Cloak as Red as Blood

Chapter 23: My True Self

The golden light of the sun's rays streaming through the stained glass woke me up. Immediately 

I knew something was wrong. I checked Dorcas' room and found her still soundly asleep. When I 

went to Hunter's room however,  it was a different story. His bed looked like it had been slept in 

but he wasn't in it. I knocked on the door to his wash room, no answer. He wasn't there either. I 

wanted to use my magic to scry for him but my magic wasn't back to it's full strength and my 

divination without Puss was not so great either. "I guess I'll have to find him the old fashioned 

way", I told myself.

I went down stairs where the smells of breakfast cooking entered my nose.  I could smell ham 

being smoked, as well as waffles and eggs being cooked to perfection. Though the smells were 

quote alluring, I had to focus on finding Hunter. The monks were bustling around the Cathedral. 

Rushing to do some chore or another. Dethlestan was in the great hall, getting it organized for 

breakfast. He was the leader, so he must have seen something or heard something from his 

underlings.

"Excuse me Dethlestan sir!" "What is it my child?" "It's my friend Hunter. He wasn't in his room 

this morning. Have any of you seen him?" "Aah yes the werewolf with the red hair. As a matter of 

fact I have seen him. He went with my brothers this morning to help prepare the ceremony for 

later today. Such a helpful young lad. Don't worry he had a spot of breakfast before he left." "So 

he won't be joining us then?" "I'm afraid not, but you'll see him later today, I guarantee it." I 

breathed a sigh of relief. At least I knew Hunter was okay. "Thank you sir, sorry for disturbing 

you. It's just not like him to go off without saying anything." "Quite alright my dear. It's obvious 

that he cares a lot about you. He probably just didn't want to wake you. Oh, before you go I have 

something for you!" Dethlestan clapped his hands and two female monks appeared with a 

beautiful white gown with long sleeves and a gold embroidery. "Your ceremonial gown", he 

said. The monks brought it to me and I admired it's beauty. It looked almost like a wedding 

dress. When I touched it the fabric was very soft. I gladly took the dress from them and turned to 

Dethlestan. "Thank you sir!" He nodded and I headed back to my room.

When I got to the room Dorcas was up and getting dressed. "Good morning, Dorcas", I said. 

"Where did you go? ", she asked. "I went to find Hunter." Her eyes went wide with panic. "Did 

you find him!" "No, but it's okay, don't worry Dethlestan said he was helping with the 

preparations for the ceremony today", I assured her. Instead of relief Dorcas' face went from 

worried to scowling. " I don't like that man", she said. "What, why not?", I asked. "Something 

doesn't feel right about him." I knew the girl had almost been burned alive recently and she