0000 New Family

On the horizon, the sun rose in the east a little over an hour ago, warming the already excited residents of the city who roamed all the streets doing their jobs.

Most of the houses were not very tall, they were all made of wood of all kinds, and stones of all colors. Stone chimneys still smoked incessantly. It is a commonly cold region, but today was the first day of summer, so the sight of clouds of smoke rising from chimneys and passing over houses would take months before they would be seen again.

On the main streets, large wooden carts passed from place to place. Horses of all colors can be seen pulling their loads. Various barrels and large crates were loaded and unloaded at all kinds of shops along the avenues.

Animals fur shops on one side of the street, sewing and tailor shops on the other. An entire avenue of blacksmiths that brought incredible headaches to nearby residents who wanted to spend an extra hour in bed.

Vegetable shops, as well as pharmacies and other types of commerce formed another avenue from which some people sneeze because of the strong smells of herbs and spices coming from the street.

Bars, butchers, carpenters and various other types of shops with customers coming and going, showed that the city was thriving.

In the streets, in addition to the wooden carts, people on foot came in and out through the entrances of the fortified wall that surrounded the entire city, after all, the city was bounded by a large forest on neutral lands. No man's lands.

But even so, the city of Marquês had been conquering peace for almost 200 years, unlike the neighboring Marquês to the west, which every year clashed with the free peoples of the south, or simply commanded an attack expedition beyond the borders of the south.

On the balcony of the city's fortified castle, the Marquis was seated in front of a table, where he could observe much of his city. To the right, vast forested areas covered the horizon beyond its borders, and to the left, farms of all kinds colored its territory beyond the city walls.

The Marquis was an apparently not very tall man with a firm build. His brown hair was mostly white, accompanied by several wrinkles spread across his face, a man entering old age. His clothes, however, were neither elegant nor flashy, the colors were shades of gray with simple brown decorations, completing the image of a simple but determined man.

In the great square in the middle of the city, a commotion made him raise an eyebrow. He could see clearly in the distance. People making way for an entourage of men in white armor with golden trimmings, some wearing white robes with golden trimmings, even the horses were white with golden armor and saddles. The amount of white and gold was really quite impressive.

The entourage continued with its slow pace, allowing many spectators to lean out of the windows of their houses or shops, and even to crowd the streets around their passage.

Marquis.;

- "I hope they don't come up with the idea of ​​rebuilding a church in my town...

... I will not give up any shop for them to demolish and build their church...".

The Marquis wasted no time and commented his thoughts with his emissary who had just stopped by his side wanting to announce the arrival of the church entourage.

Noticing that his Lord had already seen the newcomers, the emissary just stood there without saying anything, nodding his head positively in agreement with the comment of the man he has a lot of respect for.

Marquis.;

- "Send someone for my butler to come to the palace.

And ask the cook to make a big breakfast for our uninvited newcomers...".

Servant Emissary.;

- "Yes, my Lord!".

The emissary responded politely by lowering his head and walking away with hurried steps.

Watching the movement taking place in the square for a few more seconds, the Marquis got up and entered the castle accompanied by two other men dressed in light armor, gray with black details.

Inside, the Marquis ordered his men to receive the men from the church and offer breakfast to everyone. Soon, he went to his office to wait for them, avoiding spending too much time in their presence.

With a few more hours going by, the sun was almost over their heads, indicating that the day was approaching noon. At that moment the Marquis was already frowning at the delay of his uninvited guests in fulfilling their objectives, keeping him busy waiting all morning.

Newcomer Uninvited.;

- "Uhm...

... Southern food always pleases me with its diversity of dishes...".

Wiping his dirty hands on his white robe, the man sat down vulgarly as if he owned the place.

Marquis.;

- "Yes... We, here in Marro, try to keep the diversity of the peoples and the culture of the natives always alive...".

Drumming his fingertips rhythmically on the table, the Marquis looked at the man in front of him.

The man has a bald spot on top of his head, short, white hair on the sides of his head, a slightly rounded belly, and several wrinkles on his face.

The old man used a handkerchief to wipe his mouth still stained with food. Hearing the Marquis' reply, he paused for a moment and decided to ignore the matter so as not to create unnecessary conflict.

Newcomer Uninvited.;

- "It's ok, it's ok...

I'm just a Cardinal bringing the will of our god...".

Marquis.;

- "And what 'will' was that that brought you to me this time, Cardinal Lourenzo?".

Looking into the Cardinal's eyes, the Marquis wanted to be direct, without wasting time.

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "You see, Marquis Honorato...

... Our Saint Sigun is worried about the southern lands...".

Lourenzo's eyebrows curved down giving him an expression of sadness.

