Stories Thread

[Cecil XIX]

Cyprus 1171:

Kousinos Sophianos, a monk at the Kykkos Monastery, was just returning from an errand to a nearby town when the most tremendous thunderstorm suddenly broke out.

Desperately seeking shelter, he was fortunate enough to discover a cave within running distance. No sooner had he reached the shelter then he was stunned to find three hideously ugly, old women seemingly waiting for him.

“All hail, Constantine Ksanthopoulos! Hail to thee, monk of Kykkos!” exclaimed the first.

“All hail, Constantine Ksanthopoulos! Hail to thee, Duke of Tortosa!” echoed the second.

“All hail, Constantine Ksanthopoulos, though shalt be Basileus hereafter!” finished the third.

While trying to suppress his instinct to recoil in horror, Kousinos stammered “S-Still thy tongues, foul witches. I am not the man whom you seek, nor is there anyone at the Kykkos Monastery with that name!”

But the witches just smiled and continued onward

“The first, through the efforts of your father.”

“The second, from your benefactor.”

“The third, from yourself.”

“All gained from treachery!” finished the three in unison.

“W-What!?” said Kousinos. “Are you saying my father is responsible for my being abandoned here?”

The three witches then vanished into the air, their corporal forms vanishing as breath into the wind.

Stunned to silence, it takes Kousinos a while to realize the storm has stopped. With trepidation he continued onward back the monastery, only to be met by another brother who had been sent to meet him.

"Brother Kousinos, there's an important letter waiting for you back on the monastery!"