[IP] *Holy diver, you've been down too long in the midnight sea...*

[Fatalysm]

Maester John Osbourne.

"Oh what's becoming of me" said Maester John Osbourne. The glutenous old blob chastised himself in the mirror. Before becoming the Maestar of the free folk he was lean, strong, handsome. Now his face bore greed and contempt for his fellow men. Perched on his wooden stool he padded away at his fat oily skin, wiping away the sin and shame from his nightly endeavors. John was well kept, neat and tidy, appearance was everything for control. You can trust a neat man.

"The worst thing about being in control is the lack of control I have" Maestar John spoke back at himself, watching his lips curl down into a disturbing frown. Deeply religious, if the men and women under his sept knew, he would be undermined so very quickly. There were young, bright individuals within the free folk, some looking to make it big. Adorning his crimson cloak that oversized him, giving him brilliant shoulders and a stature more godly he stood. Fingering his golden talisman he touched it to his lips and made a prayer. "Absolve me from sin".

John made his way down the stone carved steps that led from his private quarters into a pristine open room. This was haven, the center of it at least. The lights shone brilliantly casting off the stone and gleaming across every wall. It was here that John heard gave tale of their religion and held meetings for the free folk. Much of his time was spent here as a younger boy. Studying every single book. It was here that John Osbourne learned the true ways of his society.

Coming of age was particularly difficult for the man. Recollection horrified him. The older gents of the free folk told him that he could go far but it cost a price. Being brilliant of mind and entrepreneurial he accepted their offer. Still so naive. They took him to a secret chamber that lay beneath the books. John had never been the same.

Whilst collecting papers for the next days meetings and religious study. The sisters of the sept moved through the sides of the building. They were resigning to their quarters. It was here John noticed one of the sisters. She was dainty, her face was pretty and she walked with a carefree attitude unlike the other uptight and pristine sisters.

 

Sister Alice Padavona.

Maester Osbourne seemed to be staring Alice down again. She didn't like the way he looked at her, but that couldn't stop her looking back. He was preposterously large in stature and kept a gaze that frightened the daylights out of her. The other sisters, in particular Abigail and Petunia were head of the sisters. Their stern words punctured the back of my mind.

"Stand forward, eyes ahead. Pray for yourself little one." Abigail and Petunia had left some time ago under unremarkable circumstance. But Alice knew her place. Go where the others go, do as the others do and don't drift off into some wonderland. She wondered what her brother Ronald was doing. He was better than her, she had a few mis-steps but Ronald was the true favourite. Devout, lawful, kind.

Alice swayed into her chambers following the other sisters. As she eased into her bed she let the cotton sheets feed her comforting desires for rest. Her eyelids closed and she drifted off, waiting for a brand new tomorrow.

Something hurt. Her head, bruised. Opening her eyes her vision fogged. She was clearly being carried. She heard the footsteps of loud men. A cloaked figure stepped into her vision briefly, her eyes closed once more.

 

Ronald James Padavona.

Today had been difficult. The early sunrise reaching over haven had Ronald researching historical scriptures. A daily task and grueling but rather necessary for the continuation of the one true religion. Without knowledge we would be nothing, a small flake of existence, blown away by history.

Ronald firstly researched scriptures but was called by the Maestar. It would be Ronald's task to deliver bricks to the new construction for the sept. Being a lean and able bodied young man the task would be relatively simple for Ronald. He would ease through the streets of haven. Brick by brick over the span of the day the construction was going well.

The Maestar was almost punishing in his pursuit for developmwent but Ronald knew it was for the greater good. "Unwavering loyalty would prevail in the end against all evils." Something of a mantra for Ronald to live by. The servant to God through the Maestar.

As the day came to a close Ronald walked home. The research could start again tomorrow after a well deserved rest. Ronald's job tomorrow was to clean the library. This gave him ample time to research in the same area. In particular, one section usually off limits to a regular servant was now on access for him. The maestar had been impressed with his pursuit for knowledge and unwavering loyalty. John's eyes rested and he felt he muscles unclench from their struggle.

 

Maester John Osbourne.

John's work had finished for the night. Wiping sweat from his brow he closed his recent scripture. The work on the sept was progressing as such new copies for the worn scriptures needed repair and extra work. John owed it to the devout men and women of haven to keep everything in order. Meticulous detail was needed in order for preservation.

Starving his desk candle of oxygen, he stood up, it must have been late. His back ached at the length of time he'd sat there. Before he could let out his eldery frustrations with his ugly body he noted several shadows moving in the chambers to his right hand side. At this time of night any disturbance was unexpectable and curious.

It was difficult for the big man to put his feet lightly, but he managed to do so, following hooded figures to the back of the library. John knew where this lead, but fear dictated he would not ever return there. The idea that others knew of it's presence frankly disturbed him. He watched as a girl was being carried down the secret staircase.

Fear overwhelmed him. Inner turmoil striking his mind, reminding him of the terrible past he'd suffered to get here. History repeating itself.

 

Sister Alice Padavona.

