Chapter 18: An Eternal Repose
The clocks chime 4 A.M., but no trace of light greets this Lightsday.
Father Ermenegilde has spent the night in Port, counseling the mourners and the disfigured. He makes his way sleepily across the Rye Bridge to give service.
As he crosses into Markets, he is jumped by a group of men, but a hood is tied around his head before he can see who it is. He struggles as hard as his old frame can manage only to be beaten unconscious in the back of the head.
When he comes to, he is tied to a chair in a dark room with a single lamp.
"Ah you've come to, that's good. I'd hate to think of the unpleasantries that would keep a pious man as yourself from service."
As his eyes adjust to the light, he sees he's in a room filled with soldiers. He looks up at the one who is talking to him. "I recognize you. You're the man from yesterday."
"Ah then you confess to being in league with the thugs who attack a shipment of vital supplies for the glory of Bastok?" muses the soldier.
It's Commander Kent.
Father Ermenegilde glares at him, "If in league you mean fulfilling my duties to the Temple and bring comfort to the mourning, then I do confess," he says hostilely.
Commander Kent sits down across from the elderly priest, "Why were you in Port yesterday? A man of such status shouldn't be mingling with the rabble."
"In my youth I married a very memorable couple. I always visit their surviving children when I come to Bastok."
"I see, and who is this family?"
"That's none of your concern."
Commander Kent stands angrily tipping his chair backwards and grips Father Ermenegilde's chin forcefully. He leans down and stares him in the eyes, "You lucky Father that I need you face pure for now, but don't temped me. I have an alternative if need be." He lets go and walks a few steps away. "Monitor his preparations and attend his service," he orders the soldiers in the room, "Make sure there is no mention of yesterday and bring him back here when prayers are over."
"Yes sir!" they all salute.
"Confession serves the soul well, child," Father Ermenegilde begins, "or are you planning to tell your grandchildren you earned the worn Medal of Altana you have there by killing women and children?"
Commander Kent turns and they exchange glares, "Definitely bring him back here and make sure he struggles thoroughly."
"Yes sir!" they all salute.
The clouds break mid morning. Port emerges from her mournful night to find the rain as washed all traces of the massacre away. Not even the grout between the cobblestones is stained with even the slightest hint of blood. Jacob and Viki, still not recovered, lay in the bedroom, him on the bed and her on a soft stack of sleeping mats.
Soldiers are everywhere in Port. Bluesky peaks out the window and sees a group of them dragging off a disfigured woman to the screams of her children.
"There's no going out playing today," she says looking back in the room.
Drogo nods, "That's ok. We can find something to do in here."
It's well past noon and Jason keeps looking towards the Rye Bridge. "Father Ermenegilde should have come back by now," Jason says, "I hope he's ok." He looks back in the house.
Drogo is in Zelig's lap reading a book out loud to both him and Ceddie. Bluesky and Icie are playing dollies. And Jacob and Viki, now awake, are teaching a dice game to Star.
Jason shakes his head. "I can't believe they are teaching a babe to gamble," he thinks. He looks back at them and sees Jacob digging under his mattress, "Father, what are you doing? She's only five years old!"
Jacob pulls out his deck of cards and holds it up, "Come on son, join us for a game?"
Commander Kent is in the Infirmary looking over some of his men. "What's wrong with them?"
"They seem to be under the influence of a powerful sleeping spell but nothing we have done has lifted it. We may just have to wait for it to wear off to know what really happened out there," the attending doctor answers.
Commander Kent turns to one of his men, "You were the one who discovered them, correct sergeant?"
"Yes sir!" he salutes.
"Take me to the scene and describe what you saw."
"Yes sir! Right this way sir!"
Commander Kent is led in escort to one of Bastok's poorer graveyards.
