Note on Names:
Petro/Peter: Petro is a form of 'Peter' Derived from the Greek Petros meaning "stone".
Michael: Archangel, leader of heaven's armies, patron saint of soldiers and knights.
Abraham: "father of many" founder of the Hebrews.
David: meaning "beloved" greatest of the kings of Israel, defeater of Goliath.
Note on Chapter Titles:
"Knight Errant" – One who wanders in search to prove himself, a symbol of chivalry.
"Knight's Vigil" – To watch over. Either a service or a loved one.
Chapter 2: "Knight's Vigil"
The mysterious Knight stopped his horse some distance away.
One gauntleted hand raised in greeting. "Greetings and Good Morning!" He yelled out over the distance. Either the helmet had a built in speaker or the man had a loud voice. The Knight's helmet covered his whole head, the visor pulled down hiding his face. The stranger waited politely for a response when none was forthcoming, he continued.
"This land is harsh, and empty. I have heard that a Force of men from God's Holy City have come to vanquish a fearsome enemy. I have come to see with my own eyes if this where true, but now that I see, I believe that you are lost good sirs. There is no enemy of the church in these lands."
Petro stepped forwards, "I am Brother Petro Orcini, I am the chief of the Inquisitorial Department of the Vatican. I am sometimes called 'The Knight of Destruction'. I order you to show me your face, and lay down your arms." He pulled off his helmet, holding it to his side. "What is your name?"
"Forgive me for not taking off my helmet, you see, I have a little problem with sunlight and I do not wish to end our conversation before it has begun. I have taken the name of the Arch Angel Michael; I am the protector of the Christian Methuselah community. Turn back now and I will let you and your men go free without harm. I am Methuselah and I will not yield with out good reason. "
So that was it. That was why he was covered from head to toe; He was protecting himself from the oncoming sunlight. Petro crossed his arms; this creature spoke a lot of words. "You are a vampire." The statement drew a shrug from the mounted man.
"Call me as you wish, I prefer to call myself a man, a follower of the Lord."
"You are no man!" Petro put his helmet back on and pointed with his Screamer for emphasis. "Men do not consume others blood for sustenance, you are a beast that should be wiped from this earth, Come Vampire, I will meet you in armed combat, just you and me."
The soldiers grinned; there was no chance that the vampire, even armed and protected as he was, could be no match for their Chief.
The mounted vampire seemed to take a moment to consider this. "You have me at a disadvantage Brother Petro, is there anyway we can work this out?"
"You can surrender." The head inquisitor responded.
The Methuselain Knight sighed in his helmet, "Very well, this is truly regrettable. Then may the Lord watch over us both!"
He kicked his horse's side, spurring it as his unfurled his banner. Petro was taken back, the vampire's banner had a bright red cross of Christ emblazoned on a field of pure white. The staff he carried, lowered in a charging position, its deadly point directed towards the squad.
"Followers of God! Come to my aid! "
There was the sound of pounding hooves before anyone could get to the guns, 30 perhaps 40 mounted warriors galloped over the cusp of the hill, all where clad in shining armor, but none had the grandeur of the Knight. The highly polished amour dazzled the eyes of the squad, and Petro immediately knew that they where at a disadvantage, with the sun peeking behind the vampire's back, his men where blinded by it.
"Fire the missiles!!" He ordered. But the vampires came upon them swiftly with crossbows and thrown spears. His men fired back with the guns.
"Take them down, but spare their lives if you can!!" Michael's voice came soaring above the din of battle.
Brother Petro braced himself as the vampires came galloping recklessly towards him, his crusader's shield swung out to protect him from the hail of metal bolts and arrows. " Kill them Kill every last one of them!!" He shouted, his men formed a line there spears out to meet the horde.
Everything all happened in slow motion, the hail of arrow bouncing off of armor, sometimes finding a weak spot and sinking into flesh. The vampire riders coming closer, the Leader, Michael lowered his staff and banner to charge directly at Brother Petro.
