one more day 'til revolution, we will nip it in the bud. Who: Amos & Peony What: Discussing the forthcoming investigation. Where: Grande Cathedral. When: This afternoon. Rating: PG. Status: Complete.
He stood at the entrance of the nave to welcome the congregation. Although the mass did not begin for another thirty minutes, many had already come to say rosaries and novenas before the service. The strength of their faith was a comfort to Amos. While he did not doubt Faram’s strength for a moment (surely this subterranean insurrection would be ground to dust), much could be said for the power of this reminder. Hushed prayers punctuated the hallowed silence, and, in Amos’s mind, they rose in tempo and fervor, billowing out into the city like the voice of God itself.
The image gave rise to a smile, as bland as his always was. It did not leave his face as he turned to greet the next influx of the faithful.
One of the early attendees stopped before the man, allowing others to pass beside her, and extended her hand. “Good morning, Father.” She had not come with any particular aim, this morning; with her presence required in her office by nine, she would not even be able to stay for mass. But she had been feeling a growing disquiet since this weekend’s mission had been decided, and thus she had sought out the one place she knew would bring her peace.
She had not come with the express purpose of seeing him, but was glad all the same; he, too likely had things on his mind that were not so terribly different from the thoughts which troubled her.
“Good morning, Peony,” the man returned with a tilt of his head. Though their magicks of choice were far removed, he respected the councilwoman for her prowess as much as he did for her unwavering loyalty to the Lord. And so hers was both a welcome and familiar face. More so than usual, in fact, at this juncture.
“I do not imagine you will be staying for the service,” he continued, not unfamiliar with her comings and goings. “But I am glad that you came. You are well, I pray?”
“I wish that I could,” she answered. But with the leadership structure of her guild stretching to accommodate the returned councilor, she simply did not have the time to spare today, as much as she might have wished otherwise. “But I, too, am glad I came, if only for a short while. I am well. And yourself? I did not think to see you until tomorrow.” Tomorrow was a matter of grave concern.
“I am always so.” But the words were almost dismissive, eager as Amos was to discuss what the morrow held in store. “I had thought similarly. Perhaps it is a blessing that we shall have the chance to speak beforehand.”
He did not doubt that Peony had been kept abreast of the situation, but it would be for the best to ensure that they were on the same page. Fortunately, it seemed the tide of newcomers had abated for the meantime.
“How much do you know,” he prompted quietly, “of the matters as yet?”
“I have had a full report from the Knights of the Peace,” she answered. Her voice was soft enough that the few people passing them by would only hear a murmur, but still she spared one quick glance around before continuing. “If I have understood correctly, both the peacekeepers and the Blades have hope that we may find the source of our… troubles very soon. I pray they are correct. The city cannot bear another disaster such as we experienced in Gemini and Cancer.”
Perhaps, she thought, if they were very lucky, tomorrow she might at last encounter the one responsible for these disturbances face to face. She thought of a young flower seller whose life had been cut short. Steely determination was apparent in her quiet tone as she added, “This has gone on long enough.”
Amos nodded in agreement, although his thoughts—of the infallibility of Faram’s dogma, of the Cathedral’s longstanding intolerance of heresy—were not quite so charitable as hers.
“It is kind of Faram to have granted us this past month’s reprieve,” he said. “Telling, I should say. And, at last, we are to come full circle.” To his mind, all the evils that had ravaged the city came down to this sacrilege, as all iniquities, large and small, were wont to be lumped together in fanaticism’s narrow view. “Of course, there are many things yet that we do not know. But it is enough to have a beginning. No doubt our God will guide us to the very end.”
He paused a moment to return the greeting of an oncoming parishioner. “I do understand,” he carried on, “that you were subject to an encounter of a more… personal nature?”
She waited for the person to pass before she answered. “I have been… contacted,” she said delicately. “Myself, and my liaison in the Knights of the Peace have been on the trail of this individual for many months, long before we knew the full gravity of the problem. It seems that our mystery perpetrator knows who hunts him.” She had made no secret of her involvement, but still, she recalled, she had been surprised, and certainly disturbed.
Ensuring the cathedral steps were deserted for the moment, she continued. “I was sent an animated corpse bearing a letter. And flowers,” she added. “Peonies,” she expounded. “Out of season. It seems to be as though this was an elaborate attempt to frighten me, or perhaps give me pause.” I know you, the flowers had proclaimed. And underneath, she had sensed that perhaps the sender, too, was afraid.
He would be correct to fear.
“This was in mid-Cancer. He has not attempted to contact me since then.” But she did not think he had forgotten.
“Then it is well,” Amos said, “that we now attempt to contact him.” Here he recollected his own experiences—the hulking armour, the wretched bite of the Dark. It had been no easy conjuration to dispel, and the priest could only contemplate what horrors might have befallen his comrades without the assistance of his magicks (of Faram’s presence, for which he strived to always be a conduit).
“No matter the intent or the means employed,” he continued mildly, “there is no force that can stand against ours.” Again, the bloodless smile. “I have nothing but high hopes for what is to come. Although,” he nodded toward the heart of the nave, “we would be wise to arm ourselves as we can.”
He stepped out of her way, making a small gesture toward the aisle. “I understand your time is limited. I should not like to keep you.”
She smiled back, her own expression equally mild. They understood each other. “Faram willing, we will succeed. I would be grateful if you would find a moment to pray for our success.” She was determined, but knew better than consider herself infallible. Anyone could fall on the morrow. She, too, would ask Faram for His divine protection as she set out to do His work. “I will do all that I am able, as well.”
“And how blessed we are to have you on our side.” Amos offered a last nod. “Certainly, you and our comrades will be in my prayers. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, Peony. Faram bless.”
With that, Peony continued into the nave, and Amos turned to greet the new arrivals afresh.