Weeping Monk x Reader : The Patience Of A Heart Chapter 21
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Story Summary: After fire claimed the lives of your family, the monastery of your Uncle Carden becomes your new home. As the niece of a priest you are expected to behave prim and proper, but not even the watchful eyes of the Weeping Monk can see all. An ancient magic returns to life when love and duty begin to blur.
Chapter Title: Deliver Us From Evil
Notes: It’s a short one, sorry.
Warnings: There’s a list of warnings for this story: Murder. Violence. Death. Angst. Sexism. Strong Language. Trauma. Childhood trauma. Survivor’s guilt. Mentions of child maltreatment. Threat of Sexual assault. PTSD. Misogyny, Self-flagellation. Gore.
Other warnings: Jealousy. Forbidden Love. Romance. Pining. Smut. Spicy content. Little Slow-burn.
Word count of this fic: +130K
Chapter: 21 / lol Gonna keep the chapter count a secret until the end.
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The group was readying themselves near one of the church’s walls, Gawain and Arthur were debating on trying to climb in through a window they spotted but Lancelot considered it a bad idea.
Red Spear took out the sheep’s blood and poured it over the front of your tunic, then she went ahead and tore a hole with a knife in the tunic as well. It had to look real and serious and the raider’s Captain was going all out on it.
She smeared it over your clothes, put a hand-print of it on your stomach and coated your own hand in it.
The others looked stunned by the display.
“Isn’t that a bit much?” Arthur dared to question.
Red Spear shot him a glare “Do you want them to believe it or not?”
It silenced him. Gawain shot Lancelot a look.
When she was finally satisfied, you looked like you had partaken in a massacre.
She looked proud of her work “There. That should do it.”
Gawain placed a hand to your shoulder, then lifted it up when feeling the stickiness on his palm “You will do well. Don’t worry and try to distract them as much as you can. We’re not far away if anything goes awry.”
You nodded and walked away around the corner towards the church’s entrance. The second you were around the corner, was the moment your act began.
You hunched over, clutching your abdomen, and your face distorted in a pained grimace.
Of course you did not call out for help until you were slamming the heavy iron knocker on the door and pleaded for those inside the church to help.
When it took a little too long, your frustration could easily be mistaken for despair and you shouted a little louder and more urgent.
The door was opened by a nun who loudly gasped in shock “Heaven! What happened to you?!”
Dammit, you’d forgotten to think of that.
So you went on to act like you could barely speak “Please…help…”
The nun threw the door open and called out to the other nuns for help, even the priest came to see what the ruckus was about.
You stumbled into the church and grasped a hold on the nun’s arm, the door was closed and locked again.
The priest took one look at you and urged the nuns to help “A sister from an abbey, hurry and bring her to the back.”
The nuns were quick to help you towards one of the infirmary rooms this church had, it seemed like you had not been the only one that had ever stumbled into this place like this.
On your way to this room, you had seen similar rooms to help those who needed it.
This place was build like a sanctuary, no wonder they kept their door locked.
They helped you onto a cot and right then a loud thud came from above.
The nuns looked up at the sound of it.
“That was in the storage room…” A sister commented.
It was obvious that none of them truly went into that room and that’s why they found it strange to hear noises coming from it.
Only an outsider would not know this…
To mask the sound, you began to cough loudly “So much blood…”
A sister began to help you out of the bloodied tunic and found your undergown completely free of blood…
A frown settled on the faces of them very quickly.
Mad nun, it was…
You acted like the removal of the tunic had miraculously healed you “I’m… it’s gone! By the grace of god I am healed!”
It still earned you a lot of strange looks, but who were they to doubt the mysterious ways the god they prayed to worked?
One of them placed a hand on your shoulder, visibly concerned “My name is Sister Mary. Can you tell us what happened?”
You hoped it sounded convincing “I came to Helgenstone to purchase some vegetables our abbey is struggling to find. I was on my way to return when a thief stole my satchel. I tried to fight him off but he had a knife.”
Another nun was looking at the tear in the tunic, she looked like she believed in the miraculous healing.
By appearing thankful and relieved you hoped to convince the others “This place, it’s sacred grounds have saved me.”
Sister Mary asked another to fetch a clean tunic for you to wear “You should remain here for a while, until you are certain you are healed. You lost a lot of blood, Sister…?”
Giving your real name could pose a big problem if Wicklow learned of this.
“Sister Pym.” You lied.
