erastes

I was weepy, I was discouraged, I doubted myself, I dumped on friends (sorry friends) but then I cursed my stupidity and pushed on and decided to STAY UP until i made my target.

"So be it.," he said finally, "it shall be as you ask." He smiles at Michael's grinning face, "you have served your time, and now it is time for the disciple to go unto the world and preach the word. You will have letters of introduction, and enough money to keep you for a goodly while." He clasps Michael's arm, "just be careful, for I would not lose you, either of you."

Michael shook Hopkin's hand and flew to Jonathan's side, whispered a word to him. Immediately, Jonathan closed his book, stood and followed Michael out of the room. Hopkins caught Stearne's expression and hit him affectionately on the arm,

"You need not worry about Michael, John, he was born to do this work."

"I do not worry about the work," Stearne said, a muscle twitching in his cheek as he watched the young men exit the bar room, "but i worry about Michael, I do not like that relationship. It does not seem natural to me. What did he tell you about the testing? It was over by the time we got back from Yarmouth, and I was concerned enough when I found that the boy had been treated no better than a witch."

"Each man's testing is his own secret," said Hopkins quietly, "you John, know that as well as anyone." He looked up at him, "have I ever divulged what went on between us? Have you?" Stearne shook his head, but he continued to look at the door where the men had left. "What is it that makes you concerned?" Hopkins asked.

"I wish I could put it into words," Stearne replied, his brow contracted, "it sounds a blasphemous thing to say, but sometimes I feel that Michael has a little too much belief."