The two individuals were standing erect. Face to face, with their gazes focused on each other.
The old man's hands were clenched into fists; On the other hand, Federick's loose like a sea breeze.
The previous cold and serene atmosphere had become history; engulfed in the cyclical.
There was a tense air in the air, to the point that sweat began to form on the old man's forehead covered with wrinkles.
"Dear Federick, a pleasure. What brings you here?" The old man asked, forcing the best smile he could express, while caressing the hands.
"Oh, I'm surprised you know me... Does your name even start with an 's'?" Federick counter-asked curiously.
"The surprise is entirely mine... In fact, that's how it is." The old man commented with surprise highlighted in his old wrinkles.
"I guess...? Man, I guess I have luck but no memory. Can you remind me?" Federick said, acting out inconsistencies that he quickly tried to fix into an embarrassing mix.
"Sap... You can call me Sap. I'm the elder in charge of order in this large facility." Sap proclaimed, with some embarrassment.
"Oh, you really are modest, Sap. That sounds more like: master of general order and hygiene." Federick commented trying to joke, which was not fruitful.
Proof of this was Sap's uncomfortable expression; who could only maintain an awkward smile.
"He asked... With your position, what motivates you to come here?" Sap finally said. That had been the first question he had asked, and the cause of their conversation.
"I guess I was surprised by the orthodox story... So I came of my own free will, accompanying the sick." Federick said, honest and dishonest.
A surprising polarity that acted light as a feather in a couple of subsequent actions.
"If so, you are welcome to our space... They all are. Sick, tyrants and saints." Sap proclaimed with some pride that he would puff out his chest in his youth.
"I see". Federick said looking at one of the statues.
"In fact, in fact. Currently I would have to be maintaining order in the gardens where the sick rest, so I will have to retire... Oh, where has this boy gone." Sap said with a thoughtful old man aura and a fake sigh at the end.
"The boy? What do you need him for?" Federick asked, trying to figure out a next move in a mischievous way.
"He was in charge of carrying these containers to fill them with water, and thus, provide supplies to those in need." The old man explained with some impatience, as if he wanted to get away from him.
"Don't worry about it, I can take care of it... It's all for the sick." Federick commented with unusual euphoria.
"..."
Thus, the two opposites headed towards the outside, where the sick were located.
The old man's steps were awkward.
Instead, Federick walked happily carrying the wooden buckets on his shoulders.
There was a certain tense atmosphere around him; an area that sweated rays.
Federick despite his exposed personality, they were not his true colors. He had been observing his surroundings at all times.
His eyes were not at their best, proof of his fruits.
It had been strange, the slight familiarity demonstrated by the unknown boy.
The hidden unpleasantness in the speaker's visions.
And the slight resentment that was hidden in the expressions of the old man Sap.
A cloud of confusion was building and rising between the cobblestones, capable of making the skin crawl.
An enigma that wrapped around the church.
The strange attitudes, against his person...
"You really don't need help? I could carry one of the buckets." Sap asked sincerely.
"No... Not at all. I can do it alone." Federick responded with a smile.
With this slight exchange of words, they continued on their way with the discomfort still present.
Their path was long, through dark, lightly lit hallways. Where different entrances were arranged from time to time, they went to unknown places.
"I think these hallways are excessively and stupidly long." Federick expressed with some aggravation.
"It's normal, since the construction time of this building is unknown, so it is built with ancient architecture... And what does this variable mean? I don't know, I guess it's magical." Elder Sap commented with a strange mood.
"Don't tell me they were flying around here." Federick said curiously.
"No, they were on horses." Sap responded, interrupted with light laughter.
Comment that Federick decided to ignore, accepting the fact that he was ridiculed by an elderly and probable eunuch.
Not only was the architecture magnificent, but it was accompanied by beautifully decorated. Palpable fact between the corridors.
Until they finally saw the light beyond the hallways... Which turned out to be coming from a window.
"I bet you've been fooled by that; a lot of newbies turn out to be that. But don't worry, it won't be long until you're watching the sun, smelling the flowers, and enjoying the wind." The old man said with a small smile contoured in the darkness.
And done as he said, a few dozen meters away, he finally observed the exit from the monastic environment.
Gentle gardens were located outside, extensive and well-kept; which were occupied by different people.
Who showed symptoms of the disease. Since, even from a distance, widespread coughing was audible.
They camped patiently in the fields, waiting for their turn.
Occasionally qualified church personnel would approach, questioning and studying the different people.
"Please, I ask you, patience. You already know that this is solely and of a voluntary nature, so the treatment is proportional." A man shouted, who was dressed in robes.