Crusade Through Repentance
Chapter-1 Genile Beerher from Bavaria
Mendelrung Monastery, Bavarian Alps, Winter, 1235 A.D.
The highlands of central Europa were very different from the lowlands found around Dunwyn. Nor lands around any kingdom for that matter. Mendelrung Monastery was the crown jewel hidden in the mountains, containing a small village regionally know for it's beliefs and it's unique differently brewed beer.
Mendelrung was made different from many other monasteries in Bavaria after the arrival of Winston Helsing about eleven years ago. There was already a small number of orphans being raised within it's walls over the years, but now there was more a means to educate and show them their places in the world around them. What began with Winston giving reassurance lectures to the village soon became one of the largest arrays of information regarding mystical, enchanting creatures in Bavaria. Still keeping to it's practices of spreading the lord's word to young orphans and teaching them skills to have them eventually go off on their own ways. Many became apprentices in the nearby village, others moved to Munich and other lower villages to grow crops on larger scales, and a few stayed to become the next generation to preach. One young man on the other hand had none of these destinies after reaching adulthood. Soon enough though, especially with Winston's guidance, he would find his way into new lands and start searching for what he was given a long time ago.
Genile Beerher, now at 21 years of age, was in the monastery's archives searching over potential crops to grow in the garden for next spring, from places near and far. He was just below six feet tall with a average figure. He had shorter black hair and often adorned either a monk servant alb if serving or in common traditional lederhosen if on his free time around the village. The most unique feature about him that no one could explain would be his darker emerald eyes, different from any other green eyes around. Thankfully everyone he's been living with has gotten used to this abnormality over the years.
If there was one person to represent the monastery, it was certainly Genile. Not only because he has devoted his current life to bringing a hand to keeping the monks, sisters, and others living there a healthy and religious lifestyle. But he was amongst the few to be raised almost since birth at the monastery, while most others who stayed there for that long had some families in the local village. While he was nice to everyone there and had learned plenty to offer in terms of hospitality. There was a sense that had been bothering for quite some time: Should he continue devoting his life to staying here in Mendelrung, or was there calling elsewhere for him to find his life's true potential purpose? He had gotten influence from many people living there over the years, and no doubt carried many of the traits he's learned with him to this day. Yet there are few who devote their lives to teaching the lord's work, was he up for that? Or ever since learning about the mythical creatures found specifically in Dunwyn, was that a calling to a different destiny? He had become so lost in thought he didn't even hear his name being called from behind him.
"Genile?" He then got up and turned around to see a very familiar face to him: Sister Annalise Reinheld. Appearing in her usual nun gown.
"I guess I've been lost in my thoughts again," He confessed, "Is there something else you need me to tend to at this hour?" Since it was starting to become the evening.
"Nothing of huge concern from me right now so no need to be worried." She answered, "You still remind me so much of when you were just a child, always wanting to give a hand even when you don't have to. Such a admirable trait for a young man of your kind to have." Complimenting him as if she was his mother.
"Well danke again Anna, but its a few years too late for me to still call you mother." Reminding himself that she was the closest to a mother he would ever have. "Anyways did someone else here have business for me? You said yourself it wasn't a huge concern for you."
"You did catch that detail," She complimented honestly, "There was a message that came today for Winston, he didn't tell us what it detailed but he requested that you speak personally with him about it's subject."
This was quite the news for Genile. Winston did get other messages before from other villages in Bavaria and other nearby lands, but he was never reluctant to share what they detailed with others living at the Monastery. "I guess it must be quite the important message if he wants only me to see it." He assumed.
"I think that goes to show how much he trusts you," Annalise replied, "You have certainly changed for the better after he showed up years ago. And I'm so thankful to the lord for him restoring our village to show even after that dreadful, hellish day. Things can always return to a longing peace."
"That's another reason I feel so much at home here," Genile said back, "You always give me so much hope. I may not be Winston's only student, nor am I his apprentice, but you're right. He must trust me so dearly to have him want me alone. Danke for informing me and I shall see you in the kitchen when I'm done." Annalise acknowledged this and started walking away. Once she was gone Genile placed the book back on the shelf, secretly secured two stone tablets in his pack, and started heading to the lecture hall where Winston was normally found.
