Good to see you!
A NIGHTMARE STAINED IN BLACK
Here to pick up that Conjuring Ink you ordered?
[WITCH] Yes. Thank you for getting it in so quickly!
Also, there's a crack in my wand.
Think you could fix it for me?
[TARTAH] That flash of light was blinding.
There's no way Granda could've missed it.
Perhaps Mr. Qifrey knows the real reason Granda forgot.
Or perhaps he is the reason.
[wind blowing]
[Coco whimpers]
- Oh, no! I'm sorry! - [Qifrey grunting]
I'm so sorry! Are you all right? I'm so sorry!
[QIFREY] Seems that Grasping Wind seal
wasn't quite right.
Perhaps a bit too large for grabbing a mountain apple.
I agree, the smaller one only made them wobble,
so I thought I'd try making it stronger,
but I guess I overcorrected.
[TETIA] How about giving the Sign of Pulling
a little twist, like that?
I mean, you twist an apple when you pick it, right?
[QIFREY] Clever thought!
Adapting the sign to the goal.
That is what makes magic versatile.
When you fail, try to determine the reason for your failure.
And when you succeed, ask why it worked.
That trial-and-error process is what makes
repeating lessons valuable!
We mustn't act thoughtlessly out of habit, right, Master?
Couldn't have said it better.
You're an excellent teacher, Master Tetia.
[Tetia exclaims]
Did Master Qifrey just call me Master?
[squeals] I'm blushing! Stop!
But not really, you're welcome to keep going if you--
[ALL] Uh?
[AGOTT] Are you in any position to be instructing others?
If you know what it takes to improve,
then perhaps you should do so yourself.
[Tetia and Coco chuckle softly]
[TETIA] Right, then! I'm ready!
- Show me how it's done! - [Coco laughs]
[AGOTT] That wasn't meant to sound like an invitation!
- I have a test to study for. - [overlapping chatter]
You can't expect me to waste my time...
- [thuds] - [Qifrey laughs]
[birds chirping]
[COCO] So the test I took in the Dadah Range
is the first test of several, right?
- [RICHEH] Yes. - [ALL] Huh?
A total of five stupid tests that don't matter.
As if such drivel helps you draw.
[QIFREY] The tests mean to teach you about yourself
by challenging you.
How much they matter or not
is dependent upon the attitude of the taker.
Still, I acknowledge that it can be difficult
to enjoy something you aren't taking part in by choice.
It's an issue that even the witches of old
struggled with.
"Magic exists to bring people happiness.
To make our apprentices suffer would violate that ideal."
The Three Wise Ones considered this,
and devised tests that people would want to take.
Thrilling adventures in the outside world!
♪
[QIFREY] The first test, the Consent of the Crown.
"To earn the permission to become an apprentice."
Second, the Sincerity of the Shield.
"To walk beside your master with devotion."
Third, the Query of the Qui Vive.
"To prove your path worthy, and take up the key."
Fourth, the Goodwill of Her Grace.
"To grant a wish, and stand alone."
Finally, the Words of the Wise.
"To now become the teacher yourself."
These make up the Pentacle of Proving.
With each forward step you take on this path,
you're allowed to do more with your magic.
Pass the fourth test,
and you're a full-fledged witch,
- no longer in need of tutelage. - [Tetia chuckles softly]
[QIFREY] Pass the third test,
and you may take on the Tower of Tomes.
[QIFREY] The last test entitles you
to take on apprentices.
No need to think about that one until after you graduate.
Really? But what if we want to?
I think about life after graduation all the time!
So much fun.
Traveling to far-off places,
helping everyone I can with my magic,
hearing "thank you" from people all over the world.
What a treat!
This person does the thanking, and that person gets thanked!
One spell of gratitude, two happy people!
Nothing could be better than that, no way!
Two birds, one stone!
Two needs, one deed!
Happiness comes in twos, just like pigtails!
Another reason I'm excited to grow up is
so I can design myself a cap with two points on top!
Who knew your hair had so much meaning?
You do get to choose your own cap
when you're a full-fledged witch, it's true.
[RICHEH] I think tests are the worst.
[COCO] Huh?
[RICHEH] They're annoying.
I hate being told what to do,
and made to draw spells I don't want to draw.
[AGOTT] If you only draw the spells you want to...
you'll be stuck, unable to learn anything new.
[wind blowing]
[RICHEH] That's fine with me.
If being an adult means being forced
to do things you don't want to do,
then I'd rather stay as I am.
I'm going inside.
Oh, Richeh.
[AGOTT] Not me.
I refuse to stay the way I am now.
There are too many things beyond my reach.
I'll get through the tests as quickly as possible.
And then,
I'll become a librarian in the Tower.
Why does growing up have to happen so slowly?
[COCO] Huh?
[TETIA] Agott comes from a long line of witches,
descended from an apprentice to the Three Wise Ones.
The head is always a librarian.
What was it called?
