The Willowsbrook Chronicles - Chapter 22: Mother Allegra's Tale
He was never sure how much time had passed when he came to. The first thing he heard was, “You know I would never call the captain or you unless it was important old friend.”
The big man felt the rage begin to boil up in him. Terrel had done something to him, but was it Terrel?
Something didn’t feel right. This hate that was driving him, didn’t feel at all natural.
Gunther Willowsbrook closed his eyes and tried to concentrate.
“I know boy,” A new voice, that of a kind yet stern older man replied. “And you did well in contacting us. Lossar and that witch girlfriend of his have gone the extra mile this time.
“The crew would've strung him up if you hadn’t explained things to them.”
“I still feel this is somehow my fault. Gods, why did I have to be a villain in my youth?” the voice of an angry and remorseful Terrel Antonius groaned.
“Boy, as I told you, we all do things in our past that we regret. What matters is the here and now. Right now, Mr. Willowsbrook’s sanity is in grave danger, best you leave this to me.”
“As you wish Master Healer.” Terrel answered in compliance.
Gunther then had a chance to look around. Based on the creaking he was hearing; he was on some kind of ship. The gentle rocking proved they were out in the ocean, and the roar of waves around him confirmed it. How did I get here? Gunther wondered.
It’s all his fault, it’s all Antonius’s fault. You need to break free and kill him.
Strangle him so he can never hurt you or anyone again, the insidious voice whispered to Gunther.
But… But wait, I don’t kill people, The Innkeeper realized, horrified at the notion of taking a life.
Gunther Willowsbrook’s memory started coming back. He'd started hearing that voice two weeks after finding Brianna Gabrielle’s library. Quigsley and Naomi, Connor and his family, he remembered. Morgan Kosarr has them, and they’re all dead.
It’s all his fault, it’s all Antonius’s fault, break free and kill him.
Gunther tried to resist, and felt another surge of white-hot pain race through him.
A powerful new presence broke through the haze and pain that threatened to take Gunther. “Enough Kosarr and Celina,” the powerful voice of the man called Master Healer bellowed.
“I will not allow you to use this one in your twisted scheme of revenge! I command you in the name of the Sun God and ruler of the universe Solarin, begone!”
Gunther grimaced as he heard two voices shriek in pain. Kosarr's voice called out. “Fine then, he’s yours, if you think you can free him! Tell Gunther that if he wants to see his friends again, he and the priest will come to us in two days!”
"You may have won this round old man,” an arrogant female voice quipped. “But this is only the first round of the endgame, and my beloved and I will triumph!”
The darker voice along with the other two individuals faded from the innkeeper's mind. Gunther blinked to clear his eyes.
A man with short cropped snow-white hair, a long beard and mustache entered the room.
The big man remembered Mother Allegra’s lessons on the various types of priests. He recognized the rich velvet blue robes and the three suns symbol on the robe. That marked this man as a Master Healer of Solarin. “Who,” he croaked out.
The healer raised a hand and walked over to him. “Steady son, steady.” He coaxed in a reassuring tone.
He pulled out a waterskin from his robes. “Drink this nice and slow Gunther Willowsbrook.”
The Innkeeper did as bid letting the liquid course down his dry throat. The man then spoke, “My name is Father Leopold Marshan, Master Healer and ship’s physician.”
Gunther’s eyes widened in recognition. “You’re the healer on board the legendary sea frigate…” he blurted out.
“The Sea Hawk, yes that’s exactly where you are. The Druids and Terrel brought you to the sea shore near your Inn where he used his sea crystal to call us. You're in quite a predicament young man.”
“What’s… What’s happening to me?” Gunther asked feeling terrified.
“You’re suffering from the effects of a Slow Fury spell. By my best estimation it’s been cast on you over the past several weeks. But fear not, this little plan of that witch and Kosarr ends, starting now!”
The healer mumbled something as his hands began to glow. The priest then waved a glowing hand over the big man. A lethargy swept over the innkeeper, and he felt his eyelids grow heavy. Then blackness took him again.
In a flash of blue light, Gunther found himself in an open meadow. The innkeeper got to his feet.
