'Nightfall brings its shadows, which disperse at morning light,
While a curse brings certain sorrows, of which there is no respite.'

WendyyWolfe

⚖ ⚖︎ ⚖︎

Jamestowne, Virginia 1653

There was a darkness in the mammoth Anglican church, a pristine aesthetic that surprised Byron Dunleavy.

He stood nervously in the vestibule waiting for the Bishop and his angst grew with each passing second. He looked up into the towering ceilings, vaulted to the sky and the cold stone interior with its puritan plainness.

For whatever reason, he had not expected to see such a church here, in the Americas, where everything else was still so primitive.

Shadows encased the inner sanctum and it was from those shadows the Bishop materialized and came forward almost floating in his crisp robes and collar. Byron's eyes had not yet adjusted to the dim bowery but he stepped forward anyway to meet the Bishop halfway.

"Your Excellency," he murmured.

"You must call me Monsignor," Bishop John Lewis Swinburne extended his hand to the young Deacon, Byron Dunleavy, and he respectfully kissed the Ecclesiastical ring of the Bishops Patriarchal Office.

Bishop John Lewis Swinburne placed a hand on the shoulder of his new Procelyte. "It is both my pleasure and great relief to have you, Reverend Dunleavy," John Swinburne all but purred. "The Settlement of Pennybacker has waited a very, long time to receive a Shepherd," he smiled enigmatically.

Byron nodded thoughtfully, but before his musings went too far the Monsignor waved him toward a table.

"Come, let us sit. There are a few things I should like to tell you before your journey to the outer perimeters of Virginia."

"Yes, Monsignor. I am eager to begin my service," Byron stuttered. The Bishop seemed so mysterious and it was leaving him unsettled.

Byron Dunleavy followed his senior, Bishop Swinburne to a table where they both sat.

The Bishop poured water into a tin cup and gave Byron a long, considering look. His bright grey eyes were piercing, standing out beneath bushy white brows and a long white beard. Byron was beginning to suffer self-conscious nerves and chided himself inwardly for the feeling.

Bishop Swinburne handed Byron the cup and sat down across from him. "I'm afraid there have been some, disconcerting, matters plaguing this particular settlement. While they have had a chapel for some time, they have not been able to obtain a permanent minister."

"Why would that be Monsignor?" Byron asked, immediately regretting the presumptuous question, for John Swinburne sat straight up in his chair, leaned forward and said the most troubling thing Byron thought he had ever heard.

"I must demand complete secrecy for the things I am going to tell you, and the firm promise that you shall report back to me of any these descrepancies you discover henceforth."

Byron was shocked, and he swallowed hard but nodded mutely.

The Bishop got up and disappeared into the Sacristy and when he returned he had an ancient Bible which he placed on the table before Byron.

"Place your hand there and duly swear by this oath that you will perform your duties as a Deacon and a minister to the truths you find evident on this Holy Monikor."

Byron held a shaking hand forth and laid it lightly upon the old tome, uttering an equally shaky, 'I do.'

"Lord Byron of Chesyershire, I do pronounce you The Deacon and Minister of Pennybacker Settlement. With these words and proclamation I anoint you to go forth in these wild lands and announce the Holy Word to any and all; and to avail the common people of this great contenteint entrance into the hand of God Almighty. How do you answer Byron Dunleavy?"

Byron stood up and looking the Bishop square in the eye, duly accepted his appointment.

Bishop Swinburne shook his hand and invited Byron to sup with him.

Byron amicably agreed.

"Very well then. Let us venture forth. A great many vestrys have travelled far to be here today and they await us outside. The presbytery in Virginia are anxious to meet you."

And just like that, Byron Dunleavy was an ordained minister.

Outside, in the church yard Byron was greeted with warmth and curiosity. Most of the parishioners present were hungry for news of the home land and Byron busily filled them in with whatever he knew while shaking hands and accepting good wishes.

The Bishop stood apart watching, and after enough time had lapsed for benevolence, he stepped forward and ushered Byron aside.

He thanked the gathered but informed them that the Reverend Byron would, of no doubt be tired and hungry and they must take leave.

𓆟𓆟𓆟

The parsonage was quaint and warm in stark contrast to the cathedral-like church of Jamestowne.

Over a simple meal of roasted rabbit with pearl onions topped with green chives, and partially softened potatoes wrapped in banana leaves and placed in the fireplace coals to bake, his thoughts returned to the unorthodox directive Bishop Swinburne had used to appoint his services.

As if in request for explanations Bishop Swinburne, between lusty bites of his supper, addressed the topic when Byron asked him about this unusual process.

"It is not too awful unusual Reverend," he stated. "Here in the New World we do things differently than required in the homeland."

"Ahh. I see."

"You won't bother yourself about it. Tis is a perfectly legal ordination. To settle your qualms I shall have the Archdeacon draw up a Certificate of Ordination. Furthermore, you must concede to spend the night here for tomorrow we will have much to do. I'll need to commission a wagon and provide you with clothing and other furnishings. The people of Pennybacker have built a new chapel and arranged a private parsonage for you and, I should think you will find it very pleasing."

Byron took a deep breath. "And will I be requisitioned with a guide?"

"Yes good Reverend. Of course. Segenah will assist you in every way. He is highly capable and speaks the Kings English very well having been with us from the beginning. In saying that, now I must share with you some certain things, happenings that you should know about concerning Pennybacker Settlement."

"Happenings, Bishop Swinburne?"

"Yes. I do not wish to alarm you, but in the event that Segenah takes it upon himself to inform you of certain things, well I would like you to be well versed before hand. Your new Parish, has been, under investigation for a goodly long time. This was the reason I formerly told you, these things must be kept secret."

Byron's mouth fell open and he lay his fork down as his earlier hunger left him in that moment.

"In recent years, as you know, our former dioceses in the home land have all but abandoned us here. It has been a very dry and dark time in speaking of spiritual things. We have had to rely upon some not quite unethical but, far reaching governing to deal with this time of unmet needs. Rumors have swirled and there has been talk here and there that your new Parish has been under a curse, as it were, of unusual proportions. One of your primary directives will be to put these motions to rest. And report back to me of all, your findings."