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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown

Ch 6.1c, Ghosts of the Past

Joshew was essentially at Roland's mercy as they made their way down streets that the Human had never before experienced. While the roads of Newport were paved in cobblestone and the walkways were smooth concrete the path taken by Roland made the streets of Vallara seem as though they were nothing more than-- he paused, feeling one of his boots stick faintly against the ground, "Rolly... are these roads a mire or something?"

Roland's answer was full of levity, "The 'or something'."

The Human scholar frowned though he was aware that the Mutt probably couldn't see his expression if he was looking ahead of them, "My boots are sticking as if the ground were mired. Whatever the street's made of it's not very foot-traffic-friendly."

His traveling companion's response seemed almost chiding, "Well, packed earth DOES get a little sticky after the rains, Shew."

Joshew aimed his face toward where he figured Roland was and shot him the dirtiest look he could manage, "Dirt-- even PACKED dirt plus water equals a mire... that's not even a COMPLEX alchemical reaction, Rolly."

The Mutt's grip never left the Human's wrist and he continued traveling forward, "Actually, the proper term would be MUD, genius."

"You know, I don't have to SEE you to be able to hurt you, Mongrel."

Roland changed the topic, "Watch your step."

It was a cheap trick, but Joshew was willing to settle for it, raising his foot to successfully step up onto firmer ground, "This is a lot better... were we walking off on the road's shoulder or something?"

The Wolf-Dog laughed, "No, Shew... a lot of roads here in Vallara aren't paved or cobbled... that really WAS a footpath."

The Human stamped his feet on the much firmer ground, "So... this is... what?"

Roland patted him on the head condescendingly, "This is a foot path too... only this one is paved because it's in a nicer part of town."

Joshew sighed, "You still haven't told me where we're going."

His traveling companion didn't bother making things any easier, "Well you won't have to worry for long-- we're almost there."

The Human strained his ears, "People talking... money changing hands... barkers-- this must be the business district."

The Wolf-Dog snickered, "See? I knew you could figure it out."

Joshew reached out to swat at Roland; judging from the impact of his hand against a spot right next to Roland's tail he had made a very good guess for a target. "Good... there're a lot of things I want to get from the market place."

Roland's next comment didn't make this process of travel any easier, "Well... we're in the business district, but that isn't REALLY why we're here."

The Human sighed, voice mixed with a growl, "Listen, Rolly-- I--"

"Step."

Joshew let out an exasperated snarl, but he complied, "Why can't you just--"

"Hold on."

The distinctive sound of a paw knocking on a door was unmistakable, "Roland-- enough. Tell me where we are and why we--"

He was interrupted by the sound of a door opening and Roland's paw finally left Joshew's wrist. A pleasant-sounding but aging female voice surprised him, "Oh! Roland! My sweet pup!"

Roland's next words confirmed all of the Human's fears, "Hi, Mom."

* * * * * *

Despite all of the secrecy and trust issues surrounding Alarice, Sada had to admit that the woman certainly didn't skimp on accommodations. Not only did she insist that the group stay in a four room penthouse, but she actually purchased two! The Otter reclined in one of the most comfortable chairs she had experienced in recent memory and sipped sparingly at some kind of alcohol; she didn't know her hard drinks, but whatever it was had a very smooth, very relaxing flavor. Sada had to admit that traveling with the rather questionable woman had some distinct benefits, and the fine hotel was just the most recent.

Each penthouse had room for more than 8 residents but Alarice was adamant about privacy. The Human woman insisted on having an entire penthouse to herself and Inigo, but she was 'gracious' enough to also let Wiesen stay with them to make the second rental less cluttered. While that meant Sada was sharing the apartment with four men she hardly minded; they were respectful, and she had her own room. Besides, she reminded herself, with Joshew and Roland out for the day that meant she only had to share it with Alvis, who was quiet, well-behaved, and polite, and Brother Jessen, whom she had known for a number of years.

The Otter was able to enjoy the peace and quiet the extra space afforded her since both of her remaining room mates were each away in their respective rooms. She casually flipped through the books present on the book shelf, rummaged around in the linen closet, and then worked her way through the scarce contents in the penthouse pantry. Within the span of two hours she was thoroughly bored... and that's when she heard the soft words of a heartfelt prayer emerging from Brother Jessen's open doorway.

She headed down the short hallway to where the Templar's room was located and peeked in on the Coyote. Jessen was kneeling beside his bed, elbows on the mattress and paws clasped firmly together beneath his muzzle as he spoke. Sada recognized the prayer, and moved in silently to kneel beside him; the soft flow of the Coyote's tail as she approached identified that she'd been noticed, but the Templar didn't pause in his recitation. Assuming a similar pose as Brother Jessen, she picked up the prayer when he started the next line.

