Luke walked across the barrack grounds towards the office, the packed food from Sister Maria clutched in his hand. The office was just a short distance away, but he received no response upon knocking on the door. He tried again, but the silence confirmed his suspicion: Sir Carrick was away.
As he pondered his next move, a knight noticed him standing by the door.
"Looking for Sir Carrick?" the knight called out. "He's out with a couple of others. Should be back today, but no promises on the time."
Luke nodded in thanks. With Sir Carrick away, most likely dealing with the ongoing monster threat, Luke decided to head to Gareth's room. They still had to share the food Sister Maria had so kindly packed for them.
Arriving at Gareth's door, Luke knocked. After a moment, Gareth's voice called out.
"Come in."
Luke entered, finding Gareth sitting at his desk, pouring over some maps and notes. Gareth looked up, surprised but pleased to see him.
"Luke, good to see you. What brings you here?"
"Remember the food from Sister Maria?" Luke replied, holding up the packed meal. "We are free now and can share it."
"That sounds great. I was just about to take a break anyway," Gareth's face brightened at the mention of food.
They sat down and opened the packages, the aroma of the home-cooked meal filling the room. The taste of the familiar food brought a sense of comfort and normalcy, a brief respite from the uncertainties surrounding them.
"Thank you, Luke," Gareth said between bites. "It's nice to have a moment like this."
"Yeah, it's good to just sit and enjoy a meal, especially with everything going on," Luke nodded.
As they ate, their conversation flowed naturally, moving from light-hearted topics to more serious matters. Luke shared how he had learned about the increased monster activity and the knights' efforts to protect the city. Gareth, in turn, spoke about the challenges they faced and the dedication of the knights.
"You know, Luke," Gareth said, his tone thoughtful. "The knights and everyone here in Purewood are strong and resilient. We might not have the resources other places do, but we have each other. That counts for a lot."
"I believe in you all. And I'll do my part, however small it might be. Even if it's just cleaning the equipment, I want to help," Luke felt a surge of admiration for Gareth and the knights.
"Every bit helps. And trust me, your work is important. Well-maintained equipment can make a big difference in a fight," Gareth smiled.
They continued their meal, the bond between them strengthening with each shared word and bite. Luke felt a renewed sense of purpose. Despite the dangers lurking beyond the city, he was determined to contribute in any way he could.
As they finished eating, Gareth leaned back with a contented sigh.
"That was good. Thank you, Luke, and thank Sister Maria for me."
"I will," Luke replied, packing up the empty containers. "I'm glad we could share this."
With their meal concluded Luke felt a sense of camaraderie and resolve. He left Gareth's room with a lighter heart, ready to face the day and the challenges it might bring.
Walking back across the barrack grounds, Luke felt the weight of the unknown threats, but also the strength of the community around him. They were in this together, and together, they would face whatever came their way.
Luke made his way back to the cathedral, the midday sun casting long shadows across the path. Halfway there, he was stopped by an elderly woman who called out to him. Her eyes, though kind, were clouded with worry.
"Young man, could I have a word?" she asked. "I've seen you going in and out of the barracks quite a bit. Do you know what's happening? I've noticed the knights rushing in and out of the city far too often. My grandchildren are wondering if something is troubling us."
Luke hesitated, knowing he needed to lie to avoid causing panic, but finding it difficult to fabricate a story. Instead, he opted for a version of the truth.
"I work there as a cleaner," he explained. "I'm not really sure what's happening. They don't tell me much."
Though Luke already knew about the increased monster activity, he insisted on his lack of knowledge.
"Honestly, they haven't told me anything either," he added, hoping to ease her worries. "But from what I've seen, the knights seem content. So, I don't think there's anything big enough to trouble them."
"Thank you for that. It's just... it's wrong to keep the people out of the loop. Purewood has always been built on trust and communication. And with Mayor Kingsley not yet returning, signs of distress are slowly building if left untreated." the woman sighed in relief, some of the tension leaving her face.
"I agree, but I'm sure they have their reasons. For now, let's trust that the knights are doing their best to keep us safe," Luke nodded, understanding her concerns.
"You're right. Thank you for your honesty, young man. It means a lot," She smiled weakly, patting his arm.
With their conversation drawing to a close, Luke continued his walk back to the cathedral, the woman's words lingering in his mind. What she said was true; the foundation of Purewood was trust and communication. But for now, secrecy seemed necessary to maintain order.
