Heart of a Monster

It was early in the afternoon and the three friends had made their way back to their room at the inn. Rana was seated on her bed facing Aridean, who was sitting on the couch looking down at the floor feeling embarrassed by what had happened just an hour ago. Another light rain had started outside and the patter of droplets smacking the window could be heard throughout the quiet room. Breaking the near silence was the creak of the wooden door to the room as Vidor reentered with a tea kettle and a few cups. He placed the cups on the nightstand between the two beds in the room and poured each minotaur a cup of hot tea.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, I understand, but… are you alright, Aridean?” Vidor asked as he handed Aridean her cup of tea and sat down beside her on the couch. She felt immensely embarrassed as she really had no means of explaining the sudden breakdown she suffered in the church. Contemplating an answer, Aridean’s listless eyes just focused on her tea.

“I… I really don’t know what that was. I thought I’d be prepared for anything, but when that girl called us monsters… I just felt like I was that scared child in Thellia again,” Aridean hesitantly managed to answer. Vidor quietly sipped his tea as he listened.

“So, you never really moved past what you had to endure as a child. Although I had expected some difficulties for you, I had not anticipated you falling apart like that. Are you sure you’re alright?” Rana asked after finishing her tea. Aridean took a large gulp of the warm tea she had been given before looking up to Rana, nodding with a nervous smile. It was clear on Rana’s face that she was not entirely convinced but also understood that Aridean did not want to discuss the matter further.

“Well, on a brighter note: we’ve still got the rest of today and however long tomorrow before our meeting. Not really sure what there is to do here in Byrden, but we could go walking around if anyone else wants,” Vidor happily chimed in. His attempt to change the subject was met with instant opposition from Rana who sternly shook her head at the suggestion.

“Vidor, we’re not on vacation here. In fact, I heard talk on our way back here that some Empire soldiers are in town. We need to act as inconspicuous as possible so as not to draw any attention. If anything, I for one believe we need to review our cover story in case someone asks about our business here,” Rana fervently stated while giving Vidor a disappointed look. Being the subject of his sister’s gaze, Vidor was visibly shook.

“Oh… uh, y-you heard that back at the church?” Vidor asked, referring to his forgetfulness regarding the group’s alleged familial bond. Rana’s expression did not change, but she did fold her arms over her chest. Her right hoof began tapping the floor, as if to say she was waiting for Vidor’s excuse. Aridean knew that Vidor was about to suffer Rana’s lecturing again. Although the air in the room was filled with uneasiness, Aridean found the display between the two siblings to be almost entertaining.

Just as Rana drew in a breath to begin her reprimand of Vidor’s slip-up, a knocking was heard on the guest room door. Vidor almost seemed to be relieved by the distraction whereas Rana was caught off guard entirely.

“Hello? Is anyone in there? I was told this was the right room…” came a familiar voice from the out in the hallway. Rana took a moment to compose herself before moving toward the door. As her hand reached the doorknob, Rana turned her head around to Vidor and Aridean as she lipped ‘we’re family on a pilgrimage’ before turning the doorknob and pulling the door only about halfway open. Outside their guest room stood Pastor Raltor, wearing a dark, woolen coat over his priestly robes.

“Ah, I’m glad to see you’re still here,” the pastor greeted Rana with a bright smile on his face.

“Pastor Raltor? Is there something we can do for you?” Rana asked just as confused as Aridean and Vidor why the pastor had come to see them.

“I came by hoping to see how your younger sister was doing. That wasn’t the first time Magdalene snapped at one of our horned guests, but her reaction was a first for the both of us,” Raltor explained with a friendly tone in his deep voice. “May I come in?”

Aridean and Vidor looked to one another in confusion by the unexpected visit, but Rana opened the door fully and gestured Raltor inside their room. Aridean was surprised by Rana’s invitation but assumed that she thought rejecting Raltor would make the group look suspicious. As Raltor entered the guest room Rana closed the door behind him.

“Vidor, why don’t you go get another cup and pour the pastor some tea?” Rana asked, much to Vidor’s surprise. With slight hesitation, Vidor nodded to Rana and began to make his way toward the door. However, Raltor stopped him as he neared the door by gently grabbing Vidor’s arm and giving a quiet chuckle.

