Chapter3: Coldest Night

"Ahh Alberta at last" said Katie

Ranulf closed his eyes and inhaled deeply the fresh beach air
filled his lungs

"Come on Ranulf this way" said Katie as she pulled the priests arm
towards the Alberta Marina

"What may I do for you today?" asked a husky man aboard one of the
ships

"I would like to exchange these for red potions please," said
Katie handing over the sack of potatoes.

The man put the sack of potatoes under the table and gave Katie a
bag of red potions in exchange.

"Thank you" said Katie politely accepting the bag

The two left Alberta and by sun set were back at Payon. Ranulf had
walked Katie to her house.

"Well good night then" said Ranulf

"Yeah good night" Katies kissed Ranulf on the cheek then when she
got the vibe that it seemed okay she kissed him on the lips. Ranulf
put his hands on her face and kissed back

"Good night Ranulf" said Katie when they stopped kissing.

"See you tomorrow" said Ranulf
Ranulf walked to the inn his smile back on his face he hummed a
happy tune as he skipped through the streets.

He entered through the door of the inn and immediately grabbed
Sigmund by the hands and started dancing with him.

Anna stared at this face all scrunched up like she had sucked on a
lemon she immediately stood up from her chair and went up to her room
slamming the door.

"You should definitely talk with her father," said Sigmund

"Talk with whom?" asked Ranulf stupidly as he danced with an
imaginary partner

"Um...Sister Anna. She's been very cranky today"

"Whom?" asked Ranulf seeming more stupid than before

"Sister Anna!" repeated Sigmund in heightened volume

"Oh-Her" said Ranulf "Well I don't want to think about her cause
I'm going to sleep nothing could end such a perfect day rather than a
goodnight sleep. Good Night" Ranulf went up the stair to his room
leaving Sigmund scratching his head

The next day Ranulf had planned a candle lit dinner on a terrace
overlooking the Payonese mountain terrains. On Payon field nine

"This is wonderful Ranulf!" exclaimed Katie, as she adored the
dinner table and the view.

"Would you like to sit down?" asked Ranulf
"Oh yes please"

Ranulf pulled out Katie's chair. She sat on it and looked out into
the mountain ranges. "It's beautiful" she said

"Not as much as what I'm looking at" said Ranulf he moved closer
and attempted to kiss her. "No don't" said Katie looking away

"Why? Did I do something wrong? Tell me."

"No, I want to show you something come with me"

Katie grabbed Ranulf's hand and she pulled him towards the
direction of the sniping ranges. Sigmund was sitting on the roots of
one of the trees reading his bible, as he needed to get away from the
noise. He heard voices and couldn't resist listening to them

"Why did you bring me here Katie?" asked Ranulf

Sigmund immediately recognized Ranulf's voice so he hid behind the
bushes to spy on him"

"I can't go on with this," said Katie

"Go on with what?" asked Ranulf

"You know what I'm saying. This relationship I mean you're a
Priest and I'm an archer it's to very different worlds Ranulf"

"No worlds can make me give you up!" snapped Ranulf

"I understand. I love you too but you swore an oath of celibacy."

"I will give up my priesthood my life is nothing without you"

"I wont let you give up your life and dreams for me. I love you to
much"

"Then we'll keep it a secret .We will not utter a word to anybody"

"I cant live a lie Ranulf, cant you understand that!" said Katie
as she broke in to tears" I wont let you throw your life awa..."

Katie's sentence was brought to a halt by Ranulf's kiss

"I will love you to whatever ends even if that end is mine"
Sigmund gave a horrified gasp at what he saw he hastily stood up
and ran towards the city his robes getting snagged in the branches and
his bible being carelessly left on the ground. He ran and ran until he
finally reached Anna

"What's a matter with you Sigmund it looks as though you saw the
bloody ghost of Christmas past" said Anna

"I...I saw Ra...Ranulf "stuttered Sigmund

"Oh him" said Anna rolling her eyes

"H...he w...wa...was with an a...archer girl"

"What happened Sigmund tell me," said Anna her face shifting face
shifting from angry to serous once she saw the fright in Sigmund's
eyes

"I was reading my bible when I heard them. I couldn't help but
listen to their conversation. They talked about a relationship then
Father 'Ranulf kissed her" said Sigmund all color draining out of his
face

"Speak of this to no one Sigmund! Understand?" snapped Anna

Sigmund nodded his head

"Let us just hope this is a test for Ranulf" said Anna as she did
the sign of the cross