The evening was warm, fairly normal for an evening this early in the season. The heat would come soon enough. Summer on Crete, even in the mountains was an arduous affair. But for now, the Villa would enjoy a blissful prelude to the coming heat of the summer.
The Villa's gardens were immaculately manicured. Upon stepping down as the leader of the Brotherhood, Senor Sephardi had thrown himself into the management of the acre or so of gardens. The old man had played the role of ambassador for the Brotherhood and the Council a few times since his retirement, but mainly he stayed here, in the Villa.
The table set for dinner stood in the middle of a gazebo, near the entrance to the garden. The gazebo was built of a glossy brown wood and lattice, Rose bushes grew all around it, and their vines wound their way up and through the gazebo, so that it was almost enclosed in the bushes.
Miguel Sephardi sat waiting for his dinner guest. Clad in his now customary brown cloak, he held the walking stick that was his constant companion nowadays, rising to welcome the Pontiff as he saw him approach.
"Your Eminence, please join me." The old man said as the Pontiff entered the gazebo.
Paolus climbed the steps of the gazebo slowly, and offered a large, peaceful smile to the old man.
--Thank you Señor Sephardi. --said, as he approached him and shook his hand-- Makes a wonderful evening for outdoor dining. I guess here you can enjoy this sense of calm often.
Both men sat on chairs in light wood. The table had a white linen tablecloth with embroidery, high quality, and a golden candlestick chaired the center, illuminating the place with warmth. The dinner had not yet been served.
Paolus observed up to six soldiers surrounding them outside the gazebo. They carried handguns in their belts, not rifles, and it have enough space left to them as to which one could forget their presence and concentrate on the meeting. The Pontiff looked at his host and said:
--Bueno, señor. First, since the risk of repeating myself, I want to thank you all. My entourage has been housed with full speed and accuracy, you let my guards to be responsible for protecting the interior of the Creatian House, and the place your people have prepared for I can pray is perfect. I must say I'm impressed, even though I had long heard about the legendary honor of the Sephardi Familia.
Paolus paused. His throat was a little dry, but probably soon would bring something to drink. Coughed slightly, to clear his throat, and continued.
--Now, after this, I would like that you ask me anything you want to know, about me, my Church, or of anything that concerns you, while we have the dinner. If you could order to bring some Creatian wine, Xerez or something similar, I would be very grateful.
Miguel Sephardi waved over one of the porters nearby, whispering in his ear quickly. The man scurried off toward the open doors that led to the kitchen.
"Wine and some appetizers should be here shortly, your Eminence. I am sure they will meet your high standards." Sephardi said. He reached for a silver pitcher on the table. He poured himself a glass of water, and then one for his guest. "Getting to your question, or questions, I have little personal interest in your Church, nor do I have much personal interest in you, your Eminence, no offense intended, but my own personal interests are much more.... tribal. My own interests reside more in why you are here, and how that effects the Corsair nation as a whole, and my Brotherhood in specific. I worry for my family, and what having your family here does to effect them. I worry about who your enemies are, and if they will become my enemies too. I wonder if I am going to have to advise the Council to send young Corsair boys to die fighting your enemies. We Corsairs have more enemies than we know what to do with, I worry that you will bring with you more." The old man said with a flat, disinterested tone.
The porter then returned with a decanter of wine and a platter of cured meats and vegetables. He poured each man a glass, placed the decanter on the table and quickly walked away. Sephardi took his own glass, taking a sip, he swallowed and placed the glass back on the table. He then took a few pieces of the cured meat, and popped it in his mouth, quickly chewing it and swallowing.
"Delicious, I am sure you will enjoy it." He began again. "So, what I want to know is, why are you here, and what are your plans, and what part do my people play in this whole move...your Eminence?"
The Pontiff took his wine cup, inhaled the aromas, and took a small sip, savoring the liquid with pleasure. The flavor was fruity and slightly acidic, with dense body, as it should be a good wine. He took another sip to cool his throat and returned the pure crystal cup to the table, with undisguised satisfaction.
