Dean woke up a few times during the night. He found sleep difficult despite the comfortable bed.
Once more, he groggily opened his eyes. The glow of the digital clock, at first illegible, slowly became clearer.
"Seven thirty." He muttered.
Breakfast is at eight.
"Not a chance." He said before rolling over and falling back to sleep.
When next he woke, the sun was high in the sky and shining through a gap in the curtains.Dean opened his eyes to find that the clock read eleven-thirty.
"Well, I guess that will do for a good night's sleep."
Rolling out of bed, he slowly made his way to the bathroom, had a shower, got dressed and did a few stretches.
"Wonder if they saved some breakfast for me. Well, I might have to wait until lunch at this point."
He stepped out into the corridor. Careful to make sure no one was around, he made his way to the entrance hall, at which point he realized he couldn't remember where the kitchen was.
Looking around, he sighed. Not a staff member in sight to guide him. Well, a servant was likely to tell him that the kitchen was closed and to wait until lunch, probably better to go looking himself.
Luckily, he caught a scent drifting from a certain door to the right of the main entrance. The smell of baked bread was unmistakable.
"Guess this is it." He said as he opened the door.
A room with tiled walls and floors greeted him as he stepped inside. There were ovens, stoves and microwaves on one side with sinks and counter space on the other.
Someone was sitting on a three-legged stool at the far end of the kitchen with their back turned towards the door. She had a glass of orange juice in her left hand, and she was munching on a pastry with her right. Her uniform marked her as a servant.
The young woman didn't notice Dean's entrance at first, but as she ate her eyes darted frequently from left to right like a rabbit in an open field and it wasn't long until she noticed his presence.
"Who are you?" She asked, spilling a little orange juice on herself as she lurched from the stool. "What are you doing here? Don't you know the kitchen is staff only?"
"I was just looking for something to eat." Dean said, raising his hands.
"Something to eat? But it's not even twelve yet. Lunch isn't for another hour at least."
The woman eyed him suspiciously with blue eyes, ignoring the orange stain on her white shirt with visible effort. She wore her blond hair in a ponytail, which would have given her a professional look if not for a few strands sticking out this way and that. The sloppy appearance was somewhat familiar to him.
"Anyway, you shouldn't be here. Are you a guest?" She asked. "Or are you a thief of some sort?"
Dean took a step back at the snappy question. But his stomach urged him to stand his ground.
"Well, I'm a guest, but are you supposed to be eating here?"
"What?"
"I could be wrong, but you were eating that food rather quickly."
The woman frowned. She started patting down her uniform, letting the crumbs fall to the floor.
"So what if I was? I work here. Now get out!"
With that said, she scampered over to the corner of the kitchen. Grabbing a brush and scoop she began cleaning the area in which she had been eating.
"I suppose I could leave. I'll go ask Methaeus, and let him know you were eating here at this hour."
"Methaeus?" The woman asked
"Yep."
The woman paused her cleaning and dived at Dean, grabbing him by his shoulders.
"Please don't do that."
"Why?"
"Well..." she said, hesitating. "He's a very busy man. Look, if you need help, why don't you ask me? I'm Rosetta, the best servant in the house. It'll be my pleasure to get you something to eat, uh huh."
The girl's manner of speaking was too fast and frantic. He missed most of what she said aside from her name.
"Wait, Rosetta?" He asked.
"Yeah, that's what I said. What's the big...wait!"
Rosetta's mouth dropped open, probably mirroring his own.
"Dean, is that you?" She gave him a once over with her sharp eyes. "Oh that's right, Addi said you were coming!"
How had she forgotten that? He felt a little sad that she failed to remember him even after being reminded.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it? I've mi-"
He was cut off as he felt something come into contact with his gut.
He doubled over, gasping.
"So you finally show up after all this time and barge into the kitchen acting like nothing's wrong!"
Gripping his stomach, Dean looked up. Tears filled Rosetta's eyes, as she grit her teeth in anger.
