The Keeper

I look out the window of my kitchen to the woods that are draped in winter’s splendor. Today is my first full day of being alone, the person I spent the adult portion of my life with has passed on. It had been peaceful, he had gone in his sleep, though waking up to a dead body next to me was a shock. My youngest child didn’t take the death of her father well and she is till coping with it, yet now she won’t be here except as a visitor now. She spent the winter holidays with me and come graduation time in spring she will also marry.

I am thankful that he is a good man, my oldest child after stumbling to get his feet under him. Has a good life now, a steady relationship and a steady job as well as a home of his own. My other child, well. All I know is she’s happy and I have a grandchild. Maybe one day I’ll get to see that child, but I’m not holding my breath.

I go to the wood stove and take the hot water kettle off of it and pour the water into my steeping pot and then got to my back door to let my dog inside. Blackie is a mixed breed of some lab variant that I had never intended to own but when she was three months old I met her when she leapt into my arms when I paused to look in a box of puppies.

She loves a fresh snowfall, and when she looked out the window this morning she had to go out and spend a couple hours running in lines all over the side pasture. The pasture is now empty sadly as my partner in the last few years had been in poor health and I needed to be able to focus on his health instead of attempting to keep a small farm going.

I pick up the tea pot and set it on a tray with a bowl of sugar a cup and some fruit. I take these into the family room that is adjacent to the kitchen where there is a padded window seat and I already have an assortment of seed catalogs with the book I am currently reading. I watch Blackie shake next to Cream’s cat tree and the young cat gives the dog a withering look and then she goes back to watching the birds at the feeder outside the window and then Blackie curls up on the pet bed in front of the fire place that I add another large piece of wood to.

The fireplace is unnecessary with the wood cook stove but I like the ambiance it gives. What better for a day while it is cold and snowy outside and you decide to spend the day curled up in a good book?

I am thankful for the money that had been put aside before my partner had died, it should supply me with what I need until I can start a cottage business and maybe raise some beef for sale to make ends meet.

I pick my book up to read and I stare out the window some more and I wonder, why does it feel this is not what I should be doing? I glance over to my book shelves where I have an odd assortment of books kept. I pause my eyes on my assorted herbal books, I had always wanted to learn about herbal remedies as I love helping others but I just can’t manage to study medicine. I guess it’s the concept of doing something harmful to aid that bothers me a lot of times you have to do something that doesn’t really help to heal with modern medicine. Not that old medicine was much better, if there was some way that you could combine the two and aid people I think it would be wonderful.

I turn back to the window and I watch as snow starts falling again and I just watch it fall. I must have lost track of time because I blink and the fire is out and the house is very quiet, I can hear the dog and cat snoring as if they’re in a deep sleep and I hear a knock on the front door and Blackie doesn’t wake up.

That bothers me as I stand and I mentally shrug figuring that maybe she wore herself out as I head out of the room and I announce,” just a minute my fire went out I need to relight it then I’ll let you inside.” I don’t hear another kick but I see the dark shapes of the people through the frosted glass on my front door.

I head into the kitchen to the wood burner and the wood box next to it and as I await the kindling lighting fully I refill the hot water pot figuring I could reheat my tea pot and offer whomever this was a hot drink before they leave.

Once I am sure the fire is going I head out to the door and open it to find about five people standing in a group bundled against the cold. I point to my dining table, a nice home made wooden farm table with some nice comfortable seats about it. “Please take your cold garments off at the hooks and please sit a spell while I warm some tea to warm your insides then you can tell me why you are here.”

I don’t await a response as I rush to get my tea tray noting the animals were still asleep, still thinking it odd I take the tray into the kitchen deciding as soon as I have my guests settled I’d check on the animals. I take out a second steeping pot and after removing the insert from the first I pour half the liquid into the second. I then take the boiling water and top off both pots. As I was not sure how long I had slept I figured the tea may have over steeped and mixing plain water should weaken it.

I place an assortment of home made cookies on a plate as well as a few small plates and cups onto the tray and I add a handful of spoons and a pot of honey just in case they prefer honey to the sugar I use in this tea.

