Hearing Shard's explanation, the Red-Haired Witch finally let go of his hand.
Granny Cassandra, off to the side, said:
"Red Moon Witch - Dannister may not be a member of the Council, but she's also the strongest sorceress of this era. When I was young, I more or less personally witnessed her climb, step by step, to the Thirteen Rings. Speaking of which, it's been something like over twenty years since I last met her."
"Granny, are you and that Miss Dannister friends? Or just acquaintances?"
Miss Sylvia asked curiously; she was the youngest present, and thus knew the least.
The Old Witch said with a smile:
"Friends? We're actually related, but very distantly. It's roughly like—her great‑grandfather's paternal cousin was my grandfather. When I became famous, she was still just a student at Saint Byrons. We only realized we were related after meeting later. Can't really call it friendship; let's say distant kin."
