Rosenrot oh Rosenrot...

Chapter 03

"You could have saved some of my dignity." Richard grumbled, as we neared the village. Even from our place on the hill top we could hear the revelry going on. Father Paul's jolly smile and cherubic face will fit right in, I thought amused.
"Men of God are to be humble."
"I am not humble?"
"Not in the least." I teased tweaking Richard's cheek. The brunette pushed my hand away, as he moved his head out of pinching range. I could not help chuckling when I saw my teasing had brought a blush to his face.
"Behave yourself Brother Till." Paul playfully admonished me, as he threw my cowl over my eyes. I grinned and pushed my hood back, about to say something in jest but Father Christoph interjected.
"Control yourselves Brothers, we are close to this village sin." He ordered, giving us all a stern look. I restrained myself from rolling my eyes, though Richard, Flake, and Paul did not, understanding that he meant well.

It was afternoon when we reached the village. The women and men alike were garbed in color, their voices boisterous. The children and young adults made merry; talking, eating and in general capering about.
The man who approached us was a glad distraction from the overt sight of sexual transgressions between the young ones we could not help but see.
"Welcome men of God! We have looked forward to you and your teachings." A man called Davidson greeted.
"We are grateful for your accepting us." Flake responded shaking Davidson's hand. Flake was to act as our figurehead for his lavish clothes, excessive by most religious standards of austerity, made him seem more important. It did not bother Paul, Richard and I but it certainly got under the skin of Christoph and Oliver.
Davidson led us towards the tables, overflowing with food and drink, urging us to have what we liked. Even men of God needed substance, and so with that thought I settled beside a villager, a tanned, wrinkled elder woman. The music was jaunty and encouraged eating, drinking and drinking.

It was then I saw her....