Book Four – Chapter Seven – Part Three – Reunions and Reunions; The Birth of a Sanctuary

Before Servi answered, Itarr floated the ID and asked something of her own. This assistant Nicholas had… This Klee… How did he use Necromancy? It’s a Forbidden Skill… I can’t even use it because it says I must finish a trial to unlock it.

“I don’t believe it either, Goddess Itarr. But I saw what I saw. Those soulless abominations did not react to anything but having their heads and bodies destroyed. When Klee died, the people he had brought back turned to dust. What could do that if not for something residing within Necromancy?”

If I were to take his soul… Would the skills become unlocked for me? Servi, I wonder if we can circumvent the trial requirement if we find a necromancer? We could be one step closer to our goal!

“Your goal?” Fisher jettisoned in. “That’s what I need to talk to you about. Goddess Itarr, should you obtain the power, I beg you to answer my prayer! Mafi and Fia were Sakdu’s family. His wife and daughter… They did not deserve to die by my hands! And the other thousands that perished under my hateful past … I know the vast majority were innocent… Even if I have to use my life as collateral, I beg that you bring them back!”

Fisher… I don’t want your life. I don’t want to see you die or suffer through any pain…  I will do it, though. Mafi and Fia… And the others. You have my word. I don’t know when this will be possible, but I will refuse to give up on it.

“Thank you! Thank you, Goddess Itarr!!” It looked like a huge weight of relief covered Fisher’s tumultuous face. He crashed back into his chair with a soft smile—even softer than silken linens.

Fisher, you do not have to address me as Goddess. Please, just call me Itarr.

“Very well. Thank you again, Itarr. I don’t know what I can offer to someone like you, but should you need my help, I will come running. That goes for you and Momo, Servi.”

“I didn’t know all that happened last night. What about the missing nobles? You said Nicholas had a lot of followers in the church, right? He’s an awful man… It makes me angry just thinking about him,” Momo said. She held a hand to her heart and slowly shook her head.

Fisher nodded. His expression returned to one that was much more formal. Perhaps he had longed to see a friendly face after enduring a personalized hell the night prior? His mind was still full of his wife and daughters, but at least he had something to distract him. The pictures on his desk made that awfully hard.

Even though I’m dead to them, they’re still my little angels. They’ll always be that…

“The governor took care of it. It’s a bit of a cover-up, but he explained that Nicholas took his flock onto an emergency trip to Adenaford. Somewhere along the way, an ‘accident’ will occur. We’re hoping a nasty storm will come through nearby, so that can be the 'excuse' for their disappearance. It pains me to say this, but we can’t come out and tell the truth.”

Even if it doesn’t, the governor came by this morning and explained this to me. He has a hundred ways to frame a disappearance and make it seem like the church was not prepared. That’ll throw some weight their way and cause unhappiness. A few plants here and there, and he said he could make the church pack up and split. He’s frightening with how far ahead he thinks things, but I can’t say none of this to Servi or Momo. I shouldn’t utter anything more than this.

“It hurts me as well, but that’s probably for the better. Proclaiming the truth and revealing Necromancy will only cause chaos and riots… Hey, how’s that Koena? Is he safe? Does he need anything? Say, for example, an orphanage?” Servi asked. She crossed her legs and searched for Momo’s hand, which was resting nicely inside her lap.

“Myil’s doing much better. He’s having fewer accidents, he’s sleeping all throughout the night, and he’s finally gaining some weight. A book his foster mother found mentioned a Koena his size was malnourished and underweight. And he has a job at that church I was telling you about. He’s still shy when asking questions, and his confidence is near zero, but the boy is learning. Speaking of the orphanage, have you had a chance to look at the document?”

“I have. I’m happy with it. I've got all the money inside my ring. The question is, how do I pay you?”

“The quickest will be to open a bank account. The Bank of Gea is located inside the noble district. It has branches all over Lando, Westera, and Keywater. If I get it under my name, I can fill out the paperwork to have it ready to transfer to the governor. Once that’s done, he can divvy out the funds to the construction company. Ah, we do need a name for it. If you two don’t mind, I think I have one that’s perfectly suitable for it.”

“Go for it,” Servi said.

“I was thinking Fia’s Sanctuary.”

