Episode 54

We like to think that places don’t change

Mountains are fixed and valleys stay the same

So the towns that we love can be left with their culture

Frozen in time like a painting or sculpture

But mountains do move on magma plates

Valleys are carved at glacial pace

And so do towns change in their way

Moulded by them that leave and those who come to stay

Every muscle in Lilian’s body suddenly tensed. Her eyes snapped open causing her to reel slightly from the sudden, intense brightness. She had to make sure she had heard Sage Fenric correctly. What was the word he had used just now? Followed? But… how did he know? She looked down at her hands to make sure she was still invisible, sure enough all she could see was the forest floor, littered with brown pine needles and the occasional exposed root. She looked back up to the caravans in the middle of the paddock where she saw Sage Fenric talking with the two blue cloaked sisters. They were glancing about just as Lilian had been, trying to place their pursuer. Sage Fenric smiled at their ignorance.

“It’s alright,” he spoke loudly into the air, “you can come out, we mean you no harm.” Lilian could feel her heart beating out of her chest. She had been so careful, how could he possibly… but then, he turned. His smiling face and piercing green eyes focused on the forest but he was not looking at Lilian. He was staring at a large tree about thirty feet to her right. He took a few steps towards the tree and got down to his knee. Lilian thought he’d seen a particularly shy cat and was trying to get it to come closer so that he could stroke it. He smiled broadly and gestured with his arms for the thing to come forward.

“Why don’t you come out from there?” He said, “There you are. Hello little one.” Lilian craned her neck to see who or what he was talking to.

Stepping out from the forest, shy as midsummer rain, was a little girl. She wore a lavender coloured dress and no shoes. Her hair was brown and curled into tight little ringlets. Lilian guessed she must have been about seven or eight years old. She was approaching Sage Fenric slowly and cautiously but Lilian could tell she was curious and excited. The knuckles of her right hand were in her mouth, doubtless giving her mind the comfort it needed to attack this unfamiliar situation. Sage Fenric continued to smile and gestured her closer.

“Hello my dear, and what is your name?” he waved when he greeted her and he received a timid wave back, but no answer to the question. The child stopped before she reached him and narrowed her eyes. She then took her hand out of her mouth and brought the wet knuckles to her right ear, using them to gesticulate or point at it. She combined this motion with a vigorous shake of her head. Lilian was confused for a second but she realised what was happening at the same time as Sage Fenric.

“Aah… I understand.” He nodded emphatically, smiling all the while. He shifted his mode of communication then, relying more on expression and gesture to communicate with the child. He held up a finger and clearly mouthed the word ‘wait’. Lilian then watched him stand up and go back to his caravan. The child waited patiently, putting her knuckles back in her mouth and looking at the two sisters and the strange black bird. The sisters smiled at her and the shorter one, called Hematite, gave her a little wave as she waited. The child did not respond, she just spun her waist from left to right, causing her dress to float around her. Lilian began to worry. Sage Fenric could be fetching anything from that old caravan: a cake laced with poison, a weapon of some kind. And if Lilian sensed danger then calling out to the little girl would do no good.

A minute later, Sage Fenric emerged clutching his hands together close to his chest. Lilian readied herself for action, digging her heels into the ground and preparing her legs to spring her forwards. She watched intently as Sage Fenric approached the girl, bent down and held his hands out, uncupping them and revealing the secret inside. The little girl’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. A look of unencumbered glee fell across her rosy cheeks as she saw what he had brought her. In his palm was a little spinning top, whirring round and round, perfectly balanced, made of wood and weighted with shimmering metal that caught the light as it pirouetted. Sage Fenric reached for the girl’s left hand and opened her palm, showing her with his free hand how to stretch her fingers out so that the palm was taught. Then slowly and with great care, he transferred the top onto her palm and steadied her hand. The child giggled so loudly, Lilian could hear it echo off the mountainside. Then, after a time, the top spun out on its side and dropped to the floor.

Sage Fenric picked it up and placed it back in the girl’s hand, closing her fingers over it and pointing at her chest.

“Yours, keep it.” He pushed it into her chest and took his hands away, bringing them to his own body, mimicking the motion. The girl understood, giggled again and did a little dance. Hopping from foot to foot in excitement and looking back at the top to study it carefully. Then, without word or warning she took off in the direction of town, stopping only to wave goodbye to Sage Fenric and nearly tripping on her own feet as she turned. Sage Fenric and the two sisters smiled and waved and the black bird cawed as if it too was saying goodbye.

