The Sentinels the one that fathers the witch

they were both tools of the craft, it seemed, though he suspected that the old avian knew much more than he could ever hope to understand. and so he relaxed, sated and made safe by the notion that he woud be taught. "you have lived long years. my own life seems only a second compared to yours. and you have my safety, and the use of whatever hunting grounds you may create here." 

permission was given freely; it was a token, a trifle, only a bit of payment in return for what the owl would grant him.