The church was slow to empty. Not a surprise, considering the many hundreds who had packed in here… but it was a little upsetting.
I was in the mood to leave now, yet there was no point. Not when Renn was with me.
After all she disliked crowds… and she was still happily sitting next to me, watching the people below.
"That was…" Renn paused as she searched for the word to use.
"Unsettling?"
She glanced at me, and after staring at me for a moment finally leaned back away from the balustrade. Thanks to the height of the banister, she had to sit on her legs most of the sermon as to have a clear line of sight.
Sitting back in her seat, Renn smiled wildly at me. "It wasn't bad. I liked all the singing," she said.
"I'm sure," I said.
She giggled as she uncoiled her legs from beneath her, sending her feet to the ground. At first I thought maybe she finally had enough, and was willing to leave… but she remained seated.
"Did… did anything about that sound strange to you? I'm going to admit there were a lot of words I didn't understand Vim, but it seemed very normal to me. The same as most I've heard, although a lot more singing here," Renn said.
I nodded. "You're right. It's pretty standard. The only odd thing I found was the amount of donations they gave," I said.
Renn tilted her head, and her nun's headdress shifted a tad. It was a little too big for her. "The donations were odd. Usually it's the people who donate to the church, not the other way around," she said.
"That's because you've only seen the poor churches. This one's… very powerful. Plus the festival is about to start. During the New Year festival, this church hands out not only food and money but even land. Today seemed to be only food," I said. Renn and I had watched them hand out a large basket full of food to each person here. It was part of the reason that the sermon had taken so long. Even with an obedient populace, that stood in line and didn't dawdle.
"What's so wrong with that though? I think it's a good thing," Renn asked.
"Nothing. It is a good thing. I'm just… surprised at the level and amount. It means someone at the top has been replaced. Someone new is in control. The previous Archbishop here was a kind man, but not generous. He must be gone," I said.
"I thought we controlled this place?" Renn asked.
"We control a few sections, not the whole Cathedral. And if our people got an order from an archbishop, it'd be very difficult to deny or fight it," I explained.
"Hm…" Renn glanced at the banister, and I knew she probably couldn't see much at the angle she sat at now.
It was my fault. I had brought us here, to one of the higher boxes. It was busy, thanks to the upcoming festival, and I hadn't wanted to sit in the pews below, or the noble mezzanine. Although this box allowed us to be alone, and talk privately… I knew I had done a disservice to her. The sounds up here were a little muddled, thanks to being so high up.
"Were any of them one of us? The ones who sang and gave sermons?" Renn asked.
"Two were. You'll meet them soon," I said.
"Oh?" She looked at me, and grew excited.
I nodded. "Come on, by the time we get downstairs it should be cleared out enough," I said as I stood from my seat.
Renn nodded happily as she stood alongside me.
"Do they have this every night?" she asked as we left the box.
Entering the bland hallway, I noticed a few people off in the distance. It seemed we hadn't been the only ones up here… which was either because the lower boxes had been full, or someone else was like my companion who hated crowds.
"Only during festivals. Usually they only have sermons a few times a week, and they're usually in the morning and afternoon not this late," I said.
"Huh…" Renn followed me as we headed to the nearby stairwell.
"You can come tomorrow if you wish, just come up here," I told her.
"Really?" Renn smiled at me, and then looked away. "You mean without you," she realized.
"Well… yes?" What was wrong with that?
Heading downstairs, I heard the sound of conversations below. Seemed the nobles and wealthy were still around.
"Hm…" Renn went quiet as we reached the next floor, and I paused a moment before heading down to the next.
There were a few dozen people in this hall, and most of them looked at home here. Their clothes blended well with the fancy rugs and tapestries hanging on the walls. There was only one churchman here. A priest, in gray robes. He was collecting their tithes.
The poor got alms, the rich paid. Although I didn't agree with the church, I did agree with that part of it.
I didn't recognize any of the people here, so I decided to head down to the next.
"Aren't we supposed to donate too?" Renn asked.
"Why would I?" I asked her as we entered a new floor. This one was a little busier than the one above, but not enough to be crowded. Instead of heading down the stairs again, I guided Renn into the hallway and headed eastward. Towards where the eastern exit was.
"Hm… I guess you don't believe in it, so you wouldn't," Renn whispered as we walked.
While passing people, I noticed the way the common folk glanced at Renn. Some smiled and waved, others looked… questionably uncertain. As if unsure as to what to say or do in front of her.
Usually a nun was left alone. Especially one wearing the dark blue hues as she was.
Maybe the colors meaning had been changed… or maybe it was just because she was young and beautiful. Usually those like her were old.
"Stay close," I told her, and wondered if maybe I shouldn't let her come alone.
Or rather, maybe instead of coming as a church girl, I should have her dress as a lower noble. Her appearance did change things. Sometimes being attractive made it difficult to pretend to be certain things.
I'd ask Link later. He knew this town well.
"Where are we headed now? Can I meet Hands now?" Renn asked as we walked towards the large open stairwell that led to the east exit.
"Aren't you hungry?" I asked her.
