The Hallowed Girl

Here's another look at my next release and debut into coming of age fantasy. I've selected a scene from the first chapter. I hope you enjoy and wish to read more upon release! :)

Kallen found that praying outdoors was preferable. The Temple, with its stark stone walls, matching floors, and dust-laden curtains, lacked the adornments one might anticipate in a sacred space. Having known only the village temple, however, she couldn't determine if such neglect was common or simply a reflection of their own Prelate. She suspected the latter.

She had chosen a seat near the front for the morning prayer, not out of profound devotion, but to avoid the rear where Tobin and Marla sat—a troublesome pair known for their relentless harassment of others. She was a favorite target of theirs, having been an outcast since her arrival in the village. Often they swung by the Inn to spill cups and leave crumbs in every crevice, knowing she would be the one expected to clean it up.

She stifled a yawn, still fighting nightmares from her night hunting the Beast. A week had passed and she had made no progress on finding answers to what had happened, and what had been present. Worse, who could she possibly tell? Who would believe such a thing?

Prelate Dori held the Book of Prayer above the altar before letting it drop— the loud smack of its landing causing the boy to her right to jolt awake, his back straightening as he looked around in fright.

Dust drifted within rays of sunlight and Kallen fought the urge to sneeze.

Prelate Dori sent a hard look in the Boy’s direction, but began without any reprimand, “Soul’s Devotion,” he instructed.

Sighs of relief proceeded the opening prayer as all children spoke in unison, “Behold, all behest by the Almighty's hand, In life's pilgrimage and death's grasp, I sojourn beneath His Light, Enshrouded in His blessed sight—”

The doors flew open, the musty smell within briefly fleeing as Wynn— the oldest Brother of the Path— stumbled inside with a stained, and dirtied robe. His cheeks were smeared with dirt, grass and leaves sticking out of his mop of brown locks. His steps to the front were awkward, as if there were something in his boots or he was hobbled with pain.

The air filled with whispers as Prelate Dori watched him, gaze hardened but expression flat as if he had no idea how to react.

Wynn took his place behind and to the left of the Prelate, brown eyes staring straight ahead as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

Silence overtook the Temple, eventually giving way to awkward laughs and stifled giggles. Even Kallen had to fight off a grin. The Brothers of the Path— young men from the Village who had chosen to pursue the life of a Church Clergyman— weren’t her favorite people. There were three of them, and all were a shade of lazy, often hampering her chances to learn more about the world beyond their insignificant village.

“Brother Wynn,” Prelate Dori began very pointedly. “I was expecting Brother Fitz for today’s morning prayer.”

Wynn’s straightforward gaze never broke, his expression far more serious than his appearance. “Apologies, Prelate. Brother Fitz is not well. I have come— unexpectedly— in his place.”

The Prelate scratched between his brows with the tip of his thumb. “Yes, unexpectedly, indeed. I will discuss this matter during our lessons.”

“Yes, Prelate.”

He sighed heavily, his eyes resettling onto the children. Kallen wilted on the bench as his gaze narrowed onto her. He had had it out for her ever since she had accidentally discovered the stockpile of ale he was hiding within the Temple below. It was supposed to be a sacred burial sight for the first Prelate of the village many years prior, and she had needed a place to hide from a Fellspawn that had followed her inside— not that anyone believed her. Regardless, he kept a close eye on her, and she kept her mouth shut on the threat of her family being punished in response.

“We will finish the week with a quick telling of the First King,” the Prelate began. “Wynn?”

Brother Wynn cleared his throat, stepping forward with a face that still seemed as if it were trying too hard to concentrate. “In the First Year, a thousand years before— if you can believe that— Rahmos was pronounced King of all the lands. He was the greatest Hero and devotee of the Almighty, and when the Keepers ascended to the High Realm, it was he that Mankind chose to follow. But as was fate for Man, and as Rahmos became old and wrinkled—” A few laughs caused him to smile brightly before he continued, “Dissatisfied people gathered in groups of those they liked, and fought with those they did not. Thus, man became divided, with new Kings and new tongues from sea to sea.” He finished with an elaborate bow, and some clapped.

Kallen was left wanting more. It was always that with the Church lessons; Prelate Dori would use a Brother to retell the stories they learned in their own time, and they would do so with haste and little detail.

Perhaps that’s how they learned it, too.

Prelate Dori did not seem impressed, but the sound of his extended belly grumbling meant it was unlikely he’d have Wynn try again. “Good enough, Brother Wynn. Please make yourself more presentable before you set off into the Village.”

“Yes, Prelate.” Brother Wynn pulled a book from underneath his cloak, out of sight from the Prelate but well in view of the children. He winked at them, his finger brought to his chapped lips to ensure their secrecy. It would work, as most of the children in the village loved the Brothers and looked up to them. They were often several years older, and a lot more fun than Dori.

Kallen could not read, but there was a symbol on the book that she had seen before, a partial mask as if covering the cheek and jaw bones, four horns from the head and brow. She could see it clearly in the woods, carved into the bark of trees like a face.

Is it Brother Wynn carving those?

What a scandal it would be, should a Brother of the Path be caught defacing trees with the symbol of the Fells— and if true, was he also the one responsible for the Fellspawn that Kallen had been seeing for years?

Prelate Dori waved as if to shoo the class, but halted upon seeing Kallen’s hand in the air. His nose twitched. “Yes, Nameless Child?”

A snort from the back at the use of her unclaimed status made her cheeks burn, but she swallowed her anger and proceeded. “Is it true that the creatures who walked the earth during the time of our Keepers were larger, more majestic beings?”

If the question annoyed him, the Prelate didn’t show it. Surprising her by seeming to take a serious attempt at giving her an answer. “Yes. The blessings of the Keepers radiated into the world around them. That is why the trees in Thessa are so tall, their ruins so grand, and some creatures— though largely hunted to extinction— enough to send shivers down the backs of an entire army.”

“Were any of them cats?” She asked, but her question had been drowned out by laughter from the back.

Tobin’s voice filled the room, “Those are stories taught at the knee! Did your Ma not love you enough? Oh, wait.” A few snickers joined him, but Kallen wasn’t paying much attention. Something else had caught her eye… The reaction of Brother Wynn as she had asked her questions, the nervous shuffle of his feet as he hurried towards the door to finally make his leave.