Reaching the cathedral, Luke felt the weight of the information he carried. The city was on edge, and the knights were doing everything they could to protect it. He just hoped their efforts would be enough to keep everyone safe until Mayor Kingsley returned. The boys' peaceful sleep, the comforting meals from Sister Maria, and the camaraderie with Gareth all depended on the knights' vigilance and strength.
As he walked through the cathedral's doors, the familiar smell of home-cooked food welcomed him, and he realized how vital these moments of normalcy were. They were the anchor that kept everyone grounded amid the uncertainty. And though the path ahead was fraught with danger, Luke resolved to play his part, however small, in preserving the peace and safety of Purewood.
Luke stepped inside the cathedral, the heavy door closing with a soft thud behind him. The sounds and smells of daily life in the cathedral surrounded him, providing a stark contrast to the unease he felt after his conversation with the elderly woman. As he walked down the hallway, he could hear the children's laughter echoing from the common room. It was a comforting sound, one that spoke of innocence and normalcy.
In the main hall, Sister Maria was overseeing a group of children working on their lessons. She looked up and smiled warmly at Luke.
"Welcome back, Luke. How was your morning?"
"It was good, Sister," Luke replied, trying to keep his voice light. "Just the usual cleaning."
"That's good to hear. The children have been asking about you. They missed you at breakfast," Sister Maria nodded.
Luke smiled, feeling a pang of guilt for the little white lie he had told the elderly woman.
"I'll try to make it up to them," he promised. "Maybe we can have a storytelling session tonight."
The children's faces lit up at the prospect, and Luke felt a bit of the tension ease from his shoulders. He continued down the hall to the kitchen, where Father Wingate was busy preparing lunch. The aroma of baking bread filled the air, mingling with the scent of fresh vegetables and herbs.
"Ah, Luke," Father Wingate greeted him with a nod. "I heard you were back. How's everything at the barracks?"
"Same as always, Father," Luke replied. "Just a lot of cleaning."
"Well, you know where to find me if you need anything," Father Wingate nodded thoughtfully.
Luke grabbed a piece of bread from the counter, nodded his thanks to Father Wingate, and headed back to the boy's room. He needed a moment to gather his thoughts. The contrast between the peaceful life inside the cathedral and the hidden dangers outside was stark. The children's laughter, the comforting presence of Sister Maria, and Father Wingate's steady hand were the pillars of his current life. Yet outside, the knights were battling unseen monsters, risking their lives to keep the city safe.
As evening approached, the cathedral settled into its usual routine. Dinner was a lively affair, with the children chattering excitedly about their day. Luke joined them, making sure to engage in their conversations, even though his mind was preoccupied with the thoughts of the knights and the monsters they faced.
After dinner, the children gathered around Luke, eager for their usual nighttime entertainment. Despite his earlier resolve, Luke couldn't muster the enthusiasm for magic tricks tonight. Instead, he read them a newly received story book, about a brave knight who protected a village from a dragon. It was a story of courage and hope, something they all needed to hear.
The children listened with wide eyes, hanging on his every word. To hear Luke narrate the story book, it was refreshing. When the story ended, they clapped and cheered, their faces alight with joy. Luke smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. This was why he did it. This was why he played his part, however small, in keeping the peace.
As the children were tucked into bed, Luke walked through the quiet halls of the cathedral. He peeked into their room one last time, watching their peaceful, sleeping faces. The stark contrast between their innocent dreams and the harsh reality outside weighed heavily on him.
Father Wingate found him in the hallway, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"You're doing good work, Luke," he said quietly. "Remember that."
"Thank you, Father," Luke nodded, appreciating the older man's words.
With the cathedral now quiet, Luke made his way to his room. He lay in bed, his mind replaying the events of the day. The hidden troubles outside, the knights' bravery, the children's innocent laughter—all of it swirled together in his thoughts.
He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but he was determined to face it. For the sake of the children, for the sake of the city, and for the sake of the people who had become his family, he would do whatever it took to help maintain the fragile peace they all cherished.
As sleep finally claimed him, Luke's last thoughts were of hope and resolve. The city of Purewood might be on the edge of the unknown, but within its walls, the spirit of its people burned brightly, a beacon against the encroaching darkness.