The lecture hall was one of the more recent additions to the Monastery during it's reconstruction before he came along. Intended to be used for traveling pastors to have their own rooms to speak with monks or nuns in private or while a mass was in session. Winston started using it to teach about his discoveries in Dunwyn, and to give much needed answers to questions about the force that had caused so much pain years ago.
As Genile approached the chamber doors, he could see from under the doors was light. Showing the fireplace found in the center was still in use, and that the candle on the door side was still lit. Telling him Winston was still in there, most likely reading through other books found in the archives. After knocking on the door there was a soft reply in a much less common English accent. "Genile, that didn't take you long, come in."
He then entered the hall with Winston alone at his desk, away from the circularly arranged seats all facing a table in the middle in front of the fireplace. Whenever he wasn't giving a lecture, or giving a hand to others elsewhere in the monastery, he was here at his desk right outside his quarters.
"Sister Anna told me about a letter you received Mr. Hesling?" Genile questioned, speaking now in Winston's native language.
"Now Genile," He turned around as he began, "You've known me for long enough and we've gotten close enough that Winston will do just fine." Winston Helsing was taller than average and normally adorned a fancy gray scholar's robe with golden stripes for the corresponding Advent season. His gray hair and six inch long beard certainly showed his age and accompanied wisdom. As he closed the book behind him and placed down his reading glasses.
"I was trying to be formal," Genile admitted, "Considering it's not like you to ask for private conversations after receiving a letter."
"You're right on that front," Winston agreed, "I planed on speaking with you privately about this for now. After this I shall ask for my other best students individually, and then gather with everyone else here about the ordeal that's come to my attention. Besides, I knew your punctuality could be counted on and you've learned my language perfectly so you'll certainly understand what this is about."
"Thanks Winston," Genile said thanking the compliment, again keeping to in Winston's native language. "What is this ordeal about you speak of though?"
"Have a seat," Winston directed to the center they could sit facing each other in front of the fireplace behind the center table. "The letter I received was from Dunwyn, although it was nice to see them remember me after so many years. This letter was not a friendly update but a summoning through desperation. It seems in this past year, the long standing peace the lands were in when I had left is gone, and now the kingdom is at war with a peculiar opponent."
"Another kingdom?" Asked Genile, "Seems unlikely based on what you've told me about few established kingdoms are close to Dunwyn."
"It's no neighboring kingdom, nor is it the force that tarnished this Monastery years ago. It's best you have a look for yourself." Winston finished as he handed a scroll to Genile, as he began reading:
Dear Winston Helsing,
I hope your travels to Bavaria have been successful in restoring peace to this village and Monastery you mentioned years ago. And that you have found out more about this evil creature you warned about. Although it has been years since you departure of our kingdom in your knowledge spreading endeavors, I regret to inform you that the kingdom and woods of Dunwyn are in their darkest hour. A mere four years since you left, one of my knights has conspired treason against me. Trying to take the kingdom for himself, he committed traitorous actions which lead to my queen Vespilla's death. The knight in question was new to the court when your travels began: Duke Sigmund Igthorn. He has since been the only knight of my court to be stripped of his title and banished from the kingdom. Although the death of Vespilla was hard for the kingdom to take, especially my daughter Calla. I pledged to move forward and for a long time the peace that you were a custom to seeing continued. That was the truth until Duke returned.
After nearly eight years of banishment, he somehow has found a way to live independently in the foreboding lands of Dreakmore, which I recall even you saying was filled with malicious and 'unholy' creatures. He has amassed an army of creatures from those lands to fight against us. His desperation for my throne has corrupted him beyond my comprehension. For many fights we were at a stalemate, for a while he was unsuccessful in causing any permanent damage to the kingdom. But now we have finally had peasants injured and even lost a knight of my court due to his attacks. He has finally depleted my people's morale and my court's confidence to where even my veteran captain, Sir Tuxford is uneasy with what awaits us.
