Solsday, 2nd of Septimus, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Timotheus was still thinking about what his youngest sister had told everyone yesterday. The little girl had recounted the profane rituals their parents forced her to go through. Of course he knew his youngest sibling went through the blood ritual, as that was how he was 'cured'. But it never even crossed his mind to think that Tigor and Tiur were also made to be involved by their parents.

It made his stomach churn just thinking about it. Just when he thought he couldn't think worse of his parents, that revelation occurred. Suffice it to say, he was troubled the entire way through the Solsday service.

It was a huge shame that his focus was troubled, because the liturgical service was beautiful. Count Lorenz had taken them all for church at the Cathedral of Saint Severus. It was the largest church-building in all of Feldonia, located not too far from the mansion. Certainly, it was the largest building Timotheus had ever stepped foot in just in general. The Hurianatama back in Goria looked like a small shack compared to the beauty of St. Severus.

Timotheus only managed to calm himself after receiving holy communion. He felt like he prayed harder during the service that day. He had much on his mind and no one to truly speak it to. Reverend Nalom was always sympathetic towards him, but he professed that he couldn't understand fully what Timotheus was going through. There was Josias, but on these matters, Timotheus couldn't bring himself to speak to his little brother.

The amount of guilt and shame he felt each time he looked at Josias was immeasurable. He felt like he had wronged him too much. Though they weren't done by his own hand, the sins of his father weighed greatly on him. He felt his younger brother a saint for still being able to look at him and his family with such love.

He was greatly indebted to Josias, too. The charge of taking care of little Tiur and Tigor – which should have been Timotheus' as the eldest – was taken up by Josias and Serena. Those two acted more like parents to the children than he ever could. Not to mention their entire stay in Feldonia was solely funded by his brother's in-laws.

It was in times like these where he missed his mentor's presence. Archbishop Ludwig always had sage advice for him to ponder on. But here, he was sorely lacking that stable hand of authority. Even so, though he was an ocean away, his mentor's guidance could still be felt. Both through the aid of Count Lorenz as well as the meeting he was about to have.

Timotheus was standing – alongside Count Lorenz and Reverend Nalom – in the presence of The Most Reverend Right Honourable Andrew Fellspark, Archbishop of Skysea and Primate of All Archior. The archbishop sat upon his chair in the cathedral's consistory along with other high-ranking officials of the Feldonian church.

The Archbishop sat there in his official choir dress, a black chimere over a white rochet. To honour the senior clergymen, Timotheus and Reverend Nalom had also worn the vestments of Halak church. Black cassocks, a pectoral crucifix, as well as traditional ulos cloths draped over their right shoulder.

This was a meeting Count Lorenz had set up beforehand. At first, the count only wanted to schedule a later date for the meeting, but the Archbishop seemed very enthusiastic after learning of their arrival. The archbishop had immediately invited them over to the consistory.

"Please, sit down, Lord Count, Reverend Fathers." The archbishop politely motioned his hand towards the empty seats. The grin on his thin face complimented the excitement of his strikingly amber eyes.

The man was still in his fifties – rather young for a senior prelate – but Count Lorenz had told Timotheos beforehand not to underestimate the Archbishop. He said the priest was far more cunning than he let on. To be honest, it was quite difficult for Timotheus to believe. Ever since he entered the room, Archbishop Fellspark was constantly full of smiles. They looked genuine too.

Next to the Archbishop was a man who had to be one of the oldest-looking human beings Timotheus had seen in his life. Count Lorenz had whispered to him that that was Bishop Philip Mortimer. Timotheus couldn't believe it when the count told him that Bishop Mortimer was almost a century old. Unlike the Archbishop, the ancient bishop seemed rather apprehensive to Timotheus' and Reverend Nalom's appearance.

As they sat down, Timotheus handed over his mentor's letter of recommendation to the Feldonian prelate. The Archbishop graciously accepted his letter and had an ecstatic face the entire time he read it. He laughed as he concluded his reading before handing it over to be read by the other bishops.

"Before we continue, your eminences, allow me to state my gratitude to the Archbishop for allowing us this audience on short notice." Timotheus bowed his head towards the clergymen.

"Oh, think nothing of it, reverend. Also, since this is a semi-private audience, we may dispense ourselves with the needless formalities." The Archbishop said "I assume you are the young Reverend Timotheus and your friend there is Reverend Nalom?"

"Indeed, your eminence." Timotheus confirmed. The archbishop nodded in satisfaction "It's an honour to meet you."

"The honour is mine, Reverend. Or should I refer to you as 'Your Highness'? Hahahah!" The Archbishop teased, inciting laughter among the other priests "To think that a direct descendant of a king would give his life in service to the church. Not even our own royal family currently has anyone interested in taking up a role in church. Of course there was King Cedric who became Pope in Sanctum, but that was over two centuries ago."