The Chief grinned and hefted his mechanical lance, so be it if the vampire wants to play this game.
The mounted knight galloped, bearing down on the man before him. Petro raised his Screamer, and tensed as the Knight drove his spear into his shoulder, the spear's tip fond a chink in his armor, slipping past but only making a shallow wound, Petro barley felt it.
The Head of the Inquisition had hit the Knight as well, the force of the blow shattering the steel enforced wood shield and knocking him off his Horse, the battle crazed horse ran off, it's hooves kicking at Brother Petro as it passed.
"That was foolish Vampire! Now go into the darkness where you belong!" Petro turned on the weapon the drill screamed its song.
The Knight stood up; abandoning his broken shield he pulled his sword from its sheath. The Sword sung a sweet song, humming with a strange energy.
"I have no intentions of going back into that darkness Brother Petro."
"Die Heretic!"
Petro swung the screamer; Michael jumped back just avoiding getting cut in half at the waist. As the bitter battle raged around them, they where only focused on each other. It was a glorious fight, each man trading blows, their strengths evenly matched.
The Knight was beginning to slow, He didn't want to kill this one, this man who was quickly gaining his respect as a warrior. When his opponent stumbled in the damp grass, Michael hesitated just for a moment, waiting for the Vatican Knight to regain his footing.
Brother Petro looked at him surprised, he was sure that the vampire was going to take open invitation to end his life.
"Enough of this!" Michael used his sword to block one of Petro's attacks," This Will not- Ugh!"
Michael was driven to his knees; his sword went flying out of his hand. With out his weapon, he used the only thing he had left.
Petro checked his speed and stopped his screamer just short of meeting the spear with the banner. Michael, in his desperation brought it up to block Petro's attack, one that should have killed him.
The blood red Cross filled his vision, Brother Petro, with all his training and lessons could not, would not strike a blow to the Holy Cross.
Somehow, through their visors, their eyes met and a bolt of understanding dawned between them.
"Get your sword." Petro straitened, waiting for his opponent.
Michael looked about for his sword, he found it still quivering embedded in one of the of the artillery trucks, the sword sung its sweet song, getting louder as the electric generator gave it more energy to feed on. His eyes widened in panic, the Knight threw himself towards Petro, "GET DOWN!!"
Brother Petro felt the man's body knock him to the ground just as the truck exploded.
The explosion brought an almost soundless void, the silent roar of fire and force pushing against his body; He felt smaller explosions as the missiles in the burning truck fired. Brother Petro became aware of someone shielding his form, protecting him from the fire. As the concussion of the first blast drove him into unconsciousness, he mentally laughed to himself, amused by the absurdity of this situation.
---
"Good morning…..or rather Good evening Brother Peter."
Petro groaned and turned his head to the familiar voice.
A man stood in the doorway entrance, He was tall and built, his form nearly filling the narrow doorway.
"Peter? Where am I?" Petro attempted to sit up but a wave of nausea stopped him.
"Remain still; you have taken a blow that would have just about killed any other man. As for your question and other questions you may have. I am Michael; we have met on the field of battle."
Oh yes, I remember him now, thought Petro, the self-styled Christian vampire. Strangely the sound of Micheal's voice brought a growing feeling of unease.
"You are in my village. Some of your men are in the infirmary. They are being taken care of their wounds treated by our best healers. You impress me Brother Peter. It appears that you are indeed one of god's chosen to survive, we did not expect you to wake so soon."
Michael came closer and sat down in a chair set beside the bed; Petro got a good look at his opponent and rescuer. He had chosen his name well, the arch angel Michael looked at him with a face that was both fair and noble. Micheal's hair was deep gold shade, he wore it in lose waves about his face and it glowed in the dim light of the candle. Petro blinked hard several times. This man, he was handsome, almost beautiful. He wasn't sure what color his eyes where, some pale shade, blue or green.
"Why did you call me Peter?" Petro closed his eyes waiting for another wave of nausea to pass.
"It is the name given to you by the village; everyone who finds this place is given another name, a new name, to suit their new lives in God's light."