"When we arrived to change guard we found all the men here under tarps. The tarps where suspended over their heads with sticks, probably to allow for breathing." He then waves his hand out over the graveyard, "The sun has dried the ground somewhat, but you can still see a large swath of it is bone dry as if no rain fell here at all." He walks over a few steps and points at the mud. "You can see here the crisp line between where it fell and where it's dry. This sharp line extends in a large circle over the entire graveyard. It seems unnatural sir."
"A scholar has the ability to change the weather over an area like this," Commander Kent muses out loud. He turns to his sergeant, "Have any new graves been discovered?"
The sergeant stagers, "Well… when we discovered the men… we secured the area from Beastmen we transported them directly to the Infirmary… We have yet to search the graves."
Commander Kent is furious, "Well don't just stand there like a fool! Begin the sweep now and mark any new graves!"
"Yes sir!"
An hour later the sweep is complete. The sergeant walks up and salutes, "Sir the operation is complete. We have found seven new graves."
"Take me to them," he orders.
Commander Kent is led to the nearest grave. He kneels down and runs the newly turned dust through his fingers. He reads the inscription. The date of death is the day before. The eulogy framed in eighth notes reads "They mounted to Heaven on eagles' wings… No sword will stop the bards to sing of the day filled with joy and sorrow… With tin soldiers standing all in a row…"
"All seven of the new graves have that same inscription," the sergeant says, "and all the stones are carved of this same granite. It's not native to Bastok, I know that much."
Commander Kent stands up and dusts off his hands. "Destroy the headstones and dig up the bodies and burn them," he orders.
The sergeant jumps back shocked.
"You heard me soldier!" he shouts furiously.
"Yes! By all means, help us and the Shadow Lord defeat your country and slaughter your love ones by adding to our ranks," a deep voice says almost echoing in its throat. It begins to laugh maniacally.
Commander Kent and the soldiers with him draw their weapons and look around. "Who's there!" he orders.
A Shade appears out of thin air behind them. It casts a spell and the soldiers begin dropping like flies leaving Commander Kent alone. Other undead of all varieties begin to swarm around him.
"How can it be? It's the middle of the day!" he screams frightened out of his mind.
The desert heat begins casting mirages as the deep-throated Shade walks over to him. "This is a graveyard is it not? Why wouldn't we be here?"
Commander Kent attacks but is thrown aside easily by its unworldly strength.
Commander Kent is shaking so hard he can only crawl to try to get away. He is quickly backed into an old headstone and surrounded by the undead swarm. "What do you want from me?"
The Shade kneels down and looks him in the face, "Only checking on the souls for our Lord's latest recruits." It grabs him by the chin just like he had done to Father Ermenegilde and turns his face back and forth examining him while Commander Kent whimpers. "Hmmm…" it muses, "Not quite ripe yet."
The Shade takes off its hood revealing its head. It leans in and goes nose to former nose and eyeball to eye socket with the terrified Commander. "But it won't be long now 'til you're ready for harvest." It licks its exposed teeth with bloodlust then opens wide and sticks out its rotting tongue.
Commander Kent covers his head with his arms and screams a new falsetto.
It goes deathly quiet. He peaks through his arms and sees the Shade is gone. He glances frantically around him. The undead swarm is also gone. Some of the other soldiers begin to stand shaking their heads to get the sleepiness out of their eyes.
"Commander!" the sergeant shouts running over to him. He kneels down, "Are you alright sir? You're ghostly pale."
"Retreat! And tell High Command that there is an undead swam nearing Bastok! Hundreds of them!" he orders in a high soprano to the surprise of his men.
As the last of the soldiers run out of sight, a Revenant pops into view. The other undead soon follow.
"That was really terrifying what you did to that man," says the Revenant in a squeaky voice, "I think I peed my pants a little. Are you really you in there?"
The Shade laughs slapping its knees. "Of course it's me. Who'd you think it was?" it says in a familiar voice.
"You'll get used to him," says a Zombie in a familiar female voice.
A Lich slaps the Revenant on the back, "Welcome to the linkshell Noob!"
"So how long are we doing this for?" it asks.