"Papists don't count." Old Bishop Mortimer spat out in a raspy voice, causing the archbishop to roll his eyes. Bishop Mortimer passed on Archbishop Ludwig's letter to the other clergymen as his old eyes gazed at Count Lorenz. "And it's about damn time that Luddy actually attempted to show us some results of his missionary work. Else I would've thought Count Lorenz's brother was just pilfering our church and the king's purse for money."

The old man's tone was harsh and frankly a little too dismissive for Timotheos' liking. However, Timotheos tried his best to understand the old man's perspective. It was indeed far too easy for a more dishonest person to embezzle funds and make things up. Especially when they were an ocean away.

"You there, boy. Recite the Lipene Creed." The old bishop put Timotheos on the spot as he pointed to him and locked eyes with him. Timotheus was surprised for a second before he regained his composure and did exactly as he was asked.

He recited one of the ancient creeds of the christian faith. In fact he did it three times. Once in the Halak tongue, once in Feldonian, and once in the original Anthroian text. It was a creed that detailed the intricacies of Christ's divinity. A concept the Ephorus had hammered into him throughout his mentoring. The Old Bishop Mortimer scoffed but nodded affirmatively while the Archbishop clapped his hands excitedly.

"Hmph. At least we know your brother didn't just randomly pick up any ol' savage and stuck the title of 'priest' on him. The boy shows promise." Bishop Mortimer laid back on his chair as he crossed his arms.

"Oh don't listen to this old bag of bones." Archbishop Fellspark elbowed the old man gently, his face showing a satisfied expression "I doubt even our own parish priests would be able to do what you did. You are special, young reverend. But it is intriguing to see how your archbishop even translated the creeds into your tongue. I could pick up a couple of the words here and there, but I've mostly forgotten what little of Hallack I studied."

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"You studied Halak?" Timotheus was genuinely surprised that such a prominent clergyman said that.

"Of course. You know, way back when I was but a newly-ordained priest, I always dreamed of doing missionary work myself. I was actually almost sent there and would've gone were it not for… Well whatever the case, at the time, we hadn't yet any prominent missions there save for the one or two small groups sent by the Newlanders. The Lord Count's brother has done a phenomenal job in regards to his mission."

"That reminds me of something. If you would be so kind, Your Eminence." Timotheus presented a book to the archbishop "It is a copy of the draft of the Halak Church's confession, Your Eminence. It was made based upon the ancient creeds, the catechisms of the Great Reformer, Reverend Helmar, as well as referencing the various creeds formulated within the Imperial Confessions."

"My, it's written in both your tongue and in Feldonian as well?" The archbishop had started going through the document.

"We based our knowledge on the Feldonian translation of those documents."

"Well, even if it was based before my revised translations, it should still be good." Bishop Mortimer commented.

Timotheus widened his eyes and exchanged looks with Reverend Nalom. Archbishop Fellspark seemed to have caught this as he laughed and started explaining. "Despite what this old fossil may seem like, Bishop Mortimer was the main translator for all of Blessed Reverend Helmar's treatises. He even personally studied under Reverend Helmar for a time."

"I have an immense respect for Reverend Martin Helmar, but in some aspects, Archbishop Christopher de Villenoir's writings and treatises were superior to his. But, they were of course still better than Joseph Faber." Bishop Mortimer's tone and face softened somewhat when speaking of those names.

Even Timotheus knew the names of the famous protestant reformers against the papacy. To see the old man speak of them on a personal basis, a more solid feel of respect grew in him.

"But just giving this confession a summary look, I can tell there is a good amount of thought put behind this." The Archbishop closed the book as he focused back on Timotheus "You see, we are currently also still in the process of working out revisions on our church's own articles of faith. There've been a few… detractors, among us. Some of our more passionately reformed brothers consider us still too papist for their liking."

"While others in our midst think we're throwing out the baby with the bathwater with our reforms." Bishop Mortimer shook his head and scoffed, his old, wrinkled face scorning to a frown "You just can't please everyone."

"Still, we're doing our best to put His Majesty's ideas of 'Via Media' into action. But speaking on that, how are the developments going within the Hallack church, Reverend?"

"Praise be to the Lord, day by day, the number of realms that are accepting of God's Word increases. The Lord Ephorus is already busying himself with the establishment of newer diocesan provinces and districts to accommodate the growth. In these efforts, we are working closely with the Church of the Newlander Republic."

"Ah, I'm relieved to hear our brothers in Newlandia are also putting in effort to spread God's Word in earnest." The Archbishop clasped his hands.

"Aren't those rustic puritans still busy waging wars with the natives?" Bishop Mortimer asked.

"From the last I've heard of it, while tensions are high, they have yet to engage in open war." Timotheus answered "I can only pray that peace prevails, but failing that, I pray the Lord protects our brothers and sisters in the faith wherever they may be."