“Oh, I do appreciate the hospitality, but there’s really no need for that. I’ve really come for two reasons. First, to check on your frightened sister,” Raltor began to say before turning his attention to Aridean. “I would like to again apologize for Magdalene’s behavior. I assure you she did not mean any of it, she tends to speak without thinking.”

Despite his kind words and gentle voice, Aridean had a hard time believing what Raltor was telling her. Back at the church, this Magdalene seemed ready to fight the trio of minotaurs without any provocation. Frankly, rude insults seemed well within the girl’s intentions at the time.

“I understand that you may not believe me, but that is why I’ve come with a request for you specifically,” Raltor continued to speak.

“A request? Uhm, I…” Aridean began to speak but was hesitant to discuss any sort of favor for the priest. She turned to look at Rana, who nodded her approval. Aridean also turned to look at Vidor for his input, however Vidor only shrugged in confusion and indifference over the matter.

“Oh, do not fret. I’d simply like to have you and Magdalene sit down for a nice conversation at the church. I’m hoping that by having someone with her own tragic past talk things over with her then maybe she won’t be so crude with the minotaur people,” Raltor elaborated. Raltor’s request for Aridean provoked some skepticism from Rana as she looked the pastor over with uncertainty.

“I, uh, I don’t know…” Aridean answered despite knowing full well that she really did not wish to sit down with this Magdalene. Even after two years, her fear of the misdirected hate and aggression from the villagers of Thellia lingered and Magdalene seemed to fully encompass the brutal hostility.

“Aridean, you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but it may turn into something positive if you do this,” Rana encouraged much to Aridean’s surprise. “Perhaps this could be the first step to overcoming your fears. Maybe in the process, you can help this Magdalene with her hate as well.”

“That is my hope as well. Magdalene has suffered from the poison of hatred for far too long. I’ve tried and tried to help her through it, but I have come up with nothing. That’s why I’m hoping someone who has been victim to the hatred she harbors may be able to elicit some sympathy from her,” Raltor agreed as his facial expression slowly shifted to be a bit more somber. Aridean, still shocked by Rana’s suggestion, looked back down at the floor under her hooves again.

Even Rana thinks this may be a good idea? But what if I run into Empire soldiers? Rumors were spreading back in Stonehaven that they arrest minotaurs on sight, no questions asked. Further, I don’t know this Magdalene and I don’t think I want to after our first encounter, Aridean thought to herself.

“I-I’m scared of talking to someone like her…” Aridean confessed to Raltor, unable to lift her head. Pastor Raltor looked at Aridean and let out a quiet sigh. He then moved toward the window of the room. With hands behind his back and his gaze now focused out into the rain-soaked town of Byrden, he spoke again.

“Many, many years ago, even long before the rebellion started, I was a simple missionary moving through the Empire and spreading the word of God. I remember taking time to visit a small minotaur tribe to the far south. A very pleasant people, you minotaurs are. I shared stories with the tribe and learned what life was like for them as well,” Raltor began. Both Rana and Vidor seemed to be entirely entranced by the old man’s story. Aridean, on the other hand, kept hanging her head low. However, her ears did perk up a little, signaling that she was listening to what the pastor had to say.

“As you three likely know, the Empire began to discriminate and even eliminate entire tribes of your kind nearly twenty years ago. I recall a young minotaur from the tribe I visited long ago; a good kid that one. All he seemed interested in was one day meeting with the royal family. Heh, I still remember how he refused to sit still as I tried preaching my teachings. ‘I’m gonna meet a human princess one day!’ Of course, that was in Minoran, but he’d shout and laugh such exciting ambitions even as I hushed him to keep things quiet as I read my sermons,” Raltor continued, sounding happily nostalgic as he imitated this minotaur child he spoke of.

“You speak Minoran?” Vidor asked curiously as he sat beside Aridean on the couch again.

