The Twins

Once there was a beautiful young woman who lived at the edge of the kingdom. She had been blessed by the gods with magic (the very first of her kind) and used her magic only for good. She helped all those who knocked on her door and all the old women gossiped about her unearthly beauty.
One day, she met the prince in the kingdom as he was out riding. He, of course, recognized her beauty but noticed her goodness even more. He immediately knew he wanted her as his wife and proposed right then and there. The young woman accepted joyfully with tears and they were wed with great fanfare.
However, the prince knew nothing of his wife's magic, and something told her that as much as she loved her prince, her magic should stay a secret.
Later, the young woman gave birth to identical twin boys. The prince and his wife were jubilant, and the kingdom even more so. Someday, the boys would inherit a prosperous kingdom full of contented subjects. The celebrations for the twins' birth went on for days.
The celebrations, however, were abruptly brought to an end when one of the boys began to exhibit sure signs of magic only days after his birth. The young woman appealed to her husband and explained how she had been blessed by the gods, but instead, he was repulsed by his wife and sons and banished them from his kingdom. For surely, the prince argued, magic was evil. The young woman was heartbroken.
The twins grew up to be powerful witches and while they desired revenge, their mother tempered their rage and they lived together happily on the edge of the kingdom, near her childhood home. It wasn't until one day her prince (now king) returned to the area to hunt that he discovered his family and immediately slaughtered his former wife, for she had forsaken her magic years prior. The twins, blind with anguish, killed the king and fled. The humans tracked them for many years, but their magic kept the humans at bay. Finally, the twins were able to magick a safe place (that would, of course, become Ilyrium) and created the Magisterium in order to protect future witches. The gods soon blessed other worthy people with magical powers, and thus, witches were created. Ilyrium grew to be the great city it is today, and we still separate ourselves from humans, for they persecute that (or who) they cannot understand.
--The version Cian's mother would have told him as a child

Summary

This myth explains both the origin of magic and Ilyrium. The gods (of whatever religion the storyteller follows) bless a young woman with magic and although she only uses her magic for good, she is persecuted for her magic after her husband discovers his twins sons are magical. Many years later, after the sons are grown, her former husband discovers his family and murders his former wife, while the sons escape after they kill their father in revenge. The sons are tracked for many years by humans but eventually create the magical haven of Ilyrium as well as the Magisterium to protect future witches.

Historical Basis

Librarians believe that there is some historical basis to this myth based on its perpetuity. Although it's been acknowledged many of the details have been embellished, Librarians still believe that the origins of magic and Ilyrium have their answers in this myth.

Spread

Although this myth may be known to other witches around the world, it is only important to those that live in United Britannia and Hibernia. It would be extremely strange for a witch of United Britannia and Hibernia not to know this myth.

Variations & Mutation

This myth mutated in respect to the storyteller's religion. The young woman's magic is usually a result of the gods' blessing in whichever religion the storyteller follows. Besides that, each family tends to tell the tale a little differently, and it's not uncommon for someone of another family to cheekily correct a storyteller of another family.

Cultural Reception

This story is very important to the witches of United Britannia and Hibernia. They perceive this myth as depicting the origin of magic as well as the reason why they have isolated themselves from humans.

Of course, to the delight of the Magisterium, this myth also establishes the importance of the them and justifies their presence.
(And as a tiny fun fact: this is why twins of any kind are considered particularly special.)

In Literature

This myth has been retold in several different literature formats, including everything from children's books to trashy romance novels. (In fact, one of the bestselling versions of the myth is a romance novel written about the king and his former wife, although no one claims to have read it.)

In Art

Much of the art in United Britannia and Hibernia depicts some part of this story. A magical tapestry housed in the Athenaeum plays the whole story, much to the delight of children who visit it. A huge portrait also hangs in the Institute depicting the twins running from humans, as a constant reminder of the persecution witches face.

Date of First Recording

At least the 14th century

Date of Setting

Unknown. This is a detail that often changes with the teller.

Related Ethnicities

• Witches of United Britannia and Hibernia