Act XII: The Destruction of Sodom (15)
fifteen
The two galloped across the salt flats of the Dead Sea, leaving the terrible siege behind.
"...I am willing to accept any punishment." Daoud gripped the reins, tears streaming down his face. "My lord, I will follow you forever."
“You can’t follow me,” Yakov roared from horseback. “You can only follow yourself.”
“This is the decision I made myself.” Daoud frantically wiped away his tears with his palms. “I follow your spirit. I think that only by following your spirit can one truly live.”
Yakov fell silent. His heart, light as a drifting cloud, was carried by the wind toward the moon.
It took them two days and one night to get back to Lud. As their horses' hooves thundered through the city gates, dusk was just beginning to fall. A new waning moon was rising slowly on the horizon, hanging beside the cross on the roof of St. George's Church.
The first person Yakov met was Bishop Domenico. He handed the horse to Daoud, saying, "I'd like to speak with the bishop." He added, "Take the horse to the stables, and then tell Yubi to come to the church to find me."
"Yes, sir." The attendant nodded and left.
Bishop Domenico sighed beside his blood-stained cloak. "...What would you like to talk to me about?" he asked cautiously. "I am but a foolish mortal, incapable of answering many profound questions."
“I just wanted to ask you about Saint George,” Yakov said, walking slowly beside him. “He certainly didn’t slay a dragon. So why did he become a saint?”
The two stepped into the prayer hall. The magnificent mosaics shimmered and glowed under the countless candlelight. Their footsteps echoed against the dome, and their breathing was clearly audible.
“I have studied the texts here.” Bishop Domenico looked up and examined the cross on the altar. “It’s kind of you to be interested, and I would have liked to tell you the story in detail. Unfortunately, the records of this saint’s deeds are not as detailed as those of many saints. Apart from the eye-catching legend of slaying the dragon, there is almost nothing left.”
"During his lifetime, he was an officer in the Roman Empire—not a great general, but just a soldier in a cavalry regiment."
"At that time, the Roman emperor was cruelly persecuting all Christians. He forced Christians to offer sacrifices to pagan gods, and if they complied, they were to convert; if they did not, they were tormented by torture."
"Saint George was arrested for his Christian faith and suffered inhuman torture in prison. But he was very devout and never denounced God or believed in other gods until his death. He was martyred, and his story was passed down by word of mouth. Centuries later, he became a saint of Rudd."
Yakov's gaze slowly swept over the tormented figures in the mosaics. "In my opinion, this is more praiseworthy than slaying a dragon."
“It’s rare that you have such insight.” Bishop Dominic glanced at him and whispered a prayer.
The chill of the night slowly seeped in from the doorway. Yakov heard a series of familiar footsteps rushing towards him. He took off his dirty turban and iron hat, pulled at his blood-stained cross-shaped cloak, and knelt down, opening his arms—his master rushed into his warm embrace like the lightest breeze. Yakov tightened his arms, holding Yubi tightly in his embrace.
"You're finally back, and you're covered in blood again." Yubi hugged his neck tightly. "Did you get into a fight with the police again on the way?"
"Hmm." Yakov's hands gripped his silky robe tightly, twisting it into a ball. "Don't worry, I won't die."
"You keep saying that, which only makes me more worried."
Yubi had held on long enough and tried to push him away. But his knight wouldn't let go, instead pressing his arms even harder against the thin back. With just a little effort, he lifted the vampire by his legs and picked up the tangled fabric that was dragging on the ground.
"Don't do this...put me down!" Yubi exclaimed, pressing on his chainmail. "I'm so big, how can someone carry me around like this?"
"Do you trust me?" Yakov suddenly asked.
"...Why are you suddenly asking this?" Yubi's face flushed as he expected. "Of course I trust you, you're the person I trust most..."
"That's good."
"How can that be alright?"
“Because I trust you too.” Yakov closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against his master’s. “You are the only person I trust.”
Tbc.
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