Refuse

"I...I'm sorry, father, but I can't give you my body. I am saving myself for another man." Marianne shrunk back further, closer to Sagus.

"There must be another way to do this," Sagus said, unconsiously wrapping an arm around Marianne, who seemed very comfortable with it. Aktheus noticed, and raised an eyebrow.

"No, there isn't. Unless one of you can make someone be my wife, you have nothing to offer me besides money. If you won't pay, I must ask you not to request my services again." Everyone hung their heads slightly, except the woman in green.

"You corrupted, sorry excuse for a priest! How dare you ask for a woman's purity as payment for doing your duty, then refuse when she won't give it to you!? You disgust me!" Everyone looked at her. No one expected this from her.

"Sophie....," Marianne said, almost in tears. "....Thank you."

"You're wrong! I am not corrupted! I am an excellent priest! You're wrong about me!"

"No, she's not. If your conditions for performing your job really are either sex or money, you are no priest!" The woman in gray raised her head enough to reveal her mouth as she spoke.

"Rebecca..."

"Agreed," Sagus said. "If Marianne is your price, your service will not be needed."

The group turned and started to leave the church. "Wait!" They turned back to find sister Monica standing on front of Aktheus. "I appologize for father Aktheus' behaviour. I know it is no excuse, but I ask that you forgive his lecherous ways, for he has not been with a woman in over twenty years." Silence. Sister Monica held out her hand. "Please, may I see your arrow?" Her kind eyes and soft sweet voice calmed everyone down, but it couldn't completely stop them from mistrusting thelocal clergy.