Chapter 15: The Cardinal Part 1

March 1450, Palace of Castile

The early spring sun filtered through the windows of the Cathedral inside the grounds of the Palace of Castile. A middle-aged man in a white robe can be seen kneeling in front of the altar. His hands clutching a rosary while muttering prayers.

His blue kind eyes are trained to the cross in front of him. Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew through the Cardinal's nape. Then, a stench of rotten meat and eggs followed and teased the Cardinal's senses.

Startled, the Cardinal stood up, pausing his prayer. As quickly as the scent appeared, it also vanished. The Cardinal looked around the shadows of the church and he still felt the serenity and holiness of the place. Thinking he must be imagining things, the Cardinal resumed his prayers, not noticing a figure lurking outside the church.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

The curtains were wide open in Padre Tomas' room. He can be seen writing on the table, and the scratching of the quill is the only sound in the room. Damian is nowhere to be seen, but Padre Tomas is not worried about his companion. He often wakes up early no matter how late he sleeps.

The young priest is used to this habit and knows that once Damian is finished with tending to the horses, he will wander back on his own. Besides, he does not need help in dressing himself. Damian is pretty much a free bird. Tomas only requires him to accompany him when he goes out for church business and for tending the horses and carriage of course.

A knock broke the young priest's journal entry. "Padre, the King and Queen request that you join them for breakfast. After that, they will have you meet the Cardinal." Said a voice from outside his room.

"Just a moment," Tomas said as he hurriedly closed his journal and opened the door. The formal and unsmiling face of the Butler greeted him.

Upon seeing him exit his room, the Butler gestured for Tomas to follow him. They went past the long corridor and several flights of stairs before reaching the elaborate door to the dining room and greeted Tomas. He suddenly felt his heart beat fast.

He felt like an insecure boy again, taken from the village to meet his high-ranking uncle. He could only hope that the royals are not like those cruel savages up north, where members of the church often get decapitated, or worse, killed at the mere whims of those royals.

The butler moved forward and knocked on the door. "Padre Tomas, from Vatican" he announced.

The doormen opened the door and Tomas was surprised to see a smiling queen and king. There was no one present, other than the servants inside the room.

Tomas entered and said, "This humble servant of the Lord greets the King and Queen of Castile."