Lilian felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. She’d been invisible for the better part of an hour and the effort was beginning to take its toll. She waited a couple more minutes to see if the group did anything out of the ordinary, but after watching them go about their business and begin preparing a meal she elected to walk away.

Once she was a safe distance she released the gloaming and considered the scene she had just witnessed. There was certainly nothing overtly sinister in Sage Fenric’s actions. She had not learned what Hematite had planned on making with the moss she’d picked by the river, but Lilian’s knowledge of herbalism was admittedly limited. As far as she knew it could have been a calming tea. Somewhere along the journey, Fritha appeared beside her. Lilian touched the back of her neck absentmindedly as she walked. The whole thing was very confusing. Perhaps this man and his companions had nothing to do with that fishing village that Doran had warned her about. Perhaps they were just like him, travellers from afar wishing to ingratiate themselves into the community.

By the time she reached the centre of town her mind had wondered to the identity of the little girl. She cast her memory back to the group of toddlers and children from the nursery who used to bother her and her friends when they played. Tried as she might, she could not remember a deaf girl being among them. It was not as if accepting a toy from Sage Fenric was a sign of malice or danger but Lilian was worried all the same. It was a feeling, an instinct. But this suspicion was laced with guilt. Lilian worried she was judging these strangers too harshly, showing her small town prejudice when all they had done was spoken a few words at church and given a child a gift.

“Good morning Lilian!” Lilian was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of someone saying her name. She looked up and realised she had absent-mindedly walked right into the centre of the town square. Her heart skipped a beat when she realised Fritha might be seen but a quick glance to her right found the feinhound to be disguised as a large shaggy dog, the same look she had used those two years passed when she had followed Lilian and Mr Attorcop into town. The voice had come from Brother Thomas who was walking over to her.

“How are you today? My goodness that’s a big dog.” Lilian smiled.

“A little tired, but well thank you. This is Fritha, Fritha, this is Brother Thomas.” The feinhound walked over to greet brother thomas, wagging her tail as she did so. Brother Thomas seemed apprehensive and his pace slowed as he approached. He lifted a hand and looked like he wanted to pat Fritha on the head but the hand never quite made contact and seemed to be there as more of a defensive barrier. Sensing his fear, Fritha turned and ran back behind Lilian.

“Have you thought about what you’re going to do?” asked Lilian, hoping Brother Thomas would be the one to make a decision about Sage Fenric. His face fell at the question as if he had just been transported back to a sleepless night.

“I have deliberated on the matter all last night, as well as for most of the early morning. I feel…” Lilian saw him struggling to hear himself speak the words, “I feel as though the risk is too great. If the future of Benlunar is that of the village your friend described then I cannot allow myself to be a part of its making. I will deny him the Stave and ask the mayor if Sage Fenric and his troup can be asked to move on.” Lilian could understand his reluctance. Benlunar was supposed to be a welcoming place, a place where weary travellers could find rest and where tourists could come to get away from the worries of their lives. She placed a hand on Brother Thomas’ arm.

“I understand and I support your decision. It’s as you say, the risk is just too great.” There was a moment of silence as the pair mourned the loss of something, a quality they thought they possessed, a virtue they prided themselves on without even knowing it. Lilian shook the feeling off her and smiled through it. “Don’t worry, the town will soon forget. Winter is round the corner and everyone will be preoccupied with a leaking roof or birds nest in the chimney or something.” Brother Thomas sighed.

“Yes, I suppose you’re right. Say, I was heading to Eiric’s for some breakfast if you’d like to join me.” Lilian smiled, Eiric was a local baker, the only man in town who could give Xander a run for his money, although he specialised more in sweet breads rather than savoury bakes. It was a sort of unspoken agreement the two men had, one took the main course, the other provided dessert.

“I would love that.”

The two friends followed the scent of sweet pastry down the hill. On Eiric’s recommendation Lilian picked a warm and fresh almond pastry. The sweet nuts had just been brought into town two weeks ago and were proving very popular with the locals. Brother Thomas elected for a small toffee fig pie and the two sat on a wall nearby and enjoyed their meal. Lilian told Brother Thomas all about her time away and, seeing as he was more familiar with the workings of The Guiding Hand, she told him a more detailed version than the one she’d told her parents. Swearing him to secrecy, lest they worry her mother into an early grave. Fritha was sitting opposite them looking as if she was transfixed by the story, when in reality she just had her eyes on every morsel of bread that disappeared into Lilian’s mouth. The bread was long gone by the time Lilian had finished telling Brother Thomas everything that had happened to her and instead of asking questions the Church Brother just shook his head in disbelief.

