"Would that happen to be roses my dear?" Even as I looked out the window I could picture that goofy grin of his. "You know it is..after all it's the only thing that covers up that damn smell.." My tone went neutral as I looked out at the bleak landscape. Another dull day, a light rain fell but not enough to kill the dark rolling of smoke off in the distance. The bells would toll as the doctor's walked through the streets, bodies piled high on the carts. "It was the only way..they were warned..all the signs for the coming of days and yet they stuck their heads in the sand. Yet here we are.." His tone lowered as he began to move my habit, exposing my neck to him. At the gentle brush of his mustache I pulled away with disgust. "Don't..Don't you dare come in here talking like some unholy savior of days..you're only here because of mommy and daddy." I say as I turn to face him. I could tell I struck some sort of nerve with him as he grabbed me by the face. "Look at you..still stuck on ideas that are never to be true...the Third did not desire you and yet this little doe can not see it..thou shall look to me with all trust..follow thy every word..allow me to lead them." He spoke in a low tone as his thumb began to caress my cheek. "That is why I have merely tucked him away for the time begin..much like the other sickened minds of Meliora. Which is why I believe you should be on your way..and perhaps you should stop by the chapel sister Morana...do not make me have to send you away as well." He paused for a few seconds making my heart race at that thought. "That would be such an inconvenience to the monastery." He gave a slight pout before letting go. "Be on your way." I didn't bother to say another word. "Yes Cardinal." He gave a grin to my act of submission. "Good girl, now hurry. Wouldn't want to keep our most treasured patient waiting now would we?" He cocked a brow. Instead of giving his answer I gave him silence as I walked out of the room feeling sick to my stomach knowing what the day would entail. However I was to be considered the lucky ones, if one could even call this luck. Maybe compared to what they were suffering this was some form of luck. Deep down it didn't feel right to me but I was too deep in to just turn and run away.
After a few minutes of standing in the doorway and just watching the clouds begin to build off in the distance I finally got moving. I made my way across the court yard, the grassy path started to turn to a small dirt road that began to wind through the thickening forest. Here and there small growls could be heard but I didn't flinch. After weeks of the infestation we were all used to them. The rats wouldn't bother us along we just followed one very simple rule: Don't make eye contact. Pretty simple, we avoided disturbing them in any way. Besides the rats I never mind the walk through the woods and the trees did a pretty fair job on keeping the path shaded. Eventually that dirt path started to turn to a cobblestoned path, the big iron gates started to quickly come up in the distance behind it stood the hell only contained by brick and mortar. What lied beyond these gates were a hell I myself could never even begin to describe. It just had to be witnessed with ones own eyes. The gate gave a creak as I pulled it back, giving me goosebumps as a sudden thought came to mind: What was stopping them from imprisoning me? With a snap of a finger all could change in an instant and I could be the one stripped of my identity. I had to shake that thought out of my mind and just continue on about my business. Before I knew it I was walking up the steps, slowly one by one finding my body fill with dread at each and every step. I reached out for the door however the knob had already turned and opened. "Ah Sister Morana so nice of you to join, I was beginning to grow concerned." I gave a nod as I looked at the elder sister. "Please forgive me Sister Imperator, I was conversing with the Cardinal." "Ah yes the Cardinal, he seems quite fond of you." I just gave an awkward smile. "Oh sister, I don't believe it is anything other than just duty. However I am very grateful for the position that he has given to me." She gave an approving nod as she stepped out of the way. "Of course, these roles weren't just given to anyone. Only those that he knew he could trust, now with that being said I believe you should go see our top priority patient." "Yes sister." I said with a bow before walking past the elder sister.
