Go to the midnight rendezvous

Early in the morning, under the light of the new moon in a cloudy sky, you lead Leshak down into a cellar. Not that you planned it to be quite so dark, but it probably pleases Bast, if she really exists. You open your hooded lantern slightly - just enough to follow the twists and turns that lead to the very private room concealed two stories beneath the ancient inn. Who knows how many dark dealings have taken place here? Not even the innkeeper, for he has wisely created a system where parties can rent his 'unadvertised suite', as he calls it, without speaking to him or seeing him.

In that room you see deacon Lorrick drinking a glass of wine. As you come around the corner and close the last of three doors meant to keep listeners at bay Lorrick stands and offers greetings. "Hello old friend, good to see you." He knows who you are, but as yet he does not know Leshak - and until Leshak is satisfied it will stay that way. Your companion blends into the wall beside you in a way you swear is magical even if your keen senses detect nothing.

"I wasn't sure if you were going to bring anything, so..." you pull out a bottle of your own along with some fresh bread and butter.

"Lovely. I brought a little more myself," he says, pulling out some very nice cured meats and cheese. He also pulls out a second glass and pours some wine for you.

"How's Fiona doing?" you ask.

"Ah, she's a breath of fresh air. Lovely girl, if only there were more like her I don't think I would ever have joined the priesthood." Down here he doesn't try to cover up the lusty and loving tones in his voice. It seems you picked your 'emissary' quite well.

As you both start eating you broach the subject, getting to the meat of this meeting quickly as you do not want to be missed at home. "Normally I wouldn't say any of this to a man of the church, but you're a rather exceptional case, more practical than your fellows."

"Hmmm, just how much have you risked your soul this time?" he says with a grin, taking no offense.

"Not this time. Well, not any more than I already have. This time it's your soul and future I'm interested in."

"Even when there's a whole sect that thinks mages go straight to hell for playing with powers beyond mortal comprehension?"

"I bet there are some other sects that would have a thing or two to say about a highly placed member of the church banging a woman on every piece of furniture in the house. Especially if she's not even human."

"Damn - I thought I'd covered it up better. Who'd you hear it from?"

"I didn't hear it - I guessed. It wasn't an accident the catgirl you took in was short, green eyed, slender and small of chest."

He laughs heartily. "Well then you've got me! And yes, there are several sects that would have my head for doing something so 'obscene'. They can all kiss my ass, she's adorable and special in ways those blinkered morons will never understand."

"I know, I've got some very special girls of my own."

"Girls... ah," he thinks for a moment on that. "That's an idea. Of course most girls won't accept a man's hands - or other parts - wandering like that."

"Not human women. Catgirls, on the other hand, if they're treated properly..."

He whistles. "That's fantastic. So you're here to make sure my soul goes to hell? I mean if I'm going to be pulled down it might as well be by my favorite appetites."

Now it's your turn to laugh. "Actually my idea was to suggest a change of career, though not of position."

"Could you speak a little clearer? I've already had half the bottle so I'm not following you."

"There's another faith out there, as old or older than the church. It's called by many names. Ever heard of the order of Bast?"

Lorrick downs his glass. "The so called cat cult? Supposedly wiped out centuries ago, though now I begin to doubt the truth of that."

"Indeed," says Leshak, stepping far enough from the walls to reveal his shape, though not his face.

The deacon is stunned for a few moments, then he pours some more wine. "I take it you're both members?"

"I'm not yet," you respond. "But I'm planning to join the faith. You remember I once mentioned catgirls tend to have far more daughters than sons? It means that the faith of the catfolk doesn't limit marriage to one man and one woman."

"Ah," he says.

"More than that, since the order of Bast is a religion of stealth and intrigue a marriage hardly needs to be public, so long as the priests, couple and other wives know."

Lorrick looks back and forth between you and Leshak. "Let me see... If I'm not missing the mark you want me to join the order, keep my position, and help to protect the order and the catfolk against any actions or investigations of the church. But as part of the order I would be able to marry Fiona in secret."

"That's about the size of it. Though the idea would be for you to become a priest, if you're willing. You have the raw charisma needed for the post. That, and you would be able to marry more than just Fiona."

Lorrick surprises you by saying "She's the important one. Maybe someday, but right now she's the only one I think about."

At this point Leshak moves to the table and sits, obviously happy with the way this meeting is proceeding. He explains many other points about the faith, the duties of the priests and his own reason for wanting Leshak to become a junior priest under him.

"They've got their claws into you too," Lorrick says, grinning. "I know how persistent and wonderful just one playful kitten can be, I don't know if I could manage five."

"I'm not sure I can manage them either, but at this point not one of them would stand for the others being left out. They enjoy each other's company as well as mine, so that leaves me enough energy to walk in the morning."

After eating a slice of meat Lorrick smiles. "I'm yours then. I have to admit I wasn't that faithful to begin with - my father **** me into the church. I believed only a little at first and the more and more I saw the less I did. But this is different. The ideals of the order resonate with me. I must admit to looking at some old books of the church which detailed some of the cults and pagans destroyed years ago. I know a little of Bast from those old works." He smiles and finishes another glass. "I may not be that stealthy, but I'll make up for it in intrigue and cunning."