Virginia

S.M. Wolf

Virginia, Raf / Raphael, Bridgette, Lucian, all other characters, and this story © S.M. Wolf 2021. All rights reserved. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Lyrics used without prior permission and copyrighted by their various owners.

The young vixen Novice slipped out the side door of the convent and descended the path to the forest below. Despite it being nearly the summer solstice, she shivered in the half light of the cloudy day. It had been weeks since the sun had shown, and the bitter north wind blew cold through the trees.

As she walked along the pathway with head bowed, she prayed. The past few weeks had been gloomy in more ways than one. Everyone had been morose since spring. Now, there was a growing sense of dread as well. Every fur could feel that something bad was coming, but there was no sign from where it would emerge. All they could do was wait in gathering fear.

Without realizing it, the Novice fox's feet turned onto a little used path. Deep in prayer and oblivious to her surroundings, she was not at first aware of the sound of a mandolin being tuned. It only gradually intruded into her consciousness. She blinked several times, raised her head, and looked around. Ahead she could see a young male fox sitting on a boulder beside the path. He bent over a mandolin. As she watched he adjusted a tuning key on the headstock as he plucked the string. Seemingly satisfied, he proceeded to the next string.

"Good afternoon!" the dog fox said cheerfully. It was perhaps the most joyful sound that the Novice had heard in months. The hint of an Irish brogue added a hint of the exotic to his otherwise normal appearance.

"Good afternoon to you as well, bold sir." she responded.

The fox laughed.

"How else is a wandering minstrel supposed to be? Can't earn a dinner without playing, and I can only play if I can convince someone to let me!"

"Have care, sir!" she admonished him. "I am a Novice dedicated to Our Lord!"

The fox looked at her and smiled.

"I have often wondered about that. I even had a song about it. But I will play that another day.

"My name is Raphael, but my friends and everyone else call me Raf."

Put on the spot, the vixen replied, "My name is Virginia, Sir Raphael. I am a Novice at the local convent."

The dog fox laughed again at her subtle rebuke.

"Well, Novice Virginia, have a seat, and let's see if this thing is tuned yet or not. It has been some time since I played it. It seems like aeons now."

Virginia was about to tell him that she would not stain her habit by sitting on the ground when she realized that there was a clean boulder a few feet away. She shook her head. She must truly be in a deep funk to have not noticed it before.

"What do you normally play?" she asked as she sat.

"A harp or sometimes lyre. I have a trumpet as well, but I do not play that much," Raf replied as he began to strum the mandolin. Whatever else Virginia might have asked was swept away as he broke into song.

It was as if the sun had broken through the clouds overhead and birds started to sing. His voice was unusually high and airy. It immediately lifted her spirits as nothing else had for months. His flawless playing wrapped the melody around her like a warm cloak and held her tight against the cold north wind that blew past them. It was a simple folk melody that she had heard many times, but in his paws, it was transformed into something unearthly.

After the song was done, Virginia sat slack jawed, staring at the strange bard.

"That bad, eh?" he asked with a crooked grin.

"No!" she exclaimed. She blinked her eyes several times before repeating. "No. It was wonderful. You are truly a master musician."

"Well, I am glad you think so. If the rest of the village agrees, I might make a few coppers at the festival."

Virginia snorted.

"I doubt that many will come to that!" she told him bitterly. "As bad as things have been, likely most will be staying home."

"Really? Why" he asked as he slipped his mandolin into a carrying case. She was sorry to see it disappear. Another song or two would have been a welcome diversion for this afternoon.

Virginia looked away and shrugged her shoulders. The uplift of his song was fading fast.

"Everything is just... off. No one feels like celebrating," she explained evasively. She realized that she really did not have a good answer to the stranger's simple question.

"Well, in that case, I should be able to help!" he said as he picked up several small instruments and a small traveling backpack and slung them from his body. She was amazed at how much he had. When he was done, his load looked bigger than his slight frame.

"And I can make a good deal of gold," he added with a jaunty wink.

"There is more to life than money!" she told him sternly, but at the same time she found herself smiling. Somehow, she knew that he was just joking. A small smile played across her muzzle.

"Indeed, there is! Singing! Playing. Adventure!"

Virginia put a delicate paw to her muzzle to cover her giggle.

"And making beautiful young vixens smile."

That brought her up short.

"Sir!" she exclaimed.

Raf just laughed. There was a gleam in his eye that she could not help but think was mischievousness. He seemed to delight in teasing her. While he took things to the very edge, he was not quite overstepping his bounds.

"So how does one get to the village from here?" he asked. "I seem to have lost my way. Good to have one of the Holy Order to guide me back onto the proper path."

Now Virginia was certain that he was pulling her leg. She raised her muzzle, folded her paws, and piously proclaimed, "There are many paths to Redemption, good sir. Most are hard and require a lifetime to travel.

"But if you follow this easy path back to the convent, you can continue down the road and be in the village in about a quarter hour."

Virginia turned and proceeded back towards the convent at the pace normally used for Mass. She held her muzzle high in the air in a haughty demeanor that dissolved when she smiled at him.

Raphael laughed again. He certainly seemed to be a happy soul, Virginia thought as he fell in beside her.

They talked of small things as they walked through the forest and emerged into the grounds of the convent. The dull gray stones of the old church atop a small hill greeted them. They climbed the path and walked past the north transept. The path meandered through a small garden beside the nave and atrium until coming to the gatehouse. Several small steps led up to the entrance to the atrium and the doors leading into the church proper. The entrance to the cloister and the Sister's cells was off to the right.

"Novice Virginia!" a bellicose voice rang out.

Virginia stopped dead and cringed.

"Mother Superior Bridgette," Virginia warned Raf in a whisper.

A much older portly vixen strode down the convent steps to confront the two young foxes. She stopped before Virginia and glared at her.

"What are you doing with...,"

The Mother Superior made a dismissive wave at Raf.

"This... person." she asked angrily.

"Mother Superior, I can explain," Virginia began.

"Why she was helping me by leading ne back onto the True Path and guiding me to Our Lord! And the village, of course, after I became lost in the woods," Raf interjected. He smiled and added, "Is that not what any good Sister should do?"

Virginia gasped. No one spoke to the Mother Superior like that!

Mother Superior Bridgette glared at the impudent dog fox. "You lack proper respect."

Raf just stood there and returned her glare with a broad smile.

Virginia was shocked when Mother Superior Bridgette turned away. She was not so happy when the older vixen turned her annoyed gaze to her.

"Who is this, and where did you find him?"

"His name is Raf, and I found him in the woods behind the convent. I heard him tuning his mandolin. He is a traveling minstrel who has come for the festival."

Mother Superior Bridgette snorted.

"Riff-Raff is more likely! His kind are nothing but trouble. Doubly so for young vixens."

The Mother's eyes narrowed.

"We shall speak more of this later," she growled. "For now, send him along his way."

"Yes, Mother Superior," Virginia said and bobbed her head several times.

"As for you," the vixen said as she turned back to Raf, "I will thank you to stay away from my Nuns and Novices! We do not need trouble here from some dog that comes and goes in the wink of an eye but leaves behind a lifetime of woe.

