Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: SandsofKing on 18-01-2009, 01:23:27</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SandsofKing</strong> on <strong>18-01-2009, 01:23:27</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Still a young man and not quite a recognized priest, Brother John was part of the Inquisition but he did not participate in gaining confessions, the bishop that had taught him the rules and duties of a member of the clergy had evaluated John as one unable to visit harm on any being. Instead, John was to check on the progress and activities of the inquisitorial tribunals and their efficiency in dealing with the populace. As each tribunal was recognized by the nobility and royalty of kingdoms, John's method of assessing the populace was to observe the aristocrats of each city and rely on their estimation of the peasantry. He had been many places in his travels, never staying very long but creating a small network of contacts, within and without of the scattered cities and their churches and carried advice and wonders of these places with him. So far, his assigned duty was simply an excuse to travel, with a scatter of paperwork and a message sent to bishops of whichever diocese he was in. John rather liked that, he saw very little unpleasantness and was treated with courtesy. While he had been offered places in a variety of households, John had always stayed at the local church, close to the bishop and other priests and the Inquisitorial staff, so he could mark their efforts on a daily basis.<br><br>His most recent assignment was Toledo, in Spain. He had been to Spain before but Toledo was new, to him anyway, and he relished the thought of new faces, new sights. Brother John had arrived in the city just after the morning mass, something he lamented but he decided it could not be helped. His first act would be to meet with the Bishop of this city and then, call on the aristocrats of the city to explain his task and how he would go about it. After stabling his horse, he purchased the services of one of the workers as a guide, he would always use the church as a hub when deciding to go anywhere. He owuld reach the church in about an hour of walking and decided, local touches aside, it was much like any other church in Spain.<br><br>After having been quartered at the church, in a small cell, refreshed with some food and given the assurance of the Bishop that he would be able to address the aristocracy tomorrow, just after the morning mass, Brother John decided to go about the city to see just what the effects of the Inquisition had been here. His real duty began tomorrow. He walked the streets, watching the bustle of peasantry, merchants and the rare noble as they went about their business. So far, there was no fear, no abuse of Inquisitorial power here. He received smiles, blessing and several requests for blessings.<br><br>"Well, this looks like it will be a most happy task this month," He mused aloud, "There is little notion that God's name would be abused here, in corrupt works. . ."<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cecilia</strong> on <strong>18-01-2009, 20:44:19</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Condesa María Isabel de la Cal Leal Delgado Sanchez followed morning mass with her duties of charity before proceeding to her large home in the Northeaster part of the walled city.&nbsp; Her retinue always appeared promptly at the end of mass--a dozen or so servants laden down with food and clothing for the poor.&nbsp; The Condesa, a woman of extreme wealth and of high position, found it necessary and fulfilling to bestow gifts upon those less fortunate than she.&nbsp; Her husband's death had left her a widow with considerable means and even more freedom.<br><br>Today she walked comfortable alone in front of her servants through the market and toward the Jewish ghetto--that quarter where the Jews were forced to live and congregate together separate from the rest of the upright and Christian citizens of Toledo.&nbsp; She passed easily through the gate and into the streets of the most ragged and poor of the city.&nbsp; She had become a popular and welcome site in the quarter as her charity and attitude toward them was one of unparalleled kindness and understanding.<br><br>As she handed out the items carried by her servants, she smiled and greeted them all by name. She retained one small package for a final visit.&nbsp; And here, she entered calling out, "Buenos Dias?"&nbsp; Her eyes adjusted to the dim light and saw a man at the table.&nbsp; "Ah...here you are.&nbsp; I have brought you a gift."&nbsp; She placed the small package on the table and the man lifted his eyes to hers, his eyes watering.&nbsp; &nbsp;He said nothing but simply nodded and turned away.&nbsp; &nbsp; She placed a wavering hand on his shoulder and squeezed it before turning and leaving quietly.<br><br>She returned to the street and, followed by her servants, walked back through the market pointing to choice fruits and other sundries placing her orders easily and with calm grace as she moved.&nbsp; She stopped to kneel and hand small coins of gold to the youngest and dirtiest street urchin--seemingly oblivious to the dirt of the street at her feet.&nbsp; &nbsp;She was, in her dark burgundy silk dress, the very image of Christian charity and goodness.&nbsp; As she knelt there smiling and chatting with the young girl, a break in the cloud opened and a ray of sun hit the golden and ruby chain adorning her auburn hair and the child stepped back at the dazzling brilliance before her.