"As do we all, Reverend." The Archbishop nodded his head, agreeing with Timotheus' sentiment. "I can only hope for peace as well. As it is only through peace that we might be able to gather all our evangelical brethren for a definitive council. It may seem like a pipe dream now, but I remain optimistic that all protestants would stand as a united front against the heresies of Sanctum and the rest of the heathens."

It was a noble ideal. Timotheus himself liked the concept of being a part of a wider communion of churches. Though, of course, something that wasn't as tyrannically authoritarian as the catholics.

"Regardless, I'd like to thank the young reverend for sharing this wonderful document with us." the archbishop gave the confessional for the other prelates to review. "I promise to study this closely and ascertain its orthodoxy along with my colleagues. We'll be personally writing a letter of response to your Ephorus when that's been concluded."

"Thank you for your consideration, your Eminence."

"Oh, don't be so modest. If all your colleagues over in the Hallacklands are as impressive as you are, then I am rest assured. But speaking of impressions, the letter states that you and Reverend Nalom also have talents in the arcane? In addition to learning from us, you also wish to continue studies within the Imperial Academy."

"Yes. Both my colleague and I have an affinity for magic therefore the Lord Ephorus felt it prudent for us to learn from the best. Be it" Timotheus said.

"Your eminence, Reverend Sigumogo, is being far too modest." Reverend Nalom bowed as he added onto Timotheus' answer "I am nothing but merely a mage of the second circle, despite my relative seniority to Reverend Timotheus. But he is already equivalent to the fifth circle of magic."

Timotheus widened his eyes as he shot a glance to his colleague. Reverend Nalom merely gave him two thumbs up. It didn't seem like he realised that Timotheus didn't want to be put on the spot even further. But it was too late. Looking back to the archbishop, the man's eyes already looked brighter than the stars. They were practically sparkling.

"Oh, truly? The letter mentioned you were both at least in the third circle, but the fifth one? –At such a young age to boot? I must see for myself. If I may humbly ask you to hold out your hand…" The archbishop had the largest smile on his face.

Timotheus was reluctant, but it wasn't like he had much of a choice. He looked to Count Lorenz who gave him a nod. At that, Timotheus sighed out before he presented his palm to the archbishop.

Archbishop Fellspark held onto Timotheus' palms with both hands. In the next moment, Timotheus could feel a rush of mana rush into him, surging from his palms. The Archbishop's eyes glowed a light blue, similar to the colour of dungeon portals. Timotheus could even feel the mana rushing into his mana core, like it was checking through each circle of mana within it thoroughly.

Then the rush stopped. The archbishop retracted his hands. On his face, a huge satisfied grin.

"Amazing. I've never seen anything like this before." The archbishop shook his head "They said I was fast when I attained my third circle at twenty seven. Now I truly realise how vast the world is."

"We can't very well leave the boy fully to the Academy." Bishop Mortimer said with a sense of urgency "If we do that, Chateaublanc will stop at nothing trying to steal him from under our noses!"

"Preposterous. He's an ordained minister. The Mage Directory has no authority over members of the clergy. Besides, what could the Count of Lechampor even offer him? His stated reason for being here is purely educational. Is that not the case, Reverend?"

"Of course, Your Eminenece." Timotheus said "We have no interest in involving ourselves with whatever politics you are referring to."

"Splendid! But don't worry too much. Though we speak like these, we assure you that the directory mages aren't actually that bad. You know before I found my calling in the clergy, my father wanted me to focus more on the arcane. But that's a story for another time."

"Christ have mercy, we were spared from one of your long stories." Bishop Mortimer snickered. For a second, Timotheus could see the Archbishop flashing the dirtiest look to the old man. The contortion was truly in contrast to his thus far friendly image.

"...Anyways. I shall assign you two as aides to Reverend Charles Peterson, the chaplain of the Imperial Academy. We'll give you the details of the job once we've informed Reverend Peterson of this. Rest assured, we'll also make provisions for you two to join with the arcane faculty. We'll also assign you two to some extra classes within the schools of Theology and Philosophy… Count Lorenz, when is the official start of the semester?"

"On the 10th, Your Eminence." Count Lorenz answered.

"Good, then we still have a week of time to prepare. In a few days, we'll send the notice directly to your address for further provisions and instructions. Are these terms acceptable?"

"More than acceptable, Your Eminence."

"Then, while I'd hate to cut this most wonderful meeting short, please feel free to come to us if there's ever anything you need, my dear reverends."

"Your hospitality is beyond our means of gratitude, your eminence." Timotheus bowed once more.

It would seem the days ahead would prove to be quite busy and eventful. Lots to study, lots to learn. But for someone as desperate as him to rid himself of useless thoughts, it would give him something to do. And for that, he only had the Lord to thank.

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