Standing in front of his mirror, Laurence ran a comb through his unkempt black hair, preparing himself both physically and mentally for what awaited him. He was to host a vast gathering of members of the Healing Church in the Grand Cathedral: from blood saints to clerics, charity volunteers to ministers, all were expected to attend. As to be expected, a sense of uncertainty hung over Laurence, but not from the inevitable address he would have to deliver. As the Vicar, he had grown accustomed to addressing his followers, ensuring their loyalty and maintaining the Church's image. No, his nervousness was centered around one, rather prestigious guest.
Provost Willem, headmaster of Byrgenwyrth and his former mentor, was to be in attendance.
It had come as a great surprise when he received the letter that made Willem's intentions known and almost immediately, Laurence grew suspicious. What motivated him to suddenly re-establish communication between them after almost five years of silence, he wondered. He had made it clear that he considered his departure a betrayal, after all.
He would receive his answer soon enough, for his mentor was due to arrive in less than an hour.
Putting down his comb, Laurence again looked over himself in the mirror. His decorative white robes had been freshly washed and had been personally tailored to befit a man of his caliber. To think that only a few years ago, he was little more than a street merchant, touting a miracle cure as if he were a mere snake oil salesman. Never did he think he would be in the position he was in now, rivaling even the centuries-old Cainhurst nobility in terms of influence held.
Still, that didn't mean that he was confident that the future ahead of him would be bright. The Old Blood was imperfect and until he found a way to quell it's more…unsavory side-effects, he couldn't allow for its mass production. For the time being, he regulated that it only be distributed in small doses to those most at risk and no more beyond that; the blood was addictive and widespread use would prove disastrous. Of all the things that Master Willem had taught him, the adage they shared was perhaps the most important lesson of all. And now, it was the basis on which the Healing Church had been built.
Fear the Old Blood.
Laurence's thoughts were interrupted when someone knocked on his door and promptly opened it to peak their head inside.
"Master Laurence. It's almost time." Without even having to look in their direction, he immediately knew who was delivering this message. She was one of few who were allowed to come visit him at times like this.
"I am aware, Iosefka. I'll only be a moment." He said to her as he adjusted his collar. Once that was done, he turned to face his visitor and one of his most loyal followers.
Even before she became a pioneer of blood ministration, she had been an exceptionally talented student of medicine and a compassionate one at that. It was something Laurence had greatly admired about her when she first began to study under him at Byrgenwyrth and clearly, she must've seen something promising in his vision, seeing as she had stuck with him ever since.
"Now, shall we depart?" He proposed, which prompted Iosefka to nod and stand to the side to allow him easy passage through the doorway.
"After you, sir." Laurence nodded in acknowledgement and made his way out of his study, stopping to lock the door after Iosefka closed it behind them.
"Has anything changed?" He asked his follower as they marched down the hallway.
"No. Master Willem is still due to arrive in little over an hour." She informed him.
"And what of Micolash?" "He awaits you in the Grand Cathedral, along with the rest of the Church. Don't worry, I made sure he would be kept under watchful supervision." Iosefka assured him.
"I imagine he's impatient?" Said Laurence.
"To see Master Willem, sir? Indeed. Hardly a week has gone by and he's already more eager to see him than half of our ministers combined." A small smile formed on Laurence's face. Micolash had always looked up to their shared teacher in a way that bordered on reverence and it was that which had created a gulf between them.
"Yes, well, I suppose it's best we get there as soon as we can. Wouldn't want him to run in front of the carriage, now, would we?" Iosefka quietly chuckled before responding.
"Agreed. Hardly the time nor place." Despite framing it as a joke, Laurence knew that she held no real care for Micolash's well-being. They didn't like each-other very much, after all.
"Just…promise me you'll try to put all that aside, all right? At least for tonight." He requested, looking over to the doctor as he did. After only a moment of apparent indecision, she let out a sigh and agreed to his terms.
"As you wish, sir." Laurence nodded his thanks and turned his attention back on the path ahead. Part of his position was ensuring unity within the Church and on today of all days, he wanted to ensure it all came together in harmony.
"Oh, and Master Laurence. Happy birthday." Iosefka said after the two had cleared the staircase and approached the exit.
"Thank you, Iosefka." He said with a warm smile, before pushing open the door.