"Huh? Oh… a little. Yes," she nodded as we headed downstairs.
As we descended to the floor level, the crowds became a little more dense. We had to stop walking next to each other. Renn quietly went to walking behind me, following closely as I led her out of the main section and to a breezeway. Upon leaving, I wasn't too surprised to feel the cold wind. It was late, but this coldness wasn't just because of the hour. Was a storm approaching?
"May the lord bless you!" A churchwoman bowed as we walked past, and I wondered if she had only done so because of Renn. She must have thought she was a sister.
The eastern exit was easier to use as I had thought. It led out towards the nearby marketplace, which normally would have been a destination for the congregation… either to go to work, or to buy food and items… but they had just given everyone a large basket of food. Most would be headed home to put it away.
Leaving the breezeway, we passed under a large archway. It had an iron gate, but it was lifted up and was open. Chances were it hadn't been closed in years. Once out of the church, we headed along a side road towards my destination.
"We could have gotten one of those baskets," Renn noted.
"I'm in the mood for something a little nicer," I said.
"Have you ever begged for anything?" she asked.
"I beg you to stop snoring so loud every night."
Crossing the street, I side glanced Renn who grumbled. Her headdress made noises as her ears danced beneath it.
It was night, and a little windy, so I didn't bother chastising her for it. Especially since it was my fault anyway.
"Is it that bad? You've mentioned it before…" she asked worriedly.
Feeling a little bad about the teasing, I shrugged. "Not really," I said. Usually she only snored after we went many days without rest. In other words, only when I pushed her past her limits.
"Which means it is…" she groaned.
"For your information I… It's not that I'm too prideful to beg… but I don't like the idea of taking what others could use. I can afford to pay for a meal. I can survive without food for months. So taking from those without is…" I changed topics, since I had not liked the sound of her groan at all. It had been actual pain.
"Oh…? Hm… that's a form of pride all on its own, is what I'd think Nory would say," Renn said as we rounded a large garden. One with a single tree in the center.
"What's wrong with pride?" I asked her.
"Half that sermon was stories on why pride is so dangerous," she reminded me.
"Had they been?" I asked. I hadn't paid much attention to the hymns or allegories, just the phrases they used to instill doctrine and order.
Renn sighed as we reached a new road, one that was a little smaller than normal. A little less pretty. A little older.
One of the first roads ever made in this city.
I liked how familiar it was.
"That's where we'll eat," I told her with a point.
"The Walking Pig?" she asked.
I'd ask how she had read the unfamiliar letters, but the large painted pig on the sign made it obvious.
I nodded. "They've had great food for years."
"Don't all pigs walk?" she asked.
"Used to be a cart that was pulled by pigs" I said.
"Oh?" Renn seemed to find that interesting as we walked into the restaurant.
The old building looked recently renovated. A fresh coat of paint was on the main sign, and the tables were now square instead of circular. Their designs on the tables told me they were new. That crest was only a few years old.
"Oh welcome sister! A table for two?" a young woman hurried to greet us, smiling happily at Renn.
"Please," I nodded.
I didn't recognize the girl. She didn't have the red flocks that the family who owned this place were known for, which meant she was probably just an employee. She guided us to a table in the corner, one that was alone and gave us a little privacy.
Probably thought Renn was a sister on a date when she shouldn't be, and was being kind.
"What kind of drinks?" the girl asked as we sat down.
"Your strongest slop for me, and something with fruit for her," I ordered.
The girl raised an eyebrow but nodded, and then hurried off.
"We don't get to order our food?" Renn asked as she watched her run away.
"They only serve one kind of meal here," I said.
"Oh… really? What is it?" she asked.
"What do you think?" I asked. Hadn't she seen the other tables?
"A whole pig. Really?" Renn glanced at the closest table. It was five away, and their pig was mostly gone. Four grown men had made short work of it.
"Complain later," I said to her as the girl returned.
"Thank you!" Renn happily accepted a large mug from the girl as I dug out the remaining Penk coins I had.
"Thanks," I thanked her as well as she put a large cup of alcohol in front of me.
Handing them to her, she paused a moment to stare at the two coins. "This is too much sir, even if I brought out two pigs," she said worriedly.
"Just one please. Keep the rest," I told her.
The girl looked from me, to Renn, and then beamed a happy smile. "Thank you so much! I'll be right out with the pig!"
She darted off quickly, a little more gusto in her steps this time.
"Hm… why'd you do that?" Renn asked.
"It wasn't as big of a tip as you think. Plus I like this place, I want it to be around for when I come back next time," I said.
"Oh? Is that why you seemed so excited to get here?" she asked with a smirk.
Studying her smirk as I took a drink, I wondered what gave her that idea.
Had I been acting any different than usual? If anything, any excitement she had seen was me simply wishing to get out of that church.
Renn hummed happily as she went to take a drink too. After she did, she licked her lips and stared at her mug with an odd look.
"What?" Was it nasty?
"It's not wine," she said.
"Did you want wine? You're dressed like a priestess; you'll need to ask for something like that. Don't blame me when they give you weird looks when you do, though," I said.
