The door Vim had broken was fixed already. It shut rather smoothly as I hurried over to stand beside Vim, ready to shout angrily if I needed to… since I knew he wouldn't.
Unlike last ti we'd visited the Chronicler didn't ignore us outright or be haughty. She put aside a letter she had been reading and frowned gently at us. "You're fine, but she's not. What is the matter?" she asked gently, sounding almost kind about it.
I stepped forward, clenching my fist as my tail squird beneath my pants. "Have you seen your monarch lately?" I asked before Vim could.
The Chronicler shifted a little, turning her head as she glanced at Vim… then back to . "No…? Not since last night, I think. But she cos and goes, why…?"
"You don't know," Vim said plainly.
I groaned as I realized she didn't. Her dimly glowing eyes narrowed at us as she sat up a little straighter. "What… what are you saying?" she asked, sounding far too convincing to not be believable.
Great! It was wrong of to think so, but I had genuinely wanted her to be the cause of the poor little creature's death. As to justify hating her… yet now…
Stepping away, I huffed as I reached up to cup my face. I was so horrible sotis!
"Your little monarch has died. We found it in the mansio, collapsed with a hole in its chest and side," Vim explained.
For a few monts there was silence, so I turned to study the woman I was trying really hard to hate with justification, and found her staring at Vim with more shock than even when we had confronted her a few days ago. About far more serious matters.
A little surprised to see such emotion upon her, I returned to Vim's side. "We took it to Hands… but it was too late," I added.
"That's not possible," The Chronicler said simply, as if making a simple factual statent. As if she just told us the sun had risen today.
Glancing at Vim, I found him frowning at her. In a way that was rather telling.
"You sincerely don't believe it," he said gently.
For a long mont the Chronicler only stared at him… and then glanced down. Vim shifted his hands a little, to display the blood still staining his hands. The stuff was dried now, though dark.
"That's… No!" The Chronicler stood, her eyes glowing a little stronger as she did. "Vim! That's not possible! Mapple!" she added, and then shouted Mapple's na at the end. I flinched, since she had genuinely shouted it. As if for her life.
A little worried over her outburst; I shifted and wondered why she had scread in such a way. Did she feel in danger all of a sudden…? As much as I would like her to feel such pressure, it wasn't like I actually wanted her to feel such a way. Until we had actual, verifiable, proof that she's done sothing worth such a punishnt at least.
The door opened half a mont later as Mapple ran in… skidded to a stop, and gaped at us. She flinched at the sight of Vim, and hurriedly grimaced as she clenched her fist.
Oh no… Did she think she needed to protect her master from us…?
"Hurry and gather everyone. Have Tenure and everyone available search for the monarch or hint of it. And imdiately summon a Society wide eting, I want everyone counted for. Now," The Chronicler ordered as she rounded the table.
My ears shifted under my hat as I glanced around, and then watched Mapple nod and run out of the room… not even questioning the order.
"The monarch is with Hands," I said gently, reminding her.
"I know. I want them to think it's still alive, as to see what kind of response I get from them. If you would Renn, please go tell Hands to keep his possession of its body, and the knowledge of what happened to it a secret. Until we get to the bottom of this," she said.
Oh…? I nodded gently as I glanced at Vim, as if to make sure he was okay with doing so.
"What kind of wound killed it, Vim?" she then asked softly, likely since the door to her office was still opened.
"It was stabbed through. By sothing with enough force to completely separate its heart and a part of its spine. Honestly I'm not sure what had hurt it, Hands thinks it was hit by sothing with great velocity, and I agree with him. As if it was hit by a large bolt or sothing," Vim said.
She frowned as she pondered that, and then sighed. "This is not good. At all. Is there any hope of saving it?"
"No. It's likely already growing cold," Vim said.
The Chronicler reached up, to cup her face. "So many things going wrong, too quickly…" she groaned.
A little surprised to see her act, and say so, I wondered what to say or do. I know I had to leave, to make sure Hands didn't make a mistake… but…
"This was not supposed to happen, Vim. That creature had a purpose. One that it now won't be able to fulfill. This isn't good," she then said.
"I'll go handle Hands. You stay with her, Renn, until I return," Vim then said as he stepped away.
"Vim!" The Chronicler and I both said his na, but he ignored us as he left the office.
I sighed at him, as she did… and then smiled softly at her since we had been in sync for a mont.
