“I’ve learned not to let the moths incubate near the water. Even though they like to. The moisture makes the cocoons all feeble or something,” Sharp prattled on about her new hobby.

“Could just be your enclosure. Is it properly ventilated?” I asked as we rounded a corner.

“Maybe…?” Sharp frowned as she thought of my idea, and did so in a way that told me that was likely the issue.

Up here this high in these mountains, unusually, there was more humidity than one would think. Thanks to the moisture that constantly battered the nearby peaks, from the massive lakes and glacier paths nearby on the other side of the mountain pass. It wasn't common for such higher elevations to get this humid, usually.

“Least you’re not eating them or something, I guess,” I said.

Sharp scoffed. “Please. Some are big though… a batch a few months ago hatched finally, after like three years. When I opened the cage and they flew out it was like being hit in the face by bats,” Sharp complained.

“Huh…” I wondered what kind of moths she had found. Lunar Moths maybe?

One of the human girls hurried by in front of us, crossing the hallway. She was giggling, and didn’t even notice us.

“So uh… Vim…” Sharp coughed, drawing my attention.

I turned to look at her, and found her keeping her gaze downward. To the ground. To the worn rugs we were walking upon.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“The uh… the cat. Rennalee,” she said quietly, as if Renn was nearby to hear her speak of her.

As far as I could tell she wasn’t. I couldn’t smell her, or hear her. Last I had seen her, a few hours ago, was with a large group of the sisters. Heading for the south of the church. Either to the buildings behind it, or maybe the kitchens.

Though it’d likely not be long until she found me. I had promised her that we’d share a room while here… and it had recently become nighttime. The sun had set about an hour or so ago.

“Renn? What’d she do? Tear out the last few pages in the book or something?” I asked.

Sharp’s shoulders jolted, and she glanced at me. “Would she actually do something like that?” She asked worriedly.

“Had she…?” I asked her.

“Well… no… but…” Sharp frowned, and tilted her head… suddenly doubting herself for some reason.

“Then…?” I slowed a little, but didn’t come to a complete stop. I wanted to find Abel, as to ask him something. Before he went to his nightly prayer.

Sharp shifted, and sighed. “Is she looking for a place to stay…? Or is she one of those weird ones looking for a husband or something?” she asked.

Oh…? “What’s this? Is our prickly little urchin feeling soft for once?” I asked.

She groaned a sigh. “I shouldn’t have asked,” she complained.

Smiling at her, I slowed to a stop as Sharp itched her chin. The bandages wrapped around her fingers and face made it sound funny. Not too unlike the sound of scraping sandpiper.

Sharp stopped too, and nodded. “I bet she hasn’t found one. No one would want a full blown predator anymore, I bet… so why not leave her here? She seems to be slightly religious too, so…” Sharp offered.

Ah…

Feeling oddly humbled, I nodded. “Thanks. You can offer it to her if you’d like, but you’d probably be surprised. She’s come to enjoy traveling with me… to the point it’s almost concerning,” I told her the truth.

“Hm…? Wait… please don’t tell me she’s like Merit,” Sharp glared at me as she realized the truth.

I nodded.

The sharp urchin groaned and shook her head. “What the…? Really… what is wrong with women?” she asked herself.

“You’re asking me?”

“Of course I’m not. You men don’t make sense either. I don’t understand, she’s beautiful… why would she pick you of all things?” Sharp began to seriously question it as we returned to walking.

I chuckled at her.

“What of the human then?” Sharp asked, likely hoping for a more normal reason for the new member. To calm her from Renn’s abnormalness.

“I basically won her in battle. Her brother had been a part of the attack on the Weaver’s Hut, so I couldn’t leave her there. She should be fine. She’s timid, and a little odd like most pagans, but she’s harmless I think,” I said.

“She’ll not be pagan long. Not if she’s timid, at least,” Sharp said.

I nodded, though wasn’t willing to admit that the reason Elisabell would be converted wasn’t because she wanted to… but because if she didn’t she’d be ostracized here, and likely not included in their little groups.

It was sad, and against my entire ethos, but the only alternative was to take her elsewhere. And it’d take us months to find her another location, since the next few stops weren’t places she could stay at.

“Better that than fascinated with you, at least, I guess,” Sharp said as she thought about it.

Tilting my head at her, I wondered why so many of our members found it weird that I could be attractive, or something like it. “I kind of like how odd she is sometimes,” I said.

“You would. Poor girl. Maybe she should stay here. I’ll try to convince her, so you don’t end up breaking her poor heart,” Sharp said with a sigh.

I frowned, but kept my thoughts to myself as to why that wasn’t needed.

So even when I somewhat played along, our more normal members didn’t realize I was being serious. Interesting.

