II: Choice
He punched the air repeatedly, imagining an opponent. Though he was intent on his work he also kept an eye out for Master Fernando. The old man usually came by around this time to watch his student's training, and Cosmo didn't want to let his teacher down. He saw a figure approach but it was coming from the wrong direction to be Fernando. When the person was close enough he saw it was a rather pretty girl in the uniform of a Vareth student.
"Well, hi!" he grinned happily. "We don't get very many Vareth students passing through here." He paused in his training to better speak with the girl. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I'm looking for Master Godwin," she responded. She had a very sweet voice. "Is he around?"
"Yeah, but why do you want to see him?" Cosmo attempted a winning smile and did a few moves for her. "I could help you out."
"I'd like to speak to him about Miranda," she answered. Cosmo's smile dropped immediately, replaced by a rather nasty glare.
"Hey, now. You're not trying to get Miranda into your institute, are you? Because she wouldn't leave the order for anything! She's worked too hard for Master Godwin!"
"No, no, you misunderstand me!" said the girl hastily. "I just wanted to--" She stopped, frowning a bit at Cosmo. "Are you very good friends with Miranda?"
"Of course I am. I doubt anybody could meet her and not want to be friends with her." The girl smiled at that. A very nice smile she had, too. It made Cosmo forget about his earlier outburst.
"Exactly how good of a friend are you to her?" the girl asked him, sounding nervous. This conversation was taking a very strange turn and Cosmo had the feeling he was missing something. He drew a bit closer to the girl, studying her face.
"Why are you so interested in Miranda?"
"I…" The girl fidgeted under his stare. "I want to speak to Master Godwin about that." Cosmo frowned, but it didn't seem like he would get any more out of this girl. Anyway, he doubted she was any danger to Miranda.
"Yeah, all right. His room is in Universal Tree Hall." She smiled and thanked him, hurrying inside. He watched her disappear into the chapel. There was something very odd about that girl. He couldn't put his finger on it…
Once inside, Felix breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment there he thought he would be turned away by that young priest. His confidence had certainly waned talking to the other man. Still, he had come this far and he would regret it if he didn't at least try to go on. He took a deep breath and walked down to Universal Tree Hall. He had never been inside the chapel before but there was a helpful priestess who pointed him in the right direction.
He was hit by nerves when he stopped in front of Master Godwin's door. He had no idea what he was going to say, and if Miranda was in the room… He stared helplessly at the door for several minutes. Finally he raised his hand and rapped his knuckles on the door. The door opened and there was Miranda on the other side.
"Felix! What a nice surprise to see you."
"Hi," he said faintly. There was someone else in the room with Miranda: a short old man with tufts of white hair on his mostly-bald head and a little white beard. He'd never actually seen Master Godwin before, but was certain it could be no one else.
"Miranda, do you know this young man?" Master Godwin asked, turning to his pupil.
"Yes. This is Felix, the Vareth boy I told you about."
"Oh, I see." The old man grinned up at Felix, and the boy felt a sudden heat rush into his face. "Well, it's very nice to meet you, young man. What brings you to the Olacion Order?"
"I… well…" He didn't want to speak his purpose in front of Miranda. "I hoped I could speak to you, sir. You are well-known at the institute and I would consider it an honor if you granted me a short audience." That sounded good enough. Master Godwin's smile made him nervous, though; it was almost as if the old man already knew the true reason Felix was there.
"Miranda, would you go out into the main chapel?" Godwin requested. "We will continue our meditation shortly."
"Yes, Master Godwin." She smiled at them both before departing. Godwin waited until she was out of hearing range before turning to Felix.
"You are the one that gave Miranda those flowers," he said. He didn't sound angry or disapproving, which could only mean good things. "Tell me why you're really here."
"Sir, I like Miranda very much," Felix began. "She's very kind and friendly, and the first person I've met in a long time that could tell I was a boy. I haven't had much time to speak with her but when I do I enjoy it. I know how devoted she is to you, sir, and that's why I've come here. With your permission, I would like to spend more time with her." He stopped there, clasping his hands together tightly waiting for Godwin's response.
"You wish for me to put a hold on her training so you can win her heart. Is that about right?" Godwin was no longer smiling, but he still didn't sound angry.
"Ah… no, not exactly, sir," Felix answered. "I wouldn't ask that. Her training is important to her just like my studies are important to me. What I would like is more time with her." Godwin scrutinized him thoughtfully; Felix tried to stand at his full height and hold his head up high.
"When are your classes at the institute?" the old man asked.
"My…? Oh, no, sir, I do independent study," Felix told him, puzzled at the question.
"That's good. I'd like you to be here at six o'clock tomorrow morning." Felix felt more confused than ever. "If you want to spend time with Miranda, you'll have to go by our rules, and here we believe in hard work. Be here at six o'clock, and I'll tell you what to do from there."
