Cid and Kveldulf dragged Jeanne, now with her skin covered in stone scales, out of the inn. “Will you please stop, Jeanne!” Kveldulf.
“Slipped his fucking mind!” Jeanne roared.
“We get it. He’s an idiot,” Kveldulf followed.
“I’ll kill him! I’ll kill him dead!”
“Jeanne, you’re an officer in this outfit!” Cid barked.
“Insubordination! I’ll get him for insubordination!” she roared.
“And you’d know that well,” Kveldulf said.
Jeanne stopped and looked at Kveldulf. “I take offense to that.”
“What?”
“I have broken almost every rule and regulation when it came to our outfits…”
“We haven’t established rules for this outfit, Jeanne,” Cid interjected.
“… but I never disobeyed an order, and I very proud of that.”
“What about I order to stop driving me crazy?” Cid asked.
“Those were fake orders, given to test my ability to avoid malicious and harmful commands by saboteurs.”
“No, they weren’t!” Cid replied. “You drive me crazy! And I need pace!”
“Don’t you mean peace, Cid?” Kveldulf asked.
“Shut Kel!” Cid snapped.
Both Kveldulf and Jeanne turned to Cid, concerned.
“I need, a moment to think!” Cid thundered, shaking. “I have a necromancer for a doctor with a … whatever his dog is. I have a lieutenant who has a bounty on her head, a vendetta against a gang of rich noble shits, and an anger issue I don’t know where to start. I have religious assholes who won’t stop bothering us! And anytime I get a moment to actually ponder our next move, someone else decides it’s time to test my patience with fifty new problems! And I all I want is a moment to contemplate!”
“You feel better, Cid?” Jeanne asked calmly.
Cid took several breaths, each one calming him down more and more. “Much as a matter of fact. And sorry about what I said.”
“I mean, you’re not wrong,” Jeanne replied.
“But this constant stream of interruptions is leaving me in a foul mood,” Cid said.
“I think it might be prudent to finally pay this hut we’ve been spying on a visit.”
“Agreed,” said Cid, “Kel, go get the others, I want them ready to move by nightfall.”
“Consider it done,” Kveldulf said before leaving.
“Jeanne,” Cid said to her. “I want you for something.”
“Are we going to start that criminal gang of tiny ponies you were talking about?” Jeanne asked.
Cid stopped in his tracks looking at her with a worried look. “Where do you get these ideas of yours?”
Jeanne shrugged. “Sometimes they come to me, sometimes I come to them.”
“I don’t even know where to start on that one.”
***
“Cid, if I said I’d stop being a pest, can we leave?” Jeanne said to him, tensing her lips and standing rigid as they stood before a large stone cathedral, standing tall, even greater in height than the city keep, with its own towers, rounded and squared along the outer edge of the complex. Multicolored stained glass windows lined the walls with figures marked with halos and others signs of divine nature. The faint gong of bells could be heard from the high bell towers before the next hour would be chimed.
“Let’s see how this goes before we consider that answer,” Cid said, admiring the grandeur of the whole architecture.
“So why are we here, anyway?”
“Well,” Cid said, throwing a hood over his head and lifting a fabric over his face as he moved towards the complex, “I think it’s about time we see what all this is about regarding our Stefan friend. See if we can find out what makes him tick.”
“Here?”
“This seems to be the center of theological activity in the city,” Cid said.
“But the flagellants aren’t associated with the church?”
“And that means there’s probably some tension between the two groups.”
“One you want to use?”
“Let’s hold off on that until we see a few things.”
“I’m already not liking this,” Jeanne said, throwing over her own hood.
“Come, this is usually right up your alley.”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“I don’t know, just been getting a weird feeling since we’ve been here.”
“How so?”
“It’s hard to say, just something that gives you an uneasy feeling. Like you know something is wrong. But you’re not sure why.”
“Oh, I hate that feeling,” Cid said. “Hopefully we won’t be here for too long.”
Reaching the doorway into the cathedral, the two found monks chattering amongst themselves in hushed voices. Jeanne turned her head away from the two slightly as she heard one of them finish a statement saying, “… they’re harvest will be sowed in full …” the monk said before the other gestured for them move somewhere away from Cid and Jeanne.
Jeanne furrowed her brows as the words sunk in her mind. There was a familiarity in the words which not knowing their origins or their meaning left a more uneasy feeling with her. She tightened her left hand into a fist trying to feel her muscles relax when she released her grip but nothing like it came to her. Disturbing thoughts clouded her mind as she and Cid moved forward through the entrance.
Entering into this holy place, they could find many rows of brilliant white marble columns stretching up to hold the weight of the roof above them. The light of the windows provided a clear light from the sun. Jeanne turned to her right as a service was being held by a priest. His hands raised above as he led a small crowd, standing from their pews in a song.
Others were in smaller groups, conversing quietly to where Jeanne could not hear their words. One woman was reading her copy of the Gospel of the Sheperd in peace. Jeanne then saw a man light candles where one would come to mourn a passed loved one. Near the far end of one of the wings, Jeanne and Cid saw a man dressed in purple and white robes speaking to two farmers who themselves attired in fine garments.
On the walls were painted murals depicting scenes of stories Jeanne had heard in her childhood. Rich in color and almost reflecting the sun’s rays equally back. The light further illuminated as the white marble lit up the room inside. Cid nodded his head slowly as he took in the scene.
“Most impressive,” he said to Jeanne.