The Shade stops laughing abruptly and angrily confronts it. "How every long it takes to protect the graves!" it screams.
The female Zombie grabs the Shade by the shoulders, "Stop it Doggie!"
The Revenant hides behind the legs of a Shadow.
"Come back here you little Taru so I can kick you into next Lightsday!"
The Zombie slaps the Shade in the face, "Stop it! I know how you feel but don't take it out on innocent people!" She whimpers, "If she was here, she'd yell at you too."
The Shade storms off bitterly towards a dead tree. As it rounds the other side is jumps back surprised. Then it turns back towards the others.
"Ah…guys…" it says sheepishly, "Does anyone have any gil? Someone is gonna have to make a Maw run soon." It points behind the tree.
Everyone runs over to find a sleeping Shade next to an open gobbie bag with Harvest Festival candy and cookie crumbs all over the place.
"Oh you have got to be kidding me," a Lich says.
The Shade pinches the bridge of its nose, "My bad. I should have hidden them better."
The Zombie walks up to it and waves its bone finger, "Baby how could you? Bad wyvern Bad!" it scolds.
The sleeping Shade lifts its head to look at its master then unnaturally bends its leg and uses its boot to scratch behind its ear.
Father Ermenegilde has spent the hours since he gave service alone in the locked room. He sits on the ground next to the flickering lamp and prays for salvation holding a small statue of the Goddess that looks like it has been skillfully mended. A diamond has been set in an awkward cavity over Her heart. It glows softly in the dim light causing the gem to twinkle.
He hears voices in the hallway and is standing piously when the door handle turns. Commander Kent along with other soldiers file into the room.
"Are you Father Ermenegilde? The exorcist who has served the president during this war?" Commander Kent asks.
"Yes I am."
Commander Kent looks at the ground a moment collecting his thoughts. He then looks up, "President Prien has ordered a barrier be erected to protect against a suspected imminent undead attack. We are to escort you and assist you in all matters."
"Very well then," Father Ermenegilde walks forward, "then let us be on our way." Father Ermenegilde stops and looks Commander Kent in the eyes. He smiles at the fear and nervousness in them, then walks out of the room.
The undead swam lies in wait as the soldiers return late afternoon. They are invisible to the living.
"Oh crap there's a priest with them! What do we do?" asks the Revenant.
"Shh, don't worry," the Shade says, "We're not real undead. His spells won't affect the costumes. Just keep sneak and invisible up." He turns to watch Father Ermenegilde being led to one of the fresh graves, "Come on Father Ermenegilde! You were one of the smartest people I've ever known. Figure it out."
The elderly priest kneels down to inspect the gravestone. He smiles as he rubs his hands over the engraving, "This is a Windurstian mineral. It's rather expensive even in its native land. And it's an extremely hard rock at that. It should have taken weeks to carve this yet it has appeared here the day after."
He stands up and turns to the Commander, "And where are the other stones?"
"Three are that way four, six, and seven rows exactly and the other four are in that direction, five and eleven rows," the sergeant points.
"Thank you," he bows. Turning back to the Commander, "Set a perimeter and allow me to work in peace. This will take some time."
The soldiers leave and encircle the graveyard as commanded. The undead, still invisible, wait and watch.
"What do you think is taking so long? Are they going to be alright?" asks the Revenant.
"Don't worry you little worrywartaru," a Banshee says, "They grew up here and know that priest. They will be just fine as long as they keep invisible up."
The priest places a seal on one of the new headstones, "There. That's the last of them. He stands up.
"Thank you so much, Father," comes a female voice out of nowhere.
"You children are truly a blessing," he answers the voice, "Just be careful from now on. I don't want you and your friends tarnishing my reputation."
"We won't have to with that seal you've been using," the Shade says in astonishment, "I knew you were a smart man, but this goes way beyond 'Boom goes the bunny'. You've really checkmated that bastard."
