Chapter 17: Royal Support

Once breakfast is finished Winston, Lillian, Alexander, and Jessica prepare to leave. Each of them exchanging their farewells with Selena and each other.

"I'll be back again to check on you, okay?", Jessica tells Selena.

"You're acting as if I'm bedridden.", Selena scoffs. "I'm going to be just fine."

"Even so, we have to be sure to watch out for you while Vincent is away.", Winston says.

"Fine.", Selena expresses with mocking exasperation. Jessica and Lillian chuckle as they make their way to the door. The sun is higher in the sky and noonday would be upon them soon.

"Remember, there's a council meeting coming up soon. The main purpose is to start planning out the budget for the first half of the year.", Winston reminds Alexander as they approach their respective carriages.

"Of course. I suppose that'll be the next time we see each other. Since you're not able to attend mass still.", he replies. Winston silently nods his head. With a wave Winston and Lillian set off in their own carriage back to Lumorra. Winston watches the landscape roll by content.

"Wait. I just thought about something. Will Vincent be back in time for the other kings' arrival?", Lillian speaks with sudden remembrance. Winston's eyebrows spring up as he acknowledges the importance of that question. He turns to Lillian thoughtfully.

"Hmm... The ceremony doesn't begin until the rulers of the major kingdoms arrive. Servnna's king won't start his journey until the snow and ice in the north give way. Which means at the very least Vincent should return around that time they arrive.", Winston shares with her.

"I see.", Lillian replies simply. Winston smiles amused. He remembers there was a time Lillian didn't quite like Vincent. Now here she was worrying about him. As he turns back to the window an unsettling feeling comes over him. Something just didn't feel right all of a sudden, but what.

Winston remains silent on the journey home. Lillian asks him if something is wrong. Only for him to brush it off as nothing. When they finally return to the castle a servant presents Winston with a letter as they enter the forum.

"Your highness. A letter from Sir Vincent.", the servant speaks urgently.

"Vincent? He just left this morning.", Lillian says as Winston takes the letter.

"Something must have happened.", Winston speaks as he reads the letter. Upon finishing he clenches the paper. "I knew it!", he says through clenched teeth bringing the paper down in a quick fluid motion. "Send word to Sir Rollrick. Have him summon a squadron of troops and meet me in the throne room.", he commands the servant who quickly rushes off to do as he is told. The sudden change in Winston's mood causes Lillian to reach for the paper.

"What's going on?", she asks as she does.

"There's trouble in Gordowe.", Winston speaks as he walks off to the throne room. Lillian walks off behind him as she reads.

"They're trying to shut down the convent in Gordowe?"

"Yes and so far Vincent has stopped them, but now they're not above using force.", Winston tells her just before entering the throne room.

"But why? He didn't say and now the knights and troops are needed.", Lillian speaks sounding concerned.

"Only to show royal support.", Winston stops and thinks. "For Vincent to have asked for something like this the situation must be solidly unjustifiable on the part of the church."

"You're right. Vincent would only make such movements with full confidence.", Lillian admits.

"Which means we'll be hearing the full story soon. In a report most likely.", Winston speaks thoughtfully.

"So you are going to support the convent?", Lillian asks.

"Of course. That convent is the heart of that town. Even if it is under the church's authority, if it's being closed without reason. I will defend it.", Winston answers determined.

.............................

Back in Gordowe Vincent hurries back to the convent. With his letter sent and the knights stationed in Gordowe aware of their orders. It is time for him to move on. He takes a moment beside his horse to take a breath before continuing on to the door. He knocks and is let in by Mother Margaret.

"Thank goodness you're back. Did you complete what you needed to?", she asks as Vincent enters.

"Yes, don't worry I was fine.", he tells her with an assuring smile seeing through her question. Mother Margaret nods understanding.

"Sir Vincent!", Vincent turns to see Colin hurrying over to him. The boy looks at him with a smile when in front of him. Vincent returns it.

"A patrol of knights is going to keep watch over the convent from now on until further notice. A squadron of royal troops will also most likely be stationed here as well. Just until we can be sure the church won't send troops here again.", Vincent says to Mother Margaret turning back to her.

"I'm not sure how I feel about this convent being the center of such attention.", Mother Margaret admits. "However, if it means that the children here will remain safe and my family isn't ripped apart then...let it be.", she goes on with a sigh and looks around.

Vincent's eyes soften with sympathy. He says nothing. He simply moves in to give Mother Margaret a comforting hug which she accepts graciously.

"I have something for you. Wait here.", she tells Vincent as they come out of their hug.

"You don't have to. It's time we head out anyway.", Vincent attempts to stop her thinking it is a token of thanks.

