Chapter 2: A Search Begins

Vincent walks into the forum with King Winston by his side while Selena and Queen Lillian talk some paces away.

"I hear a new pope has been chosen. I guess you'll be meeting with him soon?", Vincent speaks to King Winston. King Winston nods.

"Hmm, yes. He is young compared to most. I think he's forty-three and a bit strict compared to Pope Gregory.", King Winston replies.

"I'm sure he is fine. You don't have to like the man as long as you can work with him. Besides, because of this something special is going to happen."

"What's that?"

"The king's of the other great kingdoms must come to meet him as well.", Vincent responds. King Winston's eyes widen in remembrance.

"Oh yeah.", a neutral look comes upon the king's face. "That's the only time we all come together. Is when we have to proclaim our loyalty to the new pope.", King Winston speaks with a little resentment in his voice.

"Come on. Verounin, Ganca, Servnna, and our kingdom are the most powerful kingdoms. Do you really expect to get along with all of them let alone any of them?", Vincent replies.

"Actually we are the only kingdoms recognized by the church.", King Winston says, giving Vincent his full attention again.

"Now, what do you mean?", Vincent counters.

"I've heard the Servnna kingdom has conquered all the other northern minor kingdoms. Those were the last ones. We are the only ones left.", King Winston tells his friend unnervingly, calm. Vincent is taken back by the news. He never expected to hear that.

"I thought Servnna was a non-aggressive kingdom. The reason they're considered one of the major kingdoms is because of their power in commerce."

King Winston shrugs his shoulders. "King Arathan has changed that. I remember my father and his advisers talking about it one time. He built up Servnna's military and started a campaign of conquest later on. When it came to him my father was actually very unnerved by it. I honestly think he never stopped worrying about it.", King Winston admits.

Vincent becomes interested in the news and the once peaceful kingdom's king. He did remember hearing that King Arathan is not a blood relative of the former king, yet he was a member in the king's court before marrying princess, now queen, Rebecca. As a result automatically getting the crown matrimonial.

"Do you share his worry?", Vincent asks.

"I don't want to, but this has definitely changed this game of kings.", King Winston answers as they start to approach their wives.

"Perhaps you should speak to your mother about it. She should know something?", Vincent offers. King Winston nods.

"I may have to. Anyway, I need to prepare for Pope Clement.", King Winston responds. Vincent simply nods before coming up beside Queen Lillian.

An ominous feeling comes onto Vincent about the future, but at the same time a realization comes to him. The church is known to have vital records about history, royal families and marriages, and any actions of the church itself. Actions that could have been taken as part of the inquisition and executions of suspected magic users after.

As he and Selena ride in their carriage home he remembers the information he learned from Ryanah a few months ago. The inquisition was more than just an aggressive push to establish the Christian faith throughout the kingdoms. It also was the hunting down and extermination of magic and it's users from the lands.

Vincent can't help but notice that he learned this before finding out that his mother was possibly a wiccan. The thought that his mother could have been killed by the church and his father killed for knowing her makes him sick. Especially since he was later raised by the church.

Selena notices his change of mood and places a hand on Vincent's hand comfortingly. Vincent turns his head to her. He is thankful that the look in her eyes soothes him.

"What's wrong, Vincent?", she asks.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it, for now.", he says, placing his other hand over her's. He doesn't want to burden her with his worries, nor does he want to involve her should what he is planning goes wrong.

An unconvinced look comes upon Selena's face. "Are you sure?", she says.

"Yes, everything is okay. I just think I will need to stop by the other castle today." ,Vincent ensures her.

"Oh, well make sure you don't stress yourself too much.", Selena tells Vincent believing his words.

"I won't.", Vincent promises. "You're going back home. I will be stopping by the academy to look over reports.", he goes on. Selena nods her head simply.

..........

Upon arriving at the Ashwen Training Academy located just outside Lumorra to the north Vincent makes his way through the halls to his office. A stone wall with towers surrounds the area. On the left is lodging for the trainees complete with a mess hall underneath. To the back seats a larger building where the combat training halls and armory is held. On top are the offices and to the right of the building sits the stables for the horses. The courtyard is where archery and horseback riding lessons are held as well as assembly and formation drills.

Both an academy and a knight headquarters Vincent being over this institution puts him over all the knights and the other academies in a three day long journeys radius around the capital. This also means handling more paperwork as well as information.

Vincent sits at his desk and looks over squadron assignments. If the other kings were to come to Agion then he would need to ensure the capital's security, but that is not the only reason he is here. Taking a blank sheet of paper Vincent writes a letter to St. Peter's Grand Cathedral requesting permission to conduct an inspection of their guards.

The church is known to have its own security completely detached from the Order of the Knights. However, this gives Vincent the chance to inspect the church itself to see if they have a place that would house the records he is looking for. Whether he will gain access to them or not.

He calls in his secretary. He is a young boy of the age of fifteen. Ironically only five years younger than Vincent himself.

"Make sure this reaches St. Peter's Grand Cathedral.", he tells the boy.

"Yes sir.", the boy replies with a bow. He turns around and quickly makes his way out the room leaving Vincent alone.