Chapter Sixteen-- Mother Superior

I felt like I was drowning. Everything around me was cold and wet. Pain was lashing out of every ends of my nerves, burning me with a numbing cold fire. It was leaving frost bite to my soul and stabbing pain in my whole body. I could hear voice around me, arguing and fighting of demons ringing around me. They floated around my head and swirled in my mind like anxious thoughts. Finally I saw a light. It's warmth flooded into the very core of my being. It was comforting, and pleasant. The pain subsided bit by bit as if someone was taking it from me and replacing it with comfort and warmth. It was an amazing feeling, probably the best I had felt since I had came here. It was soothing, and for the first time I was able to rest in comfort. When I opened my eyes, I was met with blinding sunlight and green and yellow orb. I realized that it was Donatello's eyes looking down at me. It was almost a jarring sight but I managed to steel myself. He was curled next to me on the bed I was on, looking down on me like a protector. I was surprised it didn't break from his weight and mine, but the wood seemed stronger than I thought.

"I'm OK boy. Sorry for worrying you." I smiled, reaching up and putting his square nose. He closed his eyes gently and purred happily. He reminded me of a mix of a cat and a dog. He was loyal and protective like a dog, but his mannerisms reminded me of a cat. His purring, his pushing and the way he laid down.

"I see you're awake now." The soft voice startled me. I sprang up, heart pounding wildly. I saw a woman sitting at the foot of my bed, standing next to her the same old man I saw outside in the rain. This time he was dry and in brown leather armour. His hair was pulled back, and his eyes little softer. The woman in question was smiling sweetly at me. She was wearing a baby blue dress, with a high collar around her neck. The collar was white and so was the cuff of her sleeves. The dress was quite plain otherwise, except for a white floral lace polonaise around her waist. It was made out of almost a see-through fabric, giving an elegant illusion. Her hair was grey and white, her brilliant green eyes crossed with crows feet. She was still quite beautiful, elegant and mature.

"W-Who are you?" I asked in a panic. Donatello was surprisingly calm, pressing his face against my cheek softly to beg for affection. She was a soft looking woman, looking at me affectionately and calmly.

"My name is Mother Meredith. I am in charge of this monestary." She waved her hand over to the bear of a man next to her.

"This gentlemen is Sir Edwin Collin. He is the captain of the guards here." He gruffly nodded to me, staring at me intently as if waiting for me to make a move. I could just sit there. It was then I looked down at myself, realizing my pain was gone. I noticed first that was was wearing a cream nightgown that did not belong to me. I lighted the blanket and moved the dress to see that the arrow was gone from my leg. Instead, on my calf there was a large and dark scar the size of a toonie. It was in either side, a reminder of where that dreaded thing once was. Most woman would be dismayed their skin was marred, but I was thankful to be okay. I had dozen of them anyways, one more wouldn't matter. The room was barren, but comfortable and cozy.

"Where am I?"

"Your loyal Crito brought you to Jarlvic. It's a town on the southern border." I almost deflated from her words. Donatello did understand me that night we ran. He brought me close to the border, and to a place where I could have been healed. He was sentient and smart, and looked at little smug st the moment. The woman stood after my question, gliding over to me elegantly. She seemed like a angel as she sat on the bed next to me, lacing her fingers through mine.

"You're safe now child." She reached up and stroked the side of my face tenderly. Her touch was soothing, almost maternal. I leaned into it before I could react. When I realized what I had done and that I didn't know this woman I pulled away.

"I've never seen a soul so pure before." My face flushed at her almost mesmerized. It was embarrassing the way she was staring at me almost as if I was a light she had been looking for fkr a long time. Before anyone could speak, bickering was heard in the hallway. It was a man and a woman's voice. Edwin sighed, but Meredtih was still searching my face like I was a piece of art she was studying. Edwin stalked over to the door and opened it to the hallway. The shouting continued but it was muffled enough I could understand.

"Shut yer traps out there! She just woke up!" The fighting stopped and stomping came towards us.

"Oh dear here he goes." Meredith mumbled under her breath as Edwin allowed the stomping man in. He had sharp handsome features, with thin pink lips and sharp steely grey eyes. He couldn't be older than twenty five, but the air around his was tense and severe. He was wearing a white tight suit with gold embellishments on the chest and collar. His left shoulder was covered by a navy velvet shoulder cape with gold thread. He stared at me, fluffy lavender hair turning white at the ends like the silver lining of a dark cloud. Behind him a girl with fiery red hair, tanned skin, and brown eyes walked in. She looked mixed race, with curly hair that was pulled back into a waterfall of a ponytail. She was wearing a tight simple gown with long sleeves. The ends looped around her middle finger with floral lace that covered her arms. It was also high necked, with more lace covering the rest of the gown Embroidery of the sun and flowers everywhere. It looked similar to a wedding dress in my era, but it seemed to be a classic look for nuns here. In this world, priests and priestesses were allowed to marry but they had to wear white and blue to celebrate Diana the light Goddess. Her eyes flicked over to me, looking through her long lashes at me. Her eyes was guarded and closed off.

"Here to see your patient Altir?" Meredith turned and smiled at the man who turned red faced.

"I'm here to collect my payment." Meredith's faced soured at his words and I felt a little jarred.

"She was critically injured. Surely you could let this slide once." The man-- Altir-- scowled at the older woman's sweet words.

