As the night approached, Luke went to the boys' room, where he was to sleep tonight. Opening the door, he saw the same faces from the previous night. However, instead of sneaking and reading storybooks, the boys were chilling in the room, sprawled over their beds and on the floor, talking and waiting for Sister Maria's call for dinner.
Taking this moment to observe, Luke counted the boys. There were seven in total, not more than ten. As soon as they noticed Luke, they surrounded him, their eyes filled with curiosity and excitement.
"Hey, Big Brother Luke! How was planting this morning?" one of them asked eagerly.
"It was a great experience. But I have to admit, it was pretty tiring," Luke smiled as he sat on his bed.
One of the boys, trying to appear tough, boasted.
"Tiring? I'm still full of energy!" His statement was met with a chorus of laughter from the others.
Amidst the laughter, Luke realized that while the boys knew his name, he didn't know theirs. He looked around at the eager faces and decided to ask.
"You all know my name, but I don't know any of yours. How about you introduce yourselves?"
The boys immediately lined up, eldest to youngest, in a playful yet respectful gesture. One by one, they introduced themselves.
The eldest, a tall boy with a serious expression and dark brown hair, stepped forward first.
"I'm Thomas Wingate, fourteen years old."
Next was a slightly shorter boy with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"I'm Peter Wingate, thirteen."
Following him was a boy with a friendly smile and freckles dotting his face.
"I'm Samuel Wingate, twelve."
Then came a quiet, shy boy who spoke softly.
"I'm Henry Wingate, eleven."
A lively boy with a bright smile followed.
"I'm Andrew Wingate, ten."
Next was a boy with a curious look, his dark hair tousled.
"I'm Benjamin Wingate, nine."
Finally, the youngest, a small boy with wide eyes and a gap-toothed grin, stepped forward. He was the same boy who passed Luke the clean spoon last night.
"I'm Daniel Wingate, eight."
Luke listened intently, noting their names and ages, as well as their features. They all had either black or dark brown hair, in stark contrast to Luke's blonde hair, which marked him as different and extraordinary among them.
Despite their varied personalities, there was a strong sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among them. Luke felt a warmth in his heart, realizing that these boys had adopted the Wingate name, just like Gareth. They had formed their own family within the walls of the cathedral.
As they finished introducing themselves, Thomas, the eldest, looked at Luke with a serious expression.
"So, what did you think of planting this morning? Other than tired?"
"It was hard work, but it felt good to be part of something," Luke replied, smiling.
"You'll get used to it. As if we do it often enough," Peter chimed in with a grin of sarcasm.
The boys continued to chat with Luke, sharing stories of their adventures and mischiefs around the cathedral and the city. Luke listened, laughed, and felt a deepening connection with each of them. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of belonging.
As the conversation flowed, the door opened, and Sister Maria's voice called out from the hallway.
"Boys, girls, it's time for dinner!"
The boys jumped up, excitement evident in their eyes. They rushed out of the room, and Luke followed, feeling a sense of contentment and anticipation for the meal ahead.
As the boys rushed out of their room, the door swung wide enough for Luke to glimpse the girls heading to dinner as well. He hadn't yet become acquainted with them, but perhaps there would be time for that tomorrow or later. For now, he followed the trail of the boys, making his way to the dining area.
Dinner was a lively affair. Father Wingate, Sister Maria, Luke, and all the children gathered around the long dining table. The meal was hearty and warm, filled with laughter and conversation. Luke felt a growing sense of community and belonging as he shared this time with them.
After dinner, the children returned to their rooms as per schedule. Luke, however, stayed behind to help Sister Maria with the cleanup. They worked in comfortable silence, with only the occasional thanks from Sister Maria. Once everything was done for the night, she gave Luke a warm smile and a grateful nod.
"Thank you for your help, Luke," she said.
"Anytime, Sister Maria," Luke replied.
