Isabella had to pack her wardrobe in haste. So it didn't take much time to hit the road again, this time in the peace and warmth of the sun. The road was full of Holy Army soldiers patrolling as there were a lot of pilgrims. The whole road was also full of pilgrims walking on the side.
The best thing about the highways of the East, such as Holy Road and Green road, was that they had an abundance of trees at their side, ensuring that the pilgrims could have some shadow over them down. Not to mention, the trees were mostly fruit trees. Hence, the poor pilgrims didn't have to spend too much money either. As long as one did not try hoarding the fruits and only ate them there, they were accessible to all.
During the Season of Solis, the Holy Land also orders the monasteries beside the highway to open their free giant rest houses made of tents and free medical centres, providing food, water and healing. After all, these two months were the most important and holiest for any clergyman or believer, so mostly everyone did their duty with honesty.
"This view is so blissful. To see all these people going to the Holy Land with nothing but worship in their hearts." Lady Aurora sat on top of the carriage with Sylvester and Felix. Meanwhile, at the reinsman seats, there were Isabella and Gabriel.
All of them were enjoying the warm breeze of the summer. At the same time, Sylvester had kept hundreds of small food packets ready-made of banana leaves. They contained some soft salted bread and fruits.
"May the Holy Light enlighten us!" Sylvester shouted and threw a food packet at the man, who caught it carefully.
They were merely helping those who appeared too poor or tired. Of course, they had no reason to, but Isabella was rich and decided to bring certain items from the leftover food at last night's feast.
They continued to do that the whole way. Eventually, they arrived at the last turn, which led right into the tunnel that entered the Holy Land. There was a lot of traffic as many nobles simply didn't wish to walk, so they used carriages.
As for the commoners, they had to stand in long crowded lines and identify themselves, along with registering themselves. But, surprisingly, no man was complaining in those lines, while the nobles who sat in their carriages were nagging about the delay. All the while, they also had hand-held feather fans to douse their discomfort. Heck, there were slaves to fan the feathers.
"Society," Felix muttered as they came close to the final entrance of the Holy Land. Since their carriage was too recognisable, along with the flag, Lady Aurora, and Sylvester on top, they entered without even getting stopped.
"Wait! Is that?" Sylvester suddenly exclaimed and jumped off the carriage the moment they crossed the final checkpoint.
Immediately, Gabriel also stopped the carriage and brought it to the side. They couldn't really leave Sylvester behind. And they were also interested in seeing who Sylvester had recognised.
Though, to their surprise, Sylvester went to the long line of commoners and started talking to a man and a woman, surrounded by a few tall and strong-looking men who seemed more like soldiers than pilgrims.
"Count Raftel and Countess Melinda?" Sylvester spoke with a pleasant voice and smile.
Count Raftel smiled but didn't take off his hood. "Lord Bard, I was wondering if we'd even get to see you here. As we had said, we are here for the Lord's blessing and hopefully… better treatment for Melinda."
Just then, Felix also arrived and went for a hug. After all, he was closer to Raftel as a noble than anything else. "How are you, my lord? You look thin."
Count Raftel chuckled and glanced at his wife. "I know, she says that often."
Sylvester patted the man's shoulder. "Take care of yourself, too. You are the last of your family remaining. And how will she be free of mind if you're not healthy? But why are you standing here? Come, no need to spend hours in this line here. I will drop you inside."
"It's alright, my lord. We wish to go on foot. There is no worship without hardship. This wait is a test for us, Lord Bard. And hopefully, by the end, we shall have his blessings." Count Jartel replied.
At that, Isabella came and held Countess Melinda's hands in hers and apologised on behalf of her family. "My lady, I know what happened cannot be completely repaired. But I assure you that House Gracia and the other Duchies of the kingdom will do everything in their power to help the north."
Sylvester nodded. "Possibly, it won't be necessary. My lord, I hope you give me a visit after you're accustomed to the Holy Land. Then, perhaps, we can have a business venture together that can benefit both of us and the goodness of the world. Until then, I shall write a reference letter for you so you may be treated by some of the best healers here."
Count Raftel bowed his head in thankfulness. "That will help us a lot, Lord Bard. I'll be forever grateful to you."
"It's alright, my brother in faith. Now, I must take leave. I shall see you later." Sylvester bid his farewell as he noticed that a dozen men around the Count were disguised as commoners but were soldiers. So there was no security issue.
