It was morning once again. Leonard sees Marinda still asleep. So he extracted himself from her embrace. He stretches his body. And began to cook breakfast for the two of them. After a while Marinda woke up and they ate their breakfast. The rising sun shines through the windows lighting up the interior. A cozy and picturesque scene.
Meanwhile... A garrison of 3 carriages and knights on horseback travels through a dense forest. The path was dirt but not uneven. The leading carriage on and last carriage at the back carried supplies and rations. The middle was a pristine carriage that housed only one person. White and gold cloth that cover the windows. There were two horseback knights on both sides of each carriage. The Garrison moved steadily. With Eden just on the horizon. Just as the sun rises behind Eden.
Marinda left to tend to her market stall. And Leonard does his morning routine. He does push ups and squats to maintain his body. When the sun has fully risen he's already in armor and starts his rounds as usual. Market, Docks, and The guild. The market was the usual with Marinda. The docks are the usual as well. "Look at this kid! A true monster!" Brutus said lifting a giant saw tooth eel above his head. The rugged man was proud with his catch as always.
The guild... Well... It was pretty busy. Not in the overworked sense. But there are more adventurers than the usual. Leonard entered Leo's office seeing the guildmaster in deep paper work. "Oh. Hey Leonard. I really can't talk right now as you can see, I'm quite buried here." Leo said gesturing to the stack of paper work that littered his wooden desk.
"I could help. I'm free for the day anyway. And you could use it." Leonard offered stiffly. Leo smiled at Leonard's offer. "Thanks. I could definitely use it." Leo said with an even happier smile not just because his workload will lessen because he gets the chance to get closer to Leonard.
It's just work. Yeah, I'm just thankful he's helping.... That's definitely it! Nothing else! Leo thought to himself although his face is blushing. Leonard didn't notice it and was focused on the paperwork. "I've noticed your always working alone. Don't you have a secretary?" He asked Leo. "I did... But she went to another kingdom to live a better life..." Leo said with a low tone and his eyes stared down on the paper...
Leonard didn't press further. And continued his side of the paperwork. "It's not the time to reminisce. Let's finish these papers so you'll have room to breathe." He said, a more gentle way to say let's keep working. "Okay..." Leo continued his work then paused "Thank you. Leonard." Leo said in a tender tone. Grateful that he's helping him expecting nothing on return. Leo's cheeks blush.
The sun sets as the blanket of night encompasses the sky. The event horizon is turned gold as the brightness sets and the full moon rises with the other side.
The Garrison arrived. It caught the eyes of the townsfolk since it's their first time seeing a fancy carriage. The Garrison stopped at the town's church. There was Father Maverick. His faced was surprised not because of who it was. But why they were here... The figure walked out the white carriage the door held open by a knight.
An individual walked out in graceful steps. The townsfolk gathered trying to catch a glimpse of the mysterious figure wore a white robe and a white veil hiding their face. But their view are blocked by the other knights who all dawn the same white armor. Now that some townsfolk got a good look.
The armor they wore had engravings of crosses and holy sigils, it was not bulky but definitely sturdy and solid. Their full plate helmets obscure their identity and emotions. White loin cloth that reached the knees with gold embroidery.
The townsfolk had heard of stories and tales but never saw one for themselves. Maverick and the individual entered the church. The two holy knights that stood guard on the church entrance. They are like statues that stood still on the doors.
Now away from prying eyes. Maverick and the individual entered Maverick's chambers. "Why did you come to see me?" He asked in a curious tone, adjusting his glasses. The individual sat in a fluid motion opposite of him. "Pontif..." A female voice said. "Child, call me father." Maverick corrects.
"But father... Why are you here? You are a figure head of the church. Why settle for a back water town than the holy capital?" The girl said in disbelief of his actions. "Saintess. I don't like how political the church has gotten as of lately. The holy city is becoming more of a handful to manage. Civil distrust, Race discrimination, and Always meddling in political affairs in order to gain power. But why are you really here saintess?". The saintess hesitated.
She stays silent for a moment then nervously "There has been an artifact that went missing a few days ago. We recovered it from an ancient ruin. It was in a chained and sealed chest. The church deemed it as a holy artifact and locked it away for safe keeping..." She paused "Then..." She stopped hesitantly her lips quivering under her veil "Go on child." Maverick encouraged gently.
"Then it suddenly dissapeared." she continued "Without a single trace of breaking in, footprints, or evidence. The entire room it was kept in was clean. I believe it was an inside affair." She paused. "Not only that the current heirs to Britania are inadequate but they are also targeted by the perpetrators. We cannot let the public know about this." She paused in hesitation "We needed your-" Maverick gently placed a hand on hers. She looked up expecting him to be furious or disgusted by a such pathetic and irresponsible saintess like her... But he wasn't.
Maverick's face was a calm reassuring smile "Calm down. Those are not responsibilities for you to bear... As a saintess is meant to show humility. But it does not mean you are above. You too are a person..." The words hit the saintess hard. She pulled her hood more to cover her face. "Rest for tonight child. You need it. And don't worry this old man will help you okay?" He said patting her shoulder. The sun has fully set. "Okay." The saintess said her veil hides her face but tears stream down her chin. Taking off some of the burden and responsibility her heart was carrying.
Back the guild all the paperwork is done. And Leo was preparing tea as Leonard sat on the chair crossed arms, Leo didn't know he was asleep. Leo was looking at him out of the corner of his eye. At the same time he's brewing tea, he smiled to himself getting giddy, blushing, and he has this stupid smile but he doesn't know why. This was the first time Leonard and Him were alone together.
Marinda went to the guild since she knew that it was Leonard's last place on his daily patrol. Leo finished the tea and noticed that Leonard was asleep. So he takes advantage and moves his face closer to get a better look at him. Hmm. Now that I see you up close. You don't look too bad... Leo thought as he looked at Leonard's sleeping face. Then he was startled with a knock. He nearly fell on Leonard. He checked who it was, seeing it was Marinda he let her in.
"He helped me with my paper work." Leo said as Marinda pokes Leonard's cheek. When Leonard woke up all three drank tea. After chatting Marinda and Leonard had to leave. After they left Leo had this wry smile on his face. "I hope I get a lot of paper work more often." he said touching his own lips with the same finger he touched Leonard with in a mischievous manner his eyes taking in a darker tone...
The routine of Leonard and Marinda player out as usual. Dinner, bath, journal, pray, then sleep. Marinda and Leonard embraced each other. A warm cozy cocoon of shared affection.
It's been a good day. I love it here. Leonard thought
The night was calm outside. The gentle night breeze blows the scattered leaves. The leaves fly in the air as the establishments and homes turn off their lights. In the church Father Maverick lay asleep in his chambers.
Across the Hall from his chambers two holy knights stood outside a specific door. The two are still as statues and vigilant as hawks.
Inside the doors the saintess sat on the bed. The moonlight shining through the window behind her, illuminating the room in a gentle blue hue. Her veil and robes are hanged on hangers. She was just in a pajama dress. The darkness still hid her face as the moonlight shined behind her projecting her shadowy silhouette. Even in darkness her hands are clasped together in a prayer position.
"I know it is your will... But please... I beg of you. Show me the way please... I beg of you oh great one..." After her quiet prayer she lays down and sleeps soundly. Her body relaxes and her mind drifts off to relaxation...
I hope I fulfill the great one's will. And find the savior...