"On Guard!" Knights from the royal capital were sent every few months for recruitment training with the local boys, and if fate allows it, girls. Another chance for one to leave this disgraceful village and see the outside world. Since Loliwe was made up of islands in the middle of the ocean people couldn't leave that easily, not without a boat, and the smaller boats could easily capsize in the stormy seas especially at this time of year. So becoming one of the knights was your easiest way out of here.
Gil walked along the cobblestone pavements, the smell of cow and horse dung prominent as ever. He usually held his breath, but nowadays he'd grown accustomed to it. He passed close to the town square, where some knights had arrived. A huge crowd of people sat on the roads, parents with their children as young as 9.
'It's really sad, they have no other way of guaranteeing their children's safety and well-being.' Gil didn't look, he knew if he did… then he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for being so powerless.
A few years ago, it was also the same way. Unable to protect his found 'family' from the hands of those assholes that call themselves holy. Little devils. That's what they used to call the children born from black women raped by the white men.
They tended to have lighter skin and their hair grew in straight lines, originating from a singular point, unlike normal black hair which had no specific origin. They were the ones shunned, but not by the white people, rather the black families who always so them as a reminder of their failed life style. A reminder that these monsters could do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted.
And that's how Gil's life story went. Super simple, nothing too interesting. Ever since his pseudo parents burnt in that fire, and church torn down, he's had no hope, no ambition to do anything.
It was only recently that he found comfort in the bible. Specifically the bible stories, how they encouraged perseverance through times of troubles. Nothing good would come of nothing bad happened, it was just the way the world worked. And from a very young age he understood that.
The older he got, of course, he delved deeper into the more philosophical aspects of the bible. It started slowly, by analyzing each story in the bible he realized a reoccurring pattern. Especially in the old testament from Genesis to Malachi.
He doesn't know what to make of it, but he realized that they techniacally all preach the same thing… trust in God. If you don't, you'll end up getting lost like the isralites, or eaten by a big fish like Jona. To name a few examples.
Gil understood this, he understood it very much. So much so that he's been following all the teaches proposed by the bible. Although, it was only recently that he had learnt how to devote himself to prayer, and for a long time his life has relatively been fine.
'I just wish I could share my luck with everyone.' He prayed for all of them, everybody he knew in the town, hell even people he didn't know.
After about 30 minutes or so, he arrived at the edge of town. There was a small shack that sold fried fish, dried mackerel and tuna. Before entering the house, he did a quick prayer. Then knocked on the door.
KNOCK!
The rusty metal door opened slowly. And a woman of medium height spoke.
"Gil, you came in his stead again?" The woman's voice sounded releaved rather then disappointed.
"Yes, well, the bishop asked me to bring a message."
The door fully opened and the woman invited him in, "Please come in."
"Well, it's a really short message I wouldn't wanna…"
The woman grabbed his arm, "Nonsense, I know you haven't eaten anything. Some fish sticks will do you some good."
"Woah!"
She yanked him in and shut the door. The room was small, it acted as the kitchen, living room, and bedroom. There were some masaai matts on the floor. Gil took a seat.
"Gil, you came?" A girl came into the room.
"Yes, well the bishop was busy today."
"Busy being a whore, do you know how many girls he's molested since he was brought in." The girl sat down.
"I'll give you a number, 25. All black girls by the way." She sighed, "I'm just lucky I was 16 when he came, otherwise I'd have been in real danger."
Gil gave a weak smile, "Yes, it it concerning but…"
"I swear if you give me that 'God will take care of this' crap I'll pull your ears out.
She grabbed his lobe.
"Ouch!"
"God isn't coming to help us, we've got to do something by ourselves, don't you understand?"
Gil's eyes dilated, this always happened. "I understand, but even if we wanted to do something what would we do?"
"We could wait for the knights to leave then take out the bishop."
"Then they'd just send another one." Gil said, "Plus the nun's can use sorcery and they're not just gonna let us kill him."
