One year had passed since the founding of the cult in that clearing by the mending river. They had lived a nomadic life, eating souls, killing towns, sometimes playing the long game, all to squeeze the potential out of every living being they crossed.
But recently it hadn't been enough, they had sent out subjects in groups, that branched away from the rest, to discover greater views and to spread the hunting grounds.
But one day they heard of a religion called catholism, it sounded awfully convenient, have they not laid the groundwork? They searched, and finally came upon a church in a town, it was run down, shabby even, but the townspeople flocked to it, they offered prayers while gaining nothing in return as the famine kept spreading, children dying of hunger, adults dying of hunger, dropping like flies.
Upon seeing this scene Thorn was ecstatic, he had observed, the church was on its knees, no longer having elegance, it was leaking water, beams were rotten, and worst of all, the church had a priest who had begun to waver in his belief.
"We can do something with this." Thorn said to Loyd as they were sitting around a fire in the forest, "If we can infiltrate the church we can use its groundwork and existing following in this town for our own agenda."
Loyd seemed skeptical at first, "How is this different from the other long games you've played?" he asked. Thorn seemed offended and said, "This will be different, we will not use this as a feeding ground, not entirely at least. After all, few creatures shit where they eat and sleep."
"We will use this town and cultivate it, like we are farmers, then we can use the draining ritual disguised as catholic phrases" Thorn expressed his plans, Loyd was not opposed to begin with, Thorns plans were always good, it was few times they had gone sideways.
As they decided Thorn grabbed some subordinates and dressed up as pilgrims, and in the morning they headed to town.
The town was a drooping depression, grey, and lacked vitality. Children playing in the streets was non-existent. Adults walking the streets, thin as skeletons, barely alive, just doing what they can for what little food they could acquire.
They attracted attention, they were dressed in relatively clean clothes with few patches, their faces and figures full, showing no traces of starving, which was rare during a famine.
They came upon the church, it was even worse in daylight, as Thorn had only seen it during night. They walked up to the church doors, they knocked and waited.
A sound came from inside, "We have no food to offer. Please come back another time." the sound now recognized as a hoarse voice sounded.
Thorn smiled and retorted, "Sir, we are not here to ask for food, we are pilgrims and are asking to get to stay here." A loud sound was heard from inside, then came the creaking of footsteps against the uneven wooden floor.
A man with a stuffy beard and a patched priest robe poked his head out, upon seeing them he showed surprise then suspicion, no pilgrims look that… rich. Their clothes were neat, their faces looked healthy, no, no one looked like that around here.
He tentatively asked, "You want to stay here?" gesturing with meaning, it wasn't the place to stay if one had money or… any other choice.
Thorn smiled, "We do bring man power, if you are worried, we won't be free loading." He plated like he didn't get the hint. Still insisting on staying in the church.
The priest looked tired and didn't want to argue with these pilgrims, who were even by his standards as a priest, fanatics.
He opened the double doors and stepped aside letting them in, he watched as the one he had spoken to and then five more entered the church. Still hoping when they saw the situation inside the church to turn around and leave, but he was hoping for nothing.
They just stood there looking at him, the priest felt uncomfortable and asked "what are you staring at? I know it's not much but I warned you." He had problems with eye contact, feeling like an impostor.
Thorn smiled and said "We are waiting for you to show us to some living quarters," then Thorn moved his head and looked around.
The priest felt his cheek heat up, too embarrassed to keep talking, he walked forward towards some spare rooms in the back.
The pilgrims followed.
Upon arriving in the back, he opened two rooms, they were small and only had 2 beds each, "It's not much but…" then he was cut off by Thorn who said "It's enough, thanks for offering a place to sleep." he said as he lowered his head in gratitude.
The priest too embarrassed to stay said his goodbyes and fled the scene like his ass was on fire.
Thorn smiled in amusement, he will be easier to control than previously thought.
He turned around and lost his smile, "You divide the rooms, also you will behave exemplary, when you have settled your things we, yes we, will go out to preach and spread the news that bread will be offered for a prayer to the lord tomorrow."
The cultists nodded and moved with efficiency, the husks where to stay and start to fix around the church, while the rest where to go out and spread the news and preach of the hollow lord.
