Ever Hear of Positivity?

A commission for anonymous 

 

You wipe the sweat from your brow. By the Chief God why is it so dang hot in the church? Why couldn’t you just take a rain check for the hot days. Your robe is getting sweatier and sweatier. You would rather strip this off and go lie down in bed, but no, you have a sermon to do.

 

“Anyways,” you grumble to the crowd of villagers. “As you know, the worst thing you can have…are impure thoughts.” You point toward the door. “Out there, there are creatures that prey on those very thoughts, looking to corrupt you! And do you want that?”

 

The villagers were silent, no doubt they too were feeling the heat, but they had grown accustomed to your speeches.

 

You roll your eyes. “Don’t blame me when you are dragged into the woods. Keep your thoughts pure! Succumbing to temptation makes you prime for corruption!”

 

You were pretty sure you said this last week too, but this is what you were taught to preach, or something like that.

“Now, let us pray.”

 

After a moment of silent prayers, though you were sure many of their prayers were for this to be over, you ended the sermon.

 

You stood at the altar, watching as the villagers filed out, discussing with each other what their plans are for today. The children are hoping to catch frogs by the creek, while the adults are hoping to either get chores done or spend time with their families.

 

The only person they aren’t talking to is you.

 

They file out, leaving the already hot church. It gets a little better now that all those bodies aren’t in one place. You sigh, muttering. “See you next Sunday.”

 

All you want to do is rest. It’s too damn hot to do anything. You go back to your quarters, ready to take a nap.

 

******

“Daddy! Are we going to bake today?” pleaded Isabel as she rode on her fathers shoulders.

 

Her father, Robert, scratched his beard, clicking his tongue. “I don’t know, we have a lot of chores to do…”

 

“I’ll do the chores!” she squealed.

 

“You will?” her father feigned surprise.

 

“And then we’ll bake, right?”

 

“Hmmmmmm.”

 

“Please daddy!”

 

He chuckled. “Of course sweetie.”

 

All other kids loved to play outside, she loved to bake, just like her mother. God rest her soul. Robert spotted a nun in the street. She wore a traditional black robe and veil attire. He was baffled because a nun, here? They were in covenants or training to be healers or for combat. What was one doing here?

 

She smiled at him. “Having a blessed day?”

 

“Yes!” Isabel sang.

 

“Indeed we are Sister,” Robert looked around. “You alone?”

 

She smiled with her pearly whites. “Yes, I was sent by the order to assist the priest in this village.”

 

Robert laughed. “Oh boy, I feel sorry for you.”

 

The nun was unphased. “Why?”

 

Robert looked up at his daughter.  “Cover your ears.”

 

She did.

 

Robert looked at the nun harshly. “I don’t mean any offense whatsoever, but forgive me when I say that priest is the biggest prick around.”

 

“Really?” The nun seemed shocked.

 

“He’s abrasive, like the side of a mountain,” he grimaced. “He has the charm of a thorn patch. And I mean no offense.”

 

“None at all, my son, where can I find him?”

 

“The church, you sure you want to go there?”

 

“Why it is important that fellow members of the church communicate, besides, I’m here to help him.”

 

“Well, I wish you the best of luck sister.”

 

“You too,” she looked at his daughter. “Your daughter is a ray of sunshine.”

 

“You are pretty!” the little girl replied.

 

The nun smiled. “Why thank you.”

 

Robert smiled. “She takes after her mother, god rest her soul.”

 

“Oh dear, I am sorry.”

 

Robert sighed. “It’s ok, well, we gotta run, someone has chores to do.”

 

“And then we can bake!”

 

“Exactly, after you do your chores.”

 

Isabel hugged her father. “Ok daddy.”

 

The two left while the nun smiled at him.

 

“Single father, and a child, perfect,” she thought as she walked towards the church. “Now to find that priest.”

 

******

The nun approached the church, conversing with a few more villagers on her way. They were all friendly. She finally met a couple, who ran an inn, and a few more single people, 2 women, and 3 men. She took out a notebook and jotted them down.

 

The nun entered the church, throwing the heavy doors open. She looked around, nothing. Just sunlight, dust and… she tugged on her collar. It was muggy here. She could feel sweat forming under her armpits and down her back.

 

“We need to get some circulation in here,” she thought. She walked through the church, debating on whether to call the priest’s name.

 

“Wait…I don’t know his name,” she thought. “Damn it!”

 

She walked past the empty pews, and towards the altar. She looked around. Unlit candles, beautiful tapestries, windows, and artworks, but no priest.

 

“Hmmm, he’s gotta be here.”

 

She continued walking until she spotted a small door that was just to the right of a statue. She went over to it and opened it up. There, she saw a nice long hallway. She walked down the hallway, passing by more candles. She then reached the end, where she saw a nice wooden door, with a sign that read

 

Anon’s Quarters

 

“Well how nice of him to label it for me,” she thought.

 

She knocked on the door, but heard no response. She knocked again. Still nothing.

 

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to look inside,” she thought.

 

She opened the door, peering inside sneakily. Her face then turned bright red with embarrassment.

You see, after your sermon, you guzzled a lot of water, but that wasn’t cooling you off. Looking down, you realized the robes were pretty heavy.

 

No robes, no sweat.

 

You can see where this is going.

 

“My goodness,” she thought as she gazed at your naked body.

 

You are splayed out on the bed with a blanket covering your member. Your body is sticky with sweat and humidity,  and you are in dreamland.

 

The nun rocked on her heels as she stared at you, debating whether she should wake you up or let you sleep.

 

However, when she opened the door, a breeze came through, connecting with the moisture on your skin, making you shiver. You slowly open your eyes, wondering what’s going on, when you see a figure standing in your room.

 

“BY THE CHIEF GOD!” you yelp as you jolt up.

 

“Sorry!” the nun apologizes.

 

“What are you…” you look down and realize that you, a holy man, are naked (junk still covered) in the presence of a nun. “LEAVE!”

 

The nun scurries out of the room while you put on your clothes. You stumble out of the room, infuriated while the nun is still blushing.

 

“Who are you and why didn’t you knock?” you would rather be asleep, this is your nap time!

 

The nun clears her throat. “My name is Sister Astrella, I was sent by the Order to assist you.”

 

You narrow your eyes with suspicion. “The Order sent you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Well, I didn’t receive any notice.”

 

She groaned. “Curses. I know they sent out a courier, mamano must have gotten him.”

 

That made sense. Couriers were fair game to man mamano.

 

“So what are you here for?” you ask.

 

“I’m here to help you with your sermons, maintaining the church, and of course, spreading the good word.”

 

It’ll be nice to have someone help out around the church. You stretch. “Well first, you can let me get back to my nap.”

 

She nods. “Of course.”

 

You turn around. “There’s a spare room in the basement, much cooler down there than up here. Get settled and we’ll talk at dinner tonight.”

 

“Sounds good.”

 

Astrella nodded and went down to the basement, leaving you to continue with your nap. She went down to her room, instantly the calm collected, porcelain cover that she put on faded. She tore off her undergarments and savagely fingered herself, cupping her own breast.

 

“Yes, yes, oh, you naughty boy!” she growled lasciviously. “Fuck yeah!”

 

All that training paid off, learning how to control her lust and urges, especially when around a priest as fine as you. Images of your sculpted, toned body flew through her mind like it was a statue at an art exhibit. She didn’t mind that you had a small belly, but those arms, those were perfect hugging and holding arms, the arms you want wrapped around you for hugs…or lovemaking.

 

She flopped into bed, moaning silently. “Oh by the demon lord, why did he have to be so hot?!?!?

 

She fingered herself harder, getting closer to the climax of her orgasm.

 

Suddenly a ghoulish green light pulsated from her bag. She looked at it with annoyance. “Now’s not the best time!”

 

She had to answer it, otherwise her superiors wouldn’t be happy. She grabbed a small locket from her bag and opened it. Pieces of glass flew out, forming the shape of a mirror, except her reflection wasn’t in the mirror, it was her superior.

 

The enchanted object is a portable magic mirror, it can take the form of an average pocket mirror and can be used for such purposes. However, it can also be a handy communication device, perfect for the Demon Lord’s Army.

 

Her superior, a purple skinned Demon General with sharp black horns smiled ecstatically when she saw her infiltrator. She sarcastically asked. “Well, who is this human?”

 

Astrella rolled her eyes and took off her ring. Her skin remained pale, but her ears went from round to pointy. Her hair remained silver. However, her long tail unsheathed itself, resting against the bed.

 

“General Clavina,” Astrella said, saluting her. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon.”

 

“I needed to make sure you were safe, and get a status update on the mission.”

 

“Well, I have found a single father.”

 

“Excellent, human children are so wonderful to raise.”

 

“A couple who runs an inn, three single women, and two single men. Given how I just arrived I haven’t had a chance to mingle with the rest of the population.”

 

“In due time, and what of the priest?”

 

“Well…from what I can gather, he’s a bitter man.”

 

General Clavina winced. “Oh dear, will that make things difficult?”

 

“If he’s bitter, it’ll make it much easier to influence him, he’s like a dog that hasn’t been socialized. Give him some pets, some love, a good meal, and he’ll become mine.”

 

“Be careful, this entire operation depends on your information.”

 

“I know.”

 

“So, don’t get distracted.”

 

“Please,” Astrella smiled. “I know how to balance business and pleasure.”

 

“I mean it, this village isn’t just another stepping stone in expanding the glory of the Demon Lord’s Empire, this village will act as a supply base for our army.”

 

Astrella nodded. “And the forest makes it a perfect place to remain unnoticed for a very long time.”

 

“Exactly, so do not wreck this operation!”

 

“I won’t fail you, General.”

 

Their communication ended. Astrella flopped into her bed. “Focus, focus.”

 

She had done this many times before, sneaking into critical villages and even cities gathering information, or corrupting priests, all to either take over the villages, or lure people into the glory of the Demon Lord’s Empire.

 

However, this priest was different. Many priests she encountered were elderly or up in their years. The exhaustion from consistent sermons and Order Propaganda had worn them down. It made it much easier to tempt them with the pleasures the joining the Demon Lord can bring, and what love can do for them. There were of course some kept to their faith, but those were quickly taken care of.

 

This priest, though, is younger. Yet he is just as bitter as an old man.

 

“What is your secret?” she thought. “How does a younger priest like you get here?”

 

Astrella had to admit, she wasn’t expecting a younger priest. She had to get closer to priests, but when they were older, it made things much easier. She wasn’t a fan of older guys. But a younger one, she had to be more careful.

 

“Remember, the mission, get close, conquer.”

 

******

The best naps, in your opinion, are the ones where it’s hot and muggy.

 

Why?

 

Because your body melts into the bed, preserving you in a nice sticky exoskeleton of sweat and damp air. It preserves you enough to where you’ll only feel uncomfortable if you start moving, breaking the seal.

 

However, a peppery smell tickles your nose. You groggily open your eyes. Your stomach starts growling. You missed lunch, and now you have to make up for dinner time.

 

You put on your priestly clothes and stumble out of your room. While you need food, your mouth needs water, as you’ve sweated out a lot of your fluids while sleeping.

 

You rub your eyes as you go up to the kitchen. You find Astrella cooking on the wooden stove, humming to herself. She turns around and smiles at you.  “Good mor-well, it’s evening now, did you sleep well?”

 

You yawn. “Yep, did you get all situated?”

 

“Yes I did, nice quarters, I like them, it felt good to rest after walking all day.”

 

You look at what she’s cooking. She’s cooking potatoes, and she’s added some extra seasonings and spices. “So you can cook?”

 

She smiles “Oh yes, I always found cooking helps pass the time, and can bring me closer to the Chief God.”

 

“How?”

 

“Why if you think about it, cooking requires effort, patience, and dedication, just like faith.”

 

“Ok.”

 

“And, when you cook an amazing meal for your friends, sisters, or fellow members of the clergy,” she gave the potatoes a little stir. “It brings you closer.”

 

She gives the potatoes a stir.

 

You looked over her shoulder as she cooked. Normally when you cooked, it wasn’t even cooking. Maybe a raw potato or turnip. If you had a steak, yes. But this was unique.

 

“Where did you get all this stuff?” you ask.

 

“What stuff?”

 

“The spices.”

 

“Oh, they were in the cabinet.”

 

“Oh.”

 

Astrella looks at you with disbelief. “You didn’t even look in the cabinet?”

 

“I’m not a chef.”

“Still, anyone with a brain can use spices.”

 

You look at her with a sarcastic smile.

 

She went back to cooking. “I see.”

 

You sit at the table. “Thanks for making me dinner.”

 

“No problem, though I am surprised your food stores are looking low.”

 

“Gotta take a vow of poverty,” you grumble.

 

“Well, you don’t have to live in total poverty.”

 

“Look, potatoes get me by.”

 

“Ok, ok.”