“Well, of course, I was a missionary for the minotaur people, after all. But that’s not relevant right now… Again, almost twenty years ago, the inexplicable prejudice your kind now faces began. Many tribes have been destroyed because of Empire activity, including... including the tribe I performed missionary services for,” Raltor persisted despite having adopted a rather solemn tone. Rain was coming down faster and harder as droplets smacked the window. It was during his pause that the pastor raised a hand to cover his mouth as he quietly coughed, although it could not be heard over the rain beating the window in front of him.

“Pastor Raltor, do you sympathize with the minotaur people? Even if you do not, what do you make of the rebellion that has divided the nation for years now?” Rana asked as Raltor lowered his hand back behind his back. Raltor turned to face the trio of minotaurs listening to his tale before speaking again.

“I know full well the generous and peaceful nature of the minotaur people and would like to see a day come where they are accepted throughout the Empire as they were before. While I may not live to see that day, I would wish nothing more than to be a steppingstone for others to use in order to further relations with the minotaurs and the Empire. I sincerely believe that just helping Magdalene see the better nature of your kind is a colossal leap in bridging the gap between our species. As a man of the cloth, I cannot condone the violence and bloodshed wrought by the rebellion. Even so, it pains me to see your kind suffer in such a manner,” Raltor explained with confidence and authority in his voice. “Aridean, yes? I ask you again: won’t you please help me show what minotaurs are truly like to Magdalene?”

Aridean had lifted her head while Raltor was speaking and she was now looking him in the eyes. There was something about the man’s dark eyes that kept Aridean fixed on him for another few seconds before looking to Rana and Vidor. As expected from Rana, she gave a friendly smile and nodded her approval. Vidor took Aridean’s hand in his own, gently squeezing it as he too smiled at her.

“I… I’ll speak with Magdalene,” Aridean said, slightly reluctantly. Pastor Raltor seemed to be absolutely overjoyed by her answer as he approached the minotaur, smiling ear to ear. He took both of Aridean’s hands in his own before responding.

“Honestly and truly, thank you so much for this. I understand that it must be rough for a child such as yourself to plunge yourself into the unknown like this, but I promise you that I will make it well worth it,” Raltor spoke with sheer jubilation in his tone now. “Please come with me to the church immediately.”

“N-now?! I-I don’t know if I’m ready yet,” Aridean quickly stuttered through. Raltor was forcefully trying to pull Aridean off of the couch and toward the door as the two spoke, much to Vidor’s apparent amusement as he laughed at the display.

“You’ll be fine, Aridean. Vidor and I will come to get you after your discussion with Magdalene,” Rana assured as she gestured Aridean toward the door. Although it was not quite the comfort that Aridean was hoping for, she took a deep breath before rising from the couch.

“I’m sorry to spring it on you so suddenly, but I have not been this excited for something since the Byrden confectionary festival,” Raltor responded as he and Aridean moved for the door.

“C-confectionary festival?” Rana repeated with a small line of drool starting to slide down her lip. Aridean heard an annoyed sigh from Vidor as she entered the hallway. Vidor’s expression had quickly shifted to show annoyance at his sister’s obsessive stance regarding sweets as Aridean closed the door to their guest room behind her.

Despite her reservations, Aridean followed Raltor down the hallway to the staircase of the Tranquility Inn. Quiet creaking of the wooden stairs could be heard as the two descended back to the first floor. Although no immediate dangers were present, everything about the situation made Aridean feel a bit uneasy. She was not looking forward to her discussion with the pickpocket.

What if she doesn’t wish to talk with me? Has Raltor considered that or is he just assuming my attempt to speak with her will win her over immediately? She seemed so bitter toward us earlier, I can’t imagine anything has changed over a few hours, Aridean thought to herself as she continued down the hallway toward the lobby with Raltor. It was as they were nearing the doorway to the lobby that Raltor halted Aridean’s stride. From the angle she had on his face, she was not certain but thought he looked irritated by something.

“Uh, Pasto—mgh?!,” Aridean began to ask before Raltor’s hand swiftly covered her mouth. Confused, Aridean looked to the priest who had turned to look her in the eyes and put a single finger to his lips using his hand not covering Aridean’s mouth. Having indicated that she must remain silent, Raltor then pointed out into the lobby.

