Excerpt: Grey Rivers

“Linnea, what's wrong?” Persephone asked. She looked at Linnea and her little backpack. “What on earth are you doing?”
“I'm leaving,” Linnea said as she hurried back downstairs, her boots pounding on the stone steps.
“Leaving?” Persephone cried as she trailed along behind her. “Why?”
Linnea crossed through the Main Hall and into the kitchens, gathering up whatever she could find. “It's not safe here. I'm putting everyone in danger.”
The aging woman stopped at the door to catch her breath, then huffed, “It's that Tavish isn't it?”
“He's made his intent clear – to me, anyway.”
“Well why haven't you said anything?” Persephone exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air. “You should have talked to the Abbot about it.”
“I have no proof of anything,” Linnea cried, looking pleadingly into Persephone's eyes. “And even if I were to tell anyone, how would that help? He's trying to kill me Persephone! He won't stop just because the Abbot tells him to leave, and he may even hurt others. This is the only way.”
Linnea took a deep breath and covered her face with her hands.
“I think...” she began hesitantly, “I think this is what God wants me to do. I don't know why, and I don't want to do it, but I have to. Please don't try to stop me.”
Perephone's ancient eyes looked over Linnea sadly. At last she said, “I won't, dear, but-”
“And please don't tell Aisla!” Linnea pleaded. Persephone shook her head. “I can't do that. She deserves to know where you are.”
“But she'll just try to bring me back here, or get herself into trouble! I don't want her to get hurt because of me.”
“If she asks where you are I will not lie,” Persephone said forcefully. “I'll try to keep it quiet as long as I can, so Tavish doesn't follow you, but do not ask me to lie to either Aisla or Abbot Nolan.”
Linnea sighed, and watched Persephone sadly. “Thank you. I'll miss you. Please tell Aisla that I'm sorry, and I'll miss her. And thank her for everything she's done-”
“It's alright,” Persephone interrupted when tears began to well up in Linnea's large, bright eyes. “I'll tell her.” Persephone enfolded Linnea in a warm embrace, and said, “May God bless you. I pray that He will keep you safe.”
“Thank you,” Linnea whispered again. She glanced to the door, “I have to go.”
She grabbed her pack, slung it over her shoulder, and ran back into the Main Hall, hoping she wasn't too late. As she pushed open the door she saw to her relief that Callum and the others will still lingering by the front of the abbey, checking on their supplies one last time. Linnea walked up to Callum.
“So... is your offer still open?” she asked. Callum jumped, and looked up. A smile spread across his face. “Of course! So you changed your mind?”
“I had to,” she said grimly, “You were right, I can't stay here.”
“Linnea?” Eamon said in puzzlement, walking over to them.
“She's gonna be coming with us,” Callum stated. Eamon looked from the one to the other briefly, but said nothing. Glynn had glanced over to them, raised an eyebrow then shook his head.
“We're ready to go,” he called over to Eamon, “But I don't know if we'll have enough food now.”
“I've brought my own,” Linnea said, “It won't be a problem.”
Glynn shrugged, and threw one of the bags across his back. “Right then, come on.”
Glynn and Eamon began to stride toward the gate. Linnea lingered another moment, looking up at the abbey's bell tower. A great emptiness filled her heart when she realized that she was really leaving this place, her home. Callum stood at a distance and watched. Linnea sighed, and lowered her head.
“You'll come back,” Callum said. Linnea looked up, her weak smile just barely visible beneath the shadow of her hood. Callum smiled back, and jerked his head in the direction of the road. “Let's go.”