Dean's mouth hung open as he tried to formulate a response. Rosetta took advantage of his silence and continued her verbal assault.
"Why did you bother coming back? I thought this place didn't matter to you anymore."
He should have expected this. Addi and Matin were an exception, but it should be obvious that most wouldn't appreciate his return. Rosetta had a right to be angry. He was a coward after all, complete and utter scum.
He forced a broad grin onto his face.
"I see you're as prickly as ever. You're never going to find a boyfriend if you keep acting like that."
Stupid. Couldn't he think of something better to say? Well, to be fair, the pain radiating from his gut was distracting him.
"What does that have to do with anything? Answer me. Why did you bother to come back? Weren't you living it up in the city?"
Dean took a deep breath.
"Yeah, I know. I really should've visited a long time ago. I'm sorry, alright?"
Rosetta's sharp expression did not move an inch as she clicked her tongue and returned to her cleaning. The scraping of the brush did little to overcome the awkward silence that had settled between them. It was probably best to move the conversation in another direction. He'd think of a way to solve this later.
"Look I just want something to eat for breakfast. Think you can whip something up? If you do, I promise to keep quiet about your snacking."
Rosetta gritted her teeth and glanced at the nearby door as if contemplating escape. After a moment, she sighed.
"There're some leftovers from breakfast that I was having in the fridge over there." She said, pointing towards the large refrigerator nearby. "Help yourself and get out."
"Don't mind if I do."
After a few moments of picking and choosing his breakfast, Dean sat down and began eating. Rosetta stood awkwardly nearby, fidgeting with her crumb-covered uniform.
"Aren't you gonna sit?" Dean asked between bites of toast and jam.
"No, it wouldn't do for a staff member to sit in the presence of a guest." Rosetta replied formally.
A guest was he?
"Well, I suppose being considered a guest is better than the alternative. Any chance you could treat me like one? You know, with courtesy and professionalism?" He asked.
Rosetta sent him a scathing look in response. He decided to focus on his breakfast and started eating a little quicker.
"Eat slowly and close your mouth." He heard Rosetta snap.
Dean didn't reply, and the two fell into a somewhat uncomfortable silence broken only by the sound of Dean gorging himself and Rosetta, who busied herself by clearing away some dishes.
Sounds of dishes clattering and drawers slamming shut were punctuated by occasional curses as she audibly struggled with the work. At one point she let out a shriek as she accidentally dropped a plate on the floor, shattering it into a hundred pieces. He thought about helping her. He really did, but he'd probably do more harm than good at this point. His presence would only serve to agitate her more.
After she had cleaned up, she returned to standing awkwardly nearby. Dean hastily finished his food, stood up and began carrying his empty plate to the sink.
"What do you think you're doing?" Rosetta asked, storming over to him.
"Cleaning up after myself."
"What? Why do you think I've been standing here like a dolt this whole time while you scarfed down your breakfast?"
"Avoiding work?"
"Avoiding-"
Rosetta stalled. With her eyes wide open and mouth gaping, she resembled a dying fish.
"How dare you! I was waiting to clean up after you! It's my job to clean up after breakfast."
"Its just one plate and a glass." Dean shrugged. "No big deal, right?"
"No big deal? Drop the plate this instant."
"Fine."
As instructed, he dropped the plate then and there. Rosetta screamed and reached out to grab the plate.
The plate fell towards the floor. Sticking his foot out a little, the plate glanced of the edge of his boot before hitting the floor, remaining intact.
"Not like that! Why are you like this?" Rosetta shrieked.
"But you said this instant."
Kneeling down to pick up the plate, Rosetta actually looked to be on the verge of tears. He'd probably gone too far, crossed a line from playful banter into bullying. He considered himself an expert at lightening the mood, but he was failing miserably today. Sighing, Dean stepped away.
"Alright, I'm sorry. Thanks for taking care of this, Rose."