"If you had been here you could have done it instead. You weren't, so now I want my payment." He sounded like a child wanting his allowance. I seemed to be completely ignored as they spoke, the only person without eyes on me being the fiery girl. Her gaze fluttered between Donatello and I, never wavering. A heavily injured girl and a monster appearing at your doorstep did call for suspicion so it didn't bother me too much.

"I have some things in my backpack I might be able to pay you with. Where is it?" The knight Edwin went into the wardrobe. It was barren except for my backpack on the floor of it. He brought it over to me gently placing it kn my lap. While the younger two looked scared of Donatello, Meredith and Edwin didn't seem to mind his existence. I rummaged through the pack, feeling the slender thing between my fingers I was looking for. I tossed it in the man's direction, it sparking in the sun. He caught it with ease, looking at the necklace I tossed him. It was the one I wore during the Spigen ball. I had no use for it. His eyes almost bugged out of his head and the suspicion in the girls eyes grew. Everyone else seemed curious but no one asked. It was strangely quiet, as if someone said something inappropriate morally wrong.

"You're a light mage aren't you my dear?" Mother Meredith turned to me as if the previous interaction didn't happen. I gave her a small nod. Her eyes seemed to glow with excitement.

"Do you have an earth attribute?" Now she lost me.

"Do you mean like healing magic?" She nodded and the tensness if the room grew. I nodded back and she grabbed my hands.

"Will you be staying in town long? I was hoping we could discuss your abilities together." Her eyes were filled with such hope that my heart kind if hurt. She was a kind woman, but even she had an ulterior motive.

"I won't be selling my services." My eyes flashed over to Altir with anger. As a previous nurse, charging people for an arm and a leg for basic care sickened me. I would never charge for my healing. I expected her to deflate but instead she brightened up.

"You misunderstand me. I would like to teach you, not use you." I blinked at her response and Donatello pushed against my face again.

"I beg your pardon?" This was l going to plan. I wanted to stay anyways but I wasn't expecting that they would want me to stay. This was probably the first time something had actually gone gone plan.

"I may be able to heal but I have no mana. I won't be a good student." She shook her head and sighed at me as if I was foolish. Her actions had me curious. I wanted to stay in a monestary close to the border, but I was running away from a life of use and abuse not towards one.

"Why do you want me to stay?" Her face fell for a moment.

"I can't see a girl wander the streets. Your white hair is just a signal asking for people to take you and sell you off as a slave." Her words made my skin crawl but they carried the weight of truth. I was worried and stressed, but my gut was telling me that staying would lead to more answers in the long run.

"What's your name?" She asked, clasping my hands tightly. I almost froze and blurted Mercy or Victoria again like before, but I managed to bite my tongue.

"Rhea. My name is Rhea."

"You know, he really is quite tame." Lisa was looking out the window overlooking the courtyard. It was about noon the next day after my meeting with Miranda. Donatello was exposed to the village as a sort of protector as long as I was there. I didn't know how to control him other than asking nicley, but he seemed to listen to me. I was sitting in bed next to the other window, and could see orphan children swarming Donatello. He was gentle, allowing them to pull and pet him. He even let them climb over him. He just laid on the ground like a good boy, wagging his tail and soaking in the sunlight. I was wondering how the autumn wind was doing in him, but he seemed to be enjoying himself. I smiled down at him, happy that he was doing well. I was fearful that people would attack him, but Mother Meredith promised me that he wouldn't be harmed. The captain of the knights for this branch of the monestary sided with her, stating that he would personally guarantee everyone's safety.

"He's a good boy." I was just so happy to be free, I couldn't help the tears rolling down my face. Lisa looked at me, her face stoic and hard to read.

"So tell me Rhea," She turned to me with suspicion in her eyes, "What's your story?" I flinched at her when she asked.

"I know Mother Meredith said that you're a pure soul, but I still won't trust you until I know you." I turned to her. I swapped my eyes for a moment. I could see grey suspicion, but a glimmer of silver hope as well. I could tell just from looking at her and my previous interaction that she was a loyal firecracker of a woman. Kind and stubborn, but guarded as well. I couldn't help but smile at her. I liked honest people like her who wore their emotions on their sleeve. They were much more reliable that those who didn't. There was something deep in me that wanted someone to know the truth. I wanted to be heard, let my pain be seen.

"I was beaten and abused by my family. They imprisoned me for having abilities and tried to use me for their personal gain. I trained myself and escaped, but they tried to kill me. Donatello saved my life and brought me here." I spilled out. It was a short description without any details, but it was what I wanted to share. She was still stoic, but just nodded at my words like they unfaze her.

"Mother Meredith is letting you stay here. In return, I expect you to earn your keep." She turned to leave the out the door. Before she did she turned go me, eyes burning with an anger. Her aura shifted to a spiky red as well. What I said was upsetting, but I didn't think my past would cause her anger.

"If you do anything to hurt anyone here I'll kill you myself." She threatened and walked out. I couldn't bring myself to be upset her threats. I told myself that I was going to make a life here. Start new. After my brush with death, I didn't know if I wanted to tangle with them again. I didn't think they would resort to killing me. I trembled at the thought. I promised myself I would get revenge for Mercy, but here I was cowering like a coward. The thought of dying again scared me more than anything. My original plan was to cause damage to their reputation using Empath. It offered a way to destroy them while remaining mostly anonymous. There was a low chance they would find me but always a possibility. I had to swallow my fear in my throat. Now I had to fight my own demons to make sure that I could do the next right thing.