There are simply no others of your kind here to turn to for advice. These creatures he's using against us are becoming too strong to fight hand to hand, and after finding evidence of him looking through old books containing lost information regarding these hostile beings. I dread for what's to come for us. I, my daughter, my court, and all residents of the kingdom beg for your return. You were always there for my father as a consultant even in those lost days of peace, and now I request your return to bring hope back to us. So that we may finally find a way to fight back against Igthorn, and restore the peace that blessed our lands for generations.
I greatly await for your arrival.
King Gregor of Dunwyn.
Signed November 12, 1235 A.D.
Genile was rather surprised upon finishing the letter. The land of Bavaria the village was settled in was neutral so any kingdoms, both near and far, were almost never involved. Especially since Winston originally came on his own terms. Even after the disastrous event that nearly destroyed the village years ago, war was something no one here had seen first hand. So to get a plea from a kingdom so far away was unthinkable, despite Winston's original life there.
"Of all the things you've told me about Dunwyn, I'd never expect their king to be so desperate for your return." At first, it seemed Winston wasn't quite as serious.
"The king has certainly learned how to beg for assistance since he's taken throne." He stated rather comically, "Granted I knew his father King Alton better, but Gregor was handling the throne very well not long before I left. Considering how independent the kingdom has been for decades I will say it's impressive only now there's conflict under his leadership. I do believe his calling, but it's clear his lands are still scarce with peaceful religious practices. Otherwise there'd be more hope in their struggle, and they somehow think me returning will be a miracle and all is well again? They still need to learn that I am no soldier nor can I just make all their problems magically disappear. All the better I stay here." At first Genile was shocked at his decision.
"Stay here?"
"I'm too old as well, the age of 70 is very rare for any person to reach. When I first came here I was lucky to not need a third leg to assist me in these mountains, let alone live this long. And now King Gregor begs for my return when I am far beyond the age to battle?" His age was sadly taken for granted once he arrived. While older age wasn't uncommon amongst the others living here, Winston's age was a rare sight for anyone. Traveling that long and far would surely be too much for him to endure.
"Thankfully he did not specify any deadline he wants me or one of my students to arrive. Whomever decides to go can at least spend one more Christmas here."
"That still does not seem like long to decide such a fate." Genile's unsure reply was somewhat expected given these large circumstances.
"Genile, it's no secret that you're older than most of my other students, let alone the current orphans here. And how you are still undetermined about what you want to dedicate your life towards." Genile knew this truth all too well, sighing as he tried explaining why he was so unsure.
"It's just, even with all the professions in the village, it doesn't seem like there's something for me here." Genile explained, "The others who learned from you all offer the village a service it needs: Otto lives with the blacksmith as his apprentice, Fredrick catalogs the traveling merchants, Theodore is training to be a monk here, even Julie is almost a sister. What gap is there for me to fill in our village?"
"Genile, just because others have found their places already does not mean you will never find yours. You are good at doing many things, it does not always mean you need to be good at one thing to have a place." Winston reassured.
"Even with all that I've learned over the years, what will that amount to?"
"Adding skills together does not equal a definite solution. If you ask me though, for as ambitious as this sounds, maybe this summoning is your chance to find your place in this world." Genile was at first taken back by this proposal.
"Leave here and serve a kingdom?" It was already unthinkable for him to consider leaving the monastery he's spent his life in. But also traveling such a long ways to personally serve royalty? "That just seems like so much. I couldn't handle such a responsibility as protecting a kingdom, and being a consultant for his royal highness."
"Why is it that you are so reluctant to leave here? I know you are used to this lifestyle but don't you wish to do something else with your life other than serve the Monastery?" Winston's question this time really stuck a cord. Genile wanted something more in his current life, but he also did not want to permanently leave. He knew though he couldn't have has cake and eat it too.
"I have been a custom to pursuing the right thing to do here for as far back as I can remember, I just assumed I would be spending my life here because I feel what I am doing is just." Genile explained.
