Being a Barrow - A Sequel to Barrow's Boy

One Of Us

     "So, we'll need some of you here to help prepare for their arrival. Others, of course, have to go and collect them."

     Fletcher, or Acumen, said to the group standing around him. Hondierus stood next to him, resting with his elbows against the chapel altar and looking out at his fellow Raphaelites. 

    "Seriatim, Excolo, would you two be willing to go to get Winters?"

     The third years in question both nodded, one of them stepping up to take a small envelope as Hondierus held it toward them.

     "Novitas will join with your light. Try your best to not wake up his roommate. Lowe won't be joining us."

      "We'll keep it quiet," one of them responded. 

      As the two leaders moved on, starting to name off other soon-to-be Raphaelites that they'd have to collect on the night of the 29th, Theodore turned to his friends. Dansworth stood next to him, a hand on the pew that he was somewhat leaning against. Sitting in the pew was Monty, who had tried to stand before determining not far into Acumen and Hondierus's initial speech that he was too weary to stay that way. He'd quietly sat and was now resting against the back of it, eyes closed as he listened. Ashton had sat down next to him at some point and was still looking up at the altar. 

     Behind them stood Rhodes and Trevarthen, who were exchanging hushed whispers about something Teddy couldn't quite make out. He decided to simply stay out of that, scanning the rest of the crowd instead.

     He found Whittemore leaning against a wall under a stained glass window depicting St. Raphael. Next to him was Mattingley, whom Teddy believed had been his friend in first year. Honestly, Theodore didn't care about Whittemore anywhere near enough to know who his friends were.

     "Tempus-" the familiar Raphaelite name made Theodore turn his attention back to the altar. Dansworth, naturally recognizing his own pseudonym, nodded for them to continue. "We'd like you to go and get McKay and Haynes. We thought Ludus could go with you."

     It was here that Monty opened his eyes, looking out at them. 

     Hondierus was holding out the envelope for them to collect, but Theodore knew that Dansworth wouldn't move to take it until Monty confirmed. However, at Danny's questioning look, Monty did not nod. 

      "Tempus?" Acumen urged. "Ludus?"

     "I, um-" Monty took a breath. Theodore had a strange feeling that Monty was struggling to even keep his eyes open, let alone explain to these two his hesitations. He glanced over at Dansworth and Theodore again, then spoke up. "Would Pauperis be able to go in my place?"

     Acumen and Hondierus looked at each other, confusion written on their faces. From what Teddy could tell, being picked to collect the chosen few was an honour. It was natural that Monty's refusal came as a shock. Others in the room looked at Monty with various expressions - surprise, concern, disbelief. They wouldn't voice any of it, Theodore was sure. They knew that Dansworth would come after them if they did.

      "Well, he was supposed to-" Acumen trailed off, stepping closer to Hondierus and discussing something in hushed whispers with him. They pointed at something on the altar, whispered somewhat longer, then turned back to the group. "Ludus, are you sure?"

      "I think it'd be for the best for everyone," Monty replied. Acumen and Hondierus looked at each other again, then nodded. 

     "Right then. Pauperis and Tempus will collect Haynes and McKay. Solus will join them with the light. Does that work for all of you?"