Scorched Earth: A Future History of Planet EarthPetrovic, Walter D.
Science
Scorched Earth: A Future History of Planet Earth
Petrovic, Walter D.
Science fiction
Many vicars, cardinals, novices and other coenobites helped those on
the streets. They administered first-aid and prayed for their souls'
salvation. But they were the last to appear on the streets that
morning, after they cleaned-up their own mess at Halls. Within the
Quadrangle of the Cathedral, all the members were locked-in during the
rain, with dozens of whores and other town's wenches, that were
promised good food and a place to stay for one month, in return for
their services when the eagerly awaited rain finally arrived.
These merry women adored the great Halls Cathedral. It was the most
enormous structure in all of Phoride and the other lands on the
continent. The structure reached for the sky. Its lean, slender
appearance was capped by a crystal and gold ornate dome, with a spire.
Buttresses flew out, all about from the slender central pillar; where
at its base, tall and wide copper doors majestically opened and closed
as people walked in and out of the main chapel.
Extended behind the pillar and into an oval shaped building was the
area of the monastery, serving as the dormitories, rectories, scholarly
libraries and private rooms for the monks. This residential building
also housed the ArchBishop's office, wherein he conducted all his
business of decision. Although this was one day of heavy mourning and
discontent, there were plans at hand, and there were thoughts to be
exchanged. All this was owed to the ArchBishop's ill-at-ease feeling,
that was brought on by Lord Brook's refusal to meet with him for such a
long time. The ArchBishop was always in his office, seated in his
leather chair, rumpled in holy softness, and able to turn in full
circles on its rounded legs. The ArchBishop was the same age as Brook
but his hair was darker and the lines on his face were less defined.
They framed his jutting, hairy brows and silvery-grey eyes, with a
sculptured precision.
His physique reminded one of a defeated athlete. His paunchy flab
lolled about his waist like Saturn's rings, and the texture of his skin
lacked softness, appearing course and strangely tight.
His clothing shimmered in rich extravagance as he sat in his chair
dressed in his ethereal garb made of the finest white satin. His black
surplice, thrown over it, opened on the front and revealed his bulging
gut as he sat. On his head rested the constant sign of authority, his
tall white and gold mitre, studded about with rare jewels, gifted to
him by the Heads of other lands. Across the desk from him sat the
Cardinal Allen. Unlike the great ArchBishop, he was more modestly
clothed in the handmade magenta habit, that all the other Cardinals and
monks wore within the monastery walls.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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