"Would this also not be just in it's cause?" Winston argued, "Traveling a longs ways away from here to aid in a kingdom's struggle? Almost like what I did here once I arrived? Albeit my calling to come here wasn't out of desire so much as fulfilling what I knew was missing in my life's legacy. To do something more than just live in an enchanted land unique from the known world. To say that I have earned my title not just as a spreader of knowledge, but one of bringing peace to even the smallest of places. Anyone else could've come here instead, but it was I who in the end the village needed. Maybe you've done your part here, and now there's somewhere else that needs you. Mine was just much later in life."
Genile after hearing this was speechless. It was true that Winston expressed prior that he did not want to be treated as one of greater power. But it was nearly unthinkable for him to say realistically, anyone else could've taken his place. Because of him there was so much gained, not just for the village but for himself. And surely there would be even more to gain from going to Dunwyn.
Winston interrupted the silence from his young college. "I already told you I will talk to the others about this idea, but like you said earlier the truth still stands that all of them have found something to serve their lives with. I can't go back either, and if I were you I would consider this proposal one of indeed great magnitude but also one of great opportunity. To think of you doing something very much like my services here but many years younger, and spreading fourth his beliefs in a land lacking of such." Putting it so bluntly like that continued to make Genile dwell on such a proposed task. Winston's calling was here even if he didn't hear it until late in his life. Maybe this indeed was his calling in such a similar vain?
"I guess when you say it as such Winston, that this could be my place to show what I know in what they want and what they need." Genile answered more pleased with the idea, though still expressing doubt about everything. "Although, it's still a lot to think about. Everyone here has been a part of my life since my life even began, and for all of that to just...leave."
"Once again," Winston answered, "You'll have plenty of time to think this over, and there's a chance one of my other previous students will accept this offer instead. Nevertheless, even if you do choose to go forth to Dunwyn, that does not mean we will all disappear. We'll still pray for you just like always." Genile was reminded again of just how close he was to everyone there, that there would always be a place for him here.
"I will take the time to think this over thoroughly and inform you of my choice once you are finished speaking with the others." Genile stated sincerely.
"Once I speak with everyone else here is when I will ask for the volunteer." Winston confirmed, "Even then I won't force them out in the winter cold to travel such a distance. Let alone getting prepared, it is then when you can confirm your choice. That is all I have to say about this matter for now, do you have any other questions for me?"
"Actually there were a few things after reading this letter the king sent here." Genile answered. "Did you ever know or meet this former knight Igthorn before coming here?"
"I can't say I recall his name," Winston replied, "If he was around before I left, he would've been a squire still in training. Just as King Gregor stated himself, he was new around the time I left. Still sad to hear what's he's done out of greed and jealousy. It once again proves to me what happens when a land lacks such beliefs as ours. The devil can more easily corrupt someone, even a once noble knight."
"I do question how he could've amassed his own army of creatures if he you weren't around to tell him what was out there."
"Either someone else told him what was to be found, he found out for himself, or the letter is exaggerating the hostility of these creatures. Even if they did cause harm, I still find it telling that the king fails to specify which creatures Igthorn used in these attacks. Goes to tell that no one has learned in the same manner as I since my departure."
Genile then briefly turned his gaze down at the pack he brought with him. Normally containing book supplies for monks to write with or things to look at on his own time. Now he thought a little more about weather to ask about what he had with him then: The stone tablets he was looking at in the archives. He knew Winston was not aware of what was on him, but it didn't take long for Winston to notice this minor change in behavior.
"Now my turn for me to ask you something: Is this the first time you've ever considered going to Dunwyn?" Genile returned his gaze to the wise teacher sitting in front of him, trying not to draw attention to what was on him.
"What makes you ask that?"
"Well aside from you choosing to learn about my findings from there over the past decade when many others here chose not to. You've certainly showcased some apparent interest in seeing what else is to be found there. Especially those that I myself are not very familiar in." Genile could tell easily what Winston was referring to. Times in past lectures when he asked about the possibility of these creatures being capable of religious beliefs like their own.
