A dull pain. He shifted to his other side but failed to find much comfort. His left arm had gone numb, compounding his discomfort. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
The remnants of last night's fire glowed dimly. Otherwise, the room was completely dark. The stone beneath him felt cold, but a thick blanket had been placed over him, keeping him warm enough.
"Oh yeah, the cave." He mumbled.
They had sheltered in a cave after going off track. He had gone out to collect wood and then...
He vaguely remembered being comforted by Addi and felt heat rising to his face. His reputation was in ruins. Bawling his eyes out that way in front of a younger woman was a shame he'd carry for the rest of his life. He considered jumping off the cliff outside for a moment but decided to curl up into a ball instead. He heard slow breathing and craned his neck to look over his shoulder.
Matin lay next to him, wrapped in heavy clothes and blankets. He was snoring, and a small bit of drool was hanging from his content-looking face.
"He's much better at sleeping rough than I thought."
Dean turned back. He could just about make Addi out. She was standing in the doorway. Morning light shone through the doorway, illuminating her white hair.
"Addi?"
"Good morning, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?"
"I'd rather not say." He muttered.
Giggling, Addi stepped into the room and took a seat facing him.
"Thanks for showing me that side of you last night. I'll keep the memory with me for the rest of my life."
Dean felt his heart sink and suppressed a sob. He closed his eyes, hoping this was all just a dream. When he opened them, Addi was looking right at him. A huge, smug grin was plastered across her face.
"Shut up! Forget everything now!" He cried.
He'd forgotten most of what had happened the night before aside from some vague memories, but even those were enough to make him want to run for the hills.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Addi said with a wink. "As long as you don't make me mad."
"Blackmail is cowardice!" Dean cried.
His voice was loud enough to wake Matin who leapt out of his blankets with a shriek.
"What, where are we? Dean?" Matin asked, wide-eyed.
"Honestly, you two aren't doing much good for the whole male pride thing, are you?" Addi asked.
"You better forget about last night too." Dean said, giving Matin a stern look.
"Last night? What about...." He paused, blinked a few times and continued. "Oh yeah, don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Dean nodded. He could trust Matin to keep a secret. Addi, on the other hand, he wasn't so sure of.
He gave her the best withering look he could manage, but she brushed it off by sticking her tongue out at him.
He wondered how she had ever landed the prestigious title of Priestess. The mysteries of the world were numerous indeed.
Looking around, Dean had the chance to see the strange room lit up properly for the first time. Despite the cool temperature, it was actually very liveable. It was dry and had a lot of space. He noticed a rectangular piece of stone with a slightly different shade of grey at the back of the room.
"Is that a door?" He asked.
Matin nodded.
"Addi and I tried to enter last night, but either it's just a facsimile of a door or the lock's been weathered shut."
Dean approached the door and gave it a small shove. It didn't budge. His instincts were telling him something great was hidden behind it. What was he to do? Check for a secret lever? Chant an ancient password?
"It's no use Dean, it's probably just for decoration, anyway." Addi said. "Wait, Dean?"
Dean had backed away and, after taking a deep breath, charged at the door, giving it a flying kick with all his strength. A shock ran straight up from his feet to his brain, and he felt a severe stab of pain.
"Idiot." He heard Addi mutter.
In the end, the mystery of the ancient door went unsolved, leaving Dean with a bitter feeling of failure.
After that, the group wasted no time gathering their things and leaving the cave behind. Both Dean and Matin were eager to get back to civilization. Outside, the snow had piled up and it had yet to stop.
"Getting back's gonna be tough." He muttered.
"We're only about an hour and a half away," Addi said. "Although the snow will no doubt make the trip longer."
"Can we even make it back to the path from here?" Matin asked nervously.
"No, but if we keep walking down the mountain along the cliff, we'll come to a river, and we can follow that river back to the Monastery. It'll be no problem." Addi said.
"Well, if you say so," Matin replied with a hint of hesitation.
