Chapter 23: Tymes

"How much longer until we reach the next stop?", Colin asks with exasperation. He's leaning over the side of the river boat with one hand skimming the water. Vincent is sitting next to him and ruffles his hair roughly as he answers.

"Soon. Now quit your whining.", he says playfully irritated. Colin turns around pushing his hand away with a smile. "We will be arriving at Tymes first. Then to Niacin by land.", Vincent tells him. Colin turns back to the scenery.

"So this is one of the canals?", he asks.

"No, this is the actual river. Remember Morage and Tymes sit right on its banks. The canal system branches out from it to connect the western part of the kingdom to it and the east.", Vincent explains.

"That's right. The river lands have always been more connected and travel never a problem.", a woman behind them adds. Colin and Vincent turn to her. Her eyes are blue and her dark brown hair is pinned up and covered.

"Really? I don't see a lot of people though.", Colin replies.

"The communities are connected, but still pretty self sufficient. Most people travel because of pilgrimages to the holy sites in the east. Such as Tymes where St. Marvin's Cathedral is.", the lady tells them.

"Why is that place special?", Colin questions. Vincent looks ahead of them and sees the port on the horizon.

"I've heard that tale before. Years ago, before this area was conquered by King Andreious, St. Marvin saved the community here that was being terrorized by a monster in the river.

A fish that was drowning anyone it can catch and consuming children whole. St. Marvin having heard what was happening came and entered the shallows. When the creature came for him he rebuked it and sent it away. Never to be seen again.", Vincent finishes just as they arrive in Tymes.

"As a result the kingdom that existed here became christan and a church was built here. It is said that when King Andreious arrived and heard the tale even he understood its importance.", the boatman adds.

As they prepare to dock Vincent catches sight of the church. It dominates the landscape even more than St. Peter's. It must serve as a university as well. The boat pulls into the dock and the passengers exit one by one.

"Remember to turn in your tickets at the Customs House!", the boatman announces to them.

"So now we find a way to Niacre right?", Colin asks Vincent as they walk away from the docks.

"Yes, but we'll have to wait first. Today is mid mass, so I doubt the Customs House will be open yet.", Vincent answers him; however, it sounds as if he was going to say something else, but changed his mind.

"You are right. Almost the whole town will be at St. Marvin's right now.", Vincent turns to see the woman from the boat behind them. "Forgive me. I'm Amelia Corres. Pleasure to meet you.", she says.

"Vincent."

Amelia looks at him for a moment. Vincent wonders what he said then realizes it's what he didn't say. "Vincent Solomon.", he says thinking fast.

Sometimes orphans would be given last names by their orphanage or mentor when they become apprentices. Though he was unable to formally receive his Vincent does remember the name Mother Margaret intended to give him.

Colin looks up to Vincent questioningly. Vincent returns it with his own. Go along with it. Understanding Colin looks away without a word.

"Solomon. Fine name.", Amelia says as she sets off on the other side of Vincent.

"Thank you. May I ask what is a young woman like you doing traveling alone?", Vincent responds, intending to change the subject. Amelia smiles.

"Well young man, if you must know I just finished handling some business in Morage. My family is intending to extend our business there.", Amelia answers.

"Really?"

"Yes. We make and sell candles, jewelry, baskets, pots, bowls. Things like that.", Amelia tells him. Vincent is impressed by the array of goods. "So will you two be attending mass?", she asks after a while.

Vincent feels Colin tense at the question. He places a hand comfortingly on his back. "No, not this time. We're a little worn out, so we'll just find a tavern to rest and wait. No sense in going only to fall asleep.", Vincent tells her. Amelia covers her mouth as she giggles.

"No. No sense in that.", she says afterwards tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She stops on the side of the road and Vincent and Colin follow suit. "Well you're in luck. Right there is a tavern perfect for what you're looking for.", she continues pointing behind Vincent.

He turns around and though he doesn't show it he is surprised how far they've walked from the docks. More because he didn't realize it. "Thank you.", he says turning back to her.

"You're welcome. Remember Mr. Solomon, you often find what you are not looking for rather than what you are looking for.", Amelia replies before turning around. As she goes Vincent feels he should ask her something.

"Are you attending mass?", he asks, stopping her.

"No, not this time. I'm meeting a friend. He is expecting me.", she answers looking back to Vincent.

"I see.", Vincent responds simply.

"By the way. You may end up paying a little more than usual at that tavern. Since you'll be conducting business there during mass.", Amelia informs them.

"Really?", Vincent answers surprised.

"It's a law unique to this town. I hear the extra fare is paid to the church.", Amilia's information intrigues Vincent. "Well, I best be off now. Have a good day you two.", Amelia continues before sitting off again.

"Thank you. You have a good day as well.", Vincent replies. He turns around with Colin beside him and heads for the tavern.

"Are you disappointed?", Colin asks after a moment.

"What?", Vincent responds, taken off guard.

"About her not joining us. You looked like you were getting along really well.", Colin clarifies.

"Ah- of course not! I was just being polite.", Vincent explains astonished at Colin's insinuation.

"Well she was pretty.", Colin goes on.

"Y-yes well not as pretty as my wife.", Vincent counters. "Besides, both of them are worth more than that. All women are.", he continues as they enter the tavern. At that moment the sight of two women catches Vincent's attention out of the corner of his eye. They seem to be recovering from a busy night. He closes his eyes with a regrettable sigh. "And for them to think otherwise is a tragedy. Remember that.", Vincent speaks in a low voice to Colin as he faces him directly.

