Light filtered through the inn's windows, acting as the lobby's sole source of illumination. Cecil was already awake, fully dressed with his cane in hand, seated at one of the few uncrowded tables, sipping on a fresh cup of tea having already finished breakfast.
The Inn was already buzzing with various activities and voices that melded together into a mess of nonsense to Cecil. The sound of footsteps stopping at his table caught Cecil's attention.
Cecil looked up to find Samuel standing there. Compared to the night before, the avian was far more presentable: his hair tied back into a neat bun, wings folded cleanly behind his back, feathers combed into place. His robes were freshly brushed, the theological symbol of the church no longer hidden under the grime. He now looked much more like an Inquisitor.
"Ready?" Cecil asked.
Samuel raised an eyebrow. "What? No breakfast time for me?"
"I was under the impression ordained priests fasted before Sunday Mass?"
"That is only for the priests giving the Mass, not for members of external branches like me." Samuel replied as he sat across from Cecil, waving the innkeeper over to order breakfast.
It didn't take long before Samuel's food came out since the inn was already in morning overdrive.
"So… Blinkwolf eyes," Samuel said between bites. "If you don't mind my curiosity what Lineage are you aiming for?"
"I do mind your curiosity. If you want that information, then it would only be polite to tell me your Lineage first." Cecil pointed out.
"Fair. Just forget I asked," Samuel groaned, "I would tell you but," he shifted into a mocking tone, clearly quoting someone, "'Inquisitors are not to disclose their Lineage to external parties outside of specific circumstances.'"
"What, have you gotten in trouble for that before?"
"Nah, just something they drill into your head during training" Samuel said as he finished his breakfast, and stood up. "Ok, now I am ready."
"Good, let's get going." As Cecil followed, rising as well and grabbing his cane..
They left the inn and made their way through quiet roads of Widdershin Alleys and back towards the more active streets of Grandport. The scent of early-baked bread mingled with the salt of the sea air.
Grandport had taken on an almost theatrical flair overnight. Paper lanterns, that were absent the day before, now hung throughout the streets in vibrant clusters, various cloth banners depicting all sorts of cultural symbols, hung from windows and doorways. Vendors are already pushing carts filled with fireworks and colorful customs, all in anticipation of the Charterlight Festival.
Samuel adjusted his glasses, taking in the scene. "Quite the overnight transformation, now isn't it?"
"I'll admit," Cecil kept his eyes forward as he nodded. "it's almost impressive how fast they're getting everything in order."
It didn't take long for the two of them to reach the Brass Quarter. The origin of its name was obvious at first glance, the oxidized copper rooftops gleamed green under the morning light. This was one of the oldest districts in the city, home to expensive shops, upper-middle-class families, government buildings, and a heavier patrol presence than even the Forums.
Cecil glanced around taking it in. "This district reeks of old money. Why would the Theocracy choose it for a church?"
"Technically, the building's been here since the city's founding," Samuel said with a shrug. "Originally, it was an abandoned temple to an Ancient God. So when the Theocracy opened a branch in Grandport, they just took over the old cathedral instead of building a new one."
Crowds were already drifting toward the church, slowing Cecil and Samuel's pace until the cathedral came into view.
It wasn't as grand as the Caelestia Sanctum Basilica, one of the four basilicas major, or even a more major cathedral, but it still commanded respect. Its stonework darkened by centuries being exposed to the elements, its spires reaching toward the heavens. Beneath the Theocratic renovations, traces of the original craftsmanship remained. On one archway, faint carvings of interlocking tides were still visible where restoration was incomplete.
"This cathedral," Samuel said, noticing Cecil's glance, "was dedicated to an ancient sea goddess, her name lost to the tides of time."
Silence lingered between them as they neared the cathedral's heavy, open wooden doors. Two priests flanked the entrance, helping guide parishioners into the church. They wore robes similar to Samuel's.
Samuel turned to Cecil. "For simplicity, let me do all the talking with the other priests for now."
Ceciil nodded. "Agreed."
The avian made his way to the two priests through the crowd, Cecil following close behind.
"Father Henry, Father Issac," Samuel called.
The two priests turned toward Samuel, smiling as the older of the two stepped forward. "Ah, Inquisitor Samuel. Here for the Mass?"
"I plan on attending Mass later today," Samuel shook his head. "I am currently searching for Father Gideon."
"Then I suppose you will be taking part in the current Mass, since Father Gideon is the one giving this week's sermon."
Samuel sighed and gave a final nod. "Thank you for informing me, Father Henry."
Father Henry gave a nod back to Samuel letting them in as Samuel and Cecil entered the church, following the stream of the supplicants inside.
The cathedral's interior was just as impressive as its exterior, though the renovations inside were more complete. The massive hall had a vaulted ceiling still bearing traces of the ancient sea goddess, in the form of a fresco painting of a woman dressed in raging waters, parting the sea. The hall's floors were polished seastone, and rows of wooden pews faced the altar at the far end. Behind it were nine massive stained-glass windows, grouped into three sets of three. Each bore a different symbol relating to one of the nine Protogenoi, with the corresponding name written in Ancient Ogma beneath.
The leftmost group started with a skull of black stone with white pearl inlays on a bed of red spider lilies, bearing the word Patem. On the other end was a wooden chalice overflowing with iridescent liquid and blooming plants, labeled Meata. The central symbol was a sphere of white and green gemstones forming bones and plants, something blooming in the middle, with the word Finitor.
The rightmost group began with an open book with a single closed eye made from pure crystal glass, labeled Nyara. On the other end was a wheel with interlocking lines forming a fractal shape in ivory, labeled Thalyn. The central symbol was a pupil-less open eye with contorted lines forming an imperfect keyhole-like smile reaching for stars, in soft blue and deep purple glass, labeled Folros.
The central group began with a pair of open hands, one obsidian with silver veins, the other silver with obsidian veins, each holding half of a scale, labeled Vukrel. On the other end was a heart pierced by a cross dagger, dripping flames of rose gold, labeled Kaelun. The centralmost symbol was a throne of white marble with a golden eye, crowned with a halo of thorns, labeled Elyth.
"Sorry, Hollows," Samuel said. "It seems, we'll need to take part in today's Mass. I was hoping Father Gideon wouldn't be the one giving it."
"It's no major problem," Cecil replied, his gaze sweeping over the cathedral's interior. "But is there a particular reason it must be Father Gideon we are looking for?"
Samuel started to make his way to pews near the back that had open seats. "He is the priest, I was directly assigned too for my assignment, and the Bishop is currently away because of 'official' business."
Cecil followed Samuel as they took a seat.
A sudden clang echoed through the nave as a bell tolled. Heads turned toward the altar, where a gaunt older man appeared, raising a hand for silence. He had wavy blond hair and an above-average face, but was otherwise unremarkable. His robes were solid black, without the elaborate embroidery on Samuel's, and a white stole hung from his shoulders. A rosary rested around his neck.
Cecil watched the congregation settle as their attention became directed at the priest.
Samuel leaned over and whispered, "That is Father Gideon."
Cecil gave Samuel a quick nod, as he leaned back into his chair, and soon Father Gideon began to speak.