A Pilgrimage of Sorts

[Justosia]

"Our relationship with the Two Kingdoms is important. We can't and shouldn't do nothing to antagonize them. We don't believe they're spying on us. We certainly don't want to give them reason to. If we told them of this, would you object?"

 

[Gunnland]

Blackthorn snorted. "If and when your impression of those reindeer-fart-sniffers changes, get in touch with me. Remember that doors in Gunnland will open for you. And keep this conversation a secret until we are ready to take a journey of friendship."

 

[Justosia]

"You should know, good sir. That my sovereign could very likely override me. He's keen on an alliance with your state & current government. An ACTUAL alliance. I believe you understand me. Now that Gunnland has re-emerged on the internationale seen, I would second this, heartily. Yours is a nation that still has its balls.

That said I will oblige your wish and keep this little meeting between us."

 

[Elben]

The white haired priest walked into the hotel and up to the front desk, where he asked the clerk to ring Prince Julian's room.

"I'm sorry, Father, there's no answer."

"Hmm. Then can you give him a note?"

"Of course, Father." The clerk handed the priest a pen and a pad of the hotel's stationery.

My son,

I have made contact with an old friend. He gave me this number​

to pass along to you. If you can go to Eiffelland, call it during the day
and someone will answer who can make arrangements for you to see
the Holy Father that same day. God speed you on your journey.

Yours in Christ,

Father Dismis
​

The priest folded the note in half and the clerk wrote on the back Julian's room number and put it aside. The priest smiled and blessed the clerk and was off.

 

[Justosia]

It wasn't long before Julian came downstairs to check his mail. Upon reading this correspondence he was enthralled.

Immediately he checked out of the hotel & told his driver to head for his plane.

 

[The Federation]

Kristen sat with a small digital camera in hand, being a premium hotel there wasn't much noise, when the priest had come she could over hear the conversation with the old priest and the reception desk. She snapped a photo as he handed the note to the receptionist. To her surprise and somewhat disappointment the Justosian prince came down alone, she started snapping photos as he spoke to the receptionist. There was no doubt, the note that the priest had handed off thirty minutes ago was the same the Justosian prince had picked up from the desk. Unfortunately her own note was left unnoticed, but it was no matter, she had what she wanted. This was going to pay her rent back home for several months, if not for the whole year.

 

[Justosia]

Julian arrived in Eiffelland & was whisked to his destination....

 

[Justosia]

Julian had arrived at the Elbener Holiness' estate. He was led to his quarters. He awaited his presentation.

 

[Elben]

The quarters in the wing set aside for outsiders were a spartan affair, a simple cell with a sleeping pallet, a desk and chair, a kneeler, and a Crucifix watching all from the wall.

Hours passed.

Eventually a monk came to fetch Julian and he was brought into the presence of the pope. It was after dark, yet the pope worked late into the night. It seemed he was taking a break for Julian's audience, the prince having come unannounced.

"Yes, we see you received our letter."

 

[Justosia]

"Your Holiness. I'm honoured. I also have questions."

 

[Elben]

"Yes, all have questions."

 

[Justosia]

"Do you know the history of my country?"

 

[Elben]

"No, but we know the history of your soul and its eventual fate."

 

[Justosia]

"Allow me. Justosia was founded as a Protestant nation by a secret Protestant Aurarian nobleman. Justosia had one Tiburan Catholic monarch. My grandfather the Rebel King Julian Nicol Francois the First. His reign lasted eight months. You can imagine how it ended....

Today Catholicism isn't exactly welcome in Justosia. Let alone the palace. You almost got me disowned. Or worse. Why?"

 

[Elben]

"As Catholics we are concerned with four things, Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. Do you want to go to Heaven or Hell?"

 

[Justosia]

Julian made no mention of his secret faith. He couldn't for obvious reasons.

"Utmost respect Your Holiness. I am not worried about my immortal soul. I tend to it well. That leaves death. Again I ask, why?"

 

[Elben]

"Julian, your own country's news organization reported you converted to Justosia's national church. What did you convert from?"

 

[Justosia]

".......Atheism Your Holiness. I am saved in Christ."

 

[Elben]

"You cannot truly mean that and then deny you are a Catholic." The pope smiled.

 

[Justosia]

Julian knew not if the room was bugged. He had no choice but to keep the mask up.

"I'm a Protestant." He said this to His Holiness with a certain look in his eyes.

"Would Your Holiness tell me why you contacted me? How have you been watching me?"