The Halfbreed (closed)

[Lickford]

Father Yardley stood frozen. For a moment he thought that he’d seen…but that wasn’t possible, that couldn’t be, not here. He blinked and the room shifted slightly, and his surroundings returned to normal. As normal as circumstances allowed any way

 

[Asa]

Lydia downed the tea and moved to leave but Helena stopped her again to hug her.

My little cold one...

Lydia still tensed but knew she would never get out of the house not away from this new priest till she returned the hug. Placing a hand on Helena's shoulder she nodded to her.

Thank you... I need to be going now.

Helena almost did not want to let go of her till Father Zain carefully and gently pried the old woman from her.

Thank you old friend... Till our paths cross again... Stay well.

Farewell Zain.

With that she and Jacob left as they were bringing the body bag down the stairs. Zain sighed.

We should.go as well I will tend to all the arrangements and call your cousin Marta in Boston for you.

Helena nodded.

Maybe get her to live here now with me.

 

[Lickford]

The questions virtually exploded out of Christopher in rapid-fire succession as they drove back. "Father Zain, what happened in there? Who is that woman? What did she do up there? Why is the coroner there? Is it even allowed to have a woman exorcist? Is she even an exorcist or is she something more?" His impudence towards the old man embarrassed him somewhat, but his curiosity was in control for now, he had to know.

 

[Asa]

I will have to speak with the council before I can discuss those two with you. I suspect the Archbishop will seek to speak with me as soon as we return anyway unless she has already made her way there to confront him about your presence.

Father Zain sighed. This poor kid had no business knowing about Lyria nor Jacob nor their past with not place within the Catholic world.

 

[Lickford]

"Confront him with my presence?!?" Christopher exclaimed "Why?..." There was something about Father Zain's face that gave him pause. Whatever was going on, he'd know soon enough. He opted for silence for the rest of the drive, meditating on one of the sermons of John Chrystosom to distract himself.

 

[Asa]

As they were driving up Zain saw the two "security" priests due to all the game violence that sometimes spilled over into the area foolishly attempt to stop her from entering as Jacob told them that blocking her was not a good idea and a growled move...NOW from her had them agreeing with him and letting her in. Zain shook his head and kept driving.

Let's take the back entrance and see what they have for lunch.

----------
Inside the council chamber, she stood there hands on the table looking at each of them.

Why was the new priest not recalled before I got there? And do you all tell him who we are...

She grinned her eyes slightly glowing

Or do I?

She snarled...

I keep telling you to stop withholding vital information yet you keep doing it... Why is that?

One of the more uppity priests who did not like their presence at all sneered.

We are not beholding to you demon...

Jacob stepped forward to grab her as she looked ready to line and the archbishop shut down the other priest quickly.

We owe both of them the lives and safety of this city and all they protect the church and the people from and a debt we can never repay from the abuses and tortures at Father Daniels' hands and orders

 

[Lickford]

Christopher followed the Father inside. The dining hall was all but deserted but there was plenty of food still. The air inside the building was electric, clearly whatever Father Zain wanted to let blow over had not yet spent its energy. Curious and anxious as he was, Christopher secretly thanked the Father for being prepared to wait things out.

 

[Asa]

Father Zain grabbed a cup of water and spoke to a couple of the nuns and then sat down with him to eat some lunch. Eventually, the Archbishop joined them with a very sullen annoyed looking priest.

Father Zain... Your young student certainly has had a trial by fire and I am earful about his unexpected presence. Perhaps a phone number other than the main switchboard would be in order don't you agree?

Like the batphone on that tv show you watched with us Mister Archbishop man?

A young boy who was cleaning up the tables chimed in. One of the parishioners kids wanting something to do to get out of the house and likes hanging out with the other kids that live in the on-property school.

The Archbishop chuckled

Something like that Jeffery.

And that nice protector lady Lyria and Mr. Jacob could call you on it too.

 

[Lickford]

“Batphone?” Christopher’s head spun, what kind of work were they doing here? Exorcisms don’t require any kind of emergency hotline as far as he knew, holy water, a Bible, and the authority of the risen Christ, that’s all that was required according to the books he’d read on the topic

“Your Grace” he said loyally “it was less of a baptism of fire than a baptism of mystery. But the lord preserved me, and I remain ready to do his work.”

