"That"
I was very, very much looking forward to changing out of my cleric's disguise and back into my Hell Knight attire. I made a vow to burn my cleric's robes and never don on that disguise ever again. As a matter of fact I came to the decision that I would burn all my disguises and just spend the remainder of my term as Hell Knight doing paperwork. My vice-captain could handle the field work from now on.
My hands were still shaking. I hadn't expected the guard to actually be stupid enough take a last swing at me. If I hadn't reacted in time my cover would have been completely blown. Honestly that was scarier than dying. What had saved me was that I could clearly sense his killing intent. Since one of the hazards of my profession was backstabbing the amateur didn't have a chance.
But it still had been a long day. The first thing I had to do in order to get back to my own quarters was lose the Leaf Knight who was escorting me. I would have been able to ditch him earlier if he hadn't insisted on making a long apology. I did my part of pretending to be a timid cleric who never wanted anything to do with swords again. I made sure to emphasis how scary dueling in front of a noble audience had been. What was a poor country-bred girl to do?
Well, actually I felt pretty pleased with myself. I had gotten to show off in front of a bunch of people. As the Hell Knight showing off isn't in the job description so I had a lot of fun. I even over acted a bit on purpose so Knight-captain Sun wouldn't know it was me. At least I hope he didn't notice. After all, practicing swordsmanship with Judgment was an even bigger direct violation of the "bed rest" order than consorting with necromancers. I had to tell Judgment that I was left handed so my shoulder could at least get something of a break.
Finally I rounded on Leaf and made him promise as an apology that he would take me out on a date sometime to a very quaint (expensive) café in town as a formal apology. Leaf was no baker's son, but he was handsome (Holy Knight, duh) enough that'd I enjoy a quick chat over lunch. I just had to make sure the conversation was awkward enough that there was no chance of a second date. It was such a waste, but that was my lot in life. If things between the two countries started heating up then it was very likely I would be sent off for intelligence missions that took years.
Actually, on that note, maybe I probably should ask for a second date.
"K-Knight-Captain Judgment!" Leaf exclaimed at the sudden appearance of the very ominous looking fellow.
Damn, there goes my second date. I stared up at him all bright-eyed and confused.
"I'll escort the lady from here," Judgment said darkly.
Leaf and I nodded mutely. Leaf shot me a worried glance before making a hasty exit. Once he was out of eye and ear shot Knight-Captain Judgment handed me a long black cloak. I instantly dropped my "harmless maiden" act and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"You're not escorting me to the Sanctuary of Light?" I asked innocently.
"I would if you lived there," Judgment replied smoothly.
Well, I knew he'd figure it out eventually. I just wasn't sure when he'd let me know he had figured it out. Both his work and mine relied heavily on trade secrets. Judgment's duty was to protect the church from the front. Mine was to eliminate threats that came from the back, the side, and even from within at times. The end goal, however, was the same.
Once my face was concealed my voice naturally assumed "Hell Knight's" tone:
"My true appearance doesn't shock you, Knight-Captain?"
"No," Judgment remained as calm as ever. "It actually solves quite a few small mysteries."
That's what I hated about the guy. If you give him a single crumb of information he'd be able to tell you what kind of "bread" the crumb came from, where it was baked, and when the loaf was made. Drawing broad conclusions from bits of information wasn't something I could do effectively which made me rather envious of him. It was something of a professional rivalry. But on the other hand I, who was supposed to be under his command, actually served the Sun Knight directly. Logically speaking there should be a bit of resentment between us in the same way that he resents the Sun Knight and the Sun Knight is at odds with the Pope. Best "enemies" all around.
"Theo didn't suspect anything?" Judgment asked in an amused tone.
"Thankfully he's not as sharp as you are." I replied dryly.
"Your wound?" He pointed to the stain on my sleeve.
"Fake. Just a bit of theatrical makeup." I confessed. "Mixing the right color is the hard part. Real blood changes color when it dries."
"I'd like to hear more about that." His tone didn't have quite the usual bite when he said, "The kitchens are closed for today so I was able to whip up a little something."
"Oooh, dinner and an interrogation. How tempting," I countered in a flirtatious voice. "But I already promised to get lunch with Leaf. He's such a nice guy that I can't possibly two-time him now."
"I'll break the news to him," Judgment promised and added with dry humor, "Since he's 'such a nice guy' I'm sure he'll understand how madly in love we're going to be."
"I better slip into something more comfortable then." I added suggestively and scooted closer to a window.
"If you take too long it'll be an early breakfast instead of a late dinner." Judgment warned. "I'll be-"
"I'll find you." I told him and prepared to pull my famous disappearing act. But before I left I got to the meat of the matter. "What did you want to talk about?"
