Myra walked back to where the Roth's carriages were, going through her head to understand how things had gotten to this point.
FlashBack
Myra walked home, wondering what she'd tell her grandmother. There was no hiding the fact that she was carried away, like some criminal, and they were already at her house before she'd arrived - They must've already talked with her.
She wondered if Rafael had reached Gomorrah and shook her head. If he only knew the power he held within.
She'd seen salvation happen more than once. Seen saints do battle with their prayers, the impossible with their sacraments yet, this one, the last one, chose to live the life of a sinner.
At least he was doing it for them. However, the method was still not justified. She sighed deeply; he had walked away from her. He was out of reach now. By tonight he'd be with her. Despite everything, the thought of that still made her blood boil.
"Myra!"
She looked up; Elizabeth was coming out of the house. She ran to her, tears flooding her eyes as if on cue.
Elizabeth hugged her to her bosom, "Did they hurt you?
"Are you ok?" She released her to arm's length and examined her.
Myra nodded tearfully, "I'm sorry," She sobbed.
Elizabeth hugged her once more. "It's ok; it's over now. What did you tell them?"
She swallowed it hung in her throat and, she had to force her words out, "It's a long story."
"No, it's not. I knew all along."
Myra leaned off her, taking a few steps back. Her face flushed; it seemed she now found their feet interesting. "Nothing happened," She stuttered.
Elizabeth chuckled, "I know."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you anything; I was just trying to process it too, I -"
"Shh." Her index finger pressed against Myra's lips " matter now. Let's go in.
She turned and walked towards the door. "Those guards left this place in a mess; we have a ton of work to do."
Myra nodded and followed her, pausing at the threshold. She tilted her head, her brows furrowing slightly. "But how do you know all of this? You're not-"
"Oh Myra, come in already. All this isn't going to clean itself."
"Yes, mother."
*******************************
Days passed, those events seemed a fading memory. Things returned to normal and, Myra resumed her work at the castle.
However, soon enough, she found herself thrown into the core of the matter once more through a fated meeting.
She was on her way back from the castle. Along the path where they first met, she stopped and went to the river. The water was calm today; there was hardly a sound as it flowed past. The events of that day replayed in her mind and, a small sigh escaped her lips.
"Miss him much?"
She gasped. Who was that? Elizabeth was the only other person that knew he was alive and that they'd spent time together. Curiosity attacked her but, fear came along. She stood still and swallowed, trying to hide any emotion that may give her away.
However, he came to stand by her. "Fear not.
"We're on the same side."
Myra stole a glance at the aged man standing beside her. She'd never seen him before. She was about to play dumb when it struck her.
She'd heard of an elderly in Rafael's company. Some of the maidens said he looked the most reserved of the group. He seemed to fit the description.
But sinners could shapeshift too. However, no sinner should know she was missing him.
Her mouth slowly shut once more, a small sigh escaping instead. What did he mean by "The same side."? She wasn't on the side of Rafael's, or rather, Lord Forsythe's company. And this was if he was actually among them.
She could play dumb. In the event he was a sinner, it would save her. However, if he wasn't a sinner what comes of it?
Or play deaf, but he'd come to her on his own. No matter who sent him, he'd probably keep on trying to get her to talk. As long as they were both there. to the last option which was the one she took.
"You don't support the path he took."
The statement stopped her in her tracks. However, any response would give her away. She made to move and heard him chuckle.
"If he only knew the feelings he could generate in people."
Myra faced him but he was still watching the river. "What do you want?"
"A favor." He faced her, a soft smile on his face.
However, she frowned, her eyes narrowing. "A favor? You must've some nerve. Showing up here and asking for a favor out of the blue."
He chuckled and walked to her. "I'm not a sinner. I apologize if I seemed too vague. I wanted to confirm just how deep this had gone – The relationship between you and Rafael that is. I'm Fairchild. A member of his company."
"I don't understand. You dwell in Gomorrah, how are you not a sinner? And how do you know that there was something between us?"
"I engineered the contraption he had on him. He named it regalia – it was his idea. It's a replica of the system through which blood flows through us. Though here we have sin flow through and that's how the members of my company have been sinning. Even so, I have never had regalia on. This is where we agree.
"I think he should've approached this differently. As a saint.
"As to how I know about the relationship, I possess certain abilities. I was the one that located you for him at first."
Her palms went to her forehead and she took a step back. "This is a bit too much for me. You say we're on the same side and yet you were the one that created regalia?"
"He created regalia. I did not support it but I had to follow through – though for personal reasons. Besides, if I'd refused he'd have gone somewhere else. You must already know he does things his way."
"You mean Lord Forsythe."
He had this expression on his face as if he was about to say something but thought better of it. "Yes, He agreed, nodding. "Lord Forsythe. That is not the point now though. I came here to ask a favor of you."
"What's this all about?"
"I know the relationship ended on a sour note but right now, he needs you the most."
"I don't understand."
"We agree that he's not going about things the right way but right now, there's nothing we can do to stop him. We can only be there for him so he does not go too far over the edge. He does not lose himself in all of this."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"Be there for him. Guide him. Stop him when you think he is going too far. He'll listen to you."
"How am I supposed to do all of this? I mean, you stay in Gomorrah. I can't even get in."
"Well not normally but his funeral will be held in a week. You have to attend."
Myra sighed, "He's alive," She muttered.
"I know. He will be there too. When the time comes."
"How do you know all of this?"
"I possess certain abilities, my dear." He chuckled and unclasped his hands, folding them behind him. "Now please do it, if not for him, for what you feel."
"And his lady?"
Fairchild sighed deeply and looked upward. "The way I see it, she's his greatest follower. His firmest believer. However, those feelings do not always entail love. What's more, you experienced him without his burdens, his true nature. No one else knows Rafael as much as you do.
"What do you say?" His smile was back as he looked at her. He had a way of smiling with his entire face, which gave him a serene look.