All around him there were trees, the sounds of birds, and a sense of peace. The forest around him seemed to go on forever. “Now where the hells am I?” he muttered.
“We’re in a world between dreams and reality young man.” A voice from behind the Innkeeper explained.
Gunther turned with a start, and found himself staring at the Master Healer… And Terrel. “What is he doing here?” The big man growled.
Then the big man noted something different. “Wait,” he thought out loud. “The animal hatred I felt is gone!”
“Indeed, here in this world, the dark magic used on you will have no effect. I’ve brought both of you here because we are going on a journey into your pasts. In order for you to be able to end the effects of Celina’s spell, it is time to address the enmity between you and Terrel here.”
The big innkeeper noted the blonde man's grieved expression. “I was hoping it wouldn’t have to come to this," the younger priest admitted. "Your animosity along with Kosarr and that witch of his being there, were a surprise to me.”
Gunther glared at Terrel. “I still don’t buy the whole you getting saved by Mallastra. How do I know you’re not lying to me?”
“That’s why I’m here,” Healer Marshan explained. The man clapped his hands together. “Blessed Solarin, Lord of the Universe, hear my prayer! Here in this sacred realm, let the secrets of the past come forth.
“Let these two find resolve to their issues. Let this enmity end, that they may continue to fulfill the will of you and the other Gods.”
Gunther grimaced, looking uncomfortable. “You find this notion discomforting, Goodman Willowsbrook?” Marshan noted.
“With all due respect, I haven’t been much of a believer in Gods. If they do exist, then why would they have given me parents who abandoned a child to an orphanage? Why would the Gods have given my childhood such pain and suffering? Also, I don’t want to be any kind of chosen one, it never ends well for them.”
“Come again?” Both priests inquired, sounding surprised.
“Every hero the Gods have ever chosen, ended up dead or crippled,” the Innkeeper' explained.
“Who in the world told you that?” The Master Healer asked, in a incredulous tone.
“Mother Allegra,” was Gunther’s answer.
To the big man’s surprise, Terrel actually grimaced. Master Healer Marshan rolled his eyes and sighed. “Allegra, oh Solarin’s patience, why am I not surprised?”
“What Master Marshan means Gunther,” Terrel explained. “Is those stories Mother Allegra told were not what they seemed. While not all out lies, they were either changed some or exaggerated.”
That statement took Gunther off guard. “Are you saying that I’m stupid?” he growled.
“Boy,” The Solarin priest stated in a lecturing tone similar to Mother Allegra's. “It doesn’t mean you’re stupid! You didn’t know, so don't see this as a personal attack on you.
“I'm explaining that Mother Allegra’s stories weren’t always accurate.”
“Concentrate on a time when she told you one of those stories,” the younger priest suggested.
As much as Gunther hated the blonde priest, he knew he needed to throw off whatever had been cast on him.
The big Innkeeper thought back to one of the Cinya Priestess's story times. He got quite a shock, when before them a circular opening appeared showing the main room of the orphanage.
There, before them, was Mother Allegra. Dressed in her long flowing robes, and the head covering she'd always worn. “Even after all that time, you still grieved my dear,” the Innkeeper heard Marshan whisper.
Gunther's face furrowed. Now what’s that supposed to mean?
“Now children, listen well as I again remind you of the importance of not being a hero,” she explained. “The tale I will tell you is that of the great warrior/king Ivan Velstand. He who helped unite the warring tribes, and set the stage for the founding of this kingdom.”
Gunther listened as the woman spoke. He was completely preoccupied with the story, until, “And in his final act, the brave warrior king….”
Then the scene halted. “Final act?!” The Solarin Priest interrupted, roaring in outrage. “Oh Allegra, you loving yet misguided fool!”
“I knew you wanted to protect those orphaned children. But this, Solarin forgive me! I should’ve intervened while you were still among the living,” Leopold Marshan lamented.
Gunther looked at the older man. “No disrespect Master Healer, but what do you mean?”
Terrel answered the question. “What he means is this. The part where Ivan Velstand sacrifices himself to that dragon…well, that wasn’t exactly true.”
