Chapter 9
Morning was signaled by a loud thud as the Abbot threw open the door of Aiden's cell. Startled from sleep, he bolted up in bed to discover the Abbot standing over him with a scowl on his face. Glancing over, he also discovered that the candle, whose single glowing flame that kept him company throughout the night, had burned down to a hardened pool of wax. No words were spoken as the Abbot motioned to the open door. It was time for breakfast and there was a great deal of work to be done. Aiden would be taken care of. However, life would be anything but easy.
Aiden had remained dressed throughout the night, in an attempt to fend off the cold air seeped through the stone walls of his cell. He walked down the dark hallways, the Abbot trailing closely behind him. Whenever his pace quickened, the Abbot would kick him squarely in the backside. Aiden would have to learn a regimented life, that things have to be done a certain way. Even the simple act of walking would become a ritual, reflecting both order and humility. And in order to avoid the Abbot's punitive foot, he would have to learn quickly.
Breakfast was as simple as it was unappetizing. Gruel, bread and a bowl of water. But, it was better than starving. That was something Aiden was very familiar with, so he was not about to complain and doing so would only incur the Abbot's anger. When he was finished, the Abbot motioned him toward the door. But before entering the hallway, he handed Aiden a broom and pointed to the floor. His primary duty was clear. Aiden had been charged with the task of keeping the hallways clean enough for the Abbot to walk on. In the eyes of the Abbot, anything less than perfection was met with swift punishment and Aiden would repeatedly experience the Abbot's swing of the broomstick across the back of his legs. Until one day, the Abbot simply nodded his approval. It was a small accomplishment, but one that Aiden had worked very hard for. Yet, he felt disconnected and alone. His parents had been dead for weeks and he was living in an unfamiliar place, with strangers that vowed to silence.
The next day, he was given an additional task. The Abbot walked up behind him putting a hand on his shoulder, startled Aiden into a gasp. Stopping him from his daily routine sweeping the hallways, the Abbot led Aiden into the chapel. He swung wide darkly stained, ancient doors, displaying the magnificence of the chapel's interior. This was the only place within the monastery where light is allowed in. To use the word 'grandiose' would be a vast understatement. The chapel was a place of meditation and worship. So naturally, it was built to reflect the glory of God and the beauty of his creation. The maintenance of the chapel would now be added to Aiden's routine.