#tkod

Aym maintained a stoic expression as the group walked to the Cathedral, but apprehension was building inside his mind.  Something was off.  He knew there was little point in speculation before the High Priests had given their reports, but he couldn't help but feel this was the start of something big.

To his left, Baal was humming a soft melody, having seemingly forgotten about his hangover.  No doubt his mind was occupied only with thoughts of his lover Leandros.  Whether they were thoughts of the battlefield or the bedroom, Aym did not ever want to know.

They approached the side entrance to the Cathedral.  Aym was always somewhat amazed by the sheer size of the structure.  The weathered stone had survived almost five centuries of service, and stood as a reminder of an age long past.  Aym pondered his own history once more.  One thousand years of life.  So much of it spent in service to Death, in some form or another.  Much like this ancient Cathedral, servitude was all he had known.  Even if he could leave, would he want to?  Did he remain of his own will, or because he knew no other way…

Aym shook the thoughts away.  He knew better than to leave them be, but they would have to wait.  Whatever matter brought the High Priests here took precedence.

The group ascended the spiral stairs to the Cathedral’s upper floors.  Many of the Cathedral's maintainers were busy scrubbing stains from the floor and walls, and various bottles were being collected.  A reminder of the work Aym and his brother had waiting for them back at the house.

Narinder opened a set of double doors leading to a large room with a map of Death’s Realm sitting atop a table at the center.  “Leave us” the Archbishop uttered to the servants tidying the room.  Without a word, they followed Narinder's instruction.

“Now then.”  Narinder motioned for Aym to close the doors.  “The two of you say both Darkwood and Silk Cradle have trouble of some kind.”

“Quite so” Shamura spoke first as they approached the table.  “One month ago, I received a report that a town in northern Silk Cradle had been put to the torch.  I was in the midst of preparing a message instructing one of the nearby towns to investigate when another, disturbingly similar report found its way to me.”

Shamura began to circle the table.  “I feared this was the start of something larger.  I sent missives to numerous temples and villages instructing them to check in on their close neighbors.  By the end of the week, the total number of destroyed temples and towns was eight.”

“Eight?!”  Aym exclaimed.  “You're certain?!”

“I would not come to you saying as such unless I was.”  The spider was quite calm, but their whisper held a grave tone.  “And that's just what we know for sure.”

“Man” Baal seemed even more chipper than before.  “Whoever these guys are, they’ve sure been busy.”  His voice shifted to a more sinister tone, a wicked smile creeping across his face.  “Can’t wait to get up there and pay them back…”

“Well” Leshy interjected.  “Was kinda hoping it really was a coincidence, but it looks like our troubles are related.”

Leshy approached the table.  “Counted about seven villages before I decided to head out.  Same shit as up north apparently.  Guys that found the first one said it looked like it had been like that for a few days already.”  Leshy placed his hands at the edge of the map.  “We’re all thinking the same thing: Whoever’s fucking with us up north is at least working with whoever’s fucking with Darkwood.  Might even be the same people.”

“Hmm…”  Aym pondered the information given by the High Priests.  Leshy was right.  Whether it was the work of one group or several, it was clearly coordinated.  But by who?  “I find it unlikely that this was done by the Old Faith Remnants.  They don’t have the numbers for something like this.  Not since the Great Purge of 799.”

“True.  But then, who could this enemy be?”  Narinder spoke with concern.  “Too many pieces are missing.  And what is their objective?  What is their plan?”

“Killing the faithful and undermining the Lady?  Seems likely.”  Baal chimed in.

“No.”  Shamura spoke next.  “This is deeper than that.  They mean to strike the Capital.”

“...Explain.”  Narinder said.

“Every town and temple they’ve razed sits on an important supply route to the Capital.  Weapons, tools, nails and other metal supplies; all made in Silk Cradle and sent wherever they are needed, primarily south.  Would I be correct in assuming those towns razed in Darkwood sit on the primary food supply line?”

Leshy gave a nod.

“Then as far as I’m concerned, this couldn’t be clearer.  This enemy knows we cannot ignore such attacks.  They will be waiting for us to respond in kind.”

Shamura leaned forwards, a serious expression on their face.  “I believe that whatever this is started long before the villages were attacked.  There are agents of this enemy watching this town.  Waiting for the Crusaders to be…  to… be…”  Shamura suddenly started to wobble before falling backwards.  Narinder moved swiftly to catch them.

“...I’m… sorry, where exactly am I?”  Shamura spoke weakly.

“...Rest, sibling.  You have done enough.”  Narinder helped Shamura to their feet and walked them over to a chair.

“I think I know what they were going to say, though.”  Aym said.  “The enemy wants us to believe the Crusaders are needed elsewhere.  Once they are out of the Capital, they will strike.  They likely mean to kill the Archbishop, and any other high ranking members of the church.”

“...So I’m not going to Silk Cradle.”  Baal seemed to deflate somewhat.

“Is that truly all you’re concerned with, brother?”

“No, you are.”  Leshy said.  “You have to.”

Narinder’s brow furrowed.  “That is not your decision to make.”

“Right.  But you’re going to agree with me, and I’ll tell you why.”  A smug smile came across Leshy’s face.  “Because you don’t have a choice.  These schmucks are waiting for us to send reinforcements out to Silk Cradle and Darkwood.  If we don’t, they’ll know we’ve figured them out and go to plan B, which we know fuck all about.  So we let them think they have us.  We send the Crusaders away and wait for their little assassination attempt.”

“Feign ignorance to lure them in.  Clever…”  Narinder smirked.  “Alright.  I am declaring a new Crusade.  Aym.”

“Master.”

“You will take the Third through the Sixth companies to Darkwood.  Baal will take the Seventh through the Tenth to Silk Cradle.”

Baal almost seemed to begin vibrating.

“The First and Second companies will remain here, but I will need to speak with their captains in private.  They will be placed to foil this assassination.”  Narinder leaned forward, a darkness in his eyes.  “Speak of this to no one.”

“Of course.”

“Yes, master!”

“Yeah, yeah, fucker.”

“Alright.  I will need to announce this to the flock, and it’s about time for the morning sermon anyhow.  Leshy, can I trust you to care for Shamura until they have recovered?”

“Sure, sure.  Probably wasn’t gonna head out right away anyhow.  Come on, old timer.”

“I…  am not that much older than you anymore.”

“Yeah, ok elder”

“Aym?  Baal?”  Narinder turned to the twin Bishops.  “Gather your forces.  You depart tomorrow.”

“Yes, master.”  The twins spoke in unison.  Yet, as their Master departed, Aym could feel his earlier apprehension returning.  There was something more to this, he could feel it.  But he could not ask the Archbishop to act on a hunch.