Chapter 23 #2
The mass, which was held at the Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra, went on for longer than an hour, and the Yule cats held responsibility, as Pope Richard took the time to regale those in attendance of their rich history, their tradition, and how the litter would be traveling to the United States to begin a new era of Yule cats so that the animals might help spread the faith.
Unlike the rest of the mass, Pope Richard alternated between Italian and English so that everyone understood the significance of the Yule cats and the honor my family received through adopting the litter.
The kittens basked in the attention, purring a storm from their pillows at our feet.
Every now and then, I needed to redirect the little girl nearest to me, as she wanted to steal the pillows from her sisters and little brother. Rather than scold, I turned my shoes into toys for her and petted her when her tendencies exceeded the novelty factor of my laces.
Fortunately for my sanity, nobody seemed to mind our behavior.
When the mass ended, Archbishop Kellan suggested we wait while the room cleared out, something aided by the security team, who stated the richly appointed chamber would be closed for at least an hour.
A few bolder individuals came to greet the Yule cats, my hummingbird, and the carbunclo, and with some help from the archbishop, we managed to navigate through the perilous waters of religious society without offending anyone.
Within twenty minutes, the chamber emptied, and I heaved a relieved sigh. “Sipping from the cup seems safer than dealing with that crowd,” I confessed.
Archbishop Kellan laughed. “I can understand how the mass might be vexing for those who are not used to it. For those of the faith, it is always a joy and a wonder to attend. For me, it is a relief, now and again, to be the one enjoying the mass as a faithful rather than leading the ceremonies. I will be leading mass soon enough when I return to my parish in India. Once the security team confirms it’s empty here, Pope Richard will return to talk with you.
He is surely gathering small gifts for the kittens to help them feel more confident as they make their way into the world.
” The gold dragon grinned at my father. “He is likely calling the United States to inform the relevant parties that you have received our blessings, which I’m sure will strike even more terror into the hearts of those in Dragon Heights, as there is little he enjoys more than tweaking the nose of naughty dragons. ”
“Is Pope Richard a dragon?” Erik asked.
Archbishop Kellan rose to his feet, nodded, and strolled towards the Chair of St. Peter and beheld it in all its golden glory.
“He is a black dragon, a widower of many centuries now. His station has been barred from married men for many years, but the church decided that he was suited for the position, as he will not betray the memory of his dearly departed wife. If anything, in the view of the church, her loss brought him closer to God. She was a Child of the Christ, and they had several clutches together, and most of their children are members of the clergy. Once she passed, he devoted his life to the church. He is publicly known to be a dragon, although few care about that; if anything, they appreciate his longevity and the promise of stability for years to come. Dragons may serve for two hundred years at most before they must pass their mantle on. The past few popes have been human or dragon-kin, so the clergy decided it was time to have a dragon of excellent repute in the top leadership position.”
I eyed my father. “Have you met Pope Richard before?”
“I might have beaten him within an inch of his life a time or two a great many years ago,” he admitted.
“We went out for ale afterwards. He wanted a higher rank in what would become Dragon Heights. He came back for four rounds before deciding he was quite tired of having manners smacked back into him. His wife’s family ended up taking the opening for black dragons, as his wife was a much stronger combatant than him.
” My father’s expression turned thoughtful.
“I believe the current Child of the Christ in Dragon Heights is descended from her little sister a great many years ago?”
Archbishop Kellan nodded. “He is grateful for your honesty and grace during his defeat, but he also enjoys cultivating a certain amount of healthy respect towards your position. He is not shy about telling stories about the time he flirted with your future wife when you were all mere hatchlings—and how his wife goaded you into testing your temper more than a time or two.”
“It’s always nice when handsome dragons fight over you,” my mother informed me, shooting a sly grin my way. “Adena likewise enjoyed when our men scuffled with each other—and she savored nursing him back to good health, so she goaded her mate more than is perhaps wise.”
“What happened to her?” I asked.
“The Black Death,” my mother replied, her expression turning pained.