They went out and started with the preaching and spreading of news, the people were sceptical but when they heard they were staying at the church they still decided to go there tomorrow, because if it was true they would get bread for a measly prayer.
Soon night befell and they returned to the church, the priest was standing looking at the outside of the church which had been cleaned by the husks. He turned to look at the pilgrims and smiled slightly and said, "your companions have fixed around the church, and for free, I have to thank you and also apologize for doubting you before."
Thorn smiled and said, "It's nothing, we can't watch the church fall apart before our eyes." Then Thorn's face flashed a look of embarrassment as he said "I have a favor to ask." The priest nodded, motioning him to continue, but he had a bad feeling, maybe the church fixing wasn't free. "We would like to borrow your church tomorrow for our sermon, we will also be giving out free bread for a prayer." The priest's eyes flashed with surprise, but he agreed immediately. Why not?.
The next day arrived smoothly and the church opened its doors for the people and they swarmed the church.
Thorn smiled and said, "Line up, we have enough bread for each and every one of you." The people calmed at his words then they lined up.
Thorne stood up front and said with a pious look. "The lord does not forget the hungry. Offer a drop of your life, and in return, you will taste his blessing."
Then a person stepped up and knelt down, Thorn said "Say after me, a small offering to ensure the lord remembers me."
The man kneeling in front said after Thon while dripping a drop of blood on a covenant band that he later tied around his wrist. The villagers eyed the band enviously, they had seen the preachers wear such bands, it must mean you have the favor of the lord.
Thorn saw this and chuckled on the inside, all things people could cling their hope to, they did.
Thorn smiled and handed him the bread. The rest went smoothly, the people upon seeing the simple ritual and their fellow towns folk getting their bread as promised, was very cooperative.
As the sun set, nearly everyone had gotten their bread, and a red string tied around their wrist.
But one person was… worried, the priest he had watched the ceremony and he was concerned that it wasn't catholic practices. But what should he do, stop it? That means stopping these people from giving out nearly free food, could he do that? Condemning the people of this town to hunger once more. He was caught in a moral dilemma, and he didn't want to think of it anymore, especially since Thorp was making his way towards him.
"Everything okay priest?" Thorn asked, showing a look of concern, the priest hurriedly said, "No, no everything is fine, just a bit tired." Thorn nodded then said, "You should get some sleep."
After that he turned around and left. Leaving the priest staring at his back.
The priest walked to the wooden cross and knelt down whispering prayers and asking for forgiveness. He could not bring to stop Thorn. Not when hungry children finally slept with full stomachs.
Thorn watched from the shadows, a smile crept his face, this priest will soon fall to his every command.
As Thorn was working the church and priest, Loyd was working his end, which was to earn money. The town needed money and if he could make money and use it to donate to the church so it can be used in a legitimized way to aid the development of the town.
And he had the perfect plan. A few weeks ago they passed a larger town, and there he ran into a rich merchant who had heard of their cult and their powers. The merchant was sick, and wanted to strike a deal with the cult for his health. But Loyd had then ignored him, why should he do something like that?
The merchant even offered his transportation company, all he asked was to keep some money to live the good life, but Loyd had other plans, why not recruit him? Let him live a healthy life while assisting the lord.
So while Thorn had been busy Loyd had arrived at that town. And even localized the merchant and… he was close to death.
But Loyd pitched his idea. "You wanna live, merchant?" The merchant opened his eyes and was about to scream when he saw who was standing at his bedside. He looked surprised then he showed joy, "Yes, I want to live." Loyd smiled, "Good, but you will have to become a subject of the lord." Lloyd said. The merchant did not hesitate, he agreed and they signed the blood contract there and then.
Then Loyd explained the plan he and Thorn had come up with. The merchant nodded in understanding and after gifting the lord a soul he got to work. With a handful of tireless slaves like the husks provided by Loyd, he started to make new routing plans, through dangerous shortcuts, paths with no resting places, etc. He streamlined the transportation routes, no human could do these routes since they needed sleep, rest ect but the husks didn't.
As the merchant was living the capitalist's wet dream. Thorn back in the church courtyard was looking out over the town and said to himself. "This town will be the first stone. From here, the Lord's house will rise again."
CHAPTER END.