After restocking supplies and waiting for the Lord Librarian’s people to inform them of their contact’s whereabouts, the party took off again.

Bishop Rayleigh lived in a villa surrounded by orchids some distance from the Archbishopric’s capital, Deloise.

While the Archbishopric was quite large, much of it was arid and barren, with the capital straddling the one major river that cut through the vast land.

Deloise had become one of the region's largest cities thanks to its major seafaring city status. The Black River ran through it, leading out into the ocean and wide enough for even the largest vessels to navigate. That, coupled with the Temple of the Reborn God and the powerful priests that worshiped there, their healing magic, and the base of power they maintained within the city, Deloise had grown into one of the world’s major powers.

An hour into the flight through Deloise, two pegasus riders flew toward them and escorted the throne ship to the bishop’s residence. Mark caught himself marveling at the pure white horses with wingspans wider than anything he had ever seen gliding through the sky. Their riders were covered in scale armor that moved naturally with the contours of their body and carried round shields in one hand and lances in the other.

Amazing. What else does this world contain? No wonder the Imperium isn’t capable of just conquering everything.

Soon, they approached the expansive acreage residence surrounded by several servant quarters and a main house that looked more like an official building than a person's home, with marble columns lining it's exterior.

Armored guards already stood at an open spot in one of the nearby courtyards, directing them down as they approached. Mark followed their instructions, bringing the ship down between rows of hedges.

Climbing out of his seat, he grimaced at the sight of the two boys wheezily pale with unfocused eyes drifting about.

I might still have some time, but those two seem to be close to their end. Hopefully, these priests don’t make me wait.

“Can either of you walk?”

Barely intelligible groans came from the boys.

“Scrap that. Just stay here and try to drink some water. I’ll be as quick as I can,” Mark said and left out through the back of the ship when he didn’t get much of a response.

“Imperator,” a stern guard barked as Mark stepped out into the shimmering heat. “Is it just you? We were advised three were coming to see the Bishop.”

“The other two are resting. I’ll be going alone.”

The man turned to the other guards with a raised brow. “If you wish, but don't go changing any more plans. I’ll have my men guard your ship. If we catch your people wandering around, there will be repercussions.”

“Understood,” Mark nodded, hurrying up to the guards. There wasn’t time to stop and argue over details.

With a wave of his hand, the guard captain ordered his men about and led Mark into the main residence, with a couple of guards trailing them a few yards back.

“You’re quite far from your Imperium,” the guard commented as they walked.

“I’m aware.”

“I fought with Imperial soldiers when I was younger, you know—during the Islands War. Was quite the bloody mess.”

“No hard feelings, I hope,” Mark said, hoping to avoid the conversation.

“No, not anymore. Forgave the bastards. After I slit the throats of my captives, that is.”

“Right,” Mark nodded as they walked. Charming man this guy is. "Well, at least its forgiven and forgotten."

Passing through the next chamber, the guard stepped to the side of a door and gestured for Mark to enter.

"Not forgotten," the guard hissed.

Mark forced a smile and nodded, passing the man into the chamber. Hopefully ignoring the taunts might have bought him a little relief with the man. Additional tensions were not needed now.

Returning his focus to the matter at hand, Mark gazed into the room beyond. Stretching on in all directions, the grand room, spread across large, sleek marble tiles with lounge chairs spread across the sun-kissed space.

“Imperator,” a graying man said, turning from a window at the far end. He had sharp features and keen eyes—beyond what one might expect for someone in their senior years. “I never imagined welcoming one of your kind into my home.”

“Never expected to be here,” Mark said, striding across the opulent room.

“You are quite unwell, aren’t you?” Bishop Rayleigh narrowed his gaze as Mark neared.

“So, you can tell already?”

Rayleigh didn’t answer; instead, he raised a hand filled with a warm light. “It’s bad. The toxins have spread and the illness is advanced. This won't be easy to heal.”

“But you can heal me?”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Hold that thought. Before I answer, I want to know more about you.”

“I’ll answer whatever questions you have but know we’re short on time. The two boys that accompanied me are in far worse shape, and I fear they won’t hang on for much longer if left untreated.”

“If you answer my questions, I shall heal all three of you here. However, you will still need to travel to the capital and stand before the Archbishop.”

“Very well,” Mark nodded. As long as those boys aren’t going to die on me after everything I’ve put them through.

“Tell me, Imperator, what authority are you here under?”

“None but my own.”

“And your legate, Imperator? Are they aware that you have come here?”

“They are not.”

“So, would it be correct to say that you are insubordinate?”

“I suppose some might see me that way.”

“But you don't? You have come without order on your own accord. That sounds insubordinate to me. How about this, are you loyal to your Emperor?”

“I ah,” Mark stopped to think. He didn’t necessarily believe he owed this man his honesty, but it probably worked in his favor anyway. “I’m not,” he added with renewed resolution.

The Bishop cocked his head as he examined Mark. “Fancy that, I actually believe you, Imperator. I never expected one of your kind to go against his superiors, not with the indoctrination your kind are exposed to. I’m sure you’re aware of how much potential value you have to someone like myself.”

“I can imagine.”

Of course, these guys want to drag me into their politics. But at least that gives me some leverage, and it’s not like the Law of Hierarchy and other Imperium traditions are worth protecting.

