Chapter 31: Ecclesiastical Civil War

Chapter 31: Ecclesiastical Civil War

Landar

As usual, I spent my time waiting, reading. Trying to ignore the ever-increasing likelihood that my sister was going to be conscripted into what amounted to a life of slavery.

Tabitha spent it meditating and practicing a more advanced version of her light spell. She said Roland promised that when she got good enough with it, she could use it to protect herself. When I asked about it, she said its supposed to create some kind of spear or something. At least, thats what Ive been told it does. Havent successfully cast it yet.

The rather large cleric that Sigvald had left to watch over us amused himself by leaving the door to the little reception-library room open and glaring at everyone and anyone that came anywhere near close to it. If looks could kill, the corpses his glares produced would have needed to be identified by the dental work alone.

Or maybe a DNA match.

The guy was scared, and the fact he had an eye patch over one eye, and visible scars running down his face, didnt really help his visual appeal. To the world, he looked exactly like what he wanted to look, like a stone-cold killer.

I knew the type, though. Usually, those that looked like him were the self-sacrificial types as they were willing to put themselves in danger in a close quarters fight. Those suited for leadership, but who rarely rose to higher ranks because of politics. Or he was a bloodthirsty savage with no thought for his own safety.

But those types usually got weeded out early in training, even in most ancient armies. No, if I had to guess, he was the type of man that back in my army days as a ground pounder I would have hoped was my NCO if I had to go anywhere near a fight.

Sir, a young cleric recruit of a similar build to Roland ran up to the massive man who served as our guard. They spoke in hushed tones that were hard to hear from where I was. A moment later the large cleric popped his head into the room.

Excuse me. I have to go see to a disturbance in the main hall. Edger will watch over you until I return. And before either of us could say a word, the grizzled cleric was gone.

He moved much faster than I would have guessed, given his size and that armor. I really have got to remember that the old limitations from Earth just dont really apply here anymore. Who the heck knows, maybe this scrawny kid is actually some kind of hard core death dealing machine.

A few minutes later, as I was thumbing through the third of a trio of books on the fundamentals of alchemy, most of which was going over my head, I was never very good at chemistry, I heard a thump. I watched as Edgers body stiffened, his knees gave way and he slowly slumped to the floor. I watched his chest carefully as the three blue robed men, armed with glowing club-like weapons, marched into the room.

Good. Hes breathing. If he wasnt, the three of you wouldnt be by the end of this exchange. My words startled Tabitha out of her meditation and she stood, knocking over a chair in her haste.

All acolytes will be collected. The leader of the three, a tall lanky man holding a wand like it was a club, that glowed with a sickly pale magic, said. Either willfully or forcefully. There is going to be a sifting. The duke has declared it. Will you comply?

I casually got to my feet and moved my hand down to where the head of my hatchet rested in a loop at my belt. I didnt move to pull it, not yet. And what is a sifting, exactly? I asked, playing dumb to buy time.

We dont owe a peasant child an explanation. Do as you are told, or you will be beaten and then sold for your crimes. A slave contract as punishment seems fitting for the level of disrespect you are showing us. But if you comply, theres no need for that unpleasantness to befall your brother, girl. Come with us. He motioned for Tabitha to follow them through the door and towards whatever fate they had in store for her.

My hands shifted slightly, my thumbs going under the lip of my ax head, making it easier for me to pull the axs out of the loops when the time came. I did it as casually as I could, trying to make it look like I was just looping my thumbs into my belt.

I beg to differ. See, I dont take kindly to people barging in and trying to kidnap my sister. So, either you tell me what this Sifting thing is, and pray I dont mind it. Or, me and you are going to have a disagreement.

I had to force my hands to stay still as stone and to keep a smile on my face. Inside, I was ready to leap out of my skin.

There was no way I could take on three full-grown adult magic users. Youre not a big guy anymore, Landar. What the hell are you thinking? I tried to channel the casual air of threat that my size had offered me back on Earth, but I could tell it didnt register with the trio.

Wilson, hes her brother. We can at least offer an explanation. It was the shortest and youngest of the three. He also carried extra weight around his middle. It was clear to me that this kid didnt want anything to do with violence. He was just doing his job. But the other two didnt seem to give a rats tail.

Fine, you can. Hagar, go get the kid from the hallway and drag him to the main hall. Even cleric apprentices are acolytes.If he gives you trouble though, just kill him. Theyre barely worth the effort as it is.

The third guy left, and the short chubby one looked uncomfortable for a moment. Then he opened his mouth and took on a lecturing tone.

The sifting is an old tradition between the priesthoods. When a priesthood is concerned about their numbers, they can call for a sifting, where all the acolytes who are on the verge of taking orders are pooled together. And each of the priesthoods is able to conscript who they believe is best suited to their line of service.