“I don’t think there’s a better name out there for it. Servy?” Momo thought that was just perfect, and it brought everything around in a full circle. A moment of extreme hatred and passion being the foundation to an orphanage to bring safety and love to the most vulnerable? It was almost like it was preordained.

“I like it. Fia’s Sanctuary it is, then. If you’re ready, Fisher?”

“Thank you, Servi. And yes, I am. I just need to put my armor on.” Fisher stood up and walked to his gear. Momo stood up and hopped over to it. She asked to touch it, and Fisher nodded.

“Do you need any help?” Servi asked.

“Thank you, but I have it under control.”

“Got it. Come on, Momo. We’ll wait outside.”

After the door shut, Fisher sighed. Immense relief flooded his heart while he struggled with his armor. It was a pain in the ass to do it all with only one arm, but the deed was over in about fifteen minutes. A use of Dimensional Storage later, his nadrium dagger tested on his back hip. A sword dangled inside its sheath from the side, and for the first time in a week, the helmet he wore stayed behind inside a separate dimension. Before leaving, he walked over to his desk and picked up the portrait. His thumb brushed the faces of his family, and that was all the encouragement he needed.

The sound of a door opening halted Servi’s and Momo’s brisk conversation about what Itarr would look like. It was such an abstract topic that neither had the foggiest idea of where to begin. Even the Goddess wasn't able to answer it. It brought a certain fright to her heart, but that was soon eclipsed by excitement and wonder.

“Are you two ready?” asked Fisher. He closed the door and locked it. “I know the governor is where the former mansion used to be. He’s overlooking the state of repairs to the grass. If I was a betting man, I’d say he’s going to use that large piece of land to build the orphanage.”

“No wonder the plans made it seem like it was more of a mini-village. That’s big enough to hold it all,” Servi said. She and Momo started to walk, and Fisher was right there behind them. His heavily armored boots made a noticeable, thick, heavy thump. More than ever, the beefy noise was even deeper since he wasn’t quite at 100%.

They descended down the stairs and through the hallways to reach the lobby. Before they got there, Servi asked something she was curious about. Before even that could happen, Fisher wanted to confirm one thing.

“Are you fine? Mentally, I mean?”

Servi nodded. “I am. Thanks for asking. I know what I’ve done is something I have to live with. The most I can do is make the world a better place for those lives I’ve cut short. I don’t want to be offensive, but I’m sure it’s the same with you, isn’t it?”

“It is. Father Melk sure dressed me down when we went into the confessional booths. His words were harsh, but they were just what I needed to hear. Whenever we have the time, I think I’d like to introduce you two to him. He’s a priest, but he’s one of the good ones who truly desires to make the world a better place. He isn’t hungry for power like Nicholas, and Melk refuses to charge anyone, even a single dupla, for healing.”

“He sounds like a swell guy. A Kobold priest is a rare thing,” Momo added. She continued to hug Itarr’s ID.

"Fisher, I was wondering if you could answer something for me."

“Sure. What’s on your mind?”

“It isn't a secret anymore, but I just don't have any memories. Momo told you that I didn't know anything about Kobolds, Koena, Singi, or really anything else when I woke up near that forest. I've learned a lot by observing, but that can only do so much. Don't know why I didn't go to the library after Itarr gave me the ability to read and understand the language, but that's neither here nor there. Regardless, I still don't know much about last names. Like, I don't think I have one because it isn't on my ID. Momo's a commoner, so she doesn't have one. You're a commoner, right? From a fishing village, I think. How did you get yours?"

“Last names are reserved for the nobility, but it is possible to be granted one. I received ‘Jin’ as a reward for one of my promotions.”

“But when you were born, your ID just had ‘Fisher,’ right?” Fisher nodded. “Does it say ‘Fisher Jin’ now?” He nodded again. “I thought only Gods and Goddesses could alter an ID?”

I thought so, too. Itarr wrote. The ID vanished from Momo’s clutched chest and flew in front of Fisher’s eyes. Can regular people do it?

“As much as I dislike the church, it is possible for them to change it. There’s a ritual they have to do, and I don’t know how it works or the mechanics behind it, but pretend there are two people. One is a noble with a last name, and the other is a commoner. If they get married, the marriage ritual, if they go through with it, can add the last name to the commoner’s ID. But if they get married somewhere that isn’t a church, then the last name will never transfer.”

