Chapter 3
Still remembering his time last night, the watch keeper strolled along traveling through the city. Reminiscing in thought of his new found pleasure, he felt himself becoming overpowered by fatigue. Something else plagued his mind this morning: who would want the roster to the city? It must have been those damn outcasts we threw out last week. But what for? At that moment, he was reminded of his conversation he and the king had shared earlier last night.
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"I just don't understand how you could be so careless!" the King said, pacing furiously around his chamber. "And your decision as watch keeper to give the man who obviously failed his duty as a guard, more guard duty? What in heaven's name are you thinking?"
The watch keeper bowed his head slightly, choosing his words carefully. "Sir… I know it may seem odd, but I do it only as proof. Surely the old man will fail us by tonight, and then, we can make an example out of his foolishness. He is nothing but a sacrifice to serve a better purpose."
Slowly, the king gave in to his words. "Listen, James… I trust you with my life and my family's; an honor in which I can bestow to no one else."
"I understand, sir. Just trust that my judgment still serves you well. I will keep close watch on this man." His eyes thickened with sincerity; one the king had learned to trust throughout the years. "My life for Aire."
The king's tone changed from sincerity to sorrow. "We're growing old, my friend. Let it not cloud our judgment."
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Old? You have the audacity to call me old, when I was born fifteen years after you? You fool. I knew he'd sleep. I had planned to kill the bastard myself. No matter anymore… we'll find his killer. Surely he'll be an easier target to make an example of.
The only thing else left on his mind this morning was finding his guard's killer. With no visible clues or marks, many of the guards complained that they were searching for an "invisible man." The only clue they had to go off was it was a man, probably taller than the guard he killed, and most likely athletic and skilled. All of the guards were notified to keep an extra sharp eye. But the watch keeper knew they wouldn't find him anytime soon.
More blood will be spilt. Of that, I'm sure.
As he made his way across the court, he noticed all of the patrons headed to chapel. The huge chapel stood about three stories high with the largest crucifixion ever seen in front. It was told that there was no chapel with a more lifelike body of God's son on the cross. It was the King's pride to serve such a city. The chapel's roof top was not slanted like most, but had a flat roof top. The architect had originally planned to finish it with another story that made the slant, but died of a horrible sickness that soon became well known to many of the other townspeople, including the town's judge.
The crowd, still attempting to fill into the chapel's small opening, had slowly started to disappear inside the huge building. As he noted some of the stragglers, someone in particular caught his eye. Her red hair hung just below her shoulders, and her freckled face was thin but beautiful. He watched as she made her way up the steps, following her brothers and sisters.
She stopped for a moment, hesitant to enter. As she stood waiting, she glanced off in the distance. It bothered the watch keeper that this beautiful woman was soon to be an example. After a few moments, she faced the doors, and walked in. The watch keeper continued his walk, letting his thoughts flood back into his mind.
He kept on walking until he reached the front of the chapel. As he contemplated entering, he remembered he was on duty, and after sinning last night, he feared God did not want him in His house this morning. Repent, and all sins will not be forgotten, but remembered, he thought. On a second thought, he walked off to the west side of the chapel.
Though it did not bother him to play along with the charade, he knew the truth. "God is just an excuse that men will make to explain the things that cannot be explained." He chortled at the thought of it. I serve a king who relies on a God in which I care nothing for. His vision blurred slightly; a reminder of his late night.
He felt for a moment, that he was lucky enough to have all his fortune. A loving, but not too wise, wife; a mistress who pleased him at his command; a pathetic guard whose meaningless life was taken… and all handled without any complications, aside from the intrtuder.
As he pulled on his coat, he thought of the girl he had just seen. He remembered what the guards had told him about her. Ahh… Alexia. Such a shame. What a beautiful girl, and yet… by the end of the day, you're life will be proof that there are those who are meant to die for our cause.