The Kingmaker System-Chapter 73 - 72. A Fiery Priest (2)

The redheaded priest stood there looking as if he wanted to do anything but deal with us.

"But why can’t we go ahead?" One of the traveler asked.

"That’s because of the bandits war." He answered sounding agitated.

"Our old Father spotted your carriage from far and told me to stop you from going ahead. If you want to die in the skirmish then be my guest." He explained before turning towards the temple.

The small and archaic looking structure which had a tall spire and stone walls which seemed to have been taking the blows of the seasonal dry winds and sandstorms.

"If it’s the bandits then none of us would stand a chance unless..." The travelers looked at Lyall and I could see what they were thinking.

"My attendant won’t fight a needless battle." I announced.

"Grab our stuff," I looked at Lyall, "we’re staying in this temple till the path clears up."

"But we could take a detour." The third traveler, who was also a merchant I guess suggested.

He had tagged along with our small group since the inn where we stopped at last time. He probably was tagging along because he heard that there was a strong person who was capable of fighting off the shifters on his own. These kind of long journeys weren’t safe in any sense as there was always a danger from the natural causes to the shifters and the bandits. That’s why people hired mercenaries as their bodyguards.

"Like the priest said, you’re welcome to try out your luck." I said as I stepped down from the carriage followed by Lyall carrying out luggage.

With me deciding to not go ahead, and without Lyall being around the other travelers also followed behind me.

I watched the age-beaten structure closely as I entered the large wooden doors and instantly felt the coolness in the air as the shade enveloped me from the heating sun.

I removed the hood from my head and saw the old, worn down wooden pews that were strewn across the chapel. The ceiling was quite high and the stained glass windows were cracked at several places.

[Defender of Divine Glory laments the sorry state of the temple.]

"Welcome, everyone." I heard a weathered voice and turned to look at the small, old man walking towards us with two other from behind him.

"I’m the Pastor of this church, my name is Francis Marlowe."

"Here, have some water." The two young priests from behind him handed us the glasses and I sipped the cool water.

"Thank you, Father."

"No, no, it’s the least that I can do." The priest smiled making the wrinkles around his mouth and eyes deepen.

The air around him seemed to be serene giving him a dignified look, he didn’t seem to be a bad person.

"Fortunately, I spotted your carriage and had you stopped before you got caught up in danger."

His eyes traveled to me and then to the others.

"You must be tired, please rest for a while. The dinner is simple, I hope it will be to your liking." He said.

"Ah, Father!" The merchant traveler called.

"Yes?"

"Till when will those bandits stop fighting? We need to get to Mordino by tomorrow."

The old Pastor seemed a little solemn as he answered, "I can’t be sure, usually those bandit clans don’t fight because of some laid down rules but when they do start a war then it doesn’t end quite soon. This one had been going on for some time so, no one can be sure when they will stop."

"Is there a reason why these bandit clans started fighting now?" I asked.

"I don’t know. "

"B-But if they are fighting close by then, won’t they attack this place as well?" Another merchant asked.

The Pastor smiled, "You don’t need to worry about that, among one of their rules is that they won’t harm this place."

The collective sigh was released from behind me.

"I’ll see you all in a while then."

The Pastor left and I saw the other travelers taking seats and starting to talk among themselves.

I walked ahead to where the large marble statue of the Goddess was, the figure’s face was covered by the delicately crafted veil and her long gown flowed down her body with her arms clasped together at her chest.

"It’s quite beautiful." I mumbled.

"That’s Saintess Miella." I heard a voice and looked at the person who was with Father Marlowe.

"She’s a Saintess?"

"Yes, around seven hundred years ago, this place seemed to be infested with demonic monsters. None weapons worked on the demons but at that time Saintess Miella who couldn’t bear seeing the plight of humans prayed to the heavens and the Dragons descended on earth."

He pointed at the ceiling and I noticed the mural painted.

It depicted of some war, I could see some grotesque monsters who were devouring humans and a woman who had joined hands along with the Dragons who were fighting those monsters.

There was a section where a part of the painting was damaged because of the missing ceiling piece.

"The Dragons fought against those demonic monsters for nine days and nine nights and saved the humanity from the evil."

I nodded listening to his tale and then pointed at the missing ceiling, "What about that part?"

"That... I don’t really know, it was always like that since before I was born."

"Is that so?"

"Saintess Miella was said to be of the town which was in this place at that time, so this temple was built to commemorate her." He explained.

"So, Dragons aren’t considered as evil beings here." I mumbled watching the mural.

"Evil beings? Dragons are the divine entities sent to protect the world from the evil!" He said fervently.

"Although, I know that the people from Sestia consider Dragons as evil beings but if not for them then none of us would be alive today."

