From Death, A New Beginning

Gideon took some time to admire the flowers outside of his house.

It was a nice day out, no two ways about it. The sun was out, it was a pleasant temperature for the north.

“Leaving soon?” Brigette asked as she walked up behind Gideon.

“Yes, I am.” Gideon said as he stood back up using his quarterstaff as an aid.

He groaned slightly as he felt the lower back pain.

Brigette looked at him worriedly, “Oh husband of mine, are you alright?”

“No, no I’m fine. Just getting old.” He joked.

Brigette shook her head in exasperation and sighed. She then put her hand on his back and felt at different places,

“The time you fought a werebear. The time you got into a drunken bar fight. The other time you got into a drunken bar fight. And of course, the time you broke your leg while fighting the goblins in the caves. Honestly husband of mine, you are a terrible fighter with all these scars. You are better at the preaching than fighting.”

Gideon shrugged, “sometimes you have to take action to make the change in the world you want to see. You have to fight for others around you.”

Brigette leaned over to give a small kiss to Gideon on the cheek.

She was silent for a moment before speaking.

“But does it have to be you to fight? You have so many who would fight for you. It’s not just your burden alone.”

Gideon gave her a small smile, “you and I both know that I can’t. From the very beginning we both know what the cost of this path would be. The only thing I can do now is keep moving on this path forward till the end.”

Brigette was quiet as she thought about what he just said.

The two looked at each other, in their own world, in their own time.

It was peaceful.

But their moment ended with a crash sound coming from inside the house.

Bridgette shook her head and sighed, “that girl.”

“She gets that from you I hope you know.” Gideon said with a wryly smile.

Bridgette gave him a slight glare and pinched him on the cheek.

“Quiet you. You come back home safe and sound, ok?”

She went back into the house.

“...can’t make any promises.” Gideon said quietly as she left.

Gideon keep walking.

After a moment he heard the platter of footsteps. He knew who it was without even looking.

“Where you are heading off to?” Hanna called out.

Gideon turned around and took a good look at her.

She had her mischievous smile.

Gideon kissed Hanna on the forehead, “I have some business to take care of. I love you. You will always be daddy’s little girl.”

Hanna looked at him for a moment and then pulled him down to kiss his forehead in turn,

“Jeez, you are acting strange. Also, I’m getting a bit too old to be a little girl!”

Gideon gave a small smile at her words, he felt that paternal warmth in his heart.

He wanted to keep her safe and happy. No sacrifice was too much for her.

“Dad has a lot on his mind. I just felt like I don’t tell you how much I love you enough.”

“Daaaad, that’s so cheesy!” Hanna said and rolled her eyes. “Whatever just don’t stay out working too long again. Mom is cooking your favorite stew tonight. Also don’t make me eat all of it by myself!”

Gideon nodded and with a smile on his face he waved her off and kept moving down the path.

***

He was outside of Saintess Kjera Orphanage.

The grand old building was a tall stone building. While the building was weathered down by age, it had the air of being a place that had withstood the test of time. It had an aura of history and the deep earthiness of the stone walls. She had sheltered the weak for many years, and she would do so for many years to come.

It was a symbol of what they all strived for. A small hope in this world.

Right now, its halls were not ringing out with the sounds of children laughter but was eerily silent. The only sound was the whistling of the wind and the gentle waves of the nearby water.

Two hooded men approached Gideon.

One man came up to Gideon and saluted, “we have done what you asked. The children have been taken to a safe location.”

“Good, that’s very good. With the situation that we find ourselves in I rather not have them witness the embarrassment of a shambling old man fight.” Gideon said as he shook his head.

The other man threw up his hood, “let us fight with you! We would gladly stand by your side till the bitter end!”

Gideon sighed, “oh George. I told you many times that you should leave this mess to my generation to resolve. I have long outlived my usefulness and suffered much. You still have the promise of your youth. It is simply my time to face my fate.”

George stared at Gideon with a fierce and fiery gaze. The passion of youth burning within him, “B-But Father Gideon. You aren’t the only one who has suffered at the hands of our enemies. I lost father to the military. We all have suffered under their yoke. You have a practically a full army to command. Please, allow us to take some of the burden.”

Gideon just put a hand on George’s shoulder, “you have already shouldered enough. I trust you. I need you to live. Who else can I trust with the children? I know how hard it is to live without the one you love. When I lost my son, it was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I have been through many losses in my life but you... You still have a future ahead of you. You are destined for greater things.”

“I...” George stopped midway and looked down. He could not argue against Father Gideon.

Gideon gave George a warm smile and put his hand off his shoulder, “Gregory take George with you and assist with evacuation our members to Gdanskig. I will join you there when I’m done.”

Gregory flipped up his hood as well, “it will be done.”

