"And may Velka grant you forgiveness for your unholy sins."
Marlena sighed and rubbed her shoulders, stiff and aching from holding the open armed and forgiving stance of the pardoners. The sun had passed its peak and was now steadily declining across the Lordran skies. The day had been unusually busy for the church, civilians were lining up outside the door to make confessions and offer donations to Velka's apostles.
Perhaps it would not have been so tiring had things not been so quiet in the large chapel for a long time, Marlena feared she was getting out of practice and lazy. It indeed was proving difficult to spend so much time on her feet, standing, unmoving from her post and listening to every poor sinner’s confessions. Some minor, some much more concerning while others were simple concerns on their minds, all of which she kindly listened to, passed judgement and found forgiveness to ease their burdens of guilt.
Marlena had to refrain herself from exclaiming in relief when a junior pardoner came to relieve her of her duty. Instead offering them a gentle smile and thanks before slipping away to spend some time alone in her room at the back of the church.
As much as her face ached from keeping up an almost cheshire-like grin, she still couldn't keep herself from smiling. She had never seen this place so full of activity since she'd arrived. For such a large and holy city, the church of Velka hardly saw many visitors. Marlena was concerned that many people were forgetting Velka's ways, all her thoughts on the subject were put safely aside for now, no need to worry.
However there was a strange tension in the air. Many of the visitors did not look pleased to be there, in fact many seemed afraid... Of course, sins were never an easy subject of discussion, and most of which were quite personal matters. Perhaps she was simply over thinking it.
Marlena peeked into her room, searching for her servant... but the boy was nowhere to be seen.
She sighed, stepping in and closing the door behind her. As much as she enjoyed the peace that she found in solitude, it was becoming a rare feat to catch sight of her dear friend Remi. That boy was always busy somewhere. But she couldn’t help feeling like he was avoiding this place.
Marlena lifted off her black and gold headgear and released the clasp holding her hair in a tight bun. The long, silky lengths tumbled down her back as she ran her fingers through it. Setting the mask of Velka down she dug through her satchel to pull out her diary, taking up her quill and dipping it in a pot of ink, making use of her free time to write in another entry.
She beamed at her handiwork once it was done, gently blowing on the wet ink encouraging it to dry faster. Once she had filled its pages, she planned to send the sturdy, leather bound book home to her parents, where they could read all about her journey and progress... One day.
She set her quill down and turned her gaze out the window, the skies were just starting to turn to a bright amber hue outside, setting the tall buildings ablaze in a brilliant golden aura. How truly beautiful Anor Londo became in the twilight. While there was still time until supper, she may as well make the most of the city in this fleeting moment.
Closing shut the book, Marlena stood and quietly retreated out the back door of the church where no one would notice her leave. Careful not to be seen for a little while until she was far enough away from the building, then strolled contentedly in the warm sunlight.
Of all the places in the world she could have been relocated to, she was certain few sights could compare to the glorious City of the Gods. She let her feet lead the way, avoiding the busier streets and taking a quieter route. It was best not to get in the way of giants and divines after all. Humans were merely dogs to them. Accepted, and some held in higher regard than others due to their accomplishments and high breeding, but more often seen as strays, polluting what was built for higher entities.
Of course, she would not let that dissuade her. Marlena doubted anything could soil the happiness she felt right now.
Alas, the sun eventually sank below the tall towers and glittering stars came out to replace the vibrant pink and orange glow.
The pardoner sighed. It had been a pleasant stroll, but it was time she returned to the church, least she miss both supper and dinner. She slipped down a quiet street back the way she had come from. With the wide roads clearing as the moon rose to replace the sun, it would take her no time at all to make it back.
She wondered as she walked, if Remi would have returned by now. Marlena was pleased for him to find something to occupy himself with, yet, she did rather miss his company. And she worried about him. Despite the beautiful city they lived in now and the freedom from his job as a servant at her family’s home, he didn’t seem... happy.
Perhaps it was because he struggled to pick up the common tongue spoken here? Perhaps it was because of how busy she was, she had never found much time to spend with him any more? Maybe that was it? Well, she would have to make sure she set aside time just for him. It was time they talked.
Deep in thought, she failed to notice someone approaching fast, not until thick, calloused hands seized tightly around her arm and spun her around with a yelp.