The group set off down the mountain. Progress was slow, and Dean lost the feeling in his toes after a mere ten minutes, but just as Addi said, a river appeared before too long. It ended in a waterfall at the cliffs to the west, so the group turned east, walking carefully along the bank.
At one point, Dean heard a scream behind him. He turned to find Matin lying on his butt. He was gripping a small tree tightly with his hand to prevent himself from falling into the river. Dean offered his hand to Matin, and he gladly accepted.
"Thanks," Matin said.
"Careful, if you get wet now you'll probably freeze to death before we get back," Addi said.
Matin nodded nervously as they continued on. Addi's cheerful mood seemed to worsen the closer they got to the monastery. She spoke less and even stopped teasing Dean about his behavior the night before.
The rest of the journey passed by in silence. A white veil of snow flurry obscured Dean's sight, and he didn't notice the buildings of the monastery until they were almost right next to them.
"We're here at long last." Matin couldn't keep the relief from his voice as he stumbled forward. Dean laughed. He had never been so happy to see the monastery in his entire life.
"I need a hot bath," he muttered.
Both Dean and Matin's paces quickened, but Addi, who had slowed quickly, fell behind. Noticing this, Dean turned back.
"Come on, I know how you're feeling, but even you need to get in out of the cold."
"Yeah," Addi agreed quietly.
The group continued around the building, which turned out to be the cathedral, and eventually ended up in the courtyard. They wasted no time making their way to the guest house. As Dean opened the door, a voice called out from the other side.
"Who's there?"
When they stepped inside, they heard something like porcelain drop to the floor with a smash.
"Addi!"
Maria, who had been on her way to the dining room with a tray of teacups ran towards them and almost tackled Addi to the ground.
"Thank the Goddess you're alright." She said, "Are you ok? Where were you until now? Rosetta and I waited as long as we could in the forest but..."
"Maria, it's fine. We're fine. Could you please not..." Addi said as she tried to squirm away from Maria's vice-like embrace.
"We're here too, you know," Dean complained.
Maria looked up at Dean and Matin with teary eyes.
"You found Addi? Thank you."
"Don't mention it." He replied, taken aback by the rare show of sincerity.
He had never seen Maria shed tears before. He was expecting some sort of wisecrack, but she simply held onto Addi, much to the latter's discomfort.
"You all must be freezing. There's plenty of hot water, so go ahead and return to your rooms. I'll let Rosetta know you're safe. She hasn't left her room since we returned. I'm going to take Addi back to her room."
"I can make my own way back, you know."
"Not a chance, come on."
Maria, without waiting for a reply, grabbed hold of Addi's hand and dragged her kicking and screaming from the guest house.
"Unhand me, you brute! Dean, save me!"
Dean stuck his tongue out at her and happily watched as the pair disappeared outside.
"She'll be OK, won't she?" Matin asked.
"I'm not so sure, buddy. But it's none of our concern, time for a bath."
The two quickly made their way back to their rooms however, Matin stopped by Marianne's room first.
"Aren't you going to have a shower or bath first?" Dean asked,
"I will, but I better let mother know I'm..."
Before he could even finish his sentence, the door slammed open and nearly sent Matin flying across the hall. Marianne stood there, red faced with tears rolling down her cheeks. She was holding a handkerchief in her hand.
"Matin darling, oh thank goodness!" she sobbed, taking her son in an embrace.
Dean suppressed a laugh at the dramatic scene.
"Mother, I'm fine."
Matin's muffled voice was almost lost behind Marianne's sobs.
"Oh, but you're so cold. What were you thinking, going out into the forest like that? You've probably caught a terrible cold!"
It was a while before Marianne was composed enough to talk sense and acknowledge Dean's presence.
"You boys should go take a bath immediately." She said sternly. "Matin, do come back here when you're finished."
"Yes, mother."
Dean and Matin wasted no time returning to their rooms. Dean felt rather miffed as he closed the door to his room. Both Matin and Addi had someone who was worried about them to the point of breaking down in tears at their return.
