Paris, France, December 17, 1491

The Archdeacon Maw woke with confusion as frantic banging was heard outside of Notre Dame. He quickly threw his robes on and grabbed his cloak, as there was a terrible winter storm covering Paris.

The giant door was pulled with a moan, and Maw widened his eyes in shock as to the sight before him.

There stood the Minister of Justice, Thanos, who looked tired and worried. And in his arms was a young man, not even eighteen years old.

"Father..." Thanos pleaded. "This child...he needs help..."

"Of course, Minister. Come, come..." Maw led him through the cathedral and up a winding staircase in a small room. "Lay him here, and I will tend to his wounds."

"Will you please excuse me? I must confess privately, if I may."

Maw nodded solemnly and got to work, dismissing the man.

A moan came from the cot, and Maw knelt down with a candle to get a better look.

"My poor boy, look at you..." A huge gash tore across his face over one eye, and his chest had shards of wood sticking out. "I pray you live to see the sun rise."

The boy's breathing became more shallow and frantic as he tried to look around, but could not see out of his torn eye.

"Wh-where am I?"

"Shhh...it's alright...you're safe now. We're going to take care of you. Now, this will hurt, but I need you to trust me."

He took a shaky breath and tried to calm down so Maw could get to work. As he tried his best to clean the wounds, he then went to remove more wood than he thought would be possible to survive with. With careful hands and brow furrowed in concentration, the boy was free of any foreign object in his body.

"There we are...I apologize for the discomfort, but you will heal. May the Lord bless you tonight..."

Tears stung his injured eye as he revealed to Maw a terrible revelation.

"Where are my parents?"

The following morning, Thanos knocked quietly on the door. The boy was sound asleep, and the Archdeacon rose to greet him.

"How is he?" Thanos asked, concerned.

"I was able to remove all of the pieces of the carriage from his chest...his eye, I fear, he may never see out of again. But he will live. He is strong, bless his soul."

Thanos nodded, pleased to hear the good news. "I have prepared the bell tower for him. He should be more than comfortable there."

"Of course." Maw bowed his head in understanding. "It is a blessing he survived."

"Yes...I too, hate collateral damage." Thanos thought about his current situation, and grinned. "I believe this boy has a bright future ahead of him. I want to thank you again for allowing him sanctuary here in the church."

"The doors are always open for any lost soul."

Maw came in to check on his patient, and was thrilled to see him sitting up.

"Anthony, look at you! How are you feeling?"

"Sore...and hungry..." Anthony mumbled. He rubbed his chest, which ached like no tomorrow.

"Here, drink this. It will help with the pain..."

Anthony looked unsure at the cup of wine presented to him, but then just went with it, because he was desperate at this point.

"I brought you some sustenance, I am sure you will get your strength back in no time."

"I actually feel better than I did when I got here, after..." He stopped himself. "I'm sorry, I just...I don't want to talk about it."

"I understand, son." Maw sat down at a table next to Anthony's cot. "My only business with you is your well-being. This is your home, and I only want you to be comfortable and safe."

At Anthony's raised eyebrow, Maw sighed. "I do not wish to scare you, but I fear the assassin who took your parents is still after you. He cannot enter here, though. This is a house of God, and He will protect you."

"Amen to that." Anthony took another drink. "Thank-you by the way...for saving my life, and um..." He scratched at the bandage covering half of his face. "I would like to thank the other man who saved me."

"He is a very busy man." Maw shook his head. "Doing the Lord's work, cleansing this world of sin."

Anthony shook his head, then asked the question that has been gnawing at him ever since he crashed. "Do you think I'll be ok?"

Maw smiled sincerely at him. "I have no doubt in my mind, you will be just fine..."