Ah. So because you all cant recruit enough to make up for the war, youre trying to steal everyone elses trainees? Seems a bit unfair if you ask me.

Its not unfair. The young blue said. The Blue is being asked to shoulder the brunt of this war. We need women and other acolytes to ensure our survival as an institution. Bah. What would a peasant know of important things like that?

Apparently, the chubby ones niceness only goes so far. I would have continued talking, buying time until someone else came by to resolve this inter-priesthood brawl.

Who are you? The young clerics voice was weak as the effects of whatever spell they had used on him started to wear off. No. Get off of me. his voice grew stronger, and I saw him lash out at the looming blue robe over him.

The sound of a blade singing as it left its sheath pricked my ears, and then a sudden exhale of air that was far, far too familiar. The kid was dead; I was pretty sure of it. Or dying. Either way, the kid gloves were coming off.

Stay here. Im going to ask one of the old grans if they know. Tabitha left me atop a stoop, overlooking the crowd. I could clearly see the entrance to our apartment complex, the doors were shut, and one of the red robes was trying to find a way to open them.

Why dont they just break the doors down? I thought, as I examined them more closely, looking for something that might give me a clue as to what was going on. The people were shouting something about keeping the neighborhood free of the fighting and not wanting their kind around. I presumed they meant the priests. But the Red Robes arent part of the fighting, are they?

Theyre after dad. Tabitha was out of breath, she had run through the crowd back to me. I dont know why, but they want him. And mom. I . . . I dont know what to do.

She was a teenager, and it was at moments like this that I was forced to remember the fact that, in truth, I was somewhere around sixty years old. If I took my time from Earth and added it to my age here.

I looked back at the small gathering of priests and knights at the entrance to our building and really scrutinized the faces. One of them looks kind of familiar. I said, and Tabithas expression perked up a bit.

Oh? Which one?

That one. I pointed out the tall one with his hood covering half his face. His build and gate looked remarkably familiar as he walked along the line the knights had made, inspecting people in the crowd. Wait

Thats Roland! She tried to run into the crowd, but I grabbed her shoulder before she could leave.

Yes, it is. And whats he doing with the reds and some knights? Her expression fell slightly as she considered the issue.

I . . . I dont know. Maybe theyre helping him find us and protect our family.

Could be. Or it could be something else. Like the kid betraying us, selling us to the red, and earning his family a pardon. I didnt say it out loud, but it was clear I distrusted the situation.

I admit, it could be. At that moment, my estimation of Tabitha went up even further. She was a teen madly in love with that boy and yet she was willing to see that it was possible, even probable, that he could be betraying us. There were few adults that had that kind of practical, level headed attitude in the early stages of a relationship, let alone teenagers. But I dont think so. Hes had ample opportunities to hurt our cause until now. And he hasnt once done so. Hes earned our trust, at least enough to see what hes up to.

Damn, shes right. Alright. Lead the way.

***

It didnt take us long to make our way through the crowd, and by the time we were near where the knights were maintaining a perimeter, the crowd had started to calm down and disperse. Once the commoners realized the threat of the fighting spreading to their homes wasnt going to be realized, there wasnt really any point in causing more problems.

A few dozen stayed, watching the scene unfold. The neighborhood gossip, some local merchants, and some of the guards who were off duty and concerned about my fathers safety.

Excuse us, sir, Tabitha said as we came to the first Knight. He was a tall man in full plate, and his face was largely obscured by the helmet and face-guard he wore.

What is it, good woman? The knights voice was clipped and short, but more professional than intentionally rude.

Well, my brother and I live in this

Tabitha! Roland brushed past the knight, and two of the red robes followed him, guarding his back as he moved to wrap Tabitha in a tight hug. When he let her go, he looked at her and then me. Im glad youre both safe. Come, your parents are upstairs.

But Roland. Theres fighting, and . . . and theyre killing each other at the temple. We need to do something.

The red robes visibly stiffened, and their somber expressions turned sour as the sun gleamed off their bald scalps. If the fighting has started, then the Blue has pushed its claim too far, too fast. Sigvald has failed us.

No. Rolands response was forceful, more than I had ever heard come from the young man. The fighting must have started just after we left together. He hasnt had the time needed to get to the Arch-Duke yet. When he does, Im certain hell be able to plead our case and show the Blues for the snakes they are.

Snakes or loyal dogs, both have dangerous teeth and will lash out if threatened, Came the words of the other red robe. We should move this reunion inside, lest we draw eithers wrath upon this place.

Yes. Roland turned his attention back to us. Come on, follow me.

Where are we going? Shouldnt we be helping?

We will be, by removing another reason for the orders to fight. Roland turned and went inside, and we followed closely behind him.

And how are you going to be doing that? I asked, confused.

Not you. Me. Im going to kidnap Tabitha. He turned back and winked at us. With your parents permission, of course.The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.