Chapter Seventeen-- Extraordinarily Ordinary

I followed Mother Meredith through the hallowed halls of the cathedral of grey granite and silver torch lights. It was a massive loop. The front was the chapel where the villagers gathered for mass and gave offerings to the Goddess of light and life. It was large, with pews lining an isle in the middle. A large stature behind the alter of the Goddess Diana stood, her hands raised to the sky as if offering something. A gentle face and flowing hair made out of stone like Michaelangelo made it. She was tall from the floor to the circling, the glass cieling spilling sunlight over the pews and statue. Everything was blue, grey and white as well as simple and elegant. There were staircase on either side that lead to the second, third, and fourth floors, as well as hallways next to them. The third floor were priest and mages quarters, the second being the knights. The fourth floor was from the orphans we had in our care. Since we were close to the border of Theosia, refugees and orphans from skirmishes on the border were sent here. They were the children that did odd jobs in town and doted on Domatello. The left side was the barracks and stables for the soldiers, the right side the kitchen and dining for the rest. The inner courtyard connectd the all, and to the back if the building where the library resided. That was were I was now, looking at the large room with awe. The stone walls were high, and there was a glass ceiling to let light in. Magic lights floated I the air. There was no second or third floor on this side to make room for more texts. The room was lined with bookshelf, a second landing for better access if higher shelves. More standing oak bookshelves lined the floor, the floor nice snd cleaned granite. There were a few work desks with floating light lamps that could be turned on with magical power. It was grand and elegant, and a little overwhelming.

"Why do you have so many texts?" I asked her as she showed me the isles such as recipes if potions to high teir magic. She turned to me and looked at me like I have three heads.

"Knowledge is our best power against evil. Not only that but our library is open to the public so we accept donations of books to extend people's minds." She made it sound obvious but to me it was magical. The town was so tiny, but it got a lot of foot traffic. I saw a few people walking around in awe and wonder, and realized that she was trying to educate commoners. She was making texts and education free to those who wanted to pursue it. It was quite honorable and I smiled at her. She was a kind and generous woman, always ready to do the next right thing.

"What I wanted to show you was this." She brought me over to the far right corner of the library where the guests fell off. No one was there. There was one bookshelf with dusty blue lines books, showing they hadn't been touched for a long time.

"What is this?" I asked looked at them curiously.

"These are my collection of light mage texts. Some of them are my own notes. We are such a rare breed that I wanted to show you these, hoping it would help you out." Her words made my heart hurt. The sincerity in her voice, almost like she was a mother handing down a heirloom. It touched me. It also made me feel very guilty, as if I was deceiving her. I had been here a few days but she had treated me with so much kindness and generosity in made me feel like I wasbtaking advantage of her. I had nothing else to give her.

"Thank you. How can I ever repay you?" She smiled at my words, as I fidgeted uncomfortable for receiving such a blessing. She walked up to me, placing her thin fingers on my shoulders. Her hands were warm and comforting. Her hazel eyes twinkled down at me with a pure emotion. I remembered when she said I had a pure soul. I never questioned her on that, but once again I felt ashamed as if I had tricked her. I was anything but pure, just a tool for revenge and my own form of justice.

"I want you to be who you are." She spoke as if she knew something about me I didn't know. As if she could see into my very soul like I could see emotions. It was a warm but invasive feeling. That was when something bloomed in my heart at the same time a idea popped in my head. I would take her words and I would be who I was. Victoria Williams was dead, but that didn't mean that my ambitions and passions had to die out too.

I walked around the villiage with Donatello next to me. He was sauntering next to me like a loyal companion. As people saw me coming, they flinched and seemed scared of Donatello. The children tried to run to him. Some came up and began to pet him, some were held back by their parents. I had about twenty pieces of paper in my hands, shaking from nerves. All eyes were on me, some with fear and some with curiosity. I went down to the villiage for one purpose and one purpose only-- to be myself. The market place was bustling, people calling out for their produce and food. Soldiers eyed Donatello suspiciously. Meredith and Lisa told me that they had spread the word that Donatello was my Familiar but even still people were cautious. Most of the children engulfing him were seven of the dozen orphans we had in our care. I would be too, but Donatello didn't seem to mind. He seemed to be enjoying the children's attention. He bent his head down and licked the cheek of a small Theosian girl. She giggled, her textured hair bouncing from her laughter. I recognized her from the monestary, but didn't know her name. The children had swarmed him, making him fall behind me. I turned to him and gave him a knowing look. He looked a little distraught as if he was torn between the children and I. I smiled to him, nodding to him to stay.

"I'll call you when I'm done." Without a second thought he laid on the purple cobblestone, allowing the children to engulf him. As they did, it seemed to calm the air around us. I began to pass out the flyers to the merchants, introducing myself and asking them to spread the word of the service I was offering. Their eyes bugged when I told them what I was doing.

"You're offering healing for no charge?" The bakers asked me. She was shaking while holding it as if she couldn't believe her eyes. I nodded. Altir's practice of charging an arm and a leg for basic medical care. To my knowledge that was the norm in this world. Meredith didn't charge as much, usually just a loaf of bread of some books for the library. I would be my services for free, no charge and no gifts would be accepted. I wanted to be a nurse to help people. I wouldn't give up that dream just because my face had changed. The freckled young lady looked st me dumbfounded, her auburn hair tucked under a mossy green bandana around her head.

"Why?" I just shrugged at her words and offered her a soft smile in return.

"I just want to." She looked st me like I was a brilliant light in a dark world. I didn't want to be that though, I wanted to help. There was one more way I could help as well.

"I also wanted to inform the townspeople that Donatello would be helping with patrol. I wanted to let you know so you could be more at ease." It was like my words lifted her up. I overheard the soldiers talking about bandit attacks and monsters coming out from the woods. I did some research on Crito's and felt confident that Donatello would be a good guard. They needed to sleep once a week, and they were like snakes when it came to meals. They needed to eat prey about once every two weeks, depending on how much they consume. I figured the three grown men he ate would tie him over for a few weeks, and he could eat the evil instead of the good. It would be beneficial for everyone. She seemed to be on the verge of tears. Everyone who I spoke to had a similar experience. I even met the blacksmith Ezra, and found out that his granddaughter Mielle had a fever. Right then and there I laid my hands on her, absorbing the fever myself. She was ecstatic and full if energy while my forehead was burning. Ezra thanked me, his burly rough hands encasing mine. He looked almost like a classical blacksmith with black street skin and a red beard stained with coal. He wasn't as old as Edwin and was built like a bodybuilder. But he was like a big teddy bear once his red hair granddaughter was bouncing around. I looked around the purple and pink cobblestone houses, the colourful banners on strings from building to building waving in the wind. I vowed to myself then and there that even though I couldn't do much, I would do my part to change the world. Even if it didn't make much of an impact I was determined to do my part.