Chapter 22: Mother Margaret

Two days later at the Convent of Gordowe Selena prepares herself for the day. At the same time Mother Margaret does the same. It's Wednesday, which means midweek mass will be held today. The convent is quiet and somber. Selena dawns a new dress she had Marcus money to purchase for her in town. After looking herself over in the mirror she takes a breath and releases it.

When she is finished she heads down stairs to the front door. Opening it she looks around at the stationed knights. Even out here a heaviness could be felt in the air. Her eyes settle on Marcus. The feeling of someone watching him causes him to turn around to Selena. He gives her a nod and she returns it before stepping back inside closing the door.

She rests both hands against the door. The nerves in her stomach are easing a bit. Everything is ready, but is everyone? She turns around as she hears footsteps behind her. It's Mother Margaret with Sister Sarah and Sister Penelope on either side of her. "I am ready.", she says facing Selena.

"Very well, mother.", Selena replies. She knows just how ready Mother Margaret is. For the past two days ever since that night. Mother Margaret had prayed and fasted to prepare herself. Selena herself had prayed vigorously. There's nothing more to be done now, but have faith.

Selena opens the door and sees the approaching entourage of knights from Lumorra. They approach the line of church soldiers and the respective leaders step forward.

"By order of the king we are to take into custody Mother Margaret of the Convent of Gordowe. You will stand aside and let us take her or else be arrested for obstruction of justice.", the leader of the Lumorraian knights says.

"So this is King Winston's plan.", Selena says to herself. The soldiers of the church look to one another with unsure looks as they wait for their leader's response. With a reluctant look he nods and gives the signal for his men to stand aside. Selena turns around to Mother Margaret. Who has an unsuspecting look on her face.

"My, my. We truly have a clever king.", she says stepping beside Selena. "Then again he and Vincent are the only ones considered equals.", she speaks with somber words.

"Well I must admit. The pope is pushing them unlike anyone else they've dealt with.", Selena replies with a glance to Mother Margaret. At that moment the Lumorraian knights stop in front of them both. They bow respectfully to the two women.

"Mother Margaret, you are to come with us. We ask kindly that you cooperate.", the leader of the entourage speaks.

"If I must.", Mother Margaret replies with a defeated sigh. "However, I plead that Lady Selena accompanies me. For moral support.", she goes on placing a hand on Selena's shoulder. The knight spares Selena a look before answering.

"Granted.", he says gesturing to the side for them to come along. Mother Margaret turns her head to Sister Sarah.

"Watch over this place while I'm away, will you?", she says to her.

"Of course.", Sister Sarah responds, her eyes filled with unshed tears. Selena turns to her companion.

"Maxwell, you will be going back to the house. Follow the instructions I gave you quickly once you are there.", she tells him.

"My lady, are you sure? You're with child. You're going to at least need your maids.", Maxwell replies urgently.

"I know. Just follow the instructions and everything will be fine. You will be escorted once we are away from the convent.", Selena says to him dismissively.

With that Selena joins Mother Margaret just outside the door. Instantly they are surrounded by their entourage and begin to make their way down the steps and past the two lines.

Once they are out of earshot of the soldiers the leader of the Lumorraian knights addresses Selena and Mother Margaret. "Where is it that we will be really taking you?", he asks.

"Oh uh…", Selena attempts to reply before Mother Margaret interrupts.

"The St. Andrew cathedral. Here in Gordowe.", she answers.

"Yes, Mother Superior.", the man replies with a nod.

"Please, call me Mother Margaret.", she corrects him.

They change direction once away from the soldiers' watchful eyes and it isn't long before they arrive at the cathedral just a block away. Most of the town would be here by now which is why the streets are so quiet. Though for Selena it makes her think that everyone could hear her thumping heart. Or is it Mother Margaret's that she hears. Either way her breath catches in her throat when they come to stand in front of the grand entrance. She leans over to Mother Margaret.

"Are you ready?", she asks. Mother Margaret takes a deep breath.

"To be honest. I have no idea what I'm going to say. Whatever happens it will be my spirit speaking.", she replies.

"It takes incredible courage and faith to do that.", Selena tells her.

"My dear, it is courage and faith that is going to get us through this. Whatever happens put your trust in Jesus Christ.", Mother Margaret responds to her. She turns to her and takes Selena's hands in her own. "You don't have to come in."

"Yes. I do.", Selena says determinedly. Selena pushes down her nerves. "I am going to see this through. Vincent would have done the same and he is not here. So I will stand in his place as his wife. Right by your side.", Selena goes on. Her mind made up. Mother Margaret looks at her for a moment before placing a hand against her cheek.

"How much you have grown.", she says to her softly. Mother Margaret then turns back to the door. "We are being called by God to arise and we will answer.", she says before drawing closer.

The knights around them ease open the doors. Revealing archbishop Rederick leading the people in prayer. Mother Margaret, Selena and the knights enter quietly as the archbishop finishes by asking God to rid the town of any and all evil that may hide within it and that the locations where this evil hide is obliterated by God's holy judgement. His voice reverberates through the building. The effect being created by the arches and columns.

