The Saintess and the Villainess

Chapter 6

The High Clerics waited at the gate to see them off on their journey to the capital.

Each of the five High Clerics bowed to Anne as she and Eva passed them. Anne hadn't exchanged a single word with any of them since being reborn in this world. She wasn't even sure she knew any of their names.

Janet? Was one of them named Janet?

Eva helped Anne up into the carriage and said, "Just a moment, dear Saintess," before turning back to exchange words with the High Clerics. Eva seemed to speak with them fairly often, despite being an ordinary low-ranking cleric. Perhaps because she was one of the leaders of the rebellion? After all, the rebellion did have church backing.

Eva joined Anne in the carriage, sitting opposite from her, and signaled the driver to set off.

"What were you speaking to the High Clerics about?" Anne asked.

Eva smiled. "They just wanted to make sure we remembered to be good ambassadors for the Church of Coris. Under the current emperor, the church has lost a lot of power and your fame offers them the best chance they've had in years to regain some amount of influence."

Eva turned towards the window before continuing. "They claim that they support the rebellion because they care about the common people, but no matter how many euphemisms they hide it under, it's clear that what they really care about is their own power."

Eva turned back towards Anne and reached forward to pat her reassuringly on the leg. "But not to worry," she said. "I'm here to be a shield between you and anyone who wants to use you for their own ends."

Anne nodded noncommittally.

In The Foundling's Wings, Eva had been a really minor background character, mostly there to support Anne. When she first read the book Eva hadn't stood out to her at all, but now that Anne was actually living the life of the Saintess it was beginning to dawn on her just how many aspects of Anne's life Eva controlled. Anne wasn't sure how to feel about this, but also there wasn't much she could do about it at the moment, so she filed that thought away under To Deal With Later.

They settled in for the long trip to the capital. At first, Anne thought the rolling countryside was beautiful, but after a while it all started to blend together. One barn looked much like another.

With nothing else to do, Anne tried to practice her meditation techniques. She thought, maybe, if she got it right, she might be able to trigger a minor miracle and get a better handle on how her powers worked. But no matter how long she managed to clear her mind for, nothing seemed to happen. Eva was asleep in the other seat.

They stopped for lunch around midday. Just some simple bread and cheese. When they set off again, Eva insisted on riding up top with the driver.

"It's a lovely day," she said. "I could do with some fresh air."

"Can I have a turn riding on top later?" asked Anne, thinking it might at least relieve some of her boredom.

"Absolutely not," said Eva. "It's far too dangerous."

"But it's not dangerous for you?" asked Anne.

"It doesn't matter if it's dangerous for me. But we can't afford to risk your life."

Anne sighed and got back in the carriage.

She was just managing to doze off when there was a sudden thud against the side of the carriage. Anne's hands went out to either side to grip the seat while the carriage began to sway back and forth wildly. The door was rattling. Then the door was flung open and Agis threw himself inside, reaching out to pull the door closed behind him. The carriage never even slowed down.