"That." Judgment said bluntly.
"Of course."
Of the many wonders I had seen as I traveled the world there have been none as bizarre as watching Knight-Captain Judgment serve fish fillets complemented with a glass of white wine. I didn't touch the wine as a matter of professional practice, though. This was technically a "business meeting" so by "comfortable attire" I had meant my Hell Knight armor and sword. If our philosophical debate got out of hand I wanted to at least be able to defend myself until I could use Knight-Captain Sun as a shield. I wasn't kidding about the "professional rivalry", but at least the two of us were decent, rational people.
"I'll admit I was surprised that you were the one Leaf brought for sword's training." Judgment began his opening statement. "You're the last person who need's sword instructions from me. If it wasn't for your injury…" He trailed off.
Knight-Captain Judgment wasn't referring to the bullet wound I had received. The wound he was talking about ran much deeper and was much older. An undead creature had given it to me during that incident. Because it hadn't healed properly my strength and prowess had been compromised. It didn't affect my work, but without bragging I could safely say that before the incident between the two of us the better swordsman had been me.
"What was I doing in the cleric's quarters?" I asked his next question for him and shrugged in reply. "You should know my work, Knight-Captain Judgment."
"I was under the impression you had been ordered bed rest."
"Indeed," I acknowledged. "But I'm a spy. 'Go to work' means go snoop and 'bed rest' means go snoop. Intelligence work doesn't give sick days anymore than madam justice, sir."
"Well, being able to spare with you was a still a pleasure," he admitted. "It had been nearly twelve years."
"Really? I didn't realize." I admitted.
"You were taller than me at the time," he mused.
"I don't think that gave me much of an advantage." I pointed out.
"I was angry because you went easy on me."
"I don't think I have to point out that my job description loosely translates as spy and assassin if the church calls for it." I admonished him gently. "I assure you I was quite inexperienced at the time and didn't want my incomplete training to take over and kill you."
"That's a fairly roundabout way of bragging," Judgment growled displeased.
"You should see me try to give a complement." I allowed myself a wry smirk. "During training I used to make Metal cry all the time."
Then the subject of "that" came up. Judgment wanted me to give an account of the events that occurred that night. It didn't matter how many years had passed. It didn't matter that I had no desire to relive those events. It also didn't matter that Sun himself had decided the matter was closed. The investigation would continue secretly until he was satisfied so I obliged only because it was Judgment.
"What I don't understand is why you're asking all this now," I told him. "All because I'm a woman?"
"Yes," Judgment answered bluntly. "And because I can see your face now."
Well, I can't exactly enjoy succulent fish with a mask on.
"Yes, but I would hate to bore you with details that you already know." I stalled for time to think. "And information in my business doesn't come cheap." I lowered my fork and looked at him expectantly.
Actually, if I wanted to avoid the subject all together all I had to do was notify Sun, but by pretending to cooperate I was hoping Judgment would get the hint that there really wasn't anything to investigate. It was a terrible misfortune that I couldn't use the "it's part of my work therefore I can't tell you" excuse. He's see through that blatant lie in a heartbeat.
"What do you want from me?" Judgment asked guardedly.
I named my price and I had the great pleasure of seeing his jaw drop.
"It's my business," I reminded him. "Check the church finances one of these days. I believe the code for bribes is still 'special fertilizer'."
"I was hoping for a friendly discount." Judgment admitted.
"Friends call each by their first names." I told him.
"Gloria…"
"Carlisle," I shot back most disrespectfully. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way I'll have some tea if you've got it."
I sneezed myself awake wondering who would dare speak ill of their Sun Knight. It was just as well. I wasn't dreaming of anything pleasant. The duel must have reminded me of that incident. Watching someone fighting someone they had no business to must have yanked what was left of my heart strings. At least the cleric had fought a man. Knight-Captain Hell had almost died at the hands of a monster.
Fortunately Knight-Captain Hell hadn't confiscated all of my wine. I had a few select vintages hidden in case of an emergency or, as in this case, celebration. The negotiations had gone swimmingly. The royal family and the church would be joint owners of the transport system. The company would own the machines and provide the drivers, but the land and the tracks belonged to us. In a few decades we would own the system completely. By then we'd have the proper treaties in place with our neighbors who would follow our example and demand similar negotiations. I chalked it down as another international crisis averted.
There was no need for me to feel guilty about an incident that was in the past. It served as an example and a reminder of what my duties were as a Sun Knight, but it was no longer a burden. I carried that badge with honor not guilt, but I still kept strong spirits on hand in case I need to remind my conscience of that fact. It was a single unfortunate incident that wouldn't repeat itself.
