Part II: Seasoned Potatoes

I remember the first time I captured a heretic.

Juliet Feldman. Age 26. Born in the Month of Darkness. She lived in a small cottage in the Freeland District, right near the outskirts of Dunwall, where instead of the usual brick and smog of the city, there were fields of corn and wheat. It was to be an easy job - one for a beginner. Wagons hauled by oxen lined the dirt road, kicking up dust that stuck on their legs and fur-my boots and new uniform would be ruined, I thought. Now, as I think about it, I laugh bitterly. I was so young then.

My first glimpse of Juliet was as she hauled water from the well at the back of her home. The bar teetered unsteadily on her shoulders, water sloshing from the buckets. At her feet, two young children brought their hands and faces up, trying to catch the liquid in their mouths as it rained down upon them. They followed after her like ducklings, the mother duck waddling along the path with another small child attached to her lower leg.

I remember sighing then. I remember the doubt that entered my mind.

Perhaps there has been a mistake. This woman cannot be a heretic.

More specifically, she had been accused of being a witch, making neighbors' crops die, causing milk to curdle, bringing about illness and death. Small, unlikely accidents.

Have I already forgotten what I've learned? I thought. Witches can easily disguise themselves, so that they look innocent. Still, some signs of her perversion showed through the glamour.

As I drew closer, I noticed that her dress was ripped and stained in some places, her hair, unbrushed and tangled, bald spots lining her scalp where the hair had been ripped away. Black circles lined her pale eyes, her face, chalky and white. I was only a few steps away from her, and still she had not stopped walking. I could smell something sour coming from her, as if she had not bathed in a long time. She sniffed the air a few times, finally turning toward me, letting the pails drop from her shoulders. The children screamed and scattered at the sudden danger, racing away with wet clothes and hair. One ran toward me and stopped, turning the other way and sprinting after one of his brothers.

"Monster!" he called, his voice shrill. "A monster is here! Hide!"

Juliet cleared her throat. To me, it almost seemed as if she were growling.

"No visitors," she snapped. "Go away. Leave me to care for my children."

Clearly, I was not a visitor, my mask being very distinguishable as that of an Overseer.

"Miss Feldman - " I started.

"Away!" she barked. "I said, away with you, stranger."

"That is no way to speak to an Overseer, ma'am." I brought my shoulders back, craning my chin and neck up, trying to look as powerful as I could. "In the name of the Abbey of the Everyman, you have been accused of various acts of heresy, including witchcraft. You will come with me to an Abbey facility, where you will be tried and punished accordingly."

The woman stared blankly at me, holding her mouth open. I could see that she did not take care of her teeth, by the black that lined them. She blinked, seeming to snap out of her trance.

"You'll have tea first," she said, turning. I put my hand on the hilt of my sabre.

"No, you will come with me," I said.

"But, tea first," said Juliet, as though I were a child. Before I could object again, she turned toward the back door, heading inside. I followed her, keeping a tight grip around my Overseer's sabre.

Juliet had put a kettle on the stove and now held one of her children in her arms.

"The nice stranger is here for tea," she said, bouncing the curly-haired girl in her arms. I tapped my fingers anxiously on the side of my leg.

"We really need to be going. It is almost dark," I said. Juliet ignored me. I sighed. "What's her name?" I pointed to the girl in the woman's arms. She stared at me but stayed silent.

Two more children entered the room, pulling out one of the chairs at the table.

"Sit," said one little boy. I sat, coughing inside my mask as dust flew into the air. Once I was settled, the two children, hurried to Juliet, clasping their tiny hands onto the fabric of her dress.

Finally, the kettle whistled, and Juliet sat a stained mug down in front of me. Brown crud lined the inner edges of the ceramic cup, but they were soon obscured by the yellow-brown hue of a mysterious-smelling tea.

"Drink it," Juliet said. "Children, the tea is ready!" The woman stuck her head into the next room, waving her arm. "Tell your brothers and sisters."

I stared at the mug, picking it up in my hands and then setting it down again.

"How many children do you have, Miss Feldman?" I realized that Juliet's file had said nothing about her having children.

"I have many children," she said. "Many children." She cackled loudly, making me jump in my seat, her laughter suddenly turning to sobs and tears. "So many children." She sniffled.

I narrowed my eyes, though my face, covered by my mask, revealed nothing. I took my hand from the mug, noting that children had started to trickle in through the door way. First just one or two, but soon they were entering in hordes, swirling around the room and laughing as children do. They bumped into my chair, knocking me onto the floor.

"Who - " I started, attempting to pick myself up from the floor. Juliet had now jumped onto the table, her foot aiming for my head as I rose. I brought my hands up to my face, but her shoe connected with my mask before I could block it. I grunted as my head snapped back, my mask, along with some blood, flying of into the stampede of children. Little hands hit my face and shoulders as they ran by, clawing at my ears and eyes. Juliet stomped on the table, laughing as balls of metal flew up from the children's hands and into hers. My grenades.