“Incredible,” he whispered under his breath, “truly incredible. Lilian, you’ve achieved and seen more as a teenager than most people manage in an entire lifetime. Can I ask, what brought you back to Benlunar?” Lilian was confused at the question.

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” started Brother Thomas, “you have the skills and training to help people who are truly in need. There must be communities that could really use someone like you on their side. Why come back here?” Lilian was taken aback.

“Well, this is my home. I wanted to see my family and my friends. I suppose I’ll move on eventually but for now I just want to rest.” Brother Thomas nodded.

“And you’ve earned that rest. I’m glad you’ve returned. Benlunar is so cut off from the rest of the world that it’s sometimes easy to assume that nothing else exists out there.” He gestured to the view and the valley, “having someone leave and come back keeps the rest of us from assuming that this town is all there is.” Lilian considered this.

“I’m fine with Benlunar knowing more about the world, but I’m not sure how I feel about the world knowing about Benlunar.” Brother Thomas laughed.

“Yes it is tempting to try and keep this place a secret. But the world is getting smaller every year. For now it’s a few tourists, but soon it will be travellers, settlers, caravans. You can try to keep the world from your doorstep but that won’t stop it knocking.” Lilian heard his tone shift and she got the sense that he was back to thinking about Sage Fenric. She smiled and tried her best to sound reassuring.

“We welcomed you when you first arrived, didn’t we? And we can welcome others too. As long as you have a kind heart you have a place in Benlunar.” Brother Thomas turned his head to look at her.

“You truly believe that, don’t you?” Lilian shrugged.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Brother Thomas hopped off the wall and brushed the dirt from his church robes.

“Because we’re about to kick a man out for the crime of speaking about a garden.” Lilian jumped down after him and they began walking back up the road.

“We?? Who said anything about we?” Brother Thomas laughed again.

“Well this old monk might be dangerous, I shall need a bodyguard to keep me from being struck by his frail hand.” Lilian rolled her eyes.

“Fine, if you’re too craven to deliver the news by yourself I suppose I could help you.” When they reached the town square they said goodbye to each other and promised to meet at the Stave in an hour so that they could go and inform Sage Fenric about the decision.

Lilian took the time to visit her horse at The Fox & Octopus. Afaran seemed comfortable enough and appeared to visibly cheer up when he saw Lilian, although that may have been because of the bag of oats she had been carrying. Lilian made an agreement with Liny and Xander that, should she fail to visit, they would feed and water Afaran and exercise him whenever possible. A beast like that could not stand being idle. Lilian knew that she should probably sell him to someone who might have more need of him, but she’d come to enjoy the horse’s company, he was a strong and reliable friend. Lilian felt a pang of guilt when she had to leave him to go and meet Brother Thomas, but they’d taken a short ride together and Lilian had brushed his coat and cleaned his hooves and fed him enough apples to make sure he felt sufficiently spoiled.

When she came back to the town square there was already a small crowd gathering outside of the Stave. Brother Thomas was there standing in front of the Church door holding court. He seemed to be trying to placate the crowd. He looked relieved when he caught sight of Lilian and gestured for her to come and join him. He was currently engaged in conversation with several townsfolk, a few of whom Lilian recognised. There was a short, stout man with a black moustache who Lilian knew as Mr Nilsen. He owned a pear orchard a little ways down the mountain. There was a tall woman with a very pointed nose who seemed to have put on her most expensive dress for the occasion. That was Mrs Egli, a widow who lived in the north part of town, her house was the one with all the wind chimes in the front garden. There were others as well, but it was these two who were most active in the conversation.

“But you give no reason Brother!” Lilian heard Mr Nilsen protest as she came close.

“I assure you Lukas my reasons are plentiful. I’ve heard from numerous sources that Sage Fenric is a dangerous man who is not deserving of our time and attention.” This prompted scoffs and murmurs from the small crowd.

“Do you have proof of this Brother Thomas?” asked Mrs Egli in her distinct, nasal voice.

“I have it on good authority from a traveller…” this word prompted an even louder grown, Brother Thomas, pushed through it, “from a trusted traveller who has seen his work first hand.” Lilian had pushed her way to the front of the crowd by now and decided to come to Brother Thomas’ aid.