Aridean followed Raltor’s finger and found that the lobby was occupied by several Empire soldiers. Two of the soldiers, clad in sturdy armor, were seated around the checkerboard that was used by the dwarves from the previous evening while a third was consulting the receptionist. Now on edge, Aridean’s breathing noticeably quickened and her heart began racing so quickly and loudly that she could not focus in on what the soldiers were talking about amongst themselves or with the clerk at the desk.

A-are they here because of us?! W-what do I do?! My legs feel like they’re going to give out and they don’t even know I’m here, Aridean panicked as she watched the soldiers.

Smiling, Raltor looked back to Aridean and gestured back toward the stairwell. Together, Aridean and Raltor quietly and discreetly made their way back toward the stairs. Raltor wiped the hand he had used to cover Aridean’s mouth on his coat, apparently her anxious breath had left his palm quite moist.

Aridean was immensely grateful for the well-padded carpet stretching the length of the hallway. She could not tell whether she would faint from embarrassment or fear if the clopping of her hooves on wooden flooring was what caught the soldiers’ attention.

Back in the stairwell, Raltor moved to a window by the doorway and undid the lock. He pushed the glass pane out of the way and gestured for Aridean to follow him as he nimbly climbed out of the window and dropped to the ground outside the inn.

“Uhh… I-I should go tell my b-brother and sister about the soldiers in the lobby,” Aridean anxiously said from the window.

“Oh, don’t worry about them. As long as they stay in their room, they’ll be fine. The inn won’t just let the soldiers disturb its customers without evidence or anything of the sort anyway,” Raltor assured Aridean. Despite not being fully convinced, Aridean took another deep breath and looked back toward the lobby where the soldiers were stirring. Although none of them seemed to have noticed her, one was making his way toward the hallway where she would be in complete view if she did not move quickly. Alarmed, Aridean began climbing out of the window. In her haste, Aridean wound up hitting one of her horns on the windowsill as she dropped to the ground.

“Ow…” Aridean complained as she rubbed the area around the base of her horn that she had hit. Now outside the inn, Aridean was met with a steady drizzle. It was not the downpour from the previous evening, but the sky was choked with large dark clouds obscuring most sunlight.

“There we are, back on track. Come then, let us be off for the church,” Raltor triumphantly exclaimed as Aridean wiped some dust from her pants. Quickly, Aridean moved to follow Raltor as the two made their way toward the main road of Byrden.

“Uh, a-are you sure that my brother and sister will be okay with those soldiers back there? It’s just that the Em--,” Aridean began to ask again as the two turned onto the road leading to the church. It was as she began to explain her concerns that Raltor began to laugh.

“Oh, child, you can stop with the act now. I’m aware that you are not their sister,” Raltor said, continuing to laugh.

Aridean’s entire body felt cold by the revelation. If Raltor knew they were not all siblings, did he also know they were members of the rebellion? Aridean quickly considered turning and dashing back to the inn to warn Vidor and Rana not just of the soldiers, but of Raltor as well. However, considering the pastor could see through their lie, she did not want to do anything particularly suspicious. If anything, Aridean thought maybe there was a chance of convincing Raltor that she was indeed the younger sister of Rana and Vidor.

“W-what are you talking about? I-I think I’d know my fa--,” Aridean began to bluff before being cut off yet again.

“Child, it is not good to lie. I’m no expert on minotaurs, but I can take one look at the three of you and tell that you are not of their tribe,” Raltor calmly explained. Despite his honesty, Aridean was now feeling immensely distressed simply walking with the otherwise kind, old man.

“S-so, you knew? Does that mean…” Aridean began to ask but failed to finish her thought.

“I know not your business here in Byrden and it is probably best we keep it that way. I simply wish to have you sit down with Magdalene and help her grow as a person. Fret not, I’ve no intention of selling you out so long as you behave yourself,” Raltor assured with a friendly smile on his face. Aridean was becoming more and more uneasy with every word that Raltor spoke as it seemed he had somehow become aware of the group’s affiliation with the rebellion.

“W-was it Vidor?” Aridean asked, knowing full well that she both knew and did not want to hear the answer. Again, Raltor laughed as the two began to pass by the Honey Drop Bakery. Just as it was this morning, the smell of sweet and delicious baked goods wafted through the air, even on the opposite side of the road from the shop.

