Sins of the Present

Chapter 3 - The Priest in Red

As they entered the centre room, they found themselves surrounded by hundreds of nobility and knights of the Realm. Women, dressed in long, colourful robes that billowed around their feet and across the marble floor that gave the room an airy-ness, even when filled to the brim with people. Most of the men were also dressed in high-culture outfits, but the knights were dressed in simpler clothing with the Crest of Baranea emblazoned across their chest or back.

As Byron entered the room, several of the people nearest the opening stopped their conversing and instead turned their eyes to him, and then to the floor, out of respect for their Lord. Herys, who had led Byron to the room, spoke clearly for the whole room to hear.
"Where is the Priest that was summoned here?" He asked unto the masses, his eyes surveying the hundreds of people who were congregated in the court-room. Among them, he spotted movement, and soon emerging from the sea of bodies was a small man, robed in red and black silks that covered him from head to toe, a cloak concealing his face. He walked past several of the nobles, with them immediately muttering under their breath to their cohorts, but the Priest did not mind.

He eventually found himself in front of the Knight and the Lord, bowing his head deeply before lifting himself back to eye-level.
"You summoned me to your court, Lord Therwind?" He asked, his voice unnaturally low, booming out against the marble walls that decorated the room. Byron swallowed, his own nervousness and discomfort at having to talk to a man of this Priest's persuasion clearly taking it's toll on him.
"Yes, I did," the Lord glanced around, seeing the discomfort he felt on the faces of many of his subjects. "Perhaps it would be better if we were to speak privately."
The Priest took a moment, before nodding his agreement. Herys turned, leading the two men out of the court-room and back towards the stairs. By this time, Berthew had made his way down the stairs and into the corridor separating the court from the inner chambers of the Keep.
"My Lord, you... Have found this Priest that arrived..." He began, before being cut off by Byron.
"Yes, I have. Now, can you go and make sure that everything is prepared in the chambers, like we discussed?" Byron asked, the tension he felt cutting through his once stoic façade like a knife through butter.
"Of course... My Lord..." He said, turning back towards the stairs and heading down towards the basement. Meanwhile, Lord Byron, Herys and the Priest headed upstairs, back towards the Lord's quarters.