Theories

Cedric and Edgar looked positively stunned once Lorenzo had finished the tale on their way back from the apothecary.

”All along little Agnes was… fae?” Cedric asked, almost in a daze.

”I knew it!” Edgar said. “I mean, none of this makes any sense, but it would explain why Agnes can read Latin…Maybe she has been tricked by pagans. To a small, gullible child a crazy woman dressed in tree leaves can absolutely look like…”

Lorenzo stopped walking.

”I have contemplated every possibility that this is not… “

“Witchcraft?” Edgar asked in a whisper.

”Possession,” Lorenzo finished in an equally soft voice. “And if it is, Agnes is in great danger.”

”Because of the dark spirit,” Cedric concluded.

”Because of the church,” Lorenzo said. “We need to get her away from the forest, but also from people, especially Ignatius.”

“I agree,” Edgar said. “Would her abbess know?”

“Hard to tell. But Agnes is not presently living in the cloister,” Lorenzo replied.

“If this… entity…or faction… believes they are preparing for conflict, Agnes cannot be allowed near the woods.” Cedric said.

“There’s also the urgent matter of the river,” Lorenzo said. “Someone is dumping bodies and animal carcasses. Agnes and I saw two wash ashore. I will send a message to Anthony, Dominic, and the others at once to convene tonight. See to your patients for the day and let’s all meet at the tavern. We must make haste.”

The other two doctors nodded in agreement.

✨✨✨

As Sister Agatha approached the abandoned chapel, she noticed the flash of green light under the door. A loud crashing sound followed.

”Agnes? Little sister Agnes?” she called then, knocking more persistently.

It took a moment, but eventually, there was an answer.

”Yes, dearest Sister Agatha?” Agnes asked sweetly from inside.

”Are you alright in there? I wanted to bring you some sweets that the other sisters sent for you.”

”Perfectly well. You are so very kind. Leave them on the doorstep. I will fetch them as soon as…my prayers are done.”

”But I wanted to see you! It’s been a couple of days. And you looked so forlorn the last time we saw you.”

“Dear Sister Agatha, these measures are in place to protect you and all my other sisters,” Agnes said.

“Oh, I know that! I will keep my distance, just like we did when we delivered you to the plague doctor. But I just need to see your adorable little face!”

Silence.

At last, the bolt slid back and Agnes stood at the doorway with a forced smile, still blocking the door.

”There you are! So happy to see you! Looking as adorable as ever!” Agatha said, giving her cheeks a squeeze. “Here, all the sisters sent something. Beatrice sent poached pears and Sister Bernadette made custard. Margaret and Magdalene sent you fresh berries with honey. We are all so grateful for all you are doing to bring such generous income to the coffers.”

“We all do what Our Lord calls.”

“We have been so worried, especially after leaving you with that…that… sinister-looking man! Was it awful going to visit a sick house? I would imagine so!”

“Well…”

”Dreadful specter he was…”

”Not really…”

“And to think, you must see those frightening plague doctors, day in and day out, bringing their medicine, then serving their ale, and now assisting their sick visits. I could never…”

Agnes waited while Agatha continued to talk a bit more. And then finally gave her a sweet smile.

”You take care of yourself, bravest little sister!”

“Bless you, Sister Agatha. And thank you for the lovely provisions!”

Agnes called after her, waited until the nun was out of sight, then shut the door with a sigh of relief.

Once she set that large basket down with indifference, she placed her hands on her hips to survey the mess. The little gray chapel’s stone walls were now streaked with ancient drawings that glowed a furious jade green, while corners of the chapel still shot residual sparks. The black stag that had been concealed in the corner now stepped into the light.

“I thought she’d never leave,” he said.

”They are right to worry,” Agnes said then, shedding the last of her childlike demeanor.

“You grow weaker with every protection spell you cast to guard this abbey.”

“I won’t stop casting them, Armando.”

“The community is larger than ever. And now you’re also protecting the doctors that visit your tavern. You’re extending your influence farther. And you grow weaker because of it.”

“I should be protecting entire cities. Not just a handful of doctors, and in such subtle ways they don’t even notice their ranks are not thinning as they were before.”

”Them not noticing is the right course. But doing all this only diminishes your power further when you should be preparing for battle.”

“We’ve been over this. If you are so concerned with my readiness for battle, then every time you summon me, you keep me from resting.”

“Hauroth gathers his army.”

“As do I.”

Armando scoffed.

“The metal man and the half-birds?”

“This is like no corruption we’ve ever faced. And I will take no criticism from someone who messes up a simple elixir.”

“ME?! My formula was not followed.”

”That was you and Agnes. I had nothing to do with it.”

”The child cannot follow simple instructions!” Armando complained. ”You fell for Hauroth’s bait. You never should have gone into that village. You should have just had it out with him right then and there.”

”I don’t recall half so much protesting from you at the wedding,” she said through gritted teeth.

”You took a child without a settled agreement!”

”I will often do many things without a settled agreement…”

“Is that so? Well, I’m glad to be forewarned of this matter...”

Another knock at the door.

They both shouted.

”What?!”

Yet Agnes sweetened her demeanor.

“Uh…Who is it?”

”Is someone in there with you, little Sister Agnes?” Agatha called from the outside. “I just heard voices.”

”Uh…no, just a flea-bitten stag that wandered in without being invited. But I will chase it out with a stick…”

Agnes made a face to prompt him.

Armando frowned and then grunted to offer proof of his presence in the chapel.

“Oh… all right. We do get those around here, from time to time. Be well, little sister!” Agatha said and they heard her footsteps grow distant.

“You are unbearable,” Armando grumbled then.

“And if this charming exchange is over, I would  very much like to go back to sleep now.”

”Hmph…” Armando said.

Agnes closed her eyes, then opened them again with a slight shake of the head.

“Ah, the woodland lovers had their chat,” Agnes said, back to her cheerful self. “Talked to your beloved bride enough?”

“You know how choleric she is,” Armando grumbled.

“Choleric…” Agnes scoffed. “Don’t think for a moment that I’ve forgotten that you have not given me a ride through the forest in weeks.”

“I haven’t because you are too reckless…and pinchy.”

Agnes giggled.

“Also, stop calling her a fae instead of a mage. You do this and she’s in a bad mood for days.”

“The bad mood is her only mood.”

“Hrmph!” Armando growled. “I don’t like children.”

“All right… all right… I must go and settle today’s menu,” she said. “It’s bad enough I was impulsive and told Lorenzo the truth. I can’t have the sisters walk in and see Duessa’s heretic spells being cast here instead of prayers. Tidy up.”

Armando looked annoyed.

“I am a sacred warrior,” he grumbled.

Still grabbed a broom with his teeth and began to sweep.