Warning: Nothing that the reader can't handle, but I'll do this anyway. There is a bible quote in this installment, so if you're offended by religious references, I honestly don't know what to tell you…
Disclaimer: I truly do hope you know better than to think I actually own the original for which this is based…
Author's Note: This is shaping up to be longer than I thought. I'll try my best to keep a consistent posting schedule because this is going to have multiple installments after all.
Thanks: Thanks for everyone's continued support-and continued curiousity!
Last time on "The Devil You Know"…
"Thank you," Adam said, preparing to speed walk in the direction of the large steeple, but then stopped. "I don't know who you are!"
"I am Rodrigo—and I am the forest's loyal and reluctant servant," he replied, turning to look up almost longingly at the ever-waxing moon. "Now go to her. She was a friend to me when no one else was."
Adam clung to his gift tightly and began making the trek to the chapel and after a while looked back to see the fellow who looked so much like his best friend still staring sorrowfully up at the moon.
And now, back to the show!
The Devil You Know pt.3: The Nun
Zen'Aku Lati
Adam was slowly coming to realize that this wasn't a joke, but this still stank. He wouldn't be shocked if a few Cogs came sauntering his way, after all, this wouldn't be his first alternate reality. Still, he had to keep his wits about him.
He pulled his sweatshirt closer about him and continued to tramp onward.
The boy had to confess that he was more than a little jumpy. Every whistle through the trees, every snap of twigs beneath his sneakers, every hoot of an owl, made him nervous. Robots he could handle, because at least then he had his Morpher. Now his wrist was bare…and he felt exposed.
And what of this 'friend' he was supposed to meet? How did he know this Rodrigo was trustworthy? After all he was warned against the Count, wasn't he?
But the boy also knew that staying in the woods wasn't an appealing option, either. So he kept his feet moving until he came to a clearing at the edge of the woods where it apparently became a cemetery. Of course. And rising from amidst the crypts and headstones was the large steeple of the chapel.
Adam took a deep breath. "Here goes."
The boy tried to knock the heavy wooden door without sounding like a tax collector, but the iron knocker made it impossible. And he especially hated how the noise seemed to echo throughout the forest.
After a moment, the ancient wooden door opened with a moan, and standing in the doorway was a figure in a black shapeless gown of sorts, head covered with a black cowl.
"Um," the boy began, clearing his throat. "Good evening. I w-was sent by Rock-I mean Rodrigo. He gave me this," the nervous boy clarified, presenting the person with the wooden crucifix.
"I believe you, dear," a youthful female voice replied. "You must be chilly. Come in."
Now fully indoors, Adam could identify that the gown the woman was wearing was a nun's habit—and that there seemed to be extensive burns on her face and hands. But in spite of that, he knew he recognized the face. It was Catherine. Damn.
The young man took stock of his new surroundings, noting all the little bottles and jars adorning the walls, opened books scattered across a table pushed in the corner—and a large cauldron hanging over a large stove…
Adam didn't want to judge, but this had been a bizarre evening. Here's to hoping she didn't try and eat him, or something! He couldn't help but glance in her direction at the thought.
"I'm sorry," Adam offered sheepishly, getting caught staring for the third time.
"No, it's fine. I would wonder about my burns, too," the young woman smiled patiently. "Let me tell you how I came to look this way." She paused and then began.
"I always knew even as a child, that I wanted to help others, and I could never turn down someone in need. I helped those that others would turn their backs on. The ones that society dismissed. Who am I to judge, for am I not such an outcaste? After all, did I not decide to go against the social norm and live a life of celibacy and piety, rather than choosing what was expected of me as a woman? Marriage and children?"
"So," Adam began carefully. "Are you wiccan, or druid, or…?"
"Nothing of the sort, dear boy," the woman interjected. "Please sit." She sighed.
"Tell me, has your mother never offered you soup when you weren't feeling well, advising you to sweat away the cold and take your cough medicine? Well it was these home remedies that I passed along to the ailing and suffering people I encountered. I started collecting herbs and roots, making teas and tablets. I was an apothecary, and then I decided to join a convent.
"But despite the fact that I had committed my life to serving the Lord and my fellow man, I was persecuted, accused of witchcraft and condemned to burn at the stake. Just when I began to wonder how God could forsake me so, Rodrigo, one of my lost souls, rescued me—but not before the fire burned most my flesh. I've been here ever since.
"But enough of that. I trust Rodrigo sent you here for your safety. You must be so tired. You may stay until danger passes. What little I have is at your disposal."
Adam had to shake his head. He had read of women being persecuted like this. Being burned with acid, or stoned because of some antiquated law.
And he could tell that despite her pledge to turn the other cheek and bite her tongue, bitterness no doubt lined her thoughts.
God, he honestly read too much.
The boy was so preoccupied that he barely noticed that someone else had come up behind him…
Upon seeing the new arrival, the lady's scarred face lit up. "Dear Rodrigo!" she cheered, smiling broadly. Even if Adam hadn't known how gorgeous Catherine naturally was, he could still tell that this woman once was very beautiful.
"Sister," the wolfish young man acknowledged with an equally bright smile, nodding his head respectfully before entering. No doubt Rodrigo wasn't deterred by the burns that took over most of her face, gazing on her lovingly.
"Holy crap! Rodrigo, you scared me half to death! I didn't know you were behind me!" Adam yelped.
"Did you think I would have you come all this way unattended?" the imposing young man rationalized. "I might as well walk you to the Count's door!" He then joined Adam at the table.
"Let me warm up some supper for you two. You must be famished," the lady offered.
"Let me help," Rodrigo offered, popping out of his chair.
"No, no. You must save your strength. You patrol tonight. I insist," the kind woman dismissed, scurrying over to the make-shift kitchen.
Rodrigo sat back down, sighing and shaking his head. "She'll make a gentleman out of me yet!" he vowed. "If not an honest man…" His voice trailed.
It took a whole minute for Adam to realize that 'Sister' didn't mean a sibling relation…
"I don't wanna pry, but it's obvious you have feelings for her. What do you look so guilty?"
The burly youth should his head. "Perhaps in another life we could've been together. But in this life I've retired from society, and I won't have her break her vows to God…even if it's to make vows to me." He smiled then and added, "But she knows my true heart, and so long as she can see the good in me, I need nothing else. She truly is an angel among men. My Catherine...I live to protect her."
Shortly after, Catherine returned with a large tray of food and a kettle of water for tea, and Rodrigo insisted on helping her set the table. No doubt she had heard everything, but she played innocent—even though Adam caught her smile briefly.
When the meal was over, Adam was shown to the upstairs room he'd be staying in, but sleep wasn't happening…
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…"
Well into the night the light from the fireplace still flickered, and the Sister's voice could be heard softly reading a comforting Psalm from her rocking chair.
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul…" And seated at her feet much like the loyal four-legged companion he favored was Rodrigo, listening with closed eyes as she ran her blemished fingers through his hair.
"He leadeth me down the path of righteousness for his name sake…" At points he'd nuzzle her knee, growling softly to himself and swaying ever-so slightly.
"Ye, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me," she read. "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me…Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever," the woman continued.
"Amen," Rodrigo finished, opening his eyes and sighing before coming slowly to his feet.
"May God's power protect you," Mary-Catherine bade.
"From your lips to God's ears, good Sister," the brutish-looking man replied, then leaned down to place a tender kiss on her flawed cheek. He then grabbed his vest of weapons and his long coat and headed out into the night.
Monday, November 14, 2011