Chapter 8. The Promise Of Education

Father David walked in with his gray hair in a mess and deep bags under his eyes. It looked as if he didn't sleep at all the night before. 

Trudging into the open kitchen area he was greeted kindly by Sister Isha at the stove and the three others at the table. He gave a silent nod of his head and a small acknowledgment of their greeting before grabbing a bowl for himself and sitting down next to the others. 

Silently giving a of his head to the boy in the corner the two locked eyes and a glimmer of light shone in the Father's eyes at the sight of the young boy. He felt glad to know that the young boy he had helped yesterday decided to stay. 

"So Father how did the trip to the lord's house go?" Mia asked cheerfully in between bites. 

Chewing his food methodically Father David seemed to think for a moment before swallowing his food, "Lord Ramon needs more convincing but I think he may come around to the idea before long."

"Really, that's great!" Mia exclaimed at the news. 

"Yes, yes it is. This change could mean a whole lot for the people of this village. It could be a way to increase revenue from within and without the village. The school we'd be setting up could help provide both the commoners and the nobles chances to integrate and-"

"They'll never integrate." Diane interrupted with a hint of sourness. "I'm sorry Father for interrupting you but I know how those nobles think. All they care for is social classes and the higher society, those pompous assholes will never accept a commoner into the same school as them let alone integrate." With a flush of anger, Dianne's face turned as red as the hair on her head as she began to rant. 

Father David did not dare to scold the young woman for interrupting him. He knew it was better to wait for her to voice her opinions on the matter before speaking again. 

"I know how you feel Diane and this line of thought isn't too far apart from what Lord Ramon and I were discussing either, but I need this to work. This opportunity may be the greatest legacy to be left behind in the history of this village's existence." He spoke. 

Looking up for a minute as if hearing the divine words of the Ocean God he looked back at the table, sticking a finger out to a nearby window, "Out there could be an institute like no other. A school that this village will need to surpass its limits and bring renown from all around. "

Listening in on the conversation the two were having Charon found it hard to believe that he would care for nobles to mingle with commoners. He thought it a great idea just from the passion the Father spoke of it with, although he didn't quite know what a school was he had heard the other children talk about it in the streets.

He wondered if such a place would welcome someone such as him, a boy lower than a commoner and much lower than any noble. He was at the very bottom of the food chain and lucky to still be alive at his age. 

Losing himself in the fantasy of being allowed in such an institute Father David spoke of, he was brought back to eavesdropping on the conversation once more.

"I have already sent a letter to my connections in the surrounding villages in hopes they too will see the opportunity such a thing will behold our community. I have sent letters to Sir Omel as well." Father David stated as he took more bites of his breakfast. 

"Sir Omel?" Mias asked in confusion. 

With a spark in her eyes, Maya stood up from the table and made the chair she was using fall backward in the process, "Sir Omel! The Handsome Knight Sir Omel!?" 

Shocked at her sister's sudden energy at the mention of someone named Sir Omel, she looked over to Diane who had finished her rant and started to finish her breakfast. "Don't look at me." She dismissed.

"Oh, Maya sit down!" Sister Isha commanded Sister Maya with a stern voice. Making Maya realize her lack of manners, and begin fixing her fallen chair.

After collecting herself she leaned in with an excited gaze intensely aimed at Father David. 

"So you're friends with Sir Omel? The one they dubbed The Handsome Knight with his stunning features and hair as yellow as gold? The most honorable knight in the realm?"

Sighing in disappointment and drawing a hand to his creased brow Father David let out, "That man. Yes, the Sir Omel I'm talking about is the one they dub 'The Handsome Knight', he also happens to be one of my closest friends and old schoolmates."

Inhaling a sharp breath of excitement Maya grabbed Diane by the shoulders and shook her aggressively. "Oh, my lord! The most handsome knight in the realm is Father David's friend and he's coming here!" Interrupting her excited shaking she let the dazed Diane rest a moment before looking over across the table at the priest. "He is coming to support you right?" She questioned through slitted eyes, more malice in her voice than curiosity. 

Feeling a droplet of sweat slide down the side of his head Father David rapidly nodded his head. "Fortunately Sir Omel has granted his support and promised to council Lord Ramon. If all goes according to plan his reputation will succeed him and we'll be one more step closer to my dream."

The response was seemingly acceptable for the young woman, she sat down and consented to stop bothering the father. Humming a tune and a smile on her face, she didn't bother the man for the rest of breakfast.

Before long those who were first to arrive began filing away putting their dishes in the sink. One by one the woman slowly funneled out until the only ones left in the eating area were Father David, Sister Isha, and the young boy Charon.

"I'm glad you decided to stay with us, Charon." Father David spoke up loudly enough for his room to travel across the tables to the boy in the corner. Without waiting for the boy's reply the priest continued, "If you need anything while you stay here you can ask me or Sister Isha, if neither of us is available then the others can help you too."

Replying with a simple grunt Charon nodded his head to the priest in thanks. 

Finished with his food Charon stood up with his dishes and moved towards the sink. Dropping them off started moving to the door leading to his newly acquired room, but just before leaving the Father left him with one more comment.

"I hope that when the time comes you'd be willing to join my school, the Children's Institute of Ramona." He pleaded, his tone more informing than questioning. 

Eyes wide Charon who already had one foot out the door looked back at Father David. "I...can..join?" He muttered in shock. 

Smiling at the boy's reaction Father David slightly chuckled, "Of course, you are a child of this village aren't you?"