Chapter 24: Secrets Hidden

"According to the schedule the boat to Penopalice will be returning in two days.", the gentleman informs Vincent.

"Two days? Thank you. Can I purchase the tickets in advance?", Vincent asks.

"Of course. One moment.", the man responds. As Vincent waits he speaks to Colin beside him.

"Two days isn't bad. It could have been longer.", he encourages him. Colin looks up and nods. Vincent gives him a smile.

"Here you are. Two tickets for Penopalice.", the man says presenting the tickets. Vincent pays and is handed the tickets.

"Thank you."

"Enjoy your day gentlemen.", at the man's words Vincent nods and walks away with Colin.

"I'm going to the Roost. I need to check for any letters that may have been sent here, but first we need to find an inn.", Vincent speaks as they walk to the exit.

"Would you like me to direct you to one Mr. Solomon?", Vincent looks to his side to see Amelia approaching them.

"Amelia! Nice to see you again.", Vincent greets her.

"And you. Hello Colin.", Amelia replies to the both of them. Colin nods politely in return. "Are you two not setting off for Niacre right away?", she asks as they continue walking.

"No. I found something that interests me here. I want to check it out, so will be around for two more days.", Vincent answers thinking quickly.

Colin shots a quick glance to Vincent. He didn't expect to run into her again when he had told her they were heading to Niacre. Vincent places a hand on Colin's shoulder. Thankfully the boy understands.

"I see. May I ask what that maybe? If it has something to do with the town perhaps I can help.", Amelia offers. A look of intrigue appears on Vincent's face as they reach the outside.

"Do you visit here often?", he questions her.

"Yes, Mr. Solomon. My family conducts business here often. So happened that is why I will be staying here as well for a couple of days.", Amelia answers. Vincent notices that they've kept walking this time while talking. Just like when they first met, but this time Vincent stops.

"Mm, you're leading us. Just as you did before.", Vincent accuses. Amelia stops and turns around with a smirk and giggles.

"Ah, you've noticed this time. Very good Mr. Solomon.", she says amused.

Vincent notices he cringed inwardly when he heard the name. Apparently his spirit doesn't agree with it. He looks to Amelia. Did she notice?

"Forgive me. There are members of my family who are often one track minded, so I can tell when another person is. Also how to take advantage of it.", Amelia admits. Vincent sighs.

"It's fine. Please, lead on.", he says gesturing for Amelia to continue. Vincent and Colin share a glance. "Don't say anything.", Vincent says flatly. Colin struggles to hold his laugh.

Eventually, Amelia brings them to an inn not too far from the church. As they check in Vincent tells her how he had become curious about the need and usage of the extra revenue the church gained from the business conducted during mass.

"Why would that interest you?", Amelia questions him curiously.

"Um, because there's a rumor that the church will start offering indulgences and or salvation certificates. That is people will be able to basically buy forgiveness in advance for their transgressions.", Vincent resolves to tell her. Amelia doesn't reply right away.

"I've never heard of that. So you are…?", she eventually speaks.

"Seeing if this is something new, or has there been other such actions. No matter the outcome it isn't biblical and is plain abuse of the power the church has over the people.", Vincent tells her.

"Bold words, Mr. Solomon. You should be careful voicing such opinions. No sense in attracting the wrong attention.", Amelia warns him. Vincent releases a breath through his nose.

"Nonetheless, I can't let such wickedness just flourish unchecked. Especially by those who claim to promote what is right and just yet quick to condemn those they don't understand.", Vincent speaks in a low determined voice. Amelia raises an eyebrow in intrigue. Her eyes wander to Vincent's neck and the woven necklace around it.

"Here is the key to your room sir.", the owner speaks up handing Vincent the key.

"Thank you.", Vincent says, taking the key. "I intend to visit the church as well as handle some other business, but it's best if Colin remains here. Do you mind watching him for me?", Vincent asks Amelia.

"Well I'm not busy at the moment. I'm meant to help set up shop in the market later this evening though, so if you're not back by then…"

"No worries I'll be back in time, but just in case Colin. Just stay in the room and lock the door.", Vincent quickly speaks. A soft laugh escapes Amelia.

"I was going to say I may have to take him with me.", she says.

"Oh.", is Vincent's reply.

"I'll be fine alone.", Colin speaks up.

"I know you would, but it would make me feel better if you weren't alone.", Vincent tells him. Reluctantly Colin agrees with a nod. "Good, but first I must change, so I'll accompany you both to the room."

"Into your armor you mean.", Amelia says suddenly as they walk to the stairs. Vincent whips his head around to her. "You are the knight Sir Vincent, aren't you?", she continues.

"You know me?", Vincent asks simply.

"There aren't many of your conventions or valor Sir Vincent. You also underestimate your reputation. All along the river, people have heard of the knight Sir Vincent who protected the village of Morage when it was invaded by the former Lord Argon's forces.", Amelia tells him.

"I see."

"That also means your last name isn't Solomon or is it? No one has ever heard it.", Amelia continues with curiosity. Vincent smiles slyly.

"Perhaps I'll tell you soon.", he replies mischievously.

"No fair.", Amelia counters amused.

......….

Once Vincent changes into his armor he heads directly to the church since it is closer. As he approaches the entrance a sight causes him to stop in his tracks. Above the entrance is a carving of a horrific beast's head consuming hoards of people. The expressions on their faces are those of pain and suffering. Vincent stares at the massive, and detailed scene. He's never seen anything like this before, and it disturbs him a bit.

