Possesed

When i was a little girl if I looked in the mirror I would always see a woman peaking out from the shadows.  I never thought much of it because i thought it was a figment of my imagination. Little did I know this woman would be a pivotal in future. I grew up in a very unextraordinary life. My parents died when I was a baby and I was raised by my Great Aunt Katherine on her farm. 

Now don't get me wrong Aunt Katherine is amazing. She has always made sure I had everything that I ever needed. She also taught me everything about life. She also made sure I knew about life including how to be a hard worker. Oh and how to be a fully functioning witch.

I always thought the lady in the mirror was an imaginary friend. That was until I turned thirteen. That was the first time i really noticed her in the mirror she would move freely and would often stand behind me while I was getting ready for school. I asked her who she was and she would put a finger to her lips. Then the day it happened and my Aunt came into the room and stood next to me and the lady appeared. Aunt Katherine spoke to her saying, "This child does not need your nonsense you are to protect her and make sure she survives.'

The lady looked at my Aunt and put her hand over her heart and nodded. My aunt said, "Good because I am watching you and you know what I will do to you if you try to manipulate this child and hurt her."

I never saw my aunt become so overprotective. But since my parents died she has always hovered. After my aunt kissed the top of my head the woman in the mirror smiled and said, "Hello my name is Abigail. I have been with you your entire life."

I smiled and said, "Hello Abigail it's nice to officially meet you. Not to be someone who brings up unpleasant things but what did my aunt mean when she said to make sure I survive?"

She gave me a half smile, "My dear girl what do you know about your own family history."

"Abigail to be honest with you I never looked into it, Mama and Daddy died by the time I was one and Aunt Katherine tooked me in and raised me all these years," I said. "My Grandma passed away when Mama was young as well. Aunt Katherine raised Mama as well from when she was a baby."

Sighing Aunt Katherine said from the door, "Abigail would you please explain the history to her it upsets me too much."

Abigail had a soft face and said, "My sweet Katherine I would be glad to. You have no reason to worry I will explain everything. I promise you this time will be different and I will do everything I can for her."

Aunt Katherine came over to me and said, "Before she starts you need to know I love you and would give my life for you and would have for your mama and grandma as well. I am to old now to do much about the situation."

She kissed my forehead and walked away with tears in her eyes. I grabbed a chair stuck it in front of my mirror and said, "Ok Abigail spill it, I do not like seeing Aunt Katherine so upset."

"Neither do I child, Your Aunt has been through so much and it breaks my heart for everything she has lost." She continued saying, "Promise me everything I tell you will never be repeated to anyone but your soul mate."

"I promise," I said.

"I am glad you are sitting this is a lot to take in. My name is Abigail DeSaux I was born in the year of our lord in 1440. My parents were tavern owners and wonderful people. My mother was the village healer and had delivered most of the babies in town. As I grew up I was given every opportunity they could as I was the only child my mother was able to have. By the time I had reached my thirteenth year I was helping my father run his tavern and my mother in her healing duties. I was a very advanced girl and many people took notice. Shortly after i turned 14 years of age a royal family came through the tavern and their son had decided to speak with me. I was nice and kind but that was all. Later that evening the father had approached my father and stated his son would like some alone time with me. My father had declined the offer and advised I was to go to the nunnery in a few brief months. As religion was sacred in our area the Royal begged a pardon and went on his way. My father and mother decided that from now on as a family we would live near a cottage in the country and father would have his workers handle more with the tavern. His workers were like family and were just as protective of me. My mother also commissioned clothes from the local tailor made to look more like close worn by women servicing the Nunnery.  My Grandmother had been friends with mother superior and when my mother explained the situation she drew up a document to show I was in service as I helped with the healing my mother does and I would be between all locations. She set me up a room in the convent as she had heard rumors about the royals son. She wanted to protect me as well. 

A few weeks later my mother had been called to an estate to assist in the birth of a bastard child. We were taken to a cottage and were left to assist with the birth. The woman was scared and struggling. About halfway through the birthing process the owner of the state requested an update and my mother sent me to give an update. It was the royal and his son. The father had stated he was pleased to see I was able to assist my mother and inquired about the birth. I told him that the girl was struggling and that we are doing everything we could to have a successful birth. The father was concerned as he was the grandfather and asked if we need anything please let him know. The son was an ass and said, "Well if her and the bastard die it wouldn't be a loss."