Honorato looked slowly at his few servants present who seemed not to have been moved by the Cardinal's words. Pausing briefly in thought, he looked out the window, taking in a part of the city that could be seen from there, displaying the vivacity of the apparently excited people.

Still looking at the window, Honorato finally opened his mouth.

Marquis Honorato.;

- "And what could the Saint Sigun's concern be?".

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "The Marquis must know how dangerous the Southlands are... Lands bordering the neutral forests, full of wilds and monsters...".

Marquis Honorato.;

- "The Cardinal must be joking. It's been almost two hundred years since we've had conflicts with any people from the south here on my lands...".

Wanting to get rid of these people and close any matter they want to deal with, the Marquis Honorato didn't let himself be carried away by the man's slow conversation, and returned to look at him impatiently without looking away.

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "But, Marquis... We get intelligence from Intelligence that tells us that the Magoi kingdom in the far south intends to start a war with us...".

The Cardinal opened a smile on his face as soon as he started this conversation. His upward hand gestures trying to make his words more truthful was a sight that made the Marquis want to punch him.

Opening the desk drawer, Honorato took out a pipe that has a skull carved into its wooden head and slowly, he began to crumble the tobacco.

Marquis Honorato.;

- "Ditore offers intelligence to all Lords and Highnesses of the Empire...

... If they're not hiding information from me, the Marquis of Marro...

... I find it hard to believe such rumours, rumors that always get my neighbors to the West in trouble...

... Or is Cardinal Lourenzo referring to another intelligence provider?".

Calmly, Honorato finished crumbling the tobacco as he spoke, and was now lighting the pipe that lit up the skull's eyes each time he inhaled through the holder.

Lourenzo's smile froze at the end of the noble Marquis' speech. Lourenzo was left with no possible answer in his throat, without any means of justifying his future request and objective.

Lourenzo tried to express sadness with his gaze again but something started to bubble up in his stomach, turning his expression strange between sadness and pain.

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "I notice that the Marquis sees the Church of Sigredio with bad eyes...".

The current climate in the region was pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold. But due to the amount of food the Cardinal had eaten, in addition to the diversity of foods he was not used to, it caused beads of sweat to start appearing on his forehead. During the conversation, he had to stop to get another handkerchief and wipe his forehead.

So, no longer willing to prolong the conversation in an attempt to win the dispute using fatigue, which was his last weapon in dealing with those who weren't too enthusiastic about the church, he decided to cut to the chase.

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "... Saint Sigun wants to build a church inside Marro...".

Marquis Honorato.;

- "So apologize to the Saint Sigun in my name Cardinal...

... I will not take off several shops from my people for you to destroy and build your church...".

Already prepared for such a question, the Marquis raised his hand and disagreed at the same moment that Lourenzo finished speaking.

Without meaning to, Lourenzo flashed another smile, but he easily hid it with the handkerchief that wiped the sweat from his face. Taking a moment to breathe and control his facial expression, the Cardinal closed his eyes and again forced an expression of sadness.

Toc! Toc!

Before Lourenzo opened his mouth to speak again, someone knocked on the door.

Marquis Honorato.;

- "Come in...".

Reception Servant.;

- "My Lord, your personal butler has just arrived...".

A servant opened the door to announce the butler's arrival, then left again, giving way to the butler.

Butler.;

- "My Lord, this servant apologizes for the delay...".

A tall man, with properly arranged clothes, a black noble shirt with some details in the form of silver lines and white pants with black stitching details.

A well-trimmed beard and long hair tied in a completely black ponytail complete a very elegant look. Such an elegant appearance brought an envious look from the Cardinal, who was observing the straight black hair, very voluminous, of the butler.

Blowing small puffs of smoke into the air, Honorato waved his left hand at the butler, who soon took his place beside the Marquis.

Marquis Honorato.;

- "... So Cardinal, I think we're done, or do you have any more requests?".

With his face turning white and sweating more and more, Lourenzo struggled to try to bring back the expression of sadness he had lost looking at the butler's hair. The Marquis' office room was silent for long seconds, where only the sound of the Cardinal's belly brought disconcerting looks from the men of the church who accompanied him.

With an effort, Lourenzo began to swing his legs nervously.

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "... The Mister Marquis doesn't seem to understand...

... But the main danger that haunts your city is the pagan and heretical customs that your city doesn't fight...

... It is sad to think that the Marquis of Marro does not fear for the soul of his people...".

Spitting some more smoke, the Marquis was already tired and ready to get up, but Lourenzo kept talking.

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "... Our Saint Sigun's last request was...

... 'If the Marquis Honorate has not yet expelled the heretics from his lands, and if he refuses once more to build our Church in the city'...

... 'May he come personally to apologize to me'...".

