The Vacuous Heart of Blood
Author: MoonStarDutchess
Chapter 44: Escape: Pt 1
Disclaimer: Full Metal Alchemist and all its characters are the property of Hiromu Arakawa. No profit was made from this fanfiction. The only things that I do own are the OC's. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of original characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The author holds exclusive rights to the overall course of the plot. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
NOTE: This chapter is a bit dark and there's a slight chance it might be a trigger for some.
"Lord Compel, they've brought the girl, would you like to deal with her now?" one of his followers said. Compel couldn't remember his name but knew he was one of the more loyal of the congregation.
"You have the poison out?"
He nodded. "And the daggers so her father can choose her means."
"I'll be there in a few minutes. I have a few matters to attend and I must pray to our god for guidance."
He kept a discrete gaze on Marianna as he spoke and watched as the follower left the tent. She stayed close to the back of the tent during the encounter. Shadows assisted in concealing her face, making him uneasy since he couldn't read her expression.
There was a smidgen of doubt that Marianna would do what was needed in the name of her religion, and she had a dislike for several of the techniques used to cleanse souls. It was clear she still held a fondness for Hawkeye's daughter. Fondness for evil would only damn her soul if it continued.
"Where is he keeping the hag?" Compel asked. "In the name of god she must be punished for her actions."
"I'm sure he keeps her in the building outside of the house. The one flanked by guards. They won't let you in without his permission. If you trespass, you will be shot on sight."
"Where is Lord Hawkeye? I can't even get a meeting with him."
"I haven't seen him in three days."
"You work for him!"
"He's been keeping me busy organizing the cellar and supervising the gardeners."
"You're a housekeeper."
"That's what I almost said to him."
Compel cursed. How could he get such idiots in his congregation? Weren't there any smart religious people other than himself and the scientists handling the holy mission? Just one or two normal, intelligent people in his congregation would be fine. Lord just give me one. "You almost said?"
"I would like to keep my job, sir. It's my only means of supporting myself."
He rolled his eyes. His congregation members tended to forget their pledge of poverty. He went over to the desk, removed a small bag of gold from a larger velvet bag, and tossed it to her. "Find out why Lord Hawkeye is keeping the witch there, and I shall give you enough to live on should you be discovered and fired." He wasn't a heartless man and god would smile upon her for her duties to the Patarin. "Once you have the information, come and tell me. Don't let yourself be followed."
She bowed her head to him. "Yes, Rector Compel."
When she left, he sat down on the small chair beside his makeshift desk and gave his gold ring, a gift from High Priest Anthrope, a twist around his finger. He had to burn the witch. High Priest Anthrope didn't care if she escaped because of the possibility of leading them to a coven. As much as he admired the high one, he was certainly out of touch with the reality of the situation. They could handle one witch, but attacking a coven would be suicide and their god did not favor suicide out of stupidity. Suicide could only be used if all other options were exhausted or if it prevented souls from being tainted.
"Ah, speaking of," he grasped the pin that held his cloak on his shoulders. He looked down and admired it. It was a symbol of his vow to the god, Pathar. He studied hard for that silver laurel circlet with a dove and arrow fused upon it, and he strived to have the gold one that adorned the high priest's cloak. He would do his duties and gain that status someday. He muttered a short prayer before rising and leaving his tent. He passed the tents of his missionaries and moved to the one outside of camp.
He saw a flicker out of the corner of his eye and looked down the hill to see Marianna, carrying a lantern, walking toward the Hawkeye estate. She would not let her rector or her god down. He walked into a large golden tent—the cleansing tent.
The young girl, no more than four, sat on the table. Tears washed down her face and her body shuttered so violently it looked as if she were freezing to death. Her brown hair was braded in pigtails, and he could make out her blue jumper dress underneath the white and green robe they'd put on her. Her father stood at the corner of the table, his head bowed.
The lantern lights flickered low, a sign more oil was needed within their receptacles. Her aqua eyes glistened in the lamps soft light.
He gave a kind smile. His heart ached when the young was plagued with a tarnished soul. The children were the easiest for evil to come upon.
"It's dark in here. I don't like the dark."
He hesitated.
"Do not try to fool me," her father said. "I know what you are."
Doubts. Why did doubts flood him this way? Pathar, are you trying to commune with me?
"Am I in trouble?" the little girl asked. She looked to her father, "Daddy, what did I do?"
"Quiet." The man's voice was stern and he heard no hesitation within the tone. It wasn't surprising as Tucker had been one of his most serious converts and was willing to do whatever it took to save his little girl from an eternal damnation. If the man truly believed his daughter to be of evil, he would trust it. Pathar would not allow him to punish the innocent.
"What is your name small one?" Compel said.
"Nina."
Compel placed a hand on her head, closed his eyes, and prayed. "Be calm little one, we won't hurt you." Her death would be painless; he would not allow daggers to be used on her. He opened his eyes and looked toward Tucker. "Do you wish to purify your daughter?"
Chills rushed through Compel when Tucker opened his spectacle-covered eyes and nodded. What is off about this man? Pathar, please tell me. I don't want an innocent child's blood on my hands. "As her father," this time his voice trembled as he spoke, "it is my duty."