The father was angry and dragged him son from the cottage. I went back to my mother and we continued to care for the mother. After a day and a half of labor the mother delivered a healthy baby girl and was slowly dying. We sent for the father and son. My mother was attending woman and had me bring the baby out to the father. The father was over joyed to meet his granddaughter and was saddened to hear about the woman's condition. He went in to speak with her and during his time with her as he held his new Granddaughter he made promises that she would want for nothing and he would raise her to be a lady and give her the best life possible. She thanked him and he held her hand until she passed a while later.

Once the young woman passed my mother and I prepared her body for burial. The babies Grandfather purchased a coffin and held a small funeral service in the family graveyard. He had a marker made with her name and date of death with the inscription Beloved mother. At the funeral he said he would make sure his Granddaughter always knew her mom loved her and would bring her out to visit. His son was not happy that he had to attend and when his father told him he had no choice as he had did this to the poor girl. After the funeral the Grandfather had us come to the main house and had mom and I check the baby one last time. He also paid my mom generously and gave me a bag of coin to give to the convent as well as a donation for the time I spent there. I nodded and thanked him. He had his driver take us to the convent and he offered to drive my mother home but she has said she needed a days peace here before she traveled due to the sadness of the loss of the woman. 

When we arrived mother superior met with us in her office where I handed her the bag of coin. She looked at us questioning it. I explained where the money came from and mother superior said, "Well this could be a beneficial arrangement. But Abigail wait take this box its an old coin box and the bottom slides out. Also take these coins. You worked for this and if anything was to happen then you would be able to run if you needed to."

She took half the coins and placed them in the box. I went to argue and she said, "Abigail are you going to argue with your mother superior."

I sat down and said, "No mother superior."

She gave a half smile and said, "There is a loose tile in the corner of your room that leads to an open spot. I want you to take a few coins and get a travel sack and travel outfit and out it in the bag with the box. Just in case there is ever a reason to run you have the essentials you need ready to grab. Also take this."

She handed me a folded letter and I asked, "What is this?"

"Its a letter of introduction from me," She said. "You can take that to any church's monastery or convent. I requested that they hide and protect you. Now what is your plans for now?"

Sighing I said, "I am going to stay here unless my mother needs another call. Mother Superior I do not want to be the bearer of bad news but your three greenhouses are in a horrible state and they will not help provide the convent food in the upcoming winter. I ask that you allow that to be my job. I will get in them and start to get the beds ready to grow food for here." 

Mother Superior lit up and said, "Now Abigail that is a grand idea. A few months ago I had purchased seeds and roots to get started they are in the basket over there. Take the basket and after breakfast tomorrow you may start. Of course you have full access and can go there today if you wish. Also if you will be staying here unless your mother needs you breakfast is at 6 lunch at noon and dinner is at 6 at night."

I smiled and turned to my mother, "I think it would be best if I stayed her for a while as the son of the Royal was watching me and I do not trust him or his faith to understand I took to the convent. He may seek me out if I was to visit the house right now."

My mother took my hand and said, "I agree sweet girl of mine, Knowing your under the protection of the convent will have me sleeping better tonight. As much as I would like to stay here with you I must go home to your father and the town. I know there are a few people awaiting to have their child and some elderly I need to minister to. If things become crazy I will call for you."

Mother superior stood up and said, "Dear Carolena do not worry about Abigail. I will have our stable hand drive you home."

Mother superior and I watched as my mother left in the wagon and said, "Abigail you do your mother a great service by staying here.  I think you should grow herbs along with the food so you will be able to help our fellow sisters. I gave funds to the stable hand and advised him to get more seeds, potato roots, and herb seeds so you can plant I will bring them to you when he arrives." 

"Thank you Mother Superior," I said as we heard the lunch bell ring.

"Come child lets drop off these items to your room and I will escort you to lunch," She said. When we arrived at my room she showed me the loose paver and I am guessing I was not the first guest she helped. But I knew i would be a guest who pulled their weight and planned to start the greenhouse when I finished lunch.

 Mother Superior introduced me as a special guests and said, "If anyone asks any questions about Abigail you are to direct them to me."