"I shall speak with eh village Elders as well," she promised.

Raf never stopped grinning. He gave a surprisingly deep and elaborate bow to the Mother and replied, "Of course! But I trust that you and the members of your revered convent shall grace my festival performances with your esteemed presence."

Mother Superior Bridgette snorted derisively.

"The only songs I wish to hear are the hymns song by our choir/"

"I am sure that they are a glorious group that the congregation loves to hear. I look forward to listening to them this Sunday as well."

Mother Superior Bridgette's eyes narrowed. Virginia could tell that she was mad, but there was little she could do when all Raf had done was given a compliment.

"I will be surprised to see one such as yourself sitting in our pews at any time," she declared flatly before turning her attention back to Virginia.

"Show him the way to the village and then come to my office."

The Mother Superior turned and strode away.

Virginia let out a quivering breath. She then nearly jumped out of her pelt when a soft paw descended upon her left shoulder.

"Don't worry too much." Raf said in a surprisingly kind voice. "Your Mother Superior is just trying to keep you on the straight and narrow.

"Not that an occasional side trip into the crooked and wide cannot be fun!" he added with a broad grin.

Virginia found herself smiling again. She certainly was not looking forward to seeing the Mother Superior later, but for some reason this fox lightened her heavy heart.

"You are not the one who she will be yelling at!" Virginia replied tartly.

"True! At least this time. I am sure that she will find plenty of opportunities to do so in the future until I leave."

Virginia smiled and replied, "I am certain that she will!"

They both laughed.

Virginia turned and pointed down the wide dirt path leading up to the convent.

Virginia turned to Raf and told him, "I apologize for Mother Superior Bridgette. She can be... hard at times."

"Not to worry, Virginia. I know that she loves all of you and only seeks to keep you safe."

"Perhaps, but at times she can be almost rude to strangers and even regular visitors."

Virginia sighed. She did love the Mother Superior, but at times like these, she ranged from scary to threatening. Virginia knew that Raf was not a threat to her, yet the Mother Superior had all but excommunicated him.

She turned and pointed down the narrow dirt path leading up the hill to the convent.

"Go down here and turn right when you get to the end. The road will take you to the village. It is only about a ten minute walk.

"Try not to get lost again."

"I shall certainly endeavor not to this time!" Raf replied and started down the path. He looked back over his shoulder and added, "On the other paw, my wayward path certainly led me to an interesting traveling companion!"

The Novice smiled, closed her eyes, and shook her head in disbelief. Raf was utterly amazing in his seemingly endless mirth.

Virginia watched the vulpine bard descended the pathway until he reached the road. He turned and waved to her. She waved back. He resumed his short walk and was soon gone from sight.

"At least he was heading in the right direction this time...," she growled under her breath. Still, a small smile graced her muzzle.

The young vixen sighed and turned to enter the convent. She was so dreading the scolding that she was likely to receive that she missed the hushed whispers and furtive glances the other Novices and Sisters shot her way.

Virginia knocked on the Mother Superior's door.

"Enter!"

Virginia opened the door to the small office. The Mother Superior sat behind the nearly empty table where she conducted the business of the convent and oversaw its daily functions.

"Close the door behind you," Mother Superior Bridgette ordered Virginia.

Virginia did as commanded. She moved to stand across the table from her Mother Superior.

"What were you thinking?" Mother Superior Bridgette shouted at Virginia without preamble.

Virginia blinked several times and tried to respond.

"Mother-"

"Silence!" Mother Superior Bridgette yelled as she slammed an open paw down on the table hard.

"A stranger! A ruffian! A minstrel!

"He is nothing but trouble for any young vixen. He will seduce you and leave you after he has had his way with you. All of them are Evil!"

Virginia was certain that Raf was not like that, but she knew better than to voice dissent when the Mother Superior was in the midst of one of her frequent tirades.

"The only reason I am not sending you away in shame is because there was no time for him to do anything. The Sisters report seeing you enter the forest and come back out with that scoundrel only a few minutes later. They watched as you came up and said that all you did was walk beside each other. They could see you talking but nothing more."

Mother Superior Bridgette leaned forward.

"Rest assured that if you are ever found alone with him again, I will dismiss you!"

Virginia swallowed. The Church and her Devotion to God were her life. Being sent away in disgrace would be a mortal blow.

"Yes, Mother Superior," Virginia managed to get out.

Mother Superior Bridgette glared at Virginia for several seconds.

"Go pray for guidance and express your remorse to Our Father for nearly straying," Mother Superior Bridgette commanded Virginia before turning her attention to other matters.

Virginia quickly exited the office. She was surprised that she had gotten off so lightly. It was a minor miracle.

The vixen made her way to the pews and bowed her head in prayer. She tried to form a suitable attitude, but she just could not. She had done no wrong. Why was she being punished? She liked the minstrel with his joyful attitude and lean body, but-

Virginia shook her head in surprise. Did she just think about Raf's body and how good it looked? Maybe even how much she wanted to touch it? Maybe even feel it against hers?

Perhaps she did need to pray for forgiveness and guidance.

Dinner turned into a disaster. The Novices sat together at a table immediately beneath the Mother Superior. Virginia noticed them looking at her slyly and giggling throughout the meal. Finally, one of the other Novices leaned in and asked, "So, how was he?"

"What?!" Virginia exclaimed.

Mother Superior Bridgette glared at Virginia. She bowed her head until the Mother's gaze went elsewhere. The other Novices likewise found other things than Virginia to occupy their attentions until the Mother Superior looked elsewhere.

"What do you mean 'what'?" Novice Agnes asked. "You walked out to the forest alone and came back with a handsome dog fox who just happened to be a troubadour as well.

"Everyone knows what you did. The entire convent is talking about it. We all want details!"

Virginia's face under her white fur turned even reader than her pelt.

"I did not!" she hissed.

Novice Agnes and several of the others listening just rolled their eyes in disbelief.

Fortunately, Mother Superior Bridgette dismissed them at that point. Virginia fled back to her cell and spent several hours in prayer, but the face of a certain fox and the gossip about them being together kept intruding into her thoughts. She went to bed near midnight with her thoughts and emotions still in turmoil.

Saturday dawned with a mixture of sun and clouds. It was amazing how much the sight of Sol brightened everyone's mood. Shortly after the noon meal, the traveling priest arrived for weekly confessional. One by one the Sisters and Novices entered the mahogany booth to confess their sins and be absolved.

As she awaited her turn, Virginia tried to order her thoughts and list her sins. She thought of the small things she had done, but she could not get past what was bothering her the most.

The door to the confessional opened. The vixen within exited, and it was Virginia's turn. She slid onto the wooden bench, closed the door, and crossed her paws. After a deep breath, she bowed her head and said, "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."

After a moment, she added, "Or so I have been told I have."

"That is a strange thing to say, Sister," the voice on the others side of the curtain replied.

"It's just... Oh, the heck with it!

"I met a traveler in the woods and brought him to the convent to get him back on the path to the village. That is all that happened. But everyone from the Mother Superior down has decided we did much more!

"I came here a virgin and took my ecclesiastical name because of that, but I am not stupid. I've seen the animals on the farms and my sister married before I was Called. I know what they think happened, but it didn't!"