"Ah-?! Quel est le sens de tout cela?"
"You! You're a pardoner! You are a pardoner, right? I recognise those robes."
Marlena blinked up at the desperate looking man.
She paused to recall her knowledge of Astoran, his sudden appearance shocked it right out of her. Before she could speak, however, the man shook her hard and bellowed,
"Are you a pardoner!? Yes or no?"
Marlena managed a frightened squeak. Squirming uncomfortably to get out of his iron grip.
"Oui! Oui-- yes! Monsieur, I am a pardoner! Was there something you need, Monsieur?"
His eyes darted around the street nervously, even searched above them, peering at the tall rooftops. What he was looking for, however, was anyone’s guess.
"Thank the Lords! You can help me! I need a pardoning!"
"Er, a pardoning, Monsieur? Why didn't you say so? I was just on my way back to the Church of Velka, I can escort you there with me--"
"No! No they'll be expecting me there! I can't let them find me!"
"Monsieur? I'm sure no harm will befall you whilst you are with me, er, or at the church."
"There's no time Miss! I need you to forgive me! I need it right now!" Speckles of spit fly into her face as he speaks and she tries her best not to flinch. He finally eased his grip on her arm, falling to his knees and clutching at her long pardoner robes around her legs instead.
"I'm begging you Miss! You have to forgive me!"
Rubbing her arm, Marlena did her best to remain calm and collected. The pardoners had always taught her to keep a level head. It was supposed to help soothe and calm nervous sinners who came to them seeking forgiveness. She took a deep breath to steady her voice.
"Monsieur, there is no need to worry. Of course I can forgive you. Every sin can be forgiven. After all, it is only human to--"
"Then do it! Forgive me! Clear my name from the book!" He tugged on her robes impatiently.
"Er, well, it is not quite so simple as that. I'll need something from you."
"Dammit what do you need!? I'll give you anything you want!" Irritated but in no time to argue, the man drew out a purse, tipping out an assortment of copper, silver and gold coins onto his palm. He offered it up to her, not bothering to count them.
"Monsieur, this is not what I--"
"Argh! Take all of it then!” He threw the purse at her feet, scattering coins all over the ground.
“It's everything I have on me! I swear! I can get you more later!"
"I'm afraid I cannot accept your coin, M-monsieur."
He stood again, eyes wide and bloodshot and his patience wearing thin. Marlena was sure she could even see a muscle twitching in his tightly clenched jaw. The pardoner could not keep herself from backing away a few more inches.
"Then what do you want from me? It's all I have left!"
"A confession! Monsieur."
"I don't have time for that!"
"S'il vous plaît, I cannot forgive you your sin if I do not know what you did. You must confess, Monsieur. I will do everything I can but I need you to repent--"
The shrill of metal and glint of moonlight was enough to make her blood run cold and her breath cut short. She swallowed her remaining words and stared at the knife now held in front of her.
"I killed her! Do you hear me pardoner? I killed her!!"
Marlena automatically felt for the long, thin rapier that ordinarily decorated her hip. A nervous habit that was actually appropriate for once. Alas, she had left the weapon behind. After a few short seconds of groping at the empty space she held her hands up defencelessly.
"I- I see, Monsieur. Je suis désolé,” She forced the tiny cluster of words.
“T-there’s no need for--"
"She was my wife! And I killed her! She begged for mercy! She screamed! Cried for me to stop again and again!"
"I see, I see! Most unfortunate!"
"Now you know what I did, can you forgive me, pardoner!?"
He snatched a hand around her collar, choking off her words and dragged her close. The pardoner dropped the calm act completely now. She stared at him wide-eyed and silently mouthed a prayer to her goddess of mercy. He pressed the cold knife under her chin.
"I've got nothing left to lose, pardoner! They're coming for me. And if you can't help me, then you're in my way."
Marlena could feel his hot breath on her face. His grip tightened around her neck, choking off any chance for her to cry out. She was out of options. Doubting that he would let her live now, with or without absolution, he was too maddened for that. If only she could knock him out for a moment.Of course there was something she could do. All her remaining concentration focussed into a spell. The pardoner clenched her fist and closed her eyes, feeling the cold surge of energy gathering, she only had to be quicker than him.
There was no sound and no warning. Only a flash of silver and then hot blood spurted out and decorated the pardoner’s face and robes, accompanied by a thick, wet gurgle.