"And you're a very imaginative one… Drogo." Father Ermenegilde sighs, "Will you children be alright? I mean… after everything that has happened?"
He can hear Gamesage whimper and sniffle. "We'll be fine Father," the female voice says. "Because of you we can return to Jeuno now."
"May I make a suggestion before you leave?" he asks the wind.
"What?" Gamesage coughs.
"It's been over forty years since the file rooms at the marriage office had a Chigoe infestation. I'm too old to drink Miracle Milk, but a young group of lads like yourselves can certainly give the exterminators a headache in the evidence rooms."
Father Ermenegilde feels a large hand grab his arm and force something soft into his fingers. He feels the shape of the invisible object before it is removed from his grasp.
"I wish I could see what you've grown to become." It is Father Ermenegilde turn to be choked up.
"Just look at Momma father, that's all you need."
"Go with the blessing of Altana, children."
"We always do," Blueice says perky, but he can tell she is crying as well although he cannot see her.
"Come on," she orders, "Give me your hand and let's go to the others."
Father Ermenegilde can hear Gamesage's sniffling fad away down the row and he can barely contain his own tears listening to them leave. After he calms himself down, he finishes the incantation and activates the seals to form the barrier.
He walks back over to Commander Kent and his men as they gather together. "I saw the seal's crest form in the sky," he says, "So it was a success?"
"It was a perfect success," Father Ermenegilde says proudly. "As long as the seals anchors remain intact and unharmed the seal will protect Bastok for years to come."
"Glad to hear it," Commander Kent says, "Where are the anchor points so they can be protected properly?"
Father Ermenegilde laughs, "They are the graves of the people you murdered! Now you can no longer hide your crimes from the world. For if you desecrate the graves, not only will the seal break but I have put in place a secondary spell that will activate if the graves are violated. A curse that will call the undead to gather!" He points at Commander Kent accusingly and waves his finger in his face, "As my good friend would say 'Checkmate'."
Back at the tree well out of ear shot, everyone has dropped their buffs and costumes and prepare to leave. Though now mostly other jobs, they are the faces of the heroes of the massacre none the less. Gamesage dressed in his Argute Attire kneels next to his bag and sighs. Blueice bites her lower lip seeing him holding his Wing Pendant.
The gouge is gone and minus a few extra dings looks no different than it was when he first won it twenty years prior. He then bites his own lip and presses it against his left eye aligning his own scar to where the gouge once was. A perfect match in both length and breadth.
Blueice looks on helplessly knowing there is no white spell to cure that kind of suffering.
"I can't believe a priest would put a curse on a grave," an Elvaan paladin says shaking his head.
"Don't worry," Gamesage says putting his gobbie bag on his back, "That type of seal will last on average four or five years but that curse will die by tonight. It is just a bluff to protect the graves." As he looks up he sees Father Ermenegilde being thrown to the ground by Commander Kent.
"You bastard!" Gamesage screams and runs forward.
"Grab him!" Blueice shouts.
Everyone dog piles him, and nearly a ton of Hume, Elvaan, Galka, Mithra, and a sprinkling of Tarutaru flesh around the edges blocks him completely from view. A little Taru Black Mage wearing only his Kaftan set and Onion Staff pushes against an Elvaan's leg. Muffled screams of "Father!" come from deep inside the pile.
"What the Taru!" he says in his squeaky voice in total shock and dismay, as in spite the thousands of pounds, the mound slowly inches forward.
"…Father Ermenegilde…"
Commander Kent pulls his sword and puts the tip to the elderly priest's neck.
"Altana is Eternal Love, but not eternal patience young man," Father Ermenegilde says, "If you wish to add the innocent blood of a priest to your crimes and seal your fate among the damned… THEN GO AHEAD AND STRIKE BOY!"
Commander Kent drops his sword and hits his knees with a thud kicking up a small cloud of dust. He is white as a sheet and trembling horribly. The smell of urine wafts through the air. The words of the Shade races through his mind.
