Elder Bright's Arc

Chapter 5 of 10

Elder Bright closed the log book and stared at the name beneath the scratch. The thief was Granny Mossroot. He had trusted her once with every secret he owned. He sat alone in the archive a long time. Then he stood, because waiting would not make the truth softer. He knew he could not face her by himself. She was strong, and grief had made her stronger. If she denied it and turned on him, no one would ever know what was said. He needed eyes on the meeting. He needed a witness. He sent a quiet word to a young scribe and told her where to stand. A small wooden platform rose at the edge of the garden across from Granny Mossroot's house. From there she could see the front door clear as day. She agreed to watch and to write down everything she saw. At dusk Elder Bright walked up the path to the bright little manor with its white fence and bowing flowers. The house looked too sweet to hold a thief. He knocked. Granny Mossroot opened the door, calm as still water. She looked past him, saw the scribe on the platform, and her mouth tightened. "You brought a witness," she said. "Then come in. I have been counting the years. I will tell you why I took the page." Elder Bright stepped inside. The door shut behind him. He had his confession waiting — and a deeper question now opening at his feet.