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“Couldn't we just take a look at the outbuildings?” I suggest in as pleasant a tone as possible despite the urgency I feel. I doubt we'll find anything in the stables, but the chapel might give us more information...
Believ lets out a deep sigh that is lost in the breeze. I feel her hair bristle and a slight tremor stir the air. This strange sensation makes me feel her hesitation, her resignation, as if she's fighting with all her might, knowing full well she can't win.
“To return to service, I must first complete my mission with you. The sooner the better. Let's hurry,” she insists, imperious.
We leave the courtyard and cross the wooded part of the property, home to a discreet old building. The blackened, ivy-covered stones blend into the ever-present shade. Only the riveted wooden door stands out, illuminated by its arched, luminescent frame. Believ steps over the small steps and pushes open the heavy door, which lets out an eerie creak.
With her flashlight, she scans the room, which reveals nothing of real interest. Exposed stone walls, a few rows of worm-eaten wooden benches laid out on a carpet of crumbled leaves, a modest stone altar and shabby, stained-glass windows through which the vegetation penetrates the sacred precincts. Clearly, no services have been held here for some time. As for concealing a body, the place is too cramped to contemplate it.
“There's nothing here,” murmurs the Sin Eater, scrupulously inspecting a small, dried-up stoup.
That's what I see.
Like the cellar from which I emerged, this building is desperately empty.
Dejected, we leave the property without a word, strangled by the terrible feeling that we're regressing instead of progressing, as if instead of dissipating, the mystery surrounding our encounter were becoming opaque to the point of becoming a sticky trap.
We're mired in unbearable ignorance.
Eventually, I found a small, wood-framed shop window with the typical look of an old-fashioned bookshop. All kinds of books and objects were harmoniously stored, inviting the curious passer-by to enter and discover a little more. Encouraged by the diversity of the exhibits, I pushed open the door.
A surprisingly smiling young woman greeted me. She wasn't a repulsive witch or a raving lunatic. She was sober and natural. Her dress, as deep green as a dense forest, and her long, flowing blond hair gave her the look of a wingless fairy. Her little snub nose and laughing eyes radiated good humor. I immediately felt serene in her company, even before she opened her mouth to offer me her services.
A little surprised to find such a shop, I didn't give much thought as to how I could expose my worries. The idea of revealing my true intentions seemed risky.
How did I know this woman had no direct connection with the Church? And even if she didn't, would she have remained so kind to a future Sin Eater? Would she not have turned away from me, fearing for her future? So I decided to remain as neutral as possible and simply list the items I had come to collect:
- a black leather purse
- a metal flask
- a wooden bowl
- a natural cotton fabric
- a small satchel
I realized that she’d immediately understood my intentions, but she was thoughtful enough not to ask me about my motivations. She simply suggested different models, pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of each.
As for the flask, she wisely pointed out that, despite the undeniable quality of its workmanship, it was still too fragile for everyday use. As a replacement, she recommended a more discreet metal flask.
Once I'd made my choice, she had me pay and insisted that I beware of appearances. I never really understood what she was trying to say.
With what I needed in my hands, I returned home, relieved if anxious.
All I have to do now is learn the formulas and gestures. I hope to be ready to officiate tomorrow.
Eltz's journal
7
Believ
“Why did you say you had to solve my case before coming to the aid of the next deceased?” he asks me, once we've settled into the room of a picturesque B&B we discovered earlier.
“Because that's the rule. I can only help one person at a time. And as long as your death is pending, I can't be called upon to assist anyone else.”
He seems pained to be taking up my time, even though he's in the grip of a troubling condition.