Landi had actually not believed it either. Even at the end, she had quietly asked me to not hurt Renn too badly. That I should take a lesson from her, and not play with my food.

So far… Merit, the Chronicler… And Nasba and Nann had seemed to realize I was taking her feelings for me seriously. Brandy and a few others have noticed, but like Sharp they thought I was just… well…

Not so much toying with her, but indulging her. Playing along. As if she was but a child.

I wonder how long it’d take for everyone to realize the truth.

“Other than them… how’re the rest? How’s Rapti doing?” Sharp asked after her only real friend. Which was sad, since Rapti didn't feel the same way towards her.

Rapti had sent a letter to Abel. I'll need to ask if she had inquired about Sharp or not. It really was time she forgave Sharp and started talking to her again.

“Fine. I recently sent her a book. By now she’s likely got it, and will have a bunch of questions for me once I see her again,” I said.

Speaking of that, and remembering I had sent Rapti that book I’d written a long time ago… made me realize that Renn had started affecting me long before I had realized.

“A book…? You gave her one? What one?” Sharp asked.

“A religious one. Not like your books full of dirty euphemisms,” I said.

Sharp’s hood danced thanks to her hair sticking up. “Vim…! Jeez…” she grumbled, embarrassed.

Smiling at her, I nodded. “Everyone else is relatively fine… We’ve lost a few members and locations since I’ve been here last… but we’ve also gained some new members. Not just Renn, or humans, either,” I said.

“Typical stuff then…? I overheard Rennalee telling the others about Monarchs and stuff,” Sharp pointed out.

Oh…? She must have spent time with Renn, or listening and watching her for a short time before coming to find me, then. Sharp had read the book faster than I had thought. Had she read it all in only a few hours? Surprising. I hadn’t thought it that good, honestly. But oh well.

“Two Monarchs since I’ve been here last, yes,” I said. I didn’t mention Miss Beak. Likely never would again, other than with Renn.

“Huh… you don’t normally run into that many anymore do you? Were they both at the same time?” Sharp asked.

We slowed to a stop as Abel rounded the corner ahead of us. He smiled at the sight of me, and headed down the hall towards us.

“They hadn’t been, no,” I said as Abel hurried over.

“Vim…! Well done. I heard from Renn what’s happened since your last visit, really, well done,” Abel praised me as he bowed his head and made a tiny gesture, one of prayer.

Sharp sighed. “I’m going to go find the cat. Maybe I can save her from herself,” Sharp said as she stepped away.

“Oh…?” Abel watched her walk away, unaware he had just been glared at.

“How’ve you been Abel?” I asked, not really wanting Abel and Sharp to get into an argument right now.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

He returned his attention to me and nodded quickly. “Very well, Vim. Like usual lately, we get only a few visitors anymore. We’ve not had to bury any of our more special members… but we did have two deaths. The older married couple. The wife died, and John sadly went not too long later. I fear his broken heart hadn’t been able to endure,” Abel said.

Right. There were a few missing faces, though I couldn’t remember their names really. John…? I didn’t remember him.

“Well, you got a new one now. She’s a pagan, but I’m sure you all can get along well enough,” I said.

“I noticed. She didn’t bow her head or offer prayer upon entering the church earlier… really, what is the world coming to? I really thought all the pagans would be gone by now,” Abel sighed as he spoke.

Sharp left the hallway, her hood moving as she did. Had Abels words bothered her, or something else? Maybe she had seen someone down the hallway she was heading into.

“How’s the rest been, Abel? Frett? Sharp?” I asked him gently, making his focus leave the humans.

“Ah, they’ve been fine. Quiet, like always. Last winter we had a small issue… Frett and Tim got into an argument, one that lasted months. But they’re friends again... I think... You know how we are here,” he said.

I nodded, glad to hear it. Though it was odd that Frett and Tim would get into an argument… Frett was like Rapti. She didn’t argue with anyone.

Maybe they had tried to form a relationship, and it had gone sour. Tim was an odd man. Made even odder by his strange fascination with carving tombstones.

“Actually… can I ask something Vim? Something a little personal?” Abel then asked as he glanced around.

I nodded, but he didn’t answer right away. He made sure we were alone, and then stepped a small step closer… as to whisper.

“Is she really a predator? This Renn. I can’t smell her at all,” he whispered softly.

“Ah… yes. She is. In fact she’s one of the last real ones. Her lack of smell is something unique about her, but it’s nothing to be worried over,” I said.

“Oh… okay…” he then frowned. “Is it like you? Is she like you? She’s a cat though, isn’t she?” Abel asked, barely putting one and two together.

I chuckled. “Not sure. She’s just special in her own way. You know how your gods were, Abel,” I said.

He blinked, and the sudden realization dawned on him as he quickly nodded. “You’re quite right! They do sometimes craft unique souls, don’t they?” he said happily, letting such an explanation make perfect sense for him.

