Esprit Abbey

Chapter 12

Mother Isa stood atop the Abbey tower that was closest to the road and looked out over the dense forest that surrounded Esprit Abbey. Normally from here, she would be able to see the town off in the distance; flickering lights would typically cut through the evening air, but it was now intercepted by the blanket of thick fog that had come to rest on the Abbey and surrounding valley. Her breath came out in puffs of mist that quickly assimilated with the gloomy moisture filled air. There was a lingering chill that tickled her lips and caused a mild sting in her cheeks.

"Are you still watching for him?" asked Lucan from behind her.

Mother Isa did not turn to face him. "I just keep thinking, what if he was up on the mountain. We could see how bad that fire was from here. It's a miracle it didn't come down on the Abbey." Lucan moved next to Mother Isa and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Of all the things we should be worried about, I don't think Chandler being caught in that fire is one of them. Besides, you know where he is. He'll be safe with Ava and the others."

Mother Isa looked up at the peak of the mountain behind the Abbey, "what if they were all up there...."

"They were," said a voice that neither Mother Isa nor Lucan could identify. A being formed out of the mist; followed by two additional figures.

"Who are you?" asked Mother Isa.

"I am Elder One of the Sylphs," the first figure replied.

"I am Elder More of the Sylphs," said the next.

"I am Elder Many of the Sylphs," added the third.

"One, More, Many...," Lucan said, cocking an eyebrow. "Why not just one, two, three? Or first, second, third?"

The Sylphs scoffed as though Lucan couldn't have said anything more idiotic. "No self-respecting Sylph would describe themselves as second or third, or anything that could be less than best." Lucan and Mother Isa looked at each other confused. "Never you mind. We don't expect commonplace creatures such as yourselves to grasp the magnificence of our race."

Lucan leaned over to Mother Isa and quietly said, "a grandiose attitude does not magnificent make."

"Why are you here?" asked Mother Isa, trying to ignore Lucan's comment, but verging on a cracked smile. As frustrated as he made her at times, he was the only one who could regularly bring out the light heartedness that she typically stifled.

"Your band of beggars showed up and pleaded us to aid this little Abbey of yours. We decided to take pity on them, and by association—you. Creatures of our renowned unselfishness and excellence are expected to give back to the less fortunate every now and again. We're obviously worthy of your admiration; and while you may not be worthy of our attention, we are not without compassion."

"Your home is at the top of the mountain, is it not?" asked Lucan.

"Indeed," stated Elder More, confidently. "High above the lessers'."

"The mountain that's all charred and crusty?" responded Lucan. The Elder Sylphs looked apprehensively at each other; Elder One was relied on to respond to Lucan's disparaging comment. Mother Isa cut in before any retort could be thought of or made.

"You said they were up there...were any of them hurt?" she asked eagerly.

"Your little band of misfits?" said Elder One, happy to dodge Lucan's snide declaration. "No. They blew out of there long before any danger had arisen...cowards." Mother Isa let out a sigh of relief.