“How does it work with children?” asked Servi.

“Meri and Mari were born when I was still just Fisher. After my promotion, the ritual had to be performed three times to add ‘Jin’ to Marissa, Meri, and Mari's ID. And in case you’re wondering, there is some kind of verification system in place. A common man couldn’t pay for the process to add a last name to his ID without first being granted one through the courts.”

“One more thing. When Meri was born, how did her name appear on her ID?”

“When a child is born, you have around a week to declare a name. Only the mother or father can do so. Anyone trying to be funny or an annoyance can’t forcibly decide a name. Then again, there are cases where one parent decided on a name then and there in the first minute without any input from their partner. But as to what I was saying. You have to declare a name. Light gathers above the child, and their ID is created. If you have a last name on either of the parent’s IDs, the last name is automatically applied to the child’s ID. If you wait too long, then a name is automatically decided at random, and it can be either masculine or feminine.”

“That just seems too complicated. For me at least,” Servi confessed. “And the verification system you spoke about seems like the one at Warden.”

“It’s the exact same, I think. And it’s strange… I never before thought it was convoluted…”

“About that ritual… Is it one where there can’t be any tempering?”

Fisher was a little bit confused. “Tampering? If I remember right, it’s all out of the church’s control since this was a ritual left behind by the Gods who designed Warden. Itarr, does this sound familiar?”

It does not. Like Servi, I have lost my memories. I only know that I was sealed up for a great many number of years. In that regard, I am just now learning about this ritual. The one at Warden is unfamiliar as well… If my divine siblings did create it, the knowledge is not within me. I wish I knew, however.

“I see… If I may admit something, it… It isn’t uncomfortable talking to you, but it feels like I have to…think my words through multiple times…”

You don’t need to be that careful, Fisher. Even though I’m a Goddess, I’d still like to be friends with you.

Having a Goddess for a friend? If he was alive, Nicholas would probably shit his briefs.

“It would be pleasant having you as a companion. Thank you, Itarr.” Fisher held up a hand, then stopped because he couldn’t quite know how to shake hands with a floating stone tablet. He was puzzled for a few seconds. Instead of agonizing over it, he just grabbed it and shook it up and down.

A handshake? Ah, but tomorrow, we can change that! There’s a skill Servi and I can learn that will grant me a body.

“Then I’ll give you a proper one tomorrow. Oh, there’s something I need to say. I’ll take any punishment you think I deserve, but I may have told my wife there was a Goddess living at Warden. It just came out one night when we were talking. I apologize.”

I don’t mind. Speaking of that, perhaps I could help with the obvious problem at hand? I don’t want to throw around my weight and status as one who helped create this world, but I could talk to your daughters. Proving my divinity should be easy.

“That’s kind…but…”

I understand. I will not push the subject. Just know that the offer is on the table.

“Thank you for your kindness.” After turning down yet another hallway, the group just had one more flight of stairs before they’d be at the lobby. That got Fisher thinking. “How did you get past Mire? She isn’t letting anyone in.”

“We used The Shadow’s Embrace to slip right through them,” Momo answered the question with an innocent tone more suited for a topic that didn’t involve one of the most powerful skills in the world.

“Oh… Well, that would certainly do it. There’s not much someone could do to protect against it without having access to the same skill. Mind if I ask you something?”

"Go for it," Servi nonchalantly replied. She listened to Fisher exclaim the supposed 'miracles' that resulted from an incident called the 'Miracle of Canary.' She either nodded or shook her head at the claims that gradually ramped up in lunacy. "The most I did was fix up a few wells, healed a bunch of people at a back alley apothecary, and used Lux Dei Omnipotentis. Oh, and if there's something about a shortage of nocturnal cod, I might be responsible for that."

"I see..." Fisher calmly said. He blinked rapidly at the kind of power someone would have to use the most powerful and most intensive skill in the world six times. The thing that brought him out of that wonder was a heartfelt apology. He told Servi and Momo that his men came to him with a solution to solve the sudden onset of temporary paralysis that had been plaguing the guard. Itarr apologized, but she said she did what she had to do to assure no one would bother Momo while she took care of Servi. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not admonishing you by any means. I gave them a talking too, but..."

As the days passed up by, I had to restrain more and more people by the day. They weren't all your men, but there were more of them than common civilians.