"No, it's good. It just kind of smelled like it was wine, so I was surprised to find it wasn't."
Smelled like wine? Probably something they let marinate in a large pitcher or barrel, then.
"Tomorrow I'll introduce you to Hands and whoever else is here," I said.
Renn ignored me as she took another drink, this time a little slower. She must like it.
Her headdress shifted as she drank, and I noticed where her ears were. Once she was done she sighed and put the cup down. "I could drink a whole barrel of this," she said.
"Lucky for you they probably would let you," I said.
She gave me a toothy smile, and I was reminded of her earlier words. The ones she had said before we left the mansio, and headed for the church.
She thought she was ugly.
I had known many women who had similar beliefs… but honestly it was weird hearing it from her.
Not only had I thought her beyond such a thing, thanks to her age, I had thought it was obvious why she'd not think such a thing.
I mean… her? Ugly? Said who? Where? When?
She was no Kaley but there was a reason I always needed to be conscious when I took her somewhere. She drew eyes; she was doing so even now while covered in robes and a headdress. Her face alone drew the eyes of men and women alike.
So it had been a shock to hear her say something like that… and… the source of it was something I couldn't really wrap my head around.
The only thing that I could think of, that explained why she'd think such a thought… was well…
Blaming myself, I took a drink to keep myself from admitting that I was the cause.
Some things were better not said, or even thought.
A steaming pig appeared from around a wall. I sat back and watched as the young girl that had just taken our orders hurried over with our food.
"It's hot still, so be careful," she laid it down onto the table with a light drop. The pig was a little larger than most of the others I had seen upon entering, and had a shiny gleam to it.
"I'll be right back with the plates and silverware," she hurriedly said as she ran off.
"Oh my…" Renn stared wide-eyed at the meal before her.
"She must be excited. Usually we get the knives and stuff first," I said.
"Hmm…" Renn nodded in agreement, but was too focused on the pig.
The waitress returned quickly, happily humming a tune only she knew as she put several plates onto the table and laid down a handful of silverware. Knives and forks alike.
"Thank you!" Renn happily thanked the girl, who beamed her a huge smile back in return.
"I'll be back to check up on you two! Enjoy!" the happy girl bounced away, and I heard the sound of coins in her pocket as she did.
Her share of the tip, it seemed. Sounded like quite a few coins.
Renn stared wide-eyed at the large pig, and I grabbed the sharp knifes as to begin cutting it up.
"I apologize for complaining earlier. This smells wonderful," Renn said as she focused on my movements as I went to cutting into the flank.
"Well I don't blame you. This is one of the honey roasted ones. A perk of giving a big tip," I said.
Odds were this had been the pig the owners had planned to eat for dinner. Judging by the thickness of it and the glistening of the skin it was something that someone had spent a great deal of effort on throughout the day.
"Sometimes your lack of haggling is a good thing, it seems," Renn said.
Renn gulped as I laid the first slice on her plate. It was a large, juicy piece.
"Go ahead," I gestured with the knife, and went back to cutting more.
While I cut more I watched as she actually drooled while picking the piece up. She hadn't even used the fork, but had simply grabbed it.
Renn took a big bite, and instantly closed her eyes to relish in the taste.
"Hmhm," she made a noise as she chewed and swallowed. I wasn't even able to put the next slice on her plate for her, she simply took it off the knife before I could.
She ate that piece almost too fast. "Don't eat too quickly, you won't be able to enjoy it," I warned her.
"It'd be a sin to not enjoy it, right," she nodded quickly as she slowed her chewing.
I scoffed as I put another piece onto her plate. Was she going to be focused on religion and sin for the rest of the night? Maybe I shouldn't of taken her to that sermon.
"This is sinful too. I can't believe something so delicious exists. To feast so lavishly…" Renn grumbled a groan as she took another bite.
"You're free to get up and leave if you want. You can wait for me to finish," I teased her.
Renn groaned as she shook her head, and I heard her tail move under her robe. It must want to sway in joy and bliss.
"You do speak like a demon would sometimes," she said.
"Huh?" I paused in my carving and wondered what the heck that meant.
"Sometimes you talk in riddles. Or you say things that are very…" She went silent as she blushed, probably remembering something I had said as a joke.
"Hmph," I went back to carving as I wondered if maybe to her I was demonic. Did she think my morals and ethics were that bad? Surely not…
"Delicious…" Renn made an odd noise as she took a bite of one of the pieces I had cut off for her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she chewed. She was really enjoying it, and to think she had been skeptical.
"Maybe you should have asked for two…" Renn mumbled as she stuffed her face.
I smiled at her and decided I'd order one to take back with us too.
That happy smile was so much better than that contorted frown from earlier.
If anyone was a demon, it was her.
That kind of face would make any man want to sin.
And her wearing those robes only made it even more sinful.
Cutting another piece for her, I felt ridiculous as the young waitress girl gave me a huge smile from across the room. I ignored her, and realized that feeding Renn was probably a sin too, in a way.
I kept such a thought to myself, especially since I knew she'd only use it as proof of her earlier comment.
Didn't need her thinking things like that, even as a joke, after all.