The Vileness of Man: Mission Three — Heresy
"58…59…60!" I yelled as I uncovered my eyes. Taking a quick once-over of the area, I saw that Emily had disappeared rather well and I began my rampant search for her. While I was counting out the minute it took for my empress to seemingly vanish, I had promised myself I wouldn't simply use my Dark Vision and see past her concealment. I knew she would find out if I had cheated and my disloyalty to this "sacred" game would surely upset her. However, as I continued to unsuccessfully search corners, silently praying for my charge to reappear, my self-proclaimed promise began to look more bendable.
Beneath a tree? No. Crouching behind a planter? Negative. On the other side of this ledge? Uh-uh. Years of playing this hiding game had made Emily a master and as time dragged on I began to panic. I hated not knowing for sure where my Lady was for any extended period of time. It was my duty to protect her, which I couldn't do if there was no "her" to protect. After reaching one end of the courtyard, I opted to double back to the gazebo and hope that I spotted a wisp of her chestnut hair in the strong breeze.
As I began to climb up the courtyard steps back towards the pavilion, a flash of red appeared over my shoulder and I quickly turned to see who it was. At first I thought I might have caught sight of Emily's headband, but I was wrong for before me stood High Overseer Parrish, in all of his piousness. Parrish was not a particularly pleasant sight to behold, with his ever receding hairline that extended to the back of his crown, leaving only sprouts of salt and pepper colored follicles to cover the otherwise large bald spot gleaming in the midday sun. His distinctive crow's feet pulled his black eyes downward and laugh lines delineated his cocky expression.
"Lord Protector," his words rolled off his tongue in false praise and I fought not to outwardly show my dislike for the sycophantic parasite. I had had a bad track record with High Overseers in the past and this one would prove to be no different, I was sure of it. He was dressed in his ceremonial Abbey clothing, a crimson velvet coat with thick black buckles and a standard clerical collar constricting tightly around his neck.
"High Overseer," I responded formally, nodding my head in a sign of respect, though my lips curled themselves in an unnatural and forced smile, "What brings you so far from Holger Square? Business with my Empress?" I was careful to denote possession over Emily's title, as if to say I belonged to her and display my protectiveness over any threats that came to bode ill will towards my charge.
He coughed loudly and adjusted the sword hanging loosely from his thick belt, "Actually, I was hoping to talk to you before I saw her Highness. Do you have a minute?" he said, rhythmically tapping the hilt of his blade.
"For you, of course," the back and forth pleasantries had dried my throat, making my next words scratchy as I forced myself to maintain an air of formality, "How can I be of assistance?"
We began to walk together up the courtyard steps and while I hadn't forgotten that Emily was still missing from my sight, the importance of genuinely finding her and simply knowing her location had changed, so I quietly activated my Dark Vision and fell back a few steps from Parrish. Black gloves covered my hands to hide my glowing mark and my irises morphed into a golden color, expanding my vision beyond that of any "normal" being. I heard the cryptic words echo in my head as my eyesight filtered everything yellow and I quickly scanned the area. Finally, after endless searching, I found Emily, crouching behind a bush with a royal banner hanging over it to further obscure her view. Satisfied with knowing her position, I returned my eyesight to normal and followed Parrish to the front steps of the palace.
He stopped before the door and turned to me, his smug grin slowly fading as silence drew on between us. After his clearing his throat again, he spoke in the most overly polite tone possible for the dreadful words that past his lips, "I was approached with a very disturbing allegation against you, Lord Attano. I'm sure it's all poppy-cock, but the nature of the charge forbids me from simply disregarding it, despite your upstanding reputation and status. I hope you understand my position."
Allegation? I felt my heart jump slightly as the adrenaline began to course through my veins. I didn't like being threatened, even if it was inadvertently, but I wasn't about to jump down the High Overseer's throat without first hearing him out, "Of course. May I know what I'm being charged with?"
"Well," Parrish droned, "The person who approached me claimed they saw you performing black magic in the name of the Outsider. That would be considered heresy, as you know."
"Heresy? That's nonsense," I knew voice had quaked, for his response was not nearly as polite as his previous remarks.
"I know, I know. But I could not just ignore their cry. Fear not though, for there's one simple test which will instantly clear your name, and then I can go punish the accuser for their slander. You see, they said they saw a black tattoo on your left hand which would be undeniable proof of your blasphemy. So if you could remove your glove…"
I saw Parrish looming over my hand and I could feel my heart pounding through my wrist. From behind my dark leather gloves my mark was burning, begging for me to flee and find the empress, but that would only make things worse I feared, so I persisted, "I'm not going to stand to be disrobed on the word of some degenerate. I demand you bring proof of my crime or tell me who is accusing me before I do anything." I said angrily, hoping my fury would detain the holy man's curiosity.