"It's my pleasure." She replied in a dull whisper.
"Look, for what it's worth, I'm glad to be back. It's really good to see everyone again, and honestly, it's been tough without all of you around."
Rosetta looked up at him with wide eyes for a moment before returning to her usual frown.
"How long are you staying?" She asked.
"About a week, maybe two." He lied .
"I see."
Once again, silence filled the room as Rosetta continued to clean. Dean decided that now was a good time to leave. He turned and made his way towards the door but paused and turned to Rosetta once more.
"Let's meet up with everyone later." He said
"Yeah"
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you were slacking off."
"I wasn't slacking!"
Rosetta's irritated voice followed him out as he left the kitchen.
Looking around the entrance hall, he realized that he had no pressing business now that he had finished his breakfast. Well, he did. He needed to find out exactly was going on with his old friends and see if he could convince them to leave this place once and for all. Easier said than done. Considering how his encounter with Rosetta went, it was probably best to avoid people until Addi could clear the air at dinner.She was always better at that than him.
When you didn't know what to do, take a walk. He would look around outside and reacquaint himself with the monastery, perhaps even find something fun to do along the way.
"Maybe I should spend some time in the library?"
When all else failed, a good book always saw him through. He'd spent many a quiet hour in the library as a child. It was big enough to disappear into for awhile if you didn't want to be found. Lost in thought, he was hit with an unexpected wave of nostalgia.
"Do you like books?"
Who had asked that again? Not that it really mattered. It was probably a faint memory from his childhood. In any case, it was time to explore.
Making his way to the exit, he pushed open the heavy oak doors and squinted as he was met with a bright sunny day. Being winter, the sun hung low in the sky and shone directly through the doorway. Once his eyes adjusted, he could take in the view of his surroundings.
A pristine courtyard of cobbled paths with a fountain at its center stood right in front of him. On the other side of the courtyard, immediately opposite was a building slightly larger and more ornate than the one he had slept in. People living in the monastery slept there, including Methaeus and the Brothers and Sisters of the church.
It was what was beyond the building, however, that took his breath away. High snowy mountain peaks, deep valleys and forested foothills could be seen far out in the distance. Dean whistled.
"I forgot how good the view was here. Not that I appreciated it as a child, I suppose."
Despite the late time of year, it didn't feel overly cold. The air was crisp but pleasant. Walking out into the courtyard, he took a left turn and passed by a bed of white flowers that had been there as far back as he remembered. It was here that one of the two most prominent buildings of the monastery was located. An enormous stone keep several stories tall stood in front of him. Its facade was imposing if rather plain, only broken up by arrow slits, which served as windows.
"Like right out of a medieval textbook." He whispered to himself.
Despite its ancient appearance, the building seemed well used, and a few people walked here and there on their morning business. However, something was strange. Not one person stopped to talk, and each of them wore neutral expressions. Some took a moment to glance at Dean as they walked by but that was it. Clearly, they weren't tourists. Also, many of them were young, around his age and younger. Some wore servants' clothing. Anyone older was clearly a brother or sister.
The keep had been transformed into a large library at some point, and it had often attracted visitors back when he lived here. There was even evidence that it had housed a famous academy at some point in history. He had no idea why such a remote place needed such a large library, but it certainly attracted many people's interest.
Feeling slightly uncomfortable because of the crowd, he decided to stop gawking and make his way inside the keep.
The massive wooden doors of the keep were open as they were too heavy to be opened and closed with every visitor. He entered the building and stood in a large hall with a grand staircase leading to the first floor right in front of him. There were no books on this level, only doors to private rooms and a reception that was unmanned. The upper floors were visible when standing in the hall's center as there was no ceiling there, and he could see countless bookshelves illuminated by sunlight shining through a large window in the keep's roof far above.
Dean,having seen this view many times, did not pause to gawk. There was an air of familiarity to this place, but the air felt somewhat tight, as if a weight had suddenly been placed on his shoulders.
