As they entered further into the sanctuary, they could see in places along the wall where water had pooled, possibly from the melting snow outside. It was the water giving the place such a moldy smell. Where the water was in places, the foundation had settled a bit and there were cracks along the wall.
The church also had the distinction of having glass windows, at least on the windows at the altar. There were three of them, overlooking the church, and white beams of sunlight streamed in through the thick panes. Some churches had designs in glass in their windows, but these windows had no designs. No images of saints. They were simple, like the town around them.
There was something pure in the simplicity.
“My mother was buried here,” Emelisse said softly. “Now you can see where I would like my father and brother buried. Before we depart, would it be possible to visit my mother’s grave? She is in the churchyard outside.”
Caius nodded. “Of course,” he said. “But we must find a priest first. Do you know where one might be?”
She pointed to the east side of the church, where there was a small, heavy door. “The cloister is through there,” she said. “We have not attended mass since de Wrenville started his attacks. Papa was afraid to leave the fortress for fear of what would happen when we were gone, so I fear that I do not know who the priests are now. Sometimes, they change.”
Caius understood. Taking her hand in his, he went on the hunt, looking for a priest. The door leading to the cloisters was locked, or so he thought, until he realized that the door was simply improperly hung and jammed. Letting go of Emelisse’s hand, he put both hands on the door and lifted it, a considerable task for even a man of his superior strength, pushing it into place as he opened it up.
A small, covered arbor was beyond the door and he could see small outbuildings that were more than likely residences for the priests. He took a step outside, pulling Emelisse with him, and had no sooner stepped underneath the arbor when he heard someone calling to him.
A big, bearded, and rather young priest was coming towards him, looking at him with disapproval.
“Is there something you require, my lord?” he asked, but looked to Emelisse before Caius could answer. “Women are not allowed here.”
Emelisse was already rushing back into the sanctuary as Caius faced off against the surprisingly large and virile priest.
“My lady and I wish to be married,” he said steadily. “I am prepared to pay handsomely for it. Will you do this?”
The priest’s eyes narrowed at him, peering at him strangely, but Caius dug into his coin purse and pulled out several pence which, for a poor parish, was a good deal of money. The lure of coinage was enough to stop his scorn and his reluctance. He turned to see Emelisse standing just inside the door in the sanctuary before returning his focus to Caius.
“And you have her family’s permission?” he asked.
“She has no family.”
The priest hesitated. Caius produced another coin.
The priest hesitated no more.
*
William was justheading up the road towards the red stone church when he saw Caius and Emelisse emerging from the church yard. As he watched, Caius took Emelisse’s hand and led her out into the muddy road beneath the bright but cold sunshine.
William ran towards them to catch up.
“Forgive me for the delay, my lord,” he said. “I could not find a suitable livery, so I had to take the horses to the other end of town and stable them there.”
Caius paused, shielding his eyes from the sunlight as he looked north. “Where?”
William pointed. “Up that road,” he said. “A farmer has a big, white barn and the horses are inside. I promised him that he would be well-paid to feed and shelter them.”
“Good,” Caius said. “And he shall. While my lady wife and I retreat to the inn next to the church, I would have you do a few things for me.”
William grinned, looking between Caius and Emelisse. “You have married already?”
As Emelisse nodded, flushing, Caius answered. “We have,” he said. “A short ceremony with three priests present. I asked that they record it in their book along with births and deaths, and it was. We have proof should de Wrenville contest it.”
William kept smiling, most at Emelisse, who seemed mortified that he was looking at her so. The thought of marriage, and the marital bed, titillated the young man. Caius thought it was all rather comical, but he snapped his fingers so William would look at him and not his embarrassed wife.
“De Wolfe,” he said. “Look at me. I need you to do something for me.”
William turned to him eagerly. “My lord?”
“First, go and pay the man for the horses,” Caius said, digging in his coin purse and putting several coins in William’s openpalm. “When you are finished with that, I want you to walk the village, looking for any signs that we have been followed.”