But it did not, "I understand your anger, my Lord, I do. However, you are holding the decisive evidence." There was nothing I could do. I could either show him my mark and seal my fate there or refuse, and let my inaction infer my guilt. Either way, I had been made. And so hesitantly, I removed my gloves and tightened my fists, seeing the Cheshire cat widened his toothy smile.
"Tsk, tsk. These are very grave charges, Corvo. I could arrest you here and now, drag you away from your Empress, lock you up, and leave you to rot until your execution day. How do you think the public would react to hearing that the demon's spawn had been whispering in their savior's ear?"
"Stop it," I whispered sharply. My knuckles were turning white from the tension, and the only thing going through my mind was who could have seen me use my powers. Every since Emily discovered them I always wore gloves, and that had been years ago. However, Parrish did not cease with my warning and continued to gloat over his discovery.
"Do you think they'd riot, Corvo? Tear down these castle walls and drag out my Lady out of spite? I would hate to see how little Emily would fair without Daddy-dearest to hold her hand. Of course, I have heard one rumor about your love extending beyond just paternal affection. I wonder how incest would sound if I added that to the charge as well…"
"Enough!" I couldn't stand his insolent mouth anymore and my rage overtook me. I pinned the High Overseer to the door with my arm, and grasped onto the hilt of his sword just in case he wished to do anything bold. Oh I wished how he would have, "Threaten me all you want, but leave her out of this!"
Despite his situation, Parrish continued to smile, adjusting his neck to allow for more air, "Oh you misunderstand me. I'm not threatening my Lady, just merely speculating. I'm only threatening you, Corvo."
"What do you want?" I could have, I should have killed him right there. Slicing his throat with his own blade, forcing his body to crumble into ashes, it would have alleviated my fury and instantly solved my problem. But I didn't—an action I still regret.
"Isn't it obvious? I want justice. I'm a man of code. I would love nothing more than to root out all of the blasphemers from this world and purify them in fire. However, I'm not a cruel man. I understand your position and therefore I offer you a path of discretion. I want you gone, you and your devil god. Leave Dunwall by tonight and never return, or I'll broadcast your crimes tomorrow to the entire empire. So, what will it be, Corvo?"
Corvo's eyes snapped open as he awoke from his slumber, sweat rolling down his brow. As he wiped off the perspiration drenching his face, a small squeaking sound turned his attention downward. The little white rat that had hid in the cupboard before now stood atop his chest, squeaking happily and cleaning his face as he stared up at the disorganized man with its large black eyes. In shock, Corvo jerked upright, and the mouse scurried away to hide itself again. He groaned and slouched over the edge of his bed, yawning loudly to try to awake himself further.
As he pushed himself into a standing position, the harsh swaying of the small ship caused a sense of vertigo to overcome his stance, forcing him to grasp onto his desk chair for stability. He looked over at his barely written book and a small sigh past his lips as he pushed his metal neck piece off of the chair and sat into it, opening the crisp parchment. The distant cries of sailors attending to the vessel and the loud churning of the ocean's waves filled Corvo's otherwise silent thoughts as he stared down at his half-written chapter. Carefully, he picked up the fountain pen and pressed it onto the parchment, watching as the ink began to pool and splotch onto the paper. He began to write.
"Heresy is an interesting word. It originally meant 'choice' and was used to describe how a young man, after examining many different philosophies and cultures, decided how to live their life. However, as language and its speakers grew, the word was warped and twisted, and what was originally meant to promote tolerance and diversity, soon meant illicit beliefs punishable by law. How can a man's thoughts subject to scrutiny under the pretext of order and freedom? Should a man not be able to live as he pleases, so long as he does not disrupt the city's peace? But such is not the way in these times and a man must watch how he conducts himself, or else he too may be subject to the trials of a blasphemer.
I am no martyr though. I did not choose to be counted amongst the Outsider's favorite, nor did I wish to be bestowed upon with his gift. But I cannot say things would have turned out the way they did without them. Because of my abilities, I am more of a man than ever before, though many would say I am a monster. Fear and hesitation are erased from my mind. I am the very essence of a protector, safeguarding my empress from foes both seen and not. And yet, with all my power, I cannot combat their words. Send a militia, nay, an army to my Lady's doorstep, and I will discharge them all from her presence, but let them not speak ill towards her, lest their words travel with the wind and smite her from beyond my grasp."
Huzzah! Another chapter. Honestly, I did not think it would be up so soon, but then again what I can I say, I'm awesome XD. I'm so thrilled so many people are interested in my story; that genuinely makes me happy. I was so very worried it wouldn't get much attention, but as long as people like it, it will continue. Some real Corvo x Emily will probably come into play relatively soon, but I had to establish the reason for Corvo's presence on the ship first.
Oh, that reminds me. I had a question for my reviewers. I'm thinking of bumping up the rating to M, for the time when I start to describe their relationship. I've only written M stories, and I'm not actually sure what I can get away with under the rating of T. So, my question is: how far can a T rating go? Can I still describe nudity and mild sexual actions, or is that considered M? And if so, would you mind if I bumped up the rating?