The man snorted, as thought had had known that 'Petro' was derived from 'Peter' and vis-versa.
"A village of crazy vampires huh?" Petro opened his eyes to see that Michael had leaned in closer, a frown on his handsome face, his pale eyes swimming in indecision.
"I could have left you for dead Peter." He said quietly, "But I didn't, it would have gone against everything that I have been taught as a Christian."
"Stop saying that!" Petro yelled, wincing as the dizziness threatened to take him back into unconsciousness.
"Why? Does it offend you that a Methuselah would claim such?" Micheal's voice grew angry. "We are human, Peter. Maybe not like normal humans, but we do have the god given right to believe in what ever religion we chose."
"Vampires do not have any religion-."
"True," Michael surprised him by agreeing, cutting him off on what was to be sure a tirade of ignorance " The Empire does not recognize any religion or of an afterlife. That is why we left, to have the freedom to choose. Peter, you have no idea do you? That's not surprising; we keep our worship secret within the empire." Michael sat back, crossing his arms over his broad chest, a thoughtful expression on his face. "The Vatican doesn't know about us, so why should they be concerned? We are hunted down and arrested as traitors to the Empire for our beliefs."
"Stop lecturing me, why are you telling me this?"
"Because I pray….." Michael hesitated, and then continued in a low voice. "…I had hoped that I would find another from the Vatican who would understand our plight."
Brother Petro frowned. He was talking to the wrong man.
Michael seemed distressed; he got up and took a cup of tea from the bedside table. He lifted Petro's head up slightly. "Here drink this; it's an herbal remedy for your headache." When he was met with a hard stare the Methuselah sighed. "I saved your life Peter, you are indebted to me…I ask you to trust me."
The wounded Vatican knight scowled and drank the bitter tasting tea
Michael laid Petro's head back down carefully. "Now sleep, your body needs rest to heal properly. If you need anything I'll be nearby." He blew out the candle
Alone in the semi-darkness, Petro mused, he was still alive. There had been many battles in which he had survived; he had credited his survival to the will and favor of God. He wondered, remembering his fight with Michael what had made him hesitate? What it that he could not bring himself to strike down an enemy who carried the Holy Cross into battle? An enemy who had used a flimsy shield but had in his last moment of despair threw all his faith into it? Perhaps, perhaps he had already knew what Michael had said was the truth? That moment of complete understanding, that moment of clarity. He could not kill this man, everything in his soul cried out that he had found a Brother, a person whom he could fight alongside with, trusting them with his life as they trusted him.
Something nagged at him, that small part of his mind that told him that vampires could not be trusted. No it was that memory, the nightmare.
Oh God!
Now he remembered. Micheal was…Micheal was that vampire…..
It was his voice, that silky tone that purred into his ear so many years ago.
Young Petro whimpered as the vampire ran his tongue over the cuts on his back, bringing shock of pleasures. He writhed, "Please….stop it."
"Why? Are you not enjoying it? It is my gift to you young one. My special ability is bringing pleasure to whomever I desire." The vampire retches around and cupped the young man's hard arousal, stroking it slightly though his pants. Petro cried out, gasping and pulling frantically at the rope that bound his hands.
"See? Your body is begging for it. Why do you fight it?"
"….A Sin! It is a SIN!!"
A soft chuckle, "Is it? Does it not feel good? How can something that feels so good be a sin?"
Petro shook his head. "STOP IT!" He screamed again as the vampire licked at his wounds. His body singing with sinful carnal pleasure, he whimpered, pleading with him to please stop, he'll do anything, anything but this.
"You are so wonderful…your voice, your body, everything about you. I could do this all night to you." The golden haired Vampire breathed lustfully. "Your back is healed, not only my gift brings pleasure it heals small wounds also. I didn't like the look of those scars on your beautiful body."
Petro shuddered; he couldn't take much more of this.
"Hmmm….I'm all done in the back…now the front."