 

You sigh, this is honestly the first time in a long time you’ve had company for dinner, you don’t need to burn bridges already. “Look, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to come off crass.”

 

“Oh it’s fine, but it means the locals are right about you.”

 

“What?”

 

Astrella smiles, just out of your view. She has you snagged, and you don’t even know it. “Well, I’ve just heard some….. concerns.”

 

“Concerns?”

 

“Well…..” she scoops the potatoes into a large bowl. “Dinner is ready!”

 

She brings two plates stacked on each other, and forks along with her. She sets them on the table as well as the bowl.

 

“Smells good,” your mouth is drooling, and your stomach is growling.

 

She dishes you up some potatoes. You want to sink your teeth into them there and now, but have to pray first. After she dishes herself some, she smiles at you. “Shall we pray?”

 

You put your hands together for prayer. “Great Chief God, thank you for this bountiful meal, and company. Amen.”

 

You dig into the potatoes. The blend of spices makes your taste buds cry in joy. “My goodness, you made these delicious!”

 

She smiles back at you. “Thank you, I picked up a few things.”

 

“What else did you grab?”

 

“Well, you had some lavender growing, and there were some other spices I picked up on my journey, which enhanced the flavor.”

 

Whatever it was, it was salty, yet sweet, however it wasn’t overpowering, it was balanced just right to make it savory. “Does it have a name?”

 

“Alas, I couldn’t tell you, I got it from some spice merchant, his own special blend.”

 

You nod, it makes sense. After swallowing some of the potatoes, you then circle back to your original question. “So, what’s this about the villagers and their concerns?”

 

She clicked her tongue. “Ah, so they say you come off as, crass, mean, very fire and brimstone.”

 

You roll your eyes, you should have known. “And?”

 

Astrella looks shocked. “And, what do you mean and?”

 

“I’m a priest, I’m trying to save their souls.”

 

“True, true, I mean, who doesn’t love a good soul saving, but….” she sucks on her teeth. “I would feel a priest should have the love of the town behind him.”

 

“I have their respect.”

 

“You have their fear, and I do not mean any offense at all, but, I just worry you..could alienate them.”

 

You huff at her. “What do you know?”

 

“Well, as a woman of the Chief God, I too have studied the works, and worked with people, I know what it means to build relationships with the people of a town.”

 

You sigh, she’s making good points, but there’s a part of you that doesn’t want to be wrong. “Ok, look, I’ve only been here a few months, I’m still trying to get adjusted to this place.”

 

Astrella eats her potatoes. “Well, what do you say we walk around the village tomorrow?”

 

You look at her like she’s weird. “Walk around?”

 

“Don’t you do that?”

 

“Well, I mostly stay in the church, cleaning, sleeping.”

 

Astrella couldn’t believe it. “Don’t you eat dinner with your parish members?”

 

“No.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I haven’t gotten invited, and I don’t want to invite myself.”

 

“Well…you could still go out and maybe someone will invite you.”

 

You sigh and scarf down another potato. “Why would they? You said they think I’m mean.”

 

“Well…they do, but this is a way to show them you aren’t just the creepy old preacher that lives in the church.”

 

You sigh, she was making a good point. It was difficult to go out and meet parishioners outside of church. By yourself felt a little awkward, what were you supposed to even talk about with them? But with Astrella, it could provide a small buffer between you and them, allowing for some conversation.

 

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt,” you say. “But you are coming with me.”

 

Astrella gives a pearly smile. “Of course! I planned to anyway!”

 

You roll your eyes. “Of course you did.”

 

******

The next day you put on your robes, and after a small breakfast of potatoes (The usual), you and Astrella set off into the town.

 

“It’s a nice day outside,” Astrella remarks.

 

The sun is bright and beating down on the village, but it doesn’t feel too hot. “It’s nice out.”

 

You nod politely at some villagers filling a wagon with straw. They look at you like you are a duck walking through town. It’s out of place for them.

 

“Well, you seem popular,” Astrella remarks.

 

“They aren’t used to seeing me outside of church,” you reply.

 

Astrella scans the town and nods. “I see.”

 

A burly looking man, slouched against a building stood up. “Ah-good morning father!”

 

You nod at him. “Thomas, no work today?”

 

You can see him try to hide a bottle behind his back as he stammers. “Yuh-yeah, just….slow day.”

 

You nod slightly, he knows you saw it. “Hitting the bottle again?”

 

Thomas gulps. “Well…just to take the edge off.”

 

“That can lead to sloth, one of the sins,” you shake your finger. “Not good.”

 

“Sorry father, work has been slow.”

 

Astrella chews on her lip. She doesn’t like how you are scolding him like a father does to his son. She steps in. “Father, I believe there is work that needs to be done around the church, yes?”

 

You look at her. “Yes, there is,.”

 

“Well, perhaps we could give him a job, doing some cleaning, maybe some repairs if he’s good with some tools.”

 

“I..I know my way around some,” Thomas says.

 

“See,” Astrella smiles. “It could help you out around the church.”

 

Help is good, but Thomas? He hits the bottle too often, it’s concerning.However, it could give him purpose. You look at Thomas with narrow eyes. “Would you like a job doing some odd jobs for the church?”

 

“Yes, Father!” he says.

 

“Ok, but that is a house of the great Chief God, so no drinking on the job, you are to be sober.”

 

“I promise, Father!”

 

“Good, come by when you don’t have any work,” he’s about to leave for the church when you stop him. “When you are sober.”

 

“Yes, Father, I’ll come by tomorrow, thank you father!”

 

Thomas stumbled away, no doubt to get some water to sober himself up. You go about your walking.

 

“Well, that was very nice,” Astrella says smiling. “Now you have someone to help around the church.”

 

“I thought that’s what you were here to do,” You reply.

 

“Well, I can’t do all the heavy lifting of course, but this is about building a relationship with the people, a church doesn’t function without people.”

 

“True, true,” Help would be appreciated around the church. Could give you more time to nap.

 

Astrella gave another glance at a distant Thomas. “What does the wife think of his drinking?”

 

You laugh. “Thomas doesn’t have a wife.”

 

Astrella took a mental note, another human in need of a wife. “How come?”

 

“Just never got around to it, injured himself a long time ago while being a lumberjack. Split his shin with an axe, was out for a while and developed a drinking habit to deal with the pain,” you shake your head. “I feel for him, but he’s difficult to work with. Alcohol can poison the mind.”

 

“But…by giving him purpose it might help him.”

 

“He still has to do the work,” you look at Astrella. “Even when opportunity is granted to someone, there’s still the chance that they might not take advantage of it and throw it away.”

 

“Well, we’ll just have to see,” Astrella says with a smile.

 

You walk through the village some more, saying hi to the surprised villagers. Astrella is like a bundle of energy. She consistently stops to talk with the villagers, asking about their lives and their professions. Of course you have to stop as well and talk with them. It’s nothing too bad though, a little friendly conversation. The villagers surprisingly talk with you. Guess it’s different when you aren’t giving an angry, passionate sermon. It feels nice to talk with them. Astrella is a curious nun, she’s asking about their jobs, their interests, as well as if they are single or how their family is.

 

You continue walking through the village with her. “You take a key interest in the villagers’ personal lives.”

 

Astrella smiles. “That’s how you build relationships, take an interest, and they’ll trust you.”

 

You nod, but something’s off, she always seems to inquire if they have families, or spouses, or even if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend. “Aren’t you afraid they’ll think you are prying into their lives?”

 

“Nonsense, you just have to know when to stop, or if you are crossing a line, the key thing is balance.”

 

That makes sense to you, but the fact she’s asking about their relationships is bothering you. You are about to ask when you run into Robert and his daughter. They are a close family, though poor Robert has to wear a lot of hats ever since his wife died. It was a rough time for him when Isabel was young, but now that she’s six she can help out around the house more. Robert’s carrying a burlap snack, no doubt it’s full of sweets for his daughter. She must have been a good girl today.

 

Like most of the villagers you encountered previously, both Robert and Isabel are stunned to see you outside of the church. In Isabel’s mind you were like a vampire, never allowed to leave the church or go outside.

 

“Father anon!” Robert says. “What are you doing out here?”

 

You sigh, it would be nice not to have people act surprised when you are outside of the church. “Just wandering around, meeting the parishioners.”

 

“You sure you aren’t a shapeshifter,” laughed Robert. “Who are you and what have you done with Father?”

 

“I can assure you I am not a shapeshifter,” you reply dryly.

 

Robert’s smile fades. You feel a nudge from Astrella. You glance at her to see a look of disappointment.

 

You quickly said. “Because if I was, why would I take the form of a priest, it’s not attractive enough.”

 

Robert laughs. “You are right! It would make more sense for Astrella here to be a shapeshifter!”

 

Astrella smiles nervously. “Hahaha, yeah, totally makes sense!”

 

“Ah, so you’ve met Astrella already?” You ask.

 

“Yep, met her yesterday, and so did Isabel here,” Robert gestures towards his daughter, who gives her a wave.

 

Astrella kneels down to the excited girl. “Did you bake yesterday?”

 

“Yes! We made raspberry tarts!”

 

“Oooo, those sound delicious!”

 

“They are!” Isabel looks at you both with excitement. “Would you like to come over to try some?”

 

Robert looks a little nervous, while he wouldn’t mind Sister Astrella coming over, you on the other hand makes him anxious. “That’s if you aren’t too busy, Father.”

 

Raspberry tarts do sound delicious, and Sister Astrella is already looking like she’ll want to eat a dozen of them, and will pout if you say no. It wouldn’t hurt to come over, after all you are trying to build bridges with the people. “We would be delighted to join you,”

 

Robert smiles, but he has mixed feelings. He never had you over, so he doesn’t know what you will be like and he’s worried that all the fire and brimstone you spit out at church might also come out at the house.

 

Isabel on the other hand is ecstatic. “YAAAYYY!”

 

She grabs both you and Sister Astrella’s hands and leads you towards their house. “Come on!”

 

“Now Isabel,” her father scolds politely. “They don’t need to be led.”

 

“Nonsense, this little chef just wants to make sure we get there safely,” Sister Astrella chuckles.

 

You won’t say this outloud, but this is kind of cute.

 

Isabel leads you both with her father trailing behind to their house. The villagers notice this, most, not surprisingly, are shocked to see you with a nun, but also with parishioners. The others were surprised to see him actually get invited somewhere, let alone Robert’s house with his daughter.

 

They entered Robert’s small house, a simple one bedroom house, and were led to the table.

 

Isabel stood proudly in front of them, like the head chef she thought she was. “Now, raspberry tarts for everyone?”

 

Astrella jokes. “Could I get apple tart?”

 

“No, only raspberries,” Isabel replied.

 

Astrella shook her head, feigning disappointment. “Fine, may I have tea?”

 

“Daddy will need to come with me for that, I can’t reach it.”

 

Robert chuckled and got up to make some tea for their guests. “Are you fine with black tea?”

 

“Of course,” you say. “Tea is tea.”

 

A spot of tea would go well with a raspberry tart. Robert lit a fire in his stove to boil the tea. He went back to sit with the rest of them.

 

“So Father, what made you want to get out of the Church?” Robert asked. “It’s rare to see you outside.”

 

You look over to Astrella. “Sister Astrella thought it would be good of me to get out and mingle with the townsfolk more, and get out of the church.”

 

“And already we’ve been making progress,” Sister Astrella cheered. “Why just today we hired a villager to help do some maintenance around the church.”

 

The tea kettle started whistling. Robert went to take it off and pour them some tea. Isabel eagerly brought them the tarts.

 

Tea and tarts were passed around. You take a bite of the tart. Your taste buds are instantly whisked away as the sweetness of the tart blending with the somewhat sour taste of the raspberry washes over you. There’s a hint of vanilla cream frosting in it. You wolf it down instantly, as your diet of potatoes hasn’t given you much of an appetite for anything else. You look at Isabel. “You made these?”

 

“Yep!” Isabel beamed proudly.

 

“These are amazing!” you say.

 

Sister Astrella hums in delight. “Agreed, such a fantastic talent from a little girl.” she eyes Isabel. “Are you an angel by any chance?”

 

Isabel giggles. “I don’t think so.”

 

“Are you sure? These are a heavenly delight, why the Chief God herself would come herself to try these.”

 

Isabel’s smile got bigger. “You mean it?”

 

Sister Astrella looked at you, urging you with her eyes to compliment her. You nod at Isabel. “Why, yes these are phenomenal!”

 

Isabel squealed and hugged her dad. Robert smiled. “So, what’s this about hiring someone to help around the church?”

 

Sister Astrella smiled. “Well, there’s this man Thomas…”

 

“Thomas?” Robert was surprised, he ran into him a few times, and each time he smelled of alcohol.

 

Sister Astrella nodded. “Yes, we decided to give him some work helping around the church to make things easier for Father Anon here.”

You nod. “Give him a chance to get some work and do some good.”