“Welcome to our modest home, Sister Pym. Fear not, you will be safe here. But I must warn, we expect a visit from Abbot Wicklow this afternoon and he always travels with the Trinity Guard. Do not worry, you have nothing to fear from them.”
If only she knew…
The one she had send for a clean tunic returned and helped you dress.
“Would you like some tea or perhaps some soup?” Sister Mary asked.
Well, now that she offered it “Some tea would be nice. Thank you.”
As the nuns cleared out of the room, you stood and hoped to follow Sister Mary and learn your way in this place.
By being polite, you hoped she would allow it “The lord’s grace has filled me with life again. Do you mind if I walk with you a little? I would love to see the place that holds so much of his goodness.”
Sister Mary took you aside and quietly asked “Tell me the truth now. You were never wounded. Are you with child? Is that why you seek shelter here?”
It was a necessary lie to not ruin the plan and she was practically feeding it to you… “I am…I fled from my abbey out of fear of bringing dishonor to them.”
She was compassionate “You have nothing to fear here. Our church helps everyone in need. Come, walk with me. I’ll give you a small tour of the place.”
Walking with her around the church reminded you of your days at the abbey. Sister Mary showed you the kitchens and explained that this was where they made meals for the poorest everyday. It was also where she gave you some tea that you drank while listening to her.
There were indeed multiple infirmary rooms and you could have sworn there was a bowl with what looked like Fey medicine inside…
You said nothing of it.
While walking down a hall, you nearly froze at the sight of two Trinity Guards walking down it as well.
Sister Mary explained “They are here to make certain all is safe for Abbot Wicklow’s arrival, he must be outside waiting with the rest of them. He has acquired many enemies.”
No wonder…
You and Sister Mary moved aside to let them pass, they walked by like neither of you were more than air. By bending your head down, you hoped to stay unrecognized.
Time was ticking…
Getting lost during this tour would not raise many questions, it was a new environment after all.
Waiting for a chance to escape Sister Mary’s sight took a while.
When entering a crowded hall, you blended right in with the veiled crowd and were lost to Sister Mary’s sight.
At least this way you would have an excuse if someone questioned you. Being ‘lost’ offered the opportunity to explore the place in search of Wicklow or the priest who was expected to meet with him.
Where he would be, guards would be.
You came upon a place where eight of the Trinity Guard stood.
Nuns were still walking near the place but kept a distance from the golden masked murderers, one nun almost past you by with a ceramic jug filled with wine and you stopped her.
“Is that for the Abbot, Sister?” You asked the rather young and new looking nun.
She nodded her head shyly “It is.”
It was clear that she wasn’t very keen on the task of bringing it to the Abbot…
You offered her an escape “If you want, I will bring it to the room.”
The young girl was quick to hand you the jug “That would be so kind of you!”
Now that she sounded talkative, you fished for information “Gosh, I wish the Abbot would not bring so many guards. Those masks frighten me.”
The girl sympathized “I agree, he didn’t have to bring along so many… there’s eight of them over there with him just… standing around him. And there’s even more roaming the church.”
Dammit…
She saw the distress on your face and offered “We could go there together. You pour the wine and I serve it?”
It would allow you to be at a distance and lower the risk of getting recognized “Double the hands is half the work.”
Together you walked further down the hall and turned the corner with her into the spacious opening where the Abbot sat opposite the priest.
Neither of you were comfortable walking between the Trinity Guards and you kept your head down and let the veil do it’s work of blocking curious eyes.
The girl went right to the empty tankards that stood on a table nearby at the opposite end of the room.
While watching her accidentally knock over the tankards due to nerves, you could overhear the conversation between Wicklow and the Helgenstone priest.
Wicklow was speaking in that arrogant tone again “As you can deduce, your cooperation will prove valuable for all included parties.”
The priest was not convinced of the Abbot’s ‘preaching’ “Helgenstone has always welcomed everyone regardless of their faith. It is why our city has flourished.”
The Abbot was persistent “It will continue to flourish.”
It was met with a matched stubbornness “Everywhere they-” the priest looked at the golden guard nearest Wicklow “-show their masks, death follows.”
Wicklow wasn’t happy with the defiant priest “Father Samael, Helgenstone is important for the Church’s mission. Many roads lead here, it is crucial that we ensure that the Fey do not seize power here. And we know of your tendency to help all in need without questioning who or what they are.”
Father Samael spoke wise “Is helping those in need not what has been our true mission? The true message the faith has given us all this time. The Church seems to have forgotten what and who we once were.”