There was moment of blind panic as the vampire blindfolded him, the young soldier screamed out in fear. "DON'T!!" He began to weep behind the blindfold.
"Shhh…..don't cry…"
"Stop it." He gasped, his body quivering at the touch of the vampire's lips and tongue. He was genital here, slowly the vampire used his kiss to heal the painful cuts. The young man whimpered at the feeling of arousal grew, he was more sensitive here. He gave a shuddering cry as he felt wet warmth enclose around one of his nipples then a pleasurable suction. Petro was making sounds he never made before. "Ahhhnn Ahhh AHhhhh Oh God~"
The mouth moved off. "How did that feel? Good? Shall I continue?"
The young man didn't say anything, he panted hotly. "P-Please…."
"Please what?" The vampire resumed, sucking on the other nipple, nipping with his fangs making the young blue haired man writhe desperately against the ropes.
"Please, Please please…" Petro whimpered.
The rope snapped, Petro felt his arms drop to his side. The vampire caught the young soldier as he fell forwards on his knees, his legs weak.
"There, my darling….just relax…."
Petro tensed as he felt the vampire undo his pants and pull them down exposing his hard cock.
"Magnificent…"
"Ahhhh!! His body bucked as the vampire wrapped a hand around the sin. Stroking and caressing. He felt that spiraling climb as the hand pumped him, upwards into a mindless state where his raging body demanded release.
The vampire stopped short.
Petro let out a frustrated growl.
"Ohhh? You want more? You won't get any more until you admit that you want it."
'Oh God please….more." Petro trembled, all at once hating himself for submitting, hating this thing that was happening to him and most of all hating the vampire who was doing this to him. It made him feel dirty. But god, did it ever feel so good.
"More." He moaned, one hand reaching up to remove the blind fold. The vampire stopped him. "Ah, it stays on. Ok?"
The young man nodded, then tensed up again as he felt kisses on his bare chest.
One arm around Petro, supporting the youth, the other hand wrapped around his erection, stroking and teasing the quivering young man. The vampire began to bite down, his fangs leaving shallow puncture wounds then licking them making the helplessly aroused prey in his arms cry out.
"Ahhh! Oh God, oh god, oh god, oh god!" Petro started trusting his hips into that hand, his body's driving need to climax, for release, taking him over. "Ahh Please, I need…I need…" He babbled incoherently.
"This?" The vampire tightens his hand slightly around the youth's large cock, watching as the young Vatican soldier's mouth open in silent scream, his body bucking hard into his hold. He panted, watching Petro fuck his hand, his muscles staining, he was so delicious that he could not resist adding to the youth's pleasure. He dipped down and bit into his neck, piercing the sweet skin, his fangs connecting to the highly sensitive nerve endings.
Petro screamed in ecstasy, he head thrown back as he came, his cock spurting his essence again and again.
"Beautiful, Beautiful." the soft silky voice breathed in his ear. Petro's heart was beating so fast, and he was trembling all over. The vampire gently laid him down in the grass to catch his breath and recover.
"You are beautiful, Vatican…"
--
Brother Petro groaned and sat up, by the pale light in the window, it was some time in the morning. His headache was gone but his body ached terribly. He wondered if the tea he was given also put him to sleep. The head Inquisitor didn't remember falling asleep last night.
He looked up as Michael came in with a breakfast tray. "Glad you're finally awake, here's some soup that- " The Methuselah paused, caught by the hateful glare of Petro's expression, his warm smile faded and he looked down, avoiding that glare. " I take it that….you remember that…"
"It was you; it was you who Violated ME!!" Petro screamed from the bed.
Michael took a step back, his eyes wide. "Y-yes….I…I…" He hesitated and put the tray down on a table, his face downcast. "I am not expecting you to forgive me….it was a terrible thing to do to another person. I…I wasn't sure if was you…I watched you while you where wounded, when the minor cuts healed….I…I knew."
"Why? Why did you do it?" Petro's voice was just barley a whisper. All the years of hate kept inside threatening to burst out, threatening to destroy everything and everyone in the room.
