"So, my dear Renaldo, how are you fairing?"

"About the same," Father Renaldo replied as he removed his glasses. "Life at Iscariot goes on as it usually does. I do my best to keep the assassins comfortable."

"To keep the sanity among the insane?" Death suggested.

"To be so sane that to appear insane," Father Renaldo replied. "I do what I can. I arm them, I train them, I make sure they have food to eat and a place to sleep. But I still feel as though it is not enough."

"You pity them," Death said.

"And should I not? They fight for the Lord. They kill for the Lord. They die for the Lord. And still, no matter how long or how hard they fight or how much they sacrifice, they are damned for their sins. The least I can offer them is some earthly pity.

"And what sin, did you commit Father, to be among the insane?"

"You and I both know the answer to that," Renaldo responded.

"Of course I do, Death's Disciple, Bearer of Golgatha-"

"No! Not the old names. Never again the old names!"

Death put a finger to his non-existant lips. "I merely wish to know if you had considered my offer."

Renaldo took a few deep breaths. "No. No, Death. You may have been an angel, and you may know the truth, but I would rather have my faith. Knowledge is a dangerous, cold, and uncomforting thing at times. My faith will always comfort me in my dark hours."

"…Actually, I was referring to my other offer, but that's good to know as well."

"Oh! Oh… I… I'm not sure. I mean, it might be unnatural…"

"Walter accepted the offer."

"He did? That would explain a lot… Well, if Walter thought it was a worthy offer…"

Later that day at Iscariot headquarters

Father Enrico Maxwell whistled lightly as he turned the corner. He was so engrossed in the report he was report he was reading he almost tripped of Sister Heinkel Wulfe.

"Heinkel! What are you doing underfoot like this?"

Heinkel only shook her head and didn't answer.

Enrico was puzzled as to what could frighten his most unflappable agent when he heard Father Renaldo's voice behind him.

"Is she alright, Father Maxwell? She saw me, screamed, and ran."

"That's odd," Enrico said as he turned around. "What on earth would make her-LORD IN HEAVEN HELP ME!" Enrico grabbed Heinkel's hand and dragged her down the hall to the safety of his office.

Renaldo could hear the bolts slam home as Enrico closed his door. He scratched his jet-black hair. "Do they not like it?"