Chapter 2 - Father Daniel (1/2)
Translator’s Note: Everything in this series is made up. There are references to violence due to past happenings in this chapter. Also, I am trying my best to understand the structure of Catholicism, if anything doesn’t make sense please feel free to leave a comment or ping me in discord, and I will try to fix it asap.
Translated by iseuli
The mountains and hills were covered in lush greenery, but the wind was still bone chilling. Father Daniel had worked up a sweat traveling up the mountain side and took off his coat, but then immediately put it back on due to the cold wind.
“I will pay five haas.” Father Daniel said to an old boatman that was leisurely smoking his pipe.
Upon hearing this, the boatman frowned as he thought it was a crude joke. However, he changed his mind seeing that the other party was an elder man with a Catholic Cross around his neck.
“What was it that you said, Father?”
“I will give you five haas.” Father Daniel repeated.
Haas was the silver coin issued by the Roam Empire, and held more value than the Pharen Kingdom’s silver coins. According to recent rumors, the silver coins sourced from Pharen’s had mixtures of bronze. Thus people of the Pharen’s border zone held the haas with more value.
“If you’re referring to the passage fare, one haas will be more than sufficient.” The old boatman said carefully.
Father Daniel was already aware that one haas was enough to be ferried to and fro more than three times over.
“I am indeed referring to the boat fare,” Father Daniel said while taking out five haas from his pocket.
“I would like it if you could wait here for me. I will probably return by midnight, or by daybreak tomorrow. This is extra for the additional services I’ve asked of you.”
The boatman suspiciously eyed Father Daniel once again.
Daniel removed his cloak’s hood to convey his sincerity and handed over the boat fare. The top center of his head was shaved bald as any dedicated monk wore their hair.
“Why do you need to cross the river at such a late hour?” asked the boatman.
“I have my own circumstances.”
“You don’t happen to believe the rumor that crossing the devil’s bridge at night will curse you?”
“Why should I fear such curses even if it’s true? It just takes much longer to travel across the bridge.” Daniel laughed and continued to speak.
“If you do not want to, please introduce me to a different boatman.”
The old boatman reached out with his hands.
“I’m not refusing your offer.”
Daniel dropped five silver coins onto the callused hands of the boatman.
“I will pay you five additional silver coins if you wait for me here.”
“Will you be coming alone?”
“I will have one more person with me.”
“Please do then.”
The boatman nodded, and Daniel briskly turned to leave.
The Zerba Monastery was about two miles away from this river and the road would be harsh.
Daniel wrapped his face with a bandana to hide his identity to his best ability. It would be a strange sight to see an old man briskly hiking up the harsh mountain terrains.
Daniel saw a youth carrying two sacks full of fruits just ahead near the gate of the monastery.
Daniel cleared his throat and let out a dry cough, to which the youth turned and looked back to the source of the sound. The youth appeared to be a male in his twenties and was wearing the uniform of soldiers, while his expression was heavy and dark.
He dropped the bags of fruit on the ground, and respectfully greeted Daniel.
“Where have you come from?”
“I am a Priest from the episcopal order of Roam. I’ve come to talk with Father Abbot Thomas.”
“My name is Poy. Ah, a priest from Roam, then by chance…?”
The youth continued after a pause with a worried expression.
“… Father Daniel?”
“Yes.”
“If you’ve come here reading the letter, then you’re too late. Father Jade’s execution for tomorrow has already been decided and scheduled.” Poy said tearfully.
He was already aware of this, but Daniel reacted like this was his first time he heard the news. Poy looked with surprise when the old man easily lifted the heavy pouch of fruits with one hand.
Daniel rushed forward. “Let’s hurry in!”
Poy was quick in action, though he often times spoke with hesitation.
He guided the man to Father Abbot Thomas.
“Go bring us some wine.” Thomas said to Poy, and led Daniel to the dining hall.
Daniel looked to the cracked ceiling and spoke.
“The ceiling looks very worn out. It looks like it would crumble from a passing storm.”
“Can you tell? We really need a helping hand here.”
Thomas appeared as if he was waiting for those very words and began to trail on endlessly.
“I’ve never had the chance to express this, but the financial status of St. Antones Monastery is very dire. The laity(ordinary members) do not follow the Catholic doctrine and do away with their beliefs, still, we cannot do anything about it.”
Poy walked in and placed a wine bottle and two glasses of wine on the table.
“You can continue with your normal tasks.”
Poy looked like he wished to stay, but Thomas glared and sent the youth away.
Thomas spoke as he poured some wine for Daniel.
“We newly opened a fresh wine cask, please try some.”
Daniel took a sip and nodded.
“It’s very good. I heard the grape harvest last year went well, this should be the wine from the recent harvest, correct?”
Thomas smiled brightly and spoke.
“This is my favorite wine from all the wine we’ve made in this monastery. I’m thinking of gifting some for Bishop David, what do you think brother?”
“He will be happy. I will put in a word for you, so please feel free to send some. Rather, where is Jade?”
Daniel unnaturally turned the topic of conversation.
Thomas uncomfortably took a few sips from his wine glass.
Daniel felt restless, but he waited for the other to continue the conversation.
“Jade brought this misfortune upon himself by sharing blasphemous stories. I’ve warned him many times, but he never learned.”
Daniel had received letters of complaint from Abbot Thomas about three times thus far.
He requested for Jade to be sent to a different monastery in all his letters. There was a time when the other had suggested for Jade to be sent to work in a prison. He had claimed Jade would be treated much better in prisons than the monastery.
Daniel was faintly aware all this time, but turned a blind eye to it all.
“Blasphemous stories?”
“Jade twists the interpretation of the Catholic Doctrine, and falsely spreads the words of God to the people.”
“For example?”
“It was more than once. One time a fisherman came to find us. He came to make a confession and seek forgiveness for beating his wife. He thought his wife cheated on him, but it turned out to be his own misunderstanding. This could happen to anyone, and many people make the mistake and beat their wives, but he had come forth to seek forgiveness with God. Don’t you think this man is so sincere and faithful?”
Abbot Thomas let out a sigh and continued his story.
“However, Jade spoke with anger. ‘Did you ever apologize to your wife?’ The fisherman answered ‘By seeking forgiveness with God, I am seeking forgiveness with my wife, is this not correct?’ The fisherman was more knowledgeable with our Doctrine than Jade! Jade came forth and said, ‘Repent and apologize to your wife first. If your wife forgives you, then God will forgive you.’ Oh my heavens, is this what a priest should be saying?”
Daniel laughed inwardly, but outwardly maintained his serious expression as he nodded.
Thomas’ story did not stop here.