Chapter 139 - Light in the Shadows

"A task force assigned by His Majesty is searching for Father Agnello's whereabouts," said Balbo, answering Lex's question. "I was here during the day in Bastien's place. He hasn't been feeling well, Your Highness must remember how he coughed the entire trip ... In fact, I am worried that he is sick."

"It's true," Lex pondered, remembering the elite warrior's dry, persistent cough. "Do you think ... could it be the plague?" it was easy to associate the symptoms with what she had seen in the last few nights. People were dying in Holstein, and those who could be leaving the city.

Balbo shrugged, "It's possible. I've seen it happen before, and it's not pretty."

It was hard not to be impressed by Balbo Cerdán's absolute control at all times. He never looked shaken by anything. Naturally, as a Tanaion, murderous agent in the ranks of the Lazarites, he was more than accustomed to seeing deaths: he also inflicted them.

"Where was he last seen?" Lex asked as he pulled on his boots.

"He had spent part of the afternoon in the castle library, and after receiving a message, he commented to Master Valerius that he would speak with the Bishop. Then he supposedly returned to his quarters before going to the cathedral, where he apparently never attended. The stable master said that the priest's carriage was ready at the request of his valet. It was all I knew, "reported the warrior.

The fact that it had been two days since Blue Eyes was last seen was not encouraging. But he could have simply been killed along with his page, if they just wanted to get rid of him. A man like the Florentine priest certainly had many enemies, which made him a wary and watchful person. He, too, had made enemies among the dead and was probably targeted by the Cult of Diana.

"The priest certainly exposed himself a lot when, on the night of the fire in the Princes' wing, he fought and expelled a powerful Shade," Lex commented aloud, although he was just thinking with no conclusion in sight.

"It may be that for outsiders, Father Agnello is the person behind Lady Saskia's arrival, as well as her ascension. And that have disrupted the Cult's plans, whatever they may be, "suggested Balbo.

"You're right. You may think that, without knowing that everything was just my bad luck ... "

Balbo shook his head, "Don't say that. Prince Alexander awaited his arrival. He tried to meet you. And perhaps Death accepted his sacrifice, and acted to bring her here. "

Lex hugged himself, considering his friend's words. "Surely he and I have a connection that has not yet been explained."

"May I ask you a question, Your Highness?" Balbo asked, saying next, "Why didn't His Highness tell Prince Gutard about the demon in Princess Cordelia's room?"

"For two reasons, my dear Balbo. If I told him right now, I would have to tell him about Lady Duvignes and that would lead to Duke Kurt. And I still don't know what to do with the information that the Duke lives hidden in Holstein and seems very committed to unmasking Cordelia. And because, my dear, ..."

" You don't entirely trust him."

"No, Balbo. I'm just starting to understand who he really is and how he thinks, and I don't want to be taken by surprise anymore and discarded when the interests about me are over."

"I don't blame you for thinking that, Your Highness. But I will be by your side, like a brother, until the end. "

"Even being persecuted, and considered heretics?"

"What we believe is what defines us, Your Highness."

Alexa thought about her recent doubts and the certainties of Mildred and Balbo.

"So, what makes us different from all people who believe differently from Christians? Like the Cult of Diana, Gisela and her northern rites, and even the secret cult in England, which tortured a Christian girl and expelled people from their lands?"

"Why, sister ..." for the first time Balbo did not treat her with deference to her social position, but with the intimacy of their now extinct brotherhood, "If these people are killing, injuring and causing pain, just to prove a point, don't you think we are different?"

"But Balbo, you are a Tanaion ... You are supposed to kill, to purge the enemies of humanity. But whoever decided that ... "

" Yes, you are correct. I heard that there was corruption. Still," said the warrior," I have not lost faith that my service is necessary. Only, maybe I should learn to listen to the signs instead of waiting for someone to send me a name..."

The bearer of the Light examined the honest and rugged face of the warrior, which until then, had been so constant and friendly. "You told me wise words tonight, Balbo. I hope you learn to hear the signals, as I said."

He nodded, answering nothing more, and Lex sat down to eat his meal. Her thoughts persisted in returning to Magnus and Alexander from across the sea, but the Princess struggled to focus on Holstein's pressing matters,

"I am thinking of asking Lady Duvignes for help, to find clues from Father Agnello. But I also think I should check on Cordelia ..."