They pick a table and Vincent notices Colin is silent. He guesses the boy must be remembering something personal. In an attempt to distract him from it Vincent places the sack he was carrying down loudly. Causing the pieces of his armor to rattle. Colin jumps with a start to which Vincent smiles mischievously. A smile of his own appears on the boy's face when he guesses what happened.

"Now then let's eat.", Vincent says.

As they finish up eating Vincent and Colin lean back in their chairs. Their meals were indeed higher than Vincent had expected and it got him thinking about the church again. He wants to take a look at it, but knows Colin would be hesitant to go. Then there's the fact that he doesn't have the advantage of influence here. He closes his eyes in an attempt to think.

"Are you okay, Sir Vincent?", the sound of Colin's voice causes him to open his eyes. When he places his gaze on Colin Vincent remembers what he meant to tell him. He sighs inwardly out of disappointment in himself for forgetting so quickly.

"I'm fine, young blood.", he says leaning forward with his arms on the table. "We won't be going to Niacre as planned by the way.", Vincent informs Colin matter of factly. "I meant to tell you earlier, but Amelia showed up. We're going to take the next boat to Penopalice which according to the map is where we can take the canal east. We would be two weeks away from the Regece region after that."

Colin's eyes light up at Vincent's words. "So when do we leave?!", he asks.

"We'll find out when we go to the Customs House.", Vincent answers him. "My top priority is getting you home and your family safe.", Vincent says to him. Colin's eyes fall to the ground.

"I'm sorry.", he says crestfallen.

"For what?", Vincent asks him.

"For doubting you. I thought that my family wasn't important to you, but I remembered that you were already on a journey before I came. So I didn't say anything.", Colin admits shamefully looking away. Vincent's eyes soften and he pities the boy's feelings.

"Don't you apologize for your feelings Colin. You had every right to feel that way.", Vincent tells him. "In truth having a narrow focused mind is a double edged sword. Though I won't get distracted from a goal. It's hard for me to keep track of multiple ones. It's you that should forgive me.", at Vincent's words Colin looks up shocked.

He smiles and nods to Vincent who smiles himself. "I guess you're not so perfect after all.", Colin says to him. Vincent chuckles.

"Not even close. No one is.", Vincent replies. Suddenly he remembers something important. "That reminds me. I was supposed to have taught you how to pray.", he says to Colin. Colin's eyes light up with remembrance as Vincent sits up in his chair.

"Are you going to teach me now?"

"Why not? We already didn't attend mass might as well.", Vincent responds. "Now the most important thing about praying is that it's nothing more than talking to God. The same way you talk to me and I talk to you...well more you talking to me.

Second is to always end your prayer with acknowledging Jesus Christ, for there is no way to the father, but through the son. Third, always be sure to make clear who you are acknowledging. Otherwise who knows what else might be listening to your prayer."

"And by doing that…God will hear my prayers?", Colin asks uncertainly.

"Every woe, and cry. Every genuine plea for forgiveness, and you don't need any priest or clergyman to do it for you. No one has to know what goes on between you and God.", Vincent tells him. Colin thinks for a moment before nodding his head in understanding. Vincent takes up his cup for a drink.

"Excuse me.", the voice catches Vincent's attention. He looks to see the man at the counter facing his direction. "Are you telling that boy...that he doesn't need to attend confession or have a priest pray for him?", the man asks suspiciously. Vincent puts down his cup.

"That's right. Why would he need another man to ask for forgiveness for his sins when he can do it himself?", Vincent answers him.

"God doesn't hear his prayers or any of ours. Only the clergy or saints can go to God for us.", the man counters. An utterly bewildered look appears on Vincent's face.

"How can a man who is no better than you or I possibly asks for forgiveness for anyone else? Even if he could, our sins are our own. No matter who you were here in this life we all stand equal before God.", Vincent responds. The man falls silent.

"Is what you say true?", the question causes Vincent to turn to see one of the women from before standing beside him and Colin's table. Her eyes wide and hopeful.

"Yes it is. It says so in scripture and scripture is God's word. The only mediator needed is Christ Jesus.", Vincent informs her.

"You only say that because you can speak Astranian, don't you?", the man at the counter speaks up.

"I do speak Astranian. Although not very good and as you can see I speak Regece, so it is that language I pray in. No where in scripture does it say you must speak to God in a certain language.", Vincent responds.

"Why doesn't the church teach us that then?", the woman asks. Vincent doesn't answer right away.

"That is a good question.", Vincent answers simply. He gets to his feet as he continues. "Come Colin. Let's get to the Customs House.", he says.

Colin gets to his feet and follows behind Vincent. He noticed the boy had followed the conversation quietly. Before walking out the door Vincent looks back to the woman and man. "Have a blessed day.", he says to them with a nod.

As they walk down the street Vincent is silent. He never really paid attention to certain teachings of the church or the affect those teachings had on people's thought processes or views. The idea of depending on someone else to connect him to God was one he never even considered, but for others it's their life line to salvation.

"What are you thinking?", Colin asks, bringing Vincent out of his thoughts.

"Nothing you need to worry about.", Vincent tells him.