Blood of the Righteous

Pigeon Post!

The bells of the University struck for the sixth time as the trapdoor opened. Brother Philip, the portly deacon, wearing brown robes and sandals, covered wicker basket in tow, climbed through the opening onto the circular platform. Standing straight up, he took a deep breath of the clean, windy air that blew above the filth-ridden streets of the city below. The University's watchtower platform was circular, four legs across at any point, with a stone wall one leg high built around the edge, presumably to protect the occupants from the fifty legs drop to the courtyard below. Empty cages lined the west side of the wall and a wooden canopy protected the occupants from the sun and any rain that may fall.

Three pigeons were already sitting, cooing on the ledge. Brother Philip put down his wicker basket and collected the first pigeon. The bird made no effort to escape from the stout deacon's hands. Gingerly, he removed the bone tube that had been tied to the bird's leg and placed it in his robe pocket. He then put the bird in one of the empty cages and set it aside.

The second bird had no message on it. "Hm, a little escapee, eh?" he said. The bird tried to fly away before he could catch it, but the small deacon caught it by the wing and placed it in its own cage.

The third bird was much more agreeable. Brother Philip removed the bone tube from its leg and the bird practically jumped into the cage itself.

Settling his ample behind down on the wooden floor, Brother Philip opened his wicker basket, removing a bottle of wine and a large loaf of steaming bread. Breaking off a small piece of the loaf, he placed a small portion in each of the birds' cages, all of which pecked at it happily.

For the last ten years, Brother Philip's life had been one of relative ease. Every day, except the Sabbath, he would climb the University watchtower and gather the birds that landed upon the stone wall. From noon until the evening meal, he would sit under the canopy with his books, scrolls, and picnic basket. Usually during the day, one or two birds would land, but his days were mostly uneventful, which is how he liked it. After his shift, he would hand the birds that arrived down to the lad that raised and took care of them, one floor below. He would then make his way to Bishop Sentius' quarters and hand deliver the messages, after thoroughly reading them himself.

A cold shudder ran across his skin, causing the hairs on his arm to stand on end. Brother Philip opened the bottle of wine and took a large drink, then wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his robe. The cool liquid hit his stomach and a wave of warmth slowly began to flow through his veins.

Another pigeon, hauling a small wooden tube, landed on the ledge as he took a bite of the warm bread. He sighed, and pushed himself up to retrieve the bird. He removed the wooden tube and put the bird in an empty cage.

"No bread for you. Interrupting my meal..." The Brother continued grumbling as he stuffed another section of bread into his mouth. He quickly settled back down to his shady spot next to his basket.

Reaching into his pocket, he removed one of the bone tubes. He flicked the wax sealing off and retrieved the parchment inside. The first line of the letter read My Darling Lionel. A love letter, Brother Philip thought, as he scanned the light-handed script. A female had obviously written the letter.

"Lionel," he said to one of the caged pigeons. "Isn't he one of the Holy Defender initiates? Hmm... It seems he was a bit misleading about his claims of celibacy." Brother Philip continued to read the note carefully, making sure he didn't miss any of the details.

'Knowledge is power,' Bishop Sentius would say. Brother Philip had never forgotten those words.

He laughed as he rolled the paper up and placed it back in the tube. It would be quite amusing to see how Initiate Lionel would get himself out of this one. Watching him trying to resolve how one could be a Holy Defender when he was the father of twins would prove most interesting. Brother Philip couldn't picture Initiate Lionel in his mind's eye. No matter, he thought. Lionel was most likely headed to the auxiliary, a unit to where disgraced defenders were remanded.

He replaced the bone tube into his pocket and retrieved the other. Upon examination of the tube, Brother Philip realized that there was no wax seal on the message, as if it were sent in great haste.

He pulled the letter from the tube and unraveled it. Holding it in his left hand, Brother Philip grabbed the neck of his wine bottle and drank three more large gulps.

Arch Bishop Leonis or recipient,

Lystra in chaos. Lord Ki Kalendeen, Lord Branvold, families, servants, and wedding guests killed. Work of living dead. Forces of Aragil invading. Crossed Elgannan border. Alert the King. Send help and pray for us.

- Herodimus Drake

Head of Household

House of Ki Kalendeen

Lystra

Blood stained the letter in several places. Brother Philip set down his wine inattentively. The bottle tipped and sent its contents spilling across the small platform. The stout deacon stared at the letter in disbelief. Suddenly he sprang to his feet, knocked the trap door aside, and hurried down the ladder.

"Bishop Sentius!" he yelled, screaming at the top of his lungs as he ran down the stairs. "Bishop Sentius!!!"