He thought about his father. He wondered where the old man was now. Probably off on some important business trip, raking in the money for Oscar's political campaigns. Not that the man would've shown the slightest concern even if he had been at the monastery.
As soon as he was inside his room, he made his way to the ensuite and began to fill the bath with hot water. Unwilling to wait for it to fill up completely, he stripped and went straight for the shower.
The water felt much hotter than usual against his chilled skin but he hardly cared. He could feel the tension in his muscles loosen as the room filled with steam.
"What a day." He muttered, leaning against the shower wall. His mind wandered for a long while as he let his mind go blank.
The sound of the bath overflowing roused him from his thoughts.
"Ah, crap."
He quickly twisted the faucet of the shower off and made his way to the bathtub to turn off the water there. The water overflowed as he lowered himself in, but he paid the mess no mind. He could always mop it up later or get Rosetta to do it.
"Man, a hot whiskey with honey would be perfect right now," he sighed.
After a while there was a knock on the door. He was initially hesitant to leave the hot water behind, but the knocking continued, and he was forced to get out and put on a bathrobe.
He opened the door and found Rosetta standing there, a tray in her hands. Her eyes widened at his appearance, and her mouth hung open, seemingly unable to form words.
"What? Never seen a guy in a bathrobe?" He asked.
She stood there for a moment with a complicated look on her face. After muttering a curse or two, she took a deep breath and made her expression neutral.
"Pardon the intrusion, may I come in?" She said formally.
"Sure," Dean said, stepping out of the way.
He looked at the contents of the tray.
"Is that a glass of hot whiskey with lemon in it?" He asked with a hint of glee.
"I was going to bring hot tea, which would have been more proper, but Addi insisted you'd want something like this instead."
It was kind of unsettling how Addi seemed to know him so well.
"Uh, thanks," he said.
Rosetta placed the tray on a nearby coffee table and stood to the side.
Dean sat down and, taking the warm glass in his hands, took a small sip. He felt the warmth fill him, and he sighed with content.
"Ahh, that feels great after a bath."
For some reason, Rosetta just stood there, not saying a word and looking incredibly awkward.
"Is something the matter? You don't have to stay, you know." He said.
Rosetta shook her head.
"Addi told me that I should stay with you since you'd probably feel lonely. If I go back now, she'll probably scold me."
It seemed Addi had once again anticipated his feelings. Her concern was appreciated, but Dean couldn't help feeling like his pride had been damaged even further.
Scratching his head, he wondered if he should send Rosetta running despite what Addi told her. However, looking closely, he could tell that something was off about Rosetta too.
"Well, I suppose in that case you can sit down?" He asked.
"Very well." She said stiffly, taking a seat in front of him.
Dean distracted himself by taking sips of his drink while gazing out the window. This was difficult. Unlike with Matin and Addi, Rosetta hadn't exactly warmed up to him yet. He knew he had to work to make amends for running away all those years ago. He just didn't know where to start.
"Could you tighten your bathrobe a bit? And for crying out loud, please close your legs."
"What?"
Dean looked in front of him to see Rosetta glaring at him from across the table. She was trying very hard to maintain eye contact. He realized he had probably been lounging a bit too comfortably given his current attire.
"Ah, sorry, sorry." He said, sitting up and doing his best imitation of good posture. Rosetta nodded and relaxed slightly.
"So uh, how has life been here at the monastery?" He asked awkwardly.
Rosetta's eyes narrowed.
"Why do you ask? It's not any of your business."
This wasn't going to be easy. It shouldn't have come as any surprise that life was tough here. Just what exactly had been going with Rosetta and Nicolas though?
"Not so good, huh?"
Rosetta looked away, a complicated expression on her face.
"You know I've been thinking that when I go back to the city, some of you guys could come with me? I know it might be difficult for Addi, but surely nothing is keeping you and Maria here?"