Pulling his eyes away Vincent continues on inside. He looks around when he enters. In front of him is a pathway lined with arched columns on either side that supports the above floor. Within the arches are shallow nocks where marble statues of the disciples, the Virgin Mary, and St. Marvin stand.

At the end the path way diverages left and right to outline the wide, open, circular space of the sanctuary along with an arrangement of columns. Natural light filters from above through the out of sight skylights. The main alter is on the other side of the space in front of Vincent.

"This place is massive.", Vincent says breathless. He walks around the sanctuary until he is stopped halfway to the front.

"Are you in search of something my child?", comes a voice. Vincent looks to see an elderly man approaching him.

"Perhaps. If you can help me.", Vincent says to him.

"Well I can certainly do the best I can. I am Bishop Patrick and you are?", he tells Vincent drawing nearer.

"Sir Vincent. Pleasure to meet you.", he replies. The bishop's eyes light up.

"Sir Vincent? From Gordowe?", a slight of laughter escapes him. "The pleasure is mine.", he says in awe. Vincent is still a little surprised by the bishop's reaction, but remembers Amelia's words. To him and others he is the defender of Morage.

"You are too kind.", Vincent responds smiling. "As for my question.", he prompts.

"Yes, of course.", the bishop replies, gesturing for Vincent to continue.

"This is my first time visiting this lovely town and of hearing about the extra tax the church imposed on the business that is conducted here.", Vincent explains sounding truly curious. "I am merely asking what prompted such an action that even St. Peter's does not impose on the capital.", Vincent goes on as he walks between the rows of chairs passing the bishop.

He continues to examine the building as he does. More hellish images of suffering and torture can be seen around the sanctuary. The bishop follows him with his eyes. Vincent stops in the middle of a row and turns to face the bishop again. A smile still on his face.

"Well I can definitely understand your curiosity Sir Vincent. To my knowledge this proposal is unique to our town, but it's reason can be found in its history.", Bishop Patrick informs him. Vincent also catches how the man makes a point to call the action a proposal rather than a law as Amelia described it.

"Is that so? You wouldn't by chance be referring to the event that took place with St. Marvin and the monster would you?", he responds.

"So you know of it?", the bishop replies.

"Yes, I have, but that story…it takes place years ago. What does it have to do with the tax now?", Vincent answers sounding perplexed though he has an idea of where this could be going.

"Well you would also know how the children of that creature still lurk in the river and would often commit the same acts as their "parent". Drowning and consuming the unwary. Therefore we plead to St. Marvin, who is our patron saint, to keep these creatures away and offer the extra income to him in exchange.", at Bishop Patrick's words Vincent immediately feels the urge to halt him, but allows him to finish.

"Wait a moment. You pray to a man who is dead for protection?", Vincent's response is one of bafflement.

"We pray that he intervenes on our behalf to God. As a saint surely our plea being brought to God by him would make God even more inclined to hear and help.", the bishop quickly explains.

"He is dead. A dead man does not hear the prayers of the living, yet beyond that St. Marvin, though a remarkable servant of God, is still just a man. He is no different from you or I. Only God is worthy of our prayers and it is through his son Jesus Christ that our words reach him. Why would you lead yourselves and the people of this town to believe in such a thing?", Vincent bombards the bishop who remains silent for a time before continuing.

"I assure you Sir Vincent our teachings are just.", he finally speaks.

"By what law? Because it's definitely not God's.", Vincent retorts blunt, but just as calmly.

"Conical law, Sir knight.", Bishop Patrick answers. Vincent sighs. He could continue to back the bishop into a corner, but chooses not to. It was getting late and he needed to get to the Roost before nightfall. Looking around the church again he could guess where the money actually went.

"I suppose one person's interpretation of God's law can be justified if for the right reasons. Even if it ends up going against it completely.", Vincent decides to speak with a noticeable presence of sarcasm.

He makes his way to the center aisle of the sanctuary before turning away from the bishop. "Have a blessed evening, Bishop Patrick.", he says before leaving. However, Vincent turns back to ask one last question. "Actually, there is one thing that has my attention. The images here and the effagy outside. I've never seen anything like them anywhere. What are they doing here?", Vincent asks.

The bishop hesitates slightly before answering. "I'm not surprised you don't know about them. The effigy is of the hell mouth. A beast that awaits sinners in hell to consume them and then the images inside are of the seven levels of hell itself. Although these are just inventions of course to…encourage Christians to obey the church and will only find them in religious buildings predating Agion's conquest."

"Agion conquest?", Vincent thinks for a moment with his hand to his chin. "I see, displaying such images was one of the tactics of the church that were forbidden by King Jerome.", he understands. A silent nod from Bishop Patrick is all Vincent needs to confirm his assumption.

After leaving the church Vincent heads straight to his next destination. As he does, a bad feeling settles in his stomach. Looking up to the sky he knows something is wrong. He takes a deep breath and releases it before continuing on his way.

When Vincent arrives at the Roost there are indeed letters waiting for him. Each one bearing the royal seal. He reads each one on his way back to the inn, yet because of the news they bring he finishes them all before he even arrives. He stops just down from the inn with his grip on the letters tight.

So much has happened since he left Gordowe. He places his hand over his mouth in a combination of thought and frustration. Today was the day for Mother Margaret to defend the orphanage against the church's accusations. Which means he won't know what happened until later. He'll also need to make Winston and the others aware of his next destination.

As the thought crosses his mind he suddenly hears a shout.

"Heeelp!"

The call immediately snaps Vincent out of his head and he looks around for where the sound came from. It comes again and this time Vincent is able to pinpoint it to a small house a stone throw away. He rushes over as he stashes the letters away within his armor.