This is the fifth chapter of Carnelia, found in The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky.

To Obtain: Matilda atop the bridge in Ruan will provide it after completing Festival Help.

 

Emissary of the Sabbath

I sat staring at a partially-melted lump of butter on a stack of cold pancakes. Picking up a fork, I poked at them, and after turning the top one over, I daubed the milky yellow substance between the rubbery layers. In doing so, my interest in what sat atop my plate faded to nil.

A hanging lamp dangled overhead, making a sporadic buzzing sound as its honey-coloured light flickered, creating jittery shadows and distorting my vision within the inn. The pouring rain outside didn't appear as if it would let up anytime soon, either.

Bringing my face closer to the window, I peered through my film of water flowing down the outside of the glass as I tried to make out the dimly lit avenue. Although the station house sat right at the end of the road from where we were lodged, all that was visible was the side of the structure obscured by a shadow which prevented me from being able to see the platform.

'There's nothing to be worried about,' said Sister Carnelia as she returned wiping her hands with a handkerchief as white as the newly driven snow.

Stretching the square strip of cloth out, she sat down and placed it neatly on her lap like a napkin. Then, in a reassuring tone, she added, 'We've seen the last of them for a while.'

Watching the tips of her fingers move as she smoothed out the wrinkles in the piece of fabric resting on her legs, I was hit with a sudden flashback, reviving the awful sight and coppery scent of the sticky blood which had covered those hands not more than a few hours before.

'How can you be so certain?' I asked, still having more than a few reservations.

'Because that's how these types of crime syndicates work,' she replied, clearly seeming to know all the answers.

The waiter came and set a plate in front of Sister Carnelia with a soft clink as the base of the glassy dish tapped lightly against the hard surface of the table. After scooting the meat-laden porcelain plate closer to her, she licked off the sauce now covering the tips of her fingers in an almost sensual way. Sickened by the bloody image already in my mind and now the sauce, I tossed my fork aside and leaned heavily back in my chair.

The city outside began to fade into shades of gray and by the time Sister Carnelia was finished tucking away her steak, it had completely sunk into the darkness of night.

I questioned her again, 'How can you be so certain that no one will come after us?'

Using a piece of black-crusted bread to wipe up the last drops of sauce, she answered, 'Because that's how they function. One unit consists of three people.'

Then, as if remembering something else important, she added, 'That group that was after you. They're a jaeger corps.'

Upon hearing this, I recalled seeing some of those men at the landing port some time ago. Only the most renowned and killed of mercenary groups have the honour of calling themselves a jaeger corps. Or at least, that's what Micht had told me about them. They were soldiers of fortune who were said to relentlessly follow the flow of mira wherever that happened to lead, and they would stop at nothing to get at it, even if it meant spilling blood.

'War hawks, mercenaries without borders, and a group never to get involved with,' is what Micht often had a habit of saying about them.

Instinctively, I slid my foot forward and checked the location of my bag with the tip of it.

'It's quite simple, really,' Sister Carnelia explained as she reached for her dessert. 'You, Toby, are carrying something that's apparently got a lot of people on edge. And someone's hired a jaeger corps to take you out.'

'But it's not me they're after. It's what I'm carrying.'

'It's all the same,' she retorted as she gulped down her cup of tea in a single breath.

'They're going to kill the courier before they even think about searching the contents of his bag. A butcher kills a cow before someone grills the steak, not the other way around.'

Lecturing me all the while, Sister Carnelia took a glossy tallow-handled knife in hand and sliced it into her apple pie. The powdered sugar sprinkled on the flaky curst danced under the golden light.

I felt a stabbing pain of guilt race through me, just above my gut. Unexpectedly, I began to think about Micht could be doing at the moment, but my shot period of rumination was cut shot when I saw Sister Carnelia's hand stop cold.

Glaring into the darkness, eyes focused and intent like a hunting dog's she tossed something shiny onto the table and eventually rose to her feet.

There it was, my orbment.

'Where are you going?'

Without pausing to answer my question, Sister Carnelia expeditiously fastened the buckle of her coat.

'You've got good taste, Toby.'

One at a time she set her heels on the chair and tightening her boot laces.

'Using the full capabilities of that orbment is no small feat. I think even most bracers would be in for a real surprise if push came to shove with you in the ring.'

Growing ever more impatient, I asked again, 'So where is it exactly that you're going?'

'That's none of your concern,' came the answer. 'Suffice it to say, I will be seeing you again on the morrow.' And with that, Sister Carnelia disappeared through the door of the women's restroom.

As if exchanging places, two other men entered the restaurant. They walked directly to the table at which I sat and stood before me.

Flashing the emblem on his chest and without making any sort of eye contact, one of the men said, 'We're with the Bracer Guild. I apologize for disturbing you in the middle of your evening meal, but you'll need to come with us.'