Rosetta laughed. It was a cold, dead sound, devoid of any humor.
"You sound just like Maria. Maybe you should go bother her about it."
"You don't want to leave?" He asked.
Rosetta sat in silence for a long moment, considering her next words.
"Dean, can you stop it? I don't like talking about this."
Dean swallowed back his words. Was what he was talking about really that painful for her?
He decided to change the subject.
"Did you come across Nicolas at all yesterday?" He asked.
Rosetta shook her head.
"He hasn't shown up anywhere. Maybe he did go running off into the forest and we just missed him."
Didn't Addi tell Rosetta that they had met Nicolas in the forest last night? Surely that would have been one of the first things she mentioned.
Rosetta looked pale. Was she worried about Nicolas?
Dean was considering whether it would be best to tell her about his encounter with Nicolas when Rosetta leaned forward, grabbed the glass of whiskey from in front of Dean and took a large mouthful before slamming the glass back down on the table.
Mouth hanging open, he could only watch as Rosetta coughed violently. After catching her breath, she spoke with a shaking voice.
"How do you drink this stuff?"
"It's not that bad." He grumbled, taking the glass back. "You're supposed to sip it."
"It tastes vile." She replied.
"Well, it's not everyone's cup of tea. Hey, are you alright? You look a bit, how should I say, deflated."
Rosetta didn't reply straightaway. She simply looked out the window.
"I honestly don't know why I'm here." She said eventually.
Dean narrowed his eyes and leaned forward slightly. Was she finally going to tell him about her situation? He decided to stay quiet and let her speak for herself.
"I would've left long ago if I could. After all, I'd be doing everyone a favor if I did. Maria and others do much better work than I do."
Dean remembered that Rosetta had always been harder on herself than was necessary.
"Did you make this drink?" He asked.
"What? Yes, I did. Why?"
"It's good."
"It's just hot whiskey with lemon, you should thank Addi. It was her idea."
"But you made it and brought it to me. It's more than I've done for anybody here in the last decade."
Rosetta looked him in the eye for what seemed like the first time since she had come in. Her eyes were narrowed in a suspicious look. Eventually, she looked away and shook her head.
"Well, you're a guest." She said. "It wouldn't make sense for you to go around doing chores or serving people."
Again with the guest treatment.
"I think I might like being pampered like this," he teased.
"Don't get used to it." She muttered.
A bit of color began to return to her cheeks as they fell into a more comfortable silence, watching the snow fall outside the window.
"Hypothetically speaking, if you were free to go and live outside the monastery, what would you do?" Dean asked.
Rosetta gave him a suspicious look.
"Why do you wanna know?"
"Just curious."
"I don't know. I've never really given it much thought. I don't think there's anything I want to do in particular."
"Everybody has something they want to do." Dean said.
"Not everybody." She responded, looking down at her feet once again.
Feeling like he had chosen the wrong subject, he decided to let it go. Rosetta wouldn't open up after a single conversation, no matter how hard he tried.
A knock came on the door, sparing them from another awkward silence
Rosetta quickly stood up and made her way to the door. She opened it, and Maria appeared, peering into the room.
"I'm not interrupting, am I?" she asked with a grin.
"What do you mean by that?" Rosetta responded, bristling.
"Oh nothing." Maria said. "Methaeus wants to tell us all something. Can you guys come down to the salon?"
"Very well." Rosetta responded. She turned to Dean. "I suggest you get dressed and follow us down."
"But I haven't finished my drink yet." He complained.
"Deal with it." Rosetta snapped, closing the door behind her as she left with Maria. He thought he saw Maria wink at him as she left.
Sighing, he took one more drink before heading to the wardrobe for a change of clothes.
There were a good few people gathered in the salon when he arrived. Marianne, Matin and a familiar old lady were sitting at a table near the window. Methaeus, along with Maria and Rosetta were standing nearby. A middle aged man Dean didn't recognise, with short black hair combed back, stood near the fireplace, smoking a cigarette.