<br><br>The Condesa smiled gently and stood up with grace and noticed the form of a stranger in her city.&nbsp; An obvious man of the cloth, new and not Spanish by the looks of him.&nbsp; It was hard for her to tell if he had noticed her yet so she did nothing by way of greeting, and, instead continued on her course across the market square.<br><br><br><br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SandsofKing</strong> on <strong>18-01-2009, 21:32:21</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				What caught Brother John's eye during that walk was that the non converted Jews were given their own place but he disproved of the squalor that was ever present in such areas but maintained that it was necessary in order to show them the favor God comes to those of the Church and not their misguided teachings. Still, the Jewish people were pious in their own way but John could not reconcile with their beliefs but, frankly, didn't know what to do about it. From what he had seen of the Inquisitors, he had faith in their abilities to bring all of the denizens of the city to the Good Word. The bustle of the city slightly unnerved him, he usually never tried to walk about during the busiest points of the day, finding the noise distracting and some of the smells to be quite unpleasant.<br><br>But something else caught his eye as he trudged along, his gaze roving to each person. A woman, a wealthy aristocrat by her dress and adornment, was scattering money like it was water and the poor peasants looked upon her with awe bordering on reverence, some even with tears in their eyes as her servants passed out food to the hungry. John's heart swelled at the sight, the selflessness of this woman had also piqued his curiosity but he was unsure on how to approach her. There was something <br><br>The Brother decided the direct approach of would be the best.<br><br>"Good day, Madam," John hailed loudly as he started towards her, "God bless your generosity and charity," He bowed slightly out of courtesy and introduced himself, "I am Brother John, newly arrived to your city, to see how the Church and Inquisition operate here."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cecilia</strong> on <strong>19-01-2009, 19:22:50</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				She paused in her progress to allow the man to catch up with her retinue and watched him with an impassive expression as he strode up and introduced himself.&nbsp; <br><br>"May his blessings be on us all, Brother John," The condesa replied, suppressing an inward shudder at the mention of the inquisition. It had yet to make much of an impact here, though she'd heard of the first Auto De Fe in Sevilla where six men and women were executed.&nbsp; The rumors about the trials had circulated now for a year or so, but, so far, the Inquisitorial staff here in Toledo had maintained its seeming independence from without.<br><br>"I am Condesa María Isabel de la Cal Leal Delgado Sanchez.&nbsp; It is an honor to meet you."&nbsp; She bowed her head in return and held out her hand in greeting.&nbsp; She waved in the general direction of her progress and asked, "Would you care to join me in the completion of my daily constitutional,signore?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SandsofKing</strong> on <strong>19-01-2009, 23:54:01</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"No, the honor is all mine, Madam," John fell in to step next to her, keeping his eyes on the road ahead, "Of course, thank you."&nbsp; He watched at the people in the streets gave way from their little party, given hand outs. "This is a daily exercise? It is a wonder to see any nobility to have such selflessness," The cynicism of his remark was meant to be a joke, he did not seem to understand the implication in his words. He had been sheltered from most of the whims of aristocracy during his time in his respective diocese.<br><br>"How has the Inquisition fared here?" John was earnestly asking this woman's opinion, unknowing of her private thoughts on the group, "I notice all the Jew who did not convert have been isolated." He was quite oblivious, simply waiting for an answer, watching people call out for blessings or shout gratitude to the Condesa. Everything pointed at a woman who was much more saintly and pious than most nobles even dared to appear outside of the church.<br><br>It was refreshing and later, much later, it would become somewhat unsettling once he observed the others who called themselves noble.<br>He'd always hated that referral, to the rich and to the dynastic who worked on whims and gave only lip service to the church while committing horrid deeds, borne from their blood-rights.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cecilia</strong> on <strong>20-01-2009, 17:23:03</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The Condesa glanced quickly at the cleric as he spoke rather skeptically of the nobility.&nbsp; "You will find, Signore, that the nobles of Toledo are very much aware of their duty to the poor.&nbsp; Our Lord counsels us to give to the poor and aide to the weak.&nbsp; I can only do so much, however..."&nbsp; Her free hand swept across the the market as if to say <em>'see...there is so much to do...'</em>&nbsp; The jewels on her fingers twinkled in the sunlight.&nbsp; <br><br>She turned back toward the gates of the ghetto briefly as he mentioned the Inquisition and then turned to face him,"The Jews in Toledo have done all that is asked of them.&nbsp; They are sequestered and practice their...religion...in privacy and behind closed door.