"Do you wish it had?" the priest asked.

That brought up Virginia short.

"What does that matter?" she asked defensively.

"In the eyes of some Church philosophers, the thought is every bit as much a sin as the act. So, did you have such thoughts?"

"No!" she exclaimed.

After another pause, she added, "At least not until they put them in my head."

"So, you have thought about him?"

"Some," Virginia admitted.

"And was it in a sinful manner?"

"I'm... I'm not sure.

"I did think of his body and how good it looked some, but I thought more about his smile, kindness, beautiful voice and how he sang.

"I did not think about... Well, you know."

"Even after you had other thoughts put into your head?"

"No!" she replied adamantly. It was not quite true, but it was mostly true.

The priest on the other side of the divider sighed.

"You clearly are troubled, and that is not a good sign. It must mean that you have some doubts and likely some sinful thoughts as well. Perhaps even enough to commit an actual sin with this fox by laying with him.

"I cannot fully absolve you, for you are treading a path away from the Church and your calling, but I will allow you to pray for forgiveness and guidance.

"You shall spend the rest of the day in prayer in the Holy Sanctuary. I will tell the Mother Superior that I have sent you there as a penance, so do not worry about other earthly matters. Instead try to find guidance and Salvation for your immortal soul.

"Go forth now," the priest commanded.

Virginia crossed herself quickly, rose and left the confessional. She slipped into her favorite pew and bowed her head in prayer for guidance and a resolution.

All that came was an unbidden vision of a grinning face with sparkling eyes.

The Sunday routine began with preparations for the coming Holy Day. The priest had departed overnight, so there would be no Mass, but there would be Sunday School and other events led by Deacons and Nuns. Virginia wished that the priest had stayed for the morning Mass at least, but the many convents and villages he served forced him to move on as quickly as possible.

The children arrived first and were taken under the wings of the Sisters. Virginia and the other Novices helped with the teachings and reading of the Holy Scripture. Vixens came next to help with the communal lunch. Finally, the dog foxes arrived after doing their chores and at least attempting to clean up.

Throughout it all, Virginia did not see Raf. She was disappointed since he had at least implied that he would be there. She sighed. Perhaps his Devotion was not that great after all.

Shortly before the start of Devotions, Mother Superior Bridgette found Virginia as she helped with the kits.

"We are ready to start the ceremonies. Go out to the kitchen and bring those there to the church," she instructed Virginia.

Virginia made her way out the back of the cloister and headed towards the kitchen. The stone building was set a short distance from the rest of the convent in case a fire began. The kitchen and its precious food would be lost, but not the entire convent. It was a needed protection. While the convent was the same as that put down over two centuries agon, this was the fifth kitchen.

When she stuck her muzzle inside to call the celebrants to the nave, she was immediately struck by the laughing and happy voices. The women certainly seemed to be in unusually high spirits. Virginia found herself smiling in response.

"Everyone sure seemed to be unusually joyful this morning," the Novice commented to one of the nearby village vixens.

"How could we not be with him around?"

"Him?" Virginia asked in some surprise. Male foxes were seldom found in convent kitchens.

"Him!" the vixen replied and pointed to the far end of the kitchen. Standing there half covered in flour was Raf. Virginia could not hear what was saying above the bustle and hum of the food preparation, but the effect was clear. Those around him were laughing nonstop as they prepared cakes and pastries.

"Why am I not surprised?" she muttered under her breath as she sought out the Head Cook. Still, she was smiling and glad that he had come.

"Sister, we are ready to start the ceremonies," Virginia told a heavyset middle-aged vixen.

"Gracious, Child! How the time has flown this morning! I'll get everyone started that way in a moment."

Virginia started back to take her place. For just a moment, her eyes met Raf's. He smiled, and her entire day suddenly brightened. As she walked back along the breezeway to the convent, she shook her head.

What was she thinking? Had she fallen from Grace?

Did she want this transient fox? To give up everything for a few minutes lust and a lifetime of regret?

Virginia shook her head. The questions troubled her, yet she knew deep in her soul that the answers were that she wanted him as a friend and nothing more. It was the others who thought they knew elsewise, not her. It was they who treaded close to sin, not her and Raf.

The celebration was not a Mass without a Priest, but they still sang hymns and read Scripture. Virginia was glad that she faced away from the villagers. She knew that Raf was back there, and she was not sure what would happen if she were to come muzzle-to-muzzle with him during the celebration.

During lunch, she made it a point to stay away from Raf to keep the rumors in check, but she did see him several times. It was hard to miss him with all the oohs and ahs he was causing. He would not sing anything but hymns within the Church, but he had many tales of distant lands and his adventures there. The ones of the Holy Lands were the most requested. His misadventures brought laughter to his many listeners.

The villagers left, and Virginia and the other members of the convent finished their day in chores and prayer. It was late at night when all the others were asleep that she heard a pounding at the locked convent door. Surprised, she nonetheless got up and made her way to the closed doors of the atrium. She slid back the small door and peered out. A fox dressed in priestly travelling garb was revealed. She could see moonlight glinting off his cross and ring.

"Well don't just stand there like a fool! Open the door!" he demanded crossly. He seemed rather upset about something.

"I cannot. I am only a Novice," she replied.

"Then get someone who can!"

Reluctantly, Virginia made her way to the Mother Superior's cell and knocked.

"Who is awakening me at this hour?" an angry voice called from within.

"Novice Virginia, Mother Superior. There is someone at the doors, and he appears to be a priest."

There were the sounds of movement inside and then the door opened. Mother Superior Bridgette emerged pulling on her veil.

"A priest?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes, Mother. He has the garb, and I saw a large golden cross and a ring."

"Hmm. I wonder who it could be at this ridiculous hour...," Mother Superior Bridgette mused. Virginia was only glad that the Mother Superior was not angry at her for disturbing her slumber.

Mother Superior Bridgette opened the viewport and looked out.

"Who are you and what do you want at this hour? There's an inn in the village if you need shelter."

"Mother Superior Bridgette, after all these years you should know me well. Now open this door!"

Mother Superior Bridgette blinked but took down the crossbeam barring the door and opened it.

"What are you doing back here so soon. Father? Has there been trouble? Bandits?" the Nun asked.

"'Back here'?" the priest asked indignantly. "I'm almost two days behind in my route and have been trying to make up time by traveling at night.

"Didn't you get the message that the bishop sent to all?"

"No," Mother Superior Bridgette replied.

"But we did see you yesterday. You came, gave confession and left."

"Don't be daft, woman! I have been on the road for hours and need my sleep!

"Now show me to my quarters and bring me food and drink!"

Virginia and Mother Superior Bridgette exchanged confused looks. The priest had been here yesterday. They had both seen him, yet now he was back and claiming he had never been there.

It was a mystery.

"Take him to his quarters, Novice Virginia," Mother Superior Bridgette said. She added in a whisper, "And say nothing of this to anyone!"

Virginia nodded and took the priest to the guest quarters. She brought him some leftover food and wine. He dismissed her, and she returned to her cell. Sleep eluded her, though.

Why was the priest back and saying he had never been there?