I attempted to stand again, yelling over the ruckus.

"No, give those back to me. Just come peacefully," I said, but the children had grown louder, and I realized that they had taken my sabre and pistol as well.

Ring around the whale,

Hang him by the tail,

Drop him, Drop him,

We all go boom!

I realized what was about to happen as the grenades flew in all directions, each one only seconds apart. Time seemed to stop. I could feel my heart beating in my throat, my mind locking up in the confusion. All I could do was run.

And run, I did.

The explosions blew the windows out from the kitchen, and I screamed as the glass hit me, embedding itself into my flesh. Quickly, I threw off my flaming clothes, running some ways away before collapsing in the grass. I lay on my belly, my back burnt and splintered with glass, panting and crying as though I were just a little boy.

The Seminary did not prepare me for this.

The Abbey appeared shortly after the incident, Overseers swarming the scene like soldiers. They found me in the grass, barely lucid, one putting me over his shoulder.

"Do not worry, Brother. We are here."

After that moment, I never felt bad for another heretic ever again. I never doubted the Abbey's judgment, having learned that the Outsider can hide in even the most inconspicuous of people.

I found out that the Overseers had gone around, asking about any missing children, and to their surprise, there were none. However, there were plenty of dead children. Taken by a sudden illness. Nearly two-hundred. A trip to the local cemetery revealed, that many had been dug up.

The children's remains in the explosion were surprisingly nothing but bones, the only person's flesh and blood found in the kitchen being that of the witch, Juliet Feldman.

Yes, my first "catch" was nothing but a death. It had nothing to do with me, but still I was rewarded, having escaped alive and intact.

A young Overseer on his first mission brought down a powerful witch. After that moment, I knew that I would not be able to mess up again. They all expected me to do well, and I did not let them down.


The Month of Nets, 2nd day of the First Week

The day has turned to dusk in the industrial city, the clouded sky radiating colors of red and orange and pink. The sun shines dully through the smog in the air, its silhouette meeting the Wrenhaven on the horizon. I take a deep breath, trying to relax my shoulders and legs.

I figure that I should do one last show of my powers, in case the girl still does not believe me. But even if she does, will she have a cure? I have rarely used the abilities I was cursed with by the Outsider, though I have found a few bone charms in the possession of civilians. I know I cannot rely on my powers, even if they do help me with my life's work. A well-trained Overseer is just as good as any powers at finding heretical artifacts and witches. And I am the best.

I focus on the river ahead of me, catching a glimpse of an empty dock. There is nobody around the river in these parts, where warehouses sit abandoned and cats and dogs roam freely. Nobody except one faint figure. There she is.

I pinpoint my location with my eyes, squinting and squishing my face into various strained expressions. I have not fully figured out how to do this properly and often end up in a different location than the one intended.

Go! I say to myself, but nothing happens. The last time I had done this - gone from one place to another in the blink of an eye - it seemed to come easily, though I ended up on the other side of the river from the Academy - instead of on the other side of the room in which I stood with the girl only the day before. I had been considering leaving, visualizing myself away from the cold and dead place called the Academy of Natural Philosophy. Perhaps, I even let the thought invade my mind as I tried to cross the room. It seems that my desire to leave had won.

I close my eyes, visualizing the river as I had just seen it.

I want to go here, I thought, imagining myself crossing the river. Then, I felt a strange tingling sensation, first on the back of my hand - where the Mark has been burned - and then a familiar feeling of being sucked into myself. In an instant, I have completely contracted into nothingness and then expanded again, letting my lungs fill with air.

I am...

My stomach drops as wind rushes up at me, and I claw at nothing but air, suddenly hitting the ground with a wet smack. The greasy water of the Wrenhaven brings me back to my senses, and I swim, all the while coughing and sputtering, and pull myself up onto the abandoned dock.

I rise to my knees, hacking the liquid from my lungs as water drips from my hair and robes, forming a puddle around me. At least I almost made it to my destination this time. I sniffle, running a hand through my neatly-cut hair, which is now wet and greasy, and once I have collected myself, I rise to my feet, nearly tripping over my robes pinned beneath my shoes.

The slim girl stands just where she had been before I crossed the river, gaping at me with wide eyes. Her hair has been pulled back into a ponytail, and her eyes - brown with a greenish tint - are wide and bright. Her mouth hangs slightly open as she stares at me, unblinking.

Seeing as how our first meeting did not go well, I try to make a better impression this time - using my manners. I bow.

