A Prisoner's Comfort

Maria watched the rising sun peek past the city spires. A gentle smile filled her face as a vibrant mix of pinks, purples, and pale oranges painted the horizon. Even after viewing the same sight for the third time, it never stopped being beautiful. Such was the view from her chamber window in the central tower of the Grand Cathedral.

After a couple of days, she’d naturally developed a routine. Awaken to chimes that echoed from the tip of the Grand Cathedral and enjoy the sunrise. Tidy up her chamber; not that there ever was much to tidy up, and prepare for the long day ahead.

Her long days mostly consisted of the young guard dropping off her breakfast, then her lunch, and later her dinner. Everything in between was just to pass the time until she could meet ‌Vane. A few books helped, but mostly it was just herself with her own thoughts. She tried not to dwell on certain ones that tightened her chest. The spacious room was stuffy enough as it was.

Instead, she drifted her mind toward knowing that the children would now be safe. Kaelan and the others were probably worried, but once she’d be able to explain everything to High Inquisitor Vane, they’d surely meet again. She’d invite them to a grand, but humble feast at the chapel.

Maria smiled, imagining it.

She wondered what she’d cook. She wondered what the children’s reactions would be like upon her return. Maybe she’d arrive early morning and catch them asleep. She’d probably pretend that it’s just another day and have them wake for breakfast, as if she never left.

The painted horizon soon gave way to another bright day, one that would surely stretch. She did the right thing by surrendering. She must have.

Maria clapped her cheeks a few times and smiled. “Time to get ready for another day!”

***

By noon, Maria's stomach growled. Her meals had actually been proper. Savory soups and broths. Fresh, warm bread. There was nothing to complain about. Her only complaint was that the young guard would never accept the extra bread roll she’d leave behind for him. The boy always seemed exhausted. She wondered if he ever went home and had a proper meal himself.

Morning’s breakfast had actually been quite filling; the problem was she pushed herself too hard again.

“No luck…” she muttered to herself.

The first day, she brushed off the strange feeling in her chest. It became more prominent when she tried to focus her mana. She had tried all morning, but couldn’t draw upon her divine magic. She felt sluggish whenever she tried. This time it also left her head spinning and her stomach growling.

She glanced around her chamber. The walls stretched with their carved white stone; she could stare at the mural'd ceilings for hours, but who knew what lay behind the paint. Regardless, she could deal with the stuffiness. She’d prefer it over those searing dark silver cuffs.

A precise knock came in three through the chamber doors. The young guard entered with a tray in hand. Her lunch had arrived. He set it on a decorative table near the entrance.

“Will you finally join me for a meal?” Maria asked.

She had been asking since the first day, every time he came with a tray for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She even asked during room inspections he routinely performed, in which he’d make her stand to the side. Of course, he never agreed to her offer. Maybe he wasn’t aware how much better food tasted ‌with some company.

“I told you, I’m not joining,” he said. “No matter how much you ask.”

“Are you at least eating the bread rolls I’ve left you?”

“No.”

Maria frowned. “You’re not eating properly.”

“W-What!?” He stammered with a confused expression.

Maria’s eyes lingered on the young guard. Before she could see him as another Inquisitor guard, one that shared in the awful confrontation at the waystation, she just saw a boy with exhausted eyes.

She wondered what he saw her as. She was just Sister Maria, but the picture painted of her throughout the capital was anything but that of a simple nun.

“Do you ever go home?” she asked.

“...As time allows.”

“Yet you’re always here. Is that common for inquisitors? Don’t you have loved ones waiting for you at home?”

“I’m the main guard in charge of your chambers. And I can’t afford to mess this up…” he muttered. “Anyway. You should have no concern for an enemy.”

Maria tilted her head. “You?”

The young guard stood dumbfounded. “W-Whatever. Enough questions!” He paced out of the room. “Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank—” Maria’s words cut off as the door shut with a slam. “you…”

***

As the sun set on another long day, Maria’s eyes lingered on the young guard who had now arrived with her dinner tray.