No explanation was given the next day. Mother Superior Bridgette pretended like nothing was wrong, and the rest of the convent followed her lead. Sharp stares kept all in line as they went through the motions of Confession and Mass before the priest departed. He left behind a troubled Virginia.

The village festival would start on Tuesday, and the convent needed to prepare. It was not a large festival like the harvest festival, but it would still draw many from the surrounding countryside and traveling merchants selling their wares. There might even be a second minstrel there besides Raf. Secretly, Virginia was hoping that would not happen. She had taken a vow of poverty, but she was sure that Raf had not. He could use all the copper coins he could get.

The mood was still somber, but the nuns decorated the convent with garland gays. The pine boughs from the forest and flowers taken from nearby meadows were in sharp contrast to the cold gray stone of the walls.

Once the simple decorations were in place, Mother Superior Bridgette called the Sisters and Novices together.

"We shall now fulfill our vows of Charity and Service by assisting the villagers. Once we get there, spread out and find someone to help.

"Now follow me!"

Even when seeking to do Good, the Mother Superior was a stern soul. She led the vixens in single file at a slow walk to the village. What should have been a five minute stroll became a fifteen minute procession. Still, Virginia was looking forward to the work. It was always fun, and the food that the villagers gave them was without exception good.

Once released in the village, Virginia looked around. There were several dozen wooden buildings in sight. Some were shops, but most were homes. Perhaps three hundred foxes lived here with more in the surrounding farms. The village was located at the intersection of two highways. While little more than larger dirt trails, they gave access to the distant cities and courts. In all, it was a relatively large and prosperous community.

Virginia chose to walk some more to get to the central square. It served as market and gathering spot for things like the festival. Several dozen townsfolk were working at cleaning the square, putting up decorations and otherwise preparing for the many foxes that would arrive tomorrow. Merchants were setting up booths as well. While she had no money, she could still look and wish. The penance afterwards was a small price to pay for thinking of the fine cloth and other wares.

Benches were being setup across the square. She moved to help them since she was always happy to do simple physical work. She missed seeing Raf until she almost ran into him as he carries a bench into the square from the nearby town hall.

"Well, hello!" Raf said brightly as he deftly avoided hitting her with the bench that he was carrying.

"Oops! Hello yourself!" she replied.

"Come to help?"

"I was thinking about it."

Raf leaned in and said in a very droll voice, "I am surprised that Mother Superior Bridgette is letting you out of your cell.

"You and me both," Virginia replied under her breath.

"Not to worry!" Raf said briskly. "I am sure that she will come to love me like a prodigal son before I move on!"

Virginia stared at Raf in shock. Then he gave her a jaunty wink, and she realized he was joking again. She dissolved into laughter.

"So, you want to grab some benches together?" Raf asked as he set down the one that he was carrying.

"Sure! I like physical work."

Together with some of the older kits they setup a small stage with seating for a couple of hundred foxes. While they worked, Virginia and Raf talked.

"I see you have your instruments ready," Virginia commented with a nod towards the stage. There was a small collection of musical gear laid out on and beside the stage.

"I have mine, and I managed to find people with a few more. I hate lugging big drums around, but a good size drum can be useful for leading a song and keeping people reasonably close to in rhythm."

"You have plans for the festival songs?"

"A few. A singalong is a must. I have various traditional and folk songs. A few inspired by the Church. Some instrumentals, though I doubt they would go over well here."

"I'd love to hear one!"

Raf looked at her for a moment before saying, "How about we finish setting up and then I can do some tuning and practicing? Not as exciting as a performance, but you can hear some of what I play that might not make it into the show."

"Sounds fair!"

They finished setting up. Virginia noted that Raf slipped the kits a few coins as they turned to leave, and she smiled. He dd not need to do so, but the generosity seemed to come naturally to him.

Virginia sat on the front center bench as Raf took the stage. She told herself that it was just a break before she started the next job, but she still felt a bit guilty at not being doing work.

Raf pulled out his mandolin. A few quick plucks and small adjustments, and it was in perfect tuning.

"So, what first?" he asked as he idly strummed the strings.

"How about an instrumental?"

"Good choice! Here is one that I am unlikely to get a chance to play."

Raf's fingers ranged across the strings as he played a slow tune that alternated between individual notes and chords with a few changes in tempo along the way. It was short but utterly beautiful.

When he was done, Virginia clapped her paws.

"That was great. Did you write it?"

"No, Fur Elise is by a fox called Beethoven."

"Can you play another?"

"Certainly! How about one for the guitar?"

"Yes!" she replied enthusiastically.

Raf started strumming his guitar.

_I met a gypsy dancer down on the south side of Birmingham

She was running from a fat man selling salvation in his hand

She said "He's tryin' to save me

But I'm doin' alright, the best that I can"

Just a pair of fallen angels tryin' to get through the night_

_Step by step, one by one, higher and higher

Step by step, one by one, climbing Jacob's ladder_

Virginia had certainly never heard anything close to the depiction of Jacob's Ladder from Scripture in this song. At once it frightened her because of the sometimes almost blasphemous depiction. At other times, it thrilled her with its message of Hope and Salvation.

"That was... different," she said several seconds after the end of the song.

"And that, dear Virginia, is why I do not sing my Scripture inspired songs inside a Church."

He laughed and added, "I'm not fireproof!"

Even as she laughed with him, Virginia knew that there was a grain of truth in his jest.

Virginia was about to ask for another song when she felt a sudden wave of cold engulf her. The Sun overhead disappeared behind thick, dark clouds. A sense of dread engulfed her, even with Raf sitting mere feet from her.

She saw Raf look to her left.

"Ah, Lucian is here. I've been expecting him," Raf said. For perhaps the first time since she had met him, there was no joy in Raf's voice.

A silver-phase fox had stepped into the square. He was dressed head to tail in black leather trimmed with fine silver. He wore a wide-brimmed black hat cocked to one side. Everything about him screamed wealth and power, but he was alone with no retinue.

The silver fox looked about almost disdainfully. Virginia shivered in fear and dread when Lucian's gaze fell upon her and lingered for a moment. Something about this stranger truly frightened her. When his gaze met Raf's he recoiled, even though Raf had done nothing.

Virginia had hoped that he would just leave, but Lucian indolently walked over to where she and Raf were sitting.

"Good afternoon, Lucian!" Raf greeted the fox almost gleefully as he set aside his instrument and stood. "Come for the festival as well?"

"'Lucian', is it? Very well then, 'Lucian' it shall be, 'Raf'," the black-furred fox replied.

"Actually, I have other business here. I am not one to engage in such idleness as festivals," Lucian said disdainfully.

"Strange, I recall you always being the first to play when they happened," Raf said.

That the two knew each other was obvious, but as Virginia looked back and forth between the two, she realized that it was like looking into a mirror. Lucian was a perfect but darker reflection of Raphael.

"Those days are over. I have other things to do now since I was sent away."

"You can always come home."

Virginia's head snapped around to stare at Raf. She could not believe the love and longing in his voice.

"No, those days are gone. Now, as I said, I have other things to do."