"I was….not the same person as I am now. I am no longer that 'monster' that preyed on lost soldiers for fun." Michael turned to the window without really seeing it. "Someone…helped me crawl out from that darkness." His voice was a low whisper, Petro barley caught it.
Michael turned to the man in the bed, his handsome face full of sorrow and regret. "I hope that...I would earn your forgiveness Petro."
Brother Petro felt warmth behind his eyes as tears threatened; he closed them, his hand clenching the bed sheets tightly as he silently held his rage back for as long as he could.
" I will never forgive you! You have violated me in a way that could never be undone! Vampires have always been my enemy! And I have enjoyed killing every last one I could get my hands on! You ask for Forgiveness? HA! A monster asking for forgiveness? What a joke! I would sooner tore you apart then forgive you."
His host just stood there, taking it all in like a young soldier taking a lashing. Petro continued." You and your kind will be forever wiped from the earth; I have made it my personal mission to make sure of that."
"Is that so?" Michael was tensed, almost trembling, "You would kill the entire Methuselah race even the innocent ones? Our elders and children, the ones who never did anyone harm at all?" The man looked up, meeting Petro's eyes with blazing emotion. "What kind of man are you? You who march under the name of the Lord…..would commit such acts of….inhumane cruelty? "Micheal's voice rose in anger.
"If this is my punishment for all the sins that I have committed, then SO BE IT!" He yelled, driving his fist into the door frame. There was an audible crack. Michael returned The Inquisitor's glare. "….I will take it like a man that you are obviously not." He cradled his wounded hand and left.
Petro was shaking, emotions warring within him. He wanted to weep, scream and destroy something with his bare hands anything to release years of shame, guilt and anger. He knew that what he had said was wrong; the thought of Genocide was terrible. All the years of being told that vampires where nothing more then a plague upon the earth formed this heartless soldier, a man who was nothing more then a monster himself.
He lay back down and drew the covers over his head, panting 'Dear god, what have I become?'
Soon after the incident, Petro has learned that his scouting partner had never returned it was assumed that he had been killed by the vampires.
The young Vatican soldier that had returned was drastically changed. He never spoke of the incident, no longer then necessary to give the basic facts. Petro had thrown himself into his training more vigorously then before hating vampires more then ever. His passion with battle had drawn the Cardinal's favor. Petro was allowed to fight along side the more experienced soldiers.
The shame and guilt he born for submitting to his carnal pleasure fed his self loathing. He hid it well by boosting his enthusiasm for the church doctrine. In time it became an impenetrable shield. A shield that he feared was quickly cracking.
"Brother Peter?"
Petro pulled the cover from his face, an elderly man in black entered. He put up a reassuring hand. "Peace Peter, I am not Methuselah, I am what they call a 'Terran' a normal human being. Since Michael refuses to tell me what upset him, I must assume that it was you."
The elder was dressed in black form fitting robes, very similar to the priest of old,
The Vatican knight sat up. "Why are you here? You side with these vampires who believe that they could be saved?"
The man put a hand on the back of the chair. "I see why now he had become upset," he shook his gray head. "Does such ignorance reflect the Vatican's beliefs?"
Petro found himself speechless, the Vatican's beliefs? Where they where judging the Vatican by his example? He looked down shame growing within him.
The elderly man brought the tray to him. "I suggest you eat something you will need to get your strength back, the village is planning the burial of the fallen soldiers at sundown. We will be burying your men as well as ours and I'd like for you to attend."
Brother Petro looked up in surprise "My men?"
The silvered haired man frowned. "Didn't Michael tell you? 5 of our men and 3 of yours lost their lives in that battle. A pity really…."
"They gave their lives to a Cause they believed in." Petro said firmly.
"They could have survived." The elder frowned. "Eat, when you are finished the village leader wishes to speak to you. "
Petro looked at the tray, a bowl of warm hearty soup, a few slices of bread with a pat of yellow butter. He looked at the older man. "What do they wish to know?"
