Cult of the Lamb : The Man in the Forest

Chapter 30: What Was Left Behind, Part Two: The Duties of a Faith Enforcer

It had been a particularly stressful night for Caxton. Between Mir̃alai and Aym rushing off to fight Narinder in the night, to them returning with an incredibly injured Nykka for him to keep an eye on. Thankfully, the Goddess was healing herself steadily. His presence was hardly necessary, but it made everyone feel a bit better to know she wasn't alone after what was surely an excruciating experience, both mentally and physically. The Faith Enforcer was sitting on the edge of his bed, utterly exhausted but refusing to sleep until he was sure Mir̃alai was safe. Evidently, she was going back to that monster's Domain. Faiths knows how his followers will react to her coming back within two hours of beating Narinder. If they were anything like their master, it'll be another bloody battle. Mir̃alai didn't look like she was in any shape to continue fighting, none of them did. Caxton was not, and had never been, a fighter. He knew he would only get in the way, but part of him wished he could have gone along just to see that she was okay. The uncertainty of the last year was driving him insane. A knock at his door made him jump, and he hurried over to answer it. Aym was on the other side, looking every bit as tired as himself.

"Mir̃alai needs to speak with you." He explained, "Bring that follower book with you." Caxton raised a brow, curious as to what his duties had to do with the situation. It was surely far over his head... Despite his confusion, he turned to grab his task journal off the table along with a pencil and exited his cabin to follow Aym. "Is Mistress Nykka alright?" Aym asked.

"Yes, I checked on her not long ago. She was sleeping."

"Good." He sighed.

"Where's Baal?" The Faith Enforcer asked, noting the cat's sudden absence.

"He left once I returned. He did not like leaving Bharadei alone with Narinder despite him being powerless. I don't suppose Mistress Nykka has mentioned what she's doing with him yet?"

"No, she hasn't said anything to me aside from thanking me for the spare room." Aym nodded in response. "I wish she'd let you execute him. He deserves it for what he's put her and the Leader through."

"I agree. Wholeheartedly. But, it is not our decision to make..." Caxton couldn't help but notice how outwardly passionate Aym was on the subject. It was a rare sight to see. Aym glanced at the rabbit and sighed. "Nearly twenty-two years of faithful service... Still, he had the audacity to treat my family this way. He threatened to kill my children and he speaks of betrayal..." He sneered. "Of course I wish him dead." The hare nodded, deciding it best to leave the subject of Narinder's punishment alone while everyone was so raw.

"What is this about?" He asked.

"You will see..." The guardian answered unhelpfully. Soon enough, he did see. The Leader was standing near her shrine with a group of nearly twenty new followers. This was extremely odd. The most she had ever brought at one time was six, and that was over the span of a particularly long crusade. If the amount of followers wasn't strange enough, it was the dead of night, and they had just defeated Narinder. Caxton's brow furrowed as he considered the only possible explanation.

"They aren't his followers are they...?" He asked apprehensively when Mir̃alai approached him.

"They are..." The Lamb confirmed, "These are the ones that wanted to convert." Caxton didn't like questioning Mir̃alai's decisions, but he couldn't help himself this time. It was insane...

"Leader, they shouldn't be here." The Lamb took him by the arm and led him away from the group of newly indoctrinated cultists

"I understand why you're concerned..." She said quietly so they would not be overheard.

"Do you...? You know I nearly always trust your judgment, but this is... It's mad. For all we know, they could be planning to get revenge for Narinder."