[center]Witches 
[i]Although there are many covens in the world that can claim to be a hundred or even several hundred years old, the covens that we know today are a relatively new concept.  Most of the earliest forms of covens stemmed from families. These covens were filled with  Grandmothers, sisters, aunts and daughters, luring in unwary men to help replenish their numbers. Although it is unclear what the woman would do with the half of the children that lack magical abilities (It is known that witches only produce magical children half of the time with none magical men). What is known, it is known that the blood of the womb is what bound them together in harmony. It is only in the past few centuries that the covens have comprised of more than familial women. It is assumed that the modern covens stemmed from a need for a more diverse arsenal against the threat of the hunters.  Perhaps it is because the hunters became too efficient and were wiping  out large portions of these original ‘family’ covens, leaving the survivors to band together. It is a rare thing for a lone witch to survive. Even a small group of witches stands a better chance. However, witches are selfish and deceitful things (it is in their womely nature) and without the blood of the womb to bind them together an alternative had to be found. The blood oath, although the specifics vary from coven to coven they all consist of ………[/i][/center]


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Alexina glanced down as Lucy slithered up her leg and up to her shoulders. While most would not like such a creature on them, Alexina adored all creatures. As she waited for the snake to reach her shoulders she looked down at Usoa, who had dropped the piece of flesh on command. Trying to justify her definition of torture. She didn’t show it but it made her almost smile at the oddity of the witch. But when she asked why she was giving them a choice she tilted her head to the side. [color=darkgreen]While I would enjoy sealing their powers away. I am willing to allow them to take responsibility for their actions. [/color]

She gave a pointed glare to the remaining witch who killed a child. As much as she wanted to kill her right then, She felt just killing them all would turn more of the coven against her. But perhaps she would choose the first and get killed in the process. Or the second and she would make her serve out her days with out being able to utter another spell...and protect the children with her life...forcibly if needs be.

Lucy then started to whisper into her ear so the others could not hear. While all of the ideas sounded good to her she had other plans for the witches in question. She ran the back of her hand up the belly of Lucy up to her chin and scratched if a couple times before saying softly. [color=darkgreen]“Hold onto that last thought.” [/color]It did indeed sound like a fitting end to at least ‘one’ of them.[color=darkgreen] “Tell Hellena I will speak to her more on the matter, but as of now, her service would not required….just yet.”[/color]. 

Looking to the witches, but most particularly Ryleth. Who had just asked what needed to be killed. She raised her voice so everyone could hear. [color=darkgreen]“Your penance mission will require you to destroy a smaller coven who are getting a little to comfortable living near us. And have already started trying to turn the hunters against us. Allowing us to take the blame for their deeds. Despite me telling them to stop. They are a threat to our home. Kill them all, And I require their bodies...not just their bones. [/color] 

Alexina knew she pushed Ryleth into a corner with this. Her eyes glared into his the coven was closer to what he wanted in this one. It was a little poetic that she would send him to destroy the very thing he wanted. To her, that was far more effective than binding his magic, and locking him up for decades. [color=darkgreen]”Oh and I do require one thing before you four leave.”[/color] She pulled out a dagger from her hip. [color=darkgreen] “I want a blood oath that you will completely wipe out the coven.”[/color]

[color=darkgreen] “Let this be a lesson to all, there is absolutely no gain in attacking the hunters or their citizens. Do not think I am weak or a fool...Trust in me, and there will be a time you won't have to worry anymore about hiding. You are all free to go now.” [/color]

She then took the dagger to her own hand, sliding the sharp blade over her palm. She did not hesitate, nor did she wince as it slid against her smooth skin. Her blood soon covered her own hand as she looked to the four witches in front of her.