Lt Col d'Antioc limped into the parlour of Bishop Carys and after offering reverend obeisance, took a seat near to the warming fire. The Lt Colonel's face was drawn and pale, a testimony to the wounds he bore. Wounds, he would confide, that were the work of witchcraft.
"I have never trusted the number 13," d'Antioc explained. "Not with it's association with the traitor Judas Escariot. The betrayer of our Saviour." Bishop Carys nodded understandingly, humouring the officer. With a gentle raise of his hand he indicated for the Lt Col to continue. "I fear for my eternal soul, your reverance. I am the target of Satan's forces, bereft of free will when faced by a certain abomination disguised as a servant of His Majesty. I cannot explain it any other way. Had it occurred just once I would have put it down to distraction but it is each and every time." Bishop Carys clasped his slender hands together and sootingly said "Go on, my son." "He is a walking blasphemy. When I am near him I cannot control myself!" The Bishop smiled and reassuringly suggested, "It is not uncommon for a gentleman, to be taken over by the animal lusts that lie within all sinners." d'Antioc flushed momentarily, the rush of blood almost making him swoon. "Impotency, your reverance! Not anger or mania. His unseen hand takes mine and renders me weak and ineffective. And afterwards he places the black mark on me." He bared his side and lifted a bloody cloth to reveal a livid puncture wound. "Two weeks since and it plagues me as it did the very moment his wicked blade pierced my side." The priest called for a servant who redressed the wound for Lt Col d'Antioc. When they were alone once more d'Antioc looked at the Bishop with pleading eyes. "Tell me that you can protect me from the black arts, from the Devil's earthly advocate!" Carys placed his hand on the soldier's pate and offered a prayer of protection. "God be with you, my son," he concluded. d'Antioc painfully lifted himself from his chair and after thanking the Bishop made his way to the door. As he reached the threshold of the parlour, Bishop Carys told him "The Church will investigate this matter, be assured of that." _______________________________________________ Banana mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.humf.su.se/mailman/listinfo/banana