"Please have a seat." Methaeus said formally, gesturing to the table.
Dean did as instructed. The heavy atmosphere in the room was palpable, and Dean felt like he was making too much noise simply by walking up to his chair. However, Marianne seemed not to be bothered one way or the other as she checked herself using a small mirror.
"Well, now that everyone in the guesthouse has gathered, can you tell us? Has there been no news of Nicolas since last night?" The old lady asked.
Methaeus shook his head.
"He was seen by Matin and Dean last night but ran off by himself again. We can only hope he's found shelter in this snowstorm. Otherwise, his chances of survival are small.
"Well, then we must call the police. This has gone on long enough!" The old lady said, voice shaking. "That poor boy is out there freezing, and his own father refuses to seek help from the authorities.
"Peace, sister. I attempted to call the police earlier, but it would appear that the phone lines have been damaged in the storm. I couldn't get through."
"What?" Dean asked, bolting up straight in his seat.
Methaeus lowered his eyes and bowed slightly. His voice was steady.
"My humblest apologies. Rest assured, we'll do our best to make sure your stay remains comfortable."
There was a snapping sound. Everyone turned to Marianne who had closed her handheld mirror a little more forcefully than was strictly necessary.
"Right indeed you will see to our comfort." She hissed. "I hope you understand the disruption this will cause. I have business back in the city later this week, and I cannot afford to spend my time wallowing about here!"
She cast her gaze across the room, her eyes lingering on the staff members in particular.
"It was Oscar's responsibility to ensure our safety on this little trip, and it would seem he has utterly failed. He doesn't even have the manners to tell us himself!"
"My lady Evelyn, please try to understand that the master is worried about the boy's survival. He..."
"That whelp ran off on his own." Marianne interrupted. "Last I looked, he was old enough to take responsibility for his own stupid actions. The boy's likely dead by now, anyway."
A stunned silence filled the room. Everyone stared at the seemingly unruffled Marianne in shock.
"You take that back." A quiet voice came from behind Methaeus.
Leaning over slightly, Marianne tried to find who had spoken. She didn't have to look for long. Maria stepped forward, eyes wide with a furious expression.
"How dare you talk about him like that, you stuck up bitch."
Dean almost let out a laugh without realising but quickly covered it with a coughing sound. Now was definitely not the time.
"Maria, don't forget your position. Stop this at once," Methaeus warned.
"No I don't think I will." Maria said, ignoring the old man. "Every time she comes here, she struts around like she owns the place."
Rosetta put a hand on Maria's shoulder, but she shook it off without so much as glancing at her. The two women looked at each other straight in the eyes.
"Careful, girl, guest or no, I could have you out in the snow with that boy in an instant."
Marianne's voice was sharp, and Maria's stare faltered for a moment. She shook off any hesitation and continued to speak.
"Try it. I know this place inside and out. I even have access to all the guest rooms. You're the one who should be careful."
Maria was smiling now and the combination of that smile and her wide eyes even made Marianne go silent for a moment.
"Are you threatening me, girl?" Marianne asked, rising to her feet.
"What you couldn't tell?"
"Mother!"
"Wait!"
Marianne was out of chair and halfway to Maria before a figure appeared between them.
"Out of my way!" Marianne yelled.
The middle aged smoker, who had been quiet until now, stood still and uncaring. He was by far the tallest in the room, with black hair greased and combed back. He looked down at Marianne with brown hollow eyes.
"I won't." He said.
"And what gives you the right to stand in my way?"
"Nothing in particular." He replied simply.
"Well then, would you please move?"
"No."
Marianne bristled, but the man resembled a statue and refused to budge an inch or be ruffled by Marianne's words.
After a few moments, the tension seemed to flow out of the room. Methaeus took the opportunity to speak.
"Leave this room, Maria. We will speak of this later."
Clicking her tongue, Maria turned on her heals and exited the room, slamming the door behind her.
