Chapter 14: A Plan of Action
After Lawrence had finally told Nora everything, she just stared off in the distance in silence. He had considered just continuing to lie to her about Holo's true nature, however, Nora would probably find out eventually. So it was best he just tell her the truth already. She had lead him back outside the city, where her flock and her dog was. Making a camp in the exact same spot where Lawrence and Holo first met Nora, he began to tell her the truth. She listened to his tale in silence, occasionally her eyes would grow big or she would nod, but she never spoke. When Lawrence brought Nora up to speed he wasn't exactly sure how she would react. However, Lawrence was in desperate need of allies and outside of Jakob, she was the only person he trusted besides Holo.
Finally, Nora spoke, "I wish you two told me sooner. I...I thought we were friends."
At that, Lawrence's face fell. He preapred himself for her to be hurt over hiding the truth from her, but it still stung. She indeed was his friend, even though regrettably, he never had time to see her outside of the city. Either Lawrence was too busy with his training with Jakob, or he was with Holo. He was already feeling guilty ignoring Nora these past few months, and now he felt even worse. Although, he did deserve it.
"I'm very sorry Nora. Really I am." Lawrence apologized, " It's just... you worked for the Church and we were afraid you might inform them of Holo."
"I guess I can understand."Nora replied, sighing as she turned back to Lawrence, "but just so you know I have no love for the Church."
Lawrence was actually shocked, "Really?! Then why work for the Church?"
"Because the Church raised me since I was a child. The Church was my home and it was all I knew."Nora answered, her eyes downcast, "I wasn't taught much else but the grace of God and how to pray. So when I was old enough to be out on my own, I had no real skills. I was forced to work for the Church, tending to their flocks. I'm trapped in this."
"Well do they at least pay you well?"Lawrence said, feeling sorry for her predicament.
Nora scoffed at him, "Yeah right. They say I'm working for God and not money, so they barely pay me enough to eat."
"Sounds like you have no love for the Church then." Lawrence said.
For a minute Nora was silent, as if deciding whether or not to voice how she truly felt, then she finally replied, "Yes. I have no love for the Church. I...hate the Church."
"Well then, now I'm very sorry I didn't tell you sooner. We would have had a lot to chat about." Lawrence smiled, which earned him a smile in return, "I just wish you weren't the only one in this city that hates the Church though, we could use more help."
Nora chuckled, shaking her head, " Come now Lawrence. You really think we are the only ones in Ruvinheign?Alot of people despise the Church and their oppressive ways, but with the Church having their own army, the citizens are too afraid to speak up. They need someone to rally them Lawrence...they need a leader."
Lawrence was thinking hard on her words, off in his own world. He didn't even notice Nora staring at him when she said that last sentence. He finally noticed her looking at him and quickly shook his head no.
"Nora don't be foolish now. I'm just a teenager. You honestly think I can be a leader and what? Make the town rise up against the Church?" Lawrence replied incredulously.
"If not you Lawrence then who? What other choice do you see?"Nora asked, bending down when her dog came up beside her and petted him, "Holo is counting on you after all."
For awhile Lawrence said nothing, just stared off into the distance at the towering building of the Church. The Church was positioned in the center of the city, like it was the marvel and main tourist attraction of Ruvinheign. The more Lawrence stared at the eyesore, the angrier he got. What kind of torment is Holo going through right now? While Lawrence was out and free, just chatting it up with a friend. Holo is indeed counting on him, and if the only way to save her was to rally the entire city of Ruvinheign behind him, then he will do just that.
"Alright. Let's do it then." Lawrence spoke, "Any suggestions though on how to incite a rebellion?"
"Hmmm," Nora thought, holding her chin, "Well...the perfect time is when the Church forces all the citizens of the city to the front of the church. It would seem likely that they will do that soon."
"Why does the Church make all the people gather in front of their building?" Lawrence asked.
"Because...the citizens have to watch when they are burning sinners at the stake."Nora replied.
Holo was shaken from her nightmare as she heard the basement door being shoved open and it hitting the wall. She slowly rose up from the cold hard floor as she peered forward past the iron bars. It had been a few hours since the soldiers of Ruvinheign had captured her and brought her back to the Church, where she was placed in the basement. The basement served as the jailhouse of the city, and it certainly felt like it. The place was cold and damp, with the only light coming from underneath the door of the basement.
They had taken most of her clothes, revealing to all who came down her wolf tail and ears. Not that no one came down anyway, for fear the demon would seduce them with her red demonic eyes. She chuckled at the thought, she had no interest in anyone but Lawrence. Lawrence...
"That fool better be busting me out of here soon." She mumbled, before remembering that someone was in the basement with her.
"He won't be able to save you demon." a familiar voice spoke up harshly, then her father came into view. He stared angrily at her through his bandaged face.
"He beat you once father," Holo replied, saying the word father with venom and disgust, " and by the looks of your ugly ass face, very badly too. He'll come for me and beat you again. And this time...I won't stop him when you are an inch away from death!"
Her crimson eyes stared back at the man with such hatred that it caused him to back away from the iron bars a bit. He regained his composure and laughed loudly, his cackling echoing off the walls of the basement and flooding the room. His one unbandaged eye gazed at her madly.
"He won't get the jump on me this time. Besides my dear monsterous daughter, Lawrence won't get the chance to save you. Cause come tomorrow, you will burned at the stake! For all of Ruvinheign to see! The Church and I will do God's work and cleanse this world of one less demon!"
Holo's father, no Tabias, for that was his real name, he was never her father and she will never call it that again, raised his hands in the air, praising his god. After hearing that she was to be set on fire in front of the entire city, it took every ounce of control not to break down and cry. She would not give Tabias the satisfaction. She shook uncontrollably, staring at the man in pure rage and anger as shouted praises up to the ceiling. When he finally left, slamming the basement door behind and once again immersing the room in pitch black darkness, Holo broke down and began sobbing. She curled up into a ball and started crying into her tail, holding it close to her.
"Please Lawrence...don't leave me. Save me please." Holo said into the blackness between sobs.