 

Robert looks concerned. “I don’t mean to come off as brash, but he has a tendency to fancy his liquor.”

 

You sigh. “Yes, but we told him when he’s sober to come by, and if he does good work, he’ll get paid.”

 

Robert nods. “Father, if I may request, could I also assist in any work, just to keep an eye on Thomas. I would hate for something to happen to the church, or him.”

 

It wouldn’t hurt to have an extra set of eyes and hands. You reply. “That will work.”

 

Sister Astrella is still enjoying her tart. “The whole parish should have these!”

 

Isabel is taking so much praise, her smile could split her cheeks. “Really?”

 

“Why of course!” Sister Astrella looks at you. “We must share these with the village! They will sing praises of your skills!”

 

“They will?” Isabel looked at her father with intense joy. “Can we bake for the village?!?! Please daddy?!?!”

 

Robert chuckled. “Well, keep in mind ingredients cost money, and when would we bake for the village?”

 

Sister Astrella then chimed in. “We could have a little get together after service! It could be an opportunity to gather everyone together and converse over delicious sweet treats!”

You had never hosted any of those before. “I don’t know, everyone after mass is always eager to head home.”

 

Robert sipped his tea casually. Now was not the time to talk about the elephant in the room.

 

Sister Astrella knew it was best to avoid talking about that. “Well, I’m sure they’ll stick around if there’s some delicious baked goods from this little angel here.” She patted Isabel’s head.

 

Robert cleared his throat. “But there’s the issue of paying for the ingredients….”

 

You take initiative this time. “I’m sure we can spare some funds to compensate you.”

 

Robert gasped. “Do you mean it?”

 

You nod, perhaps the radiating excitement from Isabel has affected you, or maybe the hospitality of Robert, or it could be Sister Astrella’s own enthusiasm and her getting you out. “Tell me what you need and I’ll get the funds for you tomorrow.”

 

“Oh thank you!” Robert hugs his daughter while she babbles about how her sweets will bring smiles to everyone’s faces.

 

You sip your tea, taking a quick glance over at Sister Astrella, she’s smiling proudly at you.

 

And you can’t blame her.

 

*****

After spending a few hours at Robert’s house, you and Sister Astrella decide to retire to their quarters, the sun was just about to go down, and the two of them were stuffed with pastries.

 

“I might just go to bed,” You say to Sister Astrella. “If I eat anything else, I’m gonna burst.”

 

“Same,” Sister Astrella replies. “You sleep tight father, see you in the morning.”

 

You yawn. “You too!”

 

You retire to your chambers. Today was a good day, you actually got to hang out with the villagers, you didn’t feel any of their boredom. It felt nice.

 

Sister Astrella is a great help. Perhaps she could help mend the relationship between the church and the village.

 

You yawn as you strip off your robes and carefully fold them. You lay on top of your covers, then drift off into sleep.

 

******

 

“What updates do you have?” General Clavina asked Astrella over the magic mirror.

 

Astrella grinned. “So, I’ve been making more contact with the villagers. I will say standard village, good ratio of families. But as for single people, it’s an adult male to adult female ratio of 4 to 3.”

 

“Well that’s not bad.”

 

“But, there’s only 236 people here, and at least three-fourths of them are families.”

 

“Curses, that’s not a lot, but we can incorporate them into the glory that is the Demon Lord.”

 

“Good, good, and families with single parents?”

 

“Not as common, I only have one as far as I know.”

 

“Ok…defenses?”

 

“No formal guards, just a militia.”

 

“Perfect, and easy take over.”

 

“Yes, and when do you plan to strike?”

 

“In a bit, I need to assemble the proper troops, and we cannot draw any attention. Otherwise we might encounter more than just a militia. You just keep doing your job.”

 

Astrella bit her lip. “You sure it can’t be sooner?”

 

“Be patient.”

 

“I’m trying.”

 

“Trying…what do you mean?” General Clavina sighed as the realization hit her. “It’s the priest isn’t it?”

 

“He’s so cute!!!” Astella didn’t know what was going on! Maybe it was watching him interact with the father and child, seeing his soft side. Her womb was aching for a child now. She knew this was lust, but feelings fade. At least they are supposed to. But seeing that priest and being next to him was making her feelings act up.

 

General Clavina groaned. “Listen! Do not ruin this with your urges! You were sent on this mission because you could control them!”

 

“I can, it’s just I didn’t expect him to be so handsome!”

 

“Well, relieve yourself in another way! You have fingers! If men can do it, so can you!”

“But he sleeps in the nude!”

 

General Clavina paused, realizing the temptation her soldier was facing. “I’m so sorry….wait how do you know that?”

 

“I kinda stumbled upon him when I first came here,” Astrella pursed her lips as she thought. “Maybe I could suck his dick…while he sleeps?”

 

“Too risky! A priest getting an orgasm like that would raise suspicions! Not to mention…you would literally be giving him head! How do you think he’s going to react to a nun giving him head?”

 

“Damn it!”

 

“Stay strong! When the army comes, you will have him all to yourself.”

 

Astreall grumbled. “Fine.”

 

“Until then, gather more information, find mates that would be perfect for mamano AND DON’T LAY WITH THE PRIEST!!”

 

“I promise!”

 

“Good, now get a good night’s rest.”

 

After their communications ended, Astrella flopped back into her bed grumbling. Sure she could pleasure herself, but the priest was right there! In his room! Vulnerable!!! Besides, while she could imagine him, she wanted to see him in person!! Yes masturbation can create a wonderful fantasy, but it’s all moot when the person you want is right there in the same building as you!!! She huffed as pulled down her panties.

 

“Little tease,” she muttered as she rubbed her clit. “Walking around in those robes that conceal your bulge, but showing off your manly arms! By the demon lord if I was in the room with you…”

 

She paused. In the room? A smile came over her face. She rushed to her sack and rooted around feverishly. It had to be there she knew she packed it. Then again, whenever she traveled she always forgot one thing, it was a common flaw that she even exhibited before she became monsterized.

 

“Come on, come on, where is….AHA!” she pulled out a small ring. Another perfect infiltration tool, the Ghost Ring. When you put it on, it makes you invisible to the naked eye. Despite the name you couldn’t pass through walls, you remained solid. However, it was perfect for finding a nice corner to spy on people, roam through the streets at night undetected, and sneak into houses to do a little thievery.

 

But depending on the circumstances, it could also be good for a nice fingering.

 

A lewd smile came across her face. No imagination tonight.

 

*****

RAP RAP

 

You stir from your bed, you were having a pretty good and relaxing dream, and then you heard what sounded like someone, or something rapping at your door.

 

“Has to be my imagination,” You think. You turn over to go back to bed.

 

SCRITCH SCRATCH SCRITCH SCRATCH

 

You groan. Now it sounds like something is scratching at the door. You grumble as you get up. “Better not be any blasted cats.”

 

Cats in the village sometimes find their way into the church. They were useful at getting rid of mice and rats, but then they became a problem because they shedded everywhere, and of course started meowing for food constantly. The villagers adopted all of them, though sometimes they find their way back.

 

“I swear if it’s a cat, I’ll be making cat bacon or sausage tomorrow morning,” You mutter. “Maybe just sausage.”

 

You open the door, expecting to find a small fur ball looking up at you, but instead find nothing. Just an empty hall. You look to the left, and then the right, nothing. You scratch your head, puzzled. Maybe it was the wind, or maybe it was a rat, or a bat, or your mind playing tricks on you. You sigh, at least you aren’t wide awake, you’ll be able to go back to bed pretty easily. You close the door behind you and flop into bed before closing your eyes.

 

There is nothing but silence, five minutes pass, then ten, then 15. Finally, a translucent Sister Astrella breathes a sigh of relief. “Finally.”

 

The ring worked! He couldn’t see her! The problem with the ring is that when you put it on, you yourself can’t tell if you are invisible. There’s no weird feeling that takes over and you can still see the rest of your body. The only way to tell if it’s working is if no one can see you. It’s what makes the ring a gamble. But it worked. You didn’t even know she was standing right in front of you, you didn’t hear her slip in, and now she’s in your room drooling over you while you sleep. She sits down in a chair, ogling your body.

 

Tonight you are sleeping in your undergarments, too hot and humid to be under the sheets. This helps you cool off much better.

 

But it also means you are vulnerable to a dark priest’s lust and gaze.

She holds back her squeals as her eyes canvas your body. She picks up the chair and moves it closer to you. She’s mostly surprised about your arms, they look toned and fine, she reaches out to touch them, but her desire to not get caught prevents her. Though her fingers are just millimeters away from your skin, trembling. Her eyes fall to your chest and torso, glistening with sweat. Her tongue hangs out as she thirsts to clean you.

 

“No, no!” she thinks. “Nothing like that…yet.”

 

Astrella spreads her legs while she drools over you. She slides her fingers into her snatch while she whispers to herself. “You dirty, dirty, dirty man.” She imagines riding you into oblivion, imagining you crying and moaning her name, just her name. Because you belong to her. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, god you’re so hot.” She goes into her fantasy world, imagining you tied down to this very bed while she ravages you all night, giving you some aphrodisiacs to keep your stamina up, but to also keep you trapped, because she will not let you leave no matter what. She covers her mouth as she feels herself getting closer and closer to the edge. Her own pussy is getting wetter, pools of her juices are forming on the chair. She leans closer, aching to feel your warm breath on her face.

 

You snort.

 

She jumps back, one hand over her mouth, and her other hand has ceased fingering. You roll over, before snuggling back into your bed.

 

Astrella feels herself on the edge so badly. She took a big risk coming here, and does not want to make herself feel uncomfortable the rest of the night. She slowly, yet gently, continues to masturbate, gently stroking her labia and rubbing her clit.

 

“Almost,” she thinks as she edges closer. “Just a little bit more, just one small…oh no.”

 

But she doesn’t feel a small orgasm coming on. No, instead it’s a pressurized build of juices flooding out of her vagina. She clamps her hand tighter, stifling a massive moan.

 

“Gotta get out! Gotta get into the hallway!” She thinks as she stands up, but in her haste, she  knocks the chair over.

 

“NO!” she screams internally as the chair closes in on the floor. She grabs it just in time, but something else has arrived. Her eyes go wide in horror. “Damn it.”

 

Her hips jolt forward as girl cum sprays out of her aching pussy. The chair is awashed with girl cum, covering it like rain. She turns around, before realizing the only thing now in the path of her orgasm is you. She covers her snatch with her hand, keeping the flash flood contained, but cracks in her fingers still send some flying to your body. They gently pitter patter onto your bed, and arm, not too much, but just enough to act like a massive drop of water falling down from the ceiling.

 

The warm, wet girl cum dripping onto your arm was enough to wake you. You roll over, drowsy, your eyes barely open. “What? What’s that?”

 

You look around the room, something feels wet on your bed. You touch your skin.

 

Astrella holds her breath, this could be the end.

 

You grumble. “God damn it’s hot.”

 

You assume what’s on your arm is sweat, and while most of it is, you don’t bother noticing that this certain fluid is a little more sticky, but your brain demands sleep. You roll back over, trying to fall asleep.

 

Astrella once more waits about fifteen minutes before realizing that it might be best for her to get some sleep as well. She leaves, feeling more nervous and frustrated than before.

 

“Way too close,” she mutters.

 

*****

You wake up the next morning feeling good, but thirsty. You swing your legs out of bed.

 

WHACK!

 

You collapse to the floor clutching your foot, groaning loudly in pain. Your poor pinky toe just collided with the chair. At least you are awake now, pain is more efficient than any cup of coffee or tea ever is.

 

“I thought that chair was farther away,” you whimper as you put your clothes on. “Stupid chair.”

 

You stumble out into the hallway, ready for some food and water. You can smell the breakfast potatoes cooking from the hallway. You smile, it is nice to have someone make your breakfast. It helps brighten the morning more. Plus less work you have to do.

 

You yawn as you enter the kitchen. “Good morning, Sister Astrella.”

 

Sister Astrella is feverishly stirring the potatoes in the skillet. “Good morning, Father Anon! Sleep well?”

 

You notice she sounds a little panicked today, it’s odd. “I slept good….do we have any water?”

 

“Yes! Of course!” she hurries over a barrel and grabs a ladle. She pours it into a cup sloppily, spilling it over the side. “Ooops!”

 

“Are you ok?” You ask.

 

“Yes! Just….” Sister Astrella tries to think of a fib. She knows you didn’t see her, and she doubts you even heard anything, or suspect anything, but the guilt and shame have gotten to her. And there’s the fact she heard you keel over due to stubbing your toe also has her on the edge. “I heard you in pain this morning!”

 

“Oh that,” you wince at the dull pain in your toe. “I stubbed my toe this morning, and the blasted chair hurt my pinky toe.”

 

Astrella gasped through her teeth. “My goodness! That’s terrible! How is your toe?”