Lucian cast a sideways glance at Virginia. She shivered and tried to look away, but she could not wrench her eyes from the fox's golden eyes. She felt herself falling into the black pools if his pupils. A hint of red appeared from somewhere, and the golden tone started to turn a more sinister color. She felt herself losing control and falling under his spell.

Virginia jumped at the touch of Raf's paw on her shoulder. She turned and looked up at him.

"I am sure that you do, Lucian, but never be afraid to admit your error and return," Raf said.

Lucian gave an angry snort.

"I made no error! I only regret not speaking and acting sooner!"

Lucian turned and stormed away.

"Ah, Lucian can drain a lake of joy with a single word these days," Raf remarked.

"Do you know him?" Virginia asked unnecessarily.

He looked down at her and smiled,

"Yes, and that is all your enquiring mind is going to get from me today.

"Now I think you have some more work to do. Or at least the Mother Superior thinks that you do!"

Virginia turned to see Mother Superior Bridgette frowning at her. She stood and moved away from Raf to help some villagers clean the square. She had to admit that Mother Superior Bridgette was right. She should not sit idle while others worked around her. Still, she kept looking over at Raf. She also kept an eye out for Lucian, but the strange black fox had disappeared immediately after his conversation with Raf.

Most of the villagers were sitting and watching Raf perform as night fell and Mother Superior Bridgette led the residents of the convent back home. Virginia wished that she could stay and listen, but there were limits to what the Mother Superior would allow. She would be able to see him tomorrow anyway. She fell asleep with the strains of Raf's music playing through her head.

The day dawned with the threat of rain. As the Sisters went through their early morning routines, the dark clouds were blown away, and the Sun shone down with the promise of a bright new day.

Mother Superior Bridgette gave the Sisters and Novices a stern reminder of how they should act. Virginia found herself coming under close scrutiny as the older vixen reminded them of the Seven Deadly Sins and started making up a few more for good measure. Virginia chafed quietly. She doubted that Raf would do anything improper let alone sinful, and she was certainly not going to do so!

After the seemingly endless lecture, the Mother Superior lined up the vixens and proceeded to the village. Today, the square was filled with farm foxes, merchants, and others in addition to the villagers. Hundreds had come from leagues around to be here for the local festival. Their gay clothes flashed in the late morning sun. Virginia thought it was a truly glorious sight to behold.

"You are dismissed to the festival but recall what I told you! We will meet back here an hour before midnight. You may return to the convent sooner if you wish but be sure to let me or one of the senior Sisters know that you have left," Mother Superior Bridgette said.

Virginia looked across the square but could not see if Raf was on stage or not through the crowd. She certainly could not hear him over the din of the festival goers. She nonchalantly meandered through the fair until she came to the stage area. A local dup was playing.

Perhaps Raf was somewhere behind the stage?

Virginia worked her way around the stage and slipped behind the curtain. A quick glance showed that no one was there. Sighing, she turned to leave.

"He will not be here until the evening," a voice said from the shadows.

"They always save the best for last," it added with some bitterness.

Lucian stepped into the light. He wore the same finery as yesterday.

"My apologies for disturbing you, Sir Lucian," Virginia said. "I was just leaving."

She turned and then paused. Looking back over her shoulder, she asked, "How did you know I was looking for Raf?

Lucian laughed.

"All his 'favorites' do."

Virginia turned and asked. "'Favorites'?"

'Oh, he has left a trail of broken vixen hearts a thousand leagues long. They meet him, fall in love with him, and think that they will be the one that will catch him and make him theirs.

"Then he is up the next morning and gone, never to be seen again."

Virginia's ears burned. There was some truth in the unspoken accusations, but it certainly was not like that for her. She replied calmly, "Raf is a fun fox to be near. He makes me feel happy. Nothing more. I know that he will be gone on the morrow, and I lay no claim to him."

Lucian laughed again. There was a bitter undercurrent to his mirth.

"I am glad to hear that," he said as he reached out and pulled back the heavy blanket that formed the rear door of the makeshift backstage entrance. "So many vixens, and more than a few foxes, have had much different ideas. If you understand that he is leaving you, you should be fine."

He motioned her to precede him, and they went their separate ways. Still, for some reason, her thoughts kept turning back to Lucian's comments. Would Raf love her and leave her? Did she want that?

She shook her head. As she had told the dark fox, she made no claim on Raf. Any love that they shared was purely platonic. She just wanted to be with him because he made her and everyone else around him happy.

Nothing more.

But...

Was Raf... Promiscuous?

Since he was not around to ask, Virginia applied herself to having fun at the festival to try to forget her worries and the concerns that Lucian had raised. Her vow of poverty prevented her from buying anything, but she could look and delight in the wares as much as any farmgirl. Sampling the entries for the cooking contest took care of lunch. The Head Elder's wife always made the best food, and this year was no different. Virginia would have to confess "stealing" a second helping when the priest came around again. The honey-drenched ham was worth it, though!

Mid-afternoon, she felt a paw slip onto her right shoulder. She turned to see who would be so impertinent as to touch a Sister, even if she was just a Novice.

"Raf!"

She half-raised her arms to embrace him before realizing how improper it would be. There were people already watching them after her reaction. To hug him would have started the gossip flying even stronger and faster, and she knew for certain where it would end up. The last thing she heeded was to be even deeper into the Mother Superior's doghouse.

"That is," she said with more decorum, "good afternoon, Minstrel Raphael."

For some reason, his open mouthed grin made her ears burn.

"And good afternoon you as well, Novice Virginia," he said. He doffed his hat and gave her an elaborate bow before setting his cap back on top of his head with a flourish.

Virginia could not help herself. She giggled at his excess.

"Ever the charming entertainer, Sir Raphael?" she asked.

"Always!" he said with a jaunty grin and wink. "Especially with such a lovely audience."

He crooked an elbow and asked, "Care to gad about a bit? I want to size up my audience before the show, and a local expert would be a great help."

Virginia slipped a paw onto his elbow but maintained a good distance. She was likely going to get in enough trouble for putting a paw on a dog fox, but she was willing to risk it. It would cause no harm now, would it? He would be gone tomorrow anyway.

Right?

For just a moment her encounter with Lucian played back through her mind. She shook her head. The wink that Raf gave her dispelled the uneasiness she had. He had never lied to her about his intentions to play the festival and leave. He seemed to enjoy her company, but he made no attempt to do more than talk.

Well, up until now. Now she was walking through the square with her paw perched lightly on his arm. It was still innocent, though,

Virginia suddenly hoped it was all innocent. She realized that she liked walking beside Rag with her paw on his arm and would like to stay there, vows or no vows.

She shook her head to dispel the unseemly thoughts in her head and began to walk with the fox. He asked so many questions about the people and the area that she found herself talking until dinner. He seemed to soak up all that she said.

When the communal dinner was served, Raf escorted her to one of the tables on the edge of the square and brought her dinner. While she waited for his return, she casually ran he gaze across the assembly. She was surprise to see Lucian staring at her. His yellow eyes burned into her. For some reason, she could not look away. The edges of his irises started to turn a crimson red and seemed to glow.

One of the matrons walked between Virginia and Lucian. She blinked. Lucian was gone. She wondered if she had imagined seeing him. The strange silver fox somehow kept appearing to sow doubt and confusion in her mind.