After that, Sylvester got back on the carriage. It didn't take them long to reach the Pope's Peninsula; from there, everyone had a place to be. However, Sylvester ignored the summons from the Supreme Council for now and headed to see the person who mattered to him the most.
He waved his hand and took his horse, Frost, from the herd tied to the carriage. He also had to take Isabella along as her guardian and host. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Wait, I'll come with you. I want to see Mother Xavia too." Felix blurted and followed Sylvester's horse.
Bam!
However, Lady Aurora came quickly and smacked him on the head. "Don't put your nose where it doesn't belong. Let Sylvester see his mother in peace today. We shall converge tomorrow morning at Sick Bay to see her."
Felix glanced at Sylvester and received a firm nod from him. He caught the seriousness and hint of emotion in Sylvester's eyes. Even he wasn't dense enough to ignore those. "Alright. Sylvester, give her my best wishes."
Soon, everyone waved goodbye and went on their way. Felix and Gabriel went to their allotted single-room housing. At the same time, Sir Dolorem and Lady Aurora headed to the Inquisitor's camp. They even took Elyon along as the Tiger Beastkin had no place to stay. As for Bishop Lazark, he was a rich man and had his own tiny house.
Before long, Sylvester and Isabella rode their horses to the sick bay where Xavia was still admitted.
Sylvester didn't show it to anyone, but he wanted to rush and see her to ensure she was fine. He had avoided the depressing thoughts long enough, so this was a moment of truth for him. Was she alright? If not, then how bad?
"Where is Mother Xavia admitted?" Sylvester asked the low-ranking staffer priest at the front desk.
"Big brother?" But just then, a known voice came.
"Raven? Where is my mother?" It was Gabriel's sister.
"Follow me!" She quickly guided them to the top-floor room reserved for important patients.
Without waiting, Sylvester slowly opened the door, trying to see if Xavia was sleeping. His heart pounded in his chest as he wondered about the letter she had sent before—not written by her.
Sylvester had, over the weeks, thought about what it could be that had left her unable to write.
However, as he entered, the form of Xavia came into his view. Inside the room, she was resting on the bed with her back supported by a few pillows. She appeared awake and holding a book in her hand, which she read merrily. Her face had a warm, soothing smile, and her red hair shined under the sunlight coming from the open, large balcony glass door.
In Sylvester's eyes, she appeared as kind and motherly as the day he had first seen her. But today, he felt somewhat hurt as he noticed the folds of bandages on her neck, going from below her chin to her chest underneath the loose white gown.
But then he noticed something more problematic. As she flipped the book page, her hand seemed to shiver wildly, as if she had no control over it. 'What happened to her?'
His mouth felt somewhat dry as he remembered the debt he owed this woman—A debt of life.
"Mum." He called for her softly.
Xavia's head quickly turned towards the door, and her eyes watered up instantly, for she'd longed to see that face for a while now. "Max! You're back!"
As she raised her shaking arms towards him, Sylvester didn't waste a moment rushing up and embracing her in a warm familial hug. Xavia held him firmly, wrapping her arms around his chest, while Sylvester held her head under his chin.
They remained like that for a few seconds, holding each other dearly. At the same time, he could hear Xavia's muffled words. She was so happy to see him finally.
"I missed you, dear. This time you were gone for so long."
He let her go, wiped the small tears from her eyes, and caressed her face. "Yeah, I didn't expect it to take this much time. But how are you? And please don't lie."
Sylvester had already smelled the love, anxiety and fear dwelling in her, signalling that she was holding her words back. But he wanted to hear the harsh truth rather than soothing lies.
"I'm fine… dear." She smiled widely but appeared strained clearly.
Sylvester shook his head, however. He didn't even have to smell her emotions, as he could easily tell whenever she lied.
"Come on, mum. I know your brows don't move whenever you try to show a fake smile. So tell me the truth. What's your medical condition? What have the healers said?"
"She's not fine!" Raven started before Xavia could. "I'm sorry, Mother Xavia, but I must tell him everything for your own good. Brother, she was stabbed from her neck to her shoulder, damaging something in her that the healers could not identify. They had to keep her in intensive care and work on her for three days and nights to save her. But there were consequences."
"What is it?" Sylvester questioned in a rush.
"Mother Xavia has forgotten… No! The healers said that her body muscles have forgotten how to move."
500 GT = 1 Bonus chapter.
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