Mother Margaret comes to stand in the middle of the aisle. Selena motions for their guards to step back just behind Mother Margaret as people turn to them. Murmurs fill the open space of the sanctuary, but Archbishop Rederick only looks up when he is finished.

"You should be careful what you pray for, archbishop. You may end up calling upon your own destruction.", Mother Margaret speaks up as soon as he stops praying. The archbishop's eyes meet Mother Margaret's. "Then again your prayer was no doubt intended for me, hm? Because of what occurred in front of the convent."

"You are bold to come here, Mother Superior.", the archbishop replies calmly. Selena watches in silence her eyes focused on Mother Margaret. Her ears focused on the people's voices.

"Bold of you to think I would have a reason not to come here.", Mother Margaret retorts. "Tell me Archbishop Rederick. Does your congregation know how that incident occurred? Why Gordoweian knights and royal troops see it necessary to protect a place as peaceful and innocent as a convent.", her voice is calm, yet loud enough for all to hear.

"Of course. They know you are defying the order of the church to close your doors. An order that comes from the pope himself. God's representative on earth.", Archbishop Rederick retorts raising his voice as if to make a point.

"And I'm sure our dear pope has an acceptable reason as to why he would close a convent that the people of this town take great pride in and have supported themselves ever since its founding.", Mother Margaret responds, gesturing to the gathered townsfolk.

Mother Margaret's statement reminds Selena of each side's goal. She looks around to the people around her. It is their support that the archbishop and Mother Margaret are after. Some were just now realizing that they had just been put front and center by her statement and were murmuring amongst themselves.

"He is the one who is closest to God and speaks for him. His holiness needs no reason, but that it is God's will.", the archbishop's response brings Selena's attention back to the front.

"Who gave him that position? Where in scripture does it support such an idea? How can he, a man, claim to speak for God when he is no better than you or I or anyone here? When scripture does say all have fallen short of the glory of God and when we are judged we all shall be judged equally. So again I ask who is he to speak for God?", Mother Margaret counters unrelentingly. Even taking a step toward the altar and Archbishop Rederick.

"Humph, his holiness inherits his position and authority from the Apostle Peter. Who was given by Jesus Christ the keys to the kingdom and made the rock on which God's church grew in Matthew chapter sixteen verse eighteen and nineteen.", Archbishop Rederick states confidently with a smug expression to match.

"Hm, very good you have studied I see.", Mother Margaret replies calmly. "However, if we take a look at that instance as it is written and without personal incentives. We see that the "keys of the kingdom" most likely refer to faith. Being that in the verses before Peter and the other followers are asked who they think Jesus was and Peter responds by calling him the son of the one true living God without anything or anyone physical or blood and flesh telling him so. In addition no such authority is given to him that you have described.", Mother Margaret counters.

"Perhaps not then, but Peter was later blessed to become the bishop of Astran. Thus, given authority over the other bishops and churches.", the archbishop retorts.

"Ah, but that was a title given by man. A blessing yes, but still a title given by man once Christianity became the official religion of the Astranian empire. Whose rulers from then on constructed the importance and prestige of.

Going back to scripture, however, we see that Peter had no such authority as evident in Acts chapter fifteen verses one through twenty-three. Where we see that during the debate of circumcision all apostles were present including the elders and it took them all to agree that circumcision is not a requirement for salvation as it once was under the Law of Moses.", Mother Margaret rebuttals.

"They both sound like they are in trial.", comments someone in the crowd. Selena overhears it and in her mind she agrees. But it is more than that to her. It is a battle of ideas or interpretation. One that could only be won if Mother Margaret could uproot the plausibility of the church, or at the very least get people to question it.

"Not to say that Peter was not instrumental to the growth of the church in its early days. All of the apostles did tremendous work for Christ and Peter and Paul were both its leaders. As shown in Galatians chapter two verses one through fourteen Paul was able to chastise Peter or anyone else just as anyone of the other apostles could.", Mother Margaret's ending words bring Selena's full attention back. She notices the archbishop is starting to lose grip.

"Very well. Then it is as such anyone who was chosen as… a successor to the original bishops, and so on so forth, to guide and lead the people of God… Since their words are too infallible.", Archbishop Rederick speaks.

"Not even that archbishop, for you see nowhere in scripture is any of the apostles deemed infallible beyond what they wrote that then became scripture. It is thus scripture which was provided to use by Christ through them that we measure another person's teachings.

For we are warned of wolves in sheeps' clothing and the false teachings they bring by Paul, but he does not commend us to the apostles but to the word of God. In Galatians chapter one verse eight through nine we are told that it doesn't matter who teaches but what they are teaching.", Mother Margaret explains.

Murmurs breakout in the room. Archbishop Rederick scowls at Mother Margaret, yet she remains calm.

"So what is your point?", he finally says to her in a voice loaded with frustration.