"Yes, sir, Master Godwin." Understanding himself to be dismissed, Felix bowed and headed back toward the chapel. Perhaps Godwin wanted to make sure Felix was serious about this, and that was why he appointed such an early time. It didn't really matter since Felix was awake at that hour anyway. He spotted Miranda deep in prayer; he didn't wish to disturb her but he wanted to say goodbye, so he gently touched her shoulder.
"Is your discussion with Master Godwin finished?" she asked.
"Yes, we're finished," he responded, quickly taking his hand away from her shoulder. She smiled, rising to her feet.
"Master Godwin is very wise. I feel privileged to be his student, and I'm reminded of how lucky I am when even those outside the order come to seek his wisdom. I am very glad you came, Felix. I hope I'll be seeing you in the chapel again."
"I hope you will too," he answered quietly. He very much wished to squeeze her hand in farewell but settled for a bow. He would see her again the next day.
------
Miranda woke up early as she always did, wanting time for prayer before her training began for the day. Dawn was just beginning to fade into the full glory of day as she made her way to the chapel. She pulled open the door and let out a loud gasp of surprise.
"Good morning, Miranda," Felix greeted her. He was kneeling on the ground, his long hair pulled back and the sleeves of his uniform rolled up. The bucket of water close by and the sponge in his hand told Miranda he was cleaning, but something didn't add up. Why would someone from the Vareth institute be doing the chores of a priest in training?
"Felix… what are you doing here?"
"Scrubbing the floors," he replied. "They're really dirty." He smiled at her dumbfounded expression and continued what he was doing. She couldn't think of what to say and stood there for several moments watching him work.
"So, does this mean you're wishing to join the order?" she asked finally.
"No, nothing like that. It's just something I have to do, that's all."
"You shouldn't have to do it, though," Miranda persisted. He was certainly not built for manual labor. "I will speak to Master Godwin." She hurried off to her master's room, hoping he hadn't already left. Luck was with her: he was still there, and was waiting for her.
"You're here early, Miranda," he noted, smiling fondly at the girl. "You usually pray before coming to training, don't you?"
"Yes, but this is important, sir. I noticed Felix was here-- that boy from the Vareth Institute-- and he's doing chores. I wondered if there was something you could do so he could go home."
"Why, Miranda… Do you not like seeing your friend here?" Godwin asked her, grinning broadly. She felt her face turn hot in embarrassment. Certainly seeing Felix had been a surprise, but it was not an unwelcome one.
"I do like seeing him," she answered, "but I would prefer seeing him at the institute. What I mean is he shouldn't have to be doing this work."
"Yes, he shouldn't have to," Godwin agreed. "But he is doing it of his own free will; no one is forcing him to scrub those floors. Now, that is enough stalling. We need to start your training today." Miranda tried to protest but he flipped up in the air and disappeared as he did every day.
Miranda jogged off after him as she always did. She tried to concentrate on her training but her mind kept going back to that image of Felix kneeling on the chapel floor with a sponge in his hand. She only hoped that once he was finished he would go back to the institute. Perhaps he would be there when she passed by. With that thought in mind she sped up to get there faster and have some time with him before going on.
However, when she made it to the institute Felix wasn't outside waiting for her. She went in to check the library, but he wasn't there either. The other students she asked informed her they hadn't seen Felix all day. Could he possibly still be at Olacion? She hurried over there to see for herself. Godwin was there teaching the young ones, but no sign of Felix.
"Master Godwin, I'd hate to interrupt the lesson, but where is Felix?" she asked.
"I believe he's out back," the old man replied. Miranda thanked him and hurried to the back of the chapel. Felix was there as Master Godwin said, stacking up firewood onto a cart. He looked dirty and tired, and his clothes were torn.
"Felix?" The boy turned on hearing his name. His face was red, most likely from exertion. "What are you still doing here?"
"This firewood needs to be moved inside," he explained as he lifted another piece onto the cart. Miranda drew closer, reaching out to take his hand in hers. His palm had blisters ready to burst, and splinters were imbedded in his skin.
"This is not your job," said Miranda, gently extracting as many splinters as she could.
"I know, but it's something I need to do."
"Let me carry some of the burden!" she cried, clasping both her hands around his. He stared at her in surprise and squeezed her hand a little in return. "I'm strong!" she insisted. "If the work must be done, then please rest and I'll carry the wood."
"I don't doubt your strength, Miranda," Felix said calmly, "but what kind of person would I be if I sat idly by watching you work? No, I could never do that."
"Then at the very least please sit down to rest," Miranda persisted. "There's no need to work yourself to exhaustion."
"I'll rest when I finish," he assured her. He pulled away from her and continued stacking wood onto the cart. Miranda watched him, feeling hopeless and distressed. She knew she should return to her master but she also wanted to stay in case Felix needed anything.
Miranda chose to stay.