“It’s true,” she said, her voiced raised, “I’ve heard the stories and they’re not good. The towns he leaves behind are left in ruin, their people starve and they neglect their families.” This induced a ripple of laughter from the crowd. One young man, who Lilian did not recognise jeered a retort,

“Do you think us fools?” The crowd cheered their support, “We would never allow that to pass.”

“No I know that…” Brother Thomas was becoming flustered, each passing minute brought new people and the crowd was quickly becoming unmanageable.

“Then why not let him say his piece Brother?” Mr Nilson’s tone was on the edge between pleading and anger. Lilian had not expected the townsfolk to be this adamant. Suddenly, there was a shift in the mood. The back of the group fell silent as a sharp voice cut through the cacophony.

“My friends, what is the meaning of all this?”

The crowd slowly parted revealing Sage Fenric in his yellow cloak, flanked by the three sisters. There was a moment of tense silence. Lilian and Brother Thomas stood at one end of the gap in the gathering, blocking the entrance to the Stave, Sage Fenric took his place at the other end barring the way to the marketplace. The two parties squared off. Out of the corner of her eye, Lilian saw Brother Thomas’ hand clench into a fist. The silence was broken by the young man who had spoken up before. He was tall and thin with wispy beard hair lightly covering the lower half of his slender face.

“Brother Thomas says he is to deny you the Stave Sage Fenric. He reckons you’re dangerous.” Lilian’s heart sank, this was not how she’d wanted the decision to be broken to the travellers. They might have a bad reputation, but they were still owed a modicum of courtesy. Sage Fenric listened to the accusation and nodded. He then shut his eyes as if entering a state of deep contemplation and began to slowly shake his head.

“My friends. Please, I urge you, do not blame the Church Brother too harshly. We are dealing with new and exciting ideas and the Church, well, it is not exactly famous for innovation.” There was a small ripple of laughter in the crowd. Lilian felt her jaw clench. “It’s true that what I speak of does not feature in the book of stories, nor does it conform to the traditional teachings. The unknown is often scary. So please. Do not blame them. Your Stave is a beautiful building, but it is just that. A building, made of wood and stone. My message can be shared anywhere. Let us respect our Brother’s wishes. I would not ask a goat herd to sell me wool, nor would I expect a baker to build me a house.” Lilian could see several members of the crowd nod their heads. She felt as though she should be grateful for the situation becoming less tense, but with every word that left Sage Fenric’s mouth, Lilian’s body tightened with frustration. “Let me put this to you,” he continued, “I will go back to my caravan and anyone who wishes to hear what I have to say is welcome to join me there.”

At this, Lilian felt her arms soften somewhat. It wasn’t the solution they’d set out for but as far as compromises go, it wasn’t the worst in the world.

“No. No, I'm afraid that will not do.” The whole crowd, including Lilian, turned to look at Brother Thomas. “This isn’t just about the Stave, Mr Fenric, this is about you. I must ask that you leave Benlunar. Today.” In the silence that followed, you could have heard a doormouse sneeze. All eyes turned back to Sage Fenric as if the crowd were watching some strange sporting event. Sage Fenric’s face had grown serious. He was not quite scowling, but Lilian could tell that his mood had shifted considerably.

“Does he speak for all of you?” He glanced around at the people gathered there. Some shook their heads. Mrs Egli, who had not stopped smiling since Sage Fenric had arrived, spoke first.

“He does not speak for me, Sage Fenric.”

“Nor I,” said Lukas Nilson. Then more people started agreeing with them. Lilian took in a deep breath, sensing the outcome of the situation.

“It seems as though not everyone shares your… thoughts, Brother Thomas. It’s true that I am a stranger to your town, but I was not aware that the Church had the authority to expel anybody…” the young, thin faced man cut him off before he could finish.

“It doesn’t. Only the mayor can do that.” The man’s tone was laced with malice and Lilian almost laughed at his haughtiness. Sage Fenric was not perturbed by the interruption. He simply nodded.

“Then I shall do as I said and if Mayor Hargen decrees my presence unwanted then I shall respect his wishes and the wishes of the townsfolk. For now, I bid you all a good afternoon. Brother Thomas, you are welcome at my caravan any time, I would love to hear more about these concerns of yours. Perhaps I can assuage your fears over a cup of tea. For now, farewell.”

