It was autumn at the time, and I was trekking through the barren wastes with a few Iberians who were fleeing their homeland.
Just when we thought we were going to meet our ends there, the abbey appeared in front of us. It seemed like some sort of miracle, an act of divine intervention that couldn't be real.
The venerable abbot, Bishop Torregrossa, took in those people who had nowhere to go. He was a respectable elder, most pious and devout in his ways.
Under his management, this monastery, cut off from the rest of the land by the wilderness, became its own fantastical domain of sorts.
Here, people whose lives would normally never intertwine lived in harmony, depending on one another. They lived in material poverty but not spiritual poverty, making no distinction between class, all putting their best feet forward to live life.
Lemuen
...
Lemuen
I knew it, this handwriting...
When I made my request, the Abbot replied to me after an extended silence, saying that while he would not refuse aid to those in need, there was not much he could do, because of my distance.
Maybe because I wasn't expecting much in the first place, I didn't feel too bad about being turned down. If anything, he seemed be more guilty and chagrined about turning down my unreasonable request than the person who made it in the first place.
I am deeply gratified that there exists such a paradise for good people, but at the same time, I could not help but raise this one question:
Can this miracle, like a seed that refuses to adapt to the soil it is grown in, truly persist on this land?
Maybe I've been here a bit too long.
It's about time I set out again, to Laterano.
Lemuen
'People whose lives would normally never intertwine', 'making no distinction between class'...
Lemuen
Yes, when I first saw the scene, I also doubted my eyes, a bit.
Lemuen
If I was speaking just for myself, I'd really hope this peace, rare as it is, could last forever.
Lemuen
Come in.
Monastery Inhabitant
Are you busy, Seniora Lemuen?
Monastery Inhabitant
Remember that pattern you were talking about earlier? Some of the others tried embroidering it onto a quilt with me. How do you think it turned out?
Lemuen
Let's see... Mm, hmm. Excellent craftsmanship. It wouldn't surprise me to find it on display in a store.
Monastery Inhabitant
You're exaggerating.
Monastery Inhabitant
Now that it's getting colder, the blankets you have with you might not be enough to keep you warm, so everyone pitched in some fabric.
Lemuen
I appreciate the concern.
Lemuen
But if you give it to me, the others might not have enough? You should think about them first.
Lemuen
I know how I look, but I'm actually plenty tough. I don't get sick easily.
Monastery Inhabitant
Haha, don't worry about us. As long as everyone chips in, it's not a big deal.
Monastery Inhabitant
But, I must say, I'm not sure 'tough' is what comes to mind when I look at you. What's Laterano thinking these days, sending you so far away?
Because Raimund and the others can't go with us! Isn't that reason enough?
Delfina
You want to leave them behind? Well, I don't!
Fortuna
(Stupid Fina, do you really think I'm that cold-blooded? Of course I'm not going to leave behind the people I grew up with.)
Fortuna
(But, we can just stay stuck like this forever either. Tempers have really been high lately...)
Fortuna
(Is there no better solution?)
Fortuna
*sigh*...
???
What's wrong? What are you sighing for this time?
Raimund
That's odd... Why are you here by yourself? Delfina's not with you?
Fortuna
Raimund!
Fortuna
What's that supposed to mean? It's not like Delfina and I are stuck together!
Raimund
You might as well be. You're close enough, just one step from sharing a bed.
Fortuna
We do sleep together sometimes though... Hey wait, that's not the point!
Fortuna
When'd you get back anyway? I heard you went hunting with Senior Gerald. Any luck? Didn't get hurt, did you?
Fortuna
Make sure you let us know if you ever do get hurt. Don't be like Senior Gerald, who just toughs it out by himself.
Raimund
I'm fine. I don't need you worrying over me for no reason.
Fortuna
For no reason? Who's the one who said nothing until his wounds got inflamed? And who's the one who went down into the mines without permission and barely made it back?
Fortuna
You–
Raimund
I know, I know, let's just say it was my fault, okay?
Fortuna
Huh? 'Let's just say'?
Raimund
...It was my fault.
Raimund
...
Raimund
Fortuna.