Virginia did not mention the incident when Raf returned with their meals. It was all just her imagination playing tricks on her, after all. They ate in pleasant company as the Elders and others made speeches and awarded prizes. She was not surprised at who won the cooking contest. The girth of the Head Elder attested to his mate's cooking capabilities.

"And, of course, we shall be graced with the song of Minstrel Raphael, who has chosen to be the sole minstrel to join us this year. Minstrel Raphael, please stand,"

Raf not only stood but jumped up on the table to give all there a deep bow.

"I look froward to entertaining all of you with my unskilled, lousy, and out-of-tune playing tonight!" he declared.

There was widespread laughter.

"Oh, you think that I lie? Wait until I start playing, and you start running!"

That caused even ore laughing. Virginia found herself smiling almost uncontrollably. She knew how good Raf really was and looked forward to him showing off his musical skills.

He jumped down from his perch and told Virginia, "Time for me to earn my meal. Will you be there when I play?" he asked.

"Absolutely!"

Without thinking or even realizing what she was saying, she added, "I want to hear that song about me you claim to have."

Raf blinked in surprise but responded, "That probably is not the best thing to sing with Mother Superior Bridgette hovering over us. It is, after all, easily considered blasphemous."

Virginia shook her head. She was not sure from where that last bit had come.

"Oh, you're right. I was not thinking for some reason," she said with a wan smile. "Just ignore me."

For the first time since she had met him, Raf seemed uncertain, but nonetheless accepted her brushing off her unusual request.

Raf disappeared behind the stage. Virginia would have loved to go with him, but such a move would have raised more than just eyebrows. The last thing she wanted was for the entire countryside to hear Mother Superior Bridgette berating her.

A quick glance towards the front showed Mother Superior Bridgette eating at the head table with the Elders. She was surprised to see Lucian beside her. She had missed him joining them. Still, if he was here to buy or sell things, the village Elders would be the place to start. With his obvious wealth, she doubted that he had any trouble convincing them to listen to him.

For just a moment, Lucian's eyes met Virginia's again, and he smiled. Her heart froze until he turned away to talk with Mother Superior Bridgette.

Virginia shook her head at her strange reaction. Lucian was just a strange traveler like Raf. He would come and go from her life in a day or two, just like him.

So why did she want to run to Raf for his protection?

Instead, she took back their plates to the town hall kitchen and helped wash them. It kept her safe from Lucian's troubling gaze. By the time that they were done, all the seats around the stage were taken. She had to stand at the back. She hoped that she would be able to hear Raf well enough. His voice could be a bit thin.

Raf took the stage to a smattering of applause. He bowed and sat on a stool. From the instruments set on the stage around him he selected his mandolin. She perked her ears as the first chords of Greensleeves wafted out over the crowd. Somehow, it was just perfectly loud enough to hear every detail as he started singing in his airy voice that almost magically penetrated the remaining noise of the crowd.

_Alas my love you do me wrong

To cast me off discourteously;

And I have loved you oh so long

Delighting in your company._

_Greensleeves was my delight,

Greensleeves my heart of gold

Greensleeves was my heart of joy

And who but my lady Greensleeves..._

It was a gentle traditional ballad that went over well. She was surprised when she thought he was done but instead executed a bridge and played the song again with quite different lyrics.

_What child is this who laid to rest

on Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

while shepherds watch are keeping.

_

_This, this is Christ the King

whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud.

The babe, the son of Mary..._

It was a vastly different song than the traditional hymns, but it sounded so good and right to her ears. She clapped loudly when he finished the second rendition and wondered if there was any way to get the song into the convent. She certainly would work hard to learn it! Maybe she could even get Raf to stay and teach her and the others.

Virginia shook her head and firmly reminded herself that he would be leaving in the morning. There would be no singing lessons for her or the other Sisters.

Raf's next song seemed to confirm her thoughts. He switched to his guitar and started a sprightly song that was new to her.

_I chase your every footstep and I follow every whim

When you call the tune, I'm ready to strike up the battle hymn, hey

My lady of the meadows, my comber on the beach

You've thrown the stick [Incomprehensible] but it's floating out of reach_

_The long road is a rainbow, and the pot of gold lies there, yeah

So slip the chain and I'm off again, you'll find me everywhere

'Cause I'm a rover..._

It was the perfect theme song for a traveling bard. Still, a few of the lyrics reminded her of her earlier thoughts about Raf and the vixens he had no doubt known in his travels.

Raf moved on to more traditional ballads. The half dozen or so tunes were met with increasing delight by the listeners. He led the assembled in a long, hilarious rendition of Rocky Road to Dublin that strayed far from the traditional and somehow ended up in the village, not Dublin. She laughed as hard as any of the villagers, and all applauded his efforts.

Raf bowed and called a ten minute break for his audience to recover. There were cries for wine and drink. Virginia suddenly realized how thirsty she was. A trip to the well for some water sounded like a good idea.

As she made her way past the side of the cider stall, one of youngsters tugged on her gown. She looked down into her sweet, innocent eyes of one of the local merchant's daughters.

"Can I have some cider, Ma'am?" the much younger vixen kit asked.

"I'm sorry, dear, but I have no money to buy you any," she responded. Faintly in the back of her head she wondered why the kit would be asking her in the first place. She likely had plenty of money. The question of why never seemed to reach her consciousness, though.

"Is there a problem?" a now familiar voice asked.

Virginia half turned and replied, "No problem, Sir Lucian. The young lady is thirsty and wants cider. I have no money to pay for it. I was about to suggest some water instead."

Lucian cocked his head.

"I had some of the cider before. It was exceptionally good. Sweet, yet tart," he commented.

He stared into her eyes and asked, "Would you like some?"

Virginia felt her mouth suddenly watering She could almost taste the cider. She wanted it so bad.

"It would be nice to have, but my vow of poverty means that I have no money with which to buy it."

"That is not a problem," Lucian reassured her as he turned to the cider vendor.

"Good man, how much is a cup of cider?" he asked in a loud voice.

Several looked at the dandy fox in anger as he appeared to jump the line. None complained though. The rich and powerful always got what they wanted first, and the rest had to take whatever was left afterwards.

"Same as before," the vendor said as he took two mugs from his helper and put them down on the makeshift counter. "Two coppers each."

The fox at the counter started to put his money down, but Lucian covered his paws with his left paw to stop him from paying. The vendor flashed an angry look at Lucian and was prepared to berate him. His voice caught in his throat as Lucian placed a large gold coin on the counter. Virginia could swear in the light of dusk that it glowed golden red for a moment.

"Would you say that a hundred gold piece would cover drinks for the entire town?" He glanced at Virginia and gave her a smile that somehow was more of a smirk and added, "And the convent, of course."

"That's more than my stock is worth!" the vendor said in shock.

Lucian slid the coin across the counter. He left it sitting in front of the cider merchant.

"Then drinks are on me for the rest of the night, if you are willing to take my coin."

Virginia was not the only fox staring at Lucian and his coin. She had never seen more than a single gold piece before, and that was at the diocese when she had helped the bishop while awaiting assignment. The coin represented a fortune in these parts.

"That-"

The fox serving cider swallowed several times.

