After quite some time, Father Stra emerged expressionlessly with a plate of burnt fish.
Vasco, whose bulk was more than twice Father Stra's, was stroking a dozing golden shaded cat with a look of considerable enjoyment.
"Peel off the burnt skin, and the inside is still edible." Vasco looked utterly unconcerned by the failed dish before him. He reached over, picked up a piece, and ate it. "I never fuss over food. That's the secret to a long life."
For this fellow to remain so healthy at the ripe old age of ninety-six, he naturally had his secrets, but not being picky about food clearly wasn't one of them...
Father Stra took off his apron and sat down. Only after pouring himself a glass of water did he say slowly, "The Holy Relic from Pećors Monastery was stolen more than six months ago. I find it curious that the Holy Church has tolerated this until now. It makes me wonder whether that Holy Relic was a counterfeit made by some major power."
"Some things have happened in the Holy Church recently." Vasco stopped stroking the cat and said solemnly, "It has been a very long time since we were last able to hear the Lord's Gospel."
"What happened?" Father Stra immediately frowned.
Vasco shook his head. "I don't know either... Even a group of holy prayers who were meant to be sent to Paradise are now stranded in the Holy Land. This may be the first time anything like this has happened since the Holy Church was founded... There are all sorts of voices within the Holy Church now... You know me, Stra. I've never had much interest in these struggles."
Father Stra remained noncommittal. "What was lost was a Holy Relic, not something else... Since when did factional struggles