"He knows I know better than to bring up prophecies, yet he still acts like that. And he wonders why we have been leaving him in the dark. I swear Renn, your husband has more issues than he solves sotis," she said.
Well… "You're not entirely wrong, I suppose…" I admitted.
She nodded. "Quickly, before anyone else gets back… anything else I should know about its death?" she asked.
I slowly shook my head. "We found it downstairs, near the bathroom. I think it had co in through the window of the bathroom, either to escape its attacker or maybe to get help… I think it was heading for the stairs, as to co to our bedroom. It was a little odd though; there were no blood stains or signs of its struggle anywhere around the area. Its wound was so great you'd think there'd have been a lot of blood everywhere," I said.
"An oddity, one that makes it clear there's sothing amiss," she stated as she stepped over to her desk. She picked up a small book and opened it, and quickly went to writing within it. I stepped over, glancing at what she was writing down and realized it was information. She was taking notes, of what Vim had said and what I had said.
She had said she wanted to see what people would say, concerning the monarch's death. She likely planned to compare everything, as to track the perpetrator.
"Hands tried to save it. I begged Vim too, but he said it couldn't be done," I said softly.
She nodded. "Vim's not cruel, and Hands has a duty. Neither would have allowed it to perish if they had the ability to save it. I have no doubt there," she said as she kept writing in the little book.
Really…? It was so odd, that so many mbers could… seemingly hate or dislike Vim, yet at the sa ti trust him so unequivocally like that. It made wonder if I was slightly misunderstanding the fundantal issues of the Society.
Probably was.
"Your Holiness," A woman entered, alongside a man. They looked human, and I didn't recognize them, so I stepped back a little as they stepped over to her. The Chronicler ignored them for a mont, and then stopped writing and nodded, telling them to go on. "Mapple and Tenure are mobilizing the whole cloister. We will find the little divine beast shortly," she said.
"I hope so. When was the last ti either of you saw it?" The Chronicler asked calmly.
The two frowned and glanced at one another. I studied the man more than the woman, since I noted the way he was frowning… it was one not of confusion or thought but instead annoyance.
"Two days ago for . I fed it a piece of an apple," the woman said.
He nodded. "About that for . I saw it run along the banister near the second floor kitchens. It avoided though, as you know your Holiness," the man said.
"Hm…" The Chronicler nodded, and I shifted a little.
"Why'd it avoid you?" I asked.
The Chronicler glanced at , but said nothing as the man and woman turned to address . The two studied for a mont, and then the man gently smiled… and the woman answered for him. "The divine beast does not like n, young lady. It avoids them, even sotis nipping at them if they get close," she answered.
Oh.
Really…? I'd seen it with Vim many tis, though.
Though he wasn't really a normal man, I suppose.
"I see…" I said in response as I glanced at The Chronicler. She was giving an odd smile, as if amused with .
Though I did note she and him spoke of it as if it was still alive. Sothing still here and not a mory of the past.
I wonder who had hurt the poor little creature. It had been adorable, and hadn't seed dangerous at all. Even when it had tried to eat my ancestor's heart, it had only nibbled upon it and stuff. It wasn't like it stole it or broke anything as far as I was aware. It had even slept with a few tis, never bothering or anyone at all.
Would soone have killed it in an attempt to get its heart… I wonder? If so why not take it from it? Or did it escape before the attacker had been able to do so?
Hopefully Vim and the rest could find whoever had hurt it.
"Go help oversee the search. While you're at it, may as well conduct a full review of the Cathedral. Let's begin our review, since we'll be scouring the place anyway," The Chronicler said.
"Understood," the man nodded and turned, leaving without hesitation. The woman though waited a mont, and then coughed as to clear her throat.
"Would you like to summon anyone? Or have Mapple return?" she asked.
"No. I will be fine, I have Rennalee here if I need help, thank you," The Chronicler said as she turned back to her desk, and book, and went to writing in it again.
The woman nodded, bowed lightly, and then left as well.
Waiting until her footsteps were far enough away that I knew she wouldn't be able to hear , I stepped a little closer to the Chronicler as to whisper. "Did she think I was dangerous or sothing?" I asked.
"What's in your hand, Rennalee?"
Startling, I glanced at it.
"Um… a spear," I admitted.
Did she recognize it?
She chuckled at . "You don't even register it's there do you? Here I had thought all this ti you were not the type to be so calm and adjusted to violence and all that it brings. But I suppose it's of no surprise… many of our greatest saints had been war maidens," she said as she kept on writing.
