Cadell and Seqina said their report to the Earl, and was brought back to their positions.

“Elalios”

“Yes, my lord”, Elalios went in front of the Earl, and was gestured by the latter to speak. “I will send four of the faithfuls to the isolated village, thirty will be left, and as Seqina said, there’s no more Lucien faithfuls to be secluded”

The Earl nodded, and turned his face to the man that arrived last among the servants.

“Osbert”

“Yes, my lord”, Osbert went in front of the Earl and continued speaking. “The baron trying to assemble a rebellion against you was eliminated. The rumors were blaming his fellow baron, but some of his loyal followers were still unidentified. Forgive my ignorance”

The Earl raised his hands looking at Osbert, and turned to look at Seqina.

“I will investigate, my lord”, Seqina said.

After the reports of his servants, Lord Gideon let three of them leave the chamber, but Elalios was commanded to stay. Osbert wished to stay, but the Earl gave him a stern look. Osbert surrendered and followed Seqina and Cadell. After all three were nowhere to be seen, and their footsteps went silent, the Earl looked at Elalios.

“Seqina mentioned a child in your place”, the Earl leaned back on his chair. “Is that right?”

“That you know, my lord”

“What do you think?”

“The child must not be corrupted with such false faith”, Elalios said.

“Then, what will you do?”

“I will keep him away from the heretics”

The Earl nodded in agreement. “As the Divine Emperor commanded”

“As the Divine Emperor commanded”, Elalios repeated.

The Earl then took something from his pocket, and gave it to Elalios. It was a small bottle of potion along with a tiny one. The Earl stood and walked to the stairway, but after setting his right foot on the bottom stair, he looked at Elalios.

“Don’t let your plundering scheme get in the way of my commands”, the Earl turned towards the dark ascent. “I don’t tolerate disobedience”

Elalios was left in the chamber, jarred hearing the Earl’s warning. He waited for the waning footsteps to disappear before he made his way up to the castle.

----------------------------------------

Kael and his companions stayed in town for a week. He spent most of his time experiencing Cleron, and was able to bond with his grandparents more. He didn’t forget his daily meditation, but he had to do it at night as the faithfuls must do their worship early in the morning. And so his routine revolved around those activities reaching their final stay in town.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

“Deacon, when will you travel to the village?”, Amos asked.

“I just need to arrange some things in our community. As soon as I finished all of it, I will go”, Deacon Elalios said. “When I arrive, I will help you make a holy altar so that you need not to travel back here”

“Thank you, esteemed deacon”, Amos replied.

“Now, set forth while it’s early. May the lord guide you in your way”

After saying their farewells, Kael and his companions set out to travel back to the village. Behind them however, was a red-haired man trailing them. He’s looking at Kael, hoping to get the child before Elalios can do it.

But Elalios knew that Osbert will do that so he followed Amos and his companions. He arrived near the travellers, and was able to see Osbert about to come out behind a tree to get nearer to Kael. He pulled Osbert’s hand surprising Osbert, who jumped away from Elalios.

“What are you doing?”, Osbert asked.

“I should be the one asking that question”, Elalios replied. “Did Lord Gideon ordered you?”

Osbert dodged the question. Elalios sighed, looking at Osbert disappointed.

“He will not like you disobeying orders”

“Mind your own, Elalios”, Osbert said, holding his dagger by its hilt.

“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you”, Elalios said while raising both his hands as high as his shoulders. “If the child was harmed in anyway..”

“I know, now return to the town!”

Elalios disappeared in the horizon at the same time the travellers disappeared from Osbert’s sight. Osbert collected his mind and look at the direction of the travellers.

“Damn it”

Without their knowledge of what’s happening behind them, the ten travellers were enjoying their journey returning to their home. Their week long travel didn’t meet any trouble along the way, and was back and greeted by the village.

It didn’t take long for Elalios along with four old people to arrive in the village as well. Elalios was greeted by the village people and was welcomed by a feast prepared for his arrival. He informed the village that his companions decided to surrender worldly pleasures as well, and was ready for their holy devotion. The village rejoiced, celebrating yet another good thing that happened to their home.

After the day of celebration, Elalios didn’t waste any time. He decided on a place where to make the altar, and guided the people in making it. He also initiated the building of four huts for the new residents of the village, as he always does. All of the structures were finished just a week after construction. Elalios then preached and lectured in the hut where the altar was sheltered in.

“Lord Lucien is a powerful, yet a humble creator. He didn’t command his believers to be worshipped on lavish establishments like what other churches have. This house is a humble dwelling where he will bless all of those that believe in him..”, Elalios preached.

The village celebrated the newly created establishment with another feast harvested from the bounty of the forest. However, Elalios could not wait anymore, and as such prepared his malicious plan.

Elalios gulped down the contents of a tiny potion bottle. Then, after the potion was in full effect in his entire body, he felt the direction of the wind and started a fire. Then, he poured the contents of a small potion to the fire, changing its smoke’s color to green.

[Light Breeze]

Elalios’s spell scattered the smoke around the village. Everyone breathed the green smoke including Kael. The village people collapsed to the ground, which made Kael realized that breathing in the smoke was dangerous. However, it was too late covering his nose and mouth as Kael began losing consciousness as well. The last thing he saw was Elalios, still standing and looking around the village. He felt the deacon lift him, and all went blank.