The maid rushed through the corridor before coming to a stop outside the open study door. To her surprise, it was wide open, and the Lord sat there, eyes questioning her presence.
"My Lord, it is a boy," the maid announced as politely as possible. She knew this wasn't the news he wanted.
The Lord took a long and deep breath before letting out a long sigh.
"How is the mother?"
"The Lady is in good health. She is awake now and is asking for you."
The Lord stood from his seat. His expression of sadness could not be hidden, but he tried to hide it as he went to see his wife.
His wife was on her bed. The maids had cleaned her up, but her exhaustion was evident on her face.
He could tell what was on her mind the moment he laid eyes on her.
"We do not need to discuss this now, Sweetheart. It can wait a few days."
"There are a few candidates that we still have to choose from..."
She shook her head "if we wait a few days, I fear I would not be able to part with him."
Richard nodded in understanding.
He held his wife's hand and caressed her face.
"Then I shall deal with it immediately. You can say your goodbyes while I speak to the candidates."
He stood up and nodded as if convincing himself it was the right decision.
"It is for the best. A fight for inheritance is not somewhere a baby should be. We cannot have a repeat of what happened before."
"Then I shall take care of it now." With that, he left and returned to his study.
To his surprise, there was already someone sitting there, waiting for him.
The lady was dressed in a black robe, and she wore a habit that covered her hair. She had a gentle-looking face and a calming smile.
Her clasped hands rested on her lap, giving her a peaceful Aura that was calming.
"What is your name?" he asked.
"I am Anna Hawthorne, Abbess of the Church of Saint Agatha"
He looked up at her and snickered.
"Church Of Saintess Agatha! I haven't heard of such a Saint before."
"I was being too bold to call it a church. It is more like a place for people in need. We come together to help and support each other." she said, smiling.
"Have you read the contract?" he asked
"Yes, Lord"
"and?!" he asked impatiently.
"and I think it is perfect. I am willing to sign it if you would give me a chance, Lord."
"Your job will be his carer for the next 15 years. After that, he shall receive his share of the inheritance" he passed on a small black medallion with a bull's head carved in it.
"This has the boy's blood. He can use it as proof when he is of age, his inheritance will be waiting for him"
"And remember, no matter how close you feel to him, he is not your son! He will and shall always be a Maddox!! You will introduce yourself as his maid, and your job is to listen to his orders."
The Sister bowed low.
"yes lord, I understand."
"You understand that this contract cannot be broken, and you shall die a horrible death if you try to harm him?" His eyes looked extremely dangerous
Anna could not look at him. She bowed even lower.
"Yes, Lord"
----
A group of 3 nuns left the large castle in a coach. Where they were headed, no one knew, and no one knew the boy they carried had such an extraordinary destiny. Terrifying, but great.
----
The three sisters were now sitting inside a small cabin in a small boat.
Anna held the boy to her bosom, feeding the boy.
The other 2 were sitting around her. They both seemed nervous.
"How is he? Sister?" one of her companions asked.
Anna turned to look at the one who spoke with disapproval
"He?"
The Sister understood her mistake. "I'm sorry, Sister, I meant How is the Saint?"
"He is fine, all his healthy with him, he is drinking quite well," she said, caressing the baby as he suckled.
"Sister, do you think it will all work out? What if the other Sisters disapprove?"
"They will witness it with their own eyes! The Visions I saw were unmistakable!! He is the one to bring great change to us."
The boat rode through heavy fog, slowly wading through the waters and finally arriving at a small dock in the early hours of the morning.
This was the Island the sisters lived. It was off the Coast of Meridian, and only the church sisters lived here.
When they arrived, a group of 10 more sisters dressed in black nun clothing were waiting for them.
"Anna Hawthorne! You have commuted a grievous sin that will only bring pain to our church!! Kidnapping that boy will only bring us misery! You have risked people finding out about us!!"
Anna Hawthorne didn't even bother replying to them. She reached into her pouch and took out the contract, throwing it at their feet.
She strode past them, with the young baby cradled in her embrace, carefully wrapped in a warm blanket and heading into the old chapel.
The sisters gathered around the scroll, reading it carefully. Their faces changed from proud fighters of justice to humiliation and embarrassment.
When the rest came in, Ann was standing by the Alter. A large statue of a beautiful being stood behind her.
The group stood there, not knowing what to say until one of them took a step forward.
"Sister Anna, How did you get them to give him to you?" the Sister asked with suspicion in her eyes.
Anna couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't have to do anything. when I went there, I had plans to take the Saint by any means necessary!"
"But when I got there, I was surprised. The Lord simply gave his son to me and asked me to keep him away from the battle of inheritance."
"Do you all not understand!! This was the will of Saint Agatha!!" Anna raised her voice, anger evident on her face.
She turned around and placed the boy on the Statue and woosh!! The Statue lit up, and so did the boy. Bright golden light seemed to rain down on both of them.
The Hgh Priestess fell to her knees and bowed. She slammed her head into the ground in a deep bow with a loud bang.
The 13 sisters behind her followed suit. They all bowed low.
The light slowly dimmed, and the boy began to cry.
Anna stood up, lifting the baby up and turning to the rest of the sisters.
"Since we all had the vision of Saint Agatha, and since she called us all to this isolated Island, I have had visions of one day finding the Saint!
And for the last 8 months, I have had the vision of the Lord's house, and you have all doubted me!! But look!! Today I hold before you the Saint!!
So I ask you all will you pledge your lives to the Saint!! Will you help me protect and raise him?!
The Ladies all bowed…defeated. They could not refute her as the Statue itself gave testament to her visions.
Anna looked down at the bowing sisters. She could not help but smile.
"Then tonight, we will hold the ritual!
—
Night came, and the women were now gathered in a circular room. They stood in a circle around the baby, placed on a small table.
Anna appeared through the door. She wore a white translucent robe and carried a tiny balled up cloth.
She gently placed it beside the boy before unwrapping it, revealing two items.
There was a small silver dagger, a wooden bowl with intricate carvings.
"Each one of us shall give a blood essence with part of our soul, This shall be offered to the Saint who shall drink it, and we shall all be bound to the Saint, forever as his first Servants!! We shall know the glory and no longer need to hide on this isolated Island!! The Saint shall bring back Agatha into our land."
She turned to the first sister on her left, who immediately dropped her robe, revealing her body to Anna.
With the dagger in hand, Anna moved close, placing it carefully right between her breasts before making a small cut.
She took the bowl and held it below the cut while her eyes gazed into the sisters waiting.
A dark drop of blood with a glimmer of blue dropped into the wooden bowl before falling onto her knees week.
Anna moved to each Sister, repeating the same process.
Each one did the same,
Now it was her turn, and they all looked up to her waiting for her, but Anna had other plans. She gave them all a large smile before tipping the bowl into her mouth.
All the sisters were shocked!! The betrayal!!
Anna smiled as she felt the connection established
"Rejoice, you are all bound to me, The Mother Of the Saint!! He shall drink from my body!! I shall be the Vessel.
Only I shall translate Saint Agathas Visions, and only I shall care for the Saint!!
I am Anna Hawthorne!! The Saints Voice!! The High Priestess!!