"Miserable little cur," Marianne muttered, taking her seat once again.
"I'm sorry. I think we're all a little stressed out and on edge." Matin whispered to Dean
"Seems so," Dean replied. "Although I wouldn't call that display 'on edge' myself."
Marianne's behavior was more akin to an eruption than anything else. However, what was even more surprising was that man's ability to stop Marianne once she'd blown a gasket. He had since returned to his place at the fireplace and hadn't spoken another word.
Dean noticed that the man was carrying a large suitcase. He was wondering what was inside when Methaeus spoke up once again.
"I ask that you remain in the guest house for the time being unless it's absolutely necessary to leave."
"No doubt. I wouldn't want to be out in that weather. I'll remain here for the time being." Marianne replied as if she had made the decision herself.
The weather had truly taken a turn for the worse. They had probably already called off the search for Nicolas. There was nothing else they could do today.
"I'll take my leave now. If there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask Rosetta or Maria." Methaeus said, bowing.
Dean heard a sound coming from Marianne, which may have been a very creative curse. Methaeus left the room with his usual dignity, ignoring Marainne's words.
"Well, nothing for it but to take advantage of the hospitality, I guess. Rosetta, you wouldn't mind taking me to where you found that whiskey earlier, would you?" Dean asked, getting to his feet.
"If you want something specific, then ask for it. I'm not letting you anywhere near where we keep the alcohol."
"Spoilsport."
"Rosetta, you should treat the guests with a little more civility, don't you think?"
The voice that came from behind Dean belonged to the elderly lady who had spoken earlier.
"But guests aren't permitted to enter the kitchen or stores."
"It's not what you said that I have issue with. Rules are important. The problem was how you said it. I've thought you better, haven't I?"
Rosetta hung her head, seemingly unable to come up with a response.
"Come now, girl. I know your mind was in the right spot. Why don't you hurry on and bring some drinks for the young man, and bring my favorite while you're at it?"
Rosetta bowed deeply and left the room in a hurry. At the same time, the old lady turned to Dean and Matin.
"Good to see you again, Layota." Dean said.
"My, whatever happened to calling me Mother Layota?" she said, smiling. "Well, I suppose you are too old to go around calling me that now."
He remembered her as the matron of the orphanage. She had raised Rosetta, Maria, Nicolas and the other orphans all by herself back in the day.
"Addi tells me you've been a great help to her. She asked me to help you get caught up on things here. Won't the two of you join me for a quick chat?"
"I don't mind at all." Matin said with a smile.
"Uh, sure." Dean added.
She nodded and gestured towards some seats at the end of the room. They sat around a circular table next to a pair of large paneled windows.
Despite her Age, Layota sat with near-perfect posture and looked at the two with a kindly face that showed a hint of mischief. Her gray hair had been tied in a bun, and she wore a nun's habit.
"Layota is still running the orphanage even though Oscar's asked her to retire many times by now. I think she has more energy than I do," Matin explained with a laugh.
"Please, you're giving me too much credit. This old lady simply helps out where she can." She said, turning to Dean.
"Now, I must apologise for any discomfort you might have experienced since coming here, Dean. You've been gone for a while so most people here see you as an outsider. Be patient with them, and they'll come around."
Dean was taken aback by her straightforward words. Aside from those he knew directly, nobody else had tried to speak with him, and most avoided eye contact as much as possible when he passed them by.
He scratched his head as he let out a small laugh.
"No need to apologise, it doesn't bother me all that much."
Layota nodded her head in thanks.
"It gladdens my heart to hear that, even if it's only a kind lie."
Dean felt slightly embarrassed that she had so easily seen through his words. The place did bother him, but now wasn't the time to voice those complaints.
Layota laughed and waved her hand.
"No need to look like you've been caught stealing treats from the kitchen." She said. "I'll be the first to admit that the people here are rather old fashioned and set in their ways. I can even understand why you left all those years ago."
"Yeah, I just don't think it's for me. All this secretive worship and whatnot."
