Shadows of the Faith

Erchid and Vanessa sat at a wooden table in the bustling tavern, the dim candlelight flickering over their plates of food. Before Erchid lay a simple meal of mashed potatoes and meat, while Vanessa had an array of dishes in front of her—a mirror of Erchid's meal, a steaming bowl of duck soup, and a hearty plate of rice with bean stew and gravy.

With the ferocity of a beast from the abyss, Vanessa devoured her food, shoveling mouthfuls with reckless abandon. Erchid could only stare, his mind reeling at the sheer speed and enthusiasm of her eating. What kind of beast did I summon? he thought to himself, his disbelief evident on his face.

Just then, the shopkeeper approached Erchid and cleared his throat. "Sir, your bill will be six silvers."

Erchid let out a weary sigh, fishing into his coin pouch and handing over the required amount. As the keeper walked away, Vanessa glanced up from her feast, her cheeks still full.

"You not gonna finish your food?" she asked through a mouthful, eyeing his barely touched plate.

"I think I'm okay for the night—"

Before he could even finish his sentence, Vanessa had already snatched his plate, shoveling his meal into her mouth without hesitation. "Can't let food go to waste!" she declared, her voice muffled by the sheer volume of food in her mouth.

Minutes later, the consequences of her gluttony hit hard. Vanessa groaned, clutching her bloated stomach in agony, her body slumping against the table. "Ugh... my stomach..." she whined.

Erchid sighed again, standing up and pulling her to her feet. As he supported her, they made their way out of the tavern, Vanessa still groaning pitifully.

As they walked down the dimly lit streets, Vanessa let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "You should be running a tavern instead of being here."

Erchid shrugged. "My apprentice handles it when I'm not around. He's a good kid."

Vanessa smirked. "You seem fond of him."

"I guess you could say that. He's always a headache, but... he's good at what he does." A small, almost imperceptible smile crossed Erchid's lips.

Vanessa caught the expression and raised an eyebrow, noting this rare glimpse of a different side of him. She found herself smiling too.

As they reached a crossroads, Vanessa stretched her arms above her head. "Well, this is my stop. My father runs a barn down south—that's where we are."

Erchid smirked. "Guess that explains why you're so gluttonous."

Vanessa's face turned red. "Are you calling me fat?!" she huffed, pouting angrily.

"Come on, it was a joke. Let me take you home—it's late."

"I'm fine! I can go myself! Besides, I can crush any danger with my weight!" she shot back sarcastically.

Erchid burst into laughter, making her fume even more. She stomped off in a huff, still pouting. "See you in three days!" he called after her, but she didn't reply, clearly still mad.

Shaking his head, Erchid turned back and made his way to his own tavern. As he entered, he spotted a black-haired young man, a bit tall with a well-refined physique, diligently cleaning the tables.

"Rodrick, how was tonight? Hope none of the customers caused any trouble."

Rodrick chuckled. "Trouble? Please. With your training, Master, I doubt there's anyone I can't handle."

Without hesitation, Erchid smacked Rodrick on the head, earning a pained yelp as a small bump formed. "Cocky brat."

Rodrick rubbed his head, still groaning. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"Any messages?"

Rodrick suddenly turned serious and reached into his pocket, pulling out a red envelope. Erchid's expression darkened as he took it, scanning the contents. He folded the letter carefully and tucked it away.

"I'll be back," he said, grabbing a cloak and stepping into the night.

The city's grand church loomed ahead, standing at the heart of the district. Entering the sacred halls, Erchid made his way to the confessional booth.

Sliding the wooden partition open, a deep voice greeted him. "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."

"Speak, my son," the priest responded.

Erchid's voice was calm but firm. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

There was a pause. Then, the priest nodded in confirmation. "Your mission is to eliminate Duke William Von Pendren. His death will throw the noble factions into disarray. He is the head of the nobility, and without him, the nobles will descend into chaos. This will grant the royal family an opportunity to tighten their grip on the kingdom, while the rebels use the disorder to solidify their own power. It is a dangerous task—the Duke is on high alert and has hired mercenaries and extra security. The rebel forces are offering one hundred gold coins—fifty now, fifty upon completion. Will you accept the task?"

Erchid nodded. "Yes, Father."

"Then you shall receive the payment by dawn. Let us pray."

Together, they recited the Lord's Prayer:

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen."

As the final words faded into silence, Erchid rose from his seat. With a swift nod, he pulled his hood over his head and stepped out into the night, vanishing into the shadows.