Renn was walking a little stiffly, but I knew better than to blame her or tell her to calm down.

She was likely expecting me to do something drastic, after all.

Rounding a corner and heading deeper into the Cathedral, I wondered why I felt so calm and collected. I've always been a rational man, but even I could grow furious. Even I could become blind with rage, under the right conditions.

Though maybe that will happen once I actually confront them, and not during these moments leading up to it.

"Vim."

"Hm?" I glanced at Renn, finding her slowing down.

I stopped walking alongside her, and noted we were alone in the hallway. Plus we weren't near any doors, and the nearest ones down the way were closed firmly.

We were alone, at least as much as one could be in such a place.

"Don't um… take this oddly, okay?" Renn asked softly.

Frowning at her, I wondered what it was going to be. Either it was something silly, or very serious. A part of me would wonder why she wouldn't have asked it earlier, before we got here, if it was too concerning… but I knew her well enough to know she sometimes hesitated on such things. She was an emotional person, so sometimes it took those very emotions to spur her to action.

I nodded at her, to let her know it was fine.

"Do you want me to confront them?" she asked.

Shifting a little, I was about to smirk and scoff… but realized she was not just serious… but being genuine in her concern for me.

"You ask that now, Renn?" I asked. We were only a few minutes from the Chronicler's office.

She nodded, unashamed or afraid to do so.

"I see…" I whispered as I glanced around again, to make sure we really were alone. Once I did I looked back to my wife and reached out to cup her face. She smiled at me as I did, and I heard her ears beneath her hat. "I will be okay, Renn. No matter the outcome, I promise I'll be okay. Thank you for offering, though," I said.

"You sure…? We've not really talked of it, Vim… but she is Celine's daughter… and…" Renn whispered.

"It will be. It is. I promise if there's any way to handle this peacefully I will strive to do so. I'll only… act rashly if it's utterly required of me. And if I need to do that, then you also need not worry. I don't take kindly to those who hurt and threaten those I care for Renn, kind of the whole reason I am the way I am," I said.

"What of Celine's promise?" she asked.

Promise…? "Oh… you mean finding her daughter? Technically that was just to find her, and she seemed to have found herself. Likely hadn't been lost in the first place," I said with a sigh.

Renn reached up, grabbing the back of my hand. "Still, Vim…"

Shaking my head, I shrugged. "It is what it is Renn. Though in the very off chance this all goes horribly wrong, just let me vent to you later, okay?" I asked.

She smirked at me. "You. Venting."

"Be ready for it. Miss Beak used to fly away sometimes when I got in one of those moods," I said.

Renn laughed at that. "I bet! I look forward to it!"

Nodding, I wondered if I should kiss her or not.

It felt like a good moment to do so… but…

Renn's laughs turned into gentle giggles, and I enjoyed the feel of her cheek as she grinned and laughed. It was the same cheek I had hurt earlier at Kaley's, though now healed enough to be just a tiny almost unnoticeable mark on her skin.

She healed well. The ointment and care we'd given to the wound had likely been a big factor, but there was no denying her thick bloodline. She had healed practically fully in less than two weeks.

Considering we've been traveling in harsh weather, her tendency to itch at it, and the location of the wound it was clear she was a healthy person.

I ran my thumb along the faint scar, and wondered how long it'd last. She did have scars, but the cut had been too flawless. Even though it had been a little deep it had been too clean, odds are in a few months it'd fade completely from sight.

An odd part of me was a little offended. As if I had wanted her to keep the scar, since it had been from me.

"Vim?" Renn asked as she tilted her head.

About to tell her what I'd just thought, to see the look on her face as she heard it, the world decided to annoy me instead before I could.

"Vim…!"

I paused, and Renn startled as we turned to watch the one who had shouted at me hurry over.

Relaxing a little, I smiled and nodded as I lowered my hand, and Renn released it. "Karma. It's been awhile," I said, greeting the pigeon.

