Chapter 23
Cara
My first night at the convent goes about as well as can be expected. The hard wooden slats of the cot dig into my bones, and as night falls I realize the window above me has no glass. Howling winds come down off the mountains all night long, cutting through the thin blanket I’m given, and I curl into a ball to conserve warmth.
Icoulduse my gifts to warm myself, but I suspect that’s what Father Aron wants me to do. Far be it from me to give him what he wants, so I suffer through it.
Sleep evades me for most of the night, and I’ve only barely started to doze when a knock at my door jerks me awake.
“Mistress Cara? It’s Sister Orra. Breakfast will be served shortly.”
Sister Orra? It takes a moment for my exhausted brain to register the name. One of the nuns who helped raise Sable. She speaks of her fondly, so I suppose I’ll give the older woman the benefit of the doubt in this mess. She’s probably only following orders from Father Aron and likely didn’t mean to irritate me this early in the day.
“Thank you, Sister. I’ll be out shortly.”
I get up and open the door, cringing as it creaks. Retracing my steps from the night before, I find my way back to the bathhouse. A young female acolyte assists me in filling a basin to wash my face, and then she instructs me on how to get to the dining hall.
Most of the wolves are up and seated for breakfast when I arrive, and I take a seat between Hugh and Sym on the long bench, eager for some real food. Small game works in a pinch, but I’d be happy with even a simple oatmeal breakfast if it was warm. Maybe some spices. My mouth waters at the thought of a decent meal.
Acolytes stream in from the kitchen door, carrying trays of bowls. Porridge from the smell, hot and steaming. They set the bowls down in front of each of us, then return to the kitchen. I wonder if we are allowed to start eating right away or if the panthers require a brief prayer before we can begin. Looking around, none of the other wolves have started their meals yet, so I assume we are waiting for someone to instruct us on when to begin.
To my surprise, the acolytes come back out, this time with trays of warm bread to go with the porridge. Everyone is served a large hunk of bread, then the acolytes start setting another table with bowls and bread. Once the tables are full, they sit down at the second table and wait.
Shortly after, Father Aron appears, followed by two rows of nuns. Sable brings up the rear, and they all sit at the table with the acolytes. Father Aron is the last to sit, raising a glass of water to the room as he addresses us.
“Worshippers of Igni. Honored guests. It pleases me to have you all here to break this fast. I have taken the opportunity while you all washed up to bless this meal while it was cooked. I think you will all find it hearty and filling. Please, dig in.”
I don’t need to be told twice. Not wanting to seem like a glutton, I wait a beat for someone else to start before I pick up my spoon and taste the porridge. A soft moan escapes my lips, and it takes all I have not to shovel the delicious food into my mouth. I alternate sips of water and bites of bread with the heavenly porridge, and when I’m done I sit back, dabbing my mouth with the corner of a cloth.
I note that the other wolves, children included, have all devoured their meals as well. Good. Either they all enjoyed it as much as I did, or they are smart enough not to risk Father Aron’s wrath by rejecting his offering.
After we finish eating, we all wait to be excused. Father Aron eats agonizingly slow, and I suspect that as the Alpha of this convent he’ll insist on making us wait until he’s done before allowing us to get up from the table. Sure enough, we sit for a good twenty minutes while he eats. Even Sable seems a bit on edge from it.
He wipes his mouth with a cloth and clears his throat. “I trust you all enjoyed your meal?”
We nod in unison.
“Good. Now, Cara, I have a boon to beg of you.”
I raise a brow. “Oh?”
“Indeed. It would seem our food stores are quite low. Might I ask the help of some of your hardier wolves in going to the woods in search of game? The deer there are plentiful, but they’re wary of us. Perhaps your people will have better luck hunting a few for us.”
It’s not an outrageous request, but something about it doesn’t sit right with me. Still, we’re at their mercy until we can regroup and form a plan of action, so I’d best act grateful for their help. “Of course, Father. Anything we can do to be of assistance. Hugh and Sym can gather a group this morning and set out.”
“My thanks, Suntouched.” He stands, and the nuns and acolytes rise with him. “Now, as for the rest of you, you're more than welcome to join my people in their daily chores and lessons. I believe maths are being taught by Sister Lily today. Is that right, Sister?”
An elderly nun nods, and Father Aron smiles. “Excellent. Always an interesting lesson.”
As he starts to leave, I stand up. “Beg your pardon, Father, but is there any way that I can be of help to you while we're here? I am no stranger to labor, or I can provide aid in other ways.”
His lips spread in a smile that chills me to the bone. “Why yes, Suntouched. I know just the thing. Do follow me, please.”
Hugh and Sym exchange twin glances of concern, but I signal them to stay calm. While I don’t trust Father Aron, I also know that I've got to be a gracious guest. Perhaps he's not as sinister as he seems; perhaps he's just one of those harmless people who give off a dangerous air.
I follow the priest out of the dining hall and down a long corridor. Two male acolytes take up the rear behind us, and my hackles raise. Even if I wasn’t still wary of men, their presence is unnerving. Add in the flash of metal hiding beneath their billowing orange robes, and I realize I may have been hasty in not asking for one of my guards to accompany us.
We exit the corridor into the compound’s center courtyard. The Flame of Igni burns bright, warming us. Father Aron stops next to the giant bonfire and turns to face me.