Everyone in the Marquis's office except the Cardinal and his men frowned at the abusive request they had just heard.

The eyes in the pipe's skull were lit even more by Honorato's deep drag.

Marquis Honorato.;

- "Saint Sigun's words? And what does Sopra think about it?".

Lourenzo was fidgeting in his chair trying to keep himself straight.

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "Sopra Gregor agrees with our Saint Sigun...".

Pah!

Nervous, Honorato slammed his hand on the table.

Marquis Honorato.;

- "I mean Sopra Matthew!!

I don't care about the politics of the Occident!".

Raising his voice, Honorato pointed his finger at the Cardinal..

The men in white armor behind the Cardinal laid their hands on the hilts of their swords. The butler stepped forward in accordance with his Lord's exaltation, showing support and determination.

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "... Both Saint Sigun, Sopra Gregor and Sopra Matthew are gathered in Elnuo...

... An important matter required their meeting, so if there is a problem with the apology, you can resolve it in person with our Royal Highnesses...

... Well, my subject is complete...

... Excuse me, I need to go...".

Not taking it anymore, Lourenzo replied as he got up to run to the nearest bathroom.

Gritting his teeth, the Marquis blew out another puff of smoke and rose to greet the Cardinal who stood up and walked quickly with short strides as he brought both hands to the bottom of his trousers.

The comical sight did not bring happiness to the Marquis who on any other occasion would have made him laugh so loudly that all his servants in the castle would hear. He just waved his hands, dismissing his men as he returned to his seat.

The butler waited for everyone to leave, walked over to the double doors and locked it. Watching the Marquis thoughtfully, he walked over to the drinks table, filled two glasses with some sort of brownish alcohol, and carried them to his Lord's table. Setting one glass on the table, the butler returned with another and sat cross-legged in one of the armchairs beside a bookcase and began to drink.

Observing the glass of drink on the table, Honorato took it.

Marquis Honorato.;

- "Erik...

... Will you or the Faction Leader need me in the next few weeks?".

Erik took another sip of his drink before answering.

Erik, Butler.;

- "There's the Ceremony in three weeks, along with the holiday, the city can't be without both of us at the same time John...

... Besides, don't you want to ascend in the Inheritance? Participating in the Ceremony would also do you good...".

Sighing, the Marquis also took a few sips of his drink before continuing.

Marquis John Honorato.;

- "I know...

... I would very much like to participate in the Ceremony, but deep down I am well represented our people, while you all deal with the affairs of the Society and our Faction...".

Erik, Butler.;

- "Don't worry old friend, I've been grooming my son to be my replacement as your butler...".

Marquis John Honorato.;

- "... Erik, are you sure you want to do this?

... You still have your son to take care of, he's barely old enough to be a man...".

This time, it was the butler's turn to sigh as he drank, and the moment between the two turned a little melancholy.

Erik, Butler.;

- "I died the day my wife died, ten years ago...

... Thomas will understand me...

... And he will have a new family, a good family, as well as a new father...".

The Marquis silently listened to his friend's words as he looked at the empty glass in his hands. He got up, went to the liquor bottle, filled his own glass and poured it for Erik as well.

Marquis John Honorato / Erik, Butler.;

- "For the new family!". "For the new family!".

The two greeted the new family, toasted and drank the full glass to the end in a single gulp.

Erik, Butler.;

- "You can go to that shitty meeting with Sigun...

... After the Ceremony, the new me can come and take care of Marro while I wait for his return...".

In a slightly lighter mood, Erik went to put the glass on the drinks table.

Marquis John Honorato.;

- "Thank you, Erik...

... I'm leaving tomorrow morning...

... I should be back in two months, I believe.".

John Honorato returned to his desk and looked around for any pending documents he might need to sort out before he left.

Erik walked to the door to leave.

Erik, Butler.;

- "You're welcome, John...

... I just hope nothing goes wrong during the Ceremony day...".

Marquis John Honorato.;

- "...".

Looking back, John watched his friend walk away in silence.

* * / *

The day was approaching late afternoon. On the street, Cardinal Lourenzo's entourage was walking along the main road, once again attracting looks.

Sensing the unreceptive gaze of the local people, one of the knights pulled his horse and approached the Cardinal.

Knight of the Entourage.;

- "Sir Cardinal...

... Forgive my intrusion, but, are we not going to investigate anything?

And the anonymous denouncement we receive...?".

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "Quiet...

... We didn't come here for the denouncement...

... Our mission here is other, and it has been successfully completed!".

Lourenzo interrupted the knight and cast a thoughtful glance back towards the Marquis' castle.

Cardinal Lourenzo.;

- "It's late, let's spend the night at the inn...

... Tomorrow morning we leave... We're going to Glionorio...".