Compel relaxed when Tucker's stern and hate-filled gaze turned to one of sadness and dread. "Very well," he motioned for Tucker to walk forward so Nina couldn't hear their conversation.
"Daddy?" Nina said. "Don't leave me here, cause it's getting scary daddy."
"I'll be with you in a minute sweetheart," he said, his voice back to being brave.
Compel both admired and pitied Tucker. Nina was the only thing he had in the world since the death of his wife and now he was going to lose her but gain a thankful guardian angel.
"You have choices. We have three types of poison available at your disposal. None of them are painful. If you wish to try to cleanse her without a killing, then we have at our disposal a potion that will bring her to the brink of death and god will decide whether she lives. Those are your choices."
Tucker looked at Nina who was still crying and shivering. "May I give her all three?"
What a strange request. "Why would you do that?"
"My god Pathar gave me a dream of the evil within my daughter. She was playing with the zodiac readings as if she were a witch. There were three vials in my dream and they were in color, pulsing like a heartbeat. I awoke and went to her room to find her just as the dream gave me. In his name, I must follow what I was summoned to do. I must take her into the forest, and put an end to her demonic ways myself. It is his will."
His voice was so adamant, so dedicated, that he decided after Nina was cleansed, he would suggest Tucker become a curate. He would send him to the border towns to preach about what he has endured and how he still able to walk among everyone knowing his daughter is in the arms of Pathar.
"Take what you need and then please bring her body back for a proper cremation."
Tucker took the poison vials from the table, and then lifted his daughter into his arms.
"Where are we going daddy?"
"To fix everything sweetheart. You'll finally be able to rest from these demons," he said. Compel cringed as he heard the flap to the tent rustle and Tucker's footsteps fade.
Just a little girl Pathar. Take care of her.
-/-/-
"What a great performance you gave," Tucker said when he put his "little girl" down on her feet. "You seemed like a real four year old."
Nina smiled. "But I am daddy. You did great too. I love the line about helping me rest from demons." She giggled, again almost making him believe that she really was four years old.
He grinned at her. "I almost loused up. I let my anger slip for a moment."
"He noticed, but you still managed to fool him."
Tucker nodded and then looked up into the night sky. "We have to get Pinako out soon. The moon is rising and intercepting her spell now is the only chance we have." He handed Nina the three vials of poison as he removed a bag from a hollow tree trunk. After wrapping them safely in some cloth in the bag, he slung the strap over his shoulder.
"You have everything ready?"
"Yes. This way."
They moved to a clearing where a dog was sitting beside a wide pentagram surrounded with five white candles on each point. In the middle of the pentagram was a pile of firewood atop sand-colored pebbles.
"Took you long enough, I thought I was going to have to turn into a wolf there for a while. Do you know ho—?"
"Oh hush Alexandr. It wasn't our fault the rector is so damn slow. I think he had his doubts about Nina so I had to use the vision in a dream route. Seemed to fool him for the time being. Let's get to work."
Nina popped open a bottle of white sand and trailed it along the pentagram as Tucker started another project: making a fake human body. "Did you get it?" Tucker asked Alexandr.
"Yeah, give me a second," he said. He went into the bushes and a moment later emerged with a large wild boar. "You owe me big time for taking this guy on. I had to turn into a saber-tooth to take it down. An Old English Sheepdog just doesn't cut it."
"I'll give you extra kibble in your—"
"Alexandr, Daddy, quit fighting."
"Okay Nina. I'll be nice but only because you asked me to," Alexandr said. He walked over to an old log and plopped down. Tucker muttered under his breath as he removed a book from his pocket. He stood above the spell star he drew and the dead animal. He held up his hand.
"Need a spell book after all these years?" Alexandr remarked.
"I thought you were going to be nice. Besides, I never use this spell so of course I'm not going to remember it. Be reasonable."
"Fine, just get to work."
Tucker muttered again and closed his eyes. With a quick sentenced uttered in a thick R-laden language, the carcass flashed. When the smoke that surrounded it cleared, it revealed a perfect replica of Nina. At least in appearance. If a doctor examined it, he'd be able to tell it wasn't human, but since he had to wrap the carcass in a shroud for burning, they wouldn't be able to tell. The leftover "shell" was considered unholy so they wouldn't dare look. "Done here."
"Almost done here," Nina said. She laid a larger candle among the firewood and lit it; she lit the logs under it. "Okay, ready. I just have to concentrate to figure out when Pinako is going to transport. I hope she has everything set. It was already so difficult trying to get in contact with her mentally before."
"She'll be there. The woman is quite dependable," Alexandr said.
"Will you two be okay?"
"Yes, we'll be fine. When Compel promotes me, I'll find out what they are planning. I hope by then we can figure out a cure for those damn illnesses." He handed Nina the small satchel containing the poison bottles. "Be careful on your way."
"I will daddy. Love you. May the moon goddess be with you."
"May she keep you two safe."
Nina closed her eyes and concentrated. After a few seconds, she smiled and said, "Got her."