"Light…!" he shouted, panicked upon doing so, and then got closer as he lowered his head in worry. "Light is back…! With the others! They're alive…!" he quickly rambled, speaking with a hushed but hurried voice.

I nodded, smiling softly at the frantic pigeon. "Yes. I know. Though I've not officially met them yet," I said.

Karma glanced around, and I was a little surprised to see him somewhat ignore Renn. "They left. For Lumen. A week ago," he said with a hush.

Frowning… I felt strangely relieved. "All of them?" I asked.

Karma shrugged. "I… don't know Vim. I don't even know what to think…! And no one is any better! Everyone is either avoiding talking about them, or doesn't want to! How is this possible Vim, they've been alive all this time? Did you know too?" Karma asked, suddenly a little accusational.

"No. I too had thought them lost until recently. I learned they were alive last time I was here, a couple months or so ago," I said.

Karma relaxed a little at that, sighing and nodded. "Right… I knew it! I knew you weren't involved, and…" then he went quiet, his beady eyes going wide at the sight Renn.

Renn coughed, raised a gentle hand and waved at him. "Hello…! I'm Renn…" she introduced herself, and did so a little stiffly. She likely was worried since he had gone completely still.

"She's one of us Karma. You're fine," I said gently, telling him it was okay.

"Ah… right… um… I've heard of you! I've actually been looking forward to meeting you, Renn. My name is Karma… I'm a priest, as you can probably tell, and um... well…" Karma held out his hands, taking Renn's in greeting a little gingerly. The two shook hands, Karma using both of his to do so, and I smiled as Renn glanced at me carefully.

"I've heard you recently went on a date, Karma. How did it go?" I asked, doing my best to calm him down some more.

"Huh…! Um!" Karma, instead of calming down, panicked even more. He glanced at Renn, his eyes going white at the sight of her, and then he looked back at me in pure fear.

Woops…? "Karma?" I asked. What was wrong? Why had he looked at Renn and gone all terrified for?

"Vim… um…U-u-I-I'm…" he began to stutter, rather badly, and I found myself a little stunned.

Karma's always been a skittish, weak willed man. Something similar to Link. But had he always been this bad…?

"Deep breaths Karma," I said gently.

He nodded as he began to do so. He breathed in deeply, letting it out quickly and then slowly, as he tried to calm down.

Renn shifted next to me but remained quiet as we waited for him to collect himself. Once he had, or at least had done so enough for his own needs, he gulped and nodded. "I… I had. Thank you, Vim. I had enjoyed it. For as long as it had lasted, at least," Karma then said.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Right… "I'm glad," I said, choosing not to dig any deeper. If simply asking about it had bothered him that much… then I'd just let it be.

"I um… I'm so sorry, Miss Renn, but I really need to go lay down now… maybe later we can talk again, I would like to speak to you when I can," Karma then said to Renn.

"Ah! Yes…! Sure. Of course. It's okay, Karma," Renn spoke gently, but quickly, as she nodded.

"Thank you. Bless you. And you, Vim," Karma then bowed a little, and then hurried around me as to leave. He nearly tripped as he did so, but he collected himself and ran off half a moment later.

Watching him go, I shook my head and sighed. "I'll never understand birds," I said.

"He's a bird?" Renn asked quietly.

"A pigeon. He's always been odd, but that's likely the worst I've ever seen him," I said.

"Was it my fault, Vim? He had seemed fine until he noticed I was here," Renn said, like usual noticing such a thing easily.

"Maybe. It was a little odd how he had looked at you so much in his panic… though… hm…" I went quiet as I wondered what could have been the source.

Was he just stressed from the drama? Or was it something more? Renn being a predator, and bothering our weaker and more timid members was natural… but her smell was now gone. A lot of that should be not as drastic anymore. Our short stay at Tor's canyon had been proof of that. Not even the chickens had been bothered by her presence.

"Hey Vim…" Renn got my attention, speaking quietly as she grabbed at my sleeve.