It was quite a lengthy walk from his study to the Grand Cathedral that towered over the rest of the Ward and the city at large, but as on most days, the journey put Laurence at ease. Accompanied by Iosefka and two additional Church members that they had brought along to provide security, he was able to look around to admire Yharnam's distinct, centuries old architecture without fear of danger.
Despite everything, the city was beautiful in its own way, with its citizens going about their day-to-day dealings while still being well aware of the day's forthcoming festivities. Along the way, Laurence stopped to interact with several of them, who offered him their well wishes and thanked him for all that the Church had done for them. And as heartening as these brief interactions were, he could not shake that ever-present modicum of guilt. There were many things that they did not know about the Church, which if they did, he sincerely doubted they would be as reverent as they were now.
Soon, he and Iosefka were at the steps of the Grand Cathedral's gates. As they stepped inside the vast hall, they found it bustling with various other members of the Church. Ministers, scholars, blood-saints: all were busy setting the enormous tables that had been set up inside and putting up any last-minute decorations. As his presence became known, the activity ceased and all attention within the Cathedral was directed squarely to him. In short order, each and every person present began to clap, with Laurence respectfully smiling and waving to his ensemble of followers.
"Thank you all for the warm welcome, but please, do not let my presence impede you. Carry on as you were." He instructed, raising his voice so all may hear him.
Once the message had been sent, Laurence's eyes carefully scanned the interior, trying to pick a particular figure out from the crowd. This did not take long, as he could soon clearly see someone approaching him. After putting up a hand to prevent his two guards from going to intercept him, Laurence himself started to approach him.
"Greetings, Micolash." He said to the approaching figure.
"How pleasant of you to finally join us, most splendid Vicar." The man said as he placed his hands together and bowed to him. As per usual, he sported his scholarly black robes, which much like his had been finely prepared for today's occasion.
Laurence turned back to Iosefka. "May I ask you that you excuse us for a little while? We will retrieve you in short order." She nodded in response.
"Of course, Master Laurence. In the meantime, I shall do my best to ensure all is in order." She replied.
"Thank you, Iosefka." With a nod, his student motioned for their two guards to follow her and started making her way to the front of the Chapel, where she would find those responsible for organizing the festivities.
"Would you like to get some air?" He offered once Iosefka appeared to be out of earshot.
"Oh, goodness, yes. It is rather suffocating here." Micolash replied.
"I'm well aware. Come." The two of them started walking side by side towards the Chapel gates stepping outside to be greeted by Yharnam's cool and gentle evening air.
"I hope your fellows are satisfied by their accommodations?" Laurence asked after the noise from inside was faint enough.
"Yes, and they are most honored to be a part of this most momentous occasion." Micolash said as they came to a stop in front of the railing by the staircase.
"Momentous in more ways than one." Laurence said as he turned to face him.
"Indeed, and on behalf of all the scholars of Byrgenwyrth, I wish you a happy birthday. Thirty years, who could believe it?" Micolash then said, a gleaming, yet somewhat nervous smile on his face.
"My thanks, but that is not quite what I was referring to." As he said this, Laurence looked out across the Cathedral Ward in the direction of the Forbidden Woods, beyond which he knew lay the estate of his old mentor, where the research that would eventually lead to the establishment of Byrgenwerth first started.
"Ah, you mean Master Willem? Because if so, I must admit I was rather…stunned when he announced his intention to visit you." Laurence looked back at Micolash, whose expression quickly turned anxious.
"What I meant to say was…" He began, but Laurence decided to cut him off.
"No need. Believe it or not, I thought much the same, even more so when he announced his intentions in regards to Byrgenwyrth." He told Micolash, pausing for a moment before continuing on.
"On that note, are we still in agreement?" "Yes, of course. And I must thank you once again for the generosity you've shown us in your offerings. We are most thrilled to be able to continue our research." Micolash's tone lent credence to his words, but then again, he had always been a scholar at heart.
"And I'm sure you'll hold up your end of the bargain?" Laurence continued.
"Of course. A grand portion of funds acquired through our research will be directed to expansion projects in Yharnam. Hopefully, those old bloodsuckers in Cainhurst don't stick their noses where they don't belong." Laurence chuckled, even if it was a very real concern.
"You leave them to me. I'll ensure that they don't interfere." He had already spent longer than he had wanted in negotiation with the nobility, so at this point, he was well positioned to get the concessions he needed. He had honoured the taxation agreement that had been set out upon the Church's foundation thus far, even if some of his followers weren't too keen on the idea.
