Fire of the Inquisitor

It was extremely rare for Helena to ask her uncle for the afternoon off, so when she did on this day he let her with a smile. Helena hated to leave knowing that smile was a lie, knowing how stressful a time this afternoon was turning for him, and how weak he was getting. The Women’s Senate, what Isabella had said they liked to be called, had made their move. Somehow gaining access to the workers who maintained the town’s clock, setting it forward an hour and causing the midday bells to be rung.

The discrepancy might have been ignored if a list of demands had not been found nailed to the clock demanding such things as girls being allowed to be drafted and women the right to hold important offices. The resulting political debate had moved into her uncle’s home and he had been busy ever since listening to everyone tell him what he should do. Helena had asked him if she should stay and hold the intruders at bay, but her uncle insisted that his soldiers would be better equipped for the job.

Part of Helena wanted to stay to hear what was being said and if any allies to the women’s side would emerge. Although she found it highly unlikely that her uncle would make a decision about what should be done about the demonstration right away, she still worried that she was going to miss something important, maybe even historical. She would not have left her uncle’s home on a day like this if she did not think what she was about to do equally important.

Helena knocked on the door to the oddly small domicile in front of her and tried to catch her breath as she waited. The first place she had run to after leaving her uncle’s home was to the church. Many of the town’s common people had gathered there to have the same debate that was occurring just a few building over. Curiously the bishop had not been among them, she learned from one of the younger priests that he was still at home eating lunch. Helena found it hard to believe that a man who was trying to succeed her uncle would not be visible in such an important debate, but maybe like her uncle he was a man who knew when to wait before making an important decision.

An older woman opened the door and greeted Helena. “Father the governor general’s niece is here.”

“Let her in,” the bishop’s voice said from upstairs.

Helena followed the old servant up the narrow stairway and to a small desk where he was busy writing. A small plate of food was almost untouched by his plate.

“This is a bad time,” Helena said. “I should come back.”

“No, this is the Lord’s time.” He put his pen down and gave her a warm smile.

He was quite young to be the head of the church and quite handsome. Her uncle would have said it was because no one wanted the job, but for the other priest respected his knowledge and he had gained a sizable following. Helena included.

“I’m glad you’re here, I was just finishing my sermon for tonight,” he said.

Helena hoped she wasn’t blushing. “Father I need to tell you something important.”

“Of course,” he said, motioning her to have a seat. Helena took a seat and the bishop moved closer to her, making her feel uncomfortable.

“It’s a little difficult for me to discuss,” Helena said.

The bishop started to pick from his lunch. “How so?”

Helena watched as he carefully select a seed from his plate. “It involves someone I would consider a friend.”

“Does have anything to do with today’s events?” he said, cracking the seeds shell between his teeth.

Helena’s jaw dropped slightly, was she that obvious?

The young bishop smiled like a child winning a game. “You can tell me anything you know, it’s between me, you, and God.”

“I was hoping you would say that.” Helena shifted in her seat, looking for the right words to say. “I know the group who changed the clock.”

The Bishop nodded. “A young woman with your unique position I thought you might.”

Helena took a deep breath. “And I agree with what they are fighting for.”

“Also not surprising,” he said, chewing on more of his lunch.

“Well, most of it anyway.” For some reason, she found his snacking very distracting. “I think that woman should be able to fight in the legion,” she let her eyes drop, “and even be allowed to serve in the church.”

The bishop remained silent and continued eating.

Helena continued, not sure if she had offended him. “But father, I truly believe in the virgin birth with all my heart.”

“That’s good,” the bishop said, putting his plate down. “So what’s troubling you?”

Helena was struggling to get to the point, unsure if she was doing the right thing. “I believe the leader of this group is trying to convince her followers to worship the queen of this land.”

The bishop stroked his chin. “Interesting.”

“Interesting?” Helena immediately regretted her outburst. She waved her hands as if to make the moment vanish. “Sorry, it just not the reaction I was expecting.”

The bishop laughed. “Honestly, I’m surprised we haven’t seen this earlier.”

Helena frowned. “Really?”

“Of course.” The Bishop stood up and walked slowly to his window. “Her presence is pretty overwhelming in this world.” He opened the curtain so more light could spill in. “She is a living immortal and her light can be seen almost every you go.”

Helena knew he was talking not only about the magma fountains, but the light that shone at the top of her palace. It could be seen from Nova Edenis all the way to edges of the Fields of Shadow.

He closed the curtains again, leaving only a small candle to light the room. “For all intensive purposes, she is a god living right in front us.”

Helena couldn’t keep the sadness from her voice. “Do you really believe that.”

The bishop smiled and returned to his chair. He gently put a warm hand on her shoulder. “She might be a god in this world, but she is not our God. Not the one who we lead us home.”

Helena nodded. “Maybe, you could talk to this woman, make her see that our Lord is not against her.”

The bishop frowned. “It’s possible, but Helena you would have to tell me her name.”

Helena was aware she had yet to reveal that information, but she wanted to be sure of the man’s position first. She was still not sure if she knew. “Would you go to her as a man of the church and not a leader of the town?”

“Of course,” the bishop said. He squeezed her shoulder and gave her another of his charming smiles. “You can trust me.”

“Acantha the elder,” she said.

He nodded and looked toward his table. “I will have a talk with her a soon as I can.”

“Thank you.” Helena took a deep breath and stood up. “I have taken too much of your time, I should be going.”

The bishop stood up as well. “No, please feel free to visit me anytime.”

Helena smiled and turned for the door, but before she could leave the man reached for her hand. Helena couldn’t help, but blush.

“Helena, before you go I must ask you something,” he said.

“Anything,” she answered.

“Now, it’s my turn to find speaking difficult.” He smiled, looking towards their hands.

Helena touched his arm. “I will do anything to help the church.”

“Actually, this is a personal matter,” he said.

Helena removed her hand. “Oh.”

“Helena, I know it is a long shot,” he reached for her other hand and brought them together, “but If I become the governor of this town I wonder if you would consider becoming my wife.”

Helena’s heart sank and for the first time, she noticed the small amount of gray hair by his ears. “I don’t know what to say.”

He squeezed her hands. “Like you said, I would have to give up my position with the church.”

Helena almost hoped he wouldn’t become the new governor. She pulled away from him and looked shyly at the ground. “I’m sorry father, I don’t think I could make that decision today.”

“Of course,” he said, not entirely hiding his disappointment. “This is all just speculation at the moment anyway.”

Helena’s heart was beating twice as fast, her mind filling with what if’s and eventualities. She smiled awkwardly and started for the door. “Thank you, so much for all of you help.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he said, waving to her. “God bless you.”

“God bless you too,” she said, nearly tripping over her own feet.