"Oh don't worry so much." Layota said. "Our church here might be a dying breed, but we're not some crazed cult. Most of us just want to live a good life and help others when we can."
At that moment, the door to the parlor opened and Rosetta came in carrying a tray of drinks. Dean felt his muscles tighten as Rosetta shakily made her way over to the table. If she gave any sign of tripping, he would be out of the chair in an instant.
Luckily, no such disaster occurred, and Rosetta dutifully placed the drinks on the table before immediately excusing herself.
"That girl still takes things much too seriously." Layota muttered, taking a sip of brandy from the glass in front of her.
Layota regarded Dean from behind her glass. He realized he had been sitting forward tensely on his chair and decided to sit back in a more relaxed manner.
"How long have Rosetta and Nicolas been like that? They're very different from when I last saw them." Dean asked.
Layota's face sobered somewhat at the mention of Nicolas.
"I suppose nowhere is without its problems," she said. "The young ones we raise here often have no choice but to continue working here as servants after they finish up at the orphanage. It's a leftover practice from the old ways, and we still can't offer them a formal education. Many here harbor resentment in their hearts, and that can manifest as bullying or other delinquent behavior."
Layota's voice held no condemnation for those she spoke of. In fact, she seemed ashamed, as if it were her responsibility.
"None of that is your fault." Matin said. "You've been working by yourself to raise the children for decades. Oscar really needs to provide more help for you."
Layota shook her head.
"Oscar is generous enough to fund the orphanage from his own pockets. We couldn't ask any more of him."
"He seems too busy with his political career to worry much about the orphanage." Dean noted.
Layota nodded, taking another sip of her brandy.
"I worry that many of the orphans who have reached adulthood resent him and those who are close to him. That's why they've given Nicolas, Maria and Rosetta a hard time in particular."
So Nicolas was dealing with scorn from both sides. Marianne and others of the privileged class looked down at him while the discontented youth took their anger out on him. All the while Oscar worked him to the bone. No wonder he had grown distant, to put it mildly.
"What does any of that have to do Maria and Rosetta?" He asked aloud.
"They used to play with us and Addi, Dean." Matin explained "And well, we're not orphans. Rather, we were born into wealthy families."
So Rosetta and Maria were being harassed simply for associating with him. His list of wrongs grew ever longer. He had to do something about this. He couldn't leave them here to suffer anymore.
"Can you tell me about Addi? I still can't believe she was chosen to be the Priestess," Dean said.
When he had left ten years ago, she had been no different from the other orphans. The fact that she had been suddenly chosen to lead the church had come as a shock to him.
"Did your father ever tell you about the Priestess' role?" Layota asked.
Dean shook his head.
"If he did, it was a while back. All I know is she's a representation of the Goddess on earth, never cared much for the details."
His words were blasphemous, but if Layota was offended, she didn't show it.
"Addi is the priestess, the very symbol of the Goddess herself made manifest on our mortal plane." Layota said as if quoting from a textbook. "It is said that she was born with a piece of the Goddess inside of her. Though due to her age, she's lacking in experience and likes to shirk her duties from time to time." Layota said with a fond smile.
"You don't seem bothered by this," Dean observed.
"Bothered? No. Its only natural for a girl her age." Layota said.
"Oscar and Methaeus worry a lot though." Matin added.
Layota waved her hand at him before taking another sip of brandy, finishing it rather quickly.
"They're just a bunch of stubborn old men set in their ways." She said dismissively.
Layota cast her eyes towards a large grandfather clock at the other end of the room.
"Oh, I must be getting back to the orphanage, but one more thing before I head off though. I know things seem very tense with young Nicolas going missing. Adding to this is the fact that tomorrow is the winter solstice festival, so sorry if that's all making your reunions more difficult."
"Festival?" Dean asked.
It didn't look to him like anyone around here was planning a party.