&nbsp; I find the fact that the&nbsp; inquisition, Brother John, has focused on <em>conversos</em> is most troubling...That the church does not always take seriously the intent of those that <em>have converted.</em>..and questions their loyalty to God and Christ...it is most egregious..."<br><br>She broke off as her voice rose and she realized just how vehemently she had spoken, "Pardon me...Brother...I have perhaps spoken too frankly.."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SandsofKing</strong> on <strong>24-01-2009, 05:55:48</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, my heart is glad of that face then," Brother John said evenly, shrugging slightly, "If the nobles of Toledo could only spread their piety to their counterparts in other cities, so much the better." He sighed, "There is always so much to do, Milady, the Lord has put a stern duty on us all to serve as we can." There was little else to say on that, already the Condesa did more than most people were expected to do directly. Most nobility dealt only with the church when it came to donations.<br><br>He had stopped walking, eyes locked with hers, "No, not at all, Milady," Brother John's eyebrow had risen in curiosity but he kept his tone strictly neutral, "It is my duty to see how the nobility see the Church and see to the efficiency of the Inquisition, nothing more. Any input is wanted." Her tone had unnerved him, however. It was an inkling of something but he brushed it aside. <br><br>He had the start of his observations right here and he had to see just how much influence she had on her 'peers' before he knew much else but that could be seen tomorrow, when he dealt with the rest of the aristocrats.<br><br>"What do you think, Lady, that the Church should focus on, then?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cecilia</strong> on <strong>24-01-2009, 23:53:30</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"The church, signore," the Condesa replied calmly, "Should worry less about its coffers and pour more of itself into the work of the world."<br><br>She stopped and said, "Look around you..." Her hand swept by the urchins and poor who held back to the side as they passed.&nbsp; "There are too many poor and suffering people.&nbsp; The church builds edifices to the glory of God, and fills it with silver and gold...there are better uses for such fine metals."<br><br>She paused and said,"I'm sorry father..I do get a little passionate sometimes. And, we are nearing my street.&nbsp; Please, do give me your hand so I might kiss it and receive your blessing."<br><br>She held out her hand for his, her eyes filled with a reserved warmth.&nbsp; As she took his and kissed his ring, she bowed slightly and said, "I look forward to continuing our discussion tomorrow at table, Signore." 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SandsofKing</strong> on <strong>25-01-2009, 00:06:35</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"You make a good point, Lady but I'm afraid that the Church will operate as it has as for as long as I can remember," John shrugged his shoulders, straightening his brown robe fussily, "And if anyone else were to hear such words, things would go badly for you as you know," John knew how the the Church dealt with criticizers and it was usually done with excommunication and thus damnation. <br><br>"Of course, My Lady," John allowed her to kiss his ring and bowed shortly in return, "Until tomorrow, then," He turned to make his way back to the church, pondering on the woman's words. The Condesa was an opinionated woman and her thoughts were not at all contrary to the teachings of the Lord but they were a little out of odds with how the Church operated.<br><br>The thing to find out now was how many of the Condesa's peers shared her thoughts and how the Inquisition and the Church could benefit from such a finding. As he acclimated himself to his little cell back in the Church.<br><br>Tomorrow would be the next step in his task. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Inquisitorial Duty (Sands and Cecilia)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cecilia</strong> on <strong>26-01-2009, 01:33:26</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The Condesa woke up in a good mood the next day.&nbsp; She ordered a slightly better repast than usual, making sure that there is some clear pork dish on the menu, and some cheese on the side.&nbsp; No need to make things any more difficult than they would be.&nbsp; Still, this brother John looked like an amiable man.&nbsp; Perhaps he would be as reasonable as the others had been before him.&nbsp; <br><br>Maribel took great pains to enhance her beauty before her company arrived.&nbsp; And when they did, she let them gather in the parlor for a full ten minutes before she joined them.&nbsp; Her dress was simple but held up her fine form indeed.&nbsp; Her breasts were&nbsp; barely contained in the top--as was the style--and her waist cinched in tightly.&nbsp; She would pay very specific attention to brother John, indeed.&nbsp; She was sure that she would find it a great deal of fun to see just how serious he was about this inquisition thing.<br><br>A smile played at her lips as she entered the room, and her gaze fell on the young man before she turned to the Bishop in greeting.&nbsp; &nbsp;After kissing the Bishop's ring, she turned back to the new man.&nbsp; She would have him licking her feet before the end of the week.&nbsp; Her eyes narrowed just a bit before she reached for his hand.
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