I smiled, "Glad to see the fresh perspective."

After a while of him, Father Gilbert sharing a bit more of the history of the temple we were led to the small mess hall were around ten more priests were including the redhead.

The dinner was indeed simple with only some bread, soup and some milk.

"Your sleeping arrangements are done so, please follow Father Elmond." The Pastor announced after the dinner.

We were led over to the respective rooms where the cots were prepared for us. Four travelers stayed in the same room each and soon the lamps were out.

Everett and his son were placed in the same room as Lyall and me, they fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows.

I stayed awake in my cot hearing the sound of the window whooshing out of the window. The sheer silence was making it hard for me to sleep aside from my insomnia.

I left my cot and noticed as Lyall moved because of my movements. I gestured for him to stay put.

"I’m going for a short stroll, you should rest up." I spoke in low voice.

I left the room, my eyes adjusted to the darkness pretty quickly and I started walking down the stony corridor.

I could hear the sounds of the winds rushing through these hollow corridors before I heard the sound of music.

I stopped a bit before following it and reached at the window, the music seemed to be coming from outside so, I peeked out but saw nothing.

I opened the window and grabbed the window sill before I leapt out of the window and jerking my lower body upwards ending up on the ledge.

I climbed onto the tiled roof and noticed the dark figure that sat at the edge of the roof a few metres away from me. His back was facing me and he was completely immersed in his melody.

I walked towards him without making any sound but as of he’d sensed me, he whipped his head back jerking in surprise and nearly fell off the edge had I not grabbed the collar of his cassock.

"Urgh! What the..." The redheaded priest gasped before he settled in his seat again.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" He shouted glaring at me.

"I’m sorry for startling you."

He clicked his tongue before eyeing me up and down.

"Why are you even here? You’re supposed to be asleep, right? Or is the humble room too uncomfortable for the Young Master?" His tongue was quite sharp for a priest.

"My sleepless disorder has nothing to do with the room or the bed, Father. I was just outside for some stroll and came here listening to your music." I said pointing at the pan flute in his hand.

"I’m not playing for you."

"I didn’t ask you to. You can play whatever you want, but I hope you won’t mind if I sat here."

"I do mind!"

I ignored him and sat down on the edge beside him and leaned back slightly staring up at the clear sky studded with diamond like stars.

"My name’s Ace, what about you, Father?" I asked.

He clicked his tongue again and inhaled and exhaled deeply before he started playing again without answering.

Well, someone had anger management issues here, still I closed my eyes listening to his beautiful music for a while till he stopped and mumbled.

"That old man, doesn’t know how to be wary of suspicious people... Why the hell did those bandits have to start their stupid bloodshed now of all times?"

"Do they do it often?" I asked.

"Not quite, in about two or three years." He surprisingly answered.

"I heard it isn’t dangerous for this place since the bandits don’t attack here as per some rule."

"Yes, for a bunch of brutes they sure have some damn rules they go by."

"Like what?"

"No attacking at any place of worship, not attacking an unarmed person or the one who surrenders, not hurting women and children and respecting the dead."

"They don’t sound like brutes to me, if they do follow these rules."

"It’s because of their huge and brawny bodies that they’re called brutes. Apart from these rules they’re bandits through and through."

"How far away are they from here?"

"Hardly a mile." He mumbled looking in a particular direction.

"That’s not far," I mumbled.

"I wish I could give them a piece of my mind about their fights,"

I laughed.

"You seem amusing, Father. If you really plan on doing that then let me know, I’ll come along too."

"For what?"

"I’ll help watch your back."

He scoffed, "As if, with the scrawny body you would be cut in half within a few seconds. I’d be lucky if I wouldn’t have to drag your body back here."

I chuckled, he sure had a sharp tongue but he didn’t seem like a bad person.

"I’ll try not to die then," I smiled.

He fell quiet for a moment and I stared off in the distance before wondering.

"With the war and all, it would be quite a disaster for both sides because of the casualties, right? I wonder who is saintly enough to treat their wounds."

He gave me a look and I chuckled comprehending it.

"They come here to get their wounds treated?"

His expression soured, "You’ve got it quite tough, huh."

"The old man is too benevolent for the likes of those brutes!"

"Well, this is a temple and he is a Pastor after all. If anyone here is odd then I’d say that it’s you."

"Sue me for being a practical person." He grumbled.

"Why did you join the temple?" I asked.

"For food."

I nodded, "Quite a viable reason."

There was a sudden sound which made my eyebrow twitch and I listened more intently. The priest lifted the flute to his mouth again and I placed my hand over his arm stopping him.

"Oi-"

"Hush." I placed my finger over my lips as I listened for that sound again.

There was another sound of wood snapping and I and the priest exchanged looks probably with the same thought in mind.