“That’s impossible,” Gunther blurted out, both outraged and horrified. “Mother Allegra would never lie to us like that!”
“She would, if she was trying to protect you.” The Master Healer pointed out. “The truth to that story is Ivan Velstand did suffer burns from that dragon’s breath. But he recovered and lived a long life afterwards. I should know, I’m a descendant of Ivan Velstand’s brother Bureaus. A man who joined him in many of his adventures.”
Gunther’s face furrowed. “Bureaus Velstand, I’ve never heard of him.”
The Healer shook his head. “Not surprising, Allegra would have disregarded him. Twas likely an effort to ensure none of you left her side, until the time was right.
“Bureaus was the reason that Ivan survived many an adventure. My ancestor was a man in service to Solarin. He was a man who tempered his battle prowess with wisdom.
The older man beamed with pride. “That wisdom and faith, praise Solarin, has passed down through the generations.”
The Innkeeper felt like he’d received a hit to the gut. He didn’t want to believe, but the authoritative blue eyes of the Master Healer spoke of truth.
Gunther felt his whole world begin to shatter. The big man’s hands covered his face, as he felt the grimace come on. “Gods,” he groaned before he pulled his hands away.
“Why would she do such a thing?”
“Because of past traumatic events boy,” was Master Marshan's response.
The Solarin priest's words sunk in. The Innkeeper looked surprised. “You knew Mother Allegra?”
The older man nodded his confirmation. “I met her years ago when she was a young woman attending seminary. The collegium we attended promoted understanding among the various faiths of good.
“I met Janette Allegra when she was in one of my classes. We remained friends after she graduated. I was even there for her when…it happened.”
Gunther’s face furrowed. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
The old man grimaced in genuine heartfelt sorrow. “Tis better in this place if I show you.”
The older priest waved a hand. The picture became that of a younger Mother Allegra, on her knees crying over the dead bodies of a man and a boy. A house, likely her own, was burning.
“I was coming to visit Janette, her husband and son. That same night, a gang of Verilis, Lord of Bloodshed and Murder, slaughtered her family.”
The innkeeper grimaced in disgust. “I know of that filthy lot. It would explain why Mother Allegra often spoke of them with such hatred.”
The scene before him changed from one of grief, to one of slaughter.
Bodies of priests of Verillis were on the ground, not moving due to crushed skulls. Allegra stood tall. She was wielding a deadly looking bulbous mace. The weapon glowed with a powerful enchantment.
Her own robes torn, many cuts and bruises on her, her body and eyes glowing with a golden light. The look on her face sent chills down Gunther’s spine.
This was the look of a woman who had lost everything, and no longer cared.
“I felt that way the first time I saw that.” Terrel added.
Gunther’s mind finally put the pieces of the puzzle together. “So that’s why she made all those stories with the hero becoming crippled or dying.”
Then Gunther’s face soured. “As enlightening as this is, it still doesn’t clear up the matter of Terrel and me.”
The Solarin priest nodded. “Aye, tis true. Now Gunther Willowsbrook, you will see important events that transpired. The night the orphanage was almost set ablaze, and what happened afterwards.”
The man then closed his eyes. "I will also help you remember something from your past. Something involving the very first Innkeeper that hired you.”
Gunther’s face furrowed. “Wait, the first Innkeeper who hired me?”
“You haven’t forgotten about Jonathan Vanderbross, have you?” the older man queried.
The big man’s face paled as memory came back to him. “Old man Vanderbross, the first man to give me a chance.”
“He was a friend of mine from childhood, and this memory will set you on the path to ending the spell that’s been cast on you.”
Now things are becoming clear. So, Gunther has been under the effects of a Slow Fury spell. One cast by Morgan Kosarr’s girlfriend Celina.
Now Gunther and Terrel are in a strange otherworld to help them settle things. And now Gunther has some unexpected insight into Mother Allegra’s thinking.
But coming up, the story of Terrel Antonius’ change of heart comes to light. And it’s going to be a doozy of a tale.
Come back next time true believers to check it all out. In the continuing saga of the Willowsbrook Chronicles.
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