I pick up the tray and head back into the dinning room and say, “my apologies for the whirlwind welcome. I seemed to have dozed off and my heat went out, and I had not expected anyone to arrive at my door.” I say as I set the tray on the table and I start taking the items off the tray when I notice the people at my table are not, human. Four were what I could only describe as elves from the myths and legends I have read my whole life. The other as soon as I see her I go to fall to my knees when one of the elves grasps my shoulder, and in a musical voice says. “Please Lady She does not expect you to kneel, she came her to ask something of you please, just sit and let us speak.”

I slowly nod my head and with a shaking hand grasp the nearest chair and carefully sit down upon it. I glance to my family room, “is that why they are asleep?” An elf with bright red hair answers with a smile, “yes. I had them sleep so as to not disturb you while the house shifted to our realm so we might speak with you.”

I nod my head then bow it as I turn my head to Her, “Goddess you bless me with your visit what might this mortal do for you?” I feel a warn hand grasp my hand and another lift my head up to look her in the eyes, “please Heather. You do not need to bow to me, I am grateful for all of the human worshipers I have and I would never demand subservience from any of you.”

A very serious white haired elf with a nervous eye speaks then, “the Great Lady wishes to ask a great favor of you Heather. Your life has ended one pathway and she has a new path to offer you but it requires you to freely accept it’s place.” I feel confused, what could a deity ask of someone that would require full permission from a mortal to enact?

The Goddess laughs, “and here I said they should tell you plainly. As they would not I shall dear one.” Before speaking again the Goddess pours herself a cup of the tea and uses the sugar just as I would have. After tasting the tea she nods her head and continues. “We have a sanctuary without a resident Keeper. It is nearby in the mortal realm with a mortal town half attached to it. You could encourage your daughter and her future husband to move there as if you take the position any open homes are automatically available to families of the local Keeper.”

I blink upon hearing the request and I am stunned. If it is what I think it is, that would explain why She would have to ask me first. I look at the Great Lady, “are you referring to the place some mortals call the tavern at the end of the world?” The goddess nods her head and waves a hand, “and the inn at the crossroads of the world.”

I sit back in my chair and think hard about it, it would be perfect for me if it is what I think it is. However I think I need to ask some questions before accepting. I look to the serious elf, “would be allowed to attend my daughter’s wedding?” The elf waves his hand, “of course elves consider family obligations high important your daughter’s wedding would fall into obligation. However you should know that when you receive the mantel of Keeper while you are still mortal while you remain at the sanctuary you will not age. The mortal side of the veil you will age so as you do age over time you will have to decide what is worth your time there. Most of your ‘cases’ will come to you.” I nod my head, that answer having given me more information that I had asked for. I look to the Goddess, “whose laws am I following?” She chuckles again, “good question child. When you take the mantel you will follow the laws of your title then. Which are very simple, you must aid all who ask it of you, that said you can revoke sanctuary to anyone within reason.” I nod my head knowing that gave a lot of leeway, I look tot he family room where my dog and cat were laying. She smiles, “of course they can come with you they are a part of you.”

I relax then, “I will accept then; when would I need to leave?” The first elf jumps up from his chair, “immediately of course. The vacancy needs filling ASAP as not having a Keeper there can cause harm in the greater world. Before I take you there we’ll wake your pets up. After the Mantel accepts you make a list of things from within this home you must have, and a list of things you would like a copy of.” I understand that as if I didn’t have an emotional attachment to it a copy is probably considered best. He continues, “E’lwan will make arrangements to sell the house and property, placing the money in the account you now have. Please know that in the non mortal section of the town near the sanctuary mortal money is no good.” I nod my head knowing this should be accurate. One of the elves who hadn’t spoken waves for me to follow her into the family room where she leans down a touches Blackie who instantly wakes and starts bouncing around the room and the elf goes and the same to Cream and she follows suit.

The animals follow me out of the room bounding like they are puppy and kitten and the Goddess chuckles again. “This is why we put them to sleep. Animals react like this to me, once you get to the sanctuary they’ll be fine.” I nod my head and the first elf takes my hand, now don’t let go I have to show you the way the first time as you are mortal. Do not worry about the cold as it won’t be long.” We then step outside of my home with my pets and walk off into the woods.