He did not say it, but it was written all over him.

If the visitor pushed, Marlon would break from the mother church. The Archbishop was ill and this was not a good time to stir up trouble. There were already rumors that after the Archbishop dies, the church would split. There was a lot indeed the chief priest was sitting on.

Marlon scanned the visiting bishop’s dress from top to down. Fat with church funds and good pastoral care. And what does he Marlon get for all the sacrifices? Bruises from long travels on horses and motorbikes through jungles and deserts. And those church officials in the city, what do they do? Nothing except sit in their offices and play their subordinates like some game of chess, transferring anyone to anywhere they liked, even places they won’t send their dogs.

If no one would stand up to them, he Marlon would be no coward. He’s been waiting to see which one of them officials would show his fucking face in his house to announce some changes in the church. Finally, the long wait was over. Here was  one to use as scapegoat.

“Go tell the Archbishop that I, Priest Marlon, said I will move to no new place. I have a new horse to lend him in case he is bent on going to Pastor the new district himself.”

The Bishop looked at Marlon in dismay. He couldn’t believe a subordinate could stand up to him and say such shit. But he was alone here, far from protection. All over in this desolate place were Marlon and his men, this was his territory.

As bad as this tasted, the Bishop had to swallow it. He had not even been offered water. No accommodation or food after such a long journey.

It’s better to return as he came, as perilous as that may seem, compared to seeking out some hotel nearby.

As the horse stroded away gently on the lonely path leading out of town, the Bishop reflected on incidents that greeted him since his arrival.

On one hand, Marlon had a point. He had been here for seventeen solid years, building this church from scratch, in a place notorious for criminal cartels. But see what a transformation Marlon had brought. Many former criminals have laid down their arms and trade and have become peace-loving, responsible members of society. Alfred is one of them.

There were rumors that Marlon had used all kinds of strategies including brute force to achieve the serene atmosphere. But so far as the Bishop was concerned, rumors spring up everywhere mankind is planted, even when no one has sown them. Though sometimes there is some truth to them.

Marlon has brought in a lot of money to support the mother church. A place that once had only peasants has now become a thriving business hub. Thanks to Marlon and the Town Council Members.

The bishop thought about what to tell his superiors back home.

This was no good news. Usually, he returned with gifts and letters from the towns visited. This time, there were no gifts, no letters and no money. The two months’ travel has been shortened to a few weeks. What was he to tell Caesar? They will be suspicious, and if they find out the real story, it certainly won’t be good.

The Council has come to notice with concern the level of indiscipline and insubordination among junior priests and were determined to use someone as an example to discourage the rest. But Bishop knew Marlon was not the chapter to begin with so far as teaching arrogant priests a lesson was concerned. That crazy bastard wouldn’t mind mobilizing an army to invade the headquarters and massacre every member of the Council and their families.

Of course, Marlon wouldn’t show his face. He has men to carry out missions for him with no traces to himself.

Bishop wondered if truly the converts of Marlon were really converts into Christianity or a secret, invisible army spearheaded by Marlon.

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