"Though I lose loved ones, I know that they are not lost. Though I cry, I know that there is no cause for sorrow. Though I am in pain I know that they feel only serenity. Though I mourn I know that they are joyful. For You have found them. For they are in Heaven. For they are Yours. For they are with You."

Brother Jessen's voice cracked, and she felt a paw reach out and grab her by the forearm. She quickly moved her paw to it and gave it a comforting squeeze, and recited the prayer for both of them. "I know you will keep them safe as they know You will keep me safe. I do not cry because they are gone-- I cry because it is Your will that I remain. But I know, in Your infinite wisdom, that one day I will see them again when You deem it to be so."

The Coyote gave her paw a soft squeeze in his, and, together, they concluded the prayer, "In Your name; may it be so."

Sada slowly sat back, as did Brother Jessen, and then he turned to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, "Thank you, for giving me strength."

The Otter woman smiled, returning his embrace, "That isn't a one-way road, Jessen... you help keep me strong too."

The Templar slowly stood, moving to take a seat in an arm chair as he motioned for Sada to take the bed; she complied by sitting on the foot of it, facing him. The Coyote let out a sigh, "I've prayed for them every day, Sister... every day."

She offered him a warm smile, "I pray every day too."

Jessen looked up from his fingers, "It's good to know you pray for them."

Sada reached across the distance and took hold of one of his paws, "I've prayed for them already, Jessen... now I pray for you."

The Coyote looked up, confusion on his features, "Me? Why?"

She patted his paw gently before pulling back, "You're troubled. I can see it, and I think you know it too."

The confusion shifted for a moment to anger, then hopelessness, then to sorrow, each and every emotion clear on his face. He shook his head, "How could I not be? Everything I've come to know and love and cherish is lost."

The Otter shook her head, "No, Jessen... you've lost it, but it is not lost."

The Coyote looked up, tears rimming his eyes. He sniffled, and looked at her for a long time before saying anything. "The prayer says that those we lose are not lost because they've gone to Him..."

Sada nodded, "And what we've lost now? It isn't gone. The Order of Blades may have taken it from us, but we just have to find it again."

"...how?"

The Otter lowered her head, shaking it faintly, "I don't know."

Jessen let out a sigh and lowered his head as well, "What do we do if we don't know how to find it, Sister?"

She smiled softly, "First, we realize that we haven't lost what we had-- it's lost us... and second, if you're lost then you work to find out where you are."

The Coyote nodded, a measurable degree of resolve returning to his features, "And then?"

Her smile came a little easier, "If you know where you are and know where you're going then you aren't lost-- you make a plan and you make a path."

Jessen offered up a helpless smile, though there was a hint of humor in it, "Easier said than done, right?"

Sada gave him a comforting hug, "Nothing worth doing was ever easy, Brother... but we will do it together."

* * * * * *

Despite the fact that Alarice was trying to increase the distance between her and Inigo he had no trouble keeping up, missing the obvious signs of her wanting a little space. His words reinforced that, "I just don't see why I can't go with you."

The woman came to a stop but didn't bother looking back at the bat. "Inigo... what are the two main things I ask if you're working for me?"

The Bat didn't even hesitate in his answer, "Protect you and obey your orders."

She finally turned to face him. "So when I tell you to WAIT for me and you follow me, are you keeping with our employment arrangement?"

His cocky smile was not as endearing as usual. "Yes."

She placed her hands on her hips as she frowned, "Would you care to explain how walking after me is obeying my orders?"

The Bat's smile grew wider, "I'm protecting you."

Her frown deepened, "You're not going to get your way this time, Inigo. The people I have to meet here in Vallara are people I meet alone."

The smile slowly faded from her bodyguard, "What people? And why do you have to meet with them alone?"

She shook her head, "You don't get to ask questions, Inigo. Go back to the hotel and wait for me there."

He hesitated, concern obvious on his face, "Alarice, just because we're not in Newport doesn't mean it's safe for you to--"

"Just because we're not in Newport doesn't mean it's safe for you to countermine my authority, Inigo."

The Bat took a step back, obviously shaken at the direct challenge posed in her tone, "Alarice... I only meant--"

Her fingers slid over to the large knife she kept carefully concealed on the hip of her girdle as she stared the bat down, "Unconditional loyalty, Inigo... I ask for it and you provide it. You know what that means... don't you?"

He nodded without hesitation, "I do."

Alarice narrowed her gaze at him, "And if I told you to rip out your left ear for me?"

The Bat was taken back by the words almost as much as she herself was. The two of them stood staring at one another for several seconds, each in as much disbelief as the other. The Bat's expression hardened and he slowly raised a paw; she quickly stepped forward and slapped it down, grabbing hold of Inigo by the shoulders and pulling him to her. The only thing that could possibly have made her hate herself more than posing that question to the Bat was the one thing she did next: she cried.