"That would be more than acceptable, but I have to tell you honestly I have no way to make change."

"Did I ask for change?" Lucian lightly inquired in a surprised voice. "The coin is yours in exchange for serving all who come asking for drink until you have none left.

"You can thank Novice Virginia and her young friend for it."

Virginia jumped at the mention of her. She smiled uncertainly as the foxes who were watching the exchange let out an enthusiastic cheer for her.

"I do, however, make one demand."

He grabbed the two mugs of cider.

"These are mine. Agreed?"

"Agreed!" the vendor said. He knew a good deal when he was handed it on a silver platter.

The fox at the counter looked a little miffed, but he held his tongue. He was going to get his cider for free, and the coppers were a lot of money to him.

Lucian turned and handed the mugs to Virginia and the waiting kit.

"Here. I hope that you enjoy them," he said.

The kit took her mug and promptly ran away without even saying thanks to the silver fox.

"That was a Princely act, Sir Lucian." Virginia told him. "May Our Lord grant you as great a happiness as you have no doubt brought to this festival!"

For some reason, Lucian's smile froze for just an instant at Virginia's blessing. She thought that she saw anger flash in his eyes. It was gone in an instant.

"I am sure that I shall get what I deserve when the time comes," he replied cryptically.

Virginia shrugged off his remark. Most likely he wanted to ingratiate himself to the local merchants and farmers. This would certainly be one way to do it.

"May I escort you back to the show?" Lucian asked as he presented his elbow to her. She again was struck at how similar he was in looks and mannerisms to Raphael. She wondered what their connection was.

"Thank you, Lucian. I would be honored," she replied.

Virginia walked back to the makeshift amphitheater and resumed her place at the back. She took a deep drink. The cider was as cold and tart as any she had drunk. She smiled.

Lucian stayed and watched Raf's next set with her. He went hack for cider a couple of times, and she enjoyed a steady flow of the heady drink. Idly she noted that it tasted better and better with each passing sip. By her third mug, it was leaving a pleasant trail of warmth from her muzzle to her stomach that was spreading outward throughout her body.

After the second set, Lucian left Virginia. He pleaded the need for sleep before starting his work in the morning.

"No rest for the Wicked!" he told her with a laugh as he departed. "I have much left to do tonight even before I start tomorrow!"

Normally, Virginia would have questioned his strange comment, but she felt too good to do more than laugh as he took his leave of her. His dark pelt disappeared into the shadows, and he was gone from sight.

The warmth from the good drink was loosening her inhibitions. As a Novice, she would normally have stayed at the back, but when she saw one of the farmers in the front row rise to follow Lucian, she quickly took his seat. She did not think to wonder why the fox had left or why no one else had taken it. She did not care. She was now sitting front and center for Raf's next set.

Raf smiled at her when he returned to the stage for his third set. Darkness had fallen, and lamps had been lit around the stage while he was away. The shadows moved with a mind of their own as Raf tapped out an old chant on his borrowed drums. Virginia and many others added their voices to his.

Next, he took up his harp and played a song new to her. The Highwayman was a poem with which she was familiar, but she had never heard it set to music. Raf's rendition was mesmerizing.

_The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees

The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon the cloudy seas

The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor_

_And the highwayman came riding

Riding, riding

The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door..._

Virginia found herself lost in the love story. Strangely, she felt anger at the King's men, even though she was a part of the Church and supported the Rule of Law and obedience to the King. The death of Bess as she plunged the sword into her bosom to save her beloved and his subsequent death in attempting to avenge her were doubly poignant when set to the somber notes of the harp.

Virginia found herself blinking at the end. Like many others, she had been deeply lost in the song and did not have time to react before Raf picked up his guitar and started playing something much more raucous.

_As I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains

I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was counting

I first produced my pistol and I then produced my rapier

Saying "stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver_

_Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da

Whack for my daddy-o

Whack for my daddy-o

There's whiskey in the jar..._

It was such a powerful counter to the slower piece before. She also felt herself enjoying the idea of the Captain being robbed, even if he won in the end. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she puzzled over her reaction, but again nothing made it past the warm wall created by the cider.

The parts of the songs dealing with Bess and Molly and their relationship with their males was having a strange effect upon her. The warmth in her stomach was moving downward to rest between her thighs.

She knew that Raf had a song about her somewhere in that guitar, and irrationally she wanted to hear it now! The voice screaming inside her head was muffled by the soft, fluffy fog that the cider had created.

After the last notes trailed off, she yelled, "Play my song now, Raf!"

Duly, she heard muttered accusations of being drunk from those around her, but she did not care. For some reason, she positively had to hear that song right now.

Raf laughed and replied, "Ah, but Novice Virginia! I told you that song was a bit risqué! It is not suitable for the ears of a Sister-to-be."

Suddenly the other foxes were paying a lot more attention to what was happening. The idea of a slightly off color and suggestive song appealed to them.

"I don't care! Play it! Play it!"

Several in the audience took up the call of "Play it!".

"Um, it is even a bit blasphemous. Probably doubly so when sung to a Novice named Virginia."

That certainly got a lot more attention from the foxes. The repeated cries of "Play it!" grew louder.

"I don't care! You are going to be gone tomorrow, and I want to hear it before you leave!"

Raf's eyes bore into Virginia's.

"Regardless of the consequences?" he asked in a strangely serious voice.

Intoxicated with her strange sexual desire and the adrenaline of the surrounding crowd, she yelled, "Yes!"

"So be it," Raf said almost regretfully. "Let the consequences be upon you and the others."

Raf started to strum a bouncy melody on his guitar. There was a loud cheer followed by silence as he started to sing. He stared directly at Virginia the whole time. He still had the same smile, but there was a strange sadness in his eyes. Virginia did not care. He was singing her song to her. For some reason, that and the cider made everything fine.

_Come out, Virginia, don't let me wait

You Catholic girls start much too late

But sooner or later it comes down to fate

I might as well be the one_

_They showed you a statue and told you to pray

They built you a temple and locked you away

But they never told you the price that you pay

For things that you might have done..._

_Only the good die young

_

_You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd

We ain't too pretty, we ain't too proud

We might be laughing a bit too loud

But that never hurt no one_

_So, come on, Virginia, show me a sign

Send up a signal I'll throw you the line

The stained-glass curtain you're hiding behind

Never lets in the sun_

Darling, only the good die young

_You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation

You got a brand new soul

And a cross of gold_

_But, Virginia, they didn't give you quite enough information

You didn't count on me

When you were counting on your rosary_

_They say there's a heaven for those who will wait

Some say it's better but I say it ain't

I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints_

The sinners are much more fun...

You know that only the good die young

_You say your mother told you all that I could give you was a reputation

She never cared for me

But did she ever say a prayer for me?_

_Come out, come out, come out

Virginia, don't let me wait,

You Catholic girls start much too late,

But sooner or later it comes down to fate

I might as well be the one,_

You know that only the good die young-

"STOP!!!" a vixen screamed at the top of her lungs.

Mother Superior Bridgette stormed through the crowd to the stage. Around her the crowd pulled back away from her raw rage. They started murmuring at her actions, but none dared to try to stop her.

