The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 70: Chapter 69: Give Us This Day Our Daily Flowers

Read chapter 70 of The Distinguished Mr. Rose by QuiteTheSlacker on NovelPedia.

Chapter 69: Give Us This Day Our Daily Flowers A soft light rained down upon the congregation through the stained glass above, casting them all in a hallowed glow amidst the sanctum: this dim, serene church where even the very air felt holy. And the people lifted themselves up, united, as one heart in shared reverence, loving a divinity they embraced within their bosoms. Lucius thought it a mesmerizing sight, how the power of faith could coordinate such people of differing temperaments together. Here, there was no individuality. No lingering worries over the events of yesterday or possibilities of tomorrow. The Franks left everything behind, and so they now prostrated themselves as a blank, clean vessel, one that joined the many others in attendance. When the peoples’ lips were silenced, and their heads lowered in respect, Sir Maugris stepped toward the altar. He knelt and kissed the base, then rose to make the sign of the trinity on his forehead before clasping his hands together and bowing. “In the name of the Mother, and of the Blade, and of the holy Star,” he said. The people spoke, “Amen.” “Grace to you and peace from God our Lord, the avatar of all that is good and righteous, and upon whom our tenets of Chivalry were firstly born.” “And with your spirit.” “Sit now, and welcome the embrace of the Lord, as Their presence fills our hearts with compassion: to love our neighbor and this world, our God’s beloved creation, as it is right and just.” “It is truly right and just, amen.” Maugris raised a candle before them. With a wave of his hand, the top was suddenly lit aflame, and a golden smoke wafted from the melting wax. It rose up, billowed over the benches, and spread a pleasant fragrance that resembled a mix of lavender and chamomile. It did wonders to ease the tension in the body; and as the smoke began to dissipate, Maugris opened his arms in welcome toward the congregation. “Good morning,” he said. The people spoke, “Good morning, father.” Maugris smiled. “It is my great honor to visit Burgundy’s chapel. I am Sir Maugris, one of the Twelve Peers of Charlemagne, and a senior priest of the faith. Fret not over my presence; it is the duty of those gone on voyage to bless and hold service for the cities along their path, and so I shall preside over today’s mass—much to Sister Maria’s mild annoyance.” The people uttered a quiet laugh, and Maugris waited for a moment before continuing. “Sister Maria was actually my teacher thirty-some years ago. Do not be fooled by her gentle exterior: many a student was victim to her scoldings back in the day, least of all me who faced the full fury of her hastily-thrown slippers. I still shiver in remembrance.” Sister Maria huffed and quickly snatched Maugris’s ear, to which he replied with a pitiful look toward the others. “It is a comfort to see that some things never change.” “Including you, my pupil,” she said, letting go and smacking her hands as if she just touched a small, albeit loveable, bug. The people laughed again, and Maugris cleared his throat before taking out a lavish book and setting it on a stand. “Regardless of her temper, I hold much fondness for Sister Maria, and to the church as well. I pledge to deliver you all a most rousing service; but it has been, admittedly, some time since I took lead. Thus I ask you all to be forgiving.” Maugris opened the book. A new, serious air enveloped him, and his voice swelled with an authoritative pull as he turned the page and then addressed the congregation. “Brethren, we have gathered here, in honor of the Lord, to celebrate the blessed gifts They have granted upon us: the earth that which we walk and thusly till for sustenance, the food of the body, and the sky that which shines and stokes our wisdom, the food of the heart, as well as darkens so that we may see those who’ve passed on—glimmering in the heavens up high as a starry sea. We celebrate and remember all this, the tenets of Chivalry and our duty to better our fellow man. L