Once mother superior said that everyone agreed and she had me join her and a few other nuns at a end table. We have just started eating our lunch of fresh bread and cheese and fruit when her stable servant walked in with a sack and she instructed him to hand that off to me. I looked in and said, "This is fabulous mother superior I will get started after lunch if I am allowed."

She gave me her permission and reminded me after dinner we go to prayer so keep track of the bells. I nodded and when we were dismissed from lunch I was told to go to the greenhouses. I stopped and grabbed all the other supplies and headed to the first greenhouse. The first green house was huge and I started near the door and saw a long 15 foot bed. I decided with the light and the depth of the box this would be a great bin for potatoes. I started to till the dirt and soon discovered that this bin was full of new potato's. The old plants must have reseeeded themselves I grabbed a basket and started to pile them in as I dug and tilled the dirt. When the first basket was full I headed to the kitchen with them. When I walked in a Nun maria looked up from her bible and asked, "Abigail are you hungry do you want anything?"

"No Maria," I said. "I started the first bed of the green house and discovered the old potatoes had reseeded themselves so I bring you the first basket of food from the green house. God gave us a surprise blessing. I am only about a third of the way through the first bin which I am going to plant leeks in as I cannot use the same bin for back to back crops. I will drop off more as I find them."

I placed the basket on the table and Maria smiled and said, "Well if god is blessing us this much I guess we will have a nice potato to go with the eggs from the hen house. I am sure you will be visiting me again during your green house adventures Abigail."

I headed back to the greenhouse and continued to dig up potato and I just finished a second basket when I heard, "Well Abigail I see God is blessing us with your stay here."

I turned to Mother Superior and gave a big smile and pointed to the basket. "That is the second basket I pulled. When I left the kitchen Sister Maria was happily cleaning potato to go with dinner. I was just going to walk these to her would you like to join me?"

"As much as I love seeing the joy of Maria cooking I have to head to town for a meeting with the noble who you assisted," She said. "He praised your mother and you and had a donation for us. It would be rude to deny that I will let you know what it is when we get back."

I smiled and we walked till we parted ways. Entering the kitchen Maria was happily scrubbing and cutting potato. When she saw me I asked where we could store them and she pointed to the pantry shelf and then she handed me a stack of baskets in case I found more blessings. By the time I heard the 4pm bell chime I had finished the last of the harvesting and tilling of the potato bed and when I bought in the fifth and final full basket of potato Maria was excited. I told her I needed to get manure to add to the bed and would be adding the keep seeds in the morning after breakfast. She looked in her glory as she would have new foods to cook with. I stopped at the stables and asked the stable hand to please save me some manure for the greenhouses. He promised he would being a few buckets and place in the greenhouse I was working on after dinner. He also promised to keep some buckets on hand for the new crops. 

Going back to the greenhouse I gathered all my belongings and my gloves and headed back to my room to wash up. When the dinner bell chimed I joined back to my seat at Mother Superiors table. I sat down and she said, "Well Abigail I want to say the blessings of the lord did make Maria a happy cook today. She said you have five full bushels and these potatoes she made smell heaven sent."

"Mother Superior God has blessed us today immensely," I said. "I will not be surprised if we find more blesssings in the greenhouses as I go. I was just able to finish tilling and harvesting the first bed before it was time to get ready for the evening meal and prayer. Tomorrow I will be back out it. I have the stable hand bringing me manure to fertilize the garden beds with before I plant the first Leek seeds. That bed can hold all the seeds you got and maybe a few additional plants as well."

She smiled and said, "Splendid. I was never able to grow a garden so I am glad you have taken that over for us. I know Maria will be visiting you during your adventures."

She stood up and said, "Ladies I know some of you have met our special guest Abigail. Her mother is Carolena the healer. Abigail with be with us for the time being and has graciously offered to take over the work in the greenhouse. That is why we are blessed with these potato's with dinner. She discovered gods gift while she was starting the first bed. So if anyone decides they are restless I am sure a walk to see everything this young one is doing will be a great way to pray and praise god. But I ask you fellow sisters please do not say anything about her being here temporary as she is trying to live a safe life and unfortunately unsavory men have taken notice of our dear Abigail. Also because of a recent case Abigail helped her mother on the nobleman had blessed us. With winter coming he has blessed us with wool for making winter attire for our sisters who can knot and crochet we will be setting up rooms. He also blessed us with an abundance of material for sewing, Plus he is clearing land so we will have wood constantly delivered to fill our wood store before the first snows fall."