“Some dragons simply did not handle the disease well, and she was one of them. Your father and I did everything we could for her, but nothing worked. The purples struggled to cure it, and the contemporary treatments for it weren’t invented for another several hundred years.
Many a good dragon lost their life during the Black Death, as did many a good human and dragon-kin.
Adena is interred in Dragon Heights, as we’d taken her there in the hopes the springs nearby would help—or perhaps the medicines from the indigenous people.
We were careful not to spread the sickness, of course, but it wasn’t enough.
Dragons proved to be somewhat more resilient to the Black Death but not as resilient as we would prefer.
At least thirty percent of all dragons and dragon-kin perished.
Dragons were also a little less likely to contract the Black Death.
Your father and I both suffered from it, and we developed immunity.
That is where dragons held an advantage over humans and dragon-kin; we had an easier time fighting it off, and if we did fight it off, we always developed an immunity to the disease. ”
My father reached over and rubbed Tourmaline’s tiny breast, and the bird clicked and brushed up against his finger. “We all lost loved ones during that time. Pope Richard found his purpose with the church he now serves. Others failed to find purpose and joined their beloved in death.”
The Holy Door, which the pope had used to depart following the mass, opened. Pope Richard emerged, and he’d exchanged his papal robes for a suit, and he adjusted his tie as he strolled our way. “You go by Walter now of all things?”
My father laughed, rose to his feet, dodged the kittens and carbunclo at his feet, and went to the pope and exchanged hugs with the man. “They actually let you out of those robes while within the basilica?”
“They have learned when it’s time for the robes to be put away, they have a choice: they can deal with me in a suit or they can deal with a dragon.
They opted for the suit today. The basilica will be closed to the public for at least a few hours, as we need to do some maintenance; there’s a leak, and we must protect the precious architecture, of course. ”
I raised a brow. “Is there actually a leak?”
“There is, but one of the security guards helpfully made it happen, and someone just reported it a few minutes ago. Rumor has surely started of the leaks and our abundance of caution in the cleanup already. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kinsley.
Thank you for opting to sell the Holy Grail to us; you could have sold it for a great deal more. ”
“You’re welcome. I am uncomfortable with the value of the cup, but I am grateful the kittens like us and wish to join our household.
” I reached down, scooped up the pillow thieving kitten, and rubbed my face against her fur before releasing her back to her play.
“I am prepared to sacrifice many a pillow to her ways.”
Pope Richard grinned. “I noticed your valiant attempts to spare her siblings from the loss of their pillows. I can’t expect kittens to attend our ceremonies without some disruptions.
Yule cats bring joy wherever they go, and they brought a great deal of joy to those attending mass today.
Ah, Kellan, thank you for translating for them.
You were subtle enough nobody comprehended you aided our guests with their understanding of the mass. ”
The archbishop snickered. “I’m fairly sure that nobody outside of the clergy and regular worshippers understood a word you said.”
The pope’s grin widened. “Sometimes, I struggle with the urge to show my delight at the confusion on the face of the congregation, especially when my appearance is unexpected. They enjoyed a rarity without needing a ticket, but they paid the price for not understanding a word I said. Had the mass been in Italian, some would have understood but most would have floundered in confusion, for we have a rather high number of English foreigners here this week. In reality, the leak will keep the basilica closed until morning, which will give everyone a respite from thick crowds, the noise, and security matters. Once we unveil the Holy Grail, Vatican City will bustle with activity of those who wish to view the sacred cup. I’m quite pleased to learn you had no problems with the vintage, Kellan. ”
“I appreciate the reminder that you can be a sharp sword when needed, although mercy on the young hatchlings might have been prudent. Might you illuminate us with why you wanted them to sip of the cup again?”
The pope nodded, and he began the tedious process of herding Yule cats, gathering their pillows and setting them on the pew. “Someone will be along to gather your things, my darlings, so please accompany us into the grotto and necropolis below. That is the best place for this discussion.”