Chapter 190
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL) – Chapter 190
He frowned deeply; every word she uttered felt as if it were gouging into his entrails.
“Why do you desire a child to such an extreme?”
The question seemed unexpected, as bewilderment flooded her face for an instant. She looked at him with lost eyes before lowering her lashes and murmuring ambiguous words:
“…Must there be a reason? A married woman’s desire to give birth is only natural, is it not?”
Varkas took her chin and forced her to look directly into his eyes, which were sunken in darkness.
“Did you forget all the pain you endured during the pregnancy? Did you not spend months suffering from pains that prevented you from even sitting or lying down comfortably?”
“…It was not that bad. It was bearable.”
She insisted with stubbornness.
Varkas felt a sharp twist in his stomach, so he inhaled the cold air deeply until his lungs were full.
The image of her suffering remained engraved before his eyes even now; the scene of the running blood and her tears as she vanished like an inert corpse remained as vivid in his memory as if it had happened yesterday.
And what happened afterward? Did she not lose her mind completely due to the intense grief of losing the child? And now, after having recovered the health of her body and soul with such difficulty, did she intend to repeat history all over again?
He spoke in a cold and definitive tone that admitted no discussion:
“Whatever you say, it will be of no use. My decision will never change.”
Faced with this sharp declaration, her radiant face transformed into a strange and desolate calm.
She contemplated him with eyes upon which dark shadows fell, and her voice emerged as if it came from a specter:
“Even if this is my last plea?”
The features of his mouth tightened fiercely. The sensation of something sharp tearing his entrails grew worse, but he ignored it and said coldly:
“Even if you plea.”
Her face froze with an even more intense cold.
Varkas reached his hand out unconsciously toward her pale cheek, but he restrained himself and clenched his fist.
He understood by instinct that she would not allow him to touch her anymore from that moment on.
And just as he expected, Talia tilted her head to one side to dodge his hand and glared at him with a look as cold as a dagger:
“Then there is no reason for me to stay with you in this manner. If you are not going to grant me what I want, leave this room immediately.”
Her sharp voice struck his cheek like a whip. He stood watching her lips, which trembled slightly for an instant, and then he stood up slowly.
Talia followed him with a frigid gaze as she lay back down on the bed and covered herself with the blanket up to the crown of her head.
Varkas suppressed a heavy sigh, turned around, and left the room in silence and with a firm step.
The sky showed no intentions of giving the rain a truce for days.
Due to the storms that raged from time to time, the inhabitants of ‘Calmore’ refrained from going out normally, so the markets and squares that used to be packed were left deserted.
This situation proved ideal for the knights of the Duke’s family, who feared that information might leak to the people of ‘Zram’.
Thanks to the early rainy season acting as a protective veil, they were able to concentrate the troops near the forest of ‘Armond’ without drawing attention.
If this downpour continued for a few more days, they would be able to attack the stronghold of the plunderers without the enemies having any inkling regarding the formation of an extermination campaign.
“The governor of ‘Durkaine’ has decided to wait in ‘Breynaic’ and then join the main force on the appointed day.”
“What are the movements of the lords in the southeastern region?”
“There is no news since Lord ‘Darin’ replied that he would conduct a prompt investigation into the matter.” Bayrof, who presented his report calmly and with a reflective expression, added, “It seems that Lord ‘Darin’ is investigating with extreme caution; a hasty search could arouse the suspicion of the other lords.”
Varkas looked in silence at the map spread out over the desk, then leaned his back against the backrest and pressed the bridge of his nose:
“Tell him not to delay too long, the traitors could destroy all the evidence.”
“I will send a messenger pigeon immediately,” Bayrof replied with a deliberate tone and indicated with his gaze to the subordinate knight waiting by the door. The young man understood the silent signal and left the meeting room immediately.
Varkas pushed the map aside and examined with scrutiny the new reports that the informants had prepared.
The preparations for the campaign were moving forward smoothly.
The lords who had suffered for long years from the bands of plunderers manifested their desire to participate; even some faithful devotees of the imperial church donated provisions from their own funds. Thanks to this, they managed to secure a sufficient force without the need to summon the main troops.
“By tomorrow’s dawn, we will have managed to extract the rotten tooth.”
“Do you intend to arrest the pagans as well at the same time?”
Lukas, sitting in silence at the end of the meeting table, opened his mouth to ask. Varkas nodded his head with an indifferent face:
“After finishing off the plunderers, there will be no reason to leave them in peace. As soon as we depart, arrest everyone who appears on the list of pagans. There will be no exceptions for anyone.”
“…Regarding that matter, I have something to tell you,” Lukas spoke with caution, “The church has demanded to take charge of the apostates itself.”
Varkas frowned:
“I thank them for the offer, but their number exceeds the capacity of the forces of the eastern church. Tell them that the Duke’s territory will handle the arrest, and then they will appear before the tribunal presided over by the high priest.”
“The thing is… the central church has sent its holy knights.”
Varkas stopped just as he was about to lift the next report and turned toward him. Lukas continued while ruffling his hair from behind:
“A large number of knights bearing letters sealed with the seal of the central church entered ‘Calmore’ at dawn today. It seems the news leaked from the eastern church.”
Varkas’s face tightened completely; what appeared in the reports of the heresy investigators came to his mind.
Despite the fact that he had obtained a promise from the high priest to silence the rumors related to Talia, it was difficult to trust him completely. If that cleric broke his promise and spoke about the suspicions of heresy surrounding her, it would be difficult to protect her.
Did the central church not consider the ‘illegitimate princess’ as a thorn in their side? They would do the impossible to tarnish the reputation of ‘Snevyr’ by bringing Talia before the tribunal of the inquisition.
Varkas threw down the report he had in his hand and rose from his seat:
“I will go to interview them in person.”
And he left the meeting room immediately.
The rain kept pouring down.
Varkas put on the black cloak offered by his subordinate and led his horse ‘Turk’ out of the stable.
The steed showed itself extremely restless due to the wind and the violent rain.
Varkas calmed ‘Turk’ and left the castle of Raidego to cross the moat and traverse the esplanade.
It took him no more than ten minutes to reach the great cathedral. Under normal conditions it would have taken twice the time, but the deserted streets allowed him to cross half the city in the blink of an eye.
“Lord Grand Duke! How is it that you have come here in such terrible weather and without prior notice…!”
As soon as he entered the inner courtyard of the cathedral, a priest he recognized ran from the roofed corridor. Varkas dismounted from his horse with a leap and examined the temporary stable located at the end of the garden.
The narrow enclosure was packed with huge warhorses; it seemed their number did not drop below fifteen specimens.
He asked with a dry tone:
“I have come to see the high priest.”
“The high priest is in the prayer chapel at this moment. If you have the kindness to wait in the reception room to dry your clothes, I will send word immediately…”
“It is not necessary. I will wait inside the chapel.”
He passed right by the priest and walked with long strides toward the interior of the enormous stone building.
After crossing the imposing entrance of arches, the view of the wide nave where the lights danced opened before him.
He inhaled the cold, thick air characteristic of great cathedrals and traversed the solitary enclosure. Then he stopped upon spotting a huge silhouette standing before the altar of the chapel.
He was a man of great stature who wore a dark gray tunic, with his head raised contemplating the sculptures carved on the walls of the chapel.
Varkas perceived a great force emanating from that firm back, so he made noise with his steps deliberately.
At that moment, the man of imposing build turned to look at Varkas over his shoulder.
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