“I plan to stick around for a few weeks at least. To make sure the human will be fine here, and to let Renn rest a little before we continue on. Is there any room available with a large bed?” I asked.

“Large bed…? Oh, for Renn? Cats do like to laze, don’t they?” he chuckled and then pondered it for a moment… then nodded. “Yes. Either the second floor, overlooking the rear courtyard or one of the rooms in the attachment houses if she’d rather be alone,” Abel suggested.

Right. No one was allowed to stay in the rooms in the hallways of the members here, on purpose. To keep them safe. Especially so men, what with this being a convent. “I’ll let her choose. Either of the attachment houses empty?” I asked.

“One is. The other two have members living in them, or are frequented. One’s been converted into a uh… well…” Abel coughed and shifted. “An insect nursery, I guess,” he said worriedly.

I smiled at Abel's frown. He still wasn't entirely sure what to think of Sharp. Still... So she really had found a new hobby? Good. “She’s having fun at least, right?” I suggested.

Abel nodded quickly. “Yes. Although many are worried about it… Some of the bugs get free sometimes and well…” Abel sighed, and I realized what was bothering him, or rather the community.

Sharp’s new hobby made the others unsettled. You’d think a bunch of people that lived alone in a dense forest would be used to bugs.

“I do have a small request of you, Vim, before you leave,” Abel then said.

“Hm?”

He made a small gesture, one of his little prayers, before asking it of me. “On the eastern tower, there’s a statue that’s shifted and come free. I fear it will possibly fall soon, during a bad storm. It’s not over anyone’s rooms or anything, but it’d likely do damage,” Abel said.

Oh. Right. I nodded. “Sure. I’ll check it,” I said.

He sighed and nodded. “Thank you. Sharp offered to remove it, but she’d have destroyed it… so I was hoping you’d show up before it became that serious of an issue,” Abel revealed his true worry.

“I’m sure your gods would forgive her if she had. It’d be destroyed upon falling down anyway, and better to protect their children, right?” I gave Abel a tiny suggestion.

Abel shook his head and frowned. “It’s not the destruction of the Saint’s figure that worries me Vim. It’s the malice she’d have upon doing so. We suffer our God’s wrath every day for our transgressions, yet she so brazenly incurs more…!” Abel shuddered at the mere thought of it.

I nodded, but wanted to sigh. “I’ll see what I can do,” I said.

“Thank you, really,” Abel nodded and made another small motion with his hands, offering another prayer.

It was a good thing his gods were dead. They’d likely be annoyed hearing so many prayers so often.

“Let everyone know to come to me if they have any requests. Or to let you know, so you can let me know,” I reminded him.

He nodded. “I shall do so. You’re right, last time Sister Ursula had wanted to ask you a favor and hadn’t been able to,” Abel remembered.

“Had she?” I asked. Not a surprise. The poor woman was a very skittish thing. She was likely hiding away right now thanks to all the commotion. I hadn't seen her yet.

“I… don’t remember what it had been. I’ll make sure to have Frett ask her for us,” Abel said.

“Please do,” I said.

“Let me go remind her now, just in case,” Abel nodded as he turned hurriedly, dead set on making sure it happened.

“Thanks,” I watched him hurry away, heading deeper into the building.

It was a little sad to hear when members had wanted something of me, and hadn’t been able to ask it. There weren’t many members so fragile and timid that struggled even to speak to me, but the few who were… well…

Hopefully the poor woman hadn’t needed something too important. I’ll ask Renn to talk to her for me later.

Liking the idea, I decided to go find my companion. Not just to tell her about Ursula but to also have her pick out which room she wanted. I doubted she’d be willing to go to bed any time soon, but I kind of felt like lying down.

I’d already helped sort the luggage, helped handle the horses, and had walked around the perimeter. Like always this place was… quiet. Simple. But as Abel had said, it was starting to age. It’d likely not be long until I had to rebuild entire roofs and stuff.

Sighing I rounded the same corner Sharp had went around. Heading down the hallway, I eventually made my way to the center of the church. Like the one in Telmik, this place had a massive courtyard in the center. One that was open to the elements. The windows here along the hallways that rounded the courtyard weren’t as large or fancy, but they still displayed the courtyard well enough.

Unlike the courtyard in Telmik, this one didn’t have a house within it. Instead it had small gardens, a large tree, and a corner lot where people could gather. It wasn’t too uncommon to see several members in the courtyard during the day, either tending the garden, reading, or simply enjoying the day. Right now though it was empty. And not just because it was night. I walked along the hallway, staring out the windows, and listened to the distant voices. What was interesting was it sounded like the voices were coming from different directions.

