Unexpected Help

"On your knees, simple villagers!" commanded another Blue-Cloak, a young man with a scraggly brown beard and murderous fanaticism blazing in his eyes. "You are in the presence of his Holiness, the direct emissary of Granas' will in this world, the esteemed and revered Pope Zeras Innocentius!"

Tarsa fell to her knees. Satrina remained standing. Fred seemed unsure of what to do but remained standing as well. The Blue-Cloak started to draw his sword but the Pope waved him back.

"Peace, my children." the Pope said in a voice that immediately made Fred sleepy. The Pope's green eyes sparkled with liveliness. "I always have time to meddle in the affairs of my dear subjects. Tell me your names, my children, and what is troubling you."

"Your Holiness!" Tarsa said. "I am High... well, former High Priestess of the Agear Church. This is Fred, a Geohound. And this is... um..."

"I am Satrina." the old woman said. The Blue-Cloaks gasped and went for their swords. The Pope remained calm, a half-smile playing across his lips.

"Satrina! The blasphemous heathen who defiled our blessed Church!" yelled the young Blue-Cloak, advancing with his sword raised. "I will cut you down for menacing our saintly and beloved Pope! Prepare to die..."

In the next instant Fred had his sword drawn and stood between Satrina, Tarsa and the Blue-Cloak.

"Whoa! Down, boy!" Fred grinned.

"You dare oppose me!?" the Blue-Cloak yelled. "You, an illiterate, brother to swine Geohound?!"

Fred's eyes darkened and he hefted his Geoblade.

"Stand back, Brother Garios." the Pope said. "There is no need for bloodshed. High Priestess Tarsa, please continue. Why in the world are you here, and not at the Church preparing for the Ceremony?"

"Your Holiness," Tarsa said, trembling. "I was excommunicated. The power of Valmar came upon me in the night, and I was judged to be a danger to the Church itself. But the Ceremony, your Holiness... it weighs heavily upon me. I was on my way back to Church to beg Father Suivant to allow me to fulfill my role in stopping Valmar's rebirth. Along with my bodyguard, Fred, and the Lady Satrina, whom I met during my travels."

"Unpaid bodyguard, to be sure." Fred mumbled quietly.

"I see." the Pope said. "The power of Valmar is indeed nothing to be trifled with. But there are none as capable at the Songs as you, High Priestess Tarsa. If anyone can stop Valmar's rebirth, it is you. Please, ride with me to Agear to sort out this mess - along with the Lady Satrina, whose skill and wisdom will be welcomed in this dark hour. And the Geohound may ride in the back with my Blue-Cloaks."

"Your Holiness!" one of the Blue-Cloaks suddenly exclaimed. "I have served the Church for thirty years, and not once have I disobeyed or questioned my orders. But to allow the Black Witch to ride in the same carriage as your Eminence... it is blasphemy!"

"Alas, my son." the Pope sighed. "Indeed our Church is founded on tradition. But these are terrible times we find ourselves in. The coming of Valmar brings with it natural disasters, plagues of monsters, and every manner of calamity. The suffering of my people weighs heavily upon my soul. To defeat Valmar, we will need every ounce of power we can muster. Indeed the Lady Satrina's actions in the past brought shame to the Church. But if she has repented of her sin, and freely offers her services to the cause of Granas..."

"Enough, Zeras." Satrina said. "Time is short. And, it's wet out here."

The Pope smiled. "Still as direct as always, Sattie. It shall be... pleasant to speak with you again."

Murmurs of dissent rippled through the Blue-Cloak ranks as Tarsa and Satrina followed the Pope into the carriage. Fred found himself in the back compartment along with a score of unfriendly, scowling Blue-Cloaks, who stared at him like he was a wet dog tracking mud all over a priceless carpet.

"So..." Fred grinned. "Anyone for a game of cribbage?"

1. The carriage heads toward Agear Town.
2. Niala seeks her brother, the Commander of the Town Guard.
3. Father Suivant meditates upon his evil plan.

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