 

“Hurts, but it’s not broken,” you reply. “It’ll be fine.”

 

She brings you potatoes. “Well, hopefully these potatoes help.”

 

You chuckle. “I sincerely doubt potatoes solve pain.” You take a bite out of them, and hum with pleasure. They are so delicious. “But they help.”

 

After eating breakfast, Robert comes over to the church.

 

“Thank you again for funding this Father,” Robert graces. “I had trouble putting Isabel to bed last night because she was so excited.”

 

“Well, it would be a shame to hide such wonderful treats from the villagers.”

 

Robert smiles. “So, I made a list. We’ll need raspberries, flour, sugar, jelly, and a few other items here.”

 

You look at the list, these items shouldn’t be too hard, a merchant comes to town tomorrow and he has all of this stuff. “It shall be done.”

 

“Excellent, I owe you Father.”

 

“There is one thing you can do,” you say as he leaves.

 

Robert turns around. “Yes Father?”

 

“Keep an eye on Thomas, if you see him, bring him in to do work…if he’s sober of course.”

 

“You got it Father.” Robert then left.

 

You sit back in your chair and glance over at Sister Astrella. She’s grinning giddily.

 

“You seem very excited,” you remark.

 

“A little girl’s dreams will come true because of you,” she sighs. “How can you not be excited?”

 

“I will say it will be nice,” he sighed. “Of course that depends on the villagers.”

 

Sister Astrella sucked on her teeth. “Ah yes, from what I’ve heard you can be a little….” she paused to think of the right word. “Intense during the sermons.”

 

You huff at her. “The point of the sermons is to urge them to avoid sin.”

 

“Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Sister Astrella smiled fauxly. “Buut, there is a thing as….well… .how to describe it….too much drama?”

 

You take offense to that. “What I do is not drama!”

 

“Sorry, wrong words…maybe…” she scratched her chin, trying to think of the right vocabulary for this situation. “Too harsh? Is that better?”

 

“How else is one supposed to reach them?” you sigh. “We are fighting a war against that blasted Demon Lord, the people have to know that their very souls are at risk for corruption.”

 

Astrella held her tongue. Her transformation into a dark priest at the hands of General Clavina had been a blessing to her. For many years, she had suppressed her urges, taking refuge in the Chief God’s arms. But when the Demon Lord’s armies found her and her covent, all had changed. She tried to resist when they monsterized, praying to the Chief God for help, but a new god had found her, the Demon Lord. The Demon Lord had offered her a way out, no more hiding, no more suppressing those lustful urges, and a way to still bring smiles to people’s faces while finding them happiness, and of course salvation.

 

This priest would prove to be difficult, as he was deeply rooted in The Order’s propaganda. However, she could find a way to soften his heart, and reach the villagers.

 

She kept a firm face, yet a professional tone as she says. “I know their souls are at risk, but shouldn’t your goal be to inspire the people, not frighten?”

 

“Fear can inspire.”

 

“Yes, but do you know what also inspires?”

 

“What?”

 

“Compassion.”

 

You roll your eyes. “Compassion?”

 

“Well, if you think about it, yes you can tell them that they should keep their souls purified or else they’ll go to hell, that does work. Buuuuut, you can also try to inspire them to help one another, like if you see your fellow man falling behind, or becoming tempted, get them off that path. Put them on the path of righteousness.”

 

You nod at that. “Iron sharpens iron.”

 

“Exactly, and also, another point I might add, if we are wanting people to stick around for the tarts afterwards, we want to encourage them to come and enjoy some raspberry tarts, and a more light, but efficient sermon might be the way to do it.”

 

You sigh. She is right. You know everyone is quick to leave once the sermon is done. That would not be ideal this coming Sunday. Isabel’s heart would break.

 

“Hmmmmm,” you scratch your chin. “Perhaps you could help me workshop my sermon.”

 

Sister Astrella smiled. “I would be delighted!”

 

SUNDAY

 

All week you had prepared with the help of Sister Astrella and you had rehearsed this many times before. Granted you have prepared for sermons many times over, you rehearsed them. It’s a basic procedure. However, for the first time ever, you feel absolutely nervous.

 

You stand in front of the parishioners, their eyes on you. You can tell by the looks on their faces they are grudgingly awaiting another fire and brimstone message. They already know they are going to be lectured on why they are damned if they don’t save themselves or their souls.

 

But this time, it’ll be different.

 

But your palms are sweaty and it isn’t from the humidity. Your head burns bright red, but it isn’t from the sun.

 

You can’t understand it. You’ve done this so many times before without hesitation. You chalk it up to this being a new time of sermon to the crowd, and you weren’t sure how they would take it. Sister Astrella says they’ll love it, and you want to believe her, but at the same time doubt lingers in your mind.

 

You take a look at Sister Astrella. She smiles warmly at you, her eyes saying, “Have faith.”

 

You swallow any doubts trying to come up and smile at the parishioners. “Good morning everyone.”

“Good morning Father,” they reply obediently.

 

“Given the heat as well as how stuffy it is today, I’ll try to keep this brief,” you clear your throat. “Now, it’s important to do your diligence and keep your mind and soul away from … .temptations that corrupt your soul. That is a fact.”

 

You can already see some eyerolls in the crowd.

 

“But….while it’s important to do your own diligence, one must also look to their fellow man, their neighbor, and more importantly, their friends. Now one would ask why? If I’m doing well, what does it matter if my fellow man has gone down the beaten path? Everyone else around me is fine, there’s always going to be some outcasts that don’t fit in. That’s nature, right?”

 

Now the crowd is getting more intrigued. The bored expressions turn into more active listening, they are being pulled in by your words.

 

“However, what we must know is that simply letting those people become snared in their own problems poses a risk. For if they continue to remain in that state of misery, it could spread. While it might seem like they are enjoying themselves, inside, they are hurting, as the smile masks the pain. And it in turn, convinces others that maybe that lifestyle is the way, when it’s not. But it does not mean we should cast them out. It means, we need to make an attempt to fix them.”

 

The parishioners nodded, a few ‘Amen’s’ punctured the air.

 

“For example, the other day Sister Astrella and I ran into someone you all know, Thomas.”

 

A nervous Thomas had seated himself in the back, he waved to everyone.

 

“Now, we cannot blame him for his habit, but we are familiar with how it’s impacted the town, and his work. However, Sister Astrella here gave me an idea, he is always looking for work, why not employ him ourselves? Now we made some rules, show up sober, but you’ll get paid. When I offered that to him, I saw something in his eyes. Whenever I saw them, they were always clouded by the haze of alcohol. Yet, when I offered him that job, they cleared up. I saw something in them instead, and do you know what that was? It was for a purpose. I had given him purpose. Instead of waiting for a job to be available, he now had something to do, somewhere to go to keep him busy. And while it’s only been a week, he has done a fantastic job cleaning, doing minor repairs.” You chuckle. “He finally fixed that squeaky pew in the front, you all know which one I’m talking about.”

 

That garnered a chuckle from them.

 

“And every day he has come, he has been sober. And I hope he’ll continue coming by for work. So you see, help your neighbor if you see them struggling. Give them a chance, it is of course up to them to take it, but offer those chances, and it’ll mean the world to them. As they say, iron sharpens iron until it is stronger, and that is what we must do.”

 

You can feel the warm reaction from them. For once they are happy not because the sermon has ended, but because you inspired them. While they are silent, it’s worth noting their smiles and eyes say enough.

 

You look over to Sister Astrella and she smiles encouragingly at you.

 

After saying a few prayers, the sermon is over.

 

“Now, if you all have time, I would love for you all to join us out back after church. Our village’s own Isabel Butler prepared for everyone raspberry tarts, and it would mean a lot to her if you all showed up,” you smile at everyone. “Have a blessed day.”

 

Everyone leaves in bright spirits, with their stomachs rumbling, eager to try the raspberry tarts.

 

You follow the crowd with Sister Astrella behind you.

 

“That was wonderful,” she whispers

 

“I really connected with them,” you say with a smile on your face.

 

“See, a little positivity can go a long way,” she replies.

 

As you all leave the church, Isabel and her father are standing near a table with rows of raspberry sweet tart. The parishioners’ mouths are drooling at the sight and smell of them. In an organized fashion, they descend on the table, each taking one. The moment they sunk their teeth into the pastry, an echo of ‘mmms’ and ‘delicious’ filled the air. Isabel’s eyes grow just as big as her smile. Her father nods in approval, proud of his daughter, and enamoured by her smile.

 

You take a bite out of the pastry. “These get better every time.”

 

Sister Astrella nods as she eats hers. “She is quite the chef.”

 

You look out at the crowd and smile. This is the first time you’ve managed to gather everyone post-sermon. It was nice to see their smiles.

 

As always Sister Astrella was mingling with the villagers, talking with them.

 

“So you’ve lived here all your life?” Sister Astrella asks a very old widow named Elenore.

 

“Yes, even after my Albert died, I stayed, it’s so peaceful here.”

 

“Peace is important.”

 

“Yes, I’m glad it’s away from that war. The peacefulness of this village is what makes what time I have left easier.”

 

Sister Astrella nodded her head, agreeing. Astrella wanted peace too, but peace only came once the Demon Lord reigns supreme. Hopefully the takeover wouldn’t cause too much of a strain on her. But this village would fall, that is a promise.

 

Meanwhile, you make your way over to Robert. You smile at him. “Isabel did a fantastic job.”

 

Robert smiled. “She woke up early and started baking, sorry if they are a little cold.”

 

You take a bite out of the pastry. “She has nothing to worry about at all.”

 

Robert nods eagerly, he looks at his smiling daughter. The villagers come by and praise her treats, calling them delightful and delicious. Each praise makes her smile grow wider and wider. She rushes over to her father.

 

Robert chuckles. “I take it they like the raspberry tarts?”

 

“They love them!” She hugs her father, but then gives you a hug. “Thank you Father!”

 

You are shocked, this affection feels foreign to you. You glance over at Sister Astrella, she smiles at you. Her positivity is rubbing off on you. You give Isabel a small hug back. “The work was all yours Isabel, you brought these people tasty treats.”

 

Isabel smiles like an angel. “Can I do this again, Father?”

 

“Of course, we will plan for another time.”

 

“You better!” yells a villager. “This makes me glad I came to mass today!”

 

“It’ll give me a reason to come in the future!” another laughs.

 

You join in with the laughs. It feels good. For the first time in a while, you feel happy. You look over at a laughing Sister Astrella, and it’s all because of her.

 

*****

After everyone leaves, you and Sister Astrella settle down.

 

“Thank you,” you say to her.

 

“For what?” she replies.

“For helping me,” you sigh. “Are you going to visit the villagers?”

 

“Of course, you wish to join, Father?”

 

You chuckle. “Not today, I have to do some work, I’ll join you tomorrow.”

 

She smiles cunningly. “By work, you mean a nap?”

 

You laugh. “Perhaps, but no. I have to monitor the confession booth for a few hours.”

 

“Does anyone even come to those?”

 

“You would be surprised, but it does give me time to meditate.”

 

“Of course,” Sister Astrella smiles. “I’ll see you tonight for dinner.”

 

She leaves you in the church. The moment the doors shut behind you, you dart into a confession booth. You need some time for yourself, especially now. You put your hands together and pray. “Glorious Chief God, I need your help. I first want to thank you for sending Sister Astrella my way, she is a great addition to the Church. The villagers love her, she has helped bring me out of my shell, and actually make an impact. I want to apologize for my bitterness. I know I have been trying to spread your word, but…even I can admit that I may have been too harsh, driving a wedge between myself and my flock, though it is also your flock as well. But, I pray to you not just because I ask for your mighty forgiveness, but because I have an internal struggle….”

 

You hear the church doors fling open. You shut your mouth, you’ll continue after this. It’s strange, normally you have a solid fifteen minutes before someone shows up to confession. But someone must have something to confess. You straighten yourself up. The booth on the other side opens up. You hear the person sit down.

 

A husky, yet feminine voice says. “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.”

 

“Tell me, what ails you?”

 

She sighs. “I must say…I feel embarrassed.”

 

“That is natural, but you have nothing to fear.”

 

“It’s just….I haven’t really spoken to anyone about this.”

 

“It’s ok, what you say stays between you, me, and of course, the Chief God.”

 

“You promise?”

“Of course.”

 

She sighs. “Well…where do I begin?”

 

“At the beginning,” you joke.

 

She chuckles. “You are funny, Father.”

“Thank you.”

 

She clears her throat. “Well…first, I am living with…a man…we aren’t married”

 

You tsk. “Cohabitation?”

 

“Not really, I am a worker of his, well…maybe an assistant, I help him with his day to day activities.”

 

“Are you a maid?”

 

“Sort of, but for this purpose we’ll just say I’m the maid.”

 

“Ok, what do you do for him?”

 

“Well, I help him with his customers, mostly trying to attract new ones and old ones, I also do some light cleaning, but I do a lot of the cooking.”