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"War maidens…?" I asked. That was a new phrase to , though I obviously understood its aning. She was correct, also. I had been so focused on the poor creature that I'd neglected to even consider the spear in my hand.
"Most saints are born for war, or beco the cause of it. So it's only natural most beco accustod to such a thing. I was lucky, of all us sisters only I and Mapple's mother were able to avoid ever having to step foot onto a battlefield," she told as she put her pen into the little pot of ink nearby, and turning to face .
"You… all fought on battlefields? Even though you had Vim?" I asked.
She smiled at . "Vim couldn't be everywhere all the ti, Renn. He's of course the perfect soldier, but can only fight one battle at a ti. Plus there were fights even he won't permit himself to participate in, so sotis we are left to our own devices," she said.
"What… kind of fights?" I asked, a little surprised to hear so. I had thought Vim would always fight for our mbers, no matter the reason.
"The ones not for the Society or its mbers, of course."
Oh. I see.
That ant she spoke of things that the Society hadn't been involved in with at all. I wonder how that worked, since that an mbers had been involved with them. Where was the line drawn, I wonder?
"I'd have preferred you to carry a sword, Renn."
I perked up at that. "Really…? Can I ask why?" I asked. Vim's told a spear was better for war than a sword was.
"A sword can go into a sheathe. Such an act has many purposes. It allows one to not broadly display a weapon, while also it can be decorative and impactful. A spear is… well, it reminds one of war. A sword can remind soone of justice, or duty. A spear doesn't remind people of such things," she explained.
Although I had just thought sothing similar, I wasn't really sure what to say to that. I an… what did it matter if I carried a spear and not a sword? "You an it'd make it easier for to blend in, than this," I said.
"Well… yes, it would. But I had not ant that directly…"
"You're… worried I'll be seen as dangerous?" I asked.
"In a way. For now it is of no matter. We can discuss such things another ti," she said as she turned… right as Mapple arrived.
Frowning at her, I watched Mapple close the door behind her. "Everyone's searching for the monarch, and they've begun to let everyone know it's ti for a review. It was started haphazardly, and they're prioritizing finding the monarch though," Mapple said.
"That's fine. Did you hear anyone say anything as you gave the order?" The Chronicler asked.
"Just that they don't understand why we need to search for it. I an… it does sotis hide for a day or two, doesn't it? Probably just curled up sowhere, sleeping," Mapple said with a shrug.
Oh? She seed to really believe so. And…
I smiled gently at her as she once again glanced at . She noticed my smile and shifted, looking away.
Now that I had been reminded of the spear, I knew now why Mapple was acting so odd. And likely why she had panicked upon running in earlier. It hadn't just been because of The Chronicler's shout. It had been the sight of and Vim, and the spear I carried. I wonder how I could tell her she needn't worry, without just outright saying it. I pitied the poor woman, and even though one day we might be standing against one another instead of alongside, we technically weren't at the mont enemies. So…
"Did you harm the monarch, Mapple?" The Chronicler then asked.
"Huh…?" Mapple startled, and then glanced at again, only to look back at her. "No…? Is it hurt?" she asked, with a little worry.
"It is. Vim and Renn found it. Collapsed," The Chronicler said.
Oh…? She trusted Mapple enough to tell her such a thing, but yet didn't reveal that it was dead? Or maybe that was a sign she didn't trust Mapple at all, and was using this mont to test her?
Mapple glanced at again, this ti with a face full of questions and not worry. "Really?" she asked .
I nodded. "In the house we're staying at."
Mapple shifted. "I… don't understand. Who'd hurt that thing here? It only stays within the Inner Cathedral, and rarely even goes near people as it is," Mapple said.
"Thus our search."
"Oh. It ran off did it? It is a skittish little thing…" Mapple nodded, as if now everything made sense.
I bit my tongue, as to not correct her, and was glad I did. The Chronicler nodded, seemingly happy to allow Mapple to make such a misunderstanding.
So she really didn't trust Mapple… or maybe she just wanted Mapple to firmly believe such a thing, as to see what those she spoke to about it would then say or do.
Mapple though didn't seem to notice, she only sighed in relief. "Here I thought you made Vim angry again…" she mumbled.
The Chronicler ignored her as she gestured at . "While we have a mont alone, Renn, we should speak," she said.
"Hm…?" I shifted at that, and gripped my spear a little tighter.