"What's with this feeling?" He muttered to himself.
Remembering that the roof of the keep had been accessible when he was younger, he began climbing a spiral staircase, which sat barely noticeable in the corner of the hall. It was the most direct way to the roof and only really ever used by servants.
With little hesitation, Dean began to climb. His footsteps echoed on the dusty stone steps. After a long climb, he finally stepped out into the fresh air.
Panting slightly, he looked around. Flying buttresses, spires and intricate statues could be seen from the outer walkway, which surrounded the roof. In the distance, mountains and valleys filled the countryside. He could see a river weaving through the forest, which eventually flowed close to the monastery and onward further down the mountain.
"This feels much better." Dean said as he felt the weight lifted off him for a moment. Taking in his surroundings, he noticed that he wasn't alone.
A young man stood at the far end of the walkway, staring out into the distance. Dean thought for a moment as he saw the man out of the corner of his eye that he was talking with someone else, but when he turned to face him properly, he was clearly alone.
Dean dismissed it as a trick of the mind and approached the man as he strolled around the rooftop
"Hey," he said as he passed by.
The young man practically jumped out of his shoes as he swung to face Dean.
"Wh-what do you want?"
Why were people constantly jumping in fright at his presence this morning? The people here were certainly an odd bunch.
The young man regarded him silently for a moment. He wore rather formal clothing: a black suit and tie with matching pants and polished shoes. His physical appearance stood in contrast to his clothing, however. He was rather thin and pale with wiry black hair, not to mention his shirt was tucked out. He looked like a beggar who had just been forced into nice clothes.
Dean recognized the young man rather quickly. His name was Nicolas, and the two had spent a lot of time together when he used to live at the monastery. Remembering the awkwardness with Rosetta earlier, he decided to make a quick exit. Hopefully, Nicolas didn't recognize him either.
"Nothing, just a tourist passing by. I should be going." Dean said as he began to leave.
"Hey"
"Yeah?"
The young man looked at him with a complicated expression for a moment before looking away again.
"Nothing."
Nicolas looked down at his feet and would say no more. Thinking he had probably been recognized, Dean tried to make a quick exit. However, at that moment, a voice called out from the rooftop doorway.
"Boy! There you are. You know the meeting is starting soon. Why weren't you in your room?"
Standing near the entranceway to the stairwell stood a severe-looking man Dean recognized. Somewhere in his late forties or early fifties, he was strongly built with a square chin, short graying hair and a close-cropped beard. Imposing did not begin to describe this man's presence.
"Oscar?" Nicolas almost squawked, taking a step back.
He looked over his shoulder and seemed to be contemplating jumping off the roof to escape.
"I, um."
"What is it? Speak clearly, boy."
Nicolas drew in a deep breath as he rubbed his hands together.
"I don't want to. I'm busy right now."
What followed was a prolonged silence as Oscar glared at Nicolas. Even though his gaze wasn't focused on him, Dean could feel the pressure.
"To the cathedral, now."
The voice was low, and it felt as if the very building itself shook with its force. Dean had to prevent himself from finding a corner to hide in, and the man wasn't even speaking to him.
Nicolas was not so hesitant. The young man bolted and was out of sight within seconds. It was at that moment that Oscar seemed to notice Dean for the first time.
"So here you are, young man. Back at last."
"Yeah, long time no see." Dean replied meekly.
Oscar stared at him harshly for a moment before sighing.
"Even though you ran off and forsook your lineage, you're still a member of this community. You'd do well to attend the gathering as well."
Dean felt his muscles tightening at this suggestion. Well, judging by the tone, it was hardly a suggestion.
"I'm still feeling a little tired. I'll try to come next time, promise."
Oscar's stare grew even harsher, if that was even possible.
"So you still mean to trample over your family's good name. Very well. Keep your business here brief and be off with you."