 

“Are you a good cook?”

 

“Yes I am, he loves my meals, I can cook them right, though I do wish we could get some more ingredients.”

 

“What do you cook for him?”

 

“Potatoes.”

 

You control your laughter. It’s a coincidence, Sister Astrella cooks that for you as well. “Ok, so you have duties.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And you do your duties?”

 

“Of course, I never want to fail them at all.”

“It sounds like you are dedicated.”

 

“I am, I want to help him, I do. But lately….I’ve been feeling…lustful.”

 

You hum and nod your head. “I see, and what has brought this on?” You know the answer but there’s a part of you that doesn’t want to assume.

 

“Well, it’s the man, being around him can be … .hard…because…” she sighs. “Are you sure this stays between us?”

 

“Yes, I promise, me and the Chief God.”

 

“Ok…well…when I came to visit him in his room….he was sleeping….naked.”

 

“And?”

 

“And? He sleeps naked.”

 

Are women weirded out by a man sleeping naked? Even you do it. “Well…sometimes it gets hot outside, and it makes the home muggy, so you sleep naked to feel comfortable…that’s what I’ve heard.”

 

“Ok, that makes sense…but….I saw him…in the nude.”

 

“Oh, and did you see everything?”

“Everything.”

 

“Oh my.”

 

“Yes, and….it’s been giving me some lustful thoughts.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“And I have been touching myself, a lot.”

 

You feel a little sweaty, and that’s not from the confession box. “I see.”

 

“Like a lot Father, I pleasure myself every night to him before I go to bed because I can’t get the image of his cut, sweaty cock and balls out of my mind. Like he’s hung good Father, really hung well, I swear….”

 

“Ok…ok,” you now feel uncomfortable. “You don’t need to tell me everything.”

“But this is a safe place, right?”

 

“Yes but some details are best left to the imagination.”

 

She whistled to herself. “You can say that again, Father.”

 

He shuddered. “Anyways, so you see him naked.”

 

“And originally, I thought it was lust, like that’s normal, right?”

 

“While it is a sin, it is natural for someone to feel those lustful feelings towards another. But it’s important to control it, and to not mix up lust with love. You can lust for someone, but do you actually love them?”

 

“That’s the problem, I don’t know.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because as I stated I spend time with him, and I’ve got to know him more. He’s changed a lot. I think he just needed some guidance. He’s more happy, and…it’s shown a side of him that’s….different.”

 

You nod your head. “I see.”

 

“So yes, he’s hot, but now that he’s changed, I don’t know if this is lust, or love, and it’s confusing me. I’m trying to focus on my work, but my mind can’t stop thinking about him…and Father…should I do something lewd to him.”

 

You don’t even want to ask what that would entail. “How about…you tell him how you feel?”

 

The woman sighs. “He has some different beliefs than me.”

 

“In what way?”

 

“Well…some slight differences in politics.”

 

That sparks some curiosity. “What do you mean?”

 

“Oh it’s nothing bad, just you know, certain beliefs on relationships.”

 

“Ah, well, maybe you should be honest with him.”

 

“But what if he rejects me?”

 

“Then it wasn’t meant to be, but it’ll give you peace of mind. You can take that opportunity  to give your love to someone else.”

 

“But…what if I really, really, want him?”

 

You sigh, young love. “Is this love, or lust?”

 

She sighs. “Honestly, I think it’s love.”

 

“Well, you mention he was a, to put it bluntly,  a stubborn fool, correct?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Well, maybe he has those same feelings, but he has a hard way of showing them.”

 

You can hear excitement in her voice. “That would make sense.”

 

“Now keep in mind, that is a theory, but it might mean there is potential he could reciprocate them.”

 

“Thank you, Father, I will tell him when the time is right!”

 

“Excellent.”

 

“Uh, Father, before I go, is there a penance for my lust, and the masturbation?”

 

You sigh. “Just pray, and avoid it, and promise me you’ll talk to him.”

 

“I will!”

 

You hear her leave. “Hopefully she gets what she wants.”

 

*****

Sister Astrella shuts the door to the church behind her. “Finally!”

 

She coughs to clear her throat. Doing that voice was hard, but it paid off. She knew a confessional was the perfect way to get closer to him. All she had to do was disguise herself. And it worked. She smirks as she goes off into the town. Now she has a better understanding of what to do with Father, and it came straight from the horse’s mouth.

 

“Soon,” she says. “Soon.

 

*****

You had very few people show up after that one lady came by for confession. It wasn’t too bad. By the time you got out, Sister Astrella was in the kitchen cooking.

 

“Did your day go well?” she asks.

 

“Yeah, it was good,” you yawn. “Not many people came by, so it gave me some time to dwell.”

 

“That’s wonderful!”

 

You sniff the air. It smells different. Instead of potatoes, it smells like…meat. “What are you cooking?”

 

Sister Astrella smiles at you. “I decided to pick up something from the butcher, tell me, do you like pork?”

 

“Yes, yes I do.”

 

“Well, I decided that tonight we should have a little something special.”

 

“What’s the occasion?”

 

She chuckles. “For finally getting people to stay after a sermon.”

 

You laugh sarcastically. “Ha, ha, well at least I’ll have a good dinner to go with it.”

 

You also notice she’s lit some candles. “What’s with the candles?”

 

“Oh I thought it would brighten the mood, that’s all.”

 

“Ok.”

 

The candles are a good touch, they help light up the room. You also notice that Sister Astrella looks more mysterious in this light. The shadows seem to make her body more curvaceous, and somewhat seductive. Every flicker of the candle makes those curves flash before your eyes.

 

You rub them. It must have been a long day. Your mind can start wandering after these days.

 

Sister Astrella turns around and reveals two plates of ham. “Now we can eat.”

 

You sniff the air. You get hints of fresh spices, but something sweet as well. “Did you add sugar to the ham?”

 

“Sort of , I used honey,” she smiled. “It gives it a good glaze, and adds to the flavor.”

 

She sets the plate down in front of you. “And it makes it smell perfect.”

 

You take a bit out of it. Your taste buds explode as glazed pork touches your tastebuds. You savagely carve up the food and scarf it down.

 

Sister Astrella smiles at you. “I take it you like it?”

 

“Of course!” you say with a mouthful of ham.

 

“I’m glad,” she smiles.

 

You would have noticed the sensuality of her smile, but you are more focused on your ham. How long has it been since you’ve had ham?

 

A month?

 

Maybe two?

 

Or three?

 

Either way, after living off of potatoes for a while, it’s nice to have some actual meat in your life.

 

“Father…” Sister Astrella clears her throat. “You enjoy my food, right?”

 

“Of course,” you reply with a mouthful of ham.

 

“And, you enjoy my company?”

 

“Of course,” you nod at her. “I’m glad the Order sent you here.”

 

She bites her lip. “Well, Father…..”

 

KNOCK KNOCK!

 

You sigh, you hate it when dinner gets interrupted. But someone is at the door.

 

“Wait here,” you say. You go to the front doors of the church. You open the door. There is a villager with a somber face. Your discontent fades, that face the villager wears means one of the following: someone is sick, or someone is dying.

 

You pray that it’s not the second.

 

“Demitri,” you say in a compassionate tone. “What is the problem?”

 

He looks at you with watery eyes. “It’s Elenore.”

 

Your jaw clenches. “Is she sick?”

 

He looks grimly at you. “Worse.”

 

You close your eyes and sigh bleakley. You look back at Sister Astrella. “Do you want to come along?”

 

She looks at you with a straight face. “Is it required?”

 

“It isn’t, but I’ll be there for awhile,” a knot forms in your stomach, you know what this means. “It is a difficult task.”

 

She looks at Demitri, then you. “I’ll go with you.”

 

You nod, then look back at Demitri. “Let me get my things.”

 

He nods back. “Just hurry.”

 

“I will,” you reply.

 

****

You and Sister Astrella are led to Elenore’s house. Sister Astrella looks more bewildered. She’s not used to seeing you out of the church after dark, and she isn’t fully aware of what’s going on. She gathers some hints that Elenore is in trouble.

 

You walk ahead with a blank face. This is your job as priest, but it doesn’t get easier every time. You mentally prepare yourself for what’s next.

 

Outside Elenor’s cottage, there’s a group of people, all with somber faces. You close your eyes and sigh grimly.

 

You are led to her door, where you wait for a few seconds to prepare yourself.

 

Sister Astrella follows patiently, keeping her mouth shut tightly. She feels something in her heart she hasn’t felt in a long time. It’s painful, it feels like her heart is shutting down.

 

The door opens. Another villager greets you. “She’s in her bed.”

 

You nod and go past him with Sister Astrella following. There you see Elanore in her bed, looking far more frail than usual. Despite her heavy, weak eyes, they show a glimmer of passion when they see you and sister Astrella.

 

“Father!” she croaks. “How are you?”

 

You smile softly. “I am well, and you, Elenore?”

 

She coughs, her face looks sweaty and pale, a stark contrast from earlier. She smiles weakly.  “Never better, Father.”

 

You put on a brave smile. You kneel next to her. “I brought a long Sister Astrella.”

 

She glances at her, she shows off her weak, yet pearly white teeth. “There she is!”

 

Sister Astrella waves bashfully. “Hello, Elenore.”

 

“I haven’t seen you since this morning,” Elenaor sighs. “It is a peaceful village, isn’t it?”

“It is,” she replies.

 

She smacks her lips dryly. You motion for a gourd. A villager brings you one. You hold the water up to her lips. She drinks it slowly. The water gives her some life. “Thank you, Father.”

 

She looks at you. “How are you this evening, Father?”

 

You smile, holding back your emotions. “I am good.”

 

She nods, but then ponders her question. “Did I ask that already?”

 

“Yes,” you laugh dryly.

 

“Ah….I see.”

 

“Except, you asked how I am, not how my evening is.”

 

“Ah, so a different question,” she chuckles, then coughs. It sounds brutal in her throat, like an entire lung is going to come out. You don’t wince, it would be rude too. She smiles. “Sorry, Father.”

 

“It’s ok, and my night is going well.”

 

“I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”

 

She sounds like she feels sorry. You smile. “No, you didn’t.”

 

She looks at Sister Astrella and chuckles weakly. “I interrupted something, didn’t I?”

 

Sister Astrella looks at the ground. “You want the truth?”

 

“Never hurts.”

 

“You weren’t interrupting anything.”

 

She laughs weakly., “I thought you nuns weren’t supposed to lie.”

 

She grits her teeth. “How did you know?”

“I’ve been around for a long time, you know when people are lying,” she sighs as she leans her head back. “Don’t lie to a woman on her deathbed.”

 

Sister Astrella looks hurt, like the words she’s about to spit out are like venom. “We….we were eating dinner.”

 

She looks at you somberly. “I’m sorry for interrupting dinner.”

 

You play along and take her hand. “You couldn’t have postponed it just a few more hours?”

 

“Blasted angel of death,” she chuckles. “Has to come at the wrong time.”

 

You hold her hand. “I’m sorry it had to happen now.”

 

“But maybe she can be saved!” Sister Astrella interjects.

 

Elenore laughs weakly. “No one lives forever, and it is my time.”

 

You hold her hand. “I do appreciate how you came to all of my sermons, I remember how you sat in the front row every time.”

 

She squeezes your hand gently. “I must admit, Father…you came off brash quite a bit.”

 

You smile, tears forming in your eyes. “I know.”

 

“But…you do know how to inspire….I just hope….I just hope….” she coughs grotesquely. “I hope…I was a good follower.”

 

“You were, don’t you ever doubt yourself.”

 

“I….I enjoyed your last sermon….” she smiles at you, you feel her grip getting weaker. “And…the raspberry tarts.”

 

“Isabel made those,” a tear runs down your face.

“Ah…tell her…it was the best,” her breathing becomes more shallow.

 

Sister Astrella leans down, you can hear the desperation in her voice. “Don’t give up! Listen, you….whatever it is, the doctors can help! They can!”

 

Elenore’s elderly eyes fall to you. “She really is new, isn’t she?”

 

“Yes, yes she is,” you say grimly.

 

Elenore looks at Sister Astrella. She struggles to touch her cheek. Sister Astrella leans forward, allowing the decrepit woman to touch her. “There comes a time where we all must leave this earth. I had a good life … .but now … .I can join my Albert…..” She smiles. “I’m glad today was a good final day.” She glances at you. “Will you pray with me?”

 

“Of course,” you say as you hold her hand. “Chief God….another soul will be coming your way. It is a tragedy, when a good soul has to leave this great earth that you made. But….it is their reward for a life on this earth. I hope….I hope that she will be welcomed into your kingdom and be able to join the ranks as an angel. Or….at least be allowed to continue to live a peaceful life. For that is all she wants.” you glance at her, her smile is weak, but it reaches into your heart, tugging on it. “Please, great Chief God, keep her safe. Amen.”