"Mapple, prepare so tea," The Chronicler said as she gestured for to follow her. She was heading for the door.
"Oh…? Hm…" Mapple nodded, with that look of slight pain she got when The Chronicler was an to her, and she hurried to open the door for the old woman. The Chronicler didn't say anything as she left her office, and I sighed softly as I went to follow her.
She hadn't told why we were leaving, or give a chance to agree or not… but Vim had told to stay with her for now.
"Thank you Mapple," I said softly as I left the office, since Mapple had waited for to leave first.
"Hm!" She perked up at that and nodded. I followed The Chronicler down the hallway, to a stairwell. She walked up it, slowly, and I followed her. Thanks to how slowly the old woman walked, likely thanks to the stairs, Mapple arrived, rejoining us, right as I was entering it. I held the door open for her, since she carried a platter.
We were a floor up, and not far from the stairwell. We entered another room that looked like an office, though this one had more chairs and even a couch. It did seem better suited to sit and have a conversation at least; it even had a nice window… which I realized overlooked the courtyard where the house we were staying was located in. I couldn't make out the entire of the house, but could see it well enough to know that soone could stand here and see who went in and out of it.
While The Chronicler situated herself in one of the chairs, Mapple put down a platter of cups and a pot and went to pouring the tea for us. There was a fireplace here, but she hadn't used it for the tea. And since she hadn't taken long to get it, I assud there was so kind of kitchen nearby.
Did we just co here so she could sit comfortably, or was it for another reason?
"I'll be blunt Renn, since Vim will likely return in a few monts. I would like to give you a few letters. For Light, whom you will be going to see here shortly," The Chronicler said.
Shifting a little, I ignored Mapple's tiny groan she made inside the back of her throat as she went to hand the Chronicler a cup of tea. One that was sitting on a small blue plate.
"Sure? I'll be honest I don't know when we're going to leave… I think Vim had planned to leave today, but now who knows," I said.
"Yes. He'll stick around long enough to ensure there is no threat to the rest of us, and to find the perpetrator if able. I've already got most of them ready, I'll finish them up this afternoon just in case," she said.
"Okay then…" I agreed as Mapple then readied another cup of tea. She turned to look at , hesitated and then gently smiled a little worriedly at .
Ah. Right.
I went to sit down, across from the Chronicler, and then accepted the teacup from Mapple. I allowed my spear to rest against my chair as I did.
"Also I'd like to tell you of a prophecy. One that you now need to know, I think," The Chronicler said.
Mapple groaned again as she stepped back. "You got to be kidding…" Mapple mumbled.
Glancing at Mapple, I noticed the way she looked like she wanted to run away. She was on pins and needles. "Judging by Mapple's reaction, maybe I don't want to hear it," I said carefully.
"You did agree to hear them, last ti, didn't you?" The Chronicler pointed out as she took a sip of her tea.
Well… "Yes… I did…" I admitted.
And in truth, I actually wanted to hear them. I knew Vim's aversion, and how much he hated them, but I myself wanted to know them. If anything so I could possibly know how to avoid such subjects, as to keep Vim happy.
Maybe if I knew the prophecies he wanted to avoid, I'd be able to help him do such a thing. At least, that was one of my reasoning's behind wanting to know.
Mapple though didn't seem to agree. "Can I… uh… leave then? I'll go take the census you wanted," Mapple asked.
The Chronicler nodded. "Yes. You may go."
Mapple hurriedly nodded, and with obvious relief she hurried out of the room. She shut the door to the office, and I heard her breathe a huge sigh of relief as she hurried away.
"At least she doesn't think I'd hurt you anymore," I said softly.
"Mapple knows you won't harm . In fact she really doesn't care if you or Vim would anyway. What she fears is having to die trying to protect , since to her it's a wasted death."
I frowned at that. "Then why even allow such a worry or thought to enter her head? Why make enemies out of us?" I asked her.
The Chronicler chuckled as she went to take another drink. "We're not enemies, Renn. No matter how much Vim wants us to be," she said, then took a drink.
I had a hard ti believing that, but kept my thoughts to myself.
Taking a drink as well, I paused a mont as to appreciate its taste. It was… a little bitter, but it felt good going down the throat. It was a taste I'd never had before, and one I'd like to have again soday. I'll need to rember to ask what kind of tea it is, or how Mapple had made it, once I see her again.
The Chronicler likely knew, but I didn't want to ask her.
I wanted to be Mapple's friend. Not hers.
