The Prince of Luster and Decay by J. D. Brink

Author:J. D. Brink
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fugitive Fiction

Knox watched on while the acolyte kneeled at the center of the town square, kissed an iron Hand of God device, and dropped it into a hole. Fabien nodded for some dirt and Knox tossed in a shovel load.

In his mind, he saw Mueller’s sleeping face again.

“May the searing light of Raeph, the One God, burn away all shadows and the evil that resides there.”

“In Redfield, folks talk about the Powers,” Knox said.

Fabien climbed to his feet. “Is that your home, Sergeant? I’m guessing it’s not a very big town?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Knox swung the shovel up to rest on his shoulder.

“Nothing bad,” Fabien quickly replied. “There are a lot of small towns across the Fertile Lands that still worship Fate and the Powers.”

The young priest cleared his throat and looked around. Behind the village church was the only visible drinking well. Fabien pointed it out and they walked in that direction.

“Most people don’t know this,” he said cautiously, “but the faith of the One God came out of the belief in Fate and Powers centuries ago. Raeph was once thought to be one of many Powers, the Sword of Light, but eventually the Ecclesiarches realized He was the only Power, the One True God.”

“That part of your official education?” Knox grumbled. “Surprised they’d teach you a history that contradicts the holy word they preach today.”

“It’s not necessarily contradictory, Sergeant. Does your priest back home ever mention Raeph, or specify any of the Powers in particular?”

“Redfield’s preacher passed on a few years back. The church sits empty. Folks go in and out as it suits them.”

“And I’m guessing it doesn’t suit you very often?”

“No,” Knox said. “It doesn’t.”

The village drinking well was in a grassy courtyard at the rear of the church. Its irregular stones were mortared into a ring three feet high and a wooden arm with a bucket and winch arched over it. They came to the well’s rim and both glanced down into the darkness within.

There was an uneasiness between them. Knox sensed that he had again been too gruff with the young man.

“Don’t mind the others,” Knox blurted out. “If they didn’t like you they wouldn’t tease you that way.”

“You think so?” Something of the shy boy behind the white hood showed through again.

Then Fabien resumed a more professional expression: “I thought maybe they were just trying to forget what happened last night.”

“That too,” Knox said, impressed. This boy might make good preacher material after all. Better than that blowhard Kane. “We’re all trying. Well, not trying to forget the brothers we lost, just—”

“I understand,” Fabien said. “You, um... You think they found the girl?”

Knox sighed. “I’m not convinced there ever was a girl. Giz was more likely scaring himself into seeing things and Dixon just wanted an excuse to go roving. But at least it gave them something to do. Now let’s finish this.”

Fabien nodded and produced a large silver coin bearing the same Hand of God symbol. He kissed it, closed it between his hands, and began praying.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.