With the evening chores completed, Luke made his way back to the boys' bedroom. The boys were not yet asleep, though they were all tucked in bed. Luke swayed to his bed and tucked himself in as well.
Before sleep could claim them, one of the boys spoke up. Luke still needs time to differentiate their voices from their name by the way.
"Hey, Big Brother Luke, do you believe in magic?"
The question hung in the air, and Luke sensed the curiosity and uncertainty behind it. He decided to probe a bit.
"Do you not believe in it?"
The boys exchanged glances before answering.
"We do... sort of. I mean, we were raised in this cathedral, and it's all about magic and faith. But sometimes, it's hard to really believe."
Luke understood their doubts. He knew how difficult it could be to believe in something intangible.
"Isn't Saint Cynthia a living embodiment of your beliefs?"
"She is," one of the boys admitted. "But we've never met her. It's hard to be sure."
"Gareth met her," Luke said, hoping to bolster their faith. "He said she's the real deal."
The boys shot up, no longer lying down but sitting up eagerly.
"Really? Tell us more!"
"I don't know much more," Luke admitted. "You'll have to ask Big Brother Gareth for the full story."
The boys groaned in jest, disappointed that they couldn't get the full story right now. Silence began to fill the room, but Thomas, the eldest and the only one voice tone Luke could recognise, re-asked the question, his voice curious and serious.
"Do you believe in such things, Big Brother Luke?"
Luke pondered for a moment before answering.
"I do." He answered shortly.
If he didn't believe, he wouldn't be here. Luke was supposed to be gone. But here he is, given a second chance he never thought he would have.
He didn't share the details of his near-death experience with the boys, knowing they wouldn't understand and it might reveal his otherworldly origins. Instead, he added.
"I plan to go to the Empire of Virencia. To see the Saint myself."
The boys looked at Luke with a mixture of admiration and excitement.
"That's a great aim, Big Brother Luke!" one of them exclaimed.
As the conversation about Luke's plans to visit the Empire of Virencia began to wind down, he felt a curious desire to learn more about these boys who were becoming such an integral part of his new life.
"What about you guys?" Luke asked, his voice soft but inquisitive. "What are your aims and dreams?"
The boys exchanged glances, the question sparking a range of emotions on their faces. Thomas spoke first.
"I want to become a Knight like Big Brother Gareth. To protect the people and uphold justice."
The other boys nodded in agreement, their faces lighting up with admiration for their older brother's figure.
"I want to be a healer. Sister Maria says I have a kind heart and the patience needed."
Another added.
"I want to be a farmer, like Mr. Ivory. To grow food and help feed everyone."
Each boy shared his dream, and Luke listened intently. Some wanted to be warriors, others healers, farmers, or craftsmen. It was a beautiful mosaic of aspirations, each one painting a picture of the future they envisioned for themselves.
When it came to the youngest, Daniel, who Luke can now see his face lit by the seeping moonlight, he shyly admitted.
"I want to be an explorer. To see the world and all its wonders."
Luke smiled warmly at Daniel.
"That's a wonderful dream, Daniel. The world is vast and full of incredible things waiting to be discovered."
The boys talked excitedly about their dreams, the room filled with their youthful enthusiasm and hope. Luke felt a pang of nostalgia, remembering his dreams from a long past, which had been buried under the weight of his previous life's hardships.
As the night grew deeper, their voices began to fade, replaced by the soft sounds of sleep. One by one, the boys drifted off, their breaths becoming slow and even. Luke lay back on his bed, feeling a sense of contentment he hadn't known in years.
He closed his eyes, the images of the boys' faces and their dreams dancing in his mind. Here, in this small room filled with hope and dreams, Luke found a semblance of peace. The weight of his past seemed to lighten, if only for a while, as he allowed himself to believe in the possibility of a brighter future.
As sleep finally claimed him, Luke knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them with the support and friendship of these boys. And for the first time in a long time, he felt truly at home.