Laurence knew that he still very much needed the support of the monarchy to keep the Church afloat and so, maintaining cordial relations with them became an upmost priority of his leadership, not intending to repeat Master Willem's mistakes. Having alienated the nobles of Cainhurst – his main financial benefactors – long ago, Byrgenwerth's funds had by now all but dried up, leaving both it and Willem facing imminent insolvency.
Yet upon receiving this news, something had compelled Laurence to attempt to keep the old college's doors open, which is how the process of negotiating these settlements had first started. Perhaps his sentimentality had gotten the better of him, but even without it, Byrgenwerth had been the first and only institution of higher education within Yharnam. Perhaps it could yet be salvaged and serve it's intended purpose.
"If I may, Laurence, it heartens me that you're so willing to reconcile, even after all these years." Micolash then said, which almost immediately made his smile fade.
"Is that what you believe this is? A reconciliation?" He asked him.
"Am I mistaken in thinking so?" Micolash asked, clearly confused by his statement.
"Tell me, Micolash. Do you remember why our paths diverged?" Laurence posed to him, with the scholar's expression and demeanor becoming noticeably tense.
"I do, but…it has been many years since then." He eventually replied.
"And have your views on the matter changed in that time?" The silence that followed was worth a thousand words.
"I see. Then heed me when I say that this is not Byrgenwyrth and I am not Master Willem. You and your fellows are permitted to continue your research, yes, but do not forget, you are now part of the Healing Church and as such, you will abide by its principals. His teachings are to be an inspiration to us, not a guide." He paused for a moment to let his words settle.
"Do I make myself clear?" Laurence waited for Micolash to respond, though the manner in which he was looking at him was enough to give away his answer before he even spoke.
"Of course…Master Laurence." He replied, lightly bowing his head as he did.
"Good." He chose to ignore the obvious reluctance in the scholar's reply and opted instead to move onto other matters.
"Now, he is due to arrive soon. If you plan on bringing anyone along to meet him, I suggest you go and retrieve them now." He told him.
"I suppose you would like for me to retrieve your pupil as well?" Micolash asked him.
"If you would be so kind." Laurence replied. After a short while, the scholar lightly nodded and turned to make his way back into the Chapel.
"And Micolash." He called out to stop him, causing him to turn his head to look back at him. "I'm giving you a chance. Don't make me regret it."
Once again, he didn't give him a verbal reply and instead, simply turned his head away and walked inside, leaving Laurence alone. Leaning against the railing, he started to prepare himself not just for the walk ahead, but also for that inevitable meeting with his former mentor, whom he had not seen in person since the day he informed him of his intention to leave him. Laurence had the misfortune of laying witness to his mentor's more unadmirable qualities in the later years of their partnership, which he believed to have soiled their relations permanently.
Still, perhaps he was not the only one who had changed over the past several years.
…
Laurence stood at the entrance leading to the forests on the outskirts of Yharnam, the staircase leading back up to the Cathedral Ward just behind him. Micolash and Iosefka stood on either side of him, with an entourage of additional followers standing behind them, bearing the humid air of the forest as they awaited Master Willem's imminent arrival. Soon, he heard the clattering of an approaching carriage, which soon came into view. The Vicar's eyes were fixed on the vehicle as the horses slowly brought it to rest just in front of them, the coachmen leaving his station and approaching the doors of the carriage, opening them up without so much as a greeting nod.
The first one who exited the carriage Laurence recognized as Dores, Willem's trusted servant and bodyguard. A woman wearing a scholar's uniform and a covering over her eyes was the next one out, who smiled at the awaiting party in recognition. Runesmith Caryll, a former colleague of his, who is famed for her unique ability to understand and transcribe the inhuman utterings of the Great Ones. Her, him and Micolash had once been entrusted with heading the exhibitors into the old labyrinths and they had formed a closely knit group, which made their eventual decision to stay at Byrgenwyrth come as a great disappointment to him.
Soon, Laurence could see another figure approaching the carriage doors. It was indeed Master Willem, wearing the same decorative robes he had last seen him in and sporting the usual covering over his eyes. It was meant to be purely symbolic, but there were plenty of rumours and speculation about whether he was fully blind, perhaps having torn his own eyes out in order to better see through his "eyes on the inside". This was all pure speculation, but he had never taken the time to dispel the rumours either.
