The Commission
- Robert Frederick
- Dec 8, 2016
- 6 min read
I do not know my great grandfathers name which leaves me to suppose my great grand children might not know mine, but what does still proceed after names are forgotten is the legends they created and this here just might be one.
Fellfalls not to long ago was no more than a settlement placed perfectly between the Fellfalls woods and the Bulwalg lake. The town has seen its fair share of trouble and struggles over the years but due to the Matthias family it has steadily seen it through. Fellfalls is marked as a small wooden fort painted in a canvas of golden field with a carpeted crystal blue lake and a distant foggy tower on the lakes edge. All is has been well in the humble town yet of late there seems to be a gloom that looms over the people as Lord Matthias has taken ill. Just out side the town is the only functional stone structure for miles, the Temple of Adonijah. The small temple consist of a tiny bell tower above the temple chapel, a courtyard overlooks the golden fields to the west where William, an orphan boy of 16 sits meditating with his friend Levi.
A young man named Aden rushes out into the courtyard. "William, Levi! Master Aaron wants to see you."
Levi lays back with a sigh of relief, "thank God, I was falling asleep!" Levi throws his feet into the air lunging his body off the ground and landing on his toes without making a noise. Williams looks at him through one eye as he suspects a series of shenanigans from Levi. "What?" Levi replies, "Lets go, I forgot something in my room."
The doors of the humble little chapel opened wide, the room was full of old pews as William and Levi progress down the center aisle. At the end of the aisle sits an old bald monk with a long beard. His green eyes slowly open with a glint of gold as he feels the presence of his students approach. William was dressed in a tethered collared linen shirt wearing a plain old brown vest and fitted trousers with a faded sash around his waist, the common garments of young swordsman from the temple of adohnijh. Levi wore the monk robes, a loose fitting pair of trousers drawn tight at the waist and calves with a short sleeved robe drawn firm around the torso. A long stained bedsheet was tied around his neck and waved in the air, he enjoyed how regal it made him feel as he walked by regardless of how rediculce it made him look.
"Children," Aaron said softly, looking at each of them. "Lord Matthias has passed and his son is now Lord Matthias ii." They each knelt to one knee and said a quick prayer as is their custom to the passing of life among respect Adonijian temple members. "As the families grieves they sent their servants to the family crypt to be cleaned and prepare but they have not returned. A message was sent from on of servants that made it to the wooden palisade. It read, 'the crypt has turned ill.' Lord Matthias ii has commissioned our temple to investigate the matter. You, my children, have neared the end of your training here and are soon to be let out into the world. Take this commission and aid our Lord in laying his father to rest."
They replied in unison, "For the honor of our God and King we will do this." Monk Aaron looked to Levi, " Levi, leave the bed sheet and give it a good wash." "Yes Dadd... Father Monk" Levi replied bowing again and again time William at last wrapped his arm around his head and dragged him out of the temple.
A Levi and William approach the wooden palisade walls of the town. The guards in the small wooden towers on either side of the gate were the only people they could see. The town had a grim feeling about it as everyone mourned the death of the lord. A few figures were in the market place purchasing produce from a wagoneer that had come to town at a bad time. The hooded figure of a man in his thirties watched them pass by as they moved through the market. "That guy seems like bad news Levi." William said giving the man a seconded glance.
"Really?" Levi said, "I think he looks kinda cool, we should make friends." Before Levi could walk away William grabbed Levi by the collar.
"Don't. We have a job to do." William held onto Levi till they reach the wooden long house at the center of town. The long house was known as the Matthews estate it was a humble place for a lord but still stood two stories tall. Standing at the door was a young man about the same age of William and Levi.
"My apologies gentlemen, Lord Matthias is not taking visitors." The young man said as they stood at the entrance of the Matthews Estate.
"Lord Matthias ii has asked us to investigate the family crypt, we thought it best to present ourselves to our new lord before we carry on." William explained as he bowed to his peer.
"Oh," The young man was surprised and stepped closer to them. "Well it would be best to speak to him after you had some good news to present. Seeing as my lord has been grieving the loss of his father there is little help I can offer." The young man stated as he began to loosen his belt. "You may use my blade it will help in your task." The young man finished removing his belt and seated sword and handed it to William. William was taken back by this gesture and bowed gratefully to the servant.
"I will indeed, thank you but umm... where is the family crypt?" William asked, a little embarrassed at not knowing his town better.
"Why its in the graveyard. on the northside of town."
"Oh right! the graveyard."
"I must warn you though, we sent servants to prepare the crypt but they have yet to return. There has also been rumors of shadows moving in the graveyard at night. Whatever has happened his not good. Take care."
"I bet I can climb in the window." Levi said staring at the window on the second floor.
Dusk had settled on the town of Fellfalls as a fog began to roll out of the woods and among the crooked tombstones of the graveyard. The cemetery laid on the upward slope of the hills of the forest. Highest on the hillside was the small stone structure of granite and marble which laid over grown with weeds and brush. The graves seem to budge from the ground as if their captives desired to escape. As they approached the crypt William and Levi unwittingly passed the flatened grass that seemed to have been trampled. The crumbling sandstone that blocked the entry to the tombs appeared to have been moved. As they reached the entrance on the family crypt they could sense the faint smell of death in the air.
"How do we get in?" Levi asked
William noticed the faint sound of scratching, "Shush up for a moment!" Listening quietly they heard it again.
"Its nothing Billy, its just the window blowing and the grass rubbing on the stone."
"Shut up! There is no wind right now."
The scratching noise persists until William called out. "Is there anyone in there?" Behind the slightly ajar slab that barred their entrance to the tomb they heard the moan and whimper of a female that sound in distress.
"It might be one of the servants!" William said, "Stand back, I'm coming in." William pushed and pushed against the slab till at last it gave way swing wide open. There on the ground of the crypt laid the life starved corpse of a female, her skin blotched with purple and black, her eyes opened and jar hanging agape. The room reeked of death as Levi dropped down to examine the dead woman. Her eyes starring forward half sunken and yellowing, Levi watched as they began to roll back and look at him. Levi looked up at William as William looked forward. "Oh Sh...!"
A plethora or corpse came tumbling out of the tomb tackling the two young orphans to the ground.
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