He shrugged. "I do not know." He turned to leave. "My name is Abraham. Call me when you are ready."
--
The effort to stand was difficult, but he could manage to walk to the doorway.
The house he was in was small, and apparently he had been resting in its only bedroom. The rest of the house was split between a study and a living room. A small bookcase stood along side a makeshift desk, a couch under a window with several chairs for guests. A kettle of hot water steamed on a small coal stove. Nearby, a suit of armor stood impressively over seeing everything.
Brother Petro stared at it, wasn't this the armor that Michael wore?
"Brother Peter, Are you well enough to stand?" the Elder Abraham came to offer his support. The Vatican Knight was leaning hard against the door frame.
"Abraham, that armor…"
"This is Micheal's house." Abraham said simply, and helped the still weak Inquisitor to one of the chairs.
The Village leader soon came in with Michael silently following behind him.
David, as the Methuselah introduced himself was a being older then Abraham but appeared younger, with deep brown eyes and a dark completion.
"Michael tells me that you are a follower of the Lord?"
Petro glanced at his host, Michael avoid eye contact, looking impassive.
"That is correct."
"He also tells me that you are here to eliminate the enemies of the church should you find them?"
"That is correct." He scowled, he didn't like this being interrogated like this.
David frowned. "That is too bad, I am afraid that we are going to have to keep you here for awhile."
"What? You are going to hold soldiers of the Vatican hostage?"
"Not hold hostage, Brother Peter. As you have already heard there where some casualties as the result of your run in with Michael." David glanced at the impassive knight beside him. "There are still some men who are in serious condition; we will mend them to the best of our ability. We can offer you that much as an apology."
Brother Petro tensed "What have you done with the rest of my squad?"
"We have caught a few, they are being held in an area outside the village. A few of your men had escaped; I have search parties out for them since they would not survive long with out food or water. "
"What I really wish to know is how did you find us? We kept our heads down for years; nobody has come searching for us before you came. Where did you get your information?"
Petro frowned. "I am not at liberty to say…" The truth was, he did not know the information was recently discovered and was kept confidential; it was not likely that anybody other the select few knew about this village. The Chief inquisitor also realized that it would be along time coming for any rescue attempt.
David frowned and rubbed his chin. "You will not help us? This information must be contained no matter what, our survival depends on it. Michael? Have your squads found those lost men yet?"
"Yes Sir. We have 24 of 27 accounted for, the last group had resisted, they…they have some injuries."
The leader nodded. "Luke will see to them. Brother Peter, until we have figured out who leaked the information you are to stay here under guard. Michael is our general; you should thank him for not sending you to holding cells injured as you are."
Petro just scowled.
David stood up. "Abraham, be sure that the Vatican soldiers are well treated, we do not want them to think the worst of us."
The Elderly man nodded "It will be done David."
David departed; Michael went with him, presumably to over see the search parties.
Abraham helped Petro back to the bedroom. "I will prepare a bath Brother Peter. Our soldiers like to soak in an herbal concoction to ease the pain of muscle aches and it would be good for you….Peter?"
Brother Petro was looking out the window, outside was cold gray sky. "The clouds seemed to be quite close. Is it always overcast?"
"Not always, what you see is a protective UV dome; the clouds you see are part of a hologram that shields our Methuselah brothers and sisters. The Dome is always turned off at sundown to conserve energy. It's a primitive version of what the City of the Empire has, but it works well enough for our uses."
Abraham huffed; the effort to help Petro back to the bed had wearied him. "Rest a bit; I will get your bath ready." He left leaving him to his thoughts.
The village leader David was saying that most of his men would be spared. But they would also be held here for how long? He thought back, the information about this village was not correct, the report had said a small band of rouge vampires and nothing of a human village this far north. His brow furrowed, there was much more to this then just missing information.
Some time later, the sound of his elderly nurse came from outside the room, huffing and puffing as Abraham carried something heavy inside. "No help at all, who do they think I am? I am getting too old for this kind of work."