I silently thanked god that my situation would be blessing the convent. Mother superior looked at me and I said, "I am glad that I could be a blessing and have the convent be blessed by my actions sister."

Mother Superior smiled and said, "I can see you to continue to bless us. Such a young age of can see you bringing many blessings with us while you stay. Now sister's as we have feasted this blessed meal let us go to prayer."

All of us lined up to place our plates in the soaking bins and headed to the chapel. We did our prayers and I headed to my room. After I washed up and got ready for bed I silently prayed for the new baby and my family. At the end I added that God please show me where he wants my future to go. 

****************************************************************************

The following morning I woke to the first bell indicating it was 5am. I stood and got ready for my day. I grabbed my sweater and headed to the greenhouse. I looked over the garden bed I started yesterday and watched the sun come over the horizon. By the time the call for morning prayer came I had finished the potato bed and left the basket of the remaining harvest in the greenhouse till I came back. I washed up and headed to prayer. As I walked from the greenhouse I heard sister Maria call out to me. I joined her and she said, "So you started the greenhouse already?"

I smiled at her and said, "I have and I will be visiting you after breakfast with more potatoes. I will be planting leeks in that bin when I return and then I will go onto the next which I will hopefully be planting potatoes."

"Abigail such a blessing leeks are my favorite onion as they are such a mild vegetable and a leek coup was always a favorite of mine growing up," She said.

"Well with god grace they should be ready in three months time," I said. "I have to get some paper and a pencil in order to keep track of what was planted when and estimated harvest dates."

A voice from behind me said, "Well abigail I will bring you some paper and charcoal after breakfast so you can do just that."

We turned to see mother superior walking behind us. She joined us and said, "I will bring you the items you need after we have breakfast and do you think there may be more surprises in store for our Maria here?"

"To be honest with you mother superior there might be," I said. "Who ran the green house and how long have they been in such a rough condition?"

"Abigail do you remember Mr Smith from the village?" She said. "He was a blessing to us and maintained them but as you know he passed almost a year and a half ago and they have not been touch except for some tomatoes being harvested."

I sighed and said, "I hope you have more baskets Maria if the potatoes are any clue everything may have reseeded itself and I may be harvesting a lot this week."

"Well then Mr Smith left us one last blessing with you continuing on," She said as we got to the chapel. "Abigail I wish I could spare you help but we are few in numbers."

"Its perfectly fine mother Superior if anyone is ever done and wants to get their hands a bit dirty they are more then welcome to join me. But I have been gardening with my mother so long I can handle it." I said. "Besides when I garden i feel closer to god."

I heard a few Amens to what I had said and we all sat and Mother superior started prayer. After our morning prayer we headed to breakfast and sat down to a simple breakfast of scrambles eggs and fresh bread and jam. We ate and talked. I brought my plate to the wash bin and headed back to the first greenhouse. Grabbing the basket of the last of the potatoes I dropped them off to the kitchen. On my way back  I had added the manure before prayer and planted the leaks in rows. After I watered the plants I turned to the next bed and said out loud, "Oh you poor thing what were you before Mr. Smith went to meet god?"

I started to poke through the vines and discovered small pumpkins. I stood back up and said out loud, "Well maria besides the last of the potatoes, what can you do with these pumpkins?"

I looked around the greenhouse and saw a small cart. I moved the cart next to the bin and felt the vines that were brittle. I started to remove the vines which were dried and started to stack them. I added a basket to the wheel barrow and started  to fill the basket. I was humming while I worked and jumped when I heard mother superior say, "Well Abigail is that wood I see in the wood bin?"

Standing up I said, "No mother superior what you are seeing is wound pumpkin vines for the warmer stoves when we need it. If you wind vines or branches that are dried out that make a nice fire."

"Pumpkin vines?" She said. "Should I expect that you will be visiting our dear kitchen soon?"

"Yes," I said. "However, I did look around and found a cart which will help as these pumpkins may be small but they are plenty and heavy."