Wicklow threatened “Careful, Father Samael, speaking like this is blasphemous.”
The priest rose from the chair abruptly, causing some of the guards to draw their weapons but he did not even flinch “I know the scriptures, Abbot. The real ones that guided us to a better world, not the ones the Church now preaches to the lands.”
The Abbot signaled for the guards to sheath their weapons and stood as well “You will not aid the Church, is that your answer?”
The priest confirmed it “I will not.”
Wicklow threatened him further “This will have consequences, Father Samael. The Holy Father will not support Helgenstone if Helgenstone gives nothing in return.”
You saw Father Samael keep his composure and it only agitated Wicklow further.
After a brief glare, the Abbot tilted his head and signaled to the guards that he was done here.
The girl stood next to you, the tankards of wine now unwanted.
As Wicklow began to walk out the place one guard rudely bumped into you and the jug fell from your hands, shattering on the floor and staining it with red wine.
They were too arrogant to even acknowledge it, even a simple apology was too much.
As you knelt with the girl to collect the shards, you ached for the knife at your ankle.
“I’ll clean it up.” The young nun said.
On another occasion you would have refused to let her do this alone, but Wicklow was leaving…
So you accepted the offer and offered a “Thank you.”
Discreetly you followed the group of guards and Wicklow at a distance, hoping for a chance, one moment where he would be seperated from his guards.
Another came from around the corner and headed straight for Wicklow.
The guard kept his voice low “One of us was found with his throat cut. Others are missing.”
Wicklow realized something was very wrong and still he only responded by giving a simple nod.
He knew now that enemies were near, you needed to get back to the others.
The last thing you knew of their whereabouts was when they were in that storage room, it was the floor above the one you were on.
You headed into the opposite direction from where Wicklow and his guards were heading and searched for a stairwell.
Whilst searching, you did spot a couple of blood drops in a corner near a door opening. Upon opening the door, all you found was an empty sleeping quarter.
And so your search continued, you did find the stairwell and went to the other floor.
It was not as simple to pretend to fit in while also looking odd by going back and forth between hallways and doors…
You tried to locate the storage room and hoped to catch a glimpse of someone soon.
By opening another door and peaking inside, you were caught by Sister Mary.
She sounded very suspicious of you right away “What are you doing? Why did you wander off?”
By keeping up the facade, you hoped to leave the place without a fuss “I’m sorry, I got lost.”
Sister Mary looked disappointed “I don’t believe you. You came into this church by lying and now this.”
It was half a miracle that you were able to stay calm “I can explain.”
Could you?…
She gave a stern look and waited for the explanation.
The same explanation you were struggling to make up on the spot…
Something flew in through the open window nearby and planted itself into the wooden wall behind you.
A burning arrow lighted the wood on fire, the dripping oil from the cloth wrapped around it made it spread even faster.
More burning arrows found their way into the church seconds later and you ducked for cover with Sister Mary.
“Heaven! What is happening?!?” She cried out in fear.
The sound of screaming echoed through the church, alerting you that this floor was not the only one under attack “It’s the Trinity Guard, they are setting this place on fire.”
She could not believe it “Why would they?”
You grabbed hold of her arm and steered her out off the burning hallway “Father Samael refused to hand Abbot Wicklow the reins to Helgenstone’s church, I think the Abbot no longer sees use of it’s existence because of it.”
Fire was blocking path upon path, they were aiming to fire arrows through all windows they could find.
Smoke came from under most closed doors you ran past and you prayed none of the others were in danger.
Sister Mary took the lead and guided the both of you back to the stairwell “We have to get to the doors, quickly!”
Smoke was starting to fill the place and limited your vision.
Once downstairs, the sight of the priest and the other nuns trying to open the large doors made your heart sink.
The Trinity Guard had barricaded the doors from outside, trapping all those present inside of the church.
Your shaking legs did not stop you from going to try and open them yourself.
Pushing past the small crowd, you began to help the Father Samael.
The doors did not budge at all.
Panic rose inside of you “Is there another way out?”
The priest regretted to inform “The fire is blocking it and they are killing those who escape through windows.”
A slaughter had commenced when those trying to escape the flames crawled out the windows and were met with the Trinity Guards who were waiting for them outside.
It was burning alive or getting tortured to death…
The mark’s response on your arm was strong, you could feel it’s pattern.
Was he safe?
Were the others?
Would you ever see him again?
Yeva had seen the fire in your future, had she seen the end?
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