"I still hope there are some who see what we see in our world." Genile recollected from the original questions he asked years prior. "Especially since many of the species you talked of are nearly as intelligent as we are."
"If there's a will there's a way, even if I couldn't think of a solid reason to why one different species would want to share our morality." Winston reasoned.
"Do you still think we were the only species to have this belief? I once heard in stories as a child about a second species very similar to us that was supposed to be uncorruptable by satan's powers, any of what you've researched sound like that?"
"If there is such a species, I've yet to meet them. And given all my years there and all that I've seen, I find it unlikely there's to be such a species there to share our feeling for the lord. Either way this is why I asked my question in the first place. If you do believe there's such a species in this world and all mythical beings originated from the Dunwyn woods, you wish to seek out this alleged species don't you?" Genile knew this was the explanation to his obscene interests. There was more to his explanation though that was wasn't yet comfortable with confessing yet.
"You're right, I've thought about going there before." Genile confessed, "Part of me was learning what you lectured on to regain peace like all of us at the time, but also to learn more about such a mythical place unlike here."
"Then why be so hesitant about leaving here if you've had in interest in going before now?" At this point there wasn't anything new he could add regarding his personal feelings. Only one thing of possibly heavy weight that had yet to be shown.
"I just didn't think the opportunity would come this fast. And of course all the memories here." Some of said memories he knew couldn't be shared.
"You already know my response to this so you'll have time." At this point they were just repeating themselves. It was also now when Genile thought to introduce something new to discuss; reaching down to his pack to grab the stone tablets.
"I don't think I have anything else to say regarding this opportunity. However there was just one other thing I wished to speak about." Taking out two stone tablets, about the length of an average book and both tablets were identical in size. One was a course cobblestone and was labeled Poltersner, and the other a fine, smooth marble adorned with the title Koughtsbaren.
"What have we?" Winston questioned as he first saw the tablets before taking one of them to examine it further. The Poltersner was etched in Winston's native language making it easier to decipher. It seemed to be...a recipe, for an elixir of some kind? He then traded with Genile for the other tablet. The Koughtsbaren was etched in the same language but was more articulate and fancy. Unlike the other tablet, even if someone didn't know the language it could still easily be read. This one too was an elixir recipe, with only a handful of similar ingredients between each other. But most of these ingredients that were written down, even Winston hasn't seen personally. He did know however, where they could be found.
"Where did you find these?" Winston's tone turned serious as he spoke.
"I found them in the attic above the orphan quarters wing." Genile couldn't lie, but some parts of this story he couldn't fully tell.
"When did you find them?" His gaze fully locked on Genile while waiting for his explanation.
"Not long after you first arrived. Sometimes I go up there to see if there's any old writing that could be useful to one of the monks. Whenever I get the chance to, I go to the archives to try to find some of these strange ingredients they mention. And yet I've not seen one book in there mentioning these words or what some of the things they're made from."
"You wont find many of those ingredients mentioned here, only in the woods Dunwyn. Even I myself haven't heard of these elixirs and I've lived there for decades. What I do know for certain is that each elixir the tablets alludes to, together were the forces that summoned that evil creature years ago." The potency in Winston's voice couldn't have dug a deeper point than what expression was on Genile's face upon hearing this.
"Elixirs? If they can't be made here then what are they doing here?" Genile now questioned upon hearing this truth.
"That's what I'm trying to figure out as well. You obviously didn't know what there were capable of before coming to me, so somehow they had to have been brought here, all the way from Dunwyn before I came along."
Genile was now confirmed on what these tablets represented together. If they summoned the hellish creature that devastated so much, there had to be another who'd previously known of their power. There was only one who could be accused of tampering with such power before, another previous resident of the monastery, and one that was almost cursed from ever being mentioned.
"Does this give you more proof that it was...Tro.?"
"I suggest you not bring up his name again." Winston cut off Genile before saying the full name. Once a young man who wished to learn more about nature, only to attempt pursuing unorthodox and unholy means of trying to become one with nature. And has also been the only person anyone in the village knew to have been outcast from the Monastery: Troeien Yagoda.