 

“A….a….a…..amen….” Elenore gasps.

 

You feel her squeeze your hand one final time, giving it all she’s got, before it stops, and stops, before it goes limp. You hear a small death rattle from her, and the light goes out in her eyes.

 

You look over at Sister Astrella, her eyes are full of tears.

 

It is done.

 

*****

The walk back to the church was dead silent. Preparations were made already to get her in the ground. She would have a funeral the following day.

 

You look over at Sister Astrella. For the first time since she entered the village, you aren’t seeing a smile. She wears a somber face, and remains silent. When you get back to the church, you part ways to your separate bedrooms.

 

You lay down in your bed. It’ll be a long day tomorrow. You expect many people to be there, she was well known throughout the village. Her kindness was very infectious.

 

You want to fall asleep, but something is bothering you. It’s not Elenore’s death, it’s Sister Astrella. She took her death hard. Even though she only knew her for about a day, she did have a wonderful conversation with her, and it meant a lot to Elenore. Elenore was known for striking up conversations with anyone, and when you talked with her, you felt as though you knew her your entire life. She had so much charisma and kindness.

 

You want to check in on her to be on the safe side. You leave your room and go to her chambers. You pause at her door, as you hear a faint crying inside. You grit your teeth.

 

Do you dare knock on the door? Or wait until tomorrow?

 

You hear her crying faintly, it sounds more muffled, like she’s crying into a pillow.

 

“Tomorrow,” you tell yourself. She needs time to work through these emotions, you’ll talk tomorrow.

 

*****

The funeral occurred in the afternoon and was about an hour, but the entire village showed up. Afterwards people went to go to their homes or pubs to talk with her. Throughout the entire funeral you kept an eye on Sister Astrella. She only stared at the ground for the funeral.

 

When it’s  finished you take her back to the church. Her eyes are still red from crying.

 

Sister Astrella looks at you, confused. She wonders how you remain stone faced.,

 

You head to the kitchen with her. You go to the cabinet and pull out a bottle of wine. You turn around and look at her. “I take it you haven’t experienced death much.”

 

She shakes her head.

 

You pour her a cup of wine. “Have a drink.”

 

Sister Astrella sniffles. “Is…is that the church wine?”

 

“No, it’s my own private stash.”

 

She wipes her eyes. “Are…are you allowed to drink?”

 

“Of course, just not too much,” you reply as you pour your own cup. You offer her a cup of wine.

 

She takes it and sips it. She winces at the taste. “It’s a little dry.”

 

You sip the wine. “Yeah, I got some sweet wine though.” You look at the current bottle. “We just have to finish this one before we get to that wine.”

 

She grimaces. “Lucky me.”

 

You both sip the wine.

 

“Elenore is in a better place,” you say.

 

“This was her place,” Sister Astrella replies. “She loved this village.”

 

“She did, and she loved the people here, and she loved the church,” you smile. “And she did enjoy me, even if I was a little brash.”

 

“But…but why? Why does she have to leave now?”

 

You sigh. “Because we all have limited time on this earth. It’s an unfortunate fact.

“But….” Sister Astrella had to choose her next words very, very, carefully. The wrong words could draw suspicion. “I have heard…there is the ability to raise the dead.”

 

You look at her, concerned. “Such magic is forbidden, and is heretical. The Order looks down upon that kind of magic.”

 

“But…hypothetically, if you could raise the dead,” she sipped her wine, grimacing at the dry flavor. It burned her taste buds. “Wouldn’t you? You could have loved ones with you again.”

 

You sigh. “It is something everyone wishes they could do, and I don’t blame them.”

 

“Do you have any family you wish you could see again?”

 

You ponder for a moment. “No, I don’t.”

 

“Why?”

 

You look at her. “Because who am I to take them away from eternal rest?”

 

“But you could see them again.”

 

“I could, but I wouldn’t want to pull them from their rest, there is one thing about raising the dead that no one thinks about, it’s the condition of the body. Even the best liches know that a fresh body is better, but an old body? No, that seems like torment to me.”

 

She bit her lip, and painfully admitted. “You speak the truth.”

 

“Besides, in the afterlife, Elenore can see Albert again,” you smile softly at her. “She visited me at the church now and then, my…unfortunate brash attitude however didn’t scare her away. She told me she missed Albert, and couldn’t wait for the day to be reunited with him.”

 

“She did?” Sister Astrella had remembered her talk about Albert.

 

“Yes, she missed him greatly, but knew he would want her to keep living until it was time,” you sigh. “And it was time.”

 

She sighs and polishes off her wine. “Is there more?”

 

You look at the bottle and chug it. You grimace, it is bitter on the way down. “Now we can open the sweet wine.”

 

She looks a little happier when you mention that. You pop the cork off and pour you and her a glass.

 

She takes it and sips. This time a warm smile goes over her face. “Is it easy doing funerals?”

 

“While I’ve gotten used to it, it’s never an easy task,” you sip your wine. “It’s the eyes that get me.”

 

“Of the dead?”

 

“No, the people, you can see the pain in their eyes. It never goes away even after you lower the body into the ground. It’s hard to look at.”

 

“I see.”

 

“I never go to their wakes or celebration of life events either.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because, they tell stories of the person, and even though many of them are of happy memories, it only masks the pain. And you end up feeling more somber as the night goes on.”

 

Sister Astrella sips her wine. “Father, may I ask you a question?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“I don’t mean to sound rude or insinuate anything, but…” she clears her throat. “Do you like being a priest?”

 

There’s a question you never expected to hear at all. You chew your lip. “Do you want to explain your question?”

 

“It’s just, you seemed bitter at first, and while you are happy, you talk of the faults that go with it. It seems this job is more of a burden, rather than a benefit. And, I mean that in the kindest way possible.”

 

You sigh as you sip your wine. “This does not leave this church, understand?”

 

“Of course.”

 

You polish off your cup and look at her, disheartened. “I never wanted to be a priest.”

 

Her eyes are big like saucers. “What?”

 

“I never wanted to be a priest,” you sigh. “It was the last thing on my list.” You pour yourself another cup of wine, then pull up your sleeve. “See these arms?”

 

She looks at your toned and large forearms. “Yes.”

 

“Have you ever seen a priest with these?”

 

“I can’t say I have.”

 

“These arms were made for swinging a warhammer.”

 

“No way!” Sister Astrella leans forward, now intrigued.

 

“Yeah, I…I was a warrior, trained to be one. I wanted to join the Order for military experience, and….and….” you sigh. “I…I….it’s a little stupid.”

 

Sister Astrella smiles at you and scoots over. “Talking with you has brightened my day much more, so I will not judge.”

 

You sigh. “I wanted … .to be a hero.”

 

“You did?”

 

You are surprised she doesn’t laugh, she notices and asks. “What’s wrong?”

 

“Well, I always was a little embarrassed to say I wanted to be a hero.”

 

“Well, doesn’t everyone want to be one in some way?”

 

“That is true, but I wanted glory, legends to be told of me, ballads written about all my deeds,” you chuckle. “I guess I let my ego grow too big.”

 

“Well, you had accomplishments you wanted to achieve, that’s not silly.”

 

“Well, that was my dream. And I thought the Order could help me achieve it. Give me the tools, and skills, and the experience to push me into glory.”

 

“Oh….” Normally there was always something that held them back. An injury, a birth defect, or politics within the army can hold someone back. The question is, which one was it? “Well, how did you do?”

 

“I excelled. I trained hard to show my superiors I was a worthy soldier,” you smile as you look at the floor. “I chose the warhammer because it’s versatile. You can bludgeon someone with it and it has enough force behind it to take on even the biggest of monsters. Plus it comes with a nice little spike on the end to penetrate any armor.”

 

“Impressive.”

 

“Yes, I rose above the ranks quickly, but not without putting in the work.  I am smart enough to  know that a hero is born through hard work, nothing is just handed to them.”

 

“Very true.”

 

“Well, I trained for hours, working until my hands ached, my knuckles bled, and my chest hurt. But it was worth it. I was assigned to a guard regiment that was in charge of guarding key merchant and supply routes,” you smiled as you dwell on those memories. “My first step towards my dream.”

 

“Did you get to use any of your training?”

 

You sip your wine. “Not as much as I thought I would, there was an occasional skirmish, but I was always made to sit back at the wagons to make sure no one snuck through to raid them.”

 

Sister Astrella chuckles. “I bet you hoped one would get through.”

 

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t,” you laugh.

 

“So, did you join the vocation because of boredom?”

 

“No, I was forced to come here.”

 

“How?”

 

“My ego got the better of me.”

 

“In what way?”

“I assumed that with my hard work and dedication, my superiors, the lords, even fellow soldiers would see I’m destined for greatness, and that…even if I made a mistake, I shouldn’t be held back,” you sigh. “That was definitely the ego talking.”

 

“Oh…what happened?”

 

A Couple Years ago

 

“Stay sharp men!” the knight paced back and forth on his horse. “Those bandits want our cargo, and we cannot allow that.”

 

“YES SIR!” the men shouted.

 

You sling your hammer over your shoulder, scanning the woods. You feel envious as you hear the clanking of metal, and the barrel chested roars of warriors fighting. You feel envious, but you remember that not every scream is of victory.

 

A fellow soldier stands next to you, he’s not with the order but with a local militia that aids in fighting and security “Beats being up there, right?”

 

You look at him. “What do you mean?”

 

“Every time, they do the fighting, and we get the easy job,” he smiles. “Keeps us out of danger.”

 

“I feel they would benefit more if we were there,” you say.

 

“Heh, don’t be so eager to get into combat.”

 

“Have you been in combat?”

 

“Nope, and I don’t plan on it either.”

 

You look at him with disbelief. “Then what’s the point of joining your militia? You will have to fight eventually, and cowardice is frowned upon.

 

He smiles and walks away. You shake your head with disgust. How do weaklings like him get to join a militia? At least he’s not within the Order, he would have been casted out for his weakness. Of course it’s probably best he’s not on the front line. He only wears leather armor and carries a spear that looks like it hasn’t been used for decades. It didn’t even look properly sharpened. You sigh. You are one of three Order soldiers made to guard the supply lines. The rest of the men are a mis-match of militia members, random knights and soldiers from the lord. The knight on the horse is some Order member whose father had deep pockets. Got to command his own band of soldiers. You would be upset, but he does take his job seriously, and he actually can swing a sword. The same can’t be said about the other nepo-knights. You walk over to a group of militia men, smoking a pipe.

 

They look at you and offer you a smoke.

 

You look at them with disgust.

 

“It’s tobacco,” one says. “From the Zippo region.”

 

You shake your head and huff. “It’s Zipangu.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Nevermind,” You continue patrolling. It is boring work, but you play a key role in protecting the supplies. Everyone treats it as a break. The main force is composed of knights, heroes, and Order soldiers, best of the best. It meant they shouldn’t get through them. But you take your job extra seriously.

 

You scan the woods cautiously, keeping your eyes peeled.

 

You hear a militia man laugh. “Relax, they have it hand-AH!”

 

You whirl around to see him fall to the ground, clutching his shoulder in pain. Now the relaxed smiles of the militia men have faded as they scramble to grab their weapons. Suddenly more arrows are falling. You wince as you hear men squealing as the arrows pierce through their flesh.

 

“AMBUSH!” you yell.

 

Suddenly bandits burst out of the woods, armed to the teeth, yelling like savages. You clench your warhammer eagerly. Finally, at long last, combat.

 

A bandit charges at you, sword at the ready. You easily dodge his swing, then uppercut him with the warhammer, he goes flying back. You charge at another ruffian, slamming it into his back. Another scrambles to engage you, but it’s too late. Your warhammer smashes into his chest, he falls back sputtering.

 

You smile. Finally, some action! You notice the torches have grown brighter. This will help you see better.

 

“BY THE CHIEF GOD! THE WAGONS!” the Knight yells.

 

You turn around to see the bandits scurrying away, and the wagons are engulfed in a massive blaze of fire. This doesn’t make sense, why would they torch the wagons!?!? That’s where the loot is!

 

“Put them out!” The knight yelled

 

The cowardly bandits scurry away, you look back at the massive flames. Everything is an inferno. The canvas wagons are torched. You see people scurrying to put out the flames. You rush to join them, might as well try to save something from this.

 

“Where’s the water?” you asked a militia man.

 

He pointed to a barrel and you rushed over to it. You scoop some meager water with your hands and throw it onto the fire. The meaningless water doesn’t do much to stop it. The flames laugh at you for your pitiful effort.

 

“We have to hurry!” a fellow Order soldier yelled.

 

“Why?” you were told the supplies were food, water, some gold, maybe some alcohol.

 

The soldier looked at you with fear in his eyes. “We got some blasting powder in there!”

