Free The Unexpected Heir: A Tale of Alus by Donald Wigboldy Page B

with a laugh.
    Tightening her grip a moment on his arm, Heralin replied, "I haven't stopped you from trying, have I?"
    The couple laughed as the beginning of the long ride home began.
     
    Caldrefan walked to the doorway looking into a large room. The sanctuary, as it was called, was filled with dozens of people from those sitting on benches facing a stained glass window with the image of Sordrian to those talking in small groups quietly to avoid disrupting the contemplation of those praying. Several brothers dressed in robes of red oversaw the room. It wasn't a time for preaching or leading the masses towards spiritual thoughts, but they remained present and willing to counsel those who needed it.
    The Brothers of the Blood held more strict meetings for those who needed structure, but much of the time was spent like this. People came to them with their troubles. Brothers would listen or pray with those who needed it. For those in financial trouble or in need of food and shelter, others would lead them to a dining room or towards lodging.
    None of it made the head of the temple smile. Sordrian had been a man, a wizard, but not a true god. They could pray until they could no longer stand up, but Caldrefan doubted that his brother would do much to answer those prayers from wherever his soul had gone after his death.
    Doing good did little to help dispel the darker feelings inside of him that he did his best to keep at bay. The smiles and position of leader for this religion were masks for the man. He didn't believe what he sold to the people, but Caldrefan had always been good at finding those that would believe and accept his teaching. Some of those were more helpful to his cause than others.
    He would smile and tell them what they needed to hear. They would follow him and do what he asked. If the temple needed money, they would find a way to get it. Others had the disposition to serve as his shadows, while others served as brothers in the temples.
    His eyes went to one of the small groups and spied Karlaan talking with a couple young women. The bastard prince smiled and even laughed quietly honoring the others still in meditation. The women seemed to appreciate his interest in them, but eventually the little group broke up and the women left.
    Karlaan noticed the man watching him, but didn't hurry over to speak with him. When he did saunter over, Karlaan didn't appear to notice his frown, which hadn't left his face since he began watching the young man.
    "You're supposed to look happy in your service, Caldrefan. If a patron were to see you now, they wouldn't think that we are here to serve the people for Sordrian," the young man said with a fake smile crossing his lips as he chided his mentor.
    "When I see something that wouldn't please the god, it makes me frown. I never preached keeping a smile plastered on your face no matter what the world gives you. If I am disappointed or angry, I don't need to hide it, Karlaan.
    "Speaking of hiding something, what were you talking about with those women anyway?"
    Karlaan glanced back and towards the entry doors. These were the ones most people knew about and used. Two men wandered into the sanctuary through those doors as they looked on, but Caldrefan didn't recognize either of them. They took a place amongst the pews and he quickly dismissed them from his mind.
    "I wasn't hiding anything," the boy refuted as his smile slipped for a moment thanks to the warning words of his mentor. "Those women just happened to be servants from the king's castle. We were simply discussing whether they felt appreciated there.
    "The coins given for their work barely let them survive. If that is how their king pays the people serving him, how little must he value those he rules?" Karlaan finished raising a finger to make his point.
    Caldrefan couldn't help feeling like the boy had just given his interpretation of one of the brothers speaking in the streets. "Am I supposed to be impressed that you can think