A Conflict between Hospitality and Sanctity

"What is that?" Fred asked.

"It is a rule of our order that no woman may enter the temple, yet the Princess Astra clearly cannot be left outside at the mercy of the demons."

"If you'll let me in, I promise to try not to inflame the Brothers' passions too much," Astra said drily.

"I'm afraid that it is not up to me whether the rule can be waived. The head of the order, Father Tyburn, will have to decide. If he will not let you in, then I will make you as comfortable as possible in the stables, which are outside the main temple building, and will leave you with a container of holy water in case of an emergency. It's unlikely that the demons would dare to come so near to the temple, though."

"I could disguise myself as a man."

"I could not countenance any attempt to deceive the Father. In any case, I don't think that it would work. You would need to veil your face, and that would seem very suspicious."

"If Astra has to stay outside, then I will stay with her," Fred declared.

All this time, they had been approaching the temple's main entrance. Now they reached it, and Zarach spoke to the doorkeeper. "Brother Cyrus, I need to speak to the Father at once. I rescued these two from the demons, but as you can see one of them is a woman."

Cyrus fetched the Father...

1. Who agreed that, given the circumstances, Astra might enter.
2. Who was adamant that Astra could not come inside.

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