 

“What?” You had heard of this. It was something made in the Far East, supposedly it was incredibly destructive. Able to make explosions as big as a mage’s explosive magic. It could decimate walls when used right, and destroy mountains. The key thing that made it effective was fire. And in an open field like this, with a massive fire going on, there was a disaster looming.

 

“We gotta get everyone out of here!” you yelled.

 

“But, the powder!”

 

“Where is it?”

 

The soldier looked shamefully at the ground. “They didn’t tell us which wagon has it.”

 

No doubt that was to prevent the bandits from targeting a specific wagon. The powder could fetch a hefty price on the black market. Except they were destroying it.

 

“Get everyone away! It’s lost anyway!” you yelled as the flames grew higher, licking the sky as it consumed everything.

 

He nods, knowing it would be pointless to continue the firefighting effort.

 

You quickly gather the rest of the soldiers and militiamen to get away from the fire. All are happy to get away as even they recognize the futility.

 

“That should be everyone,” you think.

 

The knight rides up to you. “Did you order everyone to retreat?”

 

“The cargo’s lost sir, and there’s blasting powder in there!”

 

He nods. “I’ll take responsibility for this, but the servants are disobeying!”

 

You look in horror as some servants are frantically attempting to put out the fire, running with their buckets. You run over to them frantically. “Get away from there!”

 

The servant looks at you with horror. “We cannot let the cargo burn!”

 

“Your lives are more valuable than whatever is in there!”

 

Another servant shivered. “Our orders were to get it in one piece.”

 

“It’s going to explode!” you yell.”

 

“If we hurry! We can save it!”

 

You roll your eyes. You seize one of them by the arm and yank him towards you. He resists, and screams. “Stay away! You don’t know what will happen if we fail!”

 

“You’ll die!” you groan.

 

The servant runs back towards the fire. You curse under your breath. You then yank the servant by the collar. He yelps like a dog being yanked back on a leash.

 

“You stay here!” you growl.

 

“No!” he screams.

 

You clock him in the jaw. He falls to the ground like a sack of potatoes. You huff. “I wasn’t asking.”

 

It appears these servants are more worried about the wrath of their master instead of their own lives. That’s a problem. Loyalty is important, but it’s also important to have situational awareness, and know when to retreat. These servants lacked that sense of self preservation. And now they are making you do this the hard way.

 

You rush the other servant and yank him by his arm. He raises a fist at you. “Unhand me!”

 

You dodge his wild swing and gut shot him. He doubles over, and you drag him away from the blaze. You then go to the final servant. He doesn’t even notice you as he is throwing a bucket of water on the flames. You don’t even bother trying to get his attention. You thump him on the back of his head and he falls to the ground like a brick.

 

You drag him away with his comrades. You hear what sounds like a sharp popping noise.

 

“GET DOWN!” the knight yells.

 

A wagon explodes in a massive fireball. You fall to the ground, covering your ears. The heat scorches the grass around you, lighting up the entire woods. Even the soldiers on the front lines turn their heads to see what just happened.

 

You look up, and see the wagons are still ablaze, but now smoldering. So much for the cargo.

 

The knight rides up to you. “Good thinking, we would have perished if we continued to try and put it out.”

 

“Thank you sir,” you say.

 

Back to the present

 

You sigh. “After all that, I thought I would be rewarded.”

 

“And you weren’t?”

 

You sigh as you sip your wine. “My commanding officers praised me, but when I got back to the camp, someone went off on me, saying I cost them everything. It was all gone, food, alcohol, money, the blasting power,  gone. All up in flames.” you stiffen as you remember him screaming at you. Angry that you chose people over things. “Now, I have been screamed at before. When I was getting trained, of course I was yelled at. Of course I was berated. But those criticisms were valid, they were trying to make you better. And we had been taught to protect people.” your voice lowers, sounding like a growl. “But this man forgot what we stood for.”

 

“So what happened?” Sister Astrella has been drinking her wine quickly, eager to know what happens next. “Did you cuss him out?”

 

You sigh. “Well, I was tired, exhausted, and I didn’t need someone screaming at me. So….I hit him.”

 

Her eyes went wide. “You hit him?!?!”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You hit him?!?”

 

“Square in the jaw, dropped him like a sack of potatoes.”

 

“And what happened?”

 

“Well, everyone went silent, no one stopped me, they were in shock, and I just walked off, I had time to deal with this. And no one had stopped me, so I figured he wasn’t that important,” you shudder as you polish off your cup. “Then the next morning came. I woke up and was greeted by guards.”

 

“Oh no.”

 

“Turns out, the man I hit was a knight…and he was the knight of Lord Star, one of the Order’s biggest backers….” you grumble. “And you can guess what happened next.”

 

“You were thrown in prison?”

 

“Lord Star wanted to execute me, but the Order talked him down, they decided to reassign me, but the Lord had the final laugh, he said he didn’t want me assigned to any combat duties,” you throw up your arms. “So, they decided the next best thing was vocation, and low and behold: here I am.”

 

Sister Astrella couldn’t believe it, no wonder he was grumpy when she first arrived! “So it was because you saved lives, they sent you somewhere where you can take no more lives?”

 

“Pretty much,” you smirk. “On the bright side they let me keep my hammer.”

 

“You still have it?”

 

“Yeah,” you look at her. “Want to see it?”

Sister Astrella nodded. You both put down the cups and go to your room. You walk up to a large wardrobe and throw its wooden doors open. “Stay back.”

 

“Is it big?” she asks.

 

“Yes, yes it is,” you pull out your warhammer. You haven’t set eyes on it since you got here. It’s a two handed weapon, with a nasty looking blunt tip with grooves on it, the spike looks like it could be a sickle, meant for grabbing and penetrating armor.

 

“Wow,” she looks it up and down. That warhammer could do a lot of damage. “You wielded that?”

 

“Yep,” it feels a little heavy, you haven’t been working out as much as before. “I was skilled with it.”

 

“Wow….” she looks at you, “I can see why you would be upset.”

 

“My parents were happy though, took me off the frontlines, their boy could be safe,” you sigh. “But I didn’t take it well. Going through vocation was hard, the studying, the praying, the scripture reading.  I actually preferred the grueling physical training. But when I was finished, I did have some hope. That maybe I could be sent to a village where the war was at its doorsteps, or besieged by bandits. Then I could still serve as a warrior, a warrior priest, now that has a lot of ballads to go with it.”

 

“Indeed, warrior priests are looked highly upon.”

 

You huff. “Alas, they sent me here, a village out of the way of conflict, and peaceful.”

 

“Peaceful for now,” Sister Astrella thinks. She still doesn’t know when they are going to arrive, but it’ll be soon.

 

“When I got here, I didn’t take it well, as you can guess,” you sigh. “I guess, I thought I could do so much more than be a priest. I really did.”

 

“Not to sound rude, but it sounds like you took your frustrations out on the townspeople.”

 

“You could probably say that, that’s why they were all fire and brimstone, I decided to do my job of saving their souls, but I was really angry at myself,” you lean your hammer against the wall and sit on your bed. “I just wanted to be someone.”

 

Sister Astrella chews on her lip, thinking. “Do I sit next to him? On one hand that’s what a friend would do, but is it something a nun would do? Could it blow my cover? Or will he not care? He doesn’t seem to enjoy his job, so maybe he won’t care too much for all the details.”

 

You sigh again. “But I’m stuck here…but…maybe it’s not all that bad.”

 

Sister Astrella’s ears burn, her mind makes a decision. To sit next to you. She sits next to you, her hands in her lap. “And what makes it not so bad?”

 

“Well…” you sigh and look at her. In all honesty, she did make things better. In the brief amount of time she spent here with you, she did help you get past your bitterness. You actually were enjoying spending time out here. But, she’s a holy person. A person who has taken a vow of chastity.

 

“Well what?” she asks.

 

“It’s…it’s nothing,” you didn’t want to tell her she looked pretty. But, was that the alcohol talking or you? You hadn’t really interacted with girls. Vocation had no women at all, and as for the women in the village? You stayed away from them simply because you are the priest, you aren’t supposed to mingle like that. But this is different, this is a woman who actually is living with you. While yes, you are in separate rooms, you still bond, eat together, share thoughts together.

 

Astrella has her own thoughts. She leans over and whispers. “Can I tell you something?”

 

“Sure,” you reply.

 

“I think you are too cute to be a priest.”

 

You are taken aback. That’s the last thing you expected a nun to say. “Sister, I didn’t think you would be so forward.”

 

Astrella knew how to handle her liquor, but this presented a perfect opportunity for her. Under the guise of intoxication, she could theoretically make a move, just a small one. Nothing too serious. She gasps your hand. “I mean it, I mean … .I think warriors would be better, because you have the perfect body for one.”

 

Your heart races. You look down, your face feeling hot. “Well, thanks.”

 

“I mean, if you don’t mind me asking,” she whispers in your ear with a chuckle. “Did you want to be a warrior to attract a nice girl?”

 

You giggle. “Sister Astrella! You naughty nun!”

 

She giggles. “It’s just some men think being warriors or adventurers can land them a nice wife, or a harem. Tell me, did you want a harem?”

 

You laugh. “My goodness! What perverted thoughts!”

 

“I’m not hearing a no.”

 

You laugh hard, tears of happiness coming out of your eyes. This is something you needed for a long time. She’s laughing along with you.

 

“I (ha!) still haven’t (ha) heard a no!” she laughs.

 

“Ok, ok,” you laugh. You take a breath to compose yourself. “This doesn’t leave the room.”

 

“My lips are sealed.”

 

You sigh. “It’s just….”  you still feel a little nervous.

 

“Well, will some wine help?”

 

“Yes.”

 

She leaves the room briefly, and returns with the wine and hands you a full cup.

 

You suck down half of the cup. “Thanks.”

 

“You are welcome,” she leans forward, an eager smile spreading across her face. “Now, what were you going to say?”

 

The alcohol helps relax you. You finally say it. “While nothing would give me greater joy than to serve the Order….I guess… a little part of me…was hoping..to…attract someone.”

 

“I knew it!” she fell back into the bed laughing.

 

“I said part of me!”

 

“You want a girl to kiss!” She starts making kissy faces.

 

The alcohol has an interesting effect on nuns, but you aren’t complaining. You laugh. “Hey! I want to fight!”

 

“And kiss!”

 

“But slay monsters!”

 

“And kiss a girl!”

 

You polish off your cup and laugh. “Ok, ok, but doesn’t everyone crave something like that?”

 

She sighs. “Yeah.”

 

You are surprised. “You long for that, Sister Astrella?”

 

She smiles at you. Though Astrella did realize she has to choose her words carefully. But she uses her knowledge back when she was human. “Well of course, you have to have a desire to have a family if you want to get into the Covent.”

“You do?”

 

“Of course, you have to have that desire, because it’s about spreading the word, but you also have to be caring and loving. If you don’t desire that, one would assume you are selfish.”

 

You nod.”That makes sense.”

 

You lie down with her on the bed and sigh. “Well….I guess I’ll be without a wife for a long time.”

 

“Why? Did you take a vow of celibacy?”

 

“Well…not really.”

 

“Not really?”

 

“Look, there are priests that do that, but….I wasn’t one of them.”

 

“Oooo, I thought you had to swear off temptation.”

 

“I do, but…..” you sigh. “I’m hoping to meet someone.”

 

“There’s plenty of girls in the village.”

 

“I can’t date a woman in the village.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because, it’s weird if a priest dates someone in his flock, the Order would frown upon it. And not to mention people might think I’m going to lead a cult or something because I’m seducing the women of the villages.”

 

“But then you’ll have your harem,” she giggles.

 

“I never said I wanted a harem!”

 

“Just joking,” she sighs then. Looking up at the ceiling. “You know, I was feeling very sad after Elenare died.”

 

“I know, it was tragic.”

 

“But being here with you, talking, it really, really helped brighten my day.”

 

You look over at her and smile. “I’m glad, you looked like you needed some time with…well…a friend.”

Sister Astrella looks over at you and smiles. “We are friends?”

 

“Yes.”

 

You look over at her, staring into her green eyes. They are calming, relaxing, and….alluring.

 

She notices you gulp. She rolls over onto her shoulder and says softly. “I’m glad you are my friend.”

 

You nod at her. She stares into your eyes. She is still in her nunnery outfit, but she looks attractive in it. It’s loose, yet hugs the curves of her body at certain angles.

 

“No, no!” you think. “No thoughts, it’s the alcohol talking.”

 

“Something on your mind?” she asks.

 

You clear your throat and look down at the sheets. “No.”

 

She scoots closer. “You sure?”

 

“I…I….” you feel your heart beating. Is she coming onto you? She’s a nun. But you both have been drinking. “I…I….listen…can I tell you something?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Listen…and…I mean this with great respect, Sister Astrella. I…I think…you…are cute.”

 

Her eyes flutter. “You think I’m cute?”

 

“Yes, and, I mean that in a good way.”

 

“Of course it’s a good way, it’s a nice compliment.”

