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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Funeris" data-source="post: 2813391" data-attributes="member: 22792">Chapter 6: Fata Viam Invenient ContinuedDancing between the silky fabrics of the curtains, the early rays of the sun fell across the priest’s face, spotlighting his peaceful but slightly uncomfortable features.  He tossed and turned, raising a hand to block the rays.  The bed was so soft and comfortable; Sleep sang a sweet lullaby tune to draw him back to its embrace.The light slammed into his closed eyelids again.  They fluttered open followed by a deep yawn.  Slowly, Cassock shrugged the sheets and blankets from his body to sit up.  Taking a moment, he admired the pink marks across his body:  the wounds that should have scarred but had been healed with Cael’s aid.  Instead, his body was littered by dozens of the faint discolorations, impermanent reminders that would fade in time.He stretched, standing and reached for the worn armor.  A few of the chain links, alternating black and red, had been completely obliterated in his recent journeys.  His fingers slid down the cool steel, tracing the blows that would have been fatal.  Cassock shook his head; no need for the armor today.  Instead, he chose a plain set of black robes and donned them quickly.  He pulled his holy icon from within its folds, allowing it to rest atop the simple fabric.  There, it glimmered against its black backdrop, naming the human for what he truly was:  a priest.Smiling and comfortable again despite the loss of connection to Cael, Cassock hurried down to the dining hall and hopefully to another delicious meal.—oo—oo—“Good morning, Cassock.”The priest slid to a stop before a beautiful and unknown woman.  She sat relaxing at one of the dining tables, her golden tresses cascading downward to disappear, camouflaged against loose robes of the same hue.  “Good morning, Lady,” Cassock sputtered, unsure of how to address the woman.  He stiffened to bow.“Do not bow to me, priest.”  The title was weighted with cynicism, despite her pleased grin.  “Sit.  Eat.”“Yes, Lady.”  The cleric chose the seat across from the lady, a better position to observe her.  He slowly heaped fresh fruit and other tasty morsels onto his plate.  He stared at the food, but turned his eyes back to the woman.  She stared at him and held his gaze.“You have a question for me, priest.”  The tone, at least with the word priest, was still cynical and somewhat condescending.“Yes, Lady.  I…uh, I don’t think we’ve been introduced.”She smiled.  Her teeth were exceedingly bright.  “I am the Lady Llewyllyn.”  When Cassock said nothing, she added, “I am the daughter of the woman you spoke with last night, your hostess.  You do remember, do you not?”“Yes, I remember,” he answered annoyed.  “But what do I call you?”“You may call me the Lady Llewyllyn.”  She smiled; that flawless, bright smile again.  Cassock shuddered, suddenly reminded of the way a cat smiles while batting about a mouse that cannot escape.  He lowered his eyes, quietly munching upon his breakfast.Minutes of silence passed, broken only by the small noise of Cassock’s feasting.  He glanced up, but always Lady Llewyllyn the younger sat there smiling at him.  Discomfort filled the priest.She broke the silence.  “You have another question for me.”  The priest dropped the fruit he was about to place into his mouth, his mouth remained agape.  “You are wondering about your god and why you cannot feel him here.”What are you?  A mind reader?  Cassock thought.Llewyllyn shook her head slightly.  The hair on Cassock’s neck bristled.  “When you think you are feeling the grace of your god, it is nothing more than the ability to access magics inappropriately termed divine.  You see, priest, Cael died a long, long time ago.”Cassock’s face flushed with anger as he dropped his silverware.  “Cael is NOT dead.”She ignored his comment to continue the lesson.  “One of our protections here prevents magic from being cast, except within a few choice locations.  Since magic is blocked, you feel cut off.  It is nothing to worry about.”“Cael is not dead,” he hissed again.  Her eyes and teeth shimmered.“He is dead.  But, I’m not in the mood to argue with you theologically right now.  If you’d like, I have a book you should read.  It will educate you.”  She stood, her robes shifting like fluid.  “Follow me.”The priest hesitated.  She turned to smirk mischievously at him.“You are not hungry anymore.”“No, no I’m not,” he murmured.“Then follow me to the Library, unless you are afraid of hearing the truth.”  The priest’s eye twitched as he stood slowly.  Reluctantly, he followed as she led him to the staircase and further into the manor.</blockquote>

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