House Arklaum, I think.
[COCO] So Agott wants to get to the Tower of Tomes as well.
[TETIA] And you?
What kind of witch would you like to become, Coco?
[COCO] Well, my journey started in a different place than yours.
My path is laid out for me.
Anyway, for now,
I should probably focus on learning more spells!
All right!
Let's give that Grasping Wind spell
- one more shot! - [TETIA] Hurrah!
[QIFREY] The drawing of spells helps you to remember them,
which in turn, grants you the power to use them.
[overlapping chatter]
[QIFREY] Power thus acquired will never betray you.
[♪ opening theme song playing]
[Coco gasps softly]
Everyone? Where'd you go?
And it's so dark.
It's not night already, is it?
- [COCO'S MOM] Coco. - [gasps]
- [COCO'S MOM] Coco! - [gasps]
Coco...
[Coco breathes shakily]
[Coco cries] Mom!
Mom! I'm sorry!
It's all my fault.
I just couldn't give up on magic,
but I never meant to hurt you!
[COCO'S MOM] And yet, I warned you, didn't I?
Normal people can't use magic.
[Coco breathes shakily] Mom?
[AGOTT] You ignorant Outsider.
Look at all the damage you've done.
Turning your mother to stone.
Putting those around you in danger.
But it's fine, because you didn't "mean to," did you?
[OLRUGGIO] We'll have nothing to do
with the Brimmed Caps here.
[TARTAH] There are certain things
that certain people just can't do.
[EASTHIES] Exceptions cannot be allowed.
[QIFREY] It was all kept a secret
to prevent tragedies like this.
[Coco gasps]
[Coco screams]
Behold what your avarice for magic has wrought...
You are to blame.
As you will be when the world falls apart!
- [shattering] - [Coco gasps]
[Coco breathes shakily]
[Coco breathes heavily]
[brushbuddy squeaks]
[Coco breathes heavily]
- [footsteps] - [Qifrey gasps]
Oh, Master.
You're still awake?
[AGOTT] I wanted to keep working.
[QIFREY] Work wisely, and honor your limits.
Right. Off to bed.
[AGOTT] You're awake, too, are you?
[COCO] Yes. I had trouble sleeping.
I see.
[scribbling]
[COCO] Drawing helps you remember,
which grants you power.
How much more drawing will I have to do...
before I can save my mom?
[insects trilling]
[QIFREY] So long now.
So very long.
So long have I waited for this day.
When the Three Wise Ones forbade
the casting of spells upon the body,
the Righteous Witches of Healingcraft,
who used their magic to heal the body,
fought them on it to the bitter end.
Their Twinned Bottles spell
which allowed them to share medicine among them,
was lost to the world when their memories were taken.
This spell allowed the contents of a vial
even a great distance away
to be transferred to another through a seal-inscribed medal,
so the concoctions they needed would always be accessible.
A delicate instrument of healing
lost since the Day of the Pact.
Lost, ironically, to all but the Brimmed Caps.
A beautiful spell, but I must dissect you,
for you are the only connection I have to them.
I won't touch the Conjuring Ink yet.
It's too dangerous a mystery.
The item I need
is the inscribed medal hiding away inside the vial.
But can I remove it without being detected?
That medal is tied to them.
Were I but to place it inside a Guidance Orb,
its components, its owner, where it was made...
every detail of its existence would point toward them.
The tiniest of hints...
leading the way to the greatest of discoveries.
[Qifrey grunts]
[QIFREY] A lightning spell?
I'm caught already!
[QIFREY] Huh?
Water? No!
[QIFREY] I was too careless.
I can't use spells underwater.
♪
[Qifrey coughing]
[gasps, continues coughing]
[Qifrey breathes shakily]
[breathes heavily] You're here.
The one with the eye.
[Qifrey breathes heavily]
No.
Not yet.
I still have to...
[Qifrey breathes shakily]
Damn it.
I won't give up.
I will get back what was taken from me.
[coin clinks]
[WITCH] After all that trouble to give it to her...
[grunts] What a shame.
[birds chirping]
[both yawning]
Uh? Synchronized yawns!
You keep doing that.
Why? Were you two up all night?
[Coco yawns]
A-ha! Every evening,
both of you transform into magic knights
and do battle with your foes!
[AGOTT] Transformation spells are forbidden.
And yawning all day proves nothing more remarkable
than a need for more sleep.
These last several nights,
you've been staying up late to practice, haven't you?
[Coco yawns, chuckles]
It's true, guess something about the night
makes me feel inspired.
[TETIA] You can't do that, Coco!
I understand, but you shouldn't push yourself too hard!
[RICHEH] Good magic starts with good sleep.
And good food.
Master Olly says so, too!
[OLRUGGIO] If you don't get good sleep in your youth,
you'll pay for it in your old age.
True!
I'll brew some erbe tea to help get you to sleep!
Want some, Master?
