Chapter 191
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL) – Chapter 191
Chapter 191
—My, good Lord.
The man let out that exclamation, which seemed somewhat inappropriate, then straightened his posture and placed one of his hands over his chest.
—I greet His Highness the Grand Duke.
—Do you know me?
—And who in this Empire of Roim does not know the young Duke of the Shirkán family? You are considered a living legend, especially among knights.
A calm smile formed on the man’s face as he uttered those words of praise.
Varkas cast a cold gaze at him and examined him thoroughly.
His hair was light brown, his skin fair with a tendency to tan, and his eyes dark brown.
His features seemed simple overall, but he emanated an aura that somehow suggested danger.
After observing him for a moment, Varkas spoke coldly:
—I have not yet heard your name.
—My, good Lord… I beg you to forgive my lack of courtesy. —The man maintained his polite smile and said without haste—: My name is Roman Talis.
—Are you a subordinate of the grand cathedral of Balfon?
—Exactly —the man nodded, and then added with the soft accent characteristic of the people of Useria—: I specifically belong to the order of the Protectors of the Temple. We have come to verify the reality of the situation after receiving reports indicating the spread of paganism in the territory of Duke Shirkán.
—Then you have come on a vain journey —Varkas interrupted him dryly—. The investigation has already concluded. And we have prepared everything to eradicate the pagans.
—It is as efficient as expected. —The man let out a low exclamation of admiration and lightly spread his hands—: But we are official envoys and we cannot return empty-handed without doing anything. Is searching for the pagans and punishing them not within the competence of the Protectors of the Temple? My men and I will assist you in the purge process.
—I appreciate your offer, but I refuse it. This is a matter we can resolve without the help of external forces.
—External forces… How can you say that? —The man showed exaggerated bewilderment—: The Duke’s territory is part of the lands of the Empire, and the Church is tasked with protecting all subjects of Roim.
—Everyone who has committed the crime of apostasy will appear before a formal trial in the eastern church.
Varkas felt weary of this dialogue of principles, so his gaze became even sharper:
—Whatever your position, to me you are a mere stranger. I cannot allow someone I do not know to roam my lands at will.
—…
—I will allow you to remain in Calmore until this crisis ends. But I will never tolerate the use of force against the inhabitants of my territory.
The smile vanished from the man’s face, and he stood observing him in silence.
Varkas turned around without hesitation and placed his foot on the steps of the staircase leading to the inner rooms on the second floor.
At that moment, a low voice came from behind:
—Is there any reason that prompts you to exclude us so insistently?
Varkas stopped while holding the railing and turned toward the man. The latter approached with light steps that did not match his imposing build and continued in a calm tone:
—Since my arrival in the east, I have heard many interesting rumors about Her Highness the Duke’s wife. If you are warning us because of her…
—Have you not often been told that you do not know your limits? —Varkas interrupted him with a distinct coldness.
The man’s left cheek tensed as if he had perceived the murderous intent that took over the atmosphere. Varkas leaned toward him and added coldly:
—Do you think the position of my wife allows her name to be uttered by an insignificant cleric like you?
—… I have committed a foolishness. I beg you to forgive me.
The man bowed politely, but Varkas did not miss the gleam of amusement that appeared in his eyes.
Varkas stepped a bit closer to him with an imposing authority; from the man emanated a strong smell of blood that only wild animals give off, which aroused an intense suspicion inside him.
—You, are you truly an envoy from the main Church…?
As he was preparing to question him, hurried footsteps resonated inside the chapel.
—I am sorry to keep you waiting, His Highness —the priest who came running spoke politely—. The high priest has ordered that you proceed to the inner room. Follow me, please. —Then he turned briefly toward the man beside him—: As for you, brother…
—I will take my leave now —the man completed the hesitant priest’s sentence smoothly—. We are staying at the hospice of the grand cathedral. If you change your mind, let me know at any time. I will be glad to be of assistance to the Lord Duke…
—I thank you only for the words —Varkas replied with disdain and then followed the priest.
Despite walking away, the unpleasant smell of blood that blurred his nose did not disappear. Varkas turned once more to look at the man over his shoulder.
In that instant, a lightning bolt flashed, revealing Roman Talis’s features in a strange way. Varkas left that annoying image behind and climbed the dark steps of the staircase.
—You have broken your promise to me —Varkas uttered dryly as he sat before a wooden table in the prayer room—. Did you forget that we agreed to silence those absurd suspicions about the Duke’s wife?
—I destroyed the report submitted by the heresy investigator immediately after interviewing you —the high priest said as he took a sip of his tea calmly, and then sighed with weariness—: I do not know what you might have heard, but the Church here has not leaked any secret concerning the Duke’s wife to the outside. If the investigators sent by the central Church discovered something, it must be through their own inquiries.
—Are you saying that you have no connection to them?
—Exactly —the elderly cleric raised his head firmly—: If I had intended to involve the Protectors of the Temple, I would not have requested your help from the beginning. What benefit would I obtain from this situation? Their visit was also a surprise to me.
Varkas looked at him for a moment while reflecting. Surely, the intervention of the central Church in the affairs of the east was not something this man viewed with good eyes.
He asked him in a slightly calmer tone:
—Are their identities confirmed?
—Of course. All visitors carry credentials sealed with the seal of the grand cathedral and have presented an assignment document issued by the main Church.
The high priest pulled out a parchment document and extended it to him:
—Verify it yourself.
Varkas took the document and examined it minually. It was written in the ancient language of Useria and bore the seal of the central Church along with the emblem of the Protectors of the Temple clearly visible.
—There is no room for doubt, then.
—Did something occur that makes you doubt their identities?
Varkas shook his head:
—No. Only a man who seems extremely rough to be a cleric caught my attention, so it occurred to me to ask.
—Is the primary task of the Protectors of the Temple not to judge pagans? It is natural that one acquires a certain hardness due to the rigorous nature of their work. —The elderly cleric spoke with indifference and then changed the subject with a fatigued countenance—: Aside from that, what do you plan to do now? The Protectors of the Temple will try to investigate the situation of the pagans on their own.
—I will not let them snoop around my lands at will. —Varkas threw the parchment onto the table and said firmly—: I will begin the purge operation tomorrow. Once all the pagans are captured, they will have no justification to remain here. Ask them to withdraw as soon as the situation stabilizes.
—There must be no failure in the plan, then. —Concern appeared in the high priest’s eyes—: If the operation fails, they will use the investigative authority they possess, and then we will no longer be able to hide the suspicions about the Duke’s wife…
—That will not happen. —Varkas stood up and looked at the cleric coldly to settle the matter—: I will tear out the roots of paganism from this land so that these annoying incidents are not repeated. So stop mentioning my wife. —He paused for an instant and added in a grim tone—: If you try to pressure me again using her safety as a pretext, the Duke’s family will stop treating you as the high priest.
—… I will keep it in mind.
Varkas turned around and left without delay after the calm response of the high priest.
When he returned to the castle, the raindrops had begun to subside a bit, but the sky remained covered by dense black storm clouds.
Varkas entered the main castle while listening to the intermittent roar of thunder. Silence reigned in the place due to the fact that most of the knights remained at the camp.
—You have returned, His Highness.
As he crossed the illuminated foyer, the head butler, who supervised the servants at the entrance of the dining room, approached him.
He took off his wet coat and looked toward the interior of the illuminated dining room, where his sister and the high vassals were enjoying a late dinner.
—Where is the Duchess? —he asked as usual, to which the head butler who received his coat lowered his gaze in embarrassment:
—Her Highness mentioned that she would dine in her room alone.
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