Marlena’s scream, strangled as it was, announced the end of the conflict. The tight grip and sting of a blade by her neck fluctuated, then moved away.
She stood frozen in shock, trembling and painted red with blood. The cold burning sensation in her palm slowly died down as the magic returned whence it came. It was not until the man fell down, choking and clutching his neck, that she realised the blood was not her own.
Standing behind him was a large, hooded figure. Their face darkened, but she could see they were well armoured beneath their cloak. A silver gauntlet still holding the sharpened blade, gleamed by their side, dripping red. The smell of death and something rotten announced their presence a little too late.
Marlena’s attacker still writhed weakly on the ground, making the occasional gurgling, wet sound. His blood spilled across the polished stone street. The shadowy figure curled back their lip in disgust and stepped on the sinner’s shoulder, pinning him down, while they hunched over. They brought the dagger to the side of the man’s face and grabbed his ear.
“Oh Velka!” Marlena squeaked in alarm, cringing and bringing her hands up to her face in horror, finally snapping out of her shock as they began to mutilate the man’s body. With the noise, the shadowy figure’s attention turned on her, lifting their head sharply, only just now acknowledging her presence.
Marlena swore she could feel their lips curl back into a grin, it felt like a cold shiver tracing up her spine, uncomfortable and unwelcome. His voice was like smoke, coiling and drifting in the space between them, calm and quiet, but they both knew it was fully capable of suffocating her, were she not cautious. She felt paralysed, she couldn’t even breathe within the same space as them.
They straightened up, stepping off the downed man no longer moving. Temporarily occupied with stashing the prize away in a small, but bulging pouch on their hip. It reeked. The pardoner dared not to imagine what else might have been hoarded away in there.
“A nice night for a walk. Isn’t it.”
They produced a cloth from somewhere underneath the dark cloak, calmly cleaning the blood from their weapon and gloves.
“My master and the Blades send their regards to Lady Velka and her flock. You have my thanks. For your assistance with bringing justice to this... sinner. I am sure now he will think twice before doing it again. Hm.”
They were watching her, she could feel their gaze on her like a cold, emotionless void, though she couldn’t see their eyes beneath the midnight black cowl. She felt like she was going to be sick, especially after that last remark. Yet she didn’t dare move. After is was clear they weren't going to get a response out of her, they continued.
“Perhaps we shall work together again some time. Perhaps that may even be soon.”
Another sly grin. Then they held out their hand with the bloody rag and released it to drift gently down to the body while they turned away, cloak billowing behind as they strode into the dark city.
Less than an hour ago Anor Londo was abuzz with life and activity, now it was as silent as the grave. Marlena breathed in shakily, her head spun and the metallic taste of blood felt thick in her mouth. It was hard to believe everything that had just transpired. She could not move until she was sure they were well out of sight. Then she looked down at the man, some of the blood on her face dripped off her chin, creating small ripples in the inky, dark pool around her feet.
She stared down in horror at the body in the pool of blood, slowly crouching down, willing her legs to bend without falling completely. Marlena reached a hand out to him.
“Monsieur, s-s'il vous plaît. Je...”
After a moment’s pause she hastily removed a glove, shaking and clumsy, it didn’t take long before the cold night air licked across her faintly glittering skin. She hurried to feel for a breath, then for a pulse, maybe there was still a chance. She never did get to forgive him. But there was nothing.
He was dead, that much was obvious. No, surely there was still something she could do to help!
“Aidez-Moi! Aider quelqu'un! Il ya eu une assassiner!”
She stood and called out, barely finding her voice. No one heard her. No one came.
Marlena gasped for air and blinked down at her hands, colours and lights danced dizzyingly across her vision. The pardoner could taste fresh blood and her black gloves were covered in it. Red spots covered the yellowed pages in her lap. She screamed in alarm, jumping to her feet and sending her journal to the floor.
“Aider! S'il vous plaît!”
Marlena looked around the empty and run-down church of the parish with wild eyes. The body was right there in front of her a second ago. And now it was gone! She backed up frantically, spooked by her vision, until she hit a wall, blood still dripping from her nose and her head was throbbing painfully.
The church was empty, in all except for herself and the few crows that quickly scattered at the sound of her cries.