[Qifrey groaning]
- [TETIA] Master? - [Qifrey gasps]
Uh, what were you saying?
My apologies, I took a few bites and suddenly felt sleepy.
Leave the tea to me!
- Hot! - [all gasp]
[shattering]
[TETIA] Master, are you sure you're all right?
[QIFREY] Yes, quite fine.
I'm still numb from the lightning.
But I'm afraid my slippery fingers
have ruined the last of our erbe tea.
I'll go out and pick some more leaves.
Work on your Primers while I'm gone, everyone.
Oh, and leave the mess, I'll tidy it up later!
[all groan softly]
Master's acting strange, right?
Sleep deprivation is a very serious affliction.
[COCO] Huh?
[TETIA] I'll make him drink
- that erbe tea tonight. - [COCO] That's right.
- [TETIA] He needs some rest! - [COCO] Agott...
- could I talk to you? - [indistinct chatter]
[COCO] Here.
The Sylph Shoes you borrowed.
[COCO] I'm sorry for taking so long to return them.
Getting the seal just right was no simple task.
Is this what you were working on last night?
[COCO] Ah, yes.
Though I'm sure any of you could have done a lot better.
If they're hard to fly with, feel free to redraw them.
[AGOTT] What's all this about?
What are you plotting, exactly?
I'm confused.
The first test...
The Dadah Range, the Diadem Herb...
I was the one who forced you to take it,
and yet, you never revealed that to Master Qifrey.
Nor to our Watchful Eye, though you had every chance.
And now, after protecting me like that,
you've even fixed my Sylph Shoes.
For what reason?
What are you trying to accomplish?
I don't understand you.
[Coco gasps softly]
That day...
you did force me to take the test.
I felt alone, and I was so frightened.
I could have chosen to sit and wait for someone to come.
But...
Instead, I stood at the base of those mountains,
and I decided that I would try.
It was me.
I'm the one who wanted to prove I could do it.
I wanted to overcome the trial with my own magic
and feel like things weren't hopeless.
Because if I couldn't...
[AGOTT] So what are you telling me?
That I've been dwelling on it all this time for no reason?
That's just...
- [thuds] - [Agott gasps]
- [AGOTT] Coco! - [Coco breathes heavily]
[birds chirping]
Good, the feeling's coming back.
I wonder if they noticed.
They're smart children, so it's possible.
If this gets out, it's all over.
I can't allow that to happen.
You'll keep my secret. Won't you, Puffpuff?
Uh? You don't much care for the name, then?
[brushbuddy squeaks]
[QIFREY] Oh, I thought it was rather charming myself.
"Puffpuff."
Perhaps not.
[AGOTT] Master!
Agott! Goodness, you gave me a fright!
You were going so fast there!
That's because the signs are too long,
and it's throwing the Casting Seal off balance!
Oh, really? Shall I have a look?
[AGOTT] No, not right now! There's an emergency! It's Coco!
[Qifrey gasps]
[QIFREY] We're off to the hospital in Kalhn.
[OLRUGGIO] Go. I'll watch the atelier.
[QIFREY] Thanks.
If you girls need anything,
Olly's here for you.
Hold on, Coco.
Hospital's not far.
The fever's getting worse.
She needs to see a doctor soon!
[bell tolling]
[laughter]
- All right, it's my turn! - Don't mess it up!
[BOY 1] There!
[BOY 2] I've got you now!
What? Aww...
The idea was to catch it.
Oh, hey, Tartah, where are you going?
Sorry. About time for me to catch the ferry.
[BOY 1] Ah, right.
[BOY 2] You live on the sandbar, don't you?
Why the ferry? If you're from a witch family,
then wouldn't it be easier for you to just fly?
[BOY 2] Good point.
Well, because, uh... because those are the rules!
[boy 1 groans]
See you tomorrow, then!
- Right. So long! - Bye!
[running footsteps]
[TARTAH] People who know little always have a lot to say.
I would love to fly home if I could.
- [Tartah gasps] - [Qifrey pants]
[TARTAH] Oh, Mr. Qifrey, it's you.
What are you doing--
[QIFREY] Tartah, can you show me the way to the hospital?
I don't know this area well.
Ah! The hospital? Here!
- There's a shortcut. - [QIFREY] Thank you.
♪
[both panting]
[TARTAH] Wait.
[both panting]
- [Tartah pants] - [QIFREY] Thank you.
Of course, she'll be well cared for.
Wait here, if you would.
[Tartah panting]
[QIFREY] I hope she'll be all right.
Thank you for your help, Tartah.
What luck you were here to lead me.
It's nothing to speak of, I--
Oh, no, it certainly is.
Clearly, you're quite an observant young man.
You must look at things very carefully.
[Tartah gasps]
[TARTAH] Say, Mr. Qifrey...
You know, since you're here,
I have something to ask you.
[♪ closing theme song playing]
EPISODE 10: A PROMISE IN SILVER