"Miss," I say. My mask, which I have attached to my belt, swings against my hip as I move. "I do apologize for our last two meetings. I am afraid I have not been very polite, and I do hope that you will forgive me." I give her my best smile - apparently, smiling is not a talent of mine, as the girl grimaces and takes a step back. I clear my throat. "I am Overseer William Huxley of the Abbey of the Everyman. It is very nice to meet you, and thank you for being here. It does mean a lot to me."

The girl stares at me silently. I feel as though I am being examined, like some rat under a vivisectionist's knife. Her eyes close to slits on her sharp face, and she crosses her arms, assuming a casual, but authoritative, stance. I try to remain humble, though I am tempted to throw my head back and jut my chest out, as would any Overseer of my status. But, I need this woman's help, and I swallow my pride, keeping my arms by my side and my gaze slightly lowered.

"Eleanor Hickey," she says, finally. "Now, what do you want?"

I sigh. She is just as frank as she was during our first meeting, and she taps her foot against the floor. I detect a hint of uneasiness in her eyes. Though I ended up falling into the river right afterward, she did just see me appear seemingly out of nowhere, did she not? I nearly grin. Let's see the Academy try to explain that with their natural philosophy.

I give myself a mental slap. Be humble!

"As I said before," I say, taking a deep breath. "I need your help. I would like to be rid of these cursed powers. As with all gifts from the Outsider, they will ruin me. I have been an Overseer my entire life, but I do not know if I will be able to withstand the temptation of these new abilities I have come to possess."

Eleanor's face softens, as though she is unsure.

"I still don't understand why you think I can help you."

Sure, it is a long shot, but what else can I do? Perhaps the Academy can explain these powers. I shake my head. The Outsider is anything but "natural".

"I just - " I start. "As a natural philosopher, you deal with nature, yes? You deal with that which is natural." She affirms my statement with a nod of the head. "Because these powers are unnatural, I had hoped that perhaps you could return me to my natural state. Perhaps - perhaps, you could study me - to see what's wrong. Detect that which should not be present inside me. You would know how to do that, would you not?"

Eleanor sighs.

"Look, I don't even believe in the super - "

" - but, you - you saw - " I say, my tone becoming more desperate. "You saw what I did. You saw me disappear. You saw me appear just now."

"I - I don't know what I saw," Eleanor replies, biting her lower lip. "I am not easily fooled. I know how illusions work. I know that stage magicians do not actually perform 'magic', but use the 'art' of illusion. I assume that is precisely what you do. You use illusion to convert 'poor and misguided' students of natural philosophy to the ways of the Abbey. How many young people have you converted, Overseer? How many people have you fooled into abandoning their lives and submitting to the Abbey?"

"No, no." I am becoming agitated. I realize that I am not used to others questioning my word. Usually, my word is truth. "I have seen a great deal of what you tell me does not exist. Witchcraft, possession, even necromancy. I have seen dead children dance around me, as though they are alive. I have seen heretics walk in the skin of others. I have seen witches set themselves on fire without any source of ignition and burn alive without uttering a single sound. These were all real experiences!" I find myself yelling. Eleanor's face has turned sour.

"Yeah, well you know what I've seen?" She starts. "I've seen neighbors taken by the Abbey for being too smart or too talented. I've known women who have been dragged away by Overseers for reading books or not taking care of their appearances or living alone. I have had Overseers harass me, telling me I should be doing 'women's work', such as cleaning and cooking or finding a husband. I have seen nothing but lies come from the Abbey, and you expect me to believe you?" She utters a forced chuckle. "Please, Overseer! I am not some simple-minded woman to be manipulated by your ridiculous claims of powers and witches! Take your bullshit to someone else!" She huffs.

We stare at each other in silence, both inflamed. I will receive no help from this girl.

"I see that I was mistaken in coming to you," I say, taking a deep breath. "I apologize for wasting your time." Eleanor does not reply. "Are you hungry?" My words take me by surprise. "Perhaps I can buy you dinner - "

"I know what you're doing," she says. "I'm a poor, hungry student, so I'd never pass up the opportunity for free food. Then, you'll have more time to talk to me about magic and powers, right?"

"I - " That wasn't my intention at all. In fact, I have no idea why I said it. "I - "

"Well, let's go," says Eleanor with a straight face. She turns toward Alder's Court, a nearby shopping center.

"Well, alright," I say, shrugging. "But, why?"

"I'm a poor hungry student, so I'd never pass up the opportunity for free food."


The Month of Nets, 1st day of the Second Week

Eleanor and I meet by the seasoned potato stand at Alder's Court, where we ate after meeting last week. I have already bought our food when she arrives, but she takes her order, setting it on the ground and pacing instead.

"A bunch of Overseers showed up at my apartment today," she says, her hands clasped tightly together. She stops and taps her foot. "What's going on?"

I have not seen Eleanor since our meeting last week and did not expect to see her again. But, to my surprise, a note appeared in my post box today, simply saying, "Let's get some potatoes later today."

