"Excuse me...?" Invec's tone was drenched in annoyance, his eyes narrowing to slits as he halted his retreat. Mazhar questioned whether to continue, not wishing to incur the aggression of his companion, but concerned of the affairs that were occurring. Whether he was willing to admit it or not, the Church for the first time was experiencing the precursor to a revolution. It was expected of course; nothing can remain solitary and regardless of its independence, eventually the tides of time erode and change everything we consider familiar. "What right have you to dabble in affairs beyond your control and influence?" A rather demeaning smirk followed, Invec sighing as he shrugged in response. "Correct me if I'm wrong... But we are Agents of God; we are His eyes and His ears. Why not His wrath? We enforce His laws, why should our extension of His prowess cease in prevention?" "What... What happened...?" Mazhar murmured underneath his breath, starting to realize that he was losing ground in this conversation. "What changed you Invec...?" Cardinal Invec was previously assigned an expedition to survey the country and in an unusual turn of events, nominated the idea of traveling past the routine lands underneath the Church's influence. Leaving an embodiment of perfection and ethereal, the Church was astonished that in his return, he lost certain qualities during his journey. The Cardinal of Justice had abandoned his priorities and surrendered his usually merciful behavior, instead taking on a more aggressive and fanatical perspective.
"I have seen things... Things foreign to the Church and its Children. Our grace only extends so far and it is this weakness that allows chaos and sin to infect the landscape. We are notorious for the infinite forgiveness and charity we offer, all in the good will of making this world a better place of worship and virtue. But by offering second chances, we aren't inspiring conformation, but turning a blind eye toward infractions. I could show you thousands of injustices and atrocities Mazhar... Every day and night in my expedition, no matter where my glance headed, I was incapable of escaping the suffering of our people, all because of a much too lenient tolerance." Attempting to understand his preaching, Mazhar found an absence of a suitable response, fearing further explanation should he provoke further. The Cardinal and friend he knew no longer existed; yet, personal relations weren't of concern at the moment. "The things you're speaking of Invec... Are you challenging Her Majesty and the Church?" He hesitated as he spoke, trying to sound more like an inquiry then an accusation.
"Are you instigating a revolution...?"
"No... A reformation."
~Cardinal Sins; Sanctuary Of Virtue~
No one ever believed it could happen...
A Cardinal was imprisoned with the threat of execution.
Running haphazardly throughout the corridors, her heart was racing and breathing deep as she attempted to maintain her balance. Turning another corner she continued to randomly yell in a noncomprehenable manner, her dark robes flowing with each stride and attempting to trip her should a single misstep happen. Her response to the news of Cardinal Mazhar's imprisonment and being revoked of his status was quite improper; the other servants in the Church were quite surprised with the tidings but responded in a more practical manner, further showing her behavior as childish and novice. Gabriel moved an arm to shield her eyes, perhaps trying to recover from the embarrassment of her outburst, but most likely a blockade to prevent others from realizing she had been crying. Emerald eyes showed a scarlet hue, tears welling up and streaming down normally rosy cheeks, barely passing her trembling lips. Locks of crimson fluttered behind her, restrained with a golden bow neatly sitting on her head, thankfully preventing what would have otherwise been a blinding sprint throughout the Church's hallways. Gentle fingers wrapped around the cross against her chest, her eyes closing for a brief moment as she started to collect herself once more. "Please Father Mahzar... Be safe... With Her Majes-"
Her prayer stopped short as she collided into someone else, her frail form bouncing back, accompanied by a quiet yelp as she glanced upward. A small collection of people stood patiently outside a rather gigantic door, silently praying for their comrade as well, but more importantly awaiting audience. Looking upward she sheepishly met the gaze of one of the many Bishops that populated the grounds; giving her a small smile before extending his hand for assistance, the gesture at first ignored until she caved in. "Sorry... What's happening..?" Immediately she felt rude, so casually going from an apology to an inquiry of the situation. The commotion was too much for her to be reminded of proper behavior, the Bishop himself not even noticing. "We're awaiting an audience with Her Majesty..." Her eyes lit up slightly, thinking for a second before finally asking what was on her mind. "Could.. Could I come with?" Normally audiences were only permitted to Cardinals and the higher ranks, with the lower members of the clergy passage only in the larger meetings. Apprentices however, regardless of any other circumstances, were prohibited in attending however; a rule mostly kept around ensuring that the highest regards and respect were offered in the presence of Her Majesty. She bit her lower lip a little, awaiting response as the conversation continued to strength amongst the congregation. Distracted by the wildfire of gossip, she was sadly given no response as people tended to their priorities.