 

[Asa]

The Archbishop nodded to him. Yes perhaps that as well.

He seemed very deep in thought for a long moment as Zain watched him.

If he is to continue with me perhaps slow very slow stream of information is needed.

He looked to Christopher as the Archbishop absently nodded deep I'm thought.

The one's young Jeffery spoke of and Helena called old one are Lyria and Jacob... They are... Allies and... Problem solvers of... A different faith. That for now is all you need to know other than do not confront them especially her.

 

[Lickford]

"A different faith your grace? Are we allying ourselves with opponents of the one true faith? Enemies of christs church?" Christopher spluttered in shock "What problems do they solve?" He already had a strong sense that confronting or crossing the two "problem solvers" was a very bad idea indeed. His minds eye was drawn again to the eerie beauty of Lyria, there was something almost Fae about her.

 

[Asa]

An old nun who truly didn't give a damn enough to have a filter walked by and spoke up.

The entire catholic world owes that young woman a debt we can never repay all thanks to Fsther Daniels the Archbishops predecessor now stop questioning things accept this on faith and hope you never have to encounter them as often as the Archbishop does.

 

[Lickford]

Suitably chastened Christopher backed down a little “please forgive my impudence your Grace, the circumstances that I find myself in here are highly surprising and I struggle to express myself” he tried to strike a balance in his tone of humility and inquisitiveness. “I serve at your pleasure and that our risen lord. How may I be of use here? I find that my seminary training has not been as useful as advertized”

 

[Asa]

Sister Arla... Enough he is new and young. It is alright Father Yardley she is old and has been involved in all of this for a long time. For now let's dismiss this talk and tend to the duties around the church.

 

[Lickford]

Christopher made the sign of the cross. “How may I serve your Grace?”

 

[Asa]

Help the children with their studies you have done well helping Father Zain today with Helena

The Archbishop nodded to him as Jeffery spoke up. I can show him the way.

The Archbishop nodded

Thank you Jeffery always a food help

 

[Lickford]

After the children had completed their work, Christopher gathered them together. “my name is father Yardley” he’d always been awkward around children, their wide eyed simplicity and worrying habit of asking penetrating questions made them dangerous in his eyes. Still, he had pledged to serve, even unto the least of these, as if Christ were present. “Have you learned the creed yet?”

 

[Asa]

They rattled it off and smiled to him greeting him. Once their lessons were done they had questions about him.and who he was there to work with or if he could be another teacher for them and play with them and Jeffery.

 

[Lickford]

Christopher answered the questions as quickly as the children rattled them off, he was warming to them now. “I’m here to work for Father Zain, but I hope to teach you all more in the future”

 

[Asa]

You work with Father Zain... Cool have you worked Jacob or the nice protector lady... She doesn't like hugs but that's okay too.

The kids began rapid fire of more questions until Sister Arla moved to silence them and prepare them for their plate outside.

 

[Lickford]

Christopher laughed at their inquisitiveness “no, im very new here. I just met the protector lady today. She’s very strong isn’t she?” He looked up with relief at Sister Arla “here is the Sister to take you outside. Thank you for being such good students today”

 

[Asa]

Arla heard their name for Lyria and sighed walking them outside. Father Zain walked over.

They can be so full of ideals and questions can't they? Reassuring and worrisome at the same time. You know you can go out into the city and explore some.

 

[Lickford]

“It’s good to know that the next generation of the faith will be strong father” Christopher affirmed “they will need to be. I’d appreciate the opportunity to explore a little. Are there any places of significance that I should see?”

 

[Asa]

Well there is a food truck park over on the next block and a park right across the street from there. Few historical sites around town.

Zain thought about it all for a moment.

Some of the local bars actually do family-style lunches and activities for kids on their patios before they turn age restrictions at 9 pm.

 

[Lickford]

“What is the history of this town father Zain?” A series of connections were trying to form in his brain. Like thinly stretched wire they barely touched, sparking and fizzing “I’d love to know more about it. Where should I go?”