As he exited the carriage, Caryll took his arm and helped him until his feet were firmly on the ground, using his peculiar golden staff to support his weight. Both of his followers then fell in behind him, each of them holding a small box in their hands.
"On behalf of all members of the Healing Church, I bid you welcome, Master Willem." Laurence said as he bowed to his former mentor. Much to his surprise, he himself bowed to him while holding a hand against his chest.
"Ah, Laurence, my boy. It is my absolute pleasure to be here. How wonderful to see you again after so long." He replied with more warmth than he was expecting from him, or was used to for that matter.
"Likewise. I pray your journey here was a smooth one?" He asked both out of courtesy and from the very real dangers present on the trail from his estate to here.
"It's nothing I haven't seen, I assure you. Still, I never did think that I would be riding out to meet you in so lavish a fashion. You've really come into your own, Laurence." The Vicar nodded in acknowledgement at the headmaster's words. So far, his greetings had been unexpectedly warm. Upon giving him a similar nod, Willem took notice of Micolash.
"Ah, our representative. My congratulations on the fruitful negotiations." He said to his student, who smiled and bowed in response.
"Thank you, Master Willem. It was a long process, but I do believe Laurence and I came to an a mutually-beneficial settlement." Micolash eyed him as he said all this.
"Very good. How wonderful it is to see the two of you cooperating again." Said Master Willem, to which Laurence had no real reply.
"Yes, well, we will be able discuss all this at length in good time." Laurence stepped aside and held his arm out in a welcoming gesture. "For now, shall we proceed up to the Ward? There are many there who eagerly await your arrival." He said to his prestigious visitor.
"Very well. Though I must warn you, in my current state, it may take some time for us to get there." Said Willem.
"I understand. Please, allow me to aid you." Laurence offered.
"Wait." Both Laurence and Master Willem turned to Micolash, who had unexpectedly interrupted them.
"Forgive me for the intrusion, but I would be more than willing to aid Master Willem in this matter." He then said.
"That is not quite necessary." The Vicar replied.
"I am aware, but I nevertheless insist." Laurence immediately recognized what he was trying to do. Not only was he making it seem like he was relieving him, his new leader, of unnecessary labor, but also using this as an opportunity to curry favor with Master Willem, regardless of how minor it might be. Instead of rejecting him outright, Laurence turned to his mentor and allowed him to make the final decision.
"Well, if you do insist, Micolash." Willem eventually said and with an affirming nod, Micolash approached his teacher's side and led him past Laurence and all those present, with Dores following along in order to stay close to his master. As they began to follow, the Vicar decided to turn his attention to his old acquaintance, who up until then hadn't said a word.
"Caryll." He politely greeted her.
"Laurence. It's been a long time." She greeted back as they began to walk side by side.
"Indeed, it has. Tell me, how goes your research?" He said to continue the conversation.
"Ongoing, despite how it seems. We've made certain strides, but Master Willem believes we can do with a tad more… "focus", in terms of what we're working with." Laurence didn't need to be told as to what she was referring to. The Vacuous Rom, a living specimen collected from a remote fishing village, blessed with insight from contact with a deceased Great One known as Kos. They had brought back several like her; by the time of his departure, she was one of only a handful that still remained.
"I see. Well, I'm glad that you could find the time to come." He told her.
"Why, of course. After all, there's something that I wish to bestow unto you." She said, no doubt referring to what was inside the box she was carrying.
"So, I see." He replied. "And do tell me, Caryll. What do you plan to do after this is over? Will you stay by his side?" Laurence then asked her.
"For as long as I am able." Was what she responded with, a sense of melancholy in her tone.
"What do you mean by that?" Laurence asked, sensing his friend's indecision.
"I can feel it fading, Laurence. It's progressive, but what I hear is no longer as clear as it once was. I fear that soon, it will cease permanently. After that, well…I'm not too sure as to what use I can be." She admitted.
"I'm sure we can find a place for you, if you're interested. Your work as rune smith was ground-breaking, but that doesn't have to be all you're remembered for." Caryll seemed to contemplate his offer for a while, though knowing her, she had long ago made up her mind as to what she would do.
"I appreciate the offer, Laurence…but I'm afraid I must decline. You see, I've already decided what I want my legacy to be."
"And what would that be?" He inquired.
"You'll see." Was her reply.
The small party was now in the Cathedral Ward and as they went further into the area, Master Willem suddenly stopped in place, looking up at one of its many tall structures.
