Chronicles of a Mage, Book One

Chapter 13- The Church

 We ran along the streets, ducked into back alleys and went up flights of stairs.
"You know this place well." I stated
"I grew up here. I know every street and shortcut like the back of my hand." The girl replied
"So what's your name?" I asked
"Hey don't you know it's rude to ask someone's name without introducing yourself first?"
"Right. I'm Sorace." 
"And I'm Liselle, a cleric in the church of Yishna. Speaking of, we're almost there"
We passed by all sorts of shrines, chapels and statues. Though all of them would pale in comparison when we stopped in front of a massive cathedral. Standing outside, It had an equally impressive statue of a lady wearing armour with a sword that had fire coming off of it. So this is the Grand Cathedral. "Here we are can find a healer once we're inside"
Inside was what you would expect of a place called 'The Grand Cathedral'. There were rows of pews, pillars lined the walls and light filtered through stained glass. There were hundreds of people scattered among the place, praying and doing whatever it is priests do but when I came in I some of them stared at me and I could hear some less than flattering chatter coming from the choir balconies. At the end of the cathedral was a tall, pudgy elven, man with glasses on his face, a staff in his hand and draped in golden, silken robes. He also wore a weird hat which I thought made his head look oddly phallic shaped. "Haha" Eeuna laughed "his hat looks like a pe-" 
"Ah yes, it seems we have a new visitor to our godess' sacred grounds. Welcome child, I am a humble servant of the goddes Yishna, Archbishop Dedaim. How may I help you child?" But she was interrupted as the elf saw us and started coming down the aisle.
"My companion requires medical attention. Is there a healer here?"
"Oh of course my child" Dedaim stopped to get a closer look at me and I saw that his welcoming and happy demeanor was replaced something that made him seem a tad... distrusting . He still wore a smile on his face but it would never be the same, at least when talking to me. At this point he likely surmised that I was a mage "The mercy of Yishna is infinite, my child, but I can see the sin of lust for power runs within you, and mercy cannot be granted to sinners . A tribute of 100 gold shall be enough to make the virtue of generosity run through you and wash away your sin. " 
Or to translate 'We don't like you, so if you want your friend to be healed you should pay up.' My face almost dropped to the floor when I heard what he said. 100 gold?
It was then that Liselle, who had been silent until now decided to speak up. "Your grace, we haven't charged other people when they want a healer. Why are suddenly demanding money?" She said with a confused tone
"Oh Liselle, I hadn't noticed you there. But to answer your question, this boy here is a mage, and guilty of the sin of lust. Who knows what profane magics he has bestowed upon this body." The archbishop gestured in the general direction of Mathras unconscious body "This is to ensure the safety of not only our fellow clergymen but also the safety of this sacred ground."
"But a man is injured. Isn't the church supposed to provide a safe sanctuary to all?" She continued
"To all except mages. Liselle, arguing with me is akin to arguing the word of our goddess." 
"B-but this is wrong!"
A twinge of anger flared in the elf's eyes "You dare call the word of the goddess wrong!? That's sacrilege!  I'm done talking about this. Go to your room, I will deal with you later!" The orange haired cleric sighed angrily and stormed past the archbishop "As for you, mage..." He said that word as if he had something vile stuck in his mouth.
"I'm sorry" I had been rummaging around in my bag while the two people were arguing and I only found a few silvers. "I don't have that amount on me" I said as I held out the money.
"Hmph. I didn't want to do this but... I have no choice but to enact the rite of extermination." Soft gasps filled the air. I thought I had a pretty good poker face, but apparently the concern for my safety was clear on my face.  "Oh please, the rite of extermination is not barbaric as it sounds. I will elaborate later. For now someone take this mage to an empty room and his compatriot to a medical ward" He looked at me in the eyes "You're going to have a long few weeks ahead of you. You'll need some rest."