The Twins of Noremway Parish Read Online Free PDF

bitterness was not a result of regret, for she didn’t think she had done anything wrong.
    James Morgan stood by his wife, although more in the physical sense than ideologically. He may not have agreed with her constant crusade against Teret Finley, but he never argued with her–he knew better. He was devastated by his daughter’s lack of contact with the family, although he maintained a somewhat limited correspondence with her—correspondences that she made him promise to keep secret. He knew that she had grown into a beautiful young woman who had even considered becoming a parochial vicar herself, but decided to work in the sciences just like Plague’s daughter: so much for the “traditional” education.
    Then she became mayor of Bassingway Parish, taking up the call for the end to the patriarchal government found all over the Inner-Crescent. James was silently proud. Rita was completely oblivious.
    This past summer came a wedding announcement with an invitation by messenger, but James burned it. Abigail was offering a truce. She would invite them to the wedding in Bassingway Parish and resume normal relations with her parents if “Mother will allow me to live my own life and have my own beliefs.” Better not reopen that wound , James had thought.
    As he stood next to Rita at the harvest gathering, hearing her scoff throughout Plague’s speech, listening to her jeers during every other speech, he knew he had made the right choice in keeping the relations distant.
    James smiled. Despite his true feelings—anger, regret, remorse—he always carried on like everything was alright. “What are you so happy about?” Rita snapped. Oh right…can’t smile when she’s in one of her moods , he thought as the smile disappeared.
    Brother Decon was in the process of introducing “Mayor Tomias Waterman!” The cheers intensified, and at first no one noticed that Waterman wasn’t even there. Even after the cheers ended, only one person—Teret Finley—thought Waterman’s absence was even worth mentioning…at first, anyway.
    She leaned in close to Decon and cupped a hand over his ear. “Tomias and Lynn aren’t here,” was all she said. That was all she needed to say. The nagging at the back of his mind, the memory that he had inexplicably forgotten, suddenly came forth with the power of a large explosive. The vision! How did I forget the vision! Waterman is in trouble!
    A worried look betrayed the thoughts now running through his head, but he made an attempt to make light of it when addressing the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, we may have to postpone the feast. The Watermans appear to be running late. I assure you the Watermans are fine.” Worried looks spread among the parishioners despite the friar’s attempts to minimize it. Everyone knew two things: the Waterman’s were never late, and if they were going to be, they would have sent word.
    “ Maybe the missus is having her child, the Waterman heir,” came cries from the crowd. “Aye, must be so,” came the replies.
    Plague scoffed. “You think I’d be here if she was having her child? I would have received word. Tomias would have either brought Lynn to me, or called for a messenger to come get me. Neither has happened.” The crowd erupted in frightened conversation: What if something bad had happened? I hear the wolves are out and they are hungrier than ever! And they can shape shift and go through walls. The great wall can’t even hold them out. Will this be the last year of the harvest? Are we doomed to die in drought? We’re done for.
    ***
    While these conversations were going on, Decon’s eyes met Rita’s. This better not affect my harvest, those eyes said. The Morgans were certainly the most domineering couple in town, often accused of bullying, but everyone seemed to give in to them. They often claimed the righteousness of tradition as their calling—which was something no one wanted to argue against (James always seemed to be the type to go