Fortuna
Yes?
Raimund
Actually, I came back because I wanted to ask you... and Delfina. And of course, the others as well.
Raimund
I wanted to ask... if you wanted to come with us...?
The young man stopped speaking halfway through.
He suddenly falls silent.
Raimund
...
Fortuna
Raimund?
Raimund
Never mind, it's no big deal.
Raimund
I need to leave for a bit, and might not be back until late.
Raimund
Fortuna, can you come to the roof of the sacrarium before dinner?
Raimund
Bring Delfina with you too... There's something I need to tell you two.
They even built a road by the monastery? It stretches all the way to the edge of the city... Is it really so cramped inside? I personally think it's plenty spacious.
Richele
Are there so many people here? It must be tough feeding a crowd that big... especially out in the barrens.
Federico
See for yourself.
Federico
Someone's coming.
Serpilia
Hmm? Oh, someone just walked out. Should be one of the residents?
Raimund
Where'd Hyman run off to...?
Serpilia
Oh? Salvus sis, hottie with a hidden face.
Raimund
––! Who's there?!
Raimund
Halos... You're Sankta.
Raimund
I don't care who you people are, or what you're after, but you're not coming any closer!
Richele
Let's not jump right to drawing swords and crossbows. We only just met. Why don't we all take a deep breath and talk things through?
Richele
Good afternoon, Senior. The three of us here are from Laterano, without any ill intent. No need to be so tense... I'd be pleased as punch if you'd lower your weapon.
Raimund
...
Raimund
What brings some Laterans all the way out to these remote mountains?
Richele
Um, we were sent by His Holiness in search of two compatriots.
Federico
You're wasting your time, Richele.
Federico
It is clear to me that he knows exactly who we are and why we have come. He has hostile intent.
Federico
You clearly have strong animosity towards Laterano, judging from the displeasure on your face. From where does your hostility come?
Raimund
...I have no idea what you're talking about.
Federico
You've been standing by the entrance to the side alley this whole time.
Raimund
...?!
Federico
You're deliberately trying to block our view. You don't want our attention there.
Federico
So, what is in there?
Raimund
Who do you think you are–
Serpilia
...
Richele
Alright, Federico, there's no need to provoke the other side! Though, I'm sure that wasn't your intention.
Richele
You haven't forgotten the mission His Holiness gave us, right? Low key, low key. We can't afford to make a mess of things again.
Federico
I wasn't trying to provoke anyone.
Raimund
Hah, you Laterans are always like this. Showing up out of nowhere, making a mess out of everything.
Federico
Given the information we have, your situation wasn't looking good to begin with.
Raimund
...I dare you to say that again.
Raimund
Wanna fight? C'mon, I'll show you.
Serpilia
The air is awfully tense over there...
Serpilia
Federico has a way of drawing attention. And that makes light work of burglary.
Serpilia
But, that hooded guy over there... Ugh, something's not right here.
And you, young man, let's not do anything rash. We really are just looking for one of our missing colleagues, and uh, whoever you might be, we mean you no harm.
Raimund
Hmph. You sure can talk.
Raimund
That bruiser of yours means me no harm?
Federico
?
Richele
Ahem, well, you have my word. Either way... could you please let us through? If you could tell the man in charge we're here, that would be ideal.
Richele
Serpilia... Huh? Where did Serpilia go?
Federico
She's already inside.
Raimund
Huh? When she–?!
Federico
Just now.
Raimund
Gah! I can't let you Laterans run roughshod!
Raimund
Aren't you here to see the abbot? Come with me!
Richele
Haha... Great, does that mean you're letting us in?
Federico
...
Raimund
A warning, first: no running off like that woman–
Clément
Oh no! Hurry, s-someone!
Raimund
Clément? What's wrong? What happened?!
Clément
Thank goodness, Raimund! Let the others know–
Federico
A raid?
Clément
Yeah, that's right! Err, Raimund, who are these two?
Raimund
Don't worry about them! What's going on?!
Clément
Oh, r-right... It's terrible!
Clément
I was repairing the windows just now, when I saw something moving in the distance–
