The Willowsbrook Chronicles - Chapter 20: The path of redemption!
The carriage wobbled and bounced over bumps. Within the lone passenger came to. Looking out a window, he saw many trees passing by.
We must be getting close to my destination, he thought to himself.
The man sighed as he leaned back into the seat. At one time, had anyone told me I would be on this path I would’ve laughed at them. That is, before I beat them up, the man thought as a sad smile crept over his face.
He had done so much to make amends for his past. Yet, he still wasn’t done with his mission. “The injury you suffer from will never heal, until you make amends with all those you have wronged.” Those had been the words of the Prophetess.
“And one does not argue with the leader of the Church of Mallastra. Not one with such a connection to the blessed Lady,” he commented out loud.
“Brother Terrell sir, is everything all right back there?” came the voice of the carriage driver from outside.
“Peace good driver, peace. All is well.” The priest assured.
The man then closed his eyes and clapped his hands together. “Oh, blessed Goddess of Love and Compassion," he prayed. "I thank you for bringing my mentor into my life, and setting me on this path. All that I ask, is that you give me courage to finish this mission.
“Let me succeed, that I may have my injury healed so that I may further carry out your will. Let compassion fill his heart that he may forgive the transgressions I committed so long ago. I pray for this Lady Mallastra in your name, blessed be."
He opened his eyes, and looked at the travel sack which contained his few worldly possessions. Looking outside again, he watched as the trees and brush passed by. Based on the look of things, it was clear the spring thaw was in full effect. “If the stories I’m hearing from this region are correct,” he observed. “I’ve no doubt the Druids in service of Keros and Kera are responsible for why this region looks much healthier. That, and the fact Gadros’ curse has ended help.”
That brought the man back to where he was. He was here for a purpose, one which was of paramount importance.
Gunther, the pious man thought. I have done you so much wrong, I hope and pray to the goddess that we can end this and start over. That would please me to no end.
“Brother Terrel, we’re approaching the end of the line sir. From there it should be a short walk to your destination. Though it’s still rather daft why you’d want to be all the way out here.”
The man of faith chuckled. “Big things are going on here, though one in question knows not how quite yet. Lady Mallastra has said I have a role to play in what is coming, so I go where she tells me to.”
“Aye, aye that be the way the Gods have always worked.”
A few short minutes later, the carriage slowed to a stop. The Mallastra priest grabbed his pack, and the Shephard staff he used.
The Priest heard someone clamber off the driver’s seat. The door then opened, and the burly cab driver stuck out a hand. “Here let me help you Brother Terrel. With that messed up leg, don’t want you falling and breaking anything else.”
The priest smiled. “I, and the Blessed Lady, thank you.”
The man helped the priest out of the carriage. “Thank you to you and your Prophetess milord, you’re always pleasant passengers.”
“Now I am,” The priest commented in a regretful tone. "But there was a time where I was much worse than that. Part of why I’m on this mission.”
The man moved to his robe, and pulled out a leather pouch. The driver extended a hand, as the priest untied the pouch. He poured several shiny clean gold pieces into the hand. The man smiled at the five-gold given. “This’ll go a long way towards me expenses for the way back milord.” The driver commented sounding grateful.
The priest placed a hand over the forehead of the driver. Both men closed their eyes and bowed heads. “Lady of compassion and love, bless this driver that he return in safety to Kesolar. Let him deliver more passengers and prosper, I ask in your name, blessed be.” The man of faith prayed.
“Blessed be,” the driver repeated, then raised his head and opened his eyes.
The priest turned towards the forest road at the bottom of the hill. All around him, Brother Terrel heard the pleasing sounds of birds chirping. A cool wind blew, rustling the branches of the trees whose leaves were starting to bud.
The troubled man of faith closed his eyes. His connection to the Blessed Lady, allowed him to sense the life that flowed in everything. The traces of the Druids’ healing magic were still quite notable.
He opened his eyes. “No disrespect to you or the lady Brother Terrell, but what are you hoping to find out here?” The driver asked.
“There’s an Inn that’s currently under construction. This inn will soon become quite popular, if all goes well.
Bidding the driver farewell, he headed down the hill.
He was careful to use his walking stick to support himself. That limp he had was still evident. The old injury had been there for many years, and from time to time he felt the ache of it.
“If what the Prophetess and Lady Mallastra says holds true, I’ll finally be free of my injury once and for all!” He muttered out loud.
A hymn in glory to the Goddess of Love and Compassion poured forth from his lips.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed when he found the road that looked cobbled.
“This work looks recent. It would appear that Master Builder McElroy and his family have indeed come into quite a bit of good luck.” He whispered in observation.
The man then walked up the road. It wasn’t long before he saw the two-story building with thatch that looked quite recent.
Though there was still snow on the ground, it looked like in a day or two it would melt away. Already blades of grass were poking through the remaining white powder.
The priest observed a walk way leading off the road towards the entrance. A chubby young woman who looked to be a little younger than himself was sweeping the wooden walkway. It was obvious, from the humble attire, this was a barmaid here at the Inn.
The man chose that moment to make noise with his feet. The young lady looked up from her sweeping. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw the priest approaching. “Hail good lady,” he greeted.
“Hail indeed Tearseeker!” The woman answered. “It’s good to see a servant of our beloved lady out here.”
The vicar felt a warm smile creep onto his face. “Ah,” he noted. “It’s always a pleasure to see a follower of the Goddess."
He stepped up to her. In response, the woman immediately bowed her head as he touched it. “May Mallastra bless you and your family with happiness.”
“Blessed be,” she answered.
After he pulled his hand away, the man of faith inquired. “Begging your pardon milady, but might you by chance be Naomi Kline?”