However, as soon as I rationalized that point the image of Hell's bleeding shoulder came to mind and I cringed.
These were peaceful times and I would do everything in my power to make sure it stayed that way. The capital was a city with the image of romance. The streets were clean, the food was elegant, and the shops wove together like a beautiful tapestry. Ladies walked arm and arm down the streets in colorful dresses while the young men gawked. Hell could tell the prosperity of a city by its food, but I would dare say that it's the prosperity of the women that show a city's true colors.
Count the number of beautiful and rich women and you'll know how well your economy is doing. Naturally I took it upon myself to study this subject in depth and I was careful in my choosing. I not only had the reputation of the Sun Knight to consider, but the image of the church had to be protected. In retrospect I may have been too harsh on Hell at the time.
What do you expect me to do? Hell demanded. I could tell she was trying to keep her anger in check after I had knocked all her precious files on the floor.
I expected you to trust me! Not spy on me! I, however, was angry enough for the both of us.
Yes, Hell agreed. As Sun Knight and my superior you are entitled to privacy and have my absolute trust.
She waved a hand at the files at our feet. They, however, are not the Sun Knight and are awarded no such courtesy in the eyes of the church.
You are not The Church! I roared. You don't take your orders from the Pope. You don't answer to Judgment. You answer to me, Knight-Captain Hell!
Judgment gave me a funny look and I giggled in response.
"That was the most serious tongue lashing Knight-Captain Sun ever gave me," I told him as I told him the story of our dispute.
"And that's why you never call him by name," Judgment mulled over the details. "That must have infuriated him even more."
"Ah, that's just a habit." I shrugged without concern. "It'd be weird to start calling him 'Theo' after all this time."
"What happened next?"
I told Judgment that after our "little argument" I tried to make amends by taking over Sun's patrol duties the next day. It would give us both a chance to cool our tempers and clear our heads. The Sun Knight platoon didn't mind at all since they would be given the day off. Sun agreed to my proposal.
"My platoon also raised no objections since I would be patrolling with them." I explained. "They're used to me giving random orders for 'church business'."
"No one else knew about the switch." Judgment concluded. "There was no way they could know-"
"Which was why we were caught off guard by the creature," I shivered at the thought. "The sun had set in the middle of our rounds when it appeared."
"So it was summoned on purpose," Judgment folded his hands thoughtfully. "No wonder Theo reacted badly."
"I'm surprised that you know that I know." I raised an eyebrow. The church's on-call necromancy was a pretty big secret. Obviously Judgment would know, but any secrets I knew I had to find out for myself.
"You said yourself you were investigating the women Theo was seeing." Judgment pointed out. "I'm sure there were several odd things that came up."
"A few," I admitted. "But nothing that posed a threat to the Sun Knight's reputation."
"I still don't understand what possessed you to take on the creature single-handedly." Judgment was looking at me with quiet suspicion.
"I didn't," I replied earnestly. "My vice-captain and six of my men were assisting me. I'll admit I underestimated the creature, but I followed standard tactical procedures to the letter. Our aim was to protect the citizens while a messenger was sent to the church."
Judgment knew the story after that. A member of my platoon, bloody and bruised, alerted the temple of the matter. Both the Leaf Knight platoon and the Blaze Knight platoon responded immediately. The Sun Knight platoon mobilized shortly thereafter. Knight-Captain Sun was the last to arrive. That wasn't unusual since it was his great pleasure to deliver a finishing blow to all undead creatures that manifested within the city. Unfortunately during that incident he arrived just in time to see the undead creature deliver a finishing blow on his Hell Knight.
Judgment asked his final question, "What did you say to him?"
"My 'last words'? There's no record of any Holy Knight dying during his term of service." I reminded Judgment. Naturally my predecessors probably had something to do with the lack of records, but as my teacher always said, "As long as the Twelve Holy Knights work together they will always prevail."
He gave me a severe look and I back peddled a bit. Looking very ashamed I confessed, "But just in case I asked him not to give the next Hell Knight as much trouble as he gave me."
If I had died it would have been Sun's duty to cover up the matter and appoint a replacement. I knew for a fact that had happened before for "various reasons".
"Ah, that would make sense." Judgment agreed and apologized for the unnecessary interrogation. "Theo was right in declaring the matter closed. I didn't mean to put you on the spot."
"Not at all," I amended. "It was a foolish mistake on my part and I paid for my arrogance." This was partly true. Everything was just as I had told Judgment except for one critical detail. No one, especially Sun, was ever allowed to know, but the one who had requested the creature wasn't Sun.
It was me.