Mounds of scrolls and books lay stacked, each of them freshly written and signed, the contents either contained arithmetic or reprints of other books. Among these piles layed several young men, alchemists and monks. Men who devoted their lives to their cause, no marriage, no love, the only thing that matters was two things. Their coat of arms, and their very home.
Kerosene lamps hanged against the wall, antique weapons from a forgotten past lay idle. Numerous old texts lay stagnant, the so called Book of Creation, and The Aligheri Scrolls. Other texts lay scattered, plainchants, blueprints, scrolls of untold history, forgotten knowledge, the remnants of lost civilizations. These items collected by these men from the Library of Alexandria, a mighty institute of knowledge, now razed to the ground by the goblin horde. A facility that contained ancient works was burned, attacked, and sacked. Luckily, these men were able to evacuate much of the information.
Till today, they sat together, working tirelessly to print thousands of copies of these texts by hand. Half of the men lay asleep next one another, other dosing themselves in cold water to revitalize. One of these individuals stood in the far back, not as a alchemist or monk, but a caretaker. A young man with fair hair, his face cleaned from a recent bath. The hood he wore was slightly tattered, brown, matching his long sleeve shirt, and blue pants. He held several cups of water, and a couple plates of grilled chicken and bread.
Y/N
"You all should really eat something, it's been 5 days already, the food from last night hasn't even been touched".
Monk
"Yes yes Y/N, just place it on the table, thanks for your generosity. Now leave us be son, we have more work to do!".
Y/N steps away, slowly closing the door behind him. He sighs, and makes his way down the monastery, passing several vegetable gardens and fruit orchards. He glares to his side, several of the townsfolk picking carrots and potatoes, others plucking fresh apples. The monastery shared it's food surpluses with the town, as a sign of good faith between the two. For Y/N, he didn't care, he as another matter to attend too, a particular task he's famous for.
On the other side of the monastery, a cart is seen parked just outside the gates. Several guards and monks help open the giant iron gate, and a single nun appeared, wiping the smudges of her spectacles. They all see a humble old man, his face worn from exhaustion, a small bandage around his forearm.
Henrietta
"Nathaniel! Someone come help them!".
A group of monks and caretakers exit the gates, their eyes glued to the cart. A row of frail figures sat idle, their bodies frozen still. The nun tilted her head to the side, seeing the faces of the figures, female adventures.
Her heart slowly sank down, she looked away to avoid eye contact, Henrietta didn't want nobody to see her cry. Just as she turned, a familiar voice is heard from behind, with a quick turn, she spots a brown hooded young man.
Y/N
"Sister, you okay? I came as fast as i could".
Henrietta
"I'm fine, listen, get them inside okay? And the old man, get him to the infirmary please".
Y/N watched as the monks open the cart door, some of them reaching their hands out, the girl's reeling back in fear. Their faces scarred and scratched, some as young as 13. He turned towards Henrietta, giving her a warming smile, and walked towards the old man. His bandage covered in blood, Y/N was amazed by him, he uncovered more wounds. The old man's torso was just covered in bandages, his leg was patched, this man in his later years risked his life for these girls.
With swiftness and gentleness, he lifted him up, and helped him down. The girls followed suit, not saying a single word, except one. One of the guards took the man, Y/N stayed behind with Henrietta to coax the girl out of the wagon. Y/N didn't get close, he didn't want to scare her.
Y/N
"Hey, you don't need to be afraid here, they won't find you here".
She didn't budge, Y/N slowly got onto the cart, and sat by, he'll wait till night if necessary for the girl. He took off his hood, handing it over to the girl, she was clearly getting cold. Her robe was ripped and old, it needed to be patched.
Y/N
"Take my hood, it'll keep you warm. I'm not leaving till you go inside, even if it means me staying up with you".
She looked right at Y/N, her body shivering, with a delicate hand, the gitl reached for the hood. Grasping it, the girl swung it around, her face didn't change, but she did scoot forward. It took almost 10 minutes, but Y/N managed to gain her trust, she was scared, her mind scarred. Y/N would guide her into the monastery, she was behind him, worried that he will grab her from behind. As they entered, they meet several caretakers, bearing clothing for the girl to change into, and a small room for her.
Y/N
"It's okay, if you want, I'll guard your room, i can keep watch. Just get some rest okay".
Henrietta
"I'll take things from here, you best check on the others in the laboratory. You've been a saint all day, best let me bear some of the load".
Y/N
"Yes sister, I'll be quick".
The male walks off, leaving Henrietta alone with the girl.
YOU ARE READING
PAREDISO
FanfictionIn the world of Goblin Slayer, the young either die or become scarred, girls sent to temples for rehabilitation, boys are sent to an early grave. For years people have lived in fear, until a new group of monks settled in the town, named PAREDISO.
