The Grimbriar Gazette | Issue No. VI

Sep 6

4 min read

Weather

The weatherstone is missing. The toads are hiding underground. In a late-season turn of events, a small tornado spun into Grimbriar's territory this morning. While professors made quick work of the twister by dispelling it, it was not before the beloved weatherstone was tossed up and into the forest somewhere. We expect it will return by nightfall. Migratory stones like the weatherstone are notorious homebodies. In the meantime, expect light showers and a slight chill in the air.

Lost & Found

Lost: A stack of potions textbooks. Last seen tumbling down the Forbidden Staircase into darkness.
Found: A fuzzy looking caterpillar with a small cap on. Keeps insulting my posture; would like to return to owner.
Found: A pulsing gemstone shaped like a heart. Oddly warm to the touch. Found in the West Hall, third floor.

Gossip

Stonecold, Stonehearted Statue

If you've recently walked through the second floor of the East Hall and heard a small, pitiful crying, this story is for you. It's been brought to the attention of numerous students that a breakup has occurred at Grimbriar. While broken hearts are nothing new amongst the student population, it's rather a strange event for statues. The gargantuan, alabaster carving of Magenta Fairwitch at the end of the East Hall, second floor, has been taken with heartache.

According to one student who was able to appeal to the inconsolable statue and get a bit of the story, "she just kept blubbering about how unfair it is, and kept saying the name 'Ralph'." To the nightowl students of Grimbriar, Ralph is a familiar, creeping presence throughout the castle. The large marble statue of a handsome man wearing a frilly cloak and a feathered cap is known to slide about after dark. Apparently, his nightly visits included a stop to see Miss Fairwitch.

When asked why he broke it off, Ralph simply replied, "I'm not one to settle down," before sliding away. Meanwhile, a gaggle of students have taken to visiting Magenta Fairwitch between class periods, bringing her snacks from the kitchen and heartfelt notes. One such note reads, "you're too good for him anyway, girl."

Ralph has since been seen flirting with the portrait of a milkmaid in the North Dormitories.

Rumors

Starpower at Grimbriar?

A new guest is expected at Grimbriar in the next few days. While she hasn't revealed much, Headmistress Hennenthorpe has alluded to the possibility of a celebrity presence at Grimbriar. The best guest room in the castle has been done up, dusted, and dutifully prepared. The fire sprites have been heard gossiping between hearths, and students have caught bits such as, "star," and, "royalty."

One student, unnamed to prevent trouble, successfully sneaked into the room during the night. They reported that the color pink was everywhere, down to the sugar for the tea. Actress Nelly Pearson is rumored to be touring the countryside this month to promote her newest stage production, "Belladonna." Is it possible she might make a stop at Grimbriar?

Familiar Faces

Meet Elken Dolwroth, Grimbriar's Youngest and Brightest Student

You may have spotted him in the dining hall, dashing between tables at breakfast to say "good morning!" to just about everyone. Standing at the height of a chair leg, the goblin boy had no trouble making himself known amongst the students. At only five years of age, he arrived at Grimbriar this semester with his grandfather in tow.

"He wouldn't take no for an answer, I'm afraid," said the elderly goblin, scratching the white whiskers on his chin, "Packed his own bag and set out the door before I could even finish my tea."

Elken's family has a long line of Grimbriar Graduates, and while acceptance letters to the Academy aren't usually sent until students are a bit older, Elken simply couldn't wait. Thus far, after only a few weeks with the Academy, Elken has ranked at the top of each of his classes. The professors are delighted with the boy's eagerness to learn and insatiable curiosity. The young goblin has become wildly popular amongst his classmates, showing both contagious enthusiasm and congenial habits.

Elken shyly declined to interview for this piece, though others have offered to share their thoughts.

"He's the smartest kid I've ever met," says Primly Priner, "and he can already brew a potion far better than I can."

"I remember his mother when she was a student here. Sharp, that one. Could recall anything she'd ever read or heard. I'm not surprised by Elken's genius," says Headmistress Hennenthorpe.

You can often find Elken playing outside on the North Lawn, if you care to say hello. When he isn't studying or greeting friends, Elken enjoys finding bugs and reading up on books about physics.

Word Search

This Week’s Menu at Grimbriar Hall

As always, every meal can be altered to meet the dietary needs of any student upon request.

Monday

Breakfast: Cardamom cream buns, sage sausage links, spiced almond milk

Lunch: Leek and potato soup, crusty sourdough, cranberry lemon fizz

Dinner: Honey roasted boar, spiced apple mash, butterscotch cream tea

Tuesday

Breakfast: Buttery corn cakes, stewed peaches, juniper iced tea

Lunch: Pepper and gorgonzola quiche, dressed dandelion greens, blackberry punch

Dinner: Woodsmoke-roasted duck, parsnip and thyme mash, spiced blackcurrant fizz

Wednesday

Breakfast: Toasted hazelnut porridge, honeyed figs, dawnlight chamomile tea

Lunch: Roasted mushroom and barley soup, warm rye rolls, tart cranberry tonic

Dinner: Herb-crusted venison, glazed chestnuts and kale, wild plum cordial

Thursday

Breakfast: Golden buckwheat waffles, stewed rhubarb, toasted hazelnut milk

Lunch: Smoked ham and gruyere tart, pickled cabbage slaw, ginger pear fizz

Dinner: Braised pheasant with sage, roasted root vegetables, dark elderberry cordial

Friday

Breakfast: Spiced pumpkin flapjacks, whipped honey butter, cinnamon rooibos tea

Lunch: Wild garlic and potato soup, toasted seed crackers, elderflower spritz

Dinner: Charred quail with rosemary, buttered wild rice, tart blackberry tonic

Saturday

Breakfast: Sweet corn griddle cakes, warm berry compote, spiced oat milk

Lunch: Roasted squash and sage flatbread, crisp apple slaw, sparkling ginger tonic

Dinner: Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, herb polenta, black cherry cordial

Sunday

Breakfast: Cinnamon swirl buns, clotted cream, honeyed chamomile tea

Lunch: Herbed chicken salad with walnuts, warm buttered rolls, meadow lemonade

Dinner: Hearth-baked chicken pot pie, herbed green beans, spiced apple cider