Rin was observing as quite a few of the children were plowing away at the fields outside of the orphanage. Leon next to her, had his arms crossed as he watched on in disbelief. If it wasn't because he knew the deal given he would've blurted out child labour.
"You seem to have a talent for this. Are you sure you were raised in the forest?" Leon questioned the young woman next to him. Everyday this woman always revealed more in her hand and yet had become even more mysterious to him.
Rin turned around and grinned. "If I told you everything what would be left for you to be surprised at?" Snorting and Leon darkened expression, Rin had with much trouble suppressed most of her laughter.
The children were currently transplanting some previously dug up medicinal herbs from Rin's garden, following under instruction of the caretaker.
When seeing the relief and conflict that went on the caretaker's face when they were talking earlier made Rin giggle. Truly these people had too much time to think with their imaginations that she would ever do such things to them. The thought caused Rin to crack a smile.
"Such a young villain we have here" Leon commented. Noticing Rin's happy appearance was reassuring for him.
The caretaker having finished directing the children to dig and plant herbs came over to Rin and Leon.
"Thank you for all of your help. We never thought we could earn money this way" the caretaker said in an appreciative tone.
"We all make money so it makes sense" Rin said with a shrug. If anything it's reassuring that she wouldn't have to spend so much time on endlessly growing plants.
"Let me know if any of the children fall sick or get injured. I have an incentive to make sure everyone is healthy." Rin said. The caretaker bowed in thanks, but had to run off as some of the kids had already started misbehaving.
"Your workforce seems to be a little rowdy" Leon commented as he let out a chuckle while nudging Rin. Rin gave a firm elbow back in Leon's gut as he stiffened himself so it didn't hurt too much.
"We should head off" Rin said as she turned back to the cart and hopped on. Rin turned her head waiting for Leon to ride off. Leon smiled as he got into the driver's seat, whipping the rains as the horse moved with a snort.
Riding back to their home, Rin and Leon made made small talk as the sun went down. For now they had solved part of their problems.
Loading up the cart several of the townsfolk were sweating under the heat. After helping so many people it wasn't hard to see most of the town had come to or worked for Rin at some point. Rin was chatting away with some of the wives where the cart was being prepped for the delivery for Ernesto.
It didn't take much for Rin to imagine the merchant leaping for joy at the moving money. Thankfully he had already healed up his leg, Rin having to come to the town to break open the cast. Though the first thing everyone complained about was the sweaty smell and everyone had a laugh about it.
Leon called to Rin, finish up her talks with the women she gave a couple recipient for home to make some simple soups to stave off colds. Running over to the cart, Rin leapt into the back as Leon had the cart rolling onto the road back to town.
"What were you talking about there?" Leon asked casually. Rin thought back to the conversation and blushed at how hard the women were trying to setup their sons with her, her ears were burning a fierce red.
"Nothing you would care about" Rin snapped, Leon could sense Rin's mood had shifted but he didn't understand where he had his foot caught in the trap. Giving the horse another crack with the reins they trundled into the city.
*
In the chapel
The candlelight flickered along the grey stone wall. It was the height of the day but the corridors were pitch dark, the occasional light streaming through the stained glass windows. A young man with ruffled brown hair stared at the scene in the window. A display of true might a priest was displayed slaying a strange creature with its face distorted in agony and hate.
It had kept his interest since long ago, as a child wandering the chapel his eyes would wander over the strange vistas and sceneries that dotted the chapel. Somewhere in reverence of the almighty and others in desperation of avoiding the consequences of their sins. But now he was that very same priest and yet he had never seen the creatures of myths and fantasy that were often spoken about.
It really felt insulting that many would rumour that these creatures would be here to this day. Terry his eyes away prom the windows above he watched the other nuns speaking gossiping much like a fishmonger's wife. Eliciting a look at the stain upon his fellow believers it had truly begun to erode at his faith.
An old pair of hands laid itself at rest on his shoulder.