"Ah, now that is a most splendid sight. Truly wondrous indeed." He said as Laurence made his way to his side.
"Yes, it is. Yharnam can become very striking around sundown." Laurence expressed as he followed his master's view.
"I am not referring to the buildings. Do you not see? Up there, as they look down upon us?" Willem asked as he pointed his scepter up at a nearby building. After looking for some time, Laurence couldn't make out what it was his master wanted him to see, yet he nevertheless knew exactly what he was referring too.
"Indeed. May we one day come to match their greatness." He replied.
"Yes. One day." He cryptically responded, after which a brief silence ensued.
"Oh, but enough of that. Let us carry on. There is still a long path ahead…yes, a very long one indeed." The headmaster said as he continued walking; whether he knew where he was going, Laurence did not know, but it clearly didn't deter him.
The rest of them soon caught up with him and this time, Laurence took the lead. He first brought them through Oedon Chapel, which served as a source of shelter for Yharnam's downtrodden. There was one man who would regularly provide service here, but only during the day; as the sun set, he would go to prepare for his…other occupation. Today though, the residents of the Chapel had been invited to come to the Great Cathedral and their caretaker had been relieved of his duties for the rest of the night, which served him just fine. As he said, he would be meeting with someone.
Next, they travelled up a lift up a lift and into a tall, cylindrical structure that would lead up to the Cathedral Ward proper. They hadn't found an exact use for the building beyond using it as storage space, but Laurence was sure that would soon change. For now, its purpose was to keep another, more discrete location hidden from prying eyes.
And finally, they arrived in the upper stratums of the Cathedral Ward, where the highest-ranking officials of the Church resided. From here, one could see almost the full extent of the city stretching out below and once inside, there was a vast room that had no doubt been intended to be used for vast social gatherings. In practice though, it was used as a space for orphans to gather and play, a nightly occurrence that was well underway by the time they arrived.
"Impressive, young Laurence. Most impressive indeed." Master Willem commented as they wandered further into the building.
"Thank you kindly, sir. But responsibility for this part of the Church doesn't fall to me." He explained as he led them along to a table off to the side of the room, where a woman was sitting with a pair of children as they played with a set of dominoes. As they approached, she turned in their direction and after excusing herself from the children, approached the party with a beaming smile.
"Master Laurence, welcome." She gave a respectful bow after stopping in front of them. "How wonderful of you to come by on a day such as this…with company, no less." The woman said, her gaze shifting to his accompanying master.
"Oh, visiting here is always a pleasure." He assured her before turning to his mentor. "Master Willem, I'd like you to meet Amelia. She's responsible for much of what happens here."
"We've been expecting you, sir. And I must say, it's a pleasure to finally get to meet you. I've heard much about you." Amelia enthusiastically said as she shook Willem's hand with both of hers.
"The pleasure is all mine, Amelia. Tell me, what is it you do here?" Willem asked.
"Well, I oversee this orphanage, for one. But beyond that, the whole of the Cathedral Ward is under my watch; my own personal diocese, if you will." She cast her arms in a sweeping manner.
"A diocese, you say? I imagine then that you aren't the only one to hold such a position?" He replied with an amused tone.
"No, sir, not at all. In fact, Iosefka here is responsible for Church activities within Central Yharnam. There are several more like us, whom you will meet soon enough." As she explained the general hierarchy, Willem listened attentively.
"How very intriguing. I must admit, I underestimated the sheer extent of this order you're building here." Laurence felt an unexpected sense of validation from the headmaster's compliment. The establishment of this hierarchical structure had been one of his proudest achievements as Vicar.
"Indeed, Master Willem. Now, if you please, may we show you and your fellows to your quarters? There is still some time before the ceremony commences." Laurence proposed as he walked to stand besides his trusted cleric.
"Hmm." He turned to face his two followers. "Caryll?" She stepped forward.
"Yes, Master Willem?" She said in response.
"I want you and Dores to proceed to your lodgings. Take the time to recover your strength." He instructed, which seemed to surprise them both.
"Off course, Master. And what about you?" She asked after a brief silence. After this, Willem turned to look at the Vicar.
"I have something that I wish to discuss with Laurence prior to the ceremony…in private."
This came as a surprise, not just to him, but also to everyone else present. While Laurence didn't show it, he was left wondering what he could possibly want to speak with him about.
