~Ch14- Maternal~

Lumb wanted to curse as the doctor rambled.

"This may be an uphill battle to fight against, but it's important that we stay optimistic," The doctor said with a false smile that made Lumb want to break his teeth.

Ceptance smiled back and replied, "I'm not worried. I'll get through this."

The doctor's lips curled up unnaturally, "That's the spirit."

The man buttoned up his coat and closed a briefcase of various potions and herbs, which he claimed might heal Lumb's mother before parting with them. Just as he had every day since they arrived in Mortel.

As soon as Lumb closed the door behind the man, he rushed into his mother's bedroom. "He's wasting our time. We can find a better doctor."

Ceptance shrugged, "If you want. You can throw all the doctors you want at me. I'll be fine eitherw-."

Her face clenched up, she reached for the bucket at her bedside and began coughing violently into it, "-I'll be fine either way."

Mother and son spent their time chatting, occasionally playing dominoes, and simply resting. Lumb urged Ceptance to sleep as much as she could, but he could hardly do the same.

Knocks came at the door, waking Ceptance and stirring up Lumb. Not the impatient ones they'd grown accustomed to from that doctor. Light, patient ones. Perhaps, Deporah had come back.

Lumb noticed Ceptance sitting up, "I'll get it," he said before she had an excuse to get out of bed.

He parted the door and found two robed gentlemen at his door. One of them was completely bald and rather short, while the other was a youthful man whose height surpassed Lumb's. The two were monks from the Hall of the Dead.

"Hello?" Lumb winced while leaning against the doorway.

"Hello, is Ceptance here?" The bald man asked with a soft smile. Lumb recognized him from the Hall of the Dead years ago.

Lumb could feel a headache forming. He wanted to shout at the mild-mannered men but knew better. "Look, I know you folks are just doing your job. But you're not needed here."

"Lumb! Who is it?" Ceptance called from inside the house.

"No one."

"Now don't go telling me that! You better tell me, or I'll get out of this bed right now!" Ceptance spoke with strength that seemed to defy her condition. Knowing her, she'd try to get out of bed just to spite him. Lumb couldn't risk that.

Lumb groaned, "Monks from the Hall of the Dead."

Ceptance went silent before answering, "Really?"

"Really." Lumb nipped back.

Ceptance didn't speak for a moment, probably deliberating for a moment before saying, "Let 'em in."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, why not?

Lumb exhaled and stepped aside, "I suppose you can come in."

The two monks entered the home with careful and deliberate steps as Lumb closed the door behind them. When they found a sick Ceptance lying in bed, they each did a slight bow.

The bald monk placed a hand on the chair set beside her bed, "We'd like to ask you a few things, is that alright?"

"She isn't going to die," Lumb said curtly.

"Not yet anyways," Ceptance said from behind another cough.

The two monks glanced at each other before turning back to Ceptance. "May we begin?"

"It's a waste of time, but sure," Ceptance folded her hands behind her head, "By the way, did we meet you in the Hall of the Dead a few years ago?"

"Why, yes! I'm glad you remembered me. I'm Felli, and this is my friend, Thomas. He's new to our group."

"Glad to meet you!" Ceptance greeted them while stifling another cough.

Thomas drew some documents from his robes and sat down while Felli stood behind him. Lumb remained at the doorway of the room with his arms folded.

Thomas began, "Now, Ceptance, some of these questions may be uncomfortable for you to answer. If there are some you're not ready for, we can always come back to them."

Ceptance raised an eyebrow, "Go ahead. Get on with it."

"Upon your death, where would you like to be laid to rest? Or would you like to leave that up to someone else?" Thomas asked.

"My son can handle it when the time comes."

"He's a good man. You're right to trust him," Felli added.

"Damn right!" Ceptance beamed.

Thomas jotted a few notes on his parchment before continuing, "Cremation or burial?"

Ceptance recoiled in her bed from the question, "Oh! Burial! I don't want to get burned up."

Thomas glanced at his document and asked another question, "How would you like your assets to be handled? Are there individuals you'd like to disperse it to..."

"My son and granddaughter."

Thomas nodded, "Very well. Would you like a 50/50 split between the two? Are there certain assets you'd want one to have specifically?"

Ceptance splutters, "Well. I guess I'd want to leave the lumber company to Lumb. But he knows that."

Felli patiently smiled, "I wouldn't assume. You won't be there to correct them if they're unsure."

Ceptance coughed and thought for a moment. Maybe, for one of the first times, she thought about what life would be like when she was gone. Lumb began to fidget and breathe unevenly as she spoke.

"Well, if Lumb ever decides he doesn't want to lead the company anymore, I don't want him to just sell it. Leave it in the hands of someone who will take care of the company and all the people in it."

Lumb clenched his fists unconsciously. He had to steady his breathing, but Ceptance must've noticed.

"Are you alright, Lumb?"

"I-I'm fine. I might just need some air."