She came over to the cart and looked on and said, "Abigail I am guessing you are working your way through the bin but that is a lot of pumpkins. I will make sure you have more baskets brought to you. Do you need help moving what you have? Also I never heard of people burning old vines for burning."

"Burning old vines is a old farmers trick." I said. "But also I can handle the cart it is easy to move. I will need more baskets though because I am guessing we will be finding a lot of surprises." 

I walked over to the counter and notates the leeks and the plant date and the expected harvest date. Walking back to the bed I grabbed enough pumpkins to fill the 4th basket I had in the cart and said, "Well Mother Superior would you like to visit the kitchens with me and see sister Marias delight when I deliver these."

She laughed and said, "I would love to. What can be made with the pumpkins?"

"My mother makes a blended soup she serves with bread." I said, "However, People roast them and eat them out of the skins. Some people also mash them. They are really no limit. My mother also bakes it into a pie as well."

As I pushed the cart we met a nun heading to the store room and Mother Superior said, "Sister Collete if you have a chance can you please bring Abigail every available basket in the store room. She has made a few discoveries and will need them."

Sister collete looked in the cart and said, "Of course sister. We also were talking while cleaning the building and when we finish we will join abigail and help her until supper."

Giving a big smile I said, "Well I will see you then I am in the furthest greenhouse and I can get you all started on different projects if you wish."

Collete nodded and gave a smaile as she said, "I will bring you all the baskets I can find now and once we are done we will be happy to see the blessings of god."

She walked away and Mother Superior opened the outer door to the kitchen. When I arrived Maria looked up from her bible and said, "Abigail I am guessing you need more baskets?"

I pointed to the cart and said, "How about we trade and Sister Maria what do you think of the newest surprise?"

She walked over and said, "Well they are small but mighty. Shall we cut one open to see what we have?"

She grabbed a knife and cutting board and Mother Superior and I watched her cut a pumpkin in half. When she opened it she said, "Well they are small but meaty. I think i need to make some bread dough and we are going to have a sweet pumpkin soup for our supper tonight. These seeds will be great to roast as well. With a little salt they pop open and the insides are a great addition to porridges and breads. Abigail just leave the baskets here in the ground as I have to make room in the pantry."

"Maria," I said. "I will be getting some help today and you may want to have everyone make a lot fo room I am willing to say god has kept the food growing and you will have a full larder soon. These pumpkins are packed in the bed and there are many more. This is only 4 out of the 18 foot bed."

Sister Maria's assistant came over and said, "Sister Maria I will make room in the pantry if you want to get started."

"Thank you dear," She said. 

Moving all the baskets to the floor I said, "Well I will leave you to this. Since I will have help I will have the sisters joining me wind the vines and I will continue to harvest."

Maria placed all her empty baskets in the cart and said, "Well then I will give you these and I will see you soon."

When I returned back to the greenhouse one of the sisters was waiting and asked, "Abigail we will do whatever you would like us to do."

"Sister If you would like to help me we are going to pull vines and put the pumpkins into the baskets," I said. "Keep the vines longer because the next sister will be wrapping them."

When the next sister arrived I had her start to wrap the vines. When we filled the cart again I headed to the kitchen with more baskets. When I arrived back the last sister joined us. I had her help the other sister with the pumpkin bed where I would have been and went to the next bed. I looked at the stems coming out of the ground and grabbed a handful and pulled. To my surprise a handful of carrots came out as well. When the sisters filled the next car I laid a full basket of carrots on top and took the cart to a bust sister Maria. When she saw the carrots on top I just smiles and said. "With my helpers today we have made a large amount of progress. As they continued on the pumpkin bed I continued on to the next and this abundance is what I found. I did find some that could not be used but as with everything else that could not be used I started a compost bin to feed the garden. It may not be ready for a while but in the end each green house will have one."

As I headed back to the green house to continue our  project I reflected on why I was here and hoped one day things will be different. When I arrived back to the greenhouse the sisters were still going strong and the vines were gone. The sister who had been wrapping had started to work on the carrots and I went to join her. After one last load to the kitchens with the remaining pumpkins and more carrots the bell for supper had rang. I dropped the cart off to the greenhouse and thanked the sisters for their hard work. They were all smiles as we headed to wash up. When I arrived to the dining room after I washed up I noticed that there were large pots of soup at each table and I took my seat with mother superior and the head staff. She looked at me and said, "Abigail are you alright child?"

