The Debt of Hollow Bells
fantasy◐ MatureMaren knelt by the spot the voice came from. "Who are you?" she asked. "I am the one who taught you to ring the bells," it said. "Long ago you promised me a single grave in return. You owe me a burial, Maren. Mine. And the bell will not rest until you give it."
Maren stalled. "If I bury you, who teaches the next keeper?" The voice paused, surprised. "No one has ever asked me that." She pressed on. "Stay unburied, and I'll train someone to take the bells the proper way." After a long silence the voice said, slowly, "You would keep me from rest to save the work? Cruel girl. I accept."
What happens next?
1 ways forwardMaren chose a steady young gravedigger named Tomas and taught him the bells over one long winter. On the last night she handed him the casebook. "Never answer a bell you didn't ring," she warned. He nodded, not understanding yet. She left at dawn, free, and behind her a single iron note rolled across the frost. It had already begun for him.