"No, no, no this is very important.", she tells him instead. Vincent looks at her questioningly. Before he can say anything though Mother Margaret walks off heading upstairs. Vincent guesses she is heading to her room. He looks to Colin and places a hand on his shoulder.

"We'll be heading off in just a moment, okay?", Vincent tells him.

"Okay. She is a really nice lady. Was she a mom to you? ", Colin asks. Vincent gives him a half smile.

"Yes she was actually.", he answers. "Did you eat lunch with everyone else?", Vincent asks once realizing the time. Colin nods his head. "Good.", with that Vincent begins to think where they should head next. Perhaps Morage would be best since it's the gateway to the east. As he is thinking the sound of Mother Margaret coming downstairs draws his attention.

Her steps are cautious. Perhaps unsure as she reaches the bottom of the steps. Vincent spots the box in her hands. She carried it as if presenting an offering. Stopping in front of Vincent she takes in a breath.

"Remember...when you asked me about your parents?", she starts hesitantly. "Well... That night that...I last spoke to your mother. The same night she and your father gave you to us...they also gave me this.", she tells Vincent placing a hand on top of the box. "I don't know what it is nor have I ever looked inside it, but they did tell me to give this to you when you were ready.", she rubs her hand softly over the box looking down to it.

Vincent looks down as well. A look of shock in his eyes at the fact Mother Margaret had such a thing. She looks up to him.

"I was never sure when it would be the time to give it to you, but my spirit has become very disturbed recently. The world is changing and I feel a storm is coming.", Mother Margaret says to him. "We all are going to have to make hard decisions between what is right and what is easy and I feel you will need this to help you.", she goes on extending the box to Vincent.

He looks to Mother Margaret then to the box before carefully taking it from her. He places his hand on the box to open it, however, before he does he senses something odd about the box.

Examining it, he finds the box won't open. Thinking for a moment Vincent blows an aura infused breath upon the box. As a result the box sparkles revealing a protective charm on it. A look of surprise flashes in Mother Margaret's eyes.

"Do you know how to open it?", Colin asks.

"I think so.", Vincent responds for once barely focused. He channels his aura in his hand and places it on the box again. A sensation immediately spreads up Vincent's arm. He senses the presence of two energies from two individuals.

A comforting, loving, protective feeling fills him. One that he hasn't felt since he was a baby. Vincent closes his eyes. The feeling hasn't been felt for so long it brings a single tear from his eye as if it came from the child within him. Though he doesn't notice and instead finally opens the box.

He opens his eyes and looks. In the box is a necklace. Picking it up carefully by its woven yarn string Vincent examines it. The yarn was tied around a clear crystal. It shined in the light as Vincent turned it carefully.

"It's beautiful.", Mother Margaret comments. She looks at Vincent. "So you have learned magic.", Vincent looks to her realizing what he has done. "Good. Your mother would be proud.", she tells him smiling. Vincent also smiles. Meanwhile Colin continues to stare at the necklace.

"You should put it on.", he tells Vincent. "And don't take it off."

"You know about this?", Vincent asks, turning his attention to him. Colin shakes his head.

"No, just a feeling.", he says. Vincent chuckles slightly.

"I think you're right.", he agrees before putting on the necklace.

"Now whatever you're up to your parents will be right there with you.", Mother Margaret says once the necklace is hanging around Vincent's neck.

"Thank you...for everything. This means so much to me.", Vincent says to her.

"I may not have given birth to you, but I did deliver you. I also raised you. I'm your mother too. You don't have to thank me.", she replies. "Now then, off you go. Be safe and be sure to look after each other.", Mother Margaret continues on as she escorts Vincent and Colin to the door.

"Alright, alright we're going.", Vincent responds. That moment he remembers something from earlier. "Wait. You were going to tell me something earlier. You said there was something I must understand.", he says turning back to Mother Margaret. She too stops for a moment and thinks.

"Oh! That's right.", she says remembering. Her face becomes serious once again. "I meant to caution you. The church itself is more like a kingdom. Something it should not be. It's leaders value power, authority, control and wealth. Of course not everyone a part of it may not agree, but they are forced to hide and remain silent. Those are the cracks. Find the cracks and you will find what you seek to protect the crown.", Mother Margaret explains.

"And you.", Vincent adds, resulting in a smile from Mother Margaret.

"Yes, yes and me.", she agrees, chuckling.

"Any advice on where to start?", Vincent asks.

"Head southeast. To the region of Ahcer. You may find something there.", Mother Margaret tells him. With a nod of thanks Vincent readies himself and Colin to leave.