The Mass

A high building facing the west with a cross on the roof. Inside the building were congregations occupying the seats. The sunset shone on the pulpit. On the Altar was a man speaking seriously to them and they paid attention to every word.

A tall shadow appeared, the shadow covered the man on the Altar. Everyone turned to look at the door to see what caused the shadow. They saw a man very tall and built. They couldn't see him clearly because of the sunset and had to put their hands on their foreheads to help shade their eyes from the bright orange light behind the man.

The man walked further, they heard the tread as he came toward the Altar, he walked with grace.

The man on the Altar frowned looking at the stranger.

The people could only see the back of the stranger now. They stretched their necks to see if they could get a glimpse of his face.

The built man walked to a seat in the front. He ignored the gaze and quietly sat down.

Isla also sat at the front but she was sitting at the right side while he sat at the left.

"Who is that man?" Lady Fiona whispered to Isla, staring at the man with curious eyes.

"I obviously don't know, it doesn't look like he is from here. You can tell by the dressing," Isla whispered back.

The evening Mass ended. She stood up then sighted the man from earlier, he sat afar, it looked like he didn't plan on leaving anytime soon.

Her father turned to leave and she followed him, they both walked together. The congregation stood up to leave shortly after. The man finally stood up and walked out.

"My child, is something bothering you?" Her father asked.

"No papa," Isla said smiling.

He nodded.

"Lady Fiona is leaving the next day after tomorrow, is that maybe why you're sad my child?" He asked again. He knew something was bothering her.

"Actually I am just going to miss her presence and scoldings. She is really bold too," Isla smiled as she told her memories of Lady Fiona to her father.

They stopped at her quarters "You should have breakfast at my place tomorrow and you can visit whenever you desire," her father's quarters was not far from hers, it was just two miles away. He was worried about her and he didn't want her to feel alone.

"Thank you Papa" she grinned and kissed his hand. He patted her head with a smile.

He left after they said goodbyes. She went into her quarters.

Isla searched for Lady Fiona since she didn't have the chance to talk to her after the Mass.

"I thought you won't say goodbye to this hag," Lady Fiona joked when she felt her presence. She was folding her clothes into a bag.

"That will be the same as committing a sin" she said, throwing Lady Fiona's words back to her. Lady Fiona chuckled.

"I will definitely miss you, but no need to worry for I am not spending a year there, it's only for a visit, at least ten to twelve days or more.. but we don't hope for the latter now, do we?" Lady Fiona nudged Isla's arm with her elbow when Isla's face had a slight frown.

"Can I join?" Isla asked before joining her in folding the clothes.

When they were through Lady Fiona offered for them to eat together. They said their goodnights after they ate and cleaned up.