“You’re still here…” she said.

“I am.”

Maria sighed.

“I don’t know what all the duties are that Inquisitors must complete, but I can see you're still not eating properly.” She held her gaze as she walked toward him from the window. Every time he arrived, his face seemed more fatigued.

He turned away from her amber eyes. “It’s of no concern to you… And even if it was, how could you possibly tell if I’m not eating properly?”

Right on cue, a growling stomach filled the silence in the room. This time, it wasn’t Maria.

She smiled. “Just intuition.”

The young guard tried and failed to hide a subtle blush.

Maria picked up the food tray; her proximity made him step back. She held out her hand, offering a warm bread roll.

“Won’t you dine with me?”

The young guard took another step back. “I can’t take food from a prisoner…” he said.

Prisoner. Maria had almost forgotten that she had been taken into custody.

But beyond the soft bed, the beautiful view, and even ignoring her wavering mana within the room, Maria knew it was just a gilded cage.

“Please.” She kept her offering arm extended. “I’m… not used to dining alone.”

Hopefully, it wouldn’t be for much longer. She would soon finally talk to Vane and clear the misunderstanding. Maria had fought to remain hopeful, even after the awful things they faced at the waystation… even after his letter.

The young guard remained with his head turned. “...”

I guess it’s no use.

But just as Maria retracted her arm and her last offer, the young guard hesitantly took the bread roll.

Maria’s eyes widened.

For the next few minutes, the two ate in silence. The young guard stood by the entrance, taking tiny bites once in a while, and Maria dined a few spaces away. He seemed more comfortable with some distance between the two of them.

Eventually, Maria filled the silence. She talked about anything. The places she’d visited since leaving the chapel, the food she’d had, the faces she’d seen. At first, she wondered if he even heard her words, but after some time, he nodded more often and replied with more words of his own. Before long, they’d eaten their meals, but the conversation only grew.

Maria learned what drove the young guard to work so hard in his duties. Most of his wages went toward caring for his little brother and his grandmother, who had raised them.

“You’re quite responsible!” She chuckled dryly. “…Maybe I can learn a thing or two from you.” S

Maria told him stories of her own loved ones. Mother Martha, the children at the chapel. Though after she finished telling stories of her travels with Kaelan, Thomas, and Celeste, her words trailed off.

“Will you tell me about High Inquisitor Vane?” she asked.

“There isn’t much to tell. He is a well-respected and influential leader throughout the capital.” The young guard seemed hesitant. “It can be difficult to tell at times… But I’m sure High Inquisitor Vane aims to do what’s best for the kingdom, and even beyond.”

Maria seemed a bit hesitant herself, but she nodded.

“Then, I’ll keep faith that his letter was nothing but an empty threat. Just… part of a misunderstanding that I’ll soon clear up with him.”

“Right…” the young guard whispered. He departed in silence as evening arrived.

***

The night deepened, and Maria remained awake. She lay staring at the darkened ceiling above, lost in thought.

A faint voice came through the stone wall behind her. She’d heard it every night since her arrival, but she never interrupted it. She couldn’t quite make out any individual words, but she could discern the cadence. It was a prayer. One using ancient script she couldn’t ever hope to learn.

Maria recalled Mother Martha explaining how such divine tongue only the gods could truly understand and use.

Yet, somehow, whoever was in the chamber next door seemed far more fluent than the few phrases Mother Martha learned after decades of religious practice. And somehow, Maria couldn’t question it. The whispered words filled her with comfort, and before she realized, Maria drifted off into a deep sleep.

***

Morning arrived with Maria waking far later than usual. The warm sun rays already filtered through the arched window, and the echoed morning chimes had long since rung. What awakened her was a familiar, firm knock that always came in threes.

The young guard stepped in. Maria was relieved to see that there was a bit more life in his eyes now, but he seemed rather stiff.

Behind him, a figure loomed.

“Sister Maria…” he said. “High Inquisitor Vane is here to see you.”