Tue Jun 10, 2003 3:32 pm
The day had been long for Prior Hivarin. The Lord High Inquisitor had taken up his entire day. Inquisitor Gestahl wished to be made abreast of all the goings-on in Myrken Wood. Every whisper, every superstition, every incident, every questionable occurrence was to be his domain. Hivarin had told story after story of the happenings in Myrkentown, Foggy Bottom, Fitchton, Hollyhead, and every spot in between. He spoke of questionable murders, whispers of the dead rising from their graves, of the Baie, of the eaters of the living, the floods and their miraculous disappearance, of the kidnappings, the cattle mutilations...there was so much to tell. It made Prior Hivarin shiver to think of it all; to give it breath and to relive it all so quickly. Myrken Wood was a land possessed by the bewitchings of demons. If he wasn't sure of that before... after recalling the horrors of the past months, it was clear to him now.
Hivarin passed on dinner. He prayed silently during compline. After that, he retired to his quarters and prayed alone.
He put his bony knees to the hard stone of his floor. His old, weathered hands clasped one another, slender fingers lacing. He closed his eyes and he spoke silently to God.
"Lord God,
I beseech thee to continue to grant your mercy on the folk of Myrken Wood. Give us the strength to overcome this adversity that has beguiled our lands. Lord God, allow those who have strayed from your path to find their way anew. Myrken Wood has known enough suffering.
Bestow your blessings on each of your sons and daughters in this our hour of healing.
And Lord...be with Our Lord High Inquisitors as they undertake this duty of upholding your will. Stand at their shoulder and rest there your hand so that they may continue to be just in your so Holiest of paths for them. Lord, stand by them so that they may be strong and true and ser-"
The knock upon the prior's door stilled his prayer. He hesitated a moment and then spoke.
"Yes?"
The voice that came through the door was even and measured. "Prior Hivarin, I wish to continue our conversation about the ungodly happenings in Myrken Wood." It was the voice of Lord High Inquisitor Tomias Gestahl.
"Yes. Of course." Prior Hivarin rose from his kneeling place and crossed his room to the door. He opened it to look upon the angular face of Tomias Gestahl. Hivarin offered him a small, forced smile. The prior did not want to keep talking about the atrocities of Myrken Wood. But he would. It was necessary.
Leaving his chamber to walk with Inquisitor Gestahl, Prior Hivarin closed the door behind him...leaving his prayer unfinished.