Chapter Two: The Priest
The morning was colder than usual, so cold that his breath caused a fine mist in the air; the man shivered slightly and pulled his clothes tighter around him. The clothes, made from wool dyed crimson and richly embroidered, were gifts to him, from the womenfolk of the village. His usual vestments of white linen alb and stole were reserved solely in church service.
Peasants, carrying heavy stacks of fire wood paused to bow their heads in reverence before him. The old man smiled gently as he patted each man's shoulder then continued on his way. The dirt road was rutted from tracks left by cart wheels and hooves, but he preferred walking rather than saddling his own mule, this way, he could greet more people along the way.
His crinkled face broke out in a smile once more as Matilda the baker's wife walked by, obviously from the Miller's shop, carrying a sack of flour. The woman curtsied and greeted him cheerfully, while another woman, tugging a she-goat paused to do the same.
Father Valentine smiled at each passer-by, he knew each one by name, had watched each one grow up, had witnessed the joys of birth and shared in the loss of loved ones. He was very much part of this village where he himself was born and raised. He is proud of their small, close knit community, self reliant in the sense that each one contributed to help each other in times of need and distress.
The priest is on his way to the Smith's, a thief had broken inside the church last night, and stolen some of his food rations, so he needed a new lock installed. He prayed for forgiveness on behalf of the thief, knowing that only dire need would have pushed anyone to steal from a priest.
All around him, people paused from their chores to pay respect, women sweeping their homes, cleaning windows, or hanging out clothes. There were few men in sight, for most are working in the fields by now. Children scurried about in play, running and tagging each other, the sounds of their gaiety made the priest smile, ah to be young and worry-free again! These kids would face harsh reality soon enough, but for now…through their innocent eyes, the world is just a place for adventure and games.
The Smith's shop was located near the village square, just beside the shop of Edgar, the antler and bone worker who provides the handles for the weapons and tools the nearby smith forges. Father Valentine made a mental note to visit the said shop in the future, he needed to purchase a new buckle for his altar boy and a cloak pin for himself.
Just as the priest was about to knock at the door, a girl burst out, nearly colliding with the old man. She gave a small squeak, lost her balance as she tried to avoid bowling over the old man. She was saved by the man behind her who clutched her with quick hands.
"Oh Father forgive me!" Alice gasped.
The old man chuckled, thinking that someone as petite as her could hardly do any harm even if she charged at him with full force.
"No harm done, my girl…" He patted her head and looked up to see the young man who stopped her fall. "Ah, my lad, how are your studies going?"
Yuri flushed guiltily, he had stopped reading his lessons in favor of spending more time with Alice. Though Samus had preached time and time again that only precious few ever had the privilege of learning to read and write, most people live and die without ever knowing to write more than their name; Yuri still preferred to spend his time working at the forge or just simply being with Alice. He couldn't see what good such knowledge could do to him, why it won't make the crops grow faster or iron ore to sprout in their doorstep every morning.
The priest easily read him, shook his aging head with a 'harummph' and made a move to enter the shop, the two made way to give the old man room. Just when Yuri thought he was off the hook, Valentine suddenly reached up to wrench his ear.
"Why I ever bother to take you in, I'll never know! But I'm not going to let you waste what we've worked so hard to accomplish…"
Yuri tried to escape with his ear intact, but the priest grip was firm and for every resistance he made, Valentine twisted his ear a tad more harder. He began to babble excuses, none succeeded to appease the priest who was also his teacher.
While the pain wasn't so bad, it hurts nonetheless. It was quite a sight to see, a towering man being chastised like a small boy by someone who was a head shorter than him. Alice had to smile secretly, while Samus stepped out to see what the commotion was all about.
He laughed in his usual booming way and thumped Yuri in the back with a grubby hand. "Dinna worry good father, Yuri here still takes to his lessons every evenin' that is if I'm here to make sure of it."
Valentine released Yuri's ear, leaving it a blazing red against the backdrop of his dark hair. Yuri reached to soothe his hurting organ, and winced slightly when the two men began to preach about learning once more. He glanced at Alice who was trying so hard to keep a straight face, she's enjoying this. he thought, promising a fitting retribution when they're alone once more.
Yuri listened without protesting, knew that to do so would only prolong his 'torture session'. Now, that Father Valentine had said his piece, he stepped inside the shop accompanied by Samus who was wearing another smirk behind his bushy beard.
"Well then, shall we get going?" Alice said, fighting not to smile but failing miserably. She clasped her hands behind her back and looked up at Yuri, noted his still red ear and this time she burst into soft giggles.
"You enjoyed that!" He accused, mimicking a mock frown. He even pouted his lips a little, like a sulking child that made Alice smile and stand on tip toe to brush a kiss on his cheek.
