Chapter 12
The Abbot motioned him out of the great hall in towards the oak door of the monastery's entrance. Walking out, he closed the door behind them. It was only outside the walls of the monastery that speaking was allowed and only at the request of the Abbot. It was one made very rarely and never to be taken lightly. But as they walked the short distance to the edge of the moors, Aiden was suddenly overcome by a mix of anger and grief. Having lived the regimented life of a monk, it was a feeling he was unprepared for. But with as many years as had passed since his arrival, he had misplaced the images connected to the emotions. The faces of his mother and father seemed to have passed from his memory, residing in the safety of oblivion. But with the stirring of these emotions, the trauma of seeing his parents murdered, so many years ago, was beginning to raise its head.
It had been a long time since Aiden had seen the sun. His skin had become pale and stepping outside, his vision had brightened to a momentary field of white. The Abbot took a moment to reflect before speaking.
"You have been here for many years and you have learned quickly," he began. "Far more quickly than I had expected." After all this time, Aiden had never heard the Abbots voice nor his own. It was not so strange that the Abbot could speak, but that he did and Aiden looked at him as though he'd seen a ghost.
"It's alright," he continued. "Outside these walls, you are free to speak."
The Abbot was calm and patient as Aiden fumbled for words.
"I've been here so long," Aiden began. "I'd forgotten what speaking sounds like."
The Abbot nodded his head, having lived with a vow of silence far longer than Aiden had been alive.
"This was your greatest test yet," the Abbot said. "You displayed courage, strength, and skill. But while these are admirable qualities, they alone will not act to fulfill what God has planned for you."
Aiden spoke up immediately.
"So, how do I prove myself father?"
The Abbot fully expected his question but found it amusing, nonetheless.
"It is not yourself you must prove, but your faith," the Abbot replied. "Your body can be broken, but your faith should never waver. And it is the test of your faith that will come next as you enter into the last of your training. If you are not strong in your bond with God, you may not survive this next test."
Aiden had many questions, but the Abbot brought the conversation to a halt and walking back toward the monastery's entrance, motioned him to follow. He had come to the belief that God poses the test to one's faith through the adversities of life. Hearing the Abbots words, Aiden was naturally both curious and afraid. What could be a more difficult test of faith than life? But, his questions would go unanswered as the Abbot opened the monastery door and motioned him in, back into the silence of monastic sanctuary. Once inside, he walked Aiden to the chapel and motioned him in, closing the door behind him.
He quickly understood the Abbots instructions. Strengthening one's bond with God demanded discipline. But, more importantly, prayer. It was through prayer that Aiden would prepare himself, building upon his desire to carry out God's will, in spite of not knowing what lay in front of him. What was it that could be more difficult than the test of one's ability to stay alive? Certainly, the exquisite pain of dying at the end of a blade held no equal amongst the hardships of life. What could possibly be worse? Aiden's questions would be answered in time and would make themselves known as the next few months continued.