Drystan’s eyes quickly scanned over the contents of the letter, the threatening and menacing tone exuding from its contents. Upon reaching the end, Drystan set the letter down on the wooden table as Mathis restlessly paced the room. Gideon had sat down, his face pensive yet filled with concern.
“I’ve got to return to Erith immediately.” Mathis firmly stated, looking at Gideon. “I refuse to sit idly by while those…those…heathens dangle my mother’s life over my head!”
Gideon shook his head. “I beg of you, Mathis, don’t respond rashly to this. Charging headfirst into danger won’t help your mother, and there is no guarantee that they’ll honor their word should you turn yourself in. If anything, they could execute both of you together!”
“But we can’t just remain here and not do anything!”
Drystan shook his head. “Mathis…your grandfather is right…I too don’t see any benefit to blindly rushing to Erith. What would we do? Storm the cathedral? What about the hundreds of guards and knights patrolling the city?” 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL0sPo0oOc
“You’re blessed by the goddess! We can use your power and–”
“My power isn’t without its limits. Every time I use my powers, I am exhausted afterwards, and if I overuse my ability to freeze objects, I fear that my own hand will be the one that’s frozen instead. If I had perfect control and knowledge of just what the goddess has blessed me with, maybe then it would have been a viable option, but even then it would be too risky. It’s not too far of a journey to Erith, as we could arrive in a day. Let’s use what time we have been granted to come up with a plan.”
Gideon stood up and gently placed his hand on Mathis’s shoulder. “Mathis…please…”
Mathis glared at Gideon for several moments before his face softened. “You’re right…I know you both are right…but…what if they’re already lying? What if they’ve already killed my mother? What if they don’t give us a week and kill her sooner? I just…”
Mathis shook his head as tears formed in his eyes. “I just can’t lose my mom…I just can’t…” His voice cracked as he let out a sob.
Drystan was silent before nodding. “I will do everything I possibly can to make sure your mother returns here alive. Of that, you have my word. Gideon, let the rest of the villagers know about what’s going on. Mathis may have lived there most recently, but there’s a chance someone else could have some knowledge that would help us out.”
Gideon quickly nodded his head, gave Mathis a comforting pat on the shoulder, and left the cabin. Drystan looked back at Mathis. “I know you said you were spending all your time in your studies, but what can you tell me that would help us to sneak into the city?”
Mathis shook his head. “I don’t know of anything like that…I never even had any thoughts of that nature before, so I have no idea what we would be looking for.”
“…did you notice anything about guard patrol times? Perhaps when the change of the guard occurred?”
“I…know around the eighth hour in the morning, the night guard is relieved…but besides that…I know nothing about the guards or what routes they take.”
“I see…that would make sneaking into the city quite the task…” Drystan took a deep breath. “What are the names of your instructors?”
“Why would that matter?”
“Just please humor me.”
“There’s Father Thomas…Father Alder…Father Vonder…and Father–”
“Wait…’Father Vonder?’ Is he perhaps blind in his left eye with a nasty scar from a deep scratch across his eye?”
“Y-yes…do you…know who he is?”
Drystan nodded. “I do…he used to be a travelling priest…and he regularly visited my place of birth to help educate myself and the other children in the village. Last time I saw him was a year before I left my life behind…” Drystan’s voice lowered as he considered the information he was just given. “I have an idea…though you may be a bit…apprehensive about it…”
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“There it is…Velmir!” Elara exclaimed as she and Valen quickly approached the city gates. “O thank the goddess…I was uncertain of how much longer I could endure riding a horse without resting in a warm bed.”
Valen laughed. “You need to experience more of what life has to offer, my dear sister. There’s more to life than feather pillows and silken sheets.”
“I can endure without those! I just…don’t prefer it.”
“Of that, I’m sure!”
The duo arrived at the city gates, the guards immediately granting them entry. After making their way through the streets, they approached the large cathedral that dominated the cityscape. A man wearing a white biretta greeted the two of them. “Welcome o blessed from Seraphina! It is quite the honor to be in your presence.”
Valen dismounted from his horse, allowing a stable boy to grab the reins and guide the two horses to the stables. “The honor is all ours. I had heard from our elder sister just how magnificent this cathedral is. I am quite pleased to have seen it in person. I’ve been meaning to visit here for quite some time considering how close the city is to the capital.”
“You honor us with your words. Perhaps if your visit was under better circumstances, a tour would have been in order. It breaks my heart that you’re here to fulfill your duties.”
Elara nodded. “Would you be so kind as to inform us just what has transpired that would require the assistance of not one but two of us?”
The priest nodded. “Of course. Over the past several months, heretical teachings have begun to infiltrate the minds of the common folk. Baseless rumors of corruption, teachings that the Eldar’s are not to be praised, and that the church has abandoned the goddess is now being taught openly in the streets. I’ve even heard chatter that Vakros should be worshipped and not Seraphina. In fact, I request that Elara tomorrow morn make her way to Erith, as I have received a letter that troubles me.”
Elara sighed. “Why am I needed in Erith?”
“A priest in seminary has blatantly and openly taught heretical teachings to the masses. As a result, tensions are rising quickly in the city. It is my belief that the presence of an Eldar would help tremendously, as well as provide a boon to their investigations into the matter.”
“How about my brother? Why must I make this trip when my brother is more fit for the role required?”
“I am in need of your brother here for a variety of tasks, some of which are more suited for a man than a woman. I genuinely mean no offense.”
Elara glared at the priest before sighing. “Alright…I shall begin preparations and leave tomorrow morning. Until then, I require a bath to be drawn, and a room prepared to rest before the trip.”
“Certainly. I’ll have some deacons prepare those right away. You are most welcome to join us for breakfast before your journey tomorrow as well. I’ll be sure to inform the chefs to cook the most exquisite spread.”
“I shall be looking forward to it.”
The priest bowed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, a deacon shall be here shortly to direct you to your lodging for the night. I shall see you both again in the morning.”
The priest walked away down a large hallway as Elara sulked. “I was under the assumption I was done with traveling for the time being.”
Valen chuckled. “Don’t worry, Elara. It’s only a couple day’s trip to Erith. I shall assist with your preparations in the morn, and you have my word that I shall remain in Velmir until your return.”
“You have my gratitude, Valen.”
A younger man strode up to the two of them. “Pardon the intrusion, but I’m Deacon Helmir, and I’ve been instructed to guide you two to your lodgings. Please…this way…”
Elara sighed as she began following the deacon, dreading the upcoming trip.
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