A Promise at Dawn

Maria awakened before any rays of sun. In truth, she’d already been awake. Hardly slept a wink. But outside her window, the deep black of the horizon showed its first hints of gold streaking through.

She clutched the straps of her pack, which she’d prepared overnight, and silently traversed the chapel halls illuminated softly under a low lantern glow. The floorboards didn’t groan beneath Maria’s feet, as if the old wood itself was trying to help keep her secret.

Maria had hardly ever missed preparing breakfast; it filled her with unease. But this time, it was for the best. The little ones were far too young to understand. There’d be too many questions, too many tears. Mother Martha would explain it as a trip she had to take, though Leo would surely get the full-truth out of her.

Maria creaked down into the cellar; only a made bed remained.

“A man of his word,” she whispered. Her eyes gazed at nothing. Maria would soon follow.

The hall leading out of the chapel for good seemed longer than usual. It ran past the dining hall where she’d share so many meals and so many warm memories. Maria didn’t turn as she passed by, but a voice from within called out. Mother Martha’s.

“Leaving without breakfast?”

Maria froze.

Inside the dining hall, the slowly diminishing darkness was eased by the warm glow of the candle chandelier above. And underneath, the long wooden table was filled with small, confused faces and heavy eyes.

“Why are you—?”

“You’re lucky I didn’t prepare breakfast without you,” Mother Martha said.

A little one rubbed his puffy eyes. “Why are we having breakfast so early?”

Mother Martha turned with a gentle grin. “Because we’re going to have a long day ahead of us, so it’s best we do so with a proper meal.” Her gaze returned to Maria. “Isn’t that right, Sister Maria?”

Maria nodded with a downcast gaze  

“Come now,” Mother Martha said. “The children are hungry. I’ll help set the table.”

***

Final breakfast wasn’t the quiet or teary affair that Maria expected. It was warmer than usual. Her cooking hadn’t changed, yet the rice porridge seemed richer. The bread, fluffier. The children were scarfing down their plates in record time. Still, one seat, that for the past two weeks grew to be filled, remained empty.

Little Toby spoke through a mouth full of porridge. “So, why a long day ahead? Are we going on an outing?”

“Don’t speak with your mouth full, Toby,” Maria said.

He gulped down what he had. “Yes, ma’am.”

Mother Martha chuckled. “We won’t be going on an outing, but Sister Maria is. She’ll be taking a little trip.”

Questions flooded the dining hall.

“What kind of trip?”

“When will you return?”

“Can we go along?”

The chatter continued. Mother Martha tried her best to settle the rowdiness. One last question broke through. One that tugged Maria’s ears and made her perk up. Leo. He was a clever child.

“Is it the men in golden armor?” he asked.

“I’m leaving… to clear some things up.”

Leo looked at the empty seat. “…The traveler?”

Mother Martha spoke before Maria could. “He didn’t want breakfast. His loss.” She shrugged, casting a knowing look at Maria. “He insisted on completing ‘professional checks’ around the perimeter before leaving.”

Maria felt a subtle tug at the corner of her lips. I thought you’d be gone first light, Kaelan.

“So, he’s still around,” Leo said. Scarfing down the rest of his food. “Thank you for the meal!”

“Where are you off to?” Mother Martha said to deaf airs.

“Hey! No running in the halls, you’ll hurt yourself.” But Leo was out the door before Maria finished her sentence.

***

Maria stepped out into the biting morning air. Mother Martha insisted that they would all be waving goodbye to her at the village entrance, but before Maria could see their smiling faces a final time, she had a quick detour to make.

Far back behind the chapel at the foot of a tree, Maria stood before a simple stone cross—Father Goren’s grave. She placed a sprig of lavender in front.

“Please watch over them for me while I’m away,” she whispered.

As she skirted the edge of the chapel grounds on her way out, a rhythmic thud and clack of wood on wood drew her attention. In a small clearing, Leo faced Kaelan.

What are they—? She swayed her head side to side scanning for cover. Spotting an oak, she hid under its shadow. She peeked her head out in curiosity.

Leo held a practice sword, his face dripping sweat despite the chill before a full dawn. Kaelan stood opposite with stiff posture, a short sturdy wooden pole in hand.

Leo lunged. Kaelan parried the blow with a flick of his wrist that sent the boy sprawling into the dirt.

"Too slow," Kaelan growled. "You’re watching the weapon. Watch my shoulders."

Leo scrambled up, his eyes fierce. "Again!"

"You're wasting your energy," Kaelan said, but Leo swung again anyway. This time Kaelan didn't just parry. He stepped in and with a fluid motion adjusted the boy’s grip. "Wrap your palm around it. Keep your center of gravity low."

The clash dragged on until even Kaelan had to catch his breath.

“Quite the persistent one, aren’t you?”

"You're strong," Leo panted, rubbing a sore wrist. "Sister Maria says strength is for helping people."

Kaelan went still. "She says a lot of things," he muttered.

“She’ll also be traveling soon.” Leo held his gaze. "...I hope she's right.”

Maria did her best tree impression alongside the real one, but it seemed like her honey-colored hair peeked too far from behind. The two stared at her with blank faces as she stumbled from its shadow.

“H-Hello there.” She waved weakly.

“Sister Maria!” Leo beamed. “Did you see me?”

She tousled Leo’s unruly brown hair. “I sure did. You’ve grown strong.”

Leo smiled widely.

“That’s why… I’m leaving you in charge.”

“Really?”

Maria nodded.

“Be sure to help Mother Martha to look after the little ones. You’re the man of the house now.”

His eyes widened. “Of course!”

“Now run along and join the others. I’m sure Mother Martha has been wondering where you’d run off to.”

Leo left with a pep in his step.

Maria turned to Kaelan. “Thank you for going easy on him.”

“I wasn’t. He’s a strong kid. He’ll get far.”

Maria sighed. “Sometimes he can be too kind for his own good.”

Kaelan scoffed. “Coming from you?”

She pouted.

“Well, what of you?”

“What about me?”

“You’re still here,” Maria said, holding a mischievous grin  

Kaelan averted his gaze. “Not for long.”

Maria chuckled. “Then, I guess this is goodbye.”

“…It is.”

The two began walking off in the same direction. “Or not,” Maria said. “At least for now. Only one way out of the village.”

Kaelan sighed. “Well. After two weeks… what’s a bit longer.”

***

At the village's end, Maria found an envoy of familiar faces waiting for her. The cool air gave way to the rising sun’s warming rays. Kaelan’s shadow hovered at the edge, he observed in silence while Maria said her goodbyes. 

Little Lily embraced her first, then little Toby, then Leo, then all the children buried her in hugs. Finally, after nearly having to scrape them off her, Mother Martha embraced her with a hug that lingered.

“Take care of yourself out there, Maria,” she said. “Did you double check your pack?”

Maria nodded. “I did.”

“And the rations I prepared for you?”

“Yep! They’re in there.”

“Remember not to carry every burden yourself.”

Maria chuckled. “When have I ever done that?”

“When indeed…”

Maria gave a soft smile. “I’ll be fine.”

Before walking off, a small tug on her tunic held her back. It was little Toby.

"Promise you'll come back?" Toby whispered.

Maria crouched to meet his eyes. "I promise.”

She walked off from a wave of hands and kind smiles. And at some point, Kaelan’s looming shadow had finally disappeared. 

Maria continued without looking back. If she did, she feared not having the strength to leave.

She walked the familiar dirt road that led through the entrance, now also the exit. She walked until the village was nothing more than a warm smudge on the horizon. Only then did she dare look back, and only then did she finally release the fountain of tears she’d held back for so long.