They weren’t all together. Which wasn’t too surprising, really, it wasn’t like everyone would always be together… but…

Pausing in front of one of the smaller hallways, that led to some rooms, I listened to the voices coming from it.

That sounded like the men. The few that were here. Abel’s voice was amongst them.

Walking past the hallway, I rounded a corner and entered the hallway that led to the main parlor.

The voices grew louder the closer I got, and I recognized Elisabell’s. She was talking with what sounded like Frett and the other sisters and…

I frowned as I slowed to a stop, and realized I didn’t hear Renn.

It wasn’t too shocking… sometimes Renn could be quiet, as she allowed others to talk… but…

As the moment dragged on, and it became obvious that Renn wasn’t amongst the group, I turned and headed for a different hallway.

Returning to the center, to the hallway that rounded the entirety of the courtyard, I smiled as I saw a familiar hooded girl. She was hurrying around the bend in front of me. I could see her through the windows, to the other side of the courtyard. She turned at the sight of me, and hurried to run around the corner and into the hallway I was in.

Renn wasn’t too far behind her… but she wasn’t running as Sharp was.

Small Sharp ran up to me, skidding to a stop an arm’s reach away.

I smiled down at her and the way she glowered up at me. “She’s ridiculous. I’ll not be able to put up with her. Don’t leave her here,” she said quickly.

My smile turned into a smirk. What had Renn said or done? Wish I could have been there. “We’ll see. Did you give up trying to save her then?” I asked.

Sharp huffed and glanced back, at the approaching Renn. She wasn’t hurrying, but her tail was swaying in a way that told me she wanted to.

“I’d not save her even if she was a Saint. Geh… she’s quick…!” Sharp turned back to me, and pointed up at me. “Don’t blame me if she bites your you-know-what one day. She’s got that crazy look in her eyes!” she added.

Laughing at her, I reached out at her.

Sharp tried to dodge, but I was too quick. I snuck my hand under her hood, and went to ruffling her hair.

“Geah! Vim!” Sharp shouted at me, causing Renn to come to a stop.

Chuckling, I shook her whole head violently. Ruffling hair, and dislodging bandages. “Keep up that defense, Sharp. She’ll have you weeping at her feet to not go before you know it,” I warned her.

Sharp finally got away, ducking away from my hand. “Vim…! Rghah!” she made a weird noise in her throat as she hurriedly put her hood back over her head, it had slid off a little in my messing with her. Half the bandages on her head had also slid off, coming undone and revealing her face and hair.

She stepped away, glared at me with watery eyes, and then turned to point at Renn. “This is all your fault!” she shouted at Renn, then turned and ran off.

Before she was able to slip away, I noted the growing smile on her face. She darted off as Renn hurried over to us.

“I don’t think she likes me…” Renn said sadly as she drew near.

“Nah… quite the opposite,” I said with a smile.

Renn watched Sharp round a corner, running along the courtyard, and then turned to look at me. She smiled back at me, but did so unsurely. She wanted to believe me, but didn’t.

“How’s the Crypt treating you so far?” I asked her.

“Wonderful. I’ve met everyone, gave the letters to those who had any… and Elisabell has already made herself at home. One of the human girls here is from her region, I guess. They’ve bonded already,” Renn said, sounding a little sad that she had been abandoned so readily.

“That’s for the best,” I said.

She nodded, but her sad smile told me the truth.

I studied that smile... until she frowned at me.

“Hm…?” I was about to ask what was wrong, as she grabbed my hand.

The one I had just used to torment Sharp.

“Ah. Right. Here’s why you don’t touch Sharp,” I told Renn.

“Vim…” she groaned as she carefully touched my shredded hand. It wasn’t bleeding too badly, thanks to most of the cuts being tiny, but it was still a mess. I had hundreds if not thousands of tiny cuts. Tiny, but deep. Her hair had cut to the bone.

“For reference, this is what she does to me. It’s worse to other people,” I further warned Renn.

“How…?” Renn wondered.

“She’s not named Sharp for her wit, Renn,” I said gently. Though she should be, in my opinion.

She blinked at me, and then nodded in understanding.

“Let’s go find you something to clean you off with,” Renn said as she tugged me by my wrist, pulling me down the hall.

“It’ll heal quickly, Renn,” I told her. Although deep cuts, they were thin and uniform. Such wounds healed well.

“So? You’re still bloody,” she said.

Well… that was true…

Being pulled away, I wondered if she had been shown all around the area already. She was leading me not to the kitchens, but to the room used as a hospital.

“So you’ve met everyone already?” I asked.

“I think so? By the way I like it here. Everyone thinks like me here,” she said.

“Thinks… like you?” I asked, worried. Please tell me she didn’t mean the religion stuff…

“They all think you’re more trouble than your worth too!” she said happily, teasing me.