The Ordination of the Novice

darkness. The distant toll of the evening bell echoed through the

ed with questions she dared not voice. Beyond her window, moonlight broke through drifting clouds,

ew her cloak tighter, though the chill that gripped her came not from the air but f

ts. The door creaked open and Maire slipp

asleep?" Mai

r head. "Could

if Emily's wakefulness eased her own guilt. She sat

ething in the sacristy," she murm

ething... felt something, per

share, Emily. Not all ears here are friendl

oice low. "And Annalise

ition beats in her heart as surely as prayer. Fat

that," Emi

: late nights whispering of dreams, secrets, and doubts; mornings

brushing Emily's. "Whatever happens,"

ce catching. "For leaving you to ca

iveness mingling in her eyes. "Sleep,

ing where flickering torchlight painted restless patterns. Sle

self once more in the sacristy. The air felt colder, the shado

most human, whisper

embe

empty. Only the candles burned - and their flames

moved in the air. Then a figure took shape in the deepest shadow: no

" the whisper curled around

e. The cell lay silent, the moon's pale glow painting a thin line across the

leep: soft footsteps, deliberate, unhurried. Sh

study in calm shadows. For a heartbeat, their gazes locke

Annalise murmured, voi

ly whispered back, steppin

often comes late to those who carry burden

uestion that had grown since dawn

you left - and returned," she said, voice low, almost g

m a danger?"

ion yet unanswered. And questions can be

ched Annalise's gaze for hostility, but found only warin

aid, voice steady despite the tremo

ts the faith you profess?" Annalise

en I will face it -

acknowledging Emily's words. "Then let us both pray y

orridor as she walked away. Emily watched until the shado

, heart pounding. Annalise's words echo

moonlit courtyard. The old stones gleamed silver unde

something had begun to stir - something

ng palms together. The prayer that rose wa

courage to f

to hold to truth, even

ister arches like a voice half-heard. And E

int Avila was no

n had begun to