminine wiles grossed him out.
But it seemed to work…
“Well, I suppose that dead thing isn’t going anywhere.” Victor shrugged off his weapons and casually walked towards the couch.
“It’s a story with a lot good lessons about God’s grace.” He explained as he sat between the girls.
“Aw, I love that.” Isabela linked his arm in Victor’s and scooted close to him.
Bruno hurried to the kitchen for wine and glasses.
If they could get an idea of how this priest truly thought of magic users, they may may not have to knock him out again and leave him in the dirt.