I sell them to the church

With my sword repaired, I now travel to the church. When I get there, at first I am told there is no sermon being held and I have to come back another time. But then I show them the color of my eyes and all of a sudden, they become very welcoming. I asked them to get sister Charlotte for me, as she is the church person I know best. Instead, it is the Priest who comes to meet me.

“Ah, Mister Darx. So good to see you again.” The Priest greets me. “Come, walk with me.”

I try to let tell him I am just here for a short business, but he insisted. So yeah. As the Priest walks with me through the cathedral’s halls he starts to explain that his people still haven’t found a way to communicate through dreams.

“Oh no, it’s fine.” I tell him. “I figured that would be a difficult thing to research. I mean, if it wasn’t, it would already be a common practice. I actually came here today for something completely different.”

I then pull out the pouch with rubies and show it to the Priest.

“I went on a quest recently and I found some rubies over there. I got reminded that the church collects rubies to add to the statue of Imris, so I figured I might as well do my part at helping the statue grow.”

“Look at that.” The Priest says with a big smile. “So young and already so responsible. You are truly an example to young people these says. I shall make certain that you will be paid 30 silvers for this donation, son of Imris.”

A shiver crawls across my spine when he calls me the son of the goddess. I really wish he would stop considering me as such.

“I heard you asked for sister Charlotte when you first got here.” The Priest continues. “Do forgive me if I am being blunt, but could it be that you fancy her?”

“Ade-a-be-uh-wha-what?” I stutter as a result of his sudden accusation.

“She is a beautiful young lady and I do believe you have her attention. In fact, I am positive there would be many nuns who would be interested in being in a relationship with you. So, I would like to make you this offer to join the church, Mister Darx.”

I stop walking and I tell the Priest that I am happy being with the Dark Dragons.

“Don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying the Dark Dragon is a bad guild. It is in fact one of the best guilds around. Perhaps the best. Well, after the church of course. But if you were to join the church instead, you would be named as my successor. I would be your mentor, make certain you learn enough scripture that you would be able to lead the flock. And since you are a direct descendant of Imris, you will be given the rare privilege of being with any of the nuns you wish to be with.”

I try to get him to stop by telling him I have a girlfriend.

“Your friend from last time? Why, if she is such an important person to you, she is free to join the church as well. Try imaging her in a habit for a moment. Wouldn’t she look lovely that way? You could have her and sister Charlotte both if you like.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. He is trying to lure me into switching guilds by using his subordinates as bait. I need to get out of here.

“Yeah, talking about Amelia. I was supposed to meet her and I’m already late. So, I’m very sorry, but I shall be going now.”

And so, I walk away, ignoring the Priests’s protestations. Fortunately, we haven’t gotten very far with our walk, so I can easily find my way back. Though when walking out of the church I suddenly hear someone calling my name from behind me. Someone who isn’t the Priest. I turn around and see sister Charlotte running towards me.

When she reaches me, she hands me a pouch and says, “You forgot your money.”

I am confused at first, but then I remember about the rubies. Yeah, the Priest offered to pay me 30 silvers for that.

“Thank you for bringing those rubies here and not selling them somewhere else.” Sister Charlotte says. “I know a handful of rubies doesn’t sound like much, but every little bit counts, you know.”

I take the pouch of money from Charlotte and says, “Thanks. I really did forget about them. It’s just … The Priest simply expects too much from me.”

“I’m not going to lie Darx.” Sister Charlotte says. “You are our chosen savior, so I look up to you. But regardless how much I fancy you, the feeling must be mutual. So, if it isn’t, you should make sure you stay with the Dark Dragons and be accomplished over there.”

Charlotte then leans forward and gives me a kiss on the cheek. After that, she heads back into the cathedral. I am so happy Kiara and Amelia aren’t here. I don’t even want to know how upset they will be with me if they ever have to share me with yet another woman.

I make sure to make my way to the Dark Dragon guildhall as quickly as possible. In order to get there, I have to pass along the Knights Hospitaler guild. When I do I notice an unusually large amount of people. I get curious and stick around to see what is happening. There are several wagons, most of them empty already. The ones that aren’t are in the process of unloading wounded people. This many injured? What happened?

“Move aside! Get out of my way!” I hear behind me, just before someone grabs me by the shoulder and violently pushes me aside.

I look at whomever is trying to push me aside and I notice it is Mia.

She instantly stops where she stands and says, “Darx? Oh my god, did you hear already? Darx, my family! Are they safe?”

Mia grabs me by the arms and starts demanding questions but I have no idea what she is talking about.

“I only just arrived here.” I tell her. “What’s going on?”

“You don’t know yet? Oh god.” She asks. “Darx, it’s Merton. They say it got destroyed by an army of monsters.”

Merton? Destroyed? But mom was supposed to …

Without thinking, I head over to the entrance of the Knights Hospitaler guildhall. The guild members are so incredibly busy that they don’t have time to notice we got in and we just start searching for people we know. We pass by a lot of rooms and only see strangers in those beds. It is hard to walk through the halls and move from room to room, as the halls are fill with all kinds of people. Concerned citizens who are searching for friends and family like us, bandaged patients who are too healthy for a a bed. We even saw some heavily wounded people lying on the ground as there were not enough beds. Can we possibly find someone, just one person who is from Merton?