02-28-2023, 02:25 AM
Rowan stood just behind Armande’s left hand shoulder as the Holy Father extinguished his cigarette. He asked after the next key and Rowan adjusted her fringed shawl with subtle discomfort. Only Armande knew what passed between himself and the Holy Father, but Rowan had assumed he had been briefed on the important aspects – apparently not. The nicotine in the air smelled good to her. She had been craving a cigar. She hadn’t smoked one since her last Vodou ritual some few months past.
If the night proved a triumph, she would indulge. She would buy a bottle of the finest scotch and the best Cuban she could find in this wintry city. They four would celebrate and embark tomorrow. It would certainly happen.
With a light step out to the left, Rowan emerged from Armande’s shadow and addressed the Pope, “No, your Holiness. We’ve tried, but the way forward will not come. I think we need you for the mist to lift – and the first key.”
Rowan stepped back to her space next to Vale, just behind Armande. That last bit had only occurred to her as she spoke. Of course, they would need the first key to see further into the murk – why hadn’t she thought of it sooner? That was the one thing they had not tried – oh, one would assume that the Eyes could always see. And they could. But perhaps there would be times that they would need more to go further. What better than a relic directly tied to the other three?
The Eyes would see.
If the night proved a triumph, she would indulge. She would buy a bottle of the finest scotch and the best Cuban she could find in this wintry city. They four would celebrate and embark tomorrow. It would certainly happen.
With a light step out to the left, Rowan emerged from Armande’s shadow and addressed the Pope, “No, your Holiness. We’ve tried, but the way forward will not come. I think we need you for the mist to lift – and the first key.”
Rowan stepped back to her space next to Vale, just behind Armande. That last bit had only occurred to her as she spoke. Of course, they would need the first key to see further into the murk – why hadn’t she thought of it sooner? That was the one thing they had not tried – oh, one would assume that the Eyes could always see. And they could. But perhaps there would be times that they would need more to go further. What better than a relic directly tied to the other three?
The Eyes would see.