The sound of the portal opening slightly followed, barely audible but enough to silence everyone present. "You may now enter, servants of the Church." Maintaining a sense of civility, the assortment of attendants shuffled in, with Gabriel barely fitting in with the crowd. The inner chamber of Her Majesty was quite the intimidating sight; the room was gargantuan, much larger then she had imagined, despite constantly inhabiting the surrounding hallways. The walls were decorated in elaborate designs of fabric and writing, hidden underneath pillars and arches supporting what seemed to be several floors. Walking forward, she noticing the others humbling themselves, not daring to speak a single word as they knelt on the purple carpeting adorning the floor. Following in suit, she stared down with much impatience, finding the ritual unbearable. She needed the answers now, the explanations for Father Mazhar's imprisonment and the questionable acts of the returning Cardinal Invec. "We surrender ourselves to your glory and presence... We are lost... Please, guide us." Silence followed, something that quite infuriated her as her mind raced. Was this arrogance? Did Her Majesty not care for her subjects? Everyone else remained calm and restrained, their eyes closed as if in meditation, as if refusing to even address Her with eye contact.
"Majesty... What of Invec's pursuits?" Another question followed, unfortunately meeting the same fate of remaining unanswered. Seconds passed, ticking off into minutes and yet the congregation remained patient. Gabriel became more irritated however, clenching a portion of the carpet with one of her hands, her entire body trembling as she tried to steady herself. "Majesty... Why did Cardinal Mazhar be arrested..?" A different voice, another inquiry, and yet still there was no response or comforting returned. Her patience gone, Gabriel starting muttering underneath her breath, eyes closed tightly as she raged onward silently. "Why... Why won't you help us?" An answer finally followed, her expectations however not fully met as a hush was thrown her direction. "Apprentice... We find the answers in ourselves... Her Majesty is a guide..." The explanation did little to satisfy her conscious. To everyone else this was a meeting of meditation toward enlightenment, something a little too abstract for a youthful mind to comprehend. It seemed unfair though, were they that insignificant? For all the adoration... All the devotion... For someone of such esteemed opinion to look upon Her servants as nothing was an agonizing realization.
"Why do you let this happen?!?!" She could no longer tolerate being tossed aside and ignored, standing up and yelling as loudly as possible. The other members of the clergy were mortified, glancing upward from their positions of prayer to find that it was a lowly apprentice that had the nerve to directly attack Her Majesty. Her actions were true however, faith and conviction only sustaining a person for so long before renewal was necessary. Gabriel's eyes widened slightly, the room expanding upwards in an unfathomable distance, each level practically identical to the previous. The very chamber seemed to disappear into the darkness, the epiphany perhaps in heaven itself amongst the clouds. This was the difference between the mortal and the divine, something no was could be prepared to acknowledge. Still however, she continued her rant, recovering enough from the shock to continue despite the occasional stutter or pause. "H-how could you let Cardinal Mazhar down!? Don't you know... Don't you know what's happening?? The Church... It's threatening to... To fall apart...." She was a voice in a world without a will, allowing all present to face the harsh reality. The world continued to change, eventually and inevitably it would effect and contort the tradition and powers of the Church itself. Several of the clergy rose up, attempting to remove her from the room, met only with a frenzy of thrashes and kicking as she opposed.
"My child..."
Was that... Her? It was unprecedented in all previous audiences for Her Majesty to ever respond. Rather, usually those requesting to be in her presence finding salvation and validation in themselves. Everyone ceased their movements, caught in a combination of awe and disbelief. Seconds passed, perhaps the sound was mistaken for another person..? Or worse, it could have been a figment of her imagination to distract herself from that growing fear.
"Even here in the Church are we amongst Angels and Demons..."
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances are the ideas and concepts presented anything more then hypothetical interpretation and are not to be considered insulting or derogatory toward any religious beliefs. |