"Very well." Laurence briefly turned his attention to his followers. "Iosefka, may you show our two visitors to their lodgings? And Amelia, I do believe it's time the children retired for the night."
"Agreed, Master Laurence." Amelia said. "I would imagine you want us to be at the Cathedral in short order, as well?" She asked just before beginning to walk towards a group of orphans.
"That would be preferable, yes." He answered. "Speaking of which… Micolash?" His fellow scholar stepped forward.
"Yes, Master Laurence?" He expectantly asked.
"I need you to go down to the Cathedral and oversee any last-minute arrangements in my stead. I'll join you as soon as I am able." For a moment, his fellow scholar seemed almost disappointed in the arrangement.
"Of course. We will eagerly await your arrival." Micolash replied.
"My thanks. And you have my blessing to be as firm with them as needed; just make sure everything is prepared properly." He turned away to face the rest of those gathered around him.
"Now go, all of you. There is still much to be done." Upon him giving this order, Amelia and Micolash went off in separate directions to attend to their respective tasks. As all this happened, Laurence saw Caryll say something to Iosefka, who nodded and allowed the runesmith to approach him.
"Caryll, I distinctly said that I wish to speak with Laurence privately." The headmaster reminded his pupil as she approached.
"I am aware, Master Willem, but before that, I wish to present my gift to the Vicar." Caryll held out the box that she had been carrying up until then.
"You honor me, Runesmith Caryll." He said as he accepted the offered gift and held it in his hands, deciding not to open it. By now, Laurence knew exactly what he would find inside.
"I trust that you know what to do with this?" Caryll then asked him.
"Indeed, I do. And I know I am not the only one who will be pleased by this gift." He replied, with Caryll nodding to confirm that he had guessed correctly.
"Then that will be all. I shall take my leave." She then said, with Laurence silently nodding his understanding. He then watched as Iosefka led both her and Dorrance away, leaving him to turn back to his former mentor.
"Shall we then, Master Willem?" He said as he put an arm out in front of him to signify the direction they were to go in.
"By all means. Lead the way." He beckoned.
With that, Laurence led his former mentor back to his own quarters, with Willem telling him that he would not be staying long enough to warrant getting settled into his prepared lodgings. While he attempted to gauge exactly what Master Willem wished to discuss with him on the way there, he maintained an air of secrecy in his answers; whatever it was, he preferred that it be shared behind closed doors. Hardly a surprise, he supposed. He had always been secretive.
Eventually, Laurence opened the door to his quarters. "Here we are, Master Willem. Please, make yourself at home." He said to the headmaster as he stepped inside.
"Hmm, quite a modest residence, especially for a man of your status. If I were to guess, it's only slightly more spacious than your old quarters." Willem commented as he observed the interior.
"And I couldn't ask for anything more." Laurence replied as he stepped further inside. Despite the drastic change in his lifestyle, he was most comfortable in settings such as this; small, private places where he can retreat and recuperate after an intensive day.
Turning to the headmaster, he asked "Now, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Oh, no need. I only plan to be here a short while." Willem replied.
"Very well, but I must insist you have a seat. Surely, your travel has left you weary." He chuckled in response.
"Ever so perceptive." He jested before he started to make his way towards a nearby chair, giving Laurence a chance to set down the gift that he had been carrying until then.
He put it on his mantlepiece, though this was not done for the purpose of display, but rather to make it easier to retrieve when he found the proper time. After all, this gift was not quite meant for him.
"Tell me, how is Gehrman? I expected to see him alongside you." Willem asked from across the room, causing Laurence to turn back to him, finding that he had sat himself down on his sofa.
"He is well, but unfortunately, you are unlikely to see him today." He was evidently rather disappointed to hear this.
"I see. Then he insists on keeping himself hidden even now." Said Master Willem as he looked off seemingly into nothing.
"Surely, you understand why he does so." Laurence then pointed out.
"Yes. A pity." Willem eventually said, pausing afterwards as if deep in thought. Just as Laurence was about to interject, he spoke again. "Ah, but enough about that. We have a most important matter to tend to."
"Hmm. Usually, when I tend to a matter, important or otherwise, it helps to know what that matter is." Laurence replied, not exactly trying to hide his growing annoyance towards his mentor's secrecy.
"And you will soon enough. But before that, please do me one small kindness and bring us two glasses." Laurence found himself taken aback by this, but nevertheless complied.
