Scarlet Blade

Part II: The Refugees

The town was transformed over the course of two week. Refugees still trickled in, but no longer in massive waves. It seemed the flow was coming to a gradual stop. To Marianne, it was a sigh of relief. Without the chaos, we were able to better organize the cathedral and tend to the refugees as needed.

With his inspiring words, Lucas convinced nearly all the town's men to join his militia. Together, they removed the boards from town hall that the mayor hid behind and forced him to resign. None opposed to putting Lucas and his militia in the position of power during the crisis- Well, maybe Kevin. Kevin remained unconvinced Lucas was truly here to save us, but his vote was outnumbered hundreds to one.

Marianne was happy to give him a job at the cathedral. Kevin and I now split the daily chores. I would prepare the food, and keep a registry of refugees, as Lucas requested, and Kevin would wash the linen and ration supplies. We were quite the dynamic duo and got along just fine when Lucas wasn't around; I'd even say we became friends.

Lucas visited often. At first, it was just to collect the daily registry and talk about the weather, but now there was something more. After the others were in bed, I sneak out of the cathedral and meet him at the docks. Together we share a bottle of wine and talk about our busy days. Maybe it's the alcohol, but I found myself falling for a man I had just met; he kissed me like I was no stranger.

"Want some help with that?" Kevin asked. It was a rhetorical question, I knew he wouldn't let me carry the logs alone.

"Sure. Why don't you take those over there, I can manage this." I insisted, "Why do you think brought all the furniture into the cathedral, Marianne?"

Kev chuckled, "You're quite the gal, Annalise, they aren't like you back where I'm from." He tried to lift some logs, but they slipped, cutting his hand wide open. He looked at it in disbelief for a moment, then erupted in a fit of curse words.

"Eeeeasy Kev, flailing's only going to make it worse," I calmed him, rushing to his side. "Now let me see."

"Damn things nearly ripped the skin off my hand." He cried, shakily placing it in mine.

"Deep breaths, it'll be ok," I promised, "I can heal it." I called upon the light's healing powers to lend me their aid. I placed my other hand on top of his, and it began to glow, slowly fading the cut.

"By the light, you're a healer." He breathed, watching as skin covered the gash.

"Not exactly, little cuts are nothing compared to what real, disciplined healers can pull off. It's the extent of my healing skills though, so don't get into any serious trouble or I won't be able to patch you up."

"I'll try not to get stabbed or anything," he teased, stroking his beard, "Now what on earth does Lucas need all this wood for?"

"He's got the militia working on a sort of fence around the town. It's suppose to help them defend us if the scourge ever attacks."

"Ha, you really believe that?" He scoffed, "I can think of another reason he wants that wall..."

"How dare you!"  I scolded, shoving him, "Lucas is working very hard to protect everyone, including you."

"Of corse you defend him, you guys are pals. He's protecting you, the locals, not us. A high, guarded fence doesn't exactly scream 'welcome' now does it?"

"He's a man of the light, I think you two just had a bad first impression of each other."

"Oh honey, you don't know much about the scarlet crusade, do you?" He asked, combing his hand through his hair.

"No, not really." I confessed.

"Sit down, we need to have a little talk then." He let out a deep sigh and rested on a stump. "The crusaders are radicals, Annalise, they take everything one step too far. They have this base back near Lordaeron, and they meant well at first... They'd kill the scourge, the people were grateful. Then fear got to them, funny how fear can taint something pure. Their mindset changed, they started seeing the uninfected citizens as a threat and killed any that wander too close to their walls. Their leadership is so corrupt they don't even trust each other."