I glanced at her and nodded, and wondered why she'd been doing such a thing so much lately. It seemed most of the time she wanted my attention she now grabbed at my clothes, or just outright grabbed my arm or hand. I didn't mind, of course, I liked her touch… but it made me wonder if she had simply grown tired of my ignoring her.

"He acted as if he hadn't known about anything going on. Why wouldn't he know? He's a priest here, right?" Renn asked with a whisper.

"Randle hadn't known either, Renn," I reminded her.

"Ah… true, I guess…" she nodded as she released my sleeve.

"Plus… Karma's not well liked. At least not by most here. He's…" I hesitated, and wondered if maybe this was why Karma had just acted so strangely.

If so then that made me feel bad. Since it was partly my fault.

"He's what?" Renn asked.

"Like Jelti, Renn. Which might be why he had just panicked. Maybe he had been hoping to keep his little affair a secret, and I had just exposed it," I said, regretting the decision to do so.

"Oh… he likes men?" Renn asked, surprised.

"Yes. I had heard he had gone on a trip along the coast, sailing, with a sailor. It's why he hasn't been here the last couple years," I said.

"Huh…" Renn nodded, but had a strange frown on her face.

Studying the frown, I wondered why she always found our member's relationships so interesting. She did want to play matchmaker, oddly enough, though I've luckily been slightly avoiding such a topic and desire lately. Though she had agreed to bring one of the moles here during the vote, a daughter, so she could search for a mate.

I was about to tease her, to tell her she didn't need to play matchmaker for him, but before I could a new voice rang out in the hall.

A loud one.

"You're back! Good!"

Turning, I frowned as a nun hurried towards us.

"Who…?" I whispered, glancing at Renn. Maybe she'd know. Had she made human friends last time she was here? Likely had.

Renn grinned as she raised her hands to wave. "She's Oplar's. Her name is Laura she works with her family in Oplar's Mailroom," Renn whispered to me.

Oh.

Relaxing a little as Laura hurried over; I watched as she and Renn clasped hands… and then hugged. "Thank goodness you're back in time! Oplar plans to leave any minute, you two should really talk to her before she does!" the woman said quickly even as they hugged.

So she was back here already? "Where is she?" I asked.

"With my mother. I'll go let her know you're back!" Laura didn't even say anything to Renn, or give time for Renn to say anything, as she spun around and ran off… leaving Renn with her arms spread out a little and a sad frown on her face.

"At least I got a hug, I guess…" Renn mumbled softly.

"Hm… come on, let's go just in case she misses Oplar," I said. "If we don't catch her before she leaves then I'll have to chase her down. Especially if it was imperative we meet her, and judging by that human's reaction it was likely so."

Renn nodded, agreeing. "Hopefully all is well," Renn said worriedly.

"Can't get much worse, can it?" I asked.

"Did you really just say that?" Renn asked, now upset with me.

"What…?" I asked as we walked forward, to follow the nun that was now gone.

"Why even put that out there, Vim? Now the world will hear it, and do who knows what to make sure it happens," she said angrily.

"Oh don't you get started too…!" I said. Damn Tor, Bray, and Meriah and all the rest who put such stupid ideas into her head!

"I will!" Renn didn't hesitate to argue back, which made me smile at her.

She smiled in return, and I sighed and shook my head. "How's it feel to hug nuns, by the way?" I asked.

"Huh…? It had felt good. She smells good, she smells like paper and ink," Renn said, smiling as she thought about it.

Right… mail-room. "Were they as big as they looked?" I asked.

Renn's smile instantly died. "How come in that bout of things said and done, that's what you always seem to notice first and foremost? And focus on?" she asked, now with an even louder and more upset voice than before.

Woops. Great.

"Did you notice or did you not?" I asked, not willing to back down just yet.

"I had! They were huge!" she said as if it was obvious.

"So!?"

"So they felt great! Be jealous!" Renn and I rounded a corner, just as she shouted such a thing. We happened upon a group of priests, who were all staring at us with wide eyes… so the two of us calmed down a little and walked past them without saying anything further.