Petro had to smile, despite being a lapdog of the Methuselah, this man had taken on a difficult charge, his patience and soft yet firm words somehow soothed his indignation.
In many ways, Abraham reminded him of his grandfather who was also a Soldier of the Inquisition.
Brother Petro began to undress, pulling off his shirt and pants to prepare for the bath. He felt filthy and he must admit a hot bath sounded good to him.
The sound of water being poured into a large wooden tub greeted him at the door.
"How many times must I tell you? David would have a fit if he knew that you where carrying heavy loads."
Michael poured another bucket of hot water into the tub set to one side of the living room. Abraham was seated on a chair catching his breath. "If you weren't such a stubborn ass then I wouldn't be carrying water in. This is not my responsibility-"He paused seeing Petro at the door.
"At your age you could have a heart attack and then I'd be in a lot of trouble…" Seeing that the elder wasn't looking at him the handsome Knight turned to follow his gaze.
Brother Petro crossed an arm in front of himself in an unconscious gesture to cover himself.
Michael flushed hotly; the Vatican knight was in nothing but his boxers, one hand holding the door frame for support.
He couldn't look away, his physique had changed. Taller then he remembered and much more….impressive. Michael felt his face grow hot, this was no longer a boy but a powerfully built man, a very attractive impressive man.
"Michael?"
Shaken from his daze, Michael picked up the buckets, "I ..I will get more water." Avoiding looking in Petro's direction he left quickly.
Abraham puzzled over Micheal's behavior. The Knight never hurried away like that.
Brother Petro also seemed contrite, he looked down. "I did not realize that…."He began stuttering.
"Nonsense! He was just helping an old man. Come, the water is ready; it might be a little hot but one more bucket of warm water should cool it down enough."
Abraham turned away, aware that the Inquisitor would want some privacy. He spoke conversationally to ease the tension. "The herbs we use are Chamomile, Lavender and a bit of Arnica. But I see that you are well on your way to healing, your wounds seem to heal quickly!"
"Yes, it's always been like that." Petro had pulled off his boxers and eased himself into the hot water, he flinched at first, gritting his teeth as he slowly lowered himself into the tub.
He always had an amazing recuperative ability, small minor wounds healed quickly and any broken skin healed without scaring. Petro also didn't' feel pain as others did, yes he hurt at first, but the pain would dull after the first initial shock. It made him impervious.
The results of being blown up however often put him into a hospital bed for several days luckily, it didn't happen too many times.
"Here's the last of the water…" Michael came in and poured the last bucket of warm water into the tub, kneeling as he poured, avoiding looking at any part of the Inquisitor. Petro drew his knees up to shield his nakedness but noticed that Michael did not even glance his way at all. He observed his former opponent, in better light he could see that Michael kept himself physically fit, the habits of a soldier. His hands looked slightly callused from years form long hard work. Strength showed in his hands and posture that matched with his noble appearance, it was fitting that this man would be his equal.
Michael's face was still red as he finished and left, leaving Petro cursing under his breath.
After the embarrassing scene, the warm bath slowly relaxed the Vatican knight. Brother Petro could smell the soothing lavender in the water; he relaxed as the effects of the herbs eased the pain from his body.
"This is Michael's house? "He asked after awhile.
"Yes...Michael insisted that he would take care of you, thought now he seemed to be going back on his word….how strange, he's never done that before." Abraham flipped a page of the book he was looking thought. The old man had his back to his charge giving him privacy.
Petro turned around the bath resting his arm on the edge. "How long have you known him?"
"For more then 7 years, I was there to help guide him when he finally saw the light." The old man put the book back and picked out another from the bookshelf. "Ah here it is, the story of …He took to the stories and legend of the Knights of old, so much so that he molded himself after them." Abraham pointed to the suit of armor, pride in his voice. "He crafted that with his own two hands."
Petro looked at the armor; it was indeed fashioned after ancient images and worked just as well.
"It was very cleaver of him to wear that thing, we let our guard down." He admitted. The bath was making him feel so much relaxed almost sleepy and he was comfortable in the Elder's undemanding presence.
