Daily Short: Charlotte 03

As a private nod to some of the more influential members that had attended the banquet, Charlotte attended to their questioning personally. While one could send a guard for the rabble, not so much for a high-ranking member of the clergy.

“Cardinal Nelpht, I am honored you chose to attend the celebration of my rise to power,” Charlotte said, sitting across from a luxuriously dressed Cardinal. A person could say many things about the Church but completely patriarchal wasn’t one of them. The female cardinal had been uplifted almost a decade prior. It was a move by the Pope to cement his power, which paid off well. Female clergy was far more effective than their male counterparts, with a much lower rate of problems.

“The honor is mine, Duchess Charlotte. Tell me, will you be an old stick in the mud about the Church like your father before you?” Cardinal Nelpht said with a disarming smile. There were few restrictions to what clergy could wear. It was no coincidence that the Cardinal’s attire drew male attention. All the better to preach to them if their minds were distracted. Charlotte had been schooled on many of the common tricks the Church employed. Each piece of the playbook was tailored to acquire, keep, and maintain their grip on the lower levels of society.

After all, one can argue with the tax collector or pray to the Lord or Lady for aid with results. Charlotte thought. However, the story shifts when the clergy asks for a coin. Their response always seems to be they can’t give the property of a god away in more excellent language.

“No! I welcome all Church’s involvement in the world at large.” Charlotte said with a devious grin. It was minuscule, but Nelpht’s expression froze for a moment.

“Surely you realize there is only one Truth, my child?” Cardinal Nelpht said, her tone chiding.

“Indeed, there is only one Truth, that of Silver,” Bennie said, appearing in the chair to the left of Charlotte and Nelpht. Her sudden arrival caused a shock to appear on the face of the Church’s representative.

“Are you claiming there is some other entity above our Lord and Savior?” Cardinal Nelpht said with a classy sneer.

“Above? Are you above a speck of dust? If so, then the comparison is correct, I suppose.” Bennie said, turning to look at the Cardinal with a disturbing smile.

Cardinal Nelpht reigned her temper and turned to Charlotte to say, “If you plan on attempting to challenge the Church for supremacy, I can only inform you the decision is a poor one.”

Charlotte looked at Nelpht with pity. This creature had been on the top for so long that they forgot the world was merely a well. Some animals lived outside the continent of Aiqen’s borders. The Kraken of the Deep Waters, the Swarm of the Burning Skies, and more existed in this world. Indeed, they had been a myth to Charlotte before, but Eve’s existence proved they were likely entirely accurate. What was the power of the Church that couldn’t hold a candle to such things?

“I do not need to challenge an institution that is on my side,” Charlotte said. “However, recent information gained paints a rather dim picture of the Church.”

Charlotte caught the quizzical expression that the Cardinal gave before smoothing it away. She’d suspected the moves had been made without Nelpht’s knowledge, but this and Iantha confirmed it.

“I’m sorry, my child. Could you perhaps enlighten me? In my advancing age, I have slight difficulty understanding the thoughts of those younger than me.” Cardinal Nelpht said with a respectful tone.

“Ah, certainly,” Charlotte said, gesturing to a guard that opened the luxury guestroom’s door to inform the men outside. Chests moved with precision and placed on the table's right side. With ten containers lined up, Charlotte flexed her power using Air to open them.

Neatly stacked bags were revealed. Cardinal Nelpht started to pale as she recognized the mark on the bags. The chests, however, were unmarked. Someone had wanted Church funds to be handled discreetly. With the recent attack on Charlotte’s family, it wasn’t hard to put it all together.

“Tell me, Cardinal, why would the Lord want me dead?” Charlotte said with a bright smile.