“How dare you try to enter a sanctuary of the gods in this manner?” Sister Carol said.
She was standing at the chapel’s main entrance, where Sinclair and a group of nine other townsfolk had gathered. Other members of the town were beginning to gather outside the chapel’s gates, wondering what was happening.
“You have already attacked him once in an unprovoked manner, and now you believe you have the right to drag him from a house of worship.”
“He attacked my son and is a thief,” Sinclair claimed, standing at the front of the group. This time, he had come armed, holding a large mallet in his hand. The others with him were also armed, carrying various weapons from clubs to large knives used for skinning or cutting down the town’s crops. One even had a pitchfork.
“I spoke to young Noah. He tells a different story, and Belinda also heard his confession.”
It had been two days since Sinclair and his thugs had visited, and Sister Carol had spoken to Noah as she had mentioned to Harm. He had initially tried to say that Harm had attacked him and his friends, but when his mother had stepped in, his facade had crumbled, and he had admitted the truth, that as they had run from Pardew’s, he had tripped, cutting his head on a rock.
Jeffer stood behind Sister Carol. Although he did not hold a weapon, he was an intimidating figure compared to many.
Wes appeared at the chapel grounds entrance, pushing through the gathering crowd.
“Let me through,” he called as he pushed past watchers before hurrying up to the entrance.
Panting from his efforts to reach the chapel after he had heard what was happening, he reached Sister Carol and Sinclair.
“Sorry it took me so long,” he said, trying to catch his breath.
“And you’re the one who has been helping the thief, druid,” Sinclair spat.
Wes held his hand up for a moment as he regained his composure, his cheeks flushed from the exertion of running to the chapel. He wasn’t in any way a fighter or had the stamina of many.
“Mr Sinclair. You may be correct that Harm has indeed stolen property from several townsfolk, and that has never been in question. That is why Harm is trying to perform tasks around the town to prove he is a changed man. You all here know what he suffered with the loss of his family,” Wes said, raising his voice so those who had gathered at the entrance could hear him. Several were muttering and talking as Wes continued. “I wouldn’t wish what the man suffered on anyone. This town has always been a community in which people help each other. Is there no forgiveness in you? Have you ever done anything wrong that caused hardship to others? Are you all so innocent? Harm stole while in a pit of depression. He didn’t harm anyone. He was never violent. If anything from the reports I have heard of incidents is true, he was the one who was attacked on several occasions and never once struck back, fleeing if caught.”
“He attacked my son,” Sinclair bellowed in rage. “And also, my men and I.”
Sister Carol stepped forward. “No, Mr Sinclair, you attacked him; he only defended himself.”
“MOVE OUT OF THE WAY,” a voice boomed from the chapel entrance. Four of the town guards were pushing through the crowd now, which had grown larger, and Satil, the town’s leader, was following them.
“Ah, good Satil. Maybe you can sort this out and get this bitch to move out of the way,” Sinclair said.
“I would ask that you refrain from using such terms,” Sister Carol glowered at the man.
Satil walked up to them; the town guard that had accompanied him stood back, not approaching the scene. He was a tall man and walked with authority. He had a wiry frame and sharp, eagle-like eyes.
“Sinclair, I told you I would deal with this matter,” Satil said, reaching them.
“And it’s been two days since, and you have done nothing. I want retribution for what the bastard did.”
“As I said to you when you reported the assault on yourself and your son. This matter will be investigated fully and dealt with as needed. Sister Carol, would you be so kind as to get Harmonious for me so that we can take him in for questioning?”
Sister Carol’s face creased. “No, I will not. I don’t believe there is any justification for him to be questioned. I witnessed the attack on Harm by Sinclair and his men, and I have also spoken to his son Noah and Belinda, his angelic wife. They can both tell you that the allegation of him attacking Noah is a lie. Noah didn’t want to get in trouble for his actions, and when he fell, cutting his head open, he used it as an excuse so that his and his friend’s actions were covered. I am also aware, from speaking to Pardew, that Amelia Grayson was present and that she will be able to confirm the story.”
Amelia Grayson’s parents were highly regarded in the town, and her father was a member of the town council.
“You say the Graysons’ child was there?” Satil asked.
“Yes, Noah said that she was with him.” Sister Carol drifted off-topic slightly. “I believe there may be a budding relationship forming between her and Noah. The pair of them are often seen in town together.”
Sinclair frowned at the comment. “These are more lies. I want the man brought out to face charges.”
“Mr Sinclair, please. Let me deal with this matter,” Satil said. “Sister, I understand your comments, and they will be taken into consideration, but I believe that for the sake of the town, we should take Harm in for questioning and allow us to get to the bottom of this matter.”
Sister Carol went to speak, and Satil lifted his hand to stop her.
“I understand your reservations, but as a town, we must investigate accusations of violence in full. You were a participant in the town’s updated charter,” he added, looking at her.
Sister Carol had indeed been on the town’s committee that had amended the charter just the other month. She was the one who had ultimately pushed for all acts of violence to be investigated in full.
She remained quiet for a few moments before she spoke. “Felix,” Sister Carol used Satil’s first name. “I am well aware of the charter, and you are correct. I insisted that violent matters were to be investigated. However, in the current circumstances, my word should be enough to support the facts in this matter. Or are you questioning the loyalty and words of a servant of the Gods?”