--Really excellent. --he admitted.
Then, imitating his host, took some cured meat and brought it to his mouth. That dish was similar to the cecina, strong and tasty. He delicately savored it, concentrating on capturing every nuance of flavor.
--You're not wrong, I really like it. --said, smiling to Sephardi-- When you have 20 years in cryostasis your senses have atrophied so much that anything seems extraordinary now, but this meat and this wine is top quality.
The Pontiff took another piece of meat, and chewed slowly until swallow it. Then he took a napkin and wiped his lips. He looked straight into the eyes of Miguel Sephardi, no trace of a smile on his face.
--I'm not a man easily offended, señor. --he said-- Don't worry about it.
Paolus looked away and watched his titanium ring, symbol of the Covenant. He spin it around his finger, something he always did when he thought under pressure. He was not sure how to deal with the questions of the Corsair leader. Perhaps an excess of sincerity would be detrimental to their goals.
The Pontiff observed carefully the face and the expression of Sephardi. Looked like a man that addressed the problems bluntly. If that were true, could make things much easier.
--Actually the reason I'm here is simple. --he started-- Crete is a safe place for me.
"Some little time ago, shortly after my escape pod was found and I reveal the message that I had been entrusted by Deux, our Sanctuary base in Sigma 17 was destroyed before it had finished building. We never got to know who was responsible for this act, but my Field Maestre Juan de Alba, thought that those who did it, were intended to destroy me, so he asked the Council of Elders a place where I could stay temporarily while things calmed down. I must say I don't think that the destruction of our Sanctuary had something to do with me, but it is true that prevention is better than cure."
"You say you're afraid of the enemies that we can bring with us. Don't worry. The Corsair Empire has more enemies than our humble Church can ever have, with the help of Deux. In fact we only have an enemy. An enemy so is yours. An enemy is also an enemy of all mankind. This terrible threat is the Nomad."
Paolus took his glass of water and drank halfway, to clear his throat again. Then continued:
"You're worried about your family. You do well. The Nomads are present in the Omicrons, and their number increases more and more. But this is nothing compared to what our Divine Giver has revealed to me. It is preparing an authentic assault on the Omicrons, which is the beginning of a total conquest plan around Sirius."
"It's my Sacred Duty to warn you that you will be the first to be attacked massively. Some Zoner communities have had isolated struggles with these abominations, but you, the Corsairs, are the most powerful faction in the area, and will be attacked with particular aggressiveness. So... yes, I'm afraid that we're here or not, you will have to send your young soldiers to die fighting. Unfortunately we will also have to."
The Pontiff wait a moment for your host could digest the words that he had uttered. Then he continued speaking:
"As for my plans here ... I would give the few thousand followers of the Deux's Faith in Crete the possibility of praying in a temple ... with priests ordained by my Church. I have intention to apply for permission to the Council of Elders, to build a temple here, of course paid by us. I just need a place. After many centuries as sheep without a shepherd, our faithful have found the light, and I consider a duty to give these believers of Deux a home to practice the rites properly."
He showed one of his famous smiles of absolute peace.
"My Church has no intention of sharing his problems with Corsair Empire. We do not want to cause any mishap. In fact, if my presence here was a nuisance, I ask you to communicate to me, and immediately leave the planet without hesitation. After all, this is the place where I was born, and still consider the inhabitants of Crete as part of my people. I do not want to suffer any evil for me."
"My Church also offers you services in the diplomatic. Is only an offer, of course, I'm not saying that you need it, but as you said, the Corsair Empire has too many declared enemies. From our neutrality, the NCC can talk to factions and mediating in conflicts in which you, as faction, would be treated with prejudices from the beginning."
Paolus took a little longer cured meat, and accompanied it with what was left in his glass wine.
--I really hope I have answered all your questions, --said calmly-- but you can always make me more, señor Sephardi. I came here tonight to do just that, besides to share with you this wonderful dinner.
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