"The winter solstice represents the temporary death of the Goddess as winter takes hold of the world and living things start dying. In the evening we burn an effigy of the Goddess in a great bonfire so she can reincarnate and begin the year anew." Layota said.
"I remember that," Dean said.
He had vague memories of watching a large fire in his childhood. At the time, having fun was his only concern, so the actual reason behind it all remained mystery to him.
"Why do we specifically use an effigy though?" He asked, thinking that he might as well learn all he can.
For the first time since the conversation began, sister Layota looked uncertain.
"It's OK sister, you don't have to talk about it." Matin said.
"No, Addi asked me to be honest with him. He was born here after all," she whispered.
She took another sip of brandy before continuing.
"Long ago, during particularly harsh winters, the faithful would sacrifice the priestess herself in order to return the piece of the Goddess within her. This was believed to bring about the Goddess' resurrection and the coming of spring. Of course, we don't use such barbaric methods these days. Instead, we use an effigy made of wood and hay resembling the priestess as a symbol."
Layota explanation was much more serious than anything she had said prior, and despite her assurances, Dean felt uneasy at the explanation.
"I understand how it must sound. But please realize these traditions go back thousands of years to the time of the first Priestess, Itsuyana. It's an integral part of our daily life."
Dean nodded. He appreciated Layota's honest explanation. Others who lived here tended to be more tight-lipped.
"Was there anything else?" Layota asked.
Dean thought about asking if a priestess could step down or be replaced but thought better of it. He shook his head.
"Right then, I think I should be heading back to the orphanage. These children will have the house wrecked if I leave them too long."
With those words, Layota made to get up from her chair. Matin rushed over to assist her, but she waved him away.
"Oh. I'm not that old yet, young man. But thank you."
Nodding to the two of them, she left the salon.
"Didn't Methaeus tell everyone to stay here?." Dean asked.
"Mother Layota pretty much does what she wants these days," Matin replied
Dean stared at the door Layota had left through. Things were much more complicated than he thought. It was looking less and less likely he could get his friends out of this place without significant resistance.
"You're thinking about helping Rosetta and Maria aren't you?" Matin asked.
"What makes you say that?"
His friend was right. Well, half right. Rosetta and Maria were the easy part. The problem was that he had no idea what he could do about Nicolas and Addi.
"You have that stubborn look on your face. It's the same one you were making before you left all those years ago."
"Strange thing to remember, isn't it? Then again you always had a lot of space inside that skull of yours."
He heard Matin laughing softly behind him.
"This skull of mine has gotten me pretty far."
Matin face turned serious.
"I feel the same way. We can't let them deal with this on their own. Bullying is something that should never be tolerated. Perhaps I should speak to mother on the matter."
"No, no. Don't do that." Dean said in a hurry.
He didn't want the whole situation to explode, and Marianne was likely to do just that if she got involved.
Matin tilted his head slightly in confusion.
"Why not?"
"Look, I think I'm getting Rose to open up a little, and Maria will follow Addi in almost anything. In just a little more time, we'll have the group back together."
They could worry about the bigger problems then. It was looking more and more likely that he would have to extend his stay at the monastery.
"Maybe we could all get together for the party after the festival?" Matin suggested.
Dean nodded.
"Not a bad idea."
He was sure Addi was planning something similar. All he had to do now was wait and maybe float the idea around to the others. He looked out the window.
The snow was still falling, and it was growing dark. Dean enjoyed chatting with Matin and later Rosetta as he relaxed in the salon next to the warmth of the fireplace. Rosetta seemed skeptical, but with Matin also insisting she join them, she had no choice but to accept.
That night, as he was making his way to his bedroom, he spotted a group of men carrying torches walking across the courtyard from his window. Were they still looking for Nicolas?
His curiosity pulled at him, but the coldness radiating from the window reminded him of the discomforts of venturing outside. He had just gotten ready for bed after all. After the events of the previous days, he felt utterly exhausted. In the end, he decided to go to bed early. There wasn't much he could do to help, anyway.