[center][h2]Happenings at the church[/h2]
[h3]Mandelein[/h3]
[@Yummyyummy], [@Force and Fury][/center]
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From the Inn, a walk eastward through a straight path led to the impressive Church that was only matched by the castle further north in size. Not quite a cathedral but certainly bigger than a village’s site of worship, Mandelein was unmistakably Quentic with more care put to the building compared to the more weathered structures that populated the compact streets of the Kerreman town. Sounds of earth being grinded would inevitably bring attention to the plot of land right of the Church. There was a cemetery with a grave in the midst of being dug by the local grave tender.

The house of the Gods was always open to all, figuratively and literally in this case. Inside were sets of pews with a robed young man sat at the front indulging in some reading, rows of candles aligned to the walls being lit by an elderly nun and an ornate altar at the end of a recently cleaned carpet. Behind the altar was a golden tabernacle that stood out in its lavish appearance compared to the more humble colours and decor of the Church.

Emerging from a door leading to one of the quarters behind the establishment was a tall, balding man with a red moustache that easily put Manfred’s to shame. By his liturgical getup and age, it could be deduced that he was the Priest that led this church, [color=#E1F36E]“A most warm welcome to Mandelein. I am Father Jacques Dubosque.”[/color] he greeted in perfect Avincian and a deep voice, [color=#E1F36E]“I trust Ines has offered adequate hospitality even under short notice.”[/color] He flashed a smile at the group as he walked closer to them. He had a very clear limp on his right side, although it didn’t seem to really slow him down, [color=#E1F36E]“I had been told that there were many of you,”[/color] he first conferred a glance toward Dorothea, [color=#E1F36E]“of different walks of life,”[/color] then Ymiico, [color=#E1F36E]“and most interestingly, a sister walking among you.”[/color] Finally, his green eyes landed upon Laska. He addressed her specifically, [color=#E1F36E]“This could not be a matter of the Church. So I must ask,”[/color] he took a seat on a nearby pew and sighed in relief, [color=#E1F36E]“what warrants such a visit from such a distinct group to our humble town?”[/color]

Meanwhile, the robed man sitting at the front turned to watch the introductions unfold with a playful grin on his face. The nun, on the other hand, was completely unperturbed in her duty. 

She was not, of course, the [i]only[/i] nun in the church. Edyta Laska was there as well, and she well recognized the trappings of the town’s former glory. She smiled softly at Father Dubosque and bowed in the fashion of the church. [color=6ecff6]“Father,”[/color] she greeted him politely, [color=6ecff6]“I am Sister Edyta Laska, of the Red Rezaindians.”[/color] She gestured towards the other two. [color=6ecff6]“These are Lady Dorothea Hohnstein of Feska and Ymiico’luun’yoru: a yasoi of Nikan.”[/color] She smiled evenly. [color=6ecff6]“I will not mince words with a comrade in faith,”[/color] she decided, [color=f26522]“for you deserve the truth. If one of my order is here, it is for the reason you have most likely ascertained: there is a monster of a magical nature in your town and I, along with my friends, are here to cleanse it.”[/color]

The good father passed his hand over his thigh as Laska presented him with the obligatory introductions followed by clear motives. His eyes drifted again to take in the clergywoman’s entourage, [color=#E1F36E]“The ways of the Rezaidian order may have changed since my arrival in Mandelein, but it strikes me as unusual for an envoy of the Church to be sent with the unaffiliated.”[/color] Dubosque responded, [color=#E1F36E]“Answer me frankly, sister, and I will reciprocate. Has this endeavour been ordered by the Church?”[/color] his eyes returned to her with a stern look to them.

[color=#6EF2F3]“Maybe the senhorita wants to bring the right tools for the job, Jacques.”[/color] a voice echoed from the front row of pews as the sound of a loudly closed book punctuated the remark. A man no older than his mid-twenties spoke with a modulated voice, recognizably Segonian by his accent and choice of words. A man with a long stubble and tied, long hair emerged, wearing a Stresian getup that hide his lanky being, [color=#6EF2F3]“Besides, the Church wouldn’t send an entire squadron over rumours and minor problems, would they?”[/color] she shrugged with as he approached the group, his book hidden under his arm, [color=#E1F36E]“I believe the sister is capable of answering simple formalities, brother.”[/color] remarked the older priest, [color=#E1F36E]“That would still leave the question of why such particular interest to Mandelein?”[/color]

Dorothea looked around before walking away from the other two to approach the young man back in the front, smiling warmly at the robed figure. [color=86608E]”Guten Tag,”[/color] The girl thought to herself before speaking further. [color=86608E]”Sprechen Sie Kerreman oder wäre Avincianisch besser geeignet?”[/color]