"Oh, and ideally a corkscrew as well." He heard Willem add on, causing him to lightly sigh and shake his head as he went to retrieve it. Even if the demand was minor, it showed Willem still held little regard for authority that wasn't his own.
Setting two glasses down on the table in front of Willem, Laurence watched as his mentor reached into the satchel he had been wearing on his person until then and took out what looked to be a bottle of wine. He really shouldn't have been surprised; the old Provost considered himself to be a connoisseur when it came to wine. Really, it was one of his few passions aside from his research.
As Willem set down the bottle and reached to take the cork-screw he had provided, Laurence took note of a noticeable shake in his hand.
"Please, allow me." He said to stop him.
"Yes, of course." Willem handed the tool to Laurence, seemingly coming to realize the potential risk as well. The Vicar then removed the bottle's cork with an audible pop and started to pour a small serving of red wine for the two of them.
"Thank you, my boy." He said as Laurence handed him his glass, which he carefully held in both hands and raised it as if he was giving a toast. "To you, Laurence." After raising his own glass in acknowledgement, the Vicar watched as his mentor took a cautious sip of the wine.
Laurence himself hadn't quite acquired a taste for wine, so when he brought the glass to his lips and tasted the red drink, he fully expected it to taste bitter. Instead, he found that the wine Willem had brought was surprisingly sweet, causing him to utter a noticeable "hmm" as he took another small sip to get a better taste.
"It is best that you do not get carried away, Laurence. I'm sure your audience will expect a certain level of poise from you." Willem said after he took that second sip.
"But of course." Laurence replied, still holding the cup of wine in his hands. Even then, he was still unsure of what Willem's intentions were.
"I presume you did not come here just for this?" Said Laurence.
"No, Laurence. Pleasantries such as this have their place, but a day as momentous as this one, requires something more." Willem eventually replied, setting his glass down on the table in front of him as he did.
"The halls and scholars of Byrgenwyrth are not enough?" Laurence then asked him.
"Not quite. There is but one more thing I wish to entrust to you, and you alone. Please, do sit down." At this point, the Vicar found himself to be not just intrigued, but also strangely concerned. What more could Willem possibly offer him and what would warrant such a grandiose, secretive process?
As these questions rushed through Laurence's mind, he took a seat opposite Willem, who once again reached into his satchel and took out that small box he had seen Dores hand to him earlier, setting it down in front of him.
"What is this?" Laurence asked as he stared at the seemingly ordinary box.
"The reason that the two of us find ourselves where we are now." Though his answer was fairly cryptic, it nevertheless made Laurence come to a rather shocking conclusion. No, it couldn't be, he thought.
Bringing the box up to him, the Vicar cautiously looked at Willem, who nodded to signify that he indeed wanted him to open it. With that, he took hold of the box's lid and opened it in order to see what was inside.
And audibly gasped as his suspicion was confirmed.
Before him was a small, black and shriveled thing, which upon closer inspection one could see was organic. An umbilical cord. Yes, that was what it was. But Laurence knew that it wasn't just any ordinary cord, for this belonged to the child of a being beyond human imagination.
The child of Mother Kos.
"Have you nothing to say?" Laurence's eyes left the cord and focused on Master Willem, who was evidently waiting for him to offer something, anything in response. Despite this, the Vicar simply wasn't sure of what he could say; there were simply too many different, conflicting thoughts racing through his mind to form a concrete sentence.
However, one of those thoughts ended up being more prominent than the others.
"I cannot take this." He told his mentor, which only made him subtly smile.
"I anticipated that you would object." Said Willem.
"And yet, you still offer it to me. Why?" The headmaster appeared somewhat hesitant to answer his question.
"Because I wanted you to have it. Is that not enough?" It was not. Instead, it only created more questions, and frustration on Laurence's part.
"Have you forgotten how this came to be in your possession?" Laurence said in a low, much more serious tone, which his former mentor clearly took notice of.
"I have not." Was his simple reply.
"And yet you still intend to simply give it away?" Laurence said, somehow confused, shocked and angry all at once.
"No, Laurence. Not all of it." Willem saying this made the Vicar look back down at the cord, upon which he noticed something quite peculiar about it.
"You split it." He noted.
"Indeed. The other half resides safely at my estate, at least, until I have fully discovered its secrets." Laurence looked up at his mentor. To say he was shocked was to put it lightly.
"You mean to say, after all this time, you still do not know what to do with it?" He said more as a statement than as a question.
