Personally, not having Johna was tough on us. She honestly was the apple of my eye as my firstborn. Grissell was also concerned about what she was doing. She would also be losing her other children in a year. The children all could tell we were not handling it well. I majorly dropped the ball. What got us through that first year was the love and grace our children showed us. Both of us were pretty sloppy. When it became time to go send over Holly and Molly, Grissell begged me not to on her knees. It was intense. She had tears in her eyes. It nearly made me cry as well. We had sent many letters, but it was no substitute for seeing her in person. "I can't let Johna be alone there. We planned for her to be joined by her sisters." I said firmly. "I just can't bear it! If you send them away, I don't know what I'll do!" she cried. I was moved to compassion. She could not have more children. Her 3 girls were all that she had besides me. I had the boys. I had to compromise. She would take Holly in. Molly would stay with us. That was final. Grissell begged and pleaded. She did not want to go at all.
Quietly, she accepted it. She had no real choice in the matter. Because Grissell was a woman who would be defenseless, I asked Lyari to escort them. He was curious to see the academy. That was good for him. I had been there with Johna. Grissell definitely needed to see her more than me. She also needed the time to bond with Holly before she also would be there for 4 years. When Lyari and Grissell returned 2 and half months later, I asked her if the girls were okay. She took a deep breath. "They'll be okay." she said flatly. "You're so strong. But I finally have you back home. You can be honest if you miss them. I miss them too as their father." She buried her face in my chest and sobbed. I hugged her close and tried my best not to cry with her. Lyari was the one who reported what he had seen. Holly passed the entrance exam. Then she reunited with Johna. She learned some combat spells in the year she spent. "It looks like she had a few friends and decent grades. I would expect nothing less from the one I mentored." he said. I smiled. "Hey! She is my daughter. I'll take credit here."
It was then that Grissell slapped me on the arm. "You're not the one that gave birth to those girls. If anyone is going to take credit for their success, it will be me, husband dearest." I smirked. "You were so strong and brave. They must have gotten those qualities from you. But the cleverness and grace comes from me. The child of a real phantom thief can be no less." She rolled her eyes. "What phantom thief!? You haven't stolen any treasure in a long time." she jabbed. I leaned in and said "I stole the most precious treasure in the world: the heart of a woman I respect and cherish." I then kissed her on the forehead. "Oh you!!" she swooned. Molly came and wanted to ask a question of her own. "Was it fun?" she asked. It looked like she was wondering if she got screwed over with not going. I picked her up and smiled at her. I said "It was very fun. All of us should pray they are going to have a good time. But what really matters is that we all have fun together wherever we are." Grissell nodded. "It was honestly so beyond me, I got a headache. I was not having a good time by the end."
Realizing that it was a time to gain sympathy, Molly said "I don't know what I can do now. We were training for me to go for so long." Grissell nuzzled against her. "It's fine to not go. I didn't go. Your father didn't go. Your brother's can't go. Stay in the castle with us for now." "You'll be our very own princess. One protected by 4 knights that love you so very much." I added. She looked at me. "If I can't be a witch, can I be knight instead?" she asked. "Of course you can!" I said right away. Honestly, I was not thinking. Grissell slapped my arm again. "We spoke of this, Collin. She will not!" I looked at her. "We did speak of it. We said my sons would be knights and my daughters witches. If you could not bear for her to go, I was willing to compromise. I honestly was less of myself with Johna gone. But...." I trailed off. She was glaring daggers at me. "Molly is full of potential. It would be sinful to keep her a sheltered princess that can't leave her home. She wants to be a knight. I will have her learn archery. It will be a bit of a hassle to get someone for her to serve as a page." I said. I drew a full blank.