"Gil's right sweety." The woman came back with a small bowl of fish sticks and bread, "You're 18, he's not going to come for you, think about yourself for once."
"Mama, how can you even say that?" The girl was calm, "Multiple girls aren't ok, fathers are even afraid of having sex because of this. And what about my children, the ones I'll want to have?"
"We'll figure it out then."
"Mama, you and Gil aren't listening. Something bad will happen, I can feel it."
Gil stared at his bowl, inside were fish sticks. Beautifully brown. He loves fish sticks, and the woman knows this. The first day he arrived in this town, he snuck out of the orphanage in an attempt to escape. As a result when he was caught the nuns refused to feed him for days. That's were this woman came in, whenever she'd see him in the streets she'd call him over for lunch.
FISH STICKS
Is what she fed him.
BANG!
The door was kicked right open. "I thought I smelt some holi bullshit in here."
"Papa." The girl stode up, "Gil was just here to…"
"I couldn't care less about what he's doing here. Get out of this fucking house."
"Emmanuel." The woman tried to appease him.
"No! Tell this wanna priest to get out of my house!" His voice echoed across the ocean.
"I'll take my leave." He got up, leaving the bowl on the floor.
"Papa, Gil hasn't done…"
SMACK!
With his right hand he slapped her across the face making her stumble backwards.
"What is wrong with you!" The woman yelled.
"Never invite that or any other priest here, we don't need 'em." He locked the door behind Gil. Leaving him sighing as he walked back.
"And take your damn food with you!" The door creaked open slowly, and Gil felt something colliding with the back of his head.
"Ouch!"
********************************************
MEANWHILE: BACK AT THE CHURCH
A woman sat on one of the wooden chairs painted white. He wore black and white, indicating she was a nun, she whistled a sweet tune no body had heard around these parts. She had a white hat with a pointy tip. Her skin was pale white and her eyes a dark shade of purple. She had long vibrant black hair and thick black lips.
CLINK!
The bishop rushed down stairs, he had only just heard of her arrival and had to abruptly wake up, cutting his sweet dreams short.
"Mother July, we are graced to have…"
"Shut up you old pervert!" She spat, "I did not call for you, where is my sweet Gil?"
"He went out to fulfill some tasks."
"Did I ask you to tell me where he was? I want him here, now. I can't stand not seeing him!"
"Yes Mother, I'll send for him right away." He turned, 'That damned woman, thinking she can command me like this, i'll fucking kill her one day.'
"Did you say something bishop?" She asked as though reading his mind.
"No, no, nothing at all." He smiled.
"Uh, disgusting, why can't you just hurry up and die so little Gilly can become the bishop."
The bishop gave a weak laugh, "I'm afraid it doesn't work like that, I…"
"I, I, I, I don't care, honestly speaking. Old head like you are stupid and have nothing bad the taste for young girls."
"You old witch!" The bishop snapped, "You're a hypochrite, you tell me I'm only after young girls meanwhile you're throwing yourself onto a little boy."
"I don't get angry easily bishop, and I couldn't care less about all the other boys. But little Gilly. Ahhhh!" She moaned, "I can't just let him goooo!"
"You crazy bitch!"
"Well, if I manage to tell the capital that you've been molesting minors what do you think they'll say?" She began, he expression calm, "Maybe they'll give you a medal."
The bishop remained quiet, his teeth grinding against each other, his face red, highlighting his wrinkles. "So I suggest if you want to keep your 'job'" She emphasized with air quotes, "Then you shall bring me what I want, and reserve me one of the dungeons. I believe you know the matterials I require?"
No response.
"Don't you B.I.S.H.O.P?"
"Yes ma'am." He finally said, his voice trembling.
"Splendid, now chop chop, hurry up I haven't got all day."
He turned and went back up stairs. Cursing under his breath. "I'll kill that witch!"
THE WITCH OF THE NORTH HAS ARRIVED.
TO BE CONTINUED