The Tales of Greenfar - The Legend of Quel

#2 - Marks

The decision by the Council of Elders regarding Quel was swift and unanimous, especially after Zer's plea to take responsibility for the girl until she turned six and could become an apprentice. Rhano watched the presentation of the case in silence and didn't raise any objections when he had the chance.

At the end of the session, the monks dispersed, and Zer took the girl to the outside patio to play, when Hígo joined the pair, who were playing tag. The girl went towards Hígo and hit him on the side of the leg with her little hands and ran off laughing.

"I guess I'm part of the game now, then..." - the monk ran after Quel, who ran off screaming happily until she was 'captured' and tickled by the Vitaris. Still holding the girl, Hígo spoke in a low voice:

"Zer, did you see that?" - and pointed to three very small spots on Quel's right forearm. The monk looked closely, but they were very discreet marks, like small old scars.

"They're the same as the marks on the leg of the woman who was accompanying her." - and a shiver ran up Zer's spine.

Hígo let the girl run towards a group of young apprentices who continued to play with her.

"Did any Pakari answer you about this kind of bite?"

"Not yet, which means it shouldn't be an easy answer to give. For now, we'll keep this between us and observe, but don't worry about her, she has no trace of poison. It could have been a warning bite and when the woman tried to defend her, the one who attacked them decided to defend itself for real."

Zer preferred to agree and change the subject, but they both knew that kind of healing didn't make sense.

"Perhaps the monks who are searching the forest will find some answers to what killed the poor lady. Do you think they were related?"

"I don't think so. Their blood types aren't compatible, and their traits were very different. My hypothesis is that they were on the run, perhaps from a home where they had been mistreated or something like that. There was no identification on them. Both the woman's ring and the girl's necklace look like ornaments bought at flea markets, without much meaning."

Zer nodded. "Maybe they're family memories, the only ones she'll have."

With a hopeful voice, Hígo slung his arm around Zer's shoulder and said: "Her family is us now: me, you, the apprentices and the other monks who will become her masters in a few years. Even that grumpy gentleman who hasn't stopped watching us since we started talking."

Rhano was sitting in a nearby meditation area with his eyes fixed on the pair.

"I'll talk to him. I owe him a thank you."

"I'll take Quel to get something to eat. I don't think she's been eating well in the days before her arrival." Hígo waved good luck to his friend and went after the girl while Zer headed towards his former master.

Resting his sword on the ground, Zer sat down next to Rhano.

"Thank you for not objecting to the girl staying."

The older monk made a restrained gesture of affirmation with his head. "I have to say that if I had been part of the Council of Elders, I might have acted differently."

This statement surprised Zer. The difference of just over 30 years between the two monks weighed on the mood of the conversation: "Your 69th birthday is coming up. Why did a few months' difference from your position make you act like this?" 

"When you're on the Council, there are no personal decisions, only those that support what's best for the collective. But I realized, the moment you arrived with that little girl on your lap, that she filled something in you."

Zer looked at him tenderly, but Rhano stared straight ahead, as if his mind was elsewhere.

"A few apprentices can become more than students. They fill the empty space of the children we choose not to have when we become monks, and they mark us in a unique way. And when they reach the age of 16 and decide to leave at the end of their training, the void is enormous."

"I know that well, Rhano. I've seen a lot of young people come and go, but we always have a new group of scared kids to get attached to again."

"Don't be fooled. That's the dynamic of a teacher: we feel fulfilled by extending the reach of our knowledge through our apprentices. We are pure pride when our students are invited on missions or to defend kingdoms and be part of great armies. We also feel deep joy when you decide to stay and become monks, like you, Lizu, Garoa... we cheer for the success and survival of each of you with affection and serenity."

The monk paused, wondering whether to continue, then turned to Zer and said:

"I hope this child doesn't bring storms into your heart. I know the damage they can do."

"I'll consider your words, Rhano, but don't worry. I'll take care of Quel as a future apprentice, keeping a master's eye and my heart serene."

Rhano nodded but added firmly: "I'll keep an eye on her."

His words didn't have a tone of caution, but of watchfulness.

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