Once around a corner, heading to Oplar's Mailroom, I reached out and elbowed Renn lightly. "Look what you did," I teased her.

"Me…? Vim I'm going to add another fifty things if you're not careful," she threatened back.

"Please don't…" I groaned. I barely knew how I was going to fulfill the ones I had already…

She smirked in victory, pleased with herself.

The two of us smiled at each other for a moment… and then she began to laugh. She noticed quickly how loud she was being again, so went to cover her mouth but all that had accomplished was turn her laughs into adorable sounding giggles and snorts.

Enjoying the moment, I sighed.

Giving her a few minutes to enjoy herself, I waited until she calmed down before saying anything.

"Should I be happy they're gone, Renn?" I asked gently.

"I am. Maybe. Let's see what Oplar and the rest have to say first," Renn said with a nod.

"Right. Plus the Chronicler is likely still here. I need to confront her too," I said.

"Hm…" Renn nodded somberly.

The two of us rounded another corner and entered the deeper section of the Cathedral. The part that was more administrative than anything else. Few if any non-church folks wandered around here.

Though it seemed… oddly normal, from what I could tell so far.

I didn't notice any lack of people, visitors or people of the cloth alike. The numbers seemed the same. There didn't seem to be any real stress amongst them either. The groups of nuns and priests we passed only stared at us with simple indifference or slight annoyance. Nothing uncommon to see here.

If Light and her group had taken more than the ones they had brought it didn't show. And if they had caused any real chaos, it also didn't show either.

But I knew better than to base a location's health purely on appearance. Particularly just an hour or so of looking around it too.

While we walked, I paid close attention to those we passed. I kept an eye out for any of the familiar faces, and even those I barely remembered like Less and Light.

It was a little odd to not see any of them as we entered neared Oplar's Mailroom. I didn't see Mapple, Jelti, or any of the ones who usually wandered around constantly. And although I didn't feel like anyone had followed us, or stared too blatantly at us… I did notice a few of the priests and nuns glance at us and frown or narrow their eyes. A little more than they should have.

Odds are the Chronicler would be notified we were back soon.

Not that it mattered. It's not like I was going to catch them in the middle of betraying us…

"Deep breaths, Vim," Renn whispered as we rounded a corner and entered the hallway where Oplar's Mailroom was.

"I'll be okay," I promised.

"I hope so. If you do have to go all crazy, do we still get to sleep here tonight?" Renn asked.

I smirked at her. "I'm not sure. That'd be a little brazen don't you think?"

"Don't know. I'd probably be too stressed to sleep, but at the same time I'd really like to have a nice bed for once…" she said with a sigh.

Right… and that was likely not her just trying to tease me about one of her requirements.

It's been a while since she's had a proper bed. Tor's village, Bray, the trip here, Kaley's hut and the trip down the coast had all been… rather rough, really. Most nights we had slept on the ground.

And before that, Lilly's place was the last real place she got to sleep comfortably at. That saint's village had been kind of… plain. The beds had even smelled a little.

So it's been a couple months now since Renn's had a chance to actually rest. It was one of the reasons I had hoped to spend a few days with her at the cave of crystals.

Feeling like a failure, again, I decided to do all I could to make sure she wouldn't be too bothered in the upcoming days.

"I'll see what I can do," I promised.

She nodded. "Please do."

Reaching over, I patted her gently on the lower back, below her bag. "Stay close Renn. Just in case," I whispered as we neared Oplar's door.

Renn hesitated a moment, glancing at the door and then back at me. We could just barely hear voices beyond the heavy door. At least I could, I wasn't sure if Renn could since her ears were hidden under her heavy hat. "Even with her, Vim?" she whispered back worriedly.

Holding her eyes… I slowly nodded. "From this point forward, trust only me and Lilly," I whispered.

Her face scrunched up. "I hate that, Vim."

"I know. Me too."

Me too.

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