“I’m going to guess that subtlety is a bit difficult for him, hm? But, yes, it was when he questioned your relationship during your episode at the church that I took note that you three must have more going on than meets the eye,” Raltor explained as he and Aridean continued to walk further along the dirt road leading up to the church.

Rana’s going to be furious if she finds out that Vidor’s slip got us caught. I’d best do whatever Raltor asks of me to keep us out of trouble… and to spare Vidor from Rana as well, Aridean anxiously thought to herself. She let out an audible sigh as she followed Raltor to the church just outside the town. For whatever reason, Aridean was slowly developing a bad feeling regarding her current task.

Despite the uneasiness Aridean experienced having learned of Raltor’s knowledge of her affiliation with the rebellion, both her and Raltor sped up their stride as the rain seemed to be picking up again. Just as it was in the morning, the countryside outside the town was, apart from the rain, mostly quiet with not a soul in sight. Even with the rain coming down the way it was, Aridean found it odd that there were no residents of the country homes out tending to any chores. Presently, however, what truly bothered Aridean more was the mud that was becoming caked on her hooves.

As the rainfall was becoming more waterfall-like, the pair finally arrived at the church. Raltor pulled the door open and politely gestured Aridean in. Grateful to be out of the rain and off the muddy road, Aridean stood by the door while she waited patiently for Raltor’s instructions.

“Ah, it’s good to be back and out of that gloomy weather, wouldn’t you agree?” Raltor asked with a smile on his face. Aridean’s response was to politely nod with a nervous smile on her face.

Raltor closed the worship hall door behind him. Doing so left the large room considerably darker as little light managed to illuminate the room through the several small windows along the walls. Having taken notice of this issue, Raltor moved to the front of the hall where he took a small matchbook and struck a match. Using the burning match, Raltor went around the room, lighting several candles that were mounted on the walls.

“So then, Aridean, is there anything I can get you before I go to collect Magdalene? Perhaps something to drink?” Raltor gently asked as he blew out his match. Having discarded the extinguished, burnt stick, the pastor looked back at Aridean with a friendly smile.

“O-oh, I-I’m fine, thank you… uhm… w-well, maybe a towel to clean my hooves off? I-I don’t want to be tracking mud in your church,” Aridean hesitantly replied.

“Of course, please wait just one moment and I will be right back. Go ahead and have a seat anywhere, child,” Raltor spoke as he turned and made his way toward the back room of the church. As Raltor exited the hall into the back room, the door’s creaking loudly echoed through the front room. Aridean did as she was instructed and took a seat in a pew around the middle section of the worship hall.

I didn’t really have the chance to take things in this morning… so this is a church. It’s a lot quieter here than I would have thought, but I guess the rain is keeping the faithful at home today. Maybe I should ask the pastor if he will be conducting a service sometime later or tomorrow. Well, even if I can’t take part in one here, I suppose I could try the church back at Stonehaven, Aridean thought to herself as she waited. Rain was loudly and rapidly slapping each of the windows around the hall.

An odd stillness seemed to reside within the cool, candlelit room, apart from the ongoing rain. Aridean looked all over the worship hall for anything that might stimulate her mind in some manner while she waited. Her eyes landed upon the altar, decorated with a single cloth sheet and several ornaments, positioned at the front of the hall. Out of curiosity, Aridean rose from the pew she was seated at and moved toward the altar for a closer inspection.

Aridean took note that the altar itself was just an ordinary wooden table; she could not help but think that there would have been some intricate or masterful design to it. Much to her surprise, however, it was an average table covered in a green, fleece sheet. What did not surprise Aridean was the cross that had been sewn into the cloth. Laid out on top of the altar, in a rather unorganized fashion, were several religiously themed ornaments.

This tithe tray looks almost golden with that shine and with such a clear reflection… surely, it’s just painted though. I’d have a hard time believing a small church like this would keep gold, Aridean thought to herself as she admired a small collection tray. Moving on, Aridean also took note of a weathered book and wooden bowl containing plain-looking water. She surmised that the bowl must be holy water. What truly caught her attention, however, was the surprising amount of dust on the old book and the floating gunk in the water. Speaking of dust, it appeared to quite clearly coat the uncovered sections of the altar. Aridean could not help but think to herself that Raltor should clean this place up a bit before his next sermon.