The monk waved his hands after grabbing his book from under his arm, [color=#6EF2F3]“Oh, por favor, let’s keep it Avincian. I just arrived.”[/color] he smiled charmingly at Dory, his eyes shifting between her crown and more ‘generous’ assets on her, [color=#6EF2F3]“But Olá! You can call me Baudile, Philosopher of the Stresian Order!”[/color] he was one for dramatics, taking a bow before the Feskan and reaching out to seize her hand, offering an introductory kiss to the lady, [color=#6EF2F3]“From the big capital school, eh? Boa! I’ve only been once to the magic city myself.”[/color] he was slick, but Dorothea could easily notice he was often eyeing the headwear.

Sister Laska narrowed her eyes, but only slightly. It could just as easily be taken as a gesture of consideration as one of suspicion. [color=#f26522]“I attend the academy. I work for the [i]church[/i]. One may fulfil both worldly and spiritual duties at once,”[/color] the young nun remarked, an idea coming to her. [color=6ecff6]“Is it not so, Father, as the priest of this small town?”[/color] She allowed her eyes to rove [i]somewhat[/i] pointedly over the unusually ornate tabernacle and other accoutrements. 

[color=#E1F36E]“I wholeheartedly agree, sister.”[/color] he allowed a smile to form as he emerged from his seat with a light grunt. That leg had seen better days, [color=#E1F36E]“We do have a duty to the worldly needs of our flock too.”[/color] he affirmed, pacing toward the tabernacle and passing by Baudile, [color=#E1F36E]“The question still stands, however, Sister. Whether the Church or the School, what made Mandelein so worthy of the prestigious school’s time?”[/color] he inquired as he arrived at the altar, one that wasn’t nearly as decorated as the tabernacle, but looked more recent, [color=#E1F36E]“Although it is clear they would not have sent your group without certainties. And to that I will confirm the existence of a …”[/color] he inhaled loudly as he was mulling over his words, [color=#E1F36E]“Scourge that had caused some grief. A scourge we have since taken measures to handle.”[/color]

[color=#6ecff6]“I come here at the academy’s behest, but I do so to perform the same service I would for the church.”[/color] She clasped her hands and followed the priest, glancing at his conspicuous limp. [color=#6ecff6]“Pray tell, brother in faith, what is this scourge you refer to?”[/color] She now regarded his leg conspicuously. [color=#f26522]“Was it the cause of the injury that you now so stoically bear?[/color]

[color=#E1F36E]“You were correct in your assertion, Sister Laska. A so-called beast has caused grief among the townsfolk and our cattle.”[/color] he explained, finding support on the altar to sustain his weight, [color=#E1F36E]“It started three months ago. Since then we’ve managed to limit the dangers.”[/color] then came the subject of his leg, and the mere mention got him to rub his aching thigh, [color=#E1F36E]“Hah, that. Is it of your nature to inquire about everything you see, regardless of formalities?”[/color] he chuckled to add levity to his question, [color=#E1F36E]“It’s an old leg injury from a Skuggvar attack. The damage was simply … Too great.”[/color] his smile faded as he peered down to the Menana rested on the altar, [color=#E1F36E]“I’d bring my cane but I’m afraid a certain brother has taken the habit of imposing his own cleaning habits.”[/color] he shot a glare at brother Baudile.

The Feskan’s face contorted into one of surprise before letting out a sigh. How could she forget that not everyone around the churches were locals. [color=86608E]“Ah, Avincian it will be then.”[/color] Clearing her throat. [color=86608E]“Nice to meet you, mister Baudile. What did you think of Ersand’Enise then?”[/color] A wave of discomfort hit the girl as he eyed her headwear. [color=86608E]”Fancy my attire? Or are you perhaps eyeing something else?”[/color] Dory smiled warmly. Baudile shook his head and gestured in dismissal, [color=#6EF2F3]“Oh, pardon me,”[/color] he looked her in the eyes, [color=#6EF2F3]“I’m simply surprised to see such a gorgeous senhorita in this humble Church!”[/color] he chuckled, [color=#6EF2F3]“And for you, I’ll turn a blind eye to not calling me brother!”[/color] he gestured over to the pew, inviting Dory to sit, [color=#6EF2F3]“Ersand’Enise … I remember very vividly a little stand that sold coffee near the school.”[/color] he rubbed the his stubble, [color=#6EF2F3]”Their crest had a girl’s face on it. Weird, right?”[/color]

