The entourage stopped before the cathedral entrance. Cardinal Theresa, the archbishop, and several priests had emerged to receive them. The line of faithful stretched the full length of the compound, bodies packed close enough that the courtyard felt half its true size.
Elena and Kai were lost somewhere in the crowd behind.
The Paladins accompanying the visiting Cardinal were wrapped in black ceremonial armor edged with deep crimson. Smooth, mask-like helms hid their faces entirely, broken only by thin red slits that glowed where eyes should be — cold and unblinking, like embers that refused to die. Heavy circular insignias of aged gold hung from their necks and chests, clinking softly against the dark metal with each measured step, as if bearing both faith and judgment in equal measure. Every one of them stood immovable. Less like guards, Elena thought, and more like executioners waiting for a sentence to finish being spoken.