Luckily, I understood her meaning, just as she had understood mine before.

"As I said," I start. "These powers - "

" - Arrgghh!" Eleanor throws her hands up. "It's like the whole Abbey has dedicated its time to trying to fool me. To get me to stop - "

" - This is not about you," I snap. "I am in danger, and by meeting me here today, you have only endangered yourself. You have already made it very clear that you do not want to help, so I suggest you leave now."

We stare at each other in silence.

"I didn't tell them," Eleanor says, looking downward.

"What?"

"About your - eh - powers. I didn't tell the Overseer about them when I was interrogated."

"Interrogated?" I take a step forward. "Who? Who interrogated you?"

"His name was..." Eleanor stops to think. "Lemon? Or Lemming? Lemmer?"

"Lemler," I reply. "Overseer Noah Lemler." I sigh, running a gloved hand through my hair. "Outsiders Eyes, he's caught on to me." I take another deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Damn it!" I yell, kicking the container of seasoned potatoes into the river nearby. Eleanor frowns.

"Those were - "

I hand her my container. This time, she holds on to them.

"Why does it matter?" Eleanor asks, quietly. "Who is he?"

"Competition." This time, it is my turn to pace. I run a gloved hand over my stubbled face. "Damn." I can feel my entire life falling apart. All the work I've done will be for nothing. Lemler will expose me as a heretic and take my place. He could very well become the next High Overseer, while I rot and then burn.

My breathing becomes shallow. I don't want to burn! I am an Overseer. I can cleanse myself of this poison. The Outsider will not latch onto me. I will not let him!

Eleanor grabs my arm.

"Who are they?" she says, pointing toward a group of masked Overseers headed our way.

"You let them follow you?" I hiss.

"What? No! I'm not - "

"Let's go." I grab onto her arm, and we run from the potato stand.

The Overseers have started to chase us, now, and I realize that we are nearing a turn in the river that will easily leave us trapped. I veer to the right, dragging Eleanor along with me. She says nothing.

A row of abandoned buildings lies in our way, and I kick one of the windows in, letting the glass shatter inside.

"Damn it," I curse. A large shard of glass has imbedded itself into my calf. Eleanor groans and rolls her eyes, wrenching away from me to grab a plank of wood. She clears the window of leftover glass, climbing through and then turning to help me inside. Blood drips from my leg, but I ignore the pain, as I was taught at the seminary when I was but a boy.

"We're trapped," Eleanor gasps. The doorway leading to the next room has been boarded shut, leaving us no place to go. She gives me a venomous glare.

I know what I need to do. Once again I must make use of the Outsider's cursed powers.

"Hold onto me," I say. "Tightly." Eleanor obeys, and I close my eyes, trying to think of a place to go. Someplace far. Fields of corn and wheat invade my thoughts. Dirt roads and oxen attached to carts. A nice, little cottage sitting in a bed of wild grass in front of a well.

That is where we'll go. I picture the well - the stone well where I first saw the witch, Juliet Feldman.


I am dizzy. I cling to the ground with all my might, waiting for the world to stop spinning, but then I feel it-grass, the spiky blades sticking from between my fingers and crushed under my palms. I can hear frantic breathing beside me.

"What? Where..." Eleanor trails off. I sit up, orienting myself.

We lie between a house and a well. The house, which was a charming, little cottage when I last visited, has fallen into disrepair, its paint chipped away, and its walls, cracked and splintered. The structure sags, like an old face, bleak and gray under the setting sun.

I look to the well and feel my heart skip a beat.

There she is. Juliet Feldman. This time, she is old and grizzled, wrinkles lining her face. She stoops over under the weight of the pole across her back as she slugs two buckets of water back toward the house. I reach for my pistol and stand, wincing as I put weight onto my injured leg.

"Halt," I say, holding the weapon out in front of me. I keep my free hand on the hilt of my sabre. The woman stops, setting the pails down on the ground, and stares at me. I draw nearer, trying to hide my limp. The woman stays frozen in place.

"Who are you, good sir?" says the woman. "Come to harass an old woman?"

As I near, I realize that this woman is not Juliet. Of course, Juliet is dead.

The old woman is thin with long, gray hair pulled back into a single braid. She wears a gray dress, simple, but mostly clean. She smells of lavender and catnip.

"I - I simply - "

"If you're not here to hurt me, then come inside, dear. It's far too cold to speak out here. And please, bring the water with you." The old woman hobbles toward the cottage, holding her hands slightly out in front of her. I remain frozen until she disappears inside the house.

"Well, you heard her." Eleanor comes up behind me. "Bring the water." She heads toward the house, leaving me outside. I sigh, my heart still pounding, but to my surprise, I do as the woman asks, hoisting the pole onto my shoulders, the water sloshing from its buckets as I limp up the hill to the old cottage.