"Aaron my boy, you look troubled" and old raspy voice sounded behind him. The young man turned around to face the sight of an old man. The wrinkles had family set on this face laugh lines creased along his eyes and his hair was a wispy grey.
"Father Malik" young man replied. For the father had been with the chapel for many years and given services to untold numbers of people. Truly he was on the more respected elders within the church.
"I see you are gazing again upon our previous victories" father Malik said. It wouldn't be surprising to say that the father had adopted Aaron much is like a child of his own.
"Some days I find it unbelievable father. The stories that they tell and that I left behind. If he even we have trouble believing it then what of our followers?" I replied. Recently the believers had come lesson less over the last month. many would have asked before for blessings and healings is there suffered from sickness and illness.
"Aye,I've been trying to have a look at seeing what has been happening around. Truthfully I work is not always to look above but to guide those below as well" father Malik set. Whenever Aaron found time to talk with the father you found that he's conversations were just much like his preachings. As a leader of the church he already had much of an air of a leader about him.
"Come let us walk I have many things to discuss" father Malik said while already piercing off into the outer courtyard. Aaron kept pace with the old man. Despite his age he had quite the sprightliness of the young man.
"Father Malik is this about what's been causing our followers to disappear?" Aaron said while they walked. he didn't keep his voice too loud as they did pass by many of the other fellow brothers and sisters.
"Mmm, from what I've been hearing around town there's been a new doctor that's coming." Father Malik said nonchalantly. The issue of losing followers didn't seem to disturb the elder is much as Aaron had expected. it already had deeply disturbed many within the church which prompted Aaron to be confused about the elders attitude and lack of action in recent weeks.
"Truthfully I am happy that they are doing gods work" the the words in furiated Aaron.
"Father, a non believer turning those away from the truth faith is a danger to those close and around us. You could easily lead to the way of devil worship" Aaron was desperately trying to keep his anger under control. Those people wished to be saved but they more than happy to snub the church's offerings and help when they found a better option.
"You cannot blame the flock my dear child. That is why we are the shepherds and guide those to better pastures. You cannot set an example with one and hope the rest will follow. It will only bring about fear and folly to those who try their best."
"You are right father. I've always looked to you for guidance" Aaron smiled at the elder as walking through the outer courtyard they had passed by many devoted people that came for their weekly prayers.
"At this point in time however I feel like it is time that I leave these matters to the new generation. I will not always be here to guide you, albeit it is our hope to see our place in heaven it nonetheless means we cannot help those on earth." Father Malik said with a shake of his head. Patting the elders back, Aaron tried to comfort the old man.
"No matter where you go father, I'll always remember your teachings" Aaron said reassurdly. This had already brought a smile to the old man's face and he let out a laugh.
"Aaron, you were always my favourite and the best. I will leave this to you to find who is subverting our flock"
"Of course Father malik. I had already planned to look through the town to see what is happening with the people" Aaron gave a short bow as he walked off towards the town as the chapel was still on the outskirts. Hohoho, I really have done well for myself this rime. Malik thought to himself. A nun walking by caught his attention as her hips swayed in an alluring fashion. Being cheeky he gave the woman's bottom a pinch which caused the woman to let out a strartled gasp. Turning around she blushed as she faced father Malik.
"Father Malik" the nun said with respect.
"I don't believe I've seen you around the chapel before"
"Responding to father Malik, I have only recently joined the church as a nun to learn the teachings." Father Malik had a smile plastered on his face but his eyes betrayed a look of lust.
"Oh, so that's why. I'm sure the young sister won't mind if I took interest in bestowing a few lessons to the younger generation" father Malik was almost practically leering at the woman.
"This humble sister would gladly take the teachings of an elder" the nun said with a nod of her head.
"Come, I am sure that we can understand the teachings better in my own chambers." Father Malik said as he led the way. Occasionally he would glance back at the woman who still had a away in her hips that would make men drool at her sex appeal. Luckily he found her first as she was a recently ripened peach he was more than happy to devour for a while. Truly as an elder he must warn the dangers of sin to the newcomers. The thought caused him to chuckle a little as they disappeared behind a door.