1.6 The
Legacy
Later in the chamber of the senior priest, Father
Mikhail; Sergei asked to take his leave on having delivered the young guard to
his master.
"No, Sergei. I am in need of you." Father
Mikhail was an old man having passed his age of ninety two months back. He was
seated on the wooden stool at his desk laden with documents and scrolls.
Despite the advances of science, they may have extended life but they could not
removed old habits of having to read documents in hard copies.
"Geranium, I am in need of your service."
The old priest placed his reading glasses down on the table. It revealed a man
with many wrinkles and cracks on his face; weathered through all that his
ninety years of experience could offered, now condensed into the shrunken frame
that hunched at that table. He was dressed like Sergei; having refused to be
promoted to more pompous position as he stated in his own words.
"You are not a Saint Petersburg Guardian anymore.
I am reliving you of that to accept your rightful position as the Crusader of
the Faith now." The old man raised up his right hand while his left held
onto the book of faith. "Come forth to be blessed with it."
Crusaders?
Geranium was taken aback by the announcement. She had
heard of the Crusaders; they were the elite of the Guards and have performed
many tasks for the good of Mankind and their faith. There were many exploits of
the Crusaders in the archives and more she was told in the secret libraries of
the seniors.
"Father Mikhail, the Crusaders had been gone
since the war. Why called on it now?"
"Yes, my child. The Crusaders have been
disbanded with the war. There was too much chaos and disorder. The Crusader had
been reduced to only a few as there was no threat against the Faith. We were
ordered to stand down, and the war had reduced our resources to the minimal. It
was only recently, we have discovered the need to re-grouped back the Crusaders
but the Faith had called for the descendants of the original members. This
mission would need their skills and resources."
"You are a special child. You were from the
lineage of Sir Gerald Black, the very first Crusader. Your great grandmother,
Geraldine Black was one of the best too; her deeds cannot be mentioned for now.
But now you are to carry on that tradition." Father Mikhail paused to
clear his throat.
"I would hereby appoint you as the next
Crusader; to hold and protect this realm in the name of the Faith." Father
Mikhail then asked the child to look at him. "Time is of essence, so we
cut down the formalities."
The priest of the Faith placed his hand on her head
and gave her God’s blessings to her.
"Seek out the descendants of the original
Crusaders. Join forces and fight for your God." Father Mikhail announced
her task. "Seek out the False Prophet."
"But Father Mikhail, how and where do I
start?" Geranium asked as she was not sure who was in the original line up
and where are their descendants.
"Oh, that part easy." Father Mikhail pointed
at Sergei. "Asked him. He had been documenting the Crusaders for years. He
would assist you in your journey."
"But Father Mikhail....." Sergei pleaded
with the older Priest. "I have so many uncompleted works; the translation,
and also the filing."
"Rest assured, Sergei. You won't be
missed." The older man replied to the younger priest. "I may however
miss my hot water bath, but I could sacrifice it for the love of Mankind. And for
the Faith."
Geranium was sure she heard the older man sniggering
there but she kept her peace. Or was it the other, but soon she was sent off on
her packing.
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