Chapter 3

Upon returning to the temple, Samuel’s first priority was to find Eliah. The man was animatedly discussing something with a young married couple, gesturing broadly. Samuel merely nodded to them from afar and stood a short distance away in the shade of a gazebo.

“Back already? How did everything go?” Eliah inquired, having bid the family farewell.

“Well... as far as organizing the festival goes, I haven't learned anything yet,” the young man replied with a nervous smile.

“Never mind, it happens!” the elder laughed, clapping the young man on the back. “There will be other chances to talk! It’s no good to press too hard. What, did they wear you out with tag and hide-and-seek?”

“Not exactly... Truth be told, Leon—Thomas and Isabella’s son—told me something strange... so I decided to consult with you right away. I’ve been here for nearly a year, but I’ve never heard anything like it from the locals, so perhaps it’s just some mistake. I just thought you might know who he was talking about.”

“Who would that be?”

“Well, Leon said he encountered a witch and even spoke with her!”

“A witch? And where?”

“Right at the market! He said his mother told him she was a witch. At first, I thought it was just said in the heat of the moment—you know yourself, no matter how much we speak at mass about the evils of foul language, a harsh word slips out now and then! But Leon said his mother didn't look angry; she looked terrified. So I wanted to check, just in case.”

“Terrified?” Eliah murmured thoughtfully, letting out a sigh. “It sounds like Hilda has caused another stir...”

“Hilda?” Samuel repeated, puzzled and frowning. “I’ve never heard of her. You know her?”

“Not well,” the man replied, grunting as he lowered himself onto a bench; joint pain had begun to plague him early in life. “I practically grew up with her parents. When I was invited to be a mentor at the monastery, they had only just married. By the way, you know the father too—it’s Lotan.”

“Brother Lotan?! He has a daughter? Why has he never spoken of her?”

Eliah clicked his tongue and looked at the youth with a faint reproach.

“Don’t even think of questioning him about it; it’s hard enough on him as it is. About eight years ago, his daughter was excommunicated.”

“Eight whole years and she still hasn't returned?! Is she truly... one of those?” Samuel exclaimed, his voice dropping to a frightened whisper.

“So they say, but I think she is simply consumed by guilt,” Eliah sighed. “Her mother, Jepha, was a very spiritual sister. So much so that she gave her only daughter to the monastery when the girl was only eight years old. Truthfully, I was surprised myself when I found out. It seems she had great hopes for her daughter... So when she learned that Hilda had been excommunicated, her heart couldn't bear it. She hanged herself.”

“How horrible... Then... do the townspeople call her a witch because they blame her for her mother’s death?”

“Most likely. Think for yourself—how would you feel in her place?”

Samuel shuddered; even imagining such a thing was terrifying.

“Hilda must be very lonely...”

“Want to help?” Eliah smirked.

Samuel gave a short nod, still staring at the dusty patterns on the ground.

“It won’t be easy. But who knows, perhaps there is still a smoldering ember left in her heart that you can fan into a flame...”

“I... I need to look into everything!” Samuel jumped up from the bench and ran toward the library.

“Wait!...” Eliah called out after him, but the young man was already too far away.

In the restricted hall of the library, to which only elders held the keys, stood a shelf dedicated entirely to information about the congregation: birth dates, addresses, marital status, illnesses, spiritual progress... It was said that thanks to this, the elders could provide timely assistance to every member of the fold. However, exactly what was recorded in these personal files remained a mystery to most—ordinary believers had no access to these cards, not even their own.

Among the vast number of papers concerning deceased brothers and sisters, Samuel found the records for Jepha, which only repeated what Eliah had already told him. Not much more was known about Lotan either—the only new piece of information the young man gathered was that Lotan frequently changed jobs and had recently been found intoxicated a couple of times (hardly surprising, given his family history). To Samuel’s bewilderment, he could not find Hilda’s card anywhere. There was information even on the most hardened apostates—those who disrupted masses or engaged in vandalism by scrawling indecencies on the temple walls—but Hilda? It was as if such a girl had never existed. The only proof of her being was a brief mention of her birth in her parents’ records.

Dusty and confused, Samuel returned to Eliah.

“I’ve combed through that shelf a dozen times, but there’s nothing on Hilda! How can that be? Even if she served at the monastery, if she was born in Clementia and lives here now, her records should have been returned to her home parish, shouldn't they?”

“They should have been, but the thing is, the decision for her excommunication wasn't made by local elders, but by the High Council itself. It seems her documents went straight there from the monastery,” Eliah shrugged.

“Could something so serious have happened?”

“I don’t think so; most likely they just forgot to return them. As I understand it, the case went there not because it was anything extraordinary, but simply because it happened during a visit from our district overseer. He was visiting the nunnery when it all came to light, so he handled the matter personally.”

“I see... Then... you don’t know at all what kind of sin she committed?”

Eliah pondered.

“The case was discussed at the meeting of overseers and elders that year as well. As I recall, there were two main reasons: apostate ideas and immorality. Но think about it: what kind of apostasy could there be at her age? Hilda was... — Eliah began counting on his fingers, making quick mental calculations — fifteen, maybe seventeen. So young, and she’d spent half her life in a monastery—who could have influenced her like that?”

“So you think the primary reason was... ahem... immorality?”

“What else? Young blood; she likely just gave in to youthful desires. And when her secret acts were brought to light, she probably just rebelled and said many terrible things to the brothers that she later regretted. Who could have known Jepha would...”

“I see...”

Silence fell between them for a few minutes as their gazes wandered over the autumn sky and the crowns of the trees.

“Will you... go with me? I mean... I’ve never done anything like this before,” Samuel looked at Eliah with a touch of uncertainty.

The elder shook his head.

“The journey there isn't short; they say she lives in a cabin deep in the woods now. Besides, I feel my presence would only be a hindrance.”

“Why?!”

“Think about it: she’s lived as a hermit for years. Wouldn't she be frightened if a whole crowd suddenly appeared on her doorstep?”

“Do you think I can manage alone? I have no experience in bringing lost sheep back to the fold...”

Seeing Samuel’s continued doubt in his own strength, Eliah smiled gently.

“In cases like this, personal example speaks louder than a thousand words. You and Hilda are the same age; it will be easier for you to find common ground. If she sees how happy and meaningful the life of a young man or woman can be on the path of righteousness, she will want to return of her own accord. You only need to show her that we are ready to welcome her with open arms.”

“If that’s the case, then... I’ll go tomorrow! Thank you!” Samuel energetically squeezed the elder’s hand with both of his, a radiant smile on his face.

“Good. Tell me later how it went. And... relax and be patient. Even if she takes your words poorly, don't take it as a personal failure. In fact, be prepared that tomorrow you will mostly just be listening to her,” the elder instructed him. “Right now you’re acting on emotion and want to fix everything at once, but try to temper your zeal. Remember, she surely has many wounds on her soul, so don't interrupt or pressure her. If you feel the conversation isn't flowing, don't try to discuss her return at any cost this time. Better to leave a good impression and come back again.”

“I will do everything in my power!” Samuel leaned trustingly against the shoulder of the man who had replaced his own father, and closed his eyes, listening to the wind and the rustle of the leaves.