"A monarch will attack Light. One you will have to save her from," the Chronicler then said.
I groaned as I lowered the teacup. "I hadn't said I wanted to hear it yet," I said.
She nodded. "I know. But it might make the difference in Light surviving or not. Plus, if I don't tell you it now I might not get the chance to again before it's too late."
Wonderful. I had been hoping, expecting even, that it would have been a prophecy about sothing else… maybe about and Vim.
But Light? The woman I was right now more upset with than the one in front of ?
"Is that… all you're going to tell about it?" I asked.
She nodded. "Yes."
"Then why tell at all? Seems so… vague and unhelpful," I said.
"Because now that you know, you'll make sure you and Vim stick around her long enough to fulfill it. Had you not known, you would have allowed Vim to take you away from Light and risk her life. The rest is of no concern. It will arrive. You will help save her, and then all will be well," The Chronicler said simply, as if it was as simple as making tea.
"I think I'm starting to understand why Vim hates it when people speak of such things," I said as my tail squird.
She chuckled at . "I've no doubt over the long years you will co to be similar to him. Or well, maybe you won't? Who is to say?"
Shaking my head at that, I took another large gulp of my tea… and licked my lips once I finished what was left in the cup.
Yes. I liked this a lot.
It almost made up for the headache that wanted to attack thanks to this conversation.
"Did you really not expect the monarch to die?" I asked her as I studied the teacup. It was the sa blue as the plate, and had little patterns in the color. The swirls were pretty, though dull with age.
"I'm still processing the sudden surprise, to be honest Renn. I'm old enough to know that this happens, but even still when it does I almost don't know what to say or do about it. No. I had not expected it. I still don't want to believe it. That monarch had a real purpose. One that will now need to be addressed, if it is has actually perished," The Chronicler said.
"You don't believe Vim and ?" I asked her.
"I do. I just don't want to."
Ah… that made sense.
She sighed as she lowered her cup, putting it on the plate and her lap. Her dimly lit eyes seed to focus on as she ran a thumb along the cups rim. "The question now is who had done it. Was it one of our own? A human? Another monarch? Or just a simple accident? It's a little concerning that it had happened after Light left, while also happening while Vim is here," she said softly.
"Because it shouldn't have with him here or because now he will be accused of doing the deed himself?" I asked.
The Chronicler smirked at . "You defend him passionately, Rennalee. I like it. But yes. It's odd that soone was able to kill the monarch right under Vim's nose without him noticing sothing amiss. So will use it as further proof of his lack of focus, while others will claim he did it intentionally. His hate for monarchs is very well known, so it's not a far cry to assu he did it himself," she said.
Shifting a little in my seat, I wondered what to think of the way she was talking so… calmly. It made realize that all this ti I probably could have been talking to her, if anything just so I could understand why and where she and the rest have done the things they're doing. Plus it'd likely help understand better how to…
My eyes narrowed as I rembered Vim's warning. His words.
He had told to use the knowledge we had against them. That their misconception, their misplaced belief that he and I had already consummated our relationship, was a tool we needed to use to face them. As to find out the truths they were hiding from us.
"The monarch… you said it had a purpose?" I asked as I focused on the sa thing Vim had found so interesting.
She nodded. "It was ant to find an object. One that we desperately need. It was why we've kept it here all this ti, keeping it safe. Light will not be happy with , for this failure," she said with a sigh.
Oh…!
She just proved Vim was right!
Their prophecies were wrong. Ones they firmly believed in.
And also, that she… this old saint-like woman was not the leader at all.
She was obeying Light. Or at the very least, saw Light as soone above her.
Although glad to have verified such things, I still found myself a little upset and longing for more tea. I glanced at the pot Mapple had used, and stood as to check it. While I poured myself more tea, I hid a small smirk on my face from the dimly glowing eyes of the woman nearby.
Vim was right. As usual. Which was annoying in its own way… but was also upsetting to learn the prophecies could indeed be so drastically incorrect.
Did that an there was a chance I wouldn't have a daughter…?
I didn't like that at all.
"So… what was it supposed to have found?" I asked as I turned around, as to offer her so more tea too, yet right as I did the door opened.
Vim stepped in, glared at … and then glared at the elderly woman who was ignoring him.
"Co on Renn. We have stuff to do," he said.
I huffed at him. "I've wanted you to be possessive Vim, but this might be a little much," I teased him.
The Chronicler laughed so hard she spilled her tea.
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