George sighed, “can’t believe it’s time to go. We will be back through you better believe it.”

Gregory chuckled, “you are just butt hurt because you have to leave dear old mother behind. Such a mama’s boy.”

George rolled his eyes, “yeah, yeah. It was bad enough I had to tell her I was alive after faking my death.”

Gideon chuckled as the two men walked off.

He turned back to the orphanage and opened the door. He walked in to see Yolanda and Edwin waiting.

Edwin was sat down looking out of the window. Peering off into the distance at something he couldn’t quite see. Quiet and contemplative, Gideon could tell he had a lot on his mind.

Yolanda was humming a tune and looked happy, like she was simply enjoying the moment of peace.

“Father Gideon.” Edwin said with a small nod, “the children are all gone?”

“Yes. They are out in Misni for the day. Enjoying some fresh air.” Gideon said.

Edwin gave him a small smile and stood up, “if I could have a moment of your time? To take my confession.”

“I always have time for you.” Gideon gestured to a side room.

“Will you be alright out here Yolanda?” Edwin asked.

“Of course! I will just be here.” Yolanda said as pulled out a book to read.

Edwin and Gideon entered the side room. Gideon took his usual seat.

“Forgive me, Father for I have sinned. It’s been. Hmm...” Edwin started.

“Twelve days since your last confession.” Gideon answered.

“Ha. I guess that it’s true. How do you know how many days since my last confession.”

“It’s not like you confess to anyone else.”

“True. Hmm. Where was I... ah right. I done what you asked of me, Gideon.”

“Oh, how did it go?”

Edwin sighed and looked up, “I prayed in front of Theresa’s grave. I let her know how I have missed you. How I tried my hardest and even through I‘m sure it wasn’t enough, I carried on. I assured her she could let me know how much of a foolish husband I all been she want on the other side. Told her to take good care of Loise for just a little longer, ok? She is a handful, always had too much energy for her own good.”

Edwin paused and shook his head and took a deep breath.

He continued,

“After that, I took that letter I wrote explaining to them how much they meant to me. How heartbroken I been without them. And how I was going to keep moving forward with them in my heart. I took that letter and burned it.”

“You did good. You did well Edwin. This will bring closure for you. You made the right decision.” Gideon said gently.

Edwin turned to stare at Gideon intently, “I been wondering that quite a lot recently…have we done the right thing? Will we ever know?”

“No, we won’t. We must have faith in our successors to make a brighter future with the path we carved. Just because we will not see what the future holds does not mean our lives were in vain. As we have carried those we lost in our hearts, we must trust those around us to carry us in their hearts. Our lives are theirs to carry on.”

Edwin chuckled, “I suppose that’s all we can really do. Those young ones. They have such zeal. They are even more dedicated to the cause than we are. This new generation, they are our hope for a brighter future.”

Gideon nodded and smiled at him, “Yes, they will. Even more reason for us to fix the mistakes our generation has made...Edwin, it is time.”

Edwin stood up, ” I suppose it is. I will go where I need to be.”

“Before you leave, I have a question. Where is the girl?”

Edwin adjusted his sword on his belt, “Her? She has her bodyguard to protect her. I also left Felix to protect her.”

Gideon shook his head, “I still don’t trust that mercenary. Too much love of coin and not enough of the gods and his fellow man.”

“He’s a good man. A little rough around the edges but he’s got his heart in the right place. He has served our cause well.”

Gideon frowned but said nothing. He didn’t need to. Edwin knew the answer anyway.

Gideon stood back up.

“Till we meet again.” Edwin said as he saluted Gideon.

They both then took a fist and beat their heart and said in unison, “As long as I still stand, the North is not yet lost!”

***

It just left Gideon and Yolanda waiting.

She had a lute in hand now.

“You have a lute?” Yolanda asked

“Oh, we have some instruments around. Some of the children of the orphanage have been learning to play. Some of the men have been teaching them in their spare time.”

“Do you play, Father?”

Gideon shook his head.

Yolanda then strummed out a couple of chords, “I know how to play. My mother taught me how to play. Want me to play a song?”

Gideon smiled, “I would love that. Just remember when the time comes you will leave.”

“...I understand.”

“Knowing all that you know now. Do you think us the bad guys? Are we irredeemable?”

Yolanda looked at Gideon with a fierce gaze, “no. You all saved me. When I was at my lowest, when I had thoughts of just giving up. All of you gave me a new life and purpose. A reason to keep living. You are my family now.”

Gideon looked out the window and smiled. “...Thank you.”

Yolanda started to strum out the chords, soft and gentle. Then she began to sing. Her voice was soothing, it felt like it came from the land itself. She sung of love and kindness to others and the path towards a better tomorrow.

Gideon closed his eyes, thinking of the past while listening.