Father Ermenegilde stands up and piously straightens his hood and folds his hands into his sleeves, "I'm glad to see you still have the fear of Damnation in you if nothing else. For Hope can only come to those in darkness."
Commander Kent goes to speak but can only moan softly.
"Well since I see that I've made my point, I think we should leave and give our reports."
As Father Ermenegilde walks past he feels a tug on his robe. He looks down at the kneeling Commander, "Yes child?"
Although still staring blankly forward, he dangles the Medal of Altana he stole in his hand.
Father Ermenegilde takes it smiling, "Good. I'm glad you're returning this. I'd hate to think of what the previous owner would do to you if his spirit was awakened."
He kneels down and shows the dull back of it to his face. Father Ermenegilde then demonstrates pulling the back off showing the dull medal only to be a protective cover. The real back glistens beautifully when it sees the light of day. It is sterling mythril beautifully engraved. He shows it to the spaced-out Commander. If his face could grow any more fearful, it does now.
"See, the couple I married that I mention earlier was Commodore Gutenberg himself and his lover. And the man you stole this from was one of his two boys." He places the cover back on, "Even as the specter of death wasted away his last years I had never met a more indomitable spirit in all my long life. And he imparted that spirit to everyone he ever touched in life and they to others still."
He stands up. "You should be more careful at the water's edge. The spirits that dwell there, both the living and the dead, are as restless as the waves themselves." He walks away back towards the city gates.
The last lights of dusk come and go and finally there is a familiar knock on Jacob's door. Jacob's speed shocks everyone as he makes it to the door first from across the house. He swings it open and a tired Father Ermenegilde comes in, "Peace be with all that dwell in this place."
Jacob hugs him and starts to cry, "I was so scared when you didn't come back."
"I have a surprise for you, Jacob. If you would release me for a moment."
Jacob releases him and stands back. Father Ermenegilde pulls the Medal of Altana from his sleeve. Jacob manages to grab it as his knees hit the ground.
"Father!" Bluesky and Jason run to him. They carry him bawling into his room, "Momma…Momma you've come home…"
"Oh Father Ermenegilde you have no idea what awful things have happened since you left," Bluesky laments coming back into the room.
"What has happened?" he asks concerned.
"Some stole the bodies and the rest of Port is blaming us," Viki says.
Bluesky kneels at his robes and sobs into them, "They said I came to people's homes and asked questions about the dead. But I've been here the whole day and no one believes us."
"Everyone claims to have witnessed her but we have been hiding in our house. Even our own relatives who saw and talked to this woman say she was my wife," Jason moans.
Father Ermenegilde looks out the window at the first stars popping out of the blackness, "The spell should have worn by now…" he whispers.
"What did you say Father?" Bluesky asks clinging to his robes.
"I have spent the afternoon with this mystery woman of yours and her friends blessing the graves and headstones they made for the dead."
Everyone looks up at him surprised. "Jason, please spread word to the other homes and say the body snatchers have buried and marked the dead in their family plots at the poor man's cemetery. Tell them to blame me for the secrecy and that your family had nothing to do with it and that woman in spite all senses to the contrary was not Bluesky. If they have questions about the matter, tell them to come to me. Now go."
Jason nods and runs out the door into the streets.
"Father, who is this woman?" Bluesky asks.
"She and her friends are servants of Altana, beyond that I can't say."
"Is she an angel?" Icie asks, "They serve Altana and everyone says she was a pretty as Momma."
Father Ermenegilde kneels down and calls her over to him. He hugs her, "Yes, yes she was an angel just like you." He bops the tip of her nose playfully. She giggles.
"All of them are angels," he says standing up, "They saved us all yesterday and have only just now finished their work."
Everyone glances at each other, looking for confirmation that he means who they think he means.
"Adventures spend their entire lives traveling far and wide never resting in the same location twice," Zelig says. "We may never meet them again, but may they know our thanks to them."
"Amen," adds Father Ermenegilde.