"I'm afraid so." Willem confirmed.
Laurence could only nod his head in regretful understanding. This cord in front of him was believed to be humanity's best chance of elevating the thoughts of man to those of the Great Ones; in Willem's eyes, it was the only chance. Yet clearly, its importance had been vastly overstated. Everything that he and the rest of Byrgenwyrth did in Willem's name - the mindless slaughter and desecration – had amounted to nothing.
"But perhaps you may yet find a use for it." Willem said, breaking the Vicar out of his thoughts.
"What?" He said, in utter disbelief of what he had just heard.
"I am old, Laurence. Surely, that is not news to you. Every day that passes leads to me discovering yet another limitation of my being. Of my mind. And each of these discoveries only serves to set my research back. Ironic, is it not?" His mentor lamented.
"Do you mean to say that you are…" "Dying? No, at least not yet. But the day will surely come when I will be of little use." He interrupted him by saying, sounding regretful all the while.
"But until that day comes, Laurence, I can assure you that I will continue my research. After tonight's ceremony, I intend for the gate to the path leading to my estate to be closed, so that I may continue my work uninterrupted." Willem revealed, yet again taking Laurence by surprise.
"So, this was your plan, then? To rid yourself of your financial burdens and simply… isolate yourself?" Laurence questioned, leading to the headmaster letting out a regretful sigh.
"Indeed. As much as it pains me to say, Byrgenwerth's glory days are long behind us." He paused for a moment, before continuing on.
"But at least I know that it's spirit, and dream, will live on."
It was then Laurence finally understood what his intentions were. Why he had ceded both the college and its most prominent scholars to him, as well as why he had brought him this gift. It was not quite a passing of the torch, but it was Willem accepting him as an equal.
"I do not intend to stray from my path. You know this, do you not?" He asked his former mentor, who nodded in response.
"Of course, Laurence. And I'm sure you know that I do not intend to stray from mine either." Willem said in reply.
"But despite all that, you remain a son of Byrgenwyrth – perhaps the best one it has ever produced. And although I may not agree with the path you have chosen, I would never wish failure upon you."
To say that Laurence was shocked to hear this from him would be an understatement. He still remembered the day when he came to bid Willem farewell for what he presumed to be the final time and although he did not attempt to stop him, he nevertheless made his opposition to his departure – his betrayal, as he had called it - distinctly clear.
That of course was not to say that he now regretted his decision. For all his warnings about the potential dangers of the Old Blood, many of which Laurence himself considered to be worth heeding, Willem's own methods had proven themselves to be destructive and above all, selfish. He let nothing get in the way of his research, yet for all his talk about leading humanity to a higher plane, it had become clear that he was focused on his own ascension and little more.
Yet despite all this, and the fact Laurence would likely never forgive him, it would be foolish to deny that he would not be where he was without Master Willem. It was he who funded and organized those initial expeditions into the Pthumerian labyrinths where Laurence and his fellow scholars had first discovered that holy medium of blood. It was he that provided him the means to conduct his research into its properties and effects. And for better or worse, it was he that led to him establishing the Healing Church.
Essentially, every event that had defined Laurence's life since he first started studying at Byrgenwerth could be traced back to Master Willem in some way.
"Master Willem, I don't know what to say." He admitted.
"Nor do you need too. All I ask is that you accept this gift of mine…Master Laurence."
After looking at his mentor for a few more uncertain moments, Laurence turned his eyes back to the cord, still laying there for him to claim. In spite of whatever doubts he still had left, he closed the lid of the box and looked back up at Master Willem, nodding his acceptance.
"Very good." He once again picked up his glass. "Then my task is all but complete." He stated as he raised his glass once more. Following his lead, Laurence picked up his own glass.
"Will we ever meet again?" He asked his mentor.
"Hmm, perhaps. I've arranged for someone to remain at the gate and he would be more than glad to let you through. That is, assuming you provide the correct password." He told him.
"And what would that password be?" Laurence inquired.
"I am sure you can guess that." Was Willem's cryptic reply. Despite this, it only took Laurence a few seconds to form a conclusion and once he did, he couldn't help but smile to himself.
"Yes, I believe I do." He replied, to which his mentor smiled as well.
"And may you remember it well."
With that, the two figureheads clinked their glasses together, with nothing more needing to be said. After tonight, their paths would once again diverge, but this time, they would part ways as equals.
…