Realms of Magic - Brian Thomsen King [35]
The magical night began to grow lighter, and the vampire that had been, his heart light for the first time in decades, sought his rest.
*****
Jander emerged at twilight, eager to begin his first full night without the dreadful thirst. He breathed deeply of the cool evening air, closing his eyes and enjoying it.
"Good even to you, friend!"
Startled, Jander whipped around. "Who calls me?" he asked, his customary defensiveness aroused.
But it was only a young man, clad in robes of earth-tones and forest green. His hair was as red as that of Sune Firehair, and freckles dotted his open, friendly face.
Jander could not smell his blood at all.
"Oakbrother Endris, of Oakengrove Abbey." He indicated the two wooden buckets he carried. Tve come to get some water from the spring. And who might you be, friend?"
Sudden fear clutched at Jander's heart. "Don't send me away," he pleaded.
A shadow of puzzlement fell across Brother Endris's face. "Why would we do that?" He strode forward and began to draw water from the spring.
"I… I…" Jander floundered for words. "Oakbrother Endris, do you believe in miracles?"
Endris shot him an incredulous look. His blue eyes were wide. "And what kind of a priest would I be if I didn't?"
Jander felt suddenly embarrassed. "I meant no insult," he apologized. "But until last night, I had certainly ceased to hope for a miracle."
Jander relayed an edited version of what had transpired to him, leaving out the shame of his condition. He said he had been "absolved of a great evil," that he was "charged to remain within the circle as a symbol of his repentance." He expected to see disbelief or possibly even anger on Endris's countenance. Instead, the brother listened quietly. At last he spoke.
"Such is not unheard of here," he said quietly. "It would seem that Silvanus and Eldath must have work for you to do."
"But… I cannot leave the grove," said Jander. "What work could I do to earn my keep?"
"If the gods have taken you under their wing thus far, they'll make their wishes known soon enough. In the meantime," and he grinned like halfling, "you can help me draw the water."
Jander laughed, and gladly did so. He escorted Endris to the ring of the grove. "Thank you again for permitting me to stay here," he said.
"None of my doing," replied Endris cheerfully. "But it's good to see an elven face. Far too few folk come visit us these days. I look forward to speaking with you further, Jander Sunstar."
Silently, Jander was grateful that few folk visited the abbey. No doubt his name was being passed along rapidly among the Mistledale folk, ever since that incident a few months ago… No. That was part of the past. This, he thought to himself, looking around the peaceful grove, was the future.
When Jander turned to walk back to the spring, he stumbled. He glanced down and found the discarded antlers of a deer that had passed through the grove, along with a few limbs that had fallen from the old trees.
And then he knew their meaning. "I understand," he said softly to the hush that filled the sacred place. Reverently, Jander picked up the items, seated himself on the boulder next to the spring, pulled out his knife and began to carve.
By dawn, when Endris returned for more water, Jander had accumulated three completed carvings. Smiling, he presented them to the astonished young oakbrother.
"They're… they're exquisite," Endris said softly, examining the two carved wooden likenesses of Eldath and the cluster of oak leaves and acorns Jander had created from the antlers.
"Have your oakfather bless them, and you can sell them as talismans," said Jander. "You can raise money for the abbey."
Endris lifted shining eyes to the vampire. "I told you the gods would let you know what they wanted from you. Thank you, Jander. Oakfather Raylen will be most appreciative. Oh, I almost forgot. I've got something for