"The only thing I can do is offer my sincere apologies. I hope you believe me when I say that I'll do whatever I can to give you two the peace of mind."

I know you do, Fisher.

"Fisher, does this city have any welfare program to help those in poverty?" Servi asked. Fisher said there was something similar to that, and Servi told him about the slums. She spoke of the old woman who had no choice but to be a doctor and how hard it was for her and the people she cared about. "I fed them some time ago, and haven't went back. I hope they're doing good..."

"Don't worry about it. I'll send some of my best men around there to see if they need help. There isn't that much money available, but I'll personally see to it that the children are taken care of. And I'll tell my healers to don't worry about charging. That was an idiotic rule from the get-go."

"That it was, Fisher. That it was," Servi replied.

Upon reaching the lobby, the guards were surprised to see their captain mulling about in his armor. Seeing the two girls with him brought anger since they didn’t know how they broke into the headquarters. Each entrance was heavily guarded.

Fisher ordered them to stand down. Then he explained that he was fine. His subordinates didn’t buy that for a second, and they kept their stubbornness up until Fisher produced an expertly crafted lie about his wound. He didn’t have a chance to spin his tale because Mire and Tim turned around. Through the glass, they saw their captain gallivanting with the two girls she had barred from entering.

The Elf and Koena slipped inside and rushed to the front. She barked an order to three men to dash outside and stand their ground against the group of people who only wanted to complete their errands.

“Captain, are you fine?!  And you two! How did you get in here?!”

“Mire, I told you I was fine. You and the others do not need to go this far.”

“Sir, but your arm? Whoever did that to you is still out there! You said you had everything under control before your break, but that was an apparent lie! Tim and I knew we shouldn’t have left you alone!”

“Captain, I agree with her. You had those assassination attempts on your life. Your safety is our top priority!” Tim passionately said. He dropped his polishing cloth and put a hand to his weapon. Clearly, he was about to draw it, and he wasn’t alone.

Itarr was about to ask if she should restrain them, but Fisher acted quicker.

“Listen!” shouted Fisher! “I am putting an end to this right now! I appreciate your concern for my safety, but there is no need to do that. The one who was after my life… They are dead. I killed them last night after hearing a cry for help. I followed those screams until I came across a woman about to be killed. I chased the assailant through Canary’s backstreets until they left the city. My chase continued until we reached the forest, and I met the one who wanted me dead. I managed to kill them, but I lost my arm in the process.”

“Captain? Why didn’t—”

“I tried to, Mire. But you wouldn’t let me get a word in this morning. When I tried to say something, Tim mentioned my office was the safest place for me. Don’t know why I allowed this farce to continue longer than necessary. Now return to your posts and start your patrols. Open the door and stop preventing the good citizens of Canary from going about their day. I don’t want to see this place closed down ever again, understand?!” Fisher barked out the orders in a commanding tone, and everyone started to move once. A gaggle of guards rushed out of the headquarters, and a bunch of angry, swearing citizens ran in. Madness occupied their faces.

Cries of ‘I pay my taxes for this shit’ and ‘I’m filing a complaint with the governor for being treated like this’ filled the lobby. There was a mad rush to the receptionist desk, and the hard-working Roland had no choice but to put in the hours and effort to see to everyone’s worries.

And Fisher wasn’t spared any complaints at all. He took it in stride and only said he would listen to them after returning from patrol. He, Servi, and Momo walked through the crowd and emerged outside.

“Captain!” cried Mire. She ran to follow them, and Fisher turned around. He saw an Elf trembling in place. Her knuckles were white from where she clenched her fists so hard. Tim looked slightly abashed. He ran up to join his fellow guard while receiving Fisher’s disapproving gaze.

“Stay here and help Roland. You too, Tim. When I come back, we will need to talk about this. While I appreciate your concern for me, I am disappointed you ignored my orders. Part of the fault is on me for not excelling in my role as captain. I should have put my foot down and ended this ridiculous farce, but I was still perhaps a bit too drowsy from the medication. Regardless, when I give an order, it is your duty to follow it. Everything we do is for the people of Canary, not me. When you made your oath, it wasn’t to me, was it? Think about that.” Fisher turned around and started walking with Servi and Momo, who remained quiet.