"You've been cooped up inside with me all day, that's why. Take a walk. I'll be fine with these two," Ceptance replied, waving her son off.

"You sure?"

"Go on!" Ceptance said strongly, defiant of what plagued her.

Lumb trudged out of the room as Thomas asked another question entrenched in death. He stepped outside where he could see the rural area of the city, with homes separated by acres of land. He thought he'd feel better outside; he was wrong. His mother had never spoken as if she wouldn't always be there. He took a deep breath.

"I hope that didn't distress you too much," The gentle voice of Felli sounded behind him.

Lumb evened out his breathing, "I'm fine."

Felli withdrew his hands into his robes and stood beside him. "It's admirable."

"What is?"

"The way you care for your mother. Reminds me of how I was with Barja."

"Barja? Isn't she the leader of the Hall of the Dead?"

"She was... She passed years ago. I've since taken her place," Felli replied, his voice stiff.

"Oh. I'm sorry for your loss."

Felli shook his head and smiled softly, "She's not really gone."

"Was she your mother?"

"Not by blood. But she looked after me when no one else would."

Lumb nodded to himself, "I can relate to that."

There the two men stood, simply looking out as a calm breeze slipped past them. Lumb was filled with turmoil and dread at his mother's state. But Felli seemed tranquil, at ease with himself.

"How did you end up with the Hall of the Dead anyways?"

"I was very young when I joined them," Felli shrugged, "I assume you're the same way living out in the country. You grew up around lumber work, didn't you?"

"That's right."

"I must ask... Your name-"

"She'll never admit it, but I'm pretty sure mom decided to name me Lumb for the lumber work she did," Lumb laughed. He remembered being an angry teenager who hated his name before finally coming around to it.

"I've often wondered how different my life could've turned out if I didn't stay with the Hall of the Dead. If I lived out in the country like you did. But the work I do helps people, so I can't complain."

Lumb cocked his head, "You think so?"

Felli chuckled, "I'll admit, many people hate us. I was chased out of one of the last homes I visited. They managed to thwack me soundly in the back as I was leaving. I still have the bruise."

"Damn!"

"Still, the Hall of the Dead helps people face death. That's important. People subconsciously convince themselves that they'll live forever. These bodies of ours aren't permanent though. The sooner we accept that, the better," Felli remarked.

Lumb could feel his body tense up. He had half a mind to tell Felli and his compatriot to leave. He took a deep breath. But he simply couldn't leave it alone.

"She isn't going to die, you know."

Felli glanced at Lumb and sighed, "True. She may not die from this disease. But one day, she WILL die. You should be prepared for that."

Lumb averted his eyes, doing his best to will Felli's words from his mind.

The monk responded, "I'm sorry. I tend to get carried away when speaking about these things."

"It's your job."

"Right... I'm going to check on your mother and Thomas."

Lumb simply nodded. He was left alone when the monk headed inside. The thought of his mother's absence entered his mind again, and he took a deep breath.

When Lumb finally headed back inside to his mother, he heard laughter from her and the monks. He parted the door to the room and was surprised to see a big smile across Ceptance's face. Thomas's face was bright red.

"What's going on in here?" Lumb asked curiously, giving his own uncertain smile.

Ceptance controlled her laughter, "Oh, nothing, nothing."

Felli had an amused look on his face, and Thomas seemed very embarrassed.

"Doesn't seem like nothing..." Lumb pressed with a smile.

"It's not my proudest moment..." Thomas admitted, knitting his hands, "As it turns out, a 'lady of the night' is not just a woman who works at night."

Lumb tilted his head, "Yes, everyone knows that."

Thomas chirped, "I didn't! For years I've been telling my people my mother was a 'lady of the night'. I had no idea what that meant until now."

Lumb spluttered and laughed a little, "Okay, that is a little funny... What did she do?"

"She worked at a tavern late at night and assigned people rooms. And nothing else."

Lumb couldn't help but chuckle a little more. The young man seemed so innocent.

The monks remained for a little while, mainly talking about innocuous things, occasionally veering off into subjects of death, as was their job. Each time Ceptance would give another answer related to her own passing, they'd write it down before returning to a much more harmless conversation.

Ceptance seemed to be enjoying herself. Her disposition seemed better, and she was coughing less in their company.

Thomas jotted down one more note before bidding farewell for the day.

The two monks gathered their things to leave when they stopped at the door to the room. They whispered to one another and turned back.

"We could come back if Ceptance doesn't mind?" Felli said.

Lumb looked back at Ceptance, "What do you think?"

She nodded, "Honestly, that'd be great. I feel better after speaking with the two of you than I have in days. You're better company than that doctor, that's for sure."

Felli nodded, "Very well. When time permits, we'll be back. Thank you for your time!"

Ceptance smiled, "Thank you for yours."

Felli and Thomas waved, drew their hands into their robes, and went on their way.