Beautiful illustration by artist hideplueshi, featuring Frenchie and Izzy in the back of Frenchie's wagon, Frenchie playing his lute to create magic to heal Izzy, with Stede and Ed walking behind, Stede carrying supplies and Ed with two swords on his back.
"So you learnt your magic here in Scowan?”
“Hm? Oh, no babe. I was cursed by a witch as a young lad, cos I wouldn't let her steal my breath. Held it all tight in my lungs until I passed out, really pissed her off.”
“She cursed you… with magic?”
“Yeah. And with never being able to find a pen when I need one.”
Ed pinched the bridge of his nose. “I'm sorry–”
“Don't be! I've learnt how to live with it. Mostly by just never writing anything down.”
“–but how is magic a curse?”
“Well. You know. It's a mixed blessing, which is basically the same thing.” When Ed still looked dubious, he added, “I think she knew I was an introvert. They're sneaky, witches.”
“Right. And how did you meet this witch?”
Frenchie started winding the long strip of linen he had torn into a tight roll. For such an apparently clumsy man he was nimble-fingered, Ed noted. He made quick, neat work of it, then smiled up at Ed and said, “My parents found her as a stray and took her in.”
Just posted the @ofmdreversebigbang.bsky.social project that @hideplueshi.bsky.social and I have been working away at for the last several months!
It's an 85k ouizzy & gentlebeard folklore au, rated E, featuring kelpies, swords and secrets, and the most gorgeous illustrations you can imagine.