Dory bowed her head in a playful manner. [color=86608E]”Oh, I’m sorry Brother Baudile.”[/color] Soon after taking a seat. [color=86608E]”Ah, I think I know the place you are talking about. I believe it is called ZenoBucks™.[/color] Dory thought to herself.  [color=86608E]”Ah, so you have been there quite recently?”[/color] Baudile crossed his arms, his hand still holding his nondescript book, [color=#6EF2F3]“A few months ago, around Caldores.”[/color] he answered, [color=#6EF2F3]“I was there to assist my mentor in an investigation that was ending. Some of our brethren went missing around Velles.”[/color] the suave monk explained, [color=#6EF2F3]“But that’s not too important.”[/color] he nudged his head to point at Dory’s crown with his chin, [color=#6EF2F3]“So, Feskan Royal, eh?”[/color]

[color=#6ecff6]“There should be no formality between we servants of the Pentad,”[/color] Edyta added with a smile. [color=#f26522]“And you will find me curious both by duty and by nature. How else does one master the Gift, after all?”[/color] She clasped her hands behind her back, looking about the church in admiration. [color=#6ecff6]“Such a beautiful house of worship and I can see how much you care for it and your flock.”[/color] There was, this time, a hint of genuine warmth to her smile. [color=#6ecff6]“Rest assured that I am here to help you with your problem, to make this place safe for you and all of them.”[/color] With that, she unclasped her hands. [color=#6ecff6]“And I shall not trouble you much further but, first, pray tell, Father, just how dangerous are those woods? What can one expect were she to venture there? This beast: do you believe it to be a mere rogue skuggvar?”[/color]

Jacques Dubosque also gave an admirative gaze to the Church he had led for over twenty years now, [color=#E1F36E]“I must apologise, sister.”[/color] he looked out at the Church window and its colourful mosaics, his eyes showing a man that had something to say but was gripped by hesitation, [color=#E1F36E]“I may have held a bit too much doubt in regards to your intentions.”[/color] he admitted, looking down briefly before eventually making eye-contact with his junior, [color=#E1F36E]“After a while in my position, you tend to become wary of outsiders, even if they follow the same creed as yourself.”[/color] He opened the Menana before him and stopped at a page with the top corner purposefully bent. It had been the basis of his sermon the day prior, and such memories always brought him ease of mind.

[color=#E1F36E]“The beast is no Skuggvar. In fact, you won’t find many anymore.”[/color] he answered with no signs indicating deception, [color=#E1F36E]“The Teufelssumpf, the forest surrounding us, holds many dangerous animals, including Coal Toads. It wouldn’t be wise to venture without some guidance.”[/color] then, he called out to the nun in the same tongue that was spoken all around the village. Dorothea could hear it, but again it was quite distinct from the Kerreman she knew. The nun replied with a brief answer, prompting a nod, [color=#E1F36E]“There is a man called Viktor. Strong, tall and blonde that is unmistakably Magusjaeger. He has been helping us, and since then there have been far fewer incidents. At this time he’s likely in the forest but …”[/color] he took a moment and then nodded as if he had convinced himself of something, [color=#E1F36E]“You can probably find him in the Inn you're staying in early in the morning. I’ll have Sister Eberl inform him of your situation.”[/color]

[color=#6ecff6]“You are a credit to your order, Father.”[/color] She bowed in the manner of the church, mind swirling with ideas, and bade him a polite farewell, turning her attention towards Dorothea in case she required assistance and, if not, towards the pews where she might pray for Shune’s wisdom and Eshiran’s strength.

[color=86608E][i]People disappeared around the time of the trials? Was it that team of holy men?[/i][/color] The girl always thought they had to go do some kind of divinely inspired mission or something akin to that. She was taken by surprise as the brother pointed at her crown. [color=86608E]”Royalty?... No, no, I could never.”[/color] confused by one thing the girl looked at the brother. [color=86608E]”How’d you know I was Feskan by chance?”[/color]

[color=#6EF2F3]“They say Feskans have the … brightest of eyes!”[/color] he winked, trying his best to keep his own eyes onto Dory’s, [color=#6EF2F3]“And the accent. It has a distinct melody to it.”[/color] Baudile looked over toward the altar. The exchange was reaching its end and things had to be done, [color=#6EF2F3]“I’m afraid, Senhorita, that our time together must end for now.”[/color] a courteous nod was dedicated to Dory, [color=#6EF2F3]“If you have any need for help …”[/color] he leaned in by her ear, and for a brief moment there was an anti-sound bubble formed around them, [color=#6EF2F3]“Tomorrow night, the Trade Guild might have something that would interest you. Maybe.”[/color] then he backed up, finger-gunned with both hands and eventually retreated to one of the chambers at the back.

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