<html> <body> Metamor Keep: Hough's Secret by Charles Matthias Part 3... They returned to the Cathedral in silence. It was still early enough in the day that the light slanting through the clerestory windows shone brightly from very near the altar. Felsah climbed off of Madog's back when they arrived, heart weary with yet another rebuke. He knelt down on the cold stone while the two canids, metal and flesh, growled at each other and moved away to wrestle. He flicked his ears a bit, long tail dancing across his sensitive footpaws, and his whiskers quivered. His dark eyes filled with the carving of Yahshua hanging from the yew, His body stretched in agony yet dignified and pure. There, on his knees, he prayed; confused and unsure, all he could think of was the visage of a man who'd been blended with the shape of a raccoon. He could not comprehend what had gone through his heart and soul that could have led him away. He could not understand why Raven's vehemence had unsettled him so. And he could not understand how being made into a small rodent with an over-developed flight instinct would help him in his new vocation. “I do not understand, Eli,” he murmured through is snout and folded paws. “I do not understand, but I will trust you.” He felt a cold nose, snout, and ears pushing under his arm. He made the sign of the yew and then looked down at Madog. The fox's blue eyes were fixed on his, simple but sure, and a strange comfort. “I'm glad you're back here, Father Felsah.” “I am uncertain, Madog. I know I must be where I am supposed to be, but.... I don't know what I should do.” “You'll know,” Madog assured him with a quick nuzzle. “You'll know.” He allowed a bit of levity into his voice. “Even if I'm not a fox?” Madog yipped and wagged his tail. “You're better. Come. Father Hough's waiting.” Felsah smiled, petted the metal fox, , turned back to the altar, the tabernacle, and the yew. “Amen.” His paw traced the yew over his snout and chest, pausing only briefly when he reached his heart. He rose to his paws and walked stiffly toward Hough's quarters, the dog Rakka at his side. The patter of their claws on the stone echoed almost musically, as if someone in a distant corner were singing a hymn. The boy priest had taken the time to clean some of his kettles and was even now steeping more of his cider while reciting his midday prayers. He looked up as Felsah entered, quickly tracing the yew over his chest. “How did it go? You were gone so long...” “The Lothanasa kept me waiting before having me dismissed. But he is still in the Temple, that much I know.” Hough looked between him and the two canids. His brow furrowed. “Are you all right?” “I will be. For now, did you gather the journals?” “Aye, there on the table.” Felsah glanced at the table and saw a stack of at least a dozen journals each now as thick as his paws. “I'm preparing more cider. Hot this time.” “Thank you, that will be very satisfying.” Felsah, with both Rakka and Madog sitting on their haunches watching him, reached up and took the first of the journals off the table, swaying on his legs as he tried to keep the heavy book steady. He stumbled over to the chair, set the book on the seat, and then climbed up beside it. “Now let's see if we can find what Vinsah saw.” Hough took one of the other books and joined him. Together, with their four-footed friends watching, as they sipped on hot cider, they began to read the hand of the late Patriarch. ---------- May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love, Charles Matthias !DSPAM:4edb832c158411804284693! </body> </html>