Part 9 - The First Arm of the Church

"This is beyond me" The Father's words were detached, curt and beyond question, but his eyes promised more words would follow as they darted around the room. He said nothing more for a few seconds but three of the Brother's in the room moved off in different directions clearly responding to some unspoken order. "Different arms of the church carry with it different knowledge. We have the ability to prolong life. What you need is the ability to prevent death"

"There's a difference?" Relek still held Tolan in his arms and the young man's fever had given him energy beyond what a dying man should have. He was now thrashing wildly and several times Relek had to shift his grip in order to stop the man from falling to the stone floor of the church.

"Yes, Relek"

"How do you know me?" Relek's tone was overly accusatory, far more than he intended.

"Many times you have been blamed for the sore heads attending my services" Relek stifled a laugh poorly

"My apologies Father, i did not mean it to sound so harsh"

"No need for such apologies my son, we have more important things to deal with" Relek visibly relaxed while still keeping his strong hold on Tolan. Only once Sil had seen this reaction did his own ease. He removed his hand from the hilt of his knife and relaxed his battle ready pose which was expertly hidden beneath his dark cloak. He did not take insults to the church well, and if umbridge had been taken by the Father, then Relek would now be paying for it in a cost of blood.

The Brothers returned moments later carrying various items, which they promptly arranged on the pew. Before the elder clergyman moved around the pew to stand infront of it as if he was preparing to deliver a sermon to the entire church. A brother to Releks right gestured towards the pew and Tolan was placed in the centre. His thrashing had lessened noticably, clearly the reserves of his strength had run out, and his life would soon follow. Sil stood to one side and was so quiet it unnerved Relek, but the blacksmith had little time to dwell on this as an almighty clap due his attention back to the Father.

The Father's hands came apart slowly before reaching down and picking up a large candle. He placed the candle at the top of Tolans head before lifting a bowl of water, softly he began to sing. The song soothed everyone in the room. Shoulders relaxed, breathing eased, stances opened. Only once the song had firmly taken its hold did the Father continue. He slowly poured the water along the length of Tolans body soaking his clothes and face. The song began to grow stronger, but its comfort did not lesson, instead it began to feel as if it was trying to coax something from those listening. The water covering Tolan suddenly erupted into flame and Relek jumped before beginning to surge towards the pew, but Sils hand darted out to restrain the blacksmith and with a surprising amount of strength he held the man in place.

"Watch" Relek could see now that no harm was coming to Tolan, his skin did not blister or burn, but remained clear and unmarked. The Father however sweated profusely, either through the heat or some unknown exertion. He reached for the candle and slowly lowered the wick into the flame. The moment the wick caught fire he moved it back to Tolan's head and placed it on the pugh before returning his attention to the flame infront of him. He slowly raised his hands again before releasing another thundering clap which immediatly extinguished the flames. All except the candle. With that act the Father crumpled, only managing to keep his feet by bearing his weight onto the pew. Drenched in sweat he looked up into Sil's eyes.

"My name is Father Pelium, tell them and they will know how to reverse what i have done. If Tolan is strong enough to resist, you have one day" With those words he collapsed into unconsciousness and Sil ran to the pew

"Quickly we must go"

"Where? Who does he mean?" The blacksmith had been trying to catch up with what was going on since the moment he had awoken and things only seemed to be accelerating, he could not hope to work things out on his own

"To the holy city, it is just over a days ride and we have one, so i recommend you save your questions until our arrival"