n her lap like a fragile artifact. The lamp by her bedside flickered gently,

anted, pressed deep into the paper as though each

nce my d

ow - what follows all of us who dared walk the novice path. S

uths, mentions of an order deeper and older than the monastery itself. But there were gaps - long str

e such blank page. A thousand questions burned in her mi

trying to pr

broke th

journal beneath a blanket jus

wnstairs," Lorna sa

atigue she felt more. When she reached the l

th

s coat pockets, eyes fixed on the flames like t

aid, her voice so

, not turning to face her yet. "Did

now how to.

saw the same boy who once challenged her, comforted h

rite," he sai

I picked up a pen, the words wouldn'

ce quieter now. "You could've

"And if I had, would y

dn't

they had left unsaid. And beneath it all, a question neither dared ask al

Nathan said after a long moment. "I'm

kipped. "You've

ng. And the way they talk about the new novice - like she's no

replace and stared int

journal," she sa

ed. "That's

There's more going on here

then nodded slowly. "Then w

im. "There is no

nt, bitter smile. "Then let's sta