For What Tomorrow Brings...

Chapter 6: Sun and Moon, Earth and Sky

Main quote: "Sometimes we do not take chances, to overcome our weaknesses, causing us to forget...that we can change and in changing, we learn and in learning, we see that we can go beyond suffering and that if we feel the sorrow of losing something, we must embrace the value of life, just as when we feel the joy of loving someone we never give up on, we remember why we must live." (Dante de Cavalier or Bernard to Sarah)

Eternally watching the tender Earth blossom and grow in strength, two lovers that never meet yet reflect each other's light in different ways. Yet while one's gentle light must shine in the morning to keep the life of the world, the other whose light is of the same source must maintain and preserve what the light has nourished. God ordains all things in His Time.

May 13, 1204 A.D.

The Church of Santa Anna, Auburn Hills, Brudenheim

"Father Joshua!" Gerard runs to the praying priest, who turns around and shocked to see a clean letter in the hands of the large man. He knew what this meant and made a sign of the Cross. "You have been summoned...by the Archbishop of Brudenheim!" The priest takes his leave and tasks Calvin with the protection of the Church while he is away, as well as...Nin. The young man nods and closes the door. He hid two tulips behind his back and climbs up to her room.

Rafael and Julius leave Asper to Terra as they follow a suspicious character.

"I thought Father Joshua had left." Rafael was curious as to why this man, part of the Anima Mundi, was still stalking around even though his comrades have already left by then.

"I do not trust him. He carries an odd aura. We must follow him."

The man wore a dark helmet. He leads them to a cave far from the town and closer to the Esperer. Julius sensed danger and had Rafael duck as arrows fly out of the darkness.

"Ambuscade!" Julius readies his blade and chases after three fleeing archers, who fire back as they retreat. Rafael sees a halberder and with strong effort defeats him and takes his weapon, following Julius' lead. However they lost sight of the attackers and the mystery man.

Sarah's stay in the dungeon has taken a toll on her health. She has lost weight and rarely bathes due to the meager supply of clean water in the underground dungeon. A man comes to pay her a visit. It has been a long time since the King came over. But she receives someone else.

"Is your mother alright?" spoke the hooded figure as he hands her some food and medicine. Sarah nods. The figure makes a sign of the cross and leaves.

Father Joshua arrives at the Cathedral, just in time for the final mass to be finished. It was late in the night. He was led by another priest to the Archbishop's palace behind the church. There, he was brought by two guardsmen to the Archbishop's quarters, which was also guarded. Gerard stays behind. Only priests were allowed into his room, as well as doctors. Father Joshua was both. He knocks on the door and a low voice calls him in. He knelt before the bed...of the ailing Archbishop, kissing his ring and asking him kindly the purpose for his visit.

"Have you...brought the herbs...the painkillers?"

"Yes and they are fresh. I shall make a tonic out of them and you will be..."

"This medicine...is not to relieve me of my ills... I just want to get on with it painlessly." "So you called me to give you your final rites as well?"

"I can only allow my most trusted men to do that and you were my finest student. Yes, now you at 39 but you could have been a bishop earlier on. Why?"

"Honestly, Father...it has been..."

"Do you often forget...I am not your real father? If anything, just a man...if more, your ex-Archbishop now that I shall face Him."