"It's good not to lose sight of Princess Consort's actions. Even in her room, she must have as many tentacles as an octopus," muttered Balbo, and Lex agreed.

°°°

"I didn't expect your visit," said Cordelia looking up from the book she was reading by a candelabra. Lex had come to her chambers through the secret passages. Cordelia's room was Hare's room. Lex had been peeking until he was sure the ladies had gone out to attend to the noblewoman's needs. But he certainly wouldn't have much time. Still, it was better to talk to her alone.

"We didn't have much time the night before."

"Alexander, I was wronged! You know that my intentions were good, and that I was working to undo the misunderstanding. I immediately backed down and went to look for the bishop to speak of my doubt. If I had looked more readily at the..."

"Body of the girl they brought you," Lex doubted that Cordelia would have such a hard time looking at corpses, but pretended to believe the farce of her sensibilities. The Princess nodded,

"Yes, I might have noticed, but I didn't look. I trusted that the people who brought her knew how to identify a figure as striking and beautiful as Lady Saskia. And I tried to dispel the rumors ... I gathered the ladies of the court to explain that I wasnot sure about the death of your wife, and I wouldn't condone to slandering. But ... "

Lex closed his eyes. She spoke vehemently, and sounded sincere. Cordelia continued,

"Prince, be my friend! Since I got here my life is hell! I don't hate Alexa, although I can't know what she thinks of me! I was mistreated and humiliated so many times, compared to her beauty, and even despised by your family! But I didn't do anything to deserve this! Your brother despised me and your father married me to keep the agreement with my father, but overlooked! Don't you see?"

The 'Second Prince just kept silent, and Cordelia continued,

"I just want to be accepted! I didn't mean it! Still, my efforts were not enough. The Bishop sent a message that another person recognized the body as belonging to Alexa. A person from the Church. And that being so, the Sovereign Prince would have to deliberate on what to do. From your reaction, I see that you didn't know it yet, Your Highness ... Just make sure I tried to be sincere in my actions. And know that someone else is causing this unnecessary friction between us …"

"When did the Bishop send this message?"

"Yesterday afternoon," said the Princess. "But I knew that I should stay out of this matter, that it has only caused me problems so far. Everything about your wife ends up hurting me in some way, even if it's not her intention. If only she could show up and undo the misunderstanding ..."

"Thank you. I will consider all your effort as proof of friendship," Lex said without any special intonation, and retired to the shadows again. Cordelia could not be surprised that the Prince knew all the paths of the castle.

When he met Balbo again, he asked,

"Will you accompany me to the cathedral? I suspect that I have to meet the person from the Church who recognized the body as being from Princess Alexa. That is, mine."

"It looks like a very interesting story, Your Highness," Balbo agreed, and soon they left the castle for Holstein's cathedral.

Arriving at the episcopal house close to the cathedral, Lex and Balbo observed the building with its illuminated windows, from a strategic position. You could tell by the carriages standing around the house and the laughter, that there was some kind of banquet going on.

"Isn't it ironic, Balbo? That while the city is being consumed by the plague, there's a party inside? "

"Death is frightening to many, and that's how they try to ignore the fear, Your Highness," the warrior replied, and Lex had to agree that Balbo was far more experienced than she could be in these matters.

However, they watched two people leave the house through a side door, covered in black cloaks. They watched as the pair headed towards the cathedral, carrying torches for lighting.

Something about one of the figures was strangely familiar to Lex, and it gave him a funny feeling in the belly, and a feeling of alarm, as his blood seemed to flow faster.

"Balbo, let's follow those people."

After they separated for this, Lex took every precaution, but soon realized that they already knew they were being followed.

Still, the hooded figures continued and entered the cathedral through the front door, without fearing the guards. The men separated briefly for a moment. The tallest of them went towards the main ship, which had been closed since the incident, and instinctively Balbo followed him, signaling to Lex. 

Lex, in turn, decided to enter through a side door and surprise the person who provoked his memory.

Lex reached the east ship where the mystery man was going. Before he reached the ossuary's door, Lex entered front of him, even though he knew it was expected.

They were next to a window and the dim moonlight didn't illuminate much, but the torch was enough to see his face.

Lex's heart missed a few beats as he looked back at the face that looked back at him,

'N-Narses?!'