"It's been years since I've said this, but had the devil not reached Troeien first, then there's a good chance I wouldn't even be here today."
"Do you still think it was him who was responsible?" Genile asked hesitantly.
"Despite all the pain he cause before that is not my place to judge, just as no one who witnessed that creature lived to tell the tale. I still cannot put the blame on him despite all the signs showing what he was becoming, especially since he was gone long before I even arrived. It still shows how one's rejection of our faith is proof that it's absence and disregarding it as a nuisance can turn anyone into a living demon." Winston was clearly not happy after the mention of that name. In some ways drawing parallels between him and this Duke Igthorn mentioned in the summoning letter.
"Even after being here for so long, I have yet to say exactly what caused that creature to come about. Until you showed me these recipe tablets." Winston continued by bringing the subject back.
"Was it these that summoned you here all those years ago or the summoning of the creature itself?" Genile queried. "For as fortunate as we are that you came, I don't believe these tablets alone could've alerted you."
"Not the tablets themselves, but the elixirs that they create." Winston cleared up, "As I said before I did not know of their existence before now, but what I do know is the evocation of the creature through these recipes is what summoned me here. Detailing in my thoughts when I was alerted of two liquids, one of supernatural purity and one of artificial nature being mixed together to summon this creature."
This finally confirmed to Genile that he had found the keys to summoning that destructive force that has haunted everyone in the village since. Even if someone else had already told him a similar conclusion. There was one other thing he needed to know about.
"Can you trace back who mixed these together? If you yourself said these were not of the natural type to be found in nature. As some of the ingredients could only be found in Dunwyn."
"No," Winston sighed, as one part of his mission still remained a mystery. "It's not possible to trace who exactly mixed them together. Nor can I distinguish which elixir is pure and which is artificial as described in my thoughts. Thankfully this does prove to me what the common man could possess to summon such a being, and that whomever was responsible years ago no longer has the means to do it again. Because we have them right here."
This did come as a relief to both of them. Not only could no one summon the creature without these tablets, but all the ingredients to do so were impossible to gather from where they currently resided. The tone in the room became more relaxed as Genile remembered how late it was getting and needed to be heading on his way soon.
"So it wasn't the tablets but the combining of the liquids they allude to that summoned you here?"
"That would be correct," Winston answered, happy to get some closure on what had been part of his calling years ago to come here. "Of course it tells me too that magic nor witchcraft were part of what summoned it."
"I could figure out that it couldn't have been magic by itself from what you've taught me before." Genile responded, "Not natural magic anyways, I forget did you once say there were some magic abilities you learned yourself back in Dunwyn?"
"I've learned some magic, but its clear for a human to be able to practice it consistently they need to dedicate their lives to it. It's obviously too late for me, and since redirecting my life to coming here, dare I say humans aren't meant to practice it the same way as other beings already infused with it are." Restating how his calling to here wasn't just of aid, but spiritual reconnection. Genile chuckled some as he thought of one last subject to bring up.
"Reminds me of when you first came here how I asked you if you ever spotted a Gummi Bear." Winston was glad to hear a happy memory come from Genile after this more heavy conversation has about come to wrap up. Telling him it was good to speak even after what was discovered and what awaits both of them.
"And my answer is still the same: It's nice to believe in what many others don't. If this Monastery isn't big enough of an example already. Maybe if you decide to go forth there's a chance you'll see one even if I didn't."
"Still quite the choice to make Winston," Genile replied more softly on the subject matter, "But you're right, I have time to decide this fork in my life. Even if this evening we both learn something important." Winston this time gave a chuckle from hearing this mature and more wise response coming from someone decades younger than himself.
"You're never too old to learn something."
"Either way, I really must be going." Genile finished as he packed the tablets away and got up from the chair. "I promised Sister Anna that I would be preparing things for the younger orphans here for dinner."
"Go on then," Winston too finished, "We've covered a lot and it's to use your current skills to show us what you can do. Even if it doesn't mean you'll always be doing it."
"I'm a little surprised you're not more concerned with me carrying these tablets around. Given what you've just confirmed with me regarding them."