The gods of Amathera were many and varied, and many in the town who had a strong faith frowned upon challenging the sanctity of the chapel. Many of the townsfolk watching, as well as those who were with Sinclair, attended the chapel and prayed to their respective gods regularly, hoping for boons to be granted.
Sister Carol continued. “I have been a member of this community for years, and in all my time, never has my integrity been questioned.”
“Your integrity isn’t in question,” Satil said. “It is the process that we must follow. I’m sure that this matter can be resolved swiftly, and then you may continue your good work.”
Sister Carol looked at Wes, and an unspoken conversation passed between their eyes.
“If, and only if, I allow Harm to be spoken to, it will be on my terms. I am sorry, but I don’t trust the actions of others in this town who instigate violence,” Sister Carol said, staring at Sinclair. “As you rightly stated, matters of violence should be looked into. Therefore, I would like to report the assault on Mr Scrug by Sinclair, Muller, and Chatsworth.”
“How dare you!” Sinclair shouted. “That bastard attacked me and smashed my face up. Look, I have four missing teeth because of the damage he did to me.” He finished by opening his mouth and pulling his cheek to the side, showing the gap where Harm had smashed his teeth.
“That may be true, but he defended himself against the three of you. I was the gods’ witness. I had hoped that this matter would be resolved peacefully and without any undue problems. It now appears that I have no choice but to request a formal investigation. As Felix rightly states, that is the town law,” Sister Carol said.
Muller and Chatsworth, who had both accompanied Sinclair on the first visit, fidgeted nervously. Satil’s eyes narrowed slightly, only for an instant, but enough that Sister Carol noticed.
Wes spoke. “Satil, did Harm not just perform a task on your behalf?”
Satil looked at Wes for the first time. “He did; he cleaned the outhouse pits,” he said, slightly louder than necessary. This made some who were watching the scene chuckle.
“And did he not perform this task of his own free will? There was no coin payment, and it was a task completed to show his remorse for the damage he caused after the loss of his family. He has also agreed to complete any other tasks that others may need doing to pay back for his actions.”
“He did.”
“Then why would he jeopardise what he is trying to achieve by returning to the man he was before his loss? Harm has never been a violent man.” As soon as Wes said those words, he knew that he shouldn’t have.
“I believe you are very much mistaken. You are aware as much as I am of what he did to my son. He has shown that he has no problems with attacking children.” Satil’s calm demeanour had changed. “Therefore, I have no other option than to take him in for questioning. Guard, please collect Mr Scrug and escort him to the town jail, where he can be questioned.”
The four accompanying guards started to move forward under Satil’s instructions.
“Felix. I must warn you that if you cross the chapel’s sanctuary uninvited and try and remove a man under my care, I will have to take wider actions.”
The guards all paused.
“Are you threatening me?” Satil sneered.
“No, it’s no threat. You are aware, as I am, that the sanctity of a chapel cannot be crossed if a being seeks protection. This has always been the law of Amathera. Long before our time. Anyone breaking such challenges the gods themselves.”
“Rubbish,” Sinclair spat. “I’ll go and get the bastard myself,” stepping forward.
Jeffer also did at Sinclair’s movement, the quiet man moving to block his path.
“Get out of my way,” Sinclair snarled.
“Sinclair, stop,” Satil said.
Sinclair attempted to push past Jeffer, but he stood his ground. The man wasn’t the same size as Sinclair, but he didn’t budge. There was not a sign of fear on his passive face.
“Sinclair. I said stop,” Satil repeated.
Sinclair pushed against Jeffer again, trying to approach the chapel door.
“Guard, please remove Mr Sinclair,” Satil said with reservation in his voice.
Sinclair stopped pushing against Jeffer and turned to stare at Satil in disbelief. “What? Why am I being stopped?”
“I said before that I would deal with this matter, and you have again just ignored me. Also, Sister Carol has made an accusation against you, Muller, and Chatsworth, which will require investigation.”
“You have to be joking.” Sinclair snarled.
“Unfortunately, no.” The look in Satil’s eyes was one of anger, although his words were calm.
The guards stepped forward toward Sinclair. His face was one of confusion and astonishment as one of them took hold of his arm.
“Get the fuck off me,” he snarled, pulling his arm away.
“Sinclair, go quietly so I can finish up here and get back to more important matters,” Satil said.
Two guards now grabbed Sinclair by his arms. He squirmed in their grip. “I said, get the fuck off me,” he said as he lashed out at one of them, the mallet he held catching the guard across his nose, where he flung his arm in protest. That was a big mistake, as the sounds of swords being drawn from sheaths could be heard by the other guards, their tips pointing directly at the man.
Satil closed his eyes, sighing, “Guards, escort him to the jail, please, for striking a member of the guard.”
On seeing the two sharp blades and their points not inches from him, Sinclair stopped protesting. The guard he had struck wiped the streak of blood from his nose before again taking his arm.
“You bitch,” Sinclair spat at Sister Carol as he was led away from the chapel by the guard. His initial entourage turned and followed him.
“Sister Carol, I suggest you speak to Mr Scrug and have him agree to come in for questioning. I expect him to present himself at the jail no later than nightfall. Otherwise, you leave me no choice but to use force to remove him. I swear to the gods of Amathera that this is not challenging their authority, but upholding our agreed laws,” Satil said, glancing upward, as he turned on his heel and walked back towards the crowd at the ground’s entrance.
“Shit,” Wes said as he watched them depart.