“I just have one last request,” the Bishop said, turning to his desk at the far end of the room.

“As long as it’s quick. We're running out of time.”

“It will be. Assuming you agree to it.” Reaching his desk, the Bishop took a specimen jar and raised it up to the light. “Brain bugs, beautiful little things.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, don’t worry. They get a bad reputation, but they’re harmless, assuming you have nothing to hide.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’ve surely heard of them, Imperator? A man of your station should understand the tool at the disposal of his enemies," the Bishop raised an examining brow and continued. "The brain bug crawls up through the nostril and into the brain of its chosen host. The beauty is that once they have nested inside a host’s brain, the host finds it utterly impossible to lie or conceal.”

“You want me to let that thing crawl into my brain?” Mark growled and inched backward.

“If you want me to heal you, I do. But don’t be afraid, Imperator. It really is quite harmless, and I have a much more delicious host waiting for it once I’m done with you. The brain bug will happily leave on its own accord when offered this new host.”

Damn it, what choice do I have? I wish I could remember this thing… Mark couldn’t deny he was terrified of this bug taking over his body or damaging his brain, but he also knew he would die soon without help, and this Bishop was the only man willing to even talk to him. Not only that but there was no guarantee that his guards wouldn’t try to kill him if he refused and left. The boys are likely dead if I turn this down.

“Fine,” Mark breathed a reluctant sigh. “Let's get this done quickly.”

“I’m glad you have come to your senses, Imperator,” the Bishop said, walking over to a plush lounge chair. “Please, take a seat, and we can get this over with.”

I’d take a colonoscopy over this any day. Mark cringed as he made his way to the chair.

“Now take a deep breath and relax your mind," the Bishop said as Mark tried to relax into the chair. "This will be over before you know it.”

“What choice do I have?” Mark exhaled and closed his eyes.

"None."

Mark could feel the Bishop’s hand beneath his nose as he moved the worm-like creature to his passage. The slimy creature touched his skin and slid up into his nose, sending shivers tracing every inch of his body. It wormed its way up, wiggling as it buried deeper. He felt a sharp, stabbing pain and his vision blurred.

“Huh?” Mark groaned and rubbed at his eyes. “Wh-what’s happening?”

“It’s all over,” The Bishop said, running a hand through the long hair of a sickly thin, gray-skinned man to his side.

“Who is that?” Mark said, eyeing the brain-dead man.

“Our super host. The brain bug has done its job and has been removed from your person. Nigel here has a brain that is particularly inviting for the little worms and when they are offered him, they happily leave their original host.”

Mark’s brow twisted in disgust. “Does that mean…”

“That he has more than one? It does,” the Bishop nodded. “Seventy-four, to be exact.”

Mark grimaced and recoiled.

“You upheld your end,” the bishop continued, eyeing Mark even more suspiciously than before. “I have learned all I need to know. Bring the boys here. I shall gather the reagents required and heal all three of you.”

“Great,” Mark said cautiously. There’s something off. If he had access to my entire thoughts… it would not be good. But what can I do? Just forget about it for now. He’s still willing to help. The most important thing is I’ve secured a cure. I can deal with the rest later if I need to.

Mark wasted no time running back to the ship and gathering the boys. He held Callum up while two guards took Radic by their shoulders.

Gathered in Rayleigh’s healing chamber, they waited for the senior Bishop to gather reagents for a couple of hours before he finally returned.

Incense burned from several golden cups, and surreal azure light funneled down from above, giving an otherworldly feeling of serenity. The reagents were a combination of dried plants, gold dust, and several items Mark didn’t recognize.

Once they were all sitting at equal lengths apart in a circle with the reagents gathered in the middle of them, the Bishop raised his hands, and warming light filled the room. It was simultaneously energizing and revitalizing, and within minutes of the light basking them, Mark was feeling his strength return.

He looked at the boys with concern, but soon, their sickly pallor began to fade, and red returned to their lips.

“You did it,” Mark gasped, a smile returning to his lips for the first time in weeks. "Thank you, Bishop."

“Yes, Imperator, I have,” the Bishop said. “It will still take a few days to recover fully, but the poison is gone. You may rest here until we have secured a time for you to meet the Archbishop, and then, if he is happy, you may return to your Frontier.”

"Thank you again. You have been a great aid in this."

This all feels a little too easy. If I had to guess, I'd say this guy is up to something.

The room they were given was small, with three beds and bare walls without anything much else of note, and the moment the boys hit their beds, they passed out, but Mark had too much on his mind.

It concerned him how the Bishop had treated him after the brain bug invaded his mind.

If the Bishop had learned who he was, that would be concerning, but Mark still wasn’t certain if it was a bad thing. He had no allegiance to the Imperium besides keeping himself and his people alive. Knowing that he was a stranger from another world might at least foster trust between them.

Could he continue his path indefinitely without going against the Imperium itself, Mark wondered? He wasn’t about to betray the barbarians who helped him build up the fort. This was something that was bound to cause issues if they managed to survive winter.

He couldn’t help but feel exposed, but ultimately, he saw the light at the end of the tunnel. These two fractions were enemies, and if he played his cards right, he could use that to his advantage.

Maybe this isn't so bad... Mark's mind trailed off in every direction until his exhausted body pulled him to sleep.