The chubby yet attractive woman’s face furrowed in surprise. “Aye good priest, I am.”
The man nodded as he felt the sadness well up. This was the moment of truth he had been waiting for… And yet dreaded. “Good, good, I’ve actually come here at the behest of Mallastra and Prophetess Josephine the second. Is Gunther Willowsbrook about?”
She nodded in confirmation. “Gunther is going over some plans with Master Builder McElroy. They’re currently deciding on what to do about a large set of ruins they've found. Why do you ask?”
The man sighed and shook his head. “I’ve come to request the chance to lease the Sanctuary that they’re working on. My Church wishes to convert it into a house of the Blessed Lady. The Prophetess wishes for me to take over duties there.
“And… I’m also here to make amends for some horrible things I did to Gunther when I was younger.”
The woman’s face furrowed. “Horrible things good priest?” she asked, sounding surprised.
The man shook his head feeling the old shame. “Alas good lady, there was a time where I was not the man of faith I am now. There was a time I was very much a villain of the worst sort, tis part of why I'm here.”
“I never got your name good Tearseeker,” the brunette woman ventured.
“Brother Terrel Antonius of Roccaforte.” He answered.
The woman looked him over. “No disrespect intended good priest, but I wanted to make sure you were sincere. My friend of many years is a good judge of character. But when he gets angry, sometimes his judgment becomes impaired.”
“Such is always the way of those who’s minds and hearts carry negative emotions, I understand.”
The woman’s face took on a serious edge. “Be warned,” she explained. “If what you say is true, he will not be happy to see you.”
“Tis been the way of things for all whom I've wronged," he stated shaking his head.
"But I must do this for my own peace of mind, and Mallastra's will. I come to bury the grievance with him for eternity.” The priest admitted.
The barmaid's face furrowed as she thought. Then it straightened as she reached a decision. “I’ll tell him you’re here.”
“My thanks Goodwoman Kline.” Terrel responded sounding gracious.
“So, tell me again how a wood beam of oak here can help add a measure of support to the extra rooms of the Inn?” Big Gunther Willowsbrook ventured. He and Connor McElroy stared down at the plans on the table for the extra rooms of the Inn.”
“Well you see…” Connor began.
The entrance door to the Inn opened. The Innkeeper noted Naomi enter, and looked uncertain about something.
“Naomi,” Gunther ventured, his face furrowing in open puzzlement. “Are you all right?”
“Gunther there’s something I need to tell you. There’s someone here who wishes to speak to you. He seeks to become a tenant in that chapel building the McElroy’s family are working on.”
The big man’s face furrowed. “So, how is that a problem? If anything, it’ll be a relief to have someone besides the Druids here. No offense against them, but more company is always welcome.”
She chuckled, sounding uncomfortable. “You see, that’s the thing, he’s a follower of Mallastra…” she began.
The Innkeeper’s face creased in suspicion. “I figured you would welcome a Priest of the Goddess of Love and Compassion. Okay Naomi, what aren’t you telling me?”
“You see… He knows you from your days in Ansolar.”
On hearing those words, Gunther felt himself tense. His childhood years had not been the greatest. There were many people from his past he would’ve preferred not to see again.
“Who is it?’ he asked, his voice flat and emotionless.
She took a long breath and sighed. “It’s, Brother Terrel Antonius.”
Gunther felt himself go cold, as rage and fear warred within his very being. “Did you say… Terrel Antonius?” he growled as he began to tremble.
She nodded. The man’s hammy hands gripped the table, as he felt the rage and anger in him boil up. He let go of the table, and without another word, headed past Naomi for the door.
He stepped outside, and walked up the path towards the figure standing there. The man looked a little older, and was clad in the garb of a Tearseeker of Mallastra. The big man recognized the blonde hair, the scar on the man’s right cheek and the Roccaforte male’s face.
The old rage blazed in him as he pointed at the priest and shouted, “You!”
The priest gazed on the innkeeper, a look of sadness on his face. Don’t let that look fool you Gunther, the big man thought. Knowing this horse’s arse, he’s playing games.
“What are you doing here you son of a whore?” The innkeeper snarled between gritted teeth.
The priest raised the hand that wasn’t holding the shepherd staff. “Peace Gunther, peace. I admit my presence here is not expected. And, based on your enraged expression, it's unwelcome.
“I’ve done some terrible things to you, and to Mother Allegra, may she rest in Cinya’s arms for all eternity.”
“You have some nerve showing up after all this time Antonius! Especially after what you tried to pull!”
The man took a couple steps towards the innkeeper. The man of faith’s gimp in his left leg was not hard to miss, and it was obvious the Shepherd staff was a means of support. ‘
“I agree, it was wrong of me to try and set the orphanage ablaze. What happened as a result was something I deserved.”
That reasonable tone enraged Gunther. “You antagonized me to the point where I used that damned wood beam to break your knee. Because of your mocking me, I ended up crippling you!”
Gunther turned away as he felt the years of rage and resentment welling up in him. “You forced me to commit a violent act that caused permanent injury. You made me do something I swore I would never do!”
“I did, and tis an action I’ve regretted every day. That’s part of why I’m here Gunther. I swear, as Mallastra as my witness, I want to bury this enmity once and for all.”
Well, Gunther finds himself in quite a predicament.
He’s faced with an old enemy who wants to make amends. Will Gunther find it in his heart to forgive? Or is there too much hatred there for that?
The story arc Burying the past continues next time. In the continuing saga of the Willowsbrook Chronicles.
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Previous: Chapter 19: Recipe for survival
Next: Chapter 21: An old enemy reemerges