Chapter Two

Kieron was walking across the pathway leading towards the church with his two fellow monks; Niall Rafferty and James Adams . They were very fond of one another as they built their abode together. They haven't spoken to each other since this day after all three took a vow of silence however this was set to change.

"Salve totus" Father Raymond spoke to the crowd; the monks quietly sat down in the back.

The McQueen's looked at each other with a knowing look; they finally understand what that term means in English. Since none of the girls went to school since they are poor and not rich; Latin was not something they knew. John-Paul and Bartholomew only went to petty school therefore they never knew either.

"Stare usque" Father Raymond then spoke which resulted in the churchgoers standing up.

He opened the bible and began on the very first page. He began to speak the bible in Latin. Only stumbling on his words a couple of times. John-Paul looked behind himself and he noticed Kieron again. He kept looking without much shame.

"Hark! Thee art all going asunder from God!" a passerby shouted in, they were clearly an Elizabeth the 1st supporter.

They glanced at this person for a few seconds before turning back to the priest. He cleared his throat before reading the bible out loud again. This went on for half an hour straight; naturally their feet were hurting but it was a duty that they all believed they had.

"Tibi ut omnis relinquo" Father Raymond finally spoke before closing the bible; this resulted in them all walking towards the exit.

John-Paul pushed past his family in hope of seeing where Kieron goes after hours. Celine shook her head. He follow behind the three monks as he was curious to where they went however he was pulled back by three women.

"Thee art very sinful" Celine hissed while crossing her arms with Theresa and Myra; they have been discussing this matter with each other since last week.

Theresa screamed however as someone lifted her up; the very embarrassed William Savage placed her back down. This resulted in John-Paul making his escape as the three women turned their attention elsewhere. Kieron couldn't help but notice that he was being followed however he dismissed it.

...

"I have chose to leave thee...my loyal brothers. I set out on a quest and I wilt no longer go along with thee to church. I'm a weak man and I can no longer have faith in something my heart is affrighted of...God is no longer the only marrow I wish to devote my life to; I bid thee farewell with a heart that is set to be confused" James announced with great sadness.

He broke his vow of silence and his duty. He was clearly serious about leaving the monastery and that was his last visit to the local Catholic church. With Kieron and Niall looking on once again, both feeling different things. Niall felt torn as he looked at James with a feeling of odium but also longing. Kieron mouthed a sad farewell back.

"Adieu" James spoke as he took one last glance as the two men he spent the best of six years with before leaving.

He left their abode as the reason he was leaving stood there waiting for him. His young lover; Sarah Barnes. John-Paul looked on in surprise as he watched Sarah and the ex- monk leave hand-in-hand.

"I lovest thee Sarah...I hast left the monastery for thee. I wilt not lie to thy face and say I didst it out of ease however my love...I doth not regret leaving the monastery as I wouldst rather be with thee then with them; I beesech thee to be my wife" James nervously spoke.

The young Sarah let go of his hand as she stepped away for a second and turnt around with a hidden smile however her smile faded away when she realized that this cannot happen. This is not legal and no church would allow this wedding to take place.

"O! James; thee knowest that this may not be... As much as I wouldst lovest it to be...Thou took a vow and that still stands...Thou will be imprisoned...Thou will be imprisoned" Sarah cries.

John-Paul stepped back as his silent joy for the couple James and Sarah faded. He felt sorry for both of them. Sounds of a horse galloping was heard as a very fine looking gentleman rode in.

"No...No! Whom didst thee tell? Thee speaks of imprisonment just as the very gentlemen arrives...I thinkest thee set me up. O! I lovest thee Sarah...I beesech thee to not go to my foretold hanging! I beesech thee! If thou doth then I wilt look into thy eye and deny I ever loved thee!" James shouted as they were pulled away.

They both stole one last kiss with each other before James was pulled away from a tearful Sarah.

...

John-Paul was shaken up after witnessing the whole exchange. He arrived home to find Celine tending to an injured Francis. She was known as the 'Wise Woman' and tended to the men and women who fell before her. Celine was accused of witchcraft however she survived the trial and they let her carry on with her work as the 'Wise Woman'.

"Thou art very pretty" Francis remarked to Celine as she passed him a liquid which was a combination of water and urine.

She always tested her new ideas on the world of medicine. Francis was complaining about a toothache. He placed the 'unknown drink' next to his nose as he gave a look of disgust however if this was the cure, he supposed it was worth it. It wasn't of cause but he didn't know that as he drank the revolting substance.

"John-Paul...Thou lookest like death" Celine commented as Francis passed her back the cup.

Theresa put her hand out as she knelt besides Francis, he gave a sigh. Everyone who goes to Celine for a cure has to give something back in return to the family. He passed a very smug Theresa a piece of cheese.

"O! Thee wenches will run me dry...I hast not a lot left for me self" Francis complained however it was his own fault and he knew it.

Francis was an Irish traveller. He has no current occupation and mainly has to rely on his many friends for food and drink. He use to be an actor as a boy however and he adored it. Despite the pins always digging into his skin.

"Then stop coming and let thy tooth ache" Celine suggested however he shook his head much to her amusement. That was not an option for him quite frankly.

The Irishman got up as he walked past an unstirred John-Paul and out the wooden door. John-Paul crossed his arms as he looked at his grandmother, also known as Nana and even lesser known as Marlena. She was trying to read a poem her own father wrote and she only has one more line to understand.

"I quest no more yet my heart doth not knowest that" John-Paul informed them all however none of them quite understood what he was alluding to.

...

TBC