Everything was burning. Beorn could only watch in horror as the garden he had spent over a decade tending to went down in flames. Steeling himself, he rushed in to the garden, ignoring the danger it presented him. There were only a few herbs he could yank from the ground and pocket, but it was better than nothing. He choked hoarsely on the smoke, but he refused to let himself fall. Instead, he dropped to the ground to avoid the noxious vapors and crawled through it. Then he saw them.
"Evangelina, what are you doing here?" he asked, concern etched itno his features before he spotted Brynjar. His face darkened. This fire was convenient for him. If Lelinus died because of this, his position would be secured. Just like Artos' death meant his succession to the throne.
For a brief moment, dark thoughts entered into his mind. He could knock Evangelina out. He could e leave Brynjar here to die in the fire he started and she and Leo would be safe from him. He quickly squashed those thoughts. They were the thoughts of Demons and tyrants, not an Artemesian. He approached her and moved to help place him on his shoulders as well.
"Come on."
Julius stared at the piece of parchment in his hands. He admired the penmanship. It was rare to find a knight who could also write and write well. The author made all the right appeals to God and the Church and had significant support among the local clergy and the populace. If it had been a man, he'd be beside himself with welcoming him to court.
But this was a woman. And her use of the sword meant she straddled the line between orthodoxy and heresy. The prevailing opinion among the Faith for many years had been that Artemesia had transcended the normal gender divisions between gender, being God in the flesh, but the opposing view was not outright condemned. His actions now would have ramifications for his position and his ambitions. Still, whether he would condemn or support her, he needed her at court.
To Sir Sarah Morgane, Knight-Commander of the Scarlet Order:
We extend to you our apostolic greetings and our thanks that you now, at this war's conclusion, have of your own free will sought the sanction of the One True Church and are prepared to submit an explanation for your actions. You are hereby welcomed to the Capital where you may speak before Us and His Grace, King Brynjar, King of Byrdain and Protector of the Realm. We heartily look forward to your arrival.
His Excellency,
Julius Gadfael
Patriarch of the Church in Byrdain and Chancellor to the King