 

“Well, I mean…you know,” you can’t believe how awkward you sound. You never prepared for talking to a girl like this! “I mean, in a way, that doesn’t sound…carnal.”

 

She then touches your face. Her fingers feel warm and your body freezes. A nun, just touched you?

 

“You don’t sound carnal,” she whispers as she leans in closer. “You sound…genuine.”

 

Her words are soft, sensual, they tickle your brain. Your lack of intimacy has made you desperate for a woman’s touch, or gaze. Being a priest dulled it for a while, until she came along, she cleared your mind. Made it now see the brightness in the world again!

And that brightness is why you find your lips planted on hers. Her lips are soft, and taste of wine. It feels wonderful, you haven’t kissed anyone before.

 

“Wait….I JUST KISSED A NUN!” Horror creeps into your mind. You pull back, terrified.

 

Sister Astrella is looking back at you with equally as surprised and dinner plate sized eyes

 

“Sister Astrella, I’m so sorry, I…I…I didn’t mean to!”

 

In Sister Astrella’s mind, unbeknownst to you, she wants to ram her tongue down your throat right now, and take you on the bed. Her loins are soaking, the spark of the kiss ignited the fire in her womb, and she could easily grab you, flip you on your back, and ride you until the sun comes up.

 

But…the mission comes first. She smiles, hiding the lustful pain building up inside of her. “It is fine, don’t worry, alcohol does make us do foolish things.”

 

“Yes, yes it does.”

 

However, Sister Astrella does not want to leave empty handed.

 

“Father, I have a question,” she bats her eyes. “I…feel intoxicated and I am comfortable…could I sleep in your bed with you tonight?”

 

Now you feel a crawling sensation in your pants when she says that. Part of you wants to say no, but the other half is eager. “I..I guess that would be ok.”

 

She rolls over and straightens herself out on the bed. “Excellent.”

 

You lie next to her, but with your back facing hers. This is fine, sleeping back to back, nothing wrong with that.

 

“Sleep tight, Sister Astrella,” you say.

 

Suddenly you feel the bed move, then arms are draped around you. You feel her warm, clothed body press against your. She nuzzles next to you and hums. “Sleep tight, Father.”

 

You don’t shake her off, nor do you tell her to stop. You close your eyes though, and let this warm feeling carry you off into dreamland.

 

*****

You wake up the next morning. Your head throbs a little bit, but you feel fine, a little water should help. You are trying to remember what happened last night. Then you see the arms of Sister Astrella around your chest. It then hits you like a rock that’s been shot from a catapult.

 

YOU KISSED A NUN!

 

AND SHE IS CUDDLING YOU!

 

You hear her stir a little bit, you are unsure what to do at this moment. You don’t know if it would be a good idea to move, because you don’t want to wake her, and you like her cuddling you.

 

At the same time, it feels weird a nun is cuddling you, but then again that is the effects of alcohol can do a number on a lot of people, even the most holiest of people. Yet it feels a little weird, you never knew a nun to partake in alcohol, especially with a man present. However, you haven’t spent much time around nuns, and she felt comfortable with you since you are a priest.

 

You hear her stir a little bit, she mutters something as she drifts out of her sleepy haze.

 

“Morning, handsome,” she says.

 

Your ears burn. “Handsome?”

 

You are still facing away from her, but if you were looking at her you would have seen the panic on her face. Astrella cursed herself for her slip up. Nuns don’t call men handsome! Let alone priests! She quickly backpedaled. “Sorry, I was having a wonderful dream, someone kissed me.”

 

Now your face burned with embarrassment “Uh wow, didn’t think nuns had dreams like that.”

 

She laughs. “You would be surprised.”

 

She gets up, stretching her arms. “I need to freshen up, and I’ll get some breakfast for us.”

 

“Thanks!” you reply quickly.

 

She leaves your room casually, masking her excitement. The moment she leaves, she sprints down the hall to her room. She slams the door behind her, breathing hard, her chest bulging as she sucks in the entire room.

 

“He…kissed me!” Astrella pants. “On the lips!! On the lips!”

 

She had to tell someone. She dived into her bed, and rooted through her bag, before pulling out the magic mirror. She waits a few seconds, though they feel like hours.

 

Finally, General Clavina answers. “Astrella! Are you ok?”

 

“There is a big development here!”

 

General Clavina looks panicked. “What? Did the militia get bolstered? Did the Order come? Did you get discovered?”

 

“The priest…he…he….”

 

“He found you out?”

 

“He…he….kissed me!!”

 

General Clavina looks like she would have rather heard that the Order was in the village. “YOU KISSED HIM?”

 

“No! He kissed me!”

 

“Oh…oh….why..how?”

 

“The other day…a villager passed away…and…it upset me. And after the funeral, he and I were drinking…and talking. He comforted me when I needed it. I haven’t been around a lot of death, and..I was upset. It was nice to talk to him.”

 

“And he kissed you?”

 

Astrella clears her throat. “Well..I kinda flirted with him a little bit.”

 

“So…you seduced him?”

 

“Yes.”

 

General Clavina groans. “The mission Astrella! The mission!”

 

“I couldn’t help it!”

 

“Blasted alcohol makes your mind weak!”

 

“But he kissed me!”

 

“Did you sleep with him?”

 

“I slept in the same bed with him.”

 

“Don’t get cute with me! Did you lay with him?””

 

Astrella wants to crack another joke, but decides to hold off on that. “No, I didn’t lay with him. We did some cuddling, but nothing else.”

 

General Clavina breathes a sigh of relief. “Good, so he is still unaware?”

“Yes, he is.”

 

“And this kiss…it won’t jeopardize anything?”

 

“It won’t.”

 

“Good, my army will be ready to move in a matter of days, we’ll be dispatching soldiers to you soon, but keep us informed of everything!”

 

“I will General Clavina, long live the Demon Lord.”

 

“Long live the Demon Lord.”

 

Astrella puts the magic mirror away and sighs. “Relax, just a couple more days, that’s all.”

 

Normally during these missions, she would move onto the next town, but now….she might actually settle down. The priest, he’s vulnerable. The life of preaching isn’t for him, he longs for something more. And she could give it to him!

 

Would he resist?”

 

Most likely.

 

But now, there was the question on how to handle him when the invasion arrives.

 

“I could slip something into his drink…knock him out, restrain him, he’ll be a problem when the invasion happens, he’ll resist,” she thinks. “I have to plan it out…maybe today, or tomorrow, no, he still has to be seen. I can’t risk the village getting suspicious.”

 

She gets up. “First things first, breakfast…after I change.”

 

She changes out of her robes, planning her next move in her mind.

 

Just Outside Astrella’s Door

 

You had followed Sister Astrella, wanting to talk about what happened. It was only right that you discuss what happened, and how she feels about it. You also wanted to let her know that what happened last night wasn’t just the alcohol controlling your mind. You wanted to kiss her, not out of lust, not out of  loneliness.

 

You like her.

 

She is a nun of course, but you like her. It’s improper of course but, that doesn’t matter. You need to let your feelings be heard.

 

As you went to her door, you heard her talking. You assumed it was to herself, until you heard a different voice.

 

It sounded strange, feminine and husky.

 

It is not polite to eavesdrop, but in this case, it makes sense. You pressed your ear to the door and listened.

 

They first start by talking about the kiss from last night.

 

“She was feigning!” you think

 

They talk about that for a bit. But you knew something was off. Whoever she was talking to mentioned sleeping with you. While you aren’t opposed to that, it’s weird to hear a nun talk about it.

 

After they bicker over that, you hear the husky woman say something about an invasion.

 

That catches your attention.

 

An invasion?

 

The woman mentioned it’ll happen soon.

 

“So she’s a spy! Who does she serve? Bandits? Heretics?” you think. You can’t believe you let your guard down! You have to warn the people.

 

Then you hear words that send a shiver down your spine.

 

“Long live the Demon Lord.”

 

You stiffen and then walk away silently.

 

You really are a fool. You let a literal demon into your church. Mingle with the populace. And worse…you kissed a demon lord supporter.

 

You feel the sting of betrayal in your chest.

 

You’ll still have breakfast with her. But she won’t be the only one bringing something to the table.

 

*****

Astrella leaves her room, ready to cook breakfast. She maintains a cool face.

 

“Remember the mission, and remember, do not strike yet, wait, lull him in.”

 

She still had to figure out how she was going to reveal that she is a dark priest. That had to come later, maybe when he’s restrained.

 

She goes up to the kitchen, with a smile on her face. “Hello Father…”

 

She trails off when she sees you sitting at the table, polishing your warhammer. You look at her and smile. “You freshen up well, new robes?”

 

“They may look the same, but they are different to me.”

 

“Very true,” You polish your warhammer some more.

 

She clears her throat as she gets out some potatoes. Astrella decides to cut them into slices this time around, and fry them in a pan. As she slices the potatoes she asks. “I see you brought the warhammer with you.”

 

“Yes,” you smile. “I realized just how much I missed it.”

 

“You missed it?”

 

You chuckle. “This hammer felt like it was a part of my body. We have done so much together, trained, fought, and I let it gather dust in my room for months.:

 

Astrella cuts through the potatoes. “Well, it’s good you two have reconnected.”

 

“Indeed,” you eye her. You aren’t sure what kind of mamano she is, or she could be a human that works with the demon lord. Regardless, she is to be treated as a threat. “It’s kind of funny, before you came along, and this will sound silly, my hammer was my best friend.”

 

Astrella laughs. “Really?”

 

“You don’t make a lot of friends when you work for the Order,” you chuckle. “But, after you come along, I consider you a great friend.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Of course!” you stop polishing. “By the way, can you remind me again why you came here?”

 

“I came to help you with your sermons, and improve your relationship.”

 

“Right, right, I just gotta ask, why would the Order care about a small village like this?”

 

She chuckles. “Well, the Order’s presence must be felt everywhere, even at the smallest village. If they aren’t there to maintain some form of protection, the Demon Lord’s influence can just seep in.”

 

“Right, right, but you see…” you lean back in your chair. “I was, and still am a member of the Order. And yes, we try to establish ourselves in every village, town, city, you name it. But…even the Order can be stretched thin, so if we do send people, and this is a big if, we have to have a good reason.”

 

Astrella continues cutting the potatoes, this time slower. “Well, isn’t spreading the word of the Chief God a good reason?”

 

“Of course, but…there also has to be a strategic reason, maybe the town has a vital supply route to it, maybe the population is starving, and needs extra aid so they aren’t’ tempted to go anywhere else, maybe they are near the frontlines, maybe there’s been a mamano spotted in the area,” you lean forward. “The Order likes power, as you know.”

 

“Yes…yes I do,” her grip tightens on the knife.

 

“Now, this village isn’t suffering from any of those things. In fact, it’s downright homely, right?”

 

“Yes.”

“It’s so peaceful.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“In fact, in all your talks with the villagers, did they express any concern of attack at all?”

 

Astrella keeps her eyes on the potatoes, and your reflection in the knife. “No they didn’t.”

 

“Not one?”

 

“No, but I do enjoy talking with the villagers.”

 

“And you made sure you could meet as many of them as possible, you went out of your way,” you grip your warhammer tightly. “I applaud that.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“But, there’s no threats, there’s no hunger, there’s just peace, so now…I have to ask,” you stand up, warhammer gripped tightly. “Why are you here?”

 

“As I said before, the Order sent me…”

 

“Who in the Order?”

 

She huffs. “They didn’t give me a name, they gave me orders.”

 

“Right….do you have any paperwork?”

 

“What are you talking about?” She turns around, visibly on edge. “What is this? Is this about the kiss?”

 

“It’s more than that…” you say. “Because I don’t think you serve the Chief God, I don’t think you serve the Order. There is someone you serve…” you ready your warhammer. “The Demon Lord.”

 

Astrella looks at you coldly. “If this is a joke, I am not laughing.”

 

“Neither am I.”

 

Astrella backs away. “Where did this come from? Are you that touch starved you think a nun kissing you is a Demon Lord Supporter?”

 

“No, it comes from the fact that you have been lying to me….and you’ve been talking to someone in your room!”

Astrella chokes. “Whuh-what are you…”

 

You lunge at her with the hammer, she dodges out the way as you smash apart the counter. “You know damn well!! You praised the Demon Lord!”

 

“I…I..”

 

You stand over her, breathing hard. “Are my emotions a joke to you? Did you do all this for those creatures?!?! Was all this a ruse?!?!”

 

Astrella grits her teeth. Her covers blown, and worse, she knows she is dealing with an ex-warrior.

 

“Answer the question!”

 

“Listen…just listen to me…put down the…”

 

“ANSWER ME!” you raise the hammer over your head. “ANSWER NOW!!!”

 

 

 

Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this! It’s my first time writing about a dark priest, and it was very fun. Credit for the artist for the dark priest goes to CypherinSilver, she was great at commissioning that art for me

 

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