Over The Fence

Wise words and a Patron. Ch 2

They were like  farmers in the eighteen hundreds. But they had modern recycling buckets and mail boxes. It was quite confusing. I was glad I had combat boots, the mud in the roads and field would have ruined my shoes. Soon we reached a square with a statue in the center, with many stales spread about. Luisa walked up to one that had some meats and bread. "Hello Luisa, what can I get for you today?" A young woman asked.

"Morning Elena. I'd like two venison and a loaf please." She said, handing over some silver coins. The girl started raping meat in newspaper and putting everything in a bag. She looked at Luisa and handed her the bag. That's when she finally noticed my presence. "Oh, and who's the little one?" She said with a slight tilt of the head.

Luisa looked down towards me, "Oh this is, uh I forgot to ask your name."

"E-E-Emma." I stuttered.

"Emma. Henry found the poor thing frozen out in the woods, beyond the village. Thank god he did. Poor things wouldn't have made it much longer." She said, putting a hand on my shoulder. The women said goodbye to one another and went their ways. She started leading me towards what looked like an old church building. She opened the gate and led me inside the grounds. I looked to see some graves and some unkempt grass. I looked up to see a small figure of a goat on the top of the builds. How it was able to balance and stay up I had no idea. We soon walked into the old building. In front of us were many church pews, and ahead appeared to be an old woman at some sort of a shrine. "Priestess," Lusia called out as she dragged me forward. The women's turned around. "Ah, hello my child." She said in a crackly voice, "Ah and who is this little one?"

"This is Emma. Henry found her outside the borders, almost frozen to death."

"I see, lucky he found her. Yes, lucky indeed. I suppose you come for guidance for what to do with the child, hm?" She said with a tilt of the head.

Luisa nodded. "Well, I must speak with her alone. Mother Miranda may help me receive the knowledge of what we most do." Luisa nodded, "Yes priestess. I'll be talking to the duke if you need to find me." She then walked out of the room. I turned back to the older woman, she went back over to the shrine. And grabbed what appeared to be a stick with skulls and charms on it. She started muttering what seemed to be a prayer of sorts. I then looked up at the pictures at the table. The largest one in the middle appeared to have a woman with wings. And strange religious style clothing. The two small ones to the left showed a woman with black hair and a large hat. Wearing an older style dress. The other one appeared to be a person with some sort of black cloth over the body, and a doll at their feet? The two to the right were a bearded man with a brown hat atop his head, and a large hammer in hand. The other was some creature draped in cloth, face almost inhuman. The woman then turned to me.

"Mother has spoken unto me."

"What? W-Who spoke to you?"

She turned back to the shrine, "Why Mother Miranda. Over savior and redeemer. She protects us."

"So I assume that woman there is, Mother Miranda?" I said pointing to the large picture.

"Yes, yes! Mother Miranda and her children. They watch unto the village, protect us they do." She said turning back.

"So what must I do? I mean, what did Mother Miranda tell you?"

"Hm, complicated it is. Your young ears may not yet understand. She has said unto me, the home is a sanctuary for all. But yet, a new one must be formed. Whether it be in a castle or a farmhouse. They must find it, or may they be lost forever," she said walking toward the door.

"What? That doesn't make sense, it's a riddle." I said following her outside. She held up a finger. "Ah, but it is only a riddle if you do not know the answer." She said. "Now run along, a home you need to find." She pushed me toward a gate. I looked back suspiciously but continued to open the door. "Oh, and my child!" She called, "The duke is passed the graveyard, to the right and through the alley! I hope you find what you seek." I simply nodded and went through the door. I came out into a graveyard. Mostly overgrown. "Pass the graveyard, to the right, down the alley," I muttered to myself. I went down towards the edge of the graveyard. See a road, I took a right. Soon I saw a small road spread off of this one. This one maybe? I thought. I followed it up to an old red gate and pushed it open. I walked forward, seeing a larger gate open. I walked through. Seeing some stone structure. I walked towards it. "Hello, young patron. What brings you here?" A voice boomed. I turned around to see a large man. And when I say large, I mean large.  Like a car size. his fat spilling out of his, way to small shirt. He appears to be sitting in an old horse-drawn carriage. Back doors open and are covered with various goods. "Oh, I a..." I looked around. "Well, the old priestess told me to find the duke. Luisa said she would be with him." I said looking back. The man let out a hearty chuckle. "Oh, child. But you have!" I looked at him confused. "Where are my manners, my apologies. Call me the duke." He said sticking out a large, chubby hand. I took it and shook it the best I could. "My name's Emma."

"Ah a lovely name dear. Now you said something about luisa, yes?"

"Uh, ya. She is the one kinda taking care of me. They found me in the woods."

"Half frozen I presume. The village is protected from such cold and snow. The forest outside of it though. Not so much. But Luisa just left. She should be somewhere about." He said pointing out back towards the village. "Thank you, Duke. Also, are you a merchant or something?" I asked.

"Oh yes, my dear patron. A merchant of sorts. If you find anything of great value, come to me. I will give you some nice coin for it. Now you best run along. Head home if you can't find Luisa. Today is the day the lords come to town. Best not be outside at the time." He said seriously. "Run along now." With a wave of the hand. I started to walk back out the gates. I quickly jogged down the street hoping to spot Luisa. I looked to see her talking to the priestess near the grab yard. I started towards her. She looked back to see me coming. She gave a sigh of relief, "There you are. I couldn't find you. Let's head home, quickly." She grabbed my head and started walking quickly. I noticed as we went, a lot of people were rushing into their homes. We quickly ran through the field and towards Luisa's house. She grabbed the door and pushed me inside. "Stay in here young one. I will be back soon." She said and closed the door. Soon after I heard the sound of stone on stone. I heard a bell go of, and a voice yelling. "They are here, bring gifts unto the lords. Glory to them and our savior, Mother Miranda!"