Everything hurt. Alice's eyes shot open at the intrusion. Men were groping her body, digusting bodies surrounding her flesh. Fear striking through her. Her screams of agony muted only by the horrible molesting hands with arms of crimson cloak. The torture she thought may never end, this was her life now.

She continued screaming "WHY, WHY, WHY". The cloaked figures continued ignoring her question. Her muffled voice only serving as further enjoyment for the rotten evil zealots destroying her physical and mental barriers.

Suddenly through a nearby door a massive thud. The men stopped their assault. Light broke in across this horrific scene. A chamber filled with torture devices of overtly sexual nature. Elder men surrounded her in various states of undress. Her body clearly battered, bruised and demeaned.

 

Maestar John Osbourn.

Maestar John's voice boomed through the room. "STOP THIS AT ONCE, GOD CURSE THEE YOU WILL BURN IN HELL". The men froze. Maestar john motioned for them to step forward. Grasping a flask of what looked to be holy water he poured it on each of their heads. Alice looked on in disbelief at their absolvement. How could he.

The Maestar's foreboding look turned to a grin. With a candle at his side, he swept it across the cheeks of each zealot with amazing speed. Each man screamed as their heads burned. The flames engulfing them. Blood curdling screams pierced Alice's ears. Her eyes squeezed shut as each man fell silent.

End of part 1.

 

These are my notes before writing the prompt, some of the details have changed in the story from my original storyline. PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING OF THIS PROMPT. 

Main characters:

• Ronald James Padavona - Ronald is 36 years old. He was groomed to love and care for the world around him. He has an absolute love and care for his younger sister Alice. The man had dark curled hair, he is slightly tanned and muscular. He has unwavering loyalty to the people that are good to him, this is what makes him struggle so much.

• Sister Alice Padavona - Alice is the younger sister to Ronald, only 25 years old. She is less strict in her faith but is suffering through abuse that she holds secret from Ronald. Alice is to find out that she is pregnant by the hands of the Maester who abuses her and keeps her quiet in fear of hurting her brother. Alice has muddy blonde hair that sits on her shoulders, she is pretty, not a bombshell but her personality is her greatest asset. She is kind and caring.

• Maester John Michael Osbourne - John is the leader of the religious zealots. He was hand selected as a boy and raised to persuade the men and women outside of the religion to join. He dabbles in fear tactics to get men and women to do his bidding. He is 70 years of age and wears a crimson red robe with a gold talisman hanging from his neck. He is overweight but very well maintained otherwise.

 

Overall plot for prompt:

Devout religious man Ronald James Padavona is struggling to come to terms with his newly found lack of faith. His commitment to his faith was shaken to it's core when zealots told him what he must do to appease God and bring mercy for humanity. His eventual demise will be a true act of faith, to save the ones he holds dearest whilst stopping the clutches of corrupted faith.

 

Beginning:

I need to introduce the characters. I want to push the narrative that even Maestar Osbourne isn't evil inherintly. Just mistaken in his belief. To do this I will have Sister Alice's rape be one of conflict between himself and the other zealots. He will stop her from being mistreated but ultimately will do the same.

John will be copying scrolls of the past, he will discover a passage mentioning the right of ascencion. In this passage he will discover what happens to women who are impregnated. Previously he had thought they just went to live outside of this city.

 

Middle:

Months have passed, John is manipulating Ronald. To stop him from finding out the truth Ronald is assigned to shift brickwork to the other side of town for more construction to be made. A sept is being built for prayer.

Alice begins to see signs that she is pregnant, as well as starting to show physically, she is developing signs of morning sickness. Her hormones are out of sync and everything has started aching more than usual. She wants to speak with John but when she does he cuts her off. Telling her that she needs to stay in prayer with the other sisters.

John continues to molest and rape Sister Alice this time however he forgets to assign Ronald to a particular post. Ronald being the ever loyal servant patrols the border checking for potential outsiders looking to destroy haven.

Ronald comes across a desolate house he hasn't seen before. It doesn't match the other chambers because every house is built to accomodate the guests that stay. He hears a noise from below and notices a hatch on the left hand side of the door, covered by a rug.

He enters the hatch to hear screams echoing from the chamber below. Slowly he works his way down to find his sister being abused by the maestar surrounded by zealots all wearing masks. They are chanting and the maestar is speaking with authority, he threatens her life if she does not birth the child.

Ronald breaks free from his binds but he is too late to stop the premature birth of the baby. The baby lives. Alice is slowly dying. Ronald graps a sharp rock from the ground and lunges killing the maestar. With the baby in his arms, he runs.

 

End:

Ronald leaves the chambers conflicted, he wants to help his sister, he is furious but he cannot work against his god or those around him. He seeks forgiveness and goes to speak with Maestar Osbourne.

Maestar Osbourne is shocked with Ronald's knowledge and tells him to keep quiet. Sister alice could die if others found out about the pregnancy. For her sake, he needed to lay low.

John lays awake in bed trying to figure out what is going on. He gets whacked over the head by the maester and several others, blacking out. When he wakes up, he is tied to a stretcher. Sister alice is beside him. Naked, battered and bruised a zealot stands over her with a knife.

Edited September 23, 2017 by Fatalysm