"So I have heard."
Brother Petro stayed in the tub until the water began to cool, then grabbing the towels nearby he got out and dried off, already feeling the effects of the painkilling herbs, he could move without pain and weakness.
Abraham left to retrieve some more soup and supper saying that he would back for him when it was time for the funereal.
"Since the traveling priest has not visited us for while, I will be conducting the service today."
Traveling Priest?
Several hours pasted, Petro had dressed in borrowed clothing, his aches where less and the hot soup and bread revived him, he sat on Michael's bed and thought.
A traveling Priest, if the priest was a member of the Vatican clergy then that priest could be arrested for heresy for this. He thought back, was there such a man who would travel this out of the way place?
Abraham had retrieved his boots. He guided the inquisitor out towards what appeared to be a small church set to the side of a hill.
Brother Petro looked around; the village was some distance below Michael's house. It was an idyllic little village, houses were small and neat. Some with thatched roofs, others with baked tile. It was quiet most of the village where at the church.
Abraham and Petro came up to the church just as the procession of villagers and warriors made there way towards the back of the hills. David and Michael lead them, when they came near; Abraham took his place beside them. Petro watched as an honor-guard carried the dead on stretchers.
The dead warriors where all wrapped in white bindings, each one with a carved cross on his chest. Brother Petro couldn't tell which where his men and which where Methuselah. As the villagers filed past, Petro observed them, they where of varying ages, men and women, human and Methuselah. The women and children held wildflowers, some where silently weeping as they passed him.
Feeling like an outsider as they ignored him he followed a respectful distance behind.
8 graves had been dug, the bodies where being lowered into the ground as the Dome slowly faded as that of the sun's disk disappeared behind the horizon.
Countless stars blazed across a clear deep azure sky.
Abraham held a bible, reciting the scripture. Petro came as close as he dared, watching as the villagers filed past each grave dropping a flower into each one
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now I'm found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
Michael's voice lead the hymn as Abraham fell silent. The methuselah soldiers also sang with their leader, morning their comrades and lost lives.
The beautiful hymn moved Brother Petro, they grieved just as humans did and they buried their dead with holy words and prayers.
As the sun sunk farther, the villagers went back to their homes, as they passed Petro yet again they glanced up at him with eyes filled with sorrow. Petro thought that they would hate him, but no, in his village, they were willing to forgive him. The inquisitor felt an odd sensation in his chest.
This village no doubt held the spirit of the lord dearly.
When all but Michael had left, Abraham gently led the Vatican Knight back to the house.
The elder spoke:"I am well aware that some followers can become fanatical to a point where they become blinded to all else, it becomes a weakness rather then a strength."
"Peter, I beg you to open your eyes and see….Michael had lost some of his men, he morns for them as he does the men who where under your command. His soldiers wanted to eliminate you and your men in the narrow gully, but Michael would not have it, he believes in fairness and considers all life sacred. "
Petro nodded, he was beginning to understand now. 'I no longer wish to stay in Michael's house, I have been sleeping in his bed and I-"
"Oh you don't need to worry over it. Not tonight at least. "Abraham put a pot of water on the stove. " Michael will be keeping vigil at the graves till sunrise. It's his custom you see." The elder chuckled. "Besides, you are a guest. Do you want some more tea? Eh, Peter?"
Petro said nothing, walking to the bedroom where he threw himself on the bed, Michael's bed, and tears silently came as he could hear the Knight's clear voice on the wind:
"I once was lost but now I'm found,
Was blind, but now, I see."
To be continued
A/N: Another chapter done, this one longer then the last one, and will be probably set the length for each chapter from now on. This story is taking on a live of its own and I just need to type it all down.
If I am taking the character of Petro too far out please comment and let me know, I am trying not to make him a two dimensional character. I know that there's more to him then what's shown in the Anime and manga and I have not read any part of the novels.
Please comment and review, I am encouraged to write more whenever I read a review.