After having made her note on the cleanliness of the church, Aridean continued to examine other items scattered about the altar. She immediately stopped when she noticed a strangely formed, metal cross. Although the general shape was normal, the shaft of this particular cross appeared to have been sharpened. It looked as though the shaft had been shaved down on a grindstone and gave way to a sharp edge.

That looks almost dangerous! Well, not even almost; someone is bound to hurt themselves with something like this. Why does Raltor keep such a worn piece of metal? Perhaps he’s just sentimental over this piece, Aridean theorized as she examined the almost blade-like cross. Having observed the altar and finding that particular item made Aridean a bit nervous. She thought it best if she returned to the pew she was sitting at previously as she waited for Raltor to return.

Maybe I should be taking this time to myself to think of what I should discuss with Magdalene… Well, I know she harbors a deep hatred for minotaurs… great start, moron, Aridean thought, considerably annoyed with herself.

While the rain continued outside and Pastor Raltor continued to prepare himself in the back room, Aridean gradually grew restless having to wait. She had only asked for a towel for cleaning her hooves and wondered what was keeping the pastor. Clearly, the pastor was an older gentleman; Aridean began to consider the possibility that he may have fallen in the back room and was hurt now. Hesitantly, Aridean rose from her seat on the wooden pew she had been waiting on and slowly made her way toward the front of the hall. She slowly drew closer to the door that Raltor had left through and nervously reached for the knob. As her hand gripped the doorknob, the door to the worship hall at the back of the church opened, flooding the room with cloud-blocked light.

“Ugh, what are you doing here? Wait, what are you doing back there?! Where’s Pastor Raltor, hooves?!” came the familiar and hostile voice of the pickpocketing young lady, Magdalene. Feeling as though she was caught having committed cold-blooded murder, Aridean’s grip on the doorknob was immediately released. She stood up straight and turned around to see a rain-drenched Magdalene, her fists clenched tightly by her sides.

“I-I was waiting on P-Pastor Raltor to bring me a towel for my hooves. B-but he’s been in there for a while now,” Aridean explained as she backed away from the back-room door with her hands raised. Both her breathing and heart rate were quickening with her growing anxiety. Magdalene slowly moved into the church but kept at least four pews distance between her and Aridean.

“Waiting for him? So that means… What?! You?! He wanted to talk to me about you?! He knows exactly what I think about you and your kind,” Magdalene announced with a rising fury in her voice. Aridean was quickly beginning to regret her decision to come to the church. Despite having lived with the rebels for almost two years and being sheltered from the negativity and hurtfulness of Thellia, just one sentence from this girl was enough to bring it all back. Hearing just how despised she was from Magdalene was enough to sink Aridean’s heart in her chest.

“H-he just wanted us t-to talk,” Aridean stuttered as she pushed herself into a wall. Although she just sounded a bit panicked, Aridean herself felt as though she were gasping for air between each word she spoke.

“Is that so? Well, I for one don’t want to talk to a big, dumb minotaur! If you want to talk, then talk to yourself because I don’t want to hear it,” Magdalene shouted angrily. Aridean was growing increasingly afraid of the girl before her, despite Magdalene clearly being at least three years younger than Aridean.

“I-I’m s-sorry,” Aridean struggled to reply as her legs began to grow weak underneath her. She so desperately wanted to run out of the church and as far from Magdalene as she could. Her face was filled with anxiousness and her body had begun shaking. It seemed that Magdalene had taken notice of Aridean’s growing discomfort as the minotaur began sinking down to the ground.

“D-don’t start that again! I’m not falling for it. You minotaurs are the cause of the Empire’s problems, yet you want sympathy when confronted by the undeniable truth? Do you know what your rebellion has cost me?! Like you could ever understand what your kind has done,” Magdalene aggressively barked. As she finished her thought, the door to the back room opened up. Pastor Raltor stepped out with a bright smile on his face and a tray with a kettle of tea and three cups. He also had the towel that Aridean had asked for draped over his shoulder.

