Finding Atonement
Chapter One
John-Paul McQueen looked down upon many, yet more people looked down upon him then he did them. He was a young peasant who lived with most of his family. The villagers has taken an instant dislike to them. They were a catholic family and they didn't care who knew it; naturally the protestants avoided them. Not to mention the lack of male presence in the household. His mother Myra was seen as a disgrace as she bared seven children yet the fathers were not anywhere to be found. She kept saying he was out at work however no man claimed to be her husband and father of her children. While his sisters were seen as harlots and nothing more. He found himself walking outside the church grounds as he began to play his flute. His eyes went towards a monk, this monk was on the ground, pulling out carrots and placing them in his basket.
"Hello...Thee hast a very noble yet dull life...Doth thee?" John-Paul asked him with self-confidence.
Kieron Hobbs, or just known as brother by everyone who addresses him is the monk's name. He hopes to become a priest one day however he has taken a vow and he will have to serve three years of being a monk.
"Vow of silence" John-Paul uttered to himself after no answer was given to him.
He began to play his flute once again and from the corner of his eye, he noticed that Kieron had an amused look on his face. John-Paul was a local musican and played with two other people in the local tavern 'The Attic'. It was run by a ruthless man called Warren Fox and his equally ruthless wife Louise. John-Paul was about to speak again however he noticed that Kieron was praying.
"Aideu" John-Paul quitely spoke before leaving him to his prayers. He honestly felt dismayed that he never got a word back.
...
Like always; things in the McQueen household was hectric. Myra was exhausted as she held a pot over the fire and has been doing this for three minutes. While Theresa and Celine were rowing about which one would remove the dead rat. Carmel was currently working as a weaver; she only got the job because the previous weaver died of the plague. Mercedes lived with her husband, Paul. He was a very fine doctor however he was an awful man and very few crossed him.
"When wilst thee ever get a job that pays enough coins for us?" Myra asked John-Paul.
He was the only person they could rely on to get a stable job. Bartholomew was not exactly going to do it. He stole for his food and never got caught neither; he was also rumoured to be a drunkard.
"When my love of song dies...I hast noticed that a monk works outside the churchyard; a very nice looking one" John-Paul replied, they knew about his liking of men.
Yet would never breathe a word otherwise John-Paul would be certainly be hung and shamed for all the village to see. Naturally all opposed to this notion however they accepted it when he spoke of 'telling the whole village'. The thought of his death was enough.
"Thee doth not think those thoughts about a monk...Thee hast already sinned enough" Celine hissed; leaning in closer towards him.
Theresa was equally as disgusted as everyone would be, it was against everything accepted in this world. She stood besides Celine as they both cornered him against a wall and he was ashamed to be overpowered by two women.
"Please...I beseech thee to keep all unholy thoughts to thyself...Us wenches hast to do so...so does thee...Remember John-Paul..Thee lives in a house run by women...Doth not cross us" Theresa advised.
They let him go before returning to their useless quarrel. Theresa pointed towards the dead rat as she insisted on Celine picking it up and placing it in someone elses house for a little practical joke.
"Excuse me wenches but as the eldest man in the household; I shell speak of my unholy thoughts whenever I please" John-Paul promised harshly.
Theresa looked at him unimpressed however they had to obey. They can't disagree with a man twice; that's one of their peculiar rules. He looked out his window just at the wrong time as a very cheerful Hannah Ashworth waved. He suddenly moved away but she already caught sight of him.
"Nay...She is walking over; pick up the rat and scare the poor wench away" John-Paul ordered as he watched a disgusted Celine grab onto it's tail.
She walked over towards the door as she showed it in front of Hannah. As expected, the young and feeble girl ran away in fright. Celine threw the rat onto the streets which caused an uproar.
"A tiny beast!" one man shouted in horror; Celine couldn't control her laughter as she tried to hide it by pretending to cough.
While the poor peasants were unfazed as they just sat down on the pavements. Including one very eccentric one; Francis Fisher (Or known as Kris Fisher to most people). He turned his nose up at the rat.
"Why I never...It's only one rat; dozens come into my abode every night...I speak of night and yet I wish to speak more; God rules the night and none of thee protestant can disagree; why must we quarrel?" Francis asked with a cough in between.
He felt very weak as he hasn't eaten since yesterday at noon. A concerned John-Paul walks over to him. He knelt down besides him as he watched Francis lay down on the ground. Still with his sense of humour.
"Why must us gentlemen not wear what ladies wear? Nay...Ignore me; I always blether on" Francis weakly spoke with a small faint chuckle.
He still had life in him yet; in fact he will do something which will end his life sooner then anticipated. Something irrational and thoughtless yet he will claim it as a protest and as a statement.
...
John-Paul returned to the churchyard a week later; once again with his flute. He let his eyes wander however he couldn't quite unsee the handsome monk. He played his flute to entertain the man he set his sights on.
"Thee art still silent? Of cause thee art...Why wouldst one wish to speak when one's mind can speak for much longer...Nobody wilt care what thee has to say anyway...Only God" John-Paul averred as he knew that would get his attention.
No words were spoken as Kieron just nodded as if it to say 'indubitably'. The local priest known as 'Father Raymond' was walking across. He noticed John-Paul trying to converse with Kieron.
"Fie on you boy! Wherefore art thee here? Tell me the nice reason; come hither" Father Raymond commanded and John-Paul had to obey.
The priest looked behind himself as he clicked his fingers resulting in the boys he taught running back into the church. One of his many other roles was to teach the local boys how to read and write.
"Father...I was merely speaking about how much I admire his will to not speak a word. As God is the only one who deserves to be spoken to...I canst see I was not in array; I give thee my humble apology" John-Paul replied with a general hope for forgiveness.
Like everyone else in the village; the man knew off the McQueen's very well. They come to his church every day. Therefore he recognized his face however only briefly. Even with that; John-Paul knew he wouldn't be allowed to stay.
"I doth accept... Repair home now" Father Raymond ordered and he watched as the young man did as asked.
He glanced at Kieron for a second before returning to the church to continue his class.
...
TBC