"They're safe with you since now you know what they mean and that you'd never use such a power. Even if you were to bring them back to Dunwyn they'd still be too obscure for anyone to know what they mean." This answer did give a little more leverage to a possible future for Genile to have. Even if there was still a lot to be considered.
"Just let me know if there's anything else you wish to speak of, now I must attain to my duties here. Good evening Winston and thanks again."
"I always pleasure in your company Genile, and one last thing. If you see Julie later in the dining hall, tell her I wish to speak with her next once she's tended to her needs this evening." Winston finished as he saw Genile close the lecture hall doors behind him.
After placing a shorter apron onto a serving alb, Genile entered the kitchen, and took a quick rinse of his hands. Then taking a large jar of lard off a shelf and pulling out the meat stored within it.
"I'm still so thankful of the springs up here to keep water fresh in the cold winters." He stated as he saw Sister Annalise cutting up from fresh bread.
"Must've been quite the conversation you had with Winston to arrive later than normal." Annalise commented upon seeing Genile's entry. "I assume he had quite the news to share in this message he revived?"
"Indeed Anna," Genile answered, "He said he'll speak to all of us soon after speaking with his other students about it's details so no need to share them now. Only that I have a choice to make in the near future." As he placed the meat on a cast iron griddle near the hearth, he heard some younger children were entering the dining hall accompanied by another familiar face to him: Julie Seidel, another former student of Winston and Genile's current closest friend his age. Also raised here from a young age, she was almost a trained sister and was currently caring for the young orphans living here. Similarly to what Annalise did years ago when both of them were children.
"Anything new for tonight's meal?" Julie asked once the children were seated appropriately.
"Not compared to yesterday," Genile answered with a bright face upon seeing Julie again, "But we are preparing some fatty meat without salt this time. Hope the kids like it." As he looked down to the table with around eight or nine children. He wasn't that close to them to know them by name or age like Julie was but he was still glad to be of service to them again.
"Miss Julie, is that man with the strange eyes making our food again?" One of the boys asked, much to Julie's dismay.
"Why Edmund you should be nicer to Genile, he's preparing your dinner."
"It's quite alright Julie, he's not used to being around me like you are." Genile turned around as he started taking the prepared meat onto plate.
"He should still learn to trust those around him here, if I were to comment such a thing at his age there'd be no dinner for me."
"Well, there are few in the monastery I trust as much as you." Julie felt better after hearing this comment, still being reminded of how much they care of each other. "They'll learn in time just as we did. I don't see a need to not feed him just because I'm different." With that Genile took the now loaded plates to the table and a pitcher of fresh water for the orphans. It wasn't long before they started enjoying what was put in front of them. With that young Edmund being especially grateful.
"It's always nice to see them take from their elders in such short time." Julie commented once she and Genile were seated across from each other, on a more relaxed end of the table.
"That reminds me Julie, Winston wishes to see you once the children have finished dinner. And nien, it's not another story of his for the kids to hear later. It's about the message he's received."
"I do recall hearing about his message earlier today, didn't you just speak with him though?"
"I did, but he informed me that he wishes to see all his past students including you, and since you live here like I do you'd be quicker to get than the others in the village. What he spoke of was regarding the message and how, important is it to a potential future."
"Potential future? What does he mean by that?"
"He'll explain certainly, but let's just say there's a lot I'm going to be contemplating in the next few weeks." He concluded as he went back to the kitchen with now empty plates.
He later finished his duties in the kitchen were Julie told him she was going to see Winston before he left for his quarters. With all that was discussed today he had a lot more on his mind than he had in a long time. He walked more slowly to his private quarters this time, looking at the walls and all the things that have happened here over the years. There was yet another memory here that was keeping Genile hesitant, but one that was all the more conflicting as it too told him to journey forth to Dunwyn years before. He was true with finding the recipe tablets in the attic, but he didn't find them himself. Another important figure in his life gave them to him, one who was also a previous resident of Dunwyn, but one he couldn't tell anyone about. I hope you're seeing me finally make this move Erfinfi.