Oscar turned and left the rooftop, leaving Dean standing there, frozen to the spot.
Alone on the rooftop, his mind racing, Dean recalled what he knew about Oscar. He was a politician and governor of this region and had a lot of influence back in the capital despite how rural his jurisdiction was. His family, like Dean's, came from old money, and he was always going on about traditional values and what-not.
"I'm not going to go to those gatherings again. Nope, no way, not happening."
He walked over to the other side of the roof and looked out over the edge. On this side one could see the cathedral, the other major building in the monastery. It exuded power with pointed arches surrounding stained glass windows and tall spires reaching to the sky. Most of the building was covered with leafy vines and other plants that were well-looked after. It made the large structure look like a massive forest.
People were gathering at the entrance, speaking to each other in groups of twos or threes.. Dean shook his head
These days, most people in the cities didn't practice religion. It had mostly been relegated to the history books. The only exception being the more remote areas of the countryside. That was not to say that some practices had stopped altogether. Funerals were still a big thing, even in the city. Also, people got more religious the older they were.
Most people still feared death and wanted to be saved. Well, when your time came, that was it. Rather than worrying about what came after, wasn't it better to make use of the time you had?
"With that in mind, let's see if I can't grab a book and a stiff drink of some sort."
Waiting an appropriate amount of time so as not to accidentally encounter Oscar again, Dean slowly made his way down the spiral stairs to the first floor. Perhaps some would disagree, but nothing beat escaping into the world of a good storybook. With technology rather limited here, it was his best bet for an enjoyable afternoon.
The library had grown even quieter than it had been when he'd entered. Most of the people must have gone to the cathedral. With that being the case, Dean was mostly left to his own devices as he casually strolled through the rows and rows of shelves that made up this grand library. For the first time since arriving, he could actually relax a little. The library's selection was astounding, to say the least. From old administration records and newspaper material to the most recently published bestsellers. If he didn't know better, he would have said that this library contained every book in existence. Of course, there was no way that could be the case.
Choosing a hardback fantasy novel he had heard about, he made his way down the stairs. On one floor, resting on a table, he noticed a large book lying wide open. While he was eager to find a place to sit down and enjoy the book he selected, he couldn't help feeling a bit curious.
Walking over to the book, he cast a quick glance around the library to make sure no one was around before bending down to look at the book. The text was small and organized into verses. Dean decided to scan the first verse.
As it has always been and always must be,
The Priestess elected and anointed in holy sacrament
She is The Goddess and The Goddess is she.
She will be known as Death, the Beginning and the End.
Responsible for all the world's goods and evils.
She will be a guide.
In the unending circle of death and rebirth.
"Just more drivel." Dean muttered.
"Have you finally decided to start studying the texts?"
Startled, Dean turned to Methaeus standing behind him. Well, he had startled enough people today, so it was only right that he himself would suffer the same.
"Sorry to disappoint, I was just having a look. I've got something else to read," Dean said, holding up the book he had chosen himself.
Methaeus ignored the book in his hands and walked over to look at the religious text on the table. As he did, his eyes widened
"This was lying open?" Methaeus asked quietly.
"Um, yes?" Dean replied, worried that he might have seen something he shouldn't have. Methaeus simply shook his head a little.
"The Goddess works in her own ways." He said as if that explained anything.
"Sure," Dean replied slowly.
"Please stay as long as you like, but don't remove books from the library. You can read here as much as you like. Even if it is one of those books." He said, looking at the book in Dean's hands with slight distaste.
With that, Methaeus made his way downstairs and out of the library.
Dean stood alone, the books forgotten for the moment. For some reason, he could feel anxiety build up from within, a hot, sharp pain in his lower abdomen.
"This isn't like me," he said with a nervous smile.
Ignoring Methaeus' words, Dean walked out of the library, book in hand. He was going to go find a drink, relax for a while, and hopefully avoid any more problematic people.