"My point is by what reason should this town's convent be closed? Is it because I teach it's children to read and understand God's word for themselves? In addition to any adults who are willing to learn. As a result, they know that they don't have to confess their sins to another man, they don't have to tithe. That the indulgence you and the pope are now attempting to get them to purchase they don't really need.", Mother Margaret answers.

"It is the God given duty of the leaders of the church to guide it!", Archbishop Rederick speaks through clenched teeth and aggression.

"No. It is the duty of all of God's people to be able to understand, know, and guide others using God's word, for once we believe in him and have faith in him and what he sent his son Jesus Christ to do for us which is die and rise again. We are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; upon which is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. Ephesians chapter two verses nineteen and twenty.", Mother Margaret speaks as if soothing a child.

The congregation still hears though and erupts in applause and shouts filling the air. Selena also applauds proudly. She knows those verses that Mother Margaret mentioned. Seeing and hearing her talk about them brings back so many memories. Mother Margaret turns to the people who then grow quiet.

"You applaud me, but I know most of you know not or should I say understand everything here, for you have not read the scriptures yourselves. Because they are taught in Astranian not Regece.

But it is your right to be able to read and study God's word for yourself. Do not depend only on another human's understanding, for we are always learning and God's word unfortunately can produce different interpretations. So I give this to those who are willing. Come and learn to read God's word in the language of the people. In your language. That is should you wish for this convent to remain open.", she addresses them.

The whole of the congregation erupts in support and approval. Cries can be heard to keep the convent open and for the soldiers around it to be sent away. Selena and Mother Margaret's eyes meet. A smile is shared between them as Mother Margaret approaches her ready to depart.

"I wouldn't be so sure.", Archbishop Rederick speaks over the one sound the people created. Mother Margaret stops as the people fall silent.

"What do you mean?", Selena finally speaks up. An uneasy feeling comes over her.

"I mean despite Mother Margaret's impressive and well backed argument. She has just committed the valid crime of speaking against the church and pope. A very serious crime you see.", the archbishop tells her. Immediately Selena sees where this is going. Her eyes widened.

"Surely you're not going to be so resentful as to resort to such desperate tactics?", Mother Margaret responds.

"Oh, but it is true you have broken the law of the land. Which is to still be respected. Even Christ taught that.", Archbishop Rederick smiles slyly. "Mother Margaret, you are here by being arrested for blasphemy against his holiness and the church. Which is punishable by death. Arrest her!"

At once the present church soldiers move in to take Mother Margaret, but she is as quickly surrounded by her and Selena's entourage of knights with their swords drawn. Gasps feel the air.

Selena's mind races as she searches for a solution. Should they run? If so where? Her eyes darted to the knights around them. They are willing to fight to protect them, but is it the right action to take. The gathered townsfolk raise their voices in outrage resulting in panic to rise within Selena. They need to think quickly or else the people may riot on their behalf.

"Any who try to protect the accused will be arrested and tried equally guilty!", shouts Archbishop Rederick. Selena catches the knights tighten their grip on their swords.

"Enough!", it is Mother Margaret who speaks. Selena turns to her and gradually everyone falls silent. Mother Margaret steps forward from her protectors. Her eyes trained on the archbishop defiance burning in them. "No blood shall be spilled this day and no violence shall take place.", she says. Wary glances are exchanged among the people.

"Mother Margaret!", Selena calls out to her. Mother Margaret turns to her.

"No wrongdoing will be done on our part this day. In any way.", she says undisputedly. Facing the archbishop and soldiers Mother Margaret approaches them head high.

The soldiers hesitate for a moment and the silence in the room becomes suffocating. Selena notices the soldiers' reluctance as they take Mother Margaret by her arms.

"Take her to the prison.", the archbishop orders. At once outrages shouts fill the sanctuary as Mother Margaret is led out.

"Lady Selena we should go, quickly.", one of the knights whispers urgently to her. Selena hesitates for a moment. Shocked at the quick turn of events. "My lady."

"Yes, yes. You are right.", Selena says refocusing. "Back to the convent.", she tells him. Quickly Selena and the knights exit the church. Mother Margaret behind them and the whole of the people behind them. Selena turns her head to see Mother Margaret being taken away. Tears swell Selena's eyes, but she is determined not to let these flow.

As her and the knights head for the convent the noise of the town's people reach her. She turns to see them behind her.

"Free the convent!"

"For Mother Margaret!"

Their shouts surprise Selena as she wonders what they are thinking. It's only split second before she understands. She stops in her tracks and faces the people.

"Wait!", she raises her voice and outstretches her arms. The townsfolk leading halt resulting in those behind them to do the same. "Please listen to me! We must honor Mother Margret's wish for no blood to be spilled this day.

Especially in front of the convent which should never have to bear witness to such acts again.", Selena addresses boldly to the crowd. "The soldiers will go though and the convent will be free, but by pressure only. If we accomplish this then perhaps today won't have to end in defeat."