I gave a small smile and said, "The greenhouses are a large amount of work but again we discovered more blessings and I am happy to say all the pumpkins are harvested and made their way to the kitchens along with many many carrots. I know as soon as prayer is over today I will be in a deep sleep due to work in gods honor and I look forward to many many more blessings."

Mother Superior patted my hand and we started to eat a delicious soup. After prayer I had done just as I said. I sunk into a deep sleep and when the morning bell rang I readied myself for another day in the greenhouse. The days turned into a week and weeks turned into a month. I finished the first greenhouse and discovered more surprises from our lord. We had found onions, beets, turnips, peas, green beans and more potatoes and carrots in the first greenhouse as well as mini lemon, lime trees, clementines and blueberry vines loaded with fruit. We were thankfully able to save the trees and the berry vines. When I started the second greenhouse things were great until one day we had a visitor.

**************************************************************************

As I harvested the butternut squash vines that were hidden deep infer leaves dying off I heard mother superior call out to me, "Abigail."

"One moment Mother Superior I am battling this vine," I called out as I stood up and tugged the vine free along with more squash. I wiped my hand on my apron and turned to her and her guest. "My apologies everyone the vine was heavy and fought me. But in the end I won."

Looking at the guest I gave a curtsy and said, "My lord it is a pleasure to see you again. I hope your Granddaughter is doing well."

"Abigail dear it is always a pleasure," He said. "Mother Superior was just telling me about work you were doing in the greenhouse. Now I love to garden may I ask what kind of vine you were pulling."

"Of course my lord," I said as I pointed to the loaded squash vine. "As I have been rehabilitating the greenhouse the old plants have reseeded themselves. This squash vine is over 2 inches thick and loaded with squash for the kitchen. The problem i am having is pulling the old ones out with it. But the good lord is on my side and I am getting through the task."

"Gracious child," He said. "There has to be at least thirty massive squash on this vine. No wonder you have had a battle. Now let me ask what are you doing with the vines."

"Well my lord if God is providing we do not shrug a gift off," I said. "I have been cutting them down for the wood pile as they burn quite well."

He turned to Mother Superior and said, "You have a resourceful child here."

Mother Superior beamed and said, "That she is. She continues to surprise us daily with her work here and helping her mother as well."

He looked at Mother Superior and said, "Thank you for showing me the work Abigail is doing here. Shall we continue on with the tour?"

As they walked out I continued gathered more of the squash and took them to the kitchens. Sister Maria looked up from her cook book and said, "What do we have here?"

"Butternut squash," I said with a smile and then continued with, "There is a lot more coming as well." 

I grabbed the empty baskets to take back with me and headed to the greenhouse. Later that day a few of my fellow sisters joined me and we continued on with the harvest effort. By the time the dinner bell rang I knew it would be another early night.

When I woke up the next morning there sky had storm clouds. I sighed knowing that I may be running in the rain later. I walked to morning prayer and sat in a back pew. Sitting down I waited for Mother Superior to enter and start. Once she entered we had prayer than she called everyone for meal. Going into breakfast Mother Superior asked, "Abigail are you alright you seem distant?"

I smiled and said, "I am feeling off today Mother Superior but do not worry I am alright."

Looking at me with concern she said, "Please do not over do it today."

"I give you my word Mother Superior," I said. "I am starting my day checking on the plants that have already worked on before I continue on with what needs to be gone through."

When we finished breakfast I headed to the first greenhouse and checked all the plants that I had planted and saved. Looking at a mint bush that I replanted I saw that it flourished and decided to cut it back and bring a small basket to the kitchen. Then I started back in the second greenhouse. Moving to a plant mass in the center I found pepper plants. Looking through I found a lot of different peppers mixed in and knew that the plants were not going to survive. So I started to harvest and pull the plants for mulch or burning as a lot of the limbs were dried. Sitting on a low bench I filled a basket of assorted peppers and brought it to the kitchen. Since no one was in the kitchen I left the basket on the counter and checked for empty baskets and headed back to the greenhouse."

My routine was 

Abigail DeSaux- secondary

Aunt Katherine- Guardian

Mother- Carolena, Father

Mother Superior