“When you go, go big,” Jeanne said. “But I guess you weren’t here to admire the stonework.”
“Well, I can’t say this wasn’t a lovely surprise. But you are correct, we are here to see if we can find this Stefan character.”
“In the middle of a cathedral? And why today of all days?”
“Do you know what today is?”
Jeanne pondered the question for a moment. “Oh god, you know I can’t remember one day from the other, Cid.”
“It’s the Day of the First Wind,” Cid said, slightly taken aback.
“Oh … oh! It is, isn’t it.”
“You astound me sometimes, Jeanne.”
Jeanne shrugged defensively, “I forget my own birthday Cid!”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“What day is it on?”
“Splarsh belf.”
Cid narrowed his gaze. “Jeanne you just made that date up.”
“I guess we’ll never know.”
Cid pressed his hand to his forehead and groaned as he and Jeanne heard a commotion at on the of the wings of the cathedral. They turned to find a group of flagellants moving into the greater hall of the complex. Some of them sporting clubs and flails in their hands, causing those nearby to shirk back quickly.
Cid tapped on Jeanne’s shoulder and gestured. Hang back and let’s see what happens.
Jeanne nodded, stepping back with him and watching as the flagellants moved with purpose towards the great altar at the farthest end of the building. In the middle of the group, as they passed by, Cid and Jeanne saw the man who lead the procession days before. “And now things will get interesting.”
“Were you expecting this?”
“I was hoping for this.”
“And if he didn’t show up?”
“Then I’d have a day off.”
As the flagellants made their way forward, they were greeted by a man dressed white cassock, with a black cape resting over his shoulders. On his head was a squared hat with ridges riding upward and meeting hold in place a tuft. The man was flanked by several guardsmen, armed with swords and well armored.
“And who are those?” Cid asked.
“If I’m not mistaken,” Jeanne replied, “Those are the cardinal’s guards.”
“Is that a normal thing?”
“Depends on the person. But they’re not knowing for showing a lot of mercy once the swords come out.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” Cid said, keeping his eyes on the group.
“How dare you come in here!” the cardinal shouted. “Do you have no reverence for this house of The Sheperd?”
The man they assumed was Stefan replied, “We have come with no intention of bringing any ill will towards the shepherd we all respect.”
“Then you can explain yourself and quickly,” the cardinal said to him.
“We have been made aware that you will not allow us the chance to show our devotion to the Shepherd at the next festival,” Stefan replied.
“This is a time to celebrate rebirth and the world bringing forth life. Not to maim yourselves in front of whoever will gawk at you in wild, frightened fascination.”
“How one wishes to demonstrate their devotion to the Shepherd should not be risked to what society deems appropriate.”
“Is that so?” the cardinal challenged. “Then what of the bands of your ilk who rove the streets and pray on people they consider are heathens, bloodying the streets with blood and sowing hearts with fear?”
“You speak of fear as if we are the ones who first harvested it when such emotions had been cultivated by purported betters.”
“The hell was is supposed to mean?”
“I think we’re both of a sound mind to know what exactly I am referring to. Crusades, inquisitions, and how many have been put to the sword to spread the word of your peaceful ways.”
“And what is it you preach?” the cardinal demanded. “You use those barbarous instruments to maim yourselves before the very eyes of The Shepherd.”
“We seek only to bring life to the earth, to sow plentiful harvests, and bring peace to our brethren.”
“I’ll believe that when worms breath fire,” the cardinal reply.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” said a third voice, a man dressed in fine linens, a vest fitted on his chest and a cape draped over one shoulder. He was accompanied with his own cadre of guards shortly behind him. “What seems to be stirring so much trouble?” the nobleman asked.
Cid turned to Jeanne and gestured, Is that who I think it is?
Oh yeah, Jeanne, Lord Bellem in the flesh.
“Lord Bellem,” the cardinal replied, “I was discussing with this gentleman concerns I have regard the upcoming festival.”
“Ah yes,” Bellem said, nodding contemplatively. “I’ve been hearing of such concerns. Perhaps we could find a common ground on this issue before any more unpleasantries occur.”
“I am always willing to seek such things,” Stefan replied cordially.
The cardinal took a deep breath. “This is not something I am against, Lord Bellem.”
“Most excellent,” Bellem said, clapping his hands together.
Bellem patted both men on the shoulder before turning around and leaving the cathedral, signaling his guards to follow him. Moving past Cid and Jeanne, the lord stop looked towards them through the corner of his eye and then moved towards them.
“Pardon, but I couldn’t help but noticed you matched the description of a mercenary captain I’ve heard much about.”
“Depends on which captain you’ve heard,” Cid replied.
“Ah, I was right then,” Bellem replied. “The great Cid, leader of the illustrious Wolves.”
“Well, we’ve had a few interesting months,” Cid replied.
“Modest as always,” Bellem said, turning to Jeanne, “And you are?”
“A thorn in the captain’s side,” she replied.
“Ah, one of your junior officers,” Bellem followed, “good to meet you regardless. Perhaps when you’re free, we can discuss a potential contract.”
“I’d be interested to hearing what you might have for us,” Cid replied.
Bellem chuckled. “Well I won’t keep you. Enjoy the architecture, my grandfather invested much in this tabernacle of The Shepherd.”
Without a word continued his way down. As they left Cid and Jeanne looked at each other.
“Did that make you feel weird?” Jeanne asked Cid.
“Exceptionally so,” Cid replied. “Come, I think we’ve gotten enough of what I wanted to see.