Sage Fenric then turned to leave and the crowd began to disperse. The occasional look of disdain was thrown in Brother Thomas’ direction, but he didn’t seem to mind. Lilian was too distracted to pay the crowd any attention either. She was looking at the tallest of the three women who accompanied Sage Fenric. This woman, Tourmaline, had her eyes fixed on Lilian and the two were locked in a cold stare. Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly and her lips curled into the slightest of smiles. Lilian had been doubting Sage Fenric’s culpability that whole morning, but that one moment told her everything she needed to know. In a blink, Tourmaline and her sisters were gone, leaving a sorry scene in their wake.

Lilian and Brother Thomas stood in silence for some time. Finally Brother Thomas broke the silence by sighing and saying “Well, that could have gone better.” His shoulders slumped and his expression darkened. Fritha began to lick his hand, the way she always did when she sensed someone was upset. Brother Thomas didn’t even seem to notice. “I knew we should have approached Sage Fenric before telling anyone else, but they came just as I was leaving the Stave and all I did was inform them that there wasn’t going to be a meeting today. I just… I just didn’t think they’d be that concerned.” Lilian turned to him and spoke in her most comforting voice.

“It’s alright. You haven’t done anything wrong. I think we’ve underestimated Sage Fenric and his companions. But that ends now. You go and talk to Mayor Hargen. Tell him everything.” She started walking away from the Church doors.

“What are you going to do?” asked Brother Thomas.

“I’m going to have a word with Sage Fenric.”

Lilian walked across town with steely determination. Whatever doubts she’d had about this mysterious stranger were now well and truly crushed. It was that gloating smile from Tourmaline. Like she’d won a fight without even having to draw a blade. Fritha, sensing the shifting tide, reigned her hair in short and let it grow black, black as Lilian’s mood. Her teeth elongated until they protruded from her top lip and she began to lope quickly, ducking her head beneath her shoulders and sticking herself to Lilian’s side. Lilian had no weapon, but she did not need one.

By the time she reached the paddock there was already a small crowd gathered there. It mostly consisted of the people who had just been outside the Stave, but there were a few newcomers making their way across the grass. Lilian stomped past them. Sage Fenric was standing on a small platform that was suspended from the side of his caravan by two chains. He was already speaking to the crowd by the time Lilian came close. Lilian paid no attention to what he was saying.

“Hey!” she shouted at the old man. The whole crowd turned to look at her. Some of the people at the back reeled in fright at the sight of Fritha’s drooling maw. Sage Fenric remained calm as ever.

“Ah, hello again. I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure…”

“There would be no pleasure sir, believe me. My name is Lilian Lausanne and I’m here to give you an ultimatum. This town is under my protection, leave by dawn, or suffer the consequences.” Sage Fenric considered the statement for a second before turning back to the congregation.

“You see friends, this is what I was just talking about. Doubters. Dissenters. Non-believers, they are everywhere and they take many forms. It seems as though your own Church Brother has succumbed to his doubts and fears and now he sends this young woman to fight his battles. See how angry she is, see how she tries even now to dissuade you all.” Lilian felt her face grow red at the accusation.

“I’m not angry and no one sent me. The only reason I’m threatening you is because you pose a threat to us.” At that point, Lilian raised her voice and addressed the surrounding crowd. “This man is lying to you. He goes from town to town and destroys the lives of those who live there. He drives people mad, forces them to go without food for days on end.” She saw looks of concern dotted among the crowd, but instead of asking more questions they turned to Safe Fenric for reassurance. His brow was furrowed in confusion. Then, he began to laugh.

“I must say, this is a theory I’ve not heard before. Very original. But sadly, false. While it’s true that I do travel a fair bit I do not ‘destroy lives’. Perhaps she is referring to how I try and persuade others to give up their old ways and seek better, more peaceful lives through my teachings. I suppose you could interpret that as ‘destroying’ a life.” Lilian had had enough of words. She pushed her way through the small group, shoving shoulders and letting her anger guide her steps. Once she reached the front she hopped up onto the improvised stage in one swift movement. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the blue cloaked sisters tense and take a step forward, but they did not come to Safe Fenric’s aid in time. Lilian was already grabbing the front of his cloak with her left hand. He was about a head taller than she was so she yanked hard on the material, forcing his face forwards and down. Her right hand balled into a tight fist and shot up and behind her head, coming level with Sage Fenric’s green eyes. She paused before landing a blow.

“Get out of Benlunar. Tonight. Or I swear by the stars you’ll wish you had.”

“Lilian?” A voice stayed her hand. Lilian turned to look over her right shoulder and found herself staring directly into the concerned eyes of her mother.