Upon reentering the worship hall, it took Raltor only a moment to take in the scene that was unfolding before him. A loud, exasperated sigh was let loose before the old man moved toward the closest pew. Raltor set the tea tray he had prepared down on the pew before making his way over to Aridean, who had backed herself in the opposite corner of the room at this point.

“Aridean, child, look at me, everything’s alright,” Raltor called out in a friendly tone. He set his hands on Aridean’s shoulders as he tried to calm down the panicked minotaur. Aridean, however, could feel her body seize up from the pastor’s touch. Even through her warm fur, Aridean felt the cold in Raltor’s fingers.

“Pastor, why did you bring that thing here? They’re nothing but trouble and you know it,” Magdalene called from behind Raltor.

“Magdalene, I’m doing this for your own good,” Raltor stated, never having turned to look at Magdalene. The pastor continued his efforts to calm the frantic Aridean. Behind him, a loud grunting sound could be heard, followed by the tap of shoes as they exited the worship hall. Magdalene had decided to leave the church without another word.

“I-I just want to go home… I-I just want to g-go home, Simon,” Aridean quietly stated in a scared and nervous tone of voice. Raltor released his grip on Aridean and stood up with another sigh.

“Ugh, this just got a bit more difficult…” Raltor could be heard muttering. “Child, come now, get up and have some tea. I’m sure something sweet and warm will make you feel better.”

Aridean, barely, managed to look up to Raltor as the pastor looked down to her with another smile on his face. Using every once of willpower she could muster, Aridean gave a nervous nod. Raltor turned and proceeded toward the tea tray he had set down when he came into the room. At her own slow pace, Aridean slowly stood back up and followed the old man, albeit still shivering from the anxiety.

Raltor poured out a cup of tea for Aridean and himself before gesturing Aridean to sit with him on one of the wooden pews. Aridean took the cup she had been offered in both hands, so as to avoid spilling it from her consistent shakiness. Aridean took her seat beside Raltor at the front row pew.

“I’m sorry that did not go all according to plan, child. I understand that you may have reservations about continuing, but I beg you to try again when you feel you’ve calmed down some,” Raltor apologized and pleaded.

“W-why is she so cruel,” Aridean asked as she was slowly calming down again. Her question was met with yet another sigh from Raltor.

“I did not want to share it with anyone unless Magdalene permitted it, but I feel you’ve a right to know. I met Magdalene almost eight years ago; she was a survivor of an attack on her hometown that was caught in a battle between a rebel squad and some Empire soldiers,” Raltor explained, his voice sounding incredibly serious. “During the aftermath, I took her under my wing and have been with her here in Byrden since. However, Magdalene considers minotaurs pure evil for having instigated the battle that led to the destruction of her home.”

“Eight years ago? B-but why does she have to take it out on me? I-I didn’t do anything,” Aridean sorrowfully responded. With watery eyes, Aridean drank from the teacup that Raltor had given her. The beverage was warm but not exactly sweet, much to her disappointment. Upon seeing the minotaur drink the refreshment he had prepared, Raltor gave another smile.

“I’m sorry you are being made the target of her misplaced aggression. But just know that I am certain you will be the one to help make her perfect,” Raltor spoke as Aridean set her cup aside. Having drank her tea, Aridean felt a bit more relaxed; the nervous shaking of her body had almost immediately stopped.

“M-make her perfect? I-I don’t know if that’s something I can do for her,” Aridean replied, taking oddly elongated pauses between her words as she spoke. Aridean began feeling a bit strange; an unusual drowsiness was quickly overwhelming her.

“Oh, trust me… when we’re done, she’ll make the perfect vessel,” Raltor said as Aridean’s eyelids began to grow heavier and heavier. Upon Raltor’s face was a rather scary looking grin; it was completely different from the friendly smiles he had been giving earlier.

“V-ves…sel? Wha—” Aridean began to ask but quickly found she was unable to finish her thought as the sudden sleepiness took over. The out-of-it minotaur quickly slumped over the back of the pew she was sitting in as her consciousness slipped away from her. Her vision quickly began to blur as the world felt as though it was spinning around her. The last thing Aridean could hear before fading entirely was a devilish laugh.