"How dare you!' she screamed in an outraged voice as she ran up the two steps leading to the stage. "How dare you sing such blasphemy! You have disrespected the Church, my Convent and every Sister in it!"

With surprising calm, Raf replied, "No, I just made a comment about the choices we make. Much like the choices you are making right now."

There was a collective intake of breath as Mother Superior Bridgette raised her paw to strike Raf. The murderous look on her face promised mayhem, but Rad sat there calmly looking into her eyes and doing nothing to defend himself.

Somehow Mother Superior Bridgette brought herself under control with great difficulty. She lowered her paw enough to point to the far side of the square.

"Get out! Get out and take you scandalous self far away from here. You have been trying to corrupt us since you arrived. Enough! You are no longer welcome here! Take your things and go. Never return!"

"Never?" Rad asked calmly.

"Never!" Mother Superior Bridgette affirmed.

"So be it," Raf said quietly. He apparently had made other rapid retreats from angry mobs because he grabbed his instruments and was gone before his passing registered on the befuddled Virginia.

Virginia half rose to follow him. She was not sure exactly why she wanted to do so or what she would say, but somehow, she wanted to apologize.

Mother Superior Bridgette turned her utter rage onto Virginia.

"And what do you have to say for yourself, Novice?" the elderly vixen demanded in a voice that echoed off the surrounding buildings.

The strange warmth in Virginia was suddenly extinguished. All that was left was cold fear. She sat back down and did not move.

"I- I-," Virginia stuttered. She had no words to defend herself.

"Silence!" Mother Superior Bridgette roared.

Virginia curled up in a ball in terror.

"Enough! Your conduct was deplorable! I have long questioned your commitment to the Church and Our Lord. This only reinforces my dismay and worst fears.

"Tomorrow, we shall determine if you are fit to remain in the Church or not. Until then..."

The Mother Superior's angry gaze swept over the festival goers. Many stepped back or cringed in fear. The reputation of Mother Superior Bridgette was well earned. None wished to cross her path, not even the village Elders, when she was so enraged.

"This blasphemous bacchanalia and your perversions are over. Go home. Now!

"Sisters, to me!"

The crowd parted like the sea before Moses as Mother Superior Bridgette roared through them. The Sisters, including Virginia, scrambled to form a ragtag line behind her. She did not slow until they reached the atrium of the convent.

Mother Superior Bridgette stopped and turned around. Her gaze found Virginia. The other Sisters and Novices shrank away from the young vixen to avoid the Mother Superior from directing any of her great ire at them.

"Mother Superior, I-," Virginia began as she tried to come up with an explanation or apology.

"Silence! Did I say that you could speak?"

Virginia barely shook her head no.

"Go to your cell. Remain there. Do not come out for prayers, vigil, or any other reason! Go nowhere near the Sanctuary.

"Is that clear?!"

Virginia's stomach sank. To be denied access to the Sanctuary meant that she was going to be expelled from the order and likely the Church. She felt bitter rears rolling down her face as she nodded.

"Begone then!"

Woodenly, Virginia walked to her cell and crawled into bed without even attempting to remove her clothes. She curled up and wept. She tried to pray, but nothing came to her lips. Her loss was so great she had no words for it.

Exhaustion, and perhaps the cider, finally took its toll well after midnight, and she fell into a troubled slumber filled with disturbing nightmares.

The morning dawned dark and foreboding if it could be said to dawn at all. Thick dark clouds hid the sun and turned day into near night. As the convent went about its morning business, the gloom only deepened as fog appeared on the horizon.

Virginia was not surprised when the dreaded call to see the Mother Superior arrived. Her fellow Novice, Mary, escorted her from her cell to the Mother Superior's office. She gave Virginia a quick hug and whispered, "Be strong. Out Father will guide and sustain you."

Privately, Virginia wondered about that. He would seem to have guided her to disaster last night.

Mary knocked on the office door.

"Who is it?" Mother Superior Bridgette called from within.

"Novice Mary with Novice Virginia, Mother Superior."

"Enter!"

Mary opened the door and ushered Virginia into the office.

"You may leave us for your morning prayers, Novice Mary." Mother Superior Bridgette said in a tone that allowed no dissent.

Mary bowed her head and replied, "Yes, Mother Superior." She gave Virginia a quick smile of encouragement before leaving and closing the door.

"You are a disgrace!" Mother Superior Bridgette told Virginia as she began to lay into the young vixen.

"Cavorting with a shiftless drifter posing as a musician. That vagrant! That homeless wanderer! That cad!

"That alone would have been enough for me to dismiss you. But no! You had to do even more.

"You sinned with lustful thoughts of him. Everyone could see it. Everyone knew that you wanted. The heat between you two was palpable."

Virginia's temperature began to rise. She had to admit to herself that she was interested in Raf, but only as a friend. She had made her choice two years ago to join the convent and remain chaste. There was nothing between them beyond a platonic love. She half opened her mouth to protect when the Mother Superior continued.

"But still not content with that, you committed blasphemy! Calling upon that upstart to sing you a song about you. Do you forge the Seven Deadly Sins so quickly? Have you ignored the teachings of Ponticus? You had already sinned with Lust. Then you sinned with Pride."

That brought Virginia up short. Lust? No. At least not more than the casual contemplations of a young vixen for a handsome fox that she knew other Sisters had.

But Pride?

She had asked Raf to play that song because he had said it was about her, or at least one with her name. He had warned her repeatedly that it could be seen as blasphemous. He had resisted playing it, but she had pushed him until she he had sung it. Not only that, but she had also insisted that he sing it in front of the entire assembled countryside.

"Lust I dispute, Mother Superior," Virginia said slowly.

"But I may indeed be guilty of Pride," Virginia admitted.

Mother Superior Bridgette slammed her paws down on the desk.

"You dare contradict me, Novice?" she screamed at Virginia. "The lust you felt for that traitorous troubadour could be felt by every Sister in the convent. It set the villagers' tongues wagging as well!"

"That was your own lustful thoughts, not mine!" Virginia yelled back. Her normal restraint and respect for authority was gone in the fierce fore of her ire. "You accuse me of what I did not do. Yes, he was good looking, but I never held the thoughts that you place in my mind. Those are yours and yours alone!

"Raf was never anything but a gentlefox. He and I talked. Nothing more!"

"Be quiet!" Mother Superior Bridgette shrieked. Her voice had risen two octaves at the impudence of the young vixen contradicting her.

Virginia countered, "I will not be silenced! I-"

Whatever Virginia would have done was never said. There was a loud pounding at the door.

"Mother Superior! Mother Superior! Come quickly! It is the End Of The World!"

Both vixens turned to look at the door. They suddenly realized that there was much noise outside.

Mother Superior Bridgette strode to the door and flung it open. Virginia was shocked to see a fearful crowd outside.

"What is the meaning of this? What do you mean it is the 'End Of The World'?" she demanded.

The village Elders were at the front. Their leader responded, "There was no dawn today. A strange black fog rose and encircled the land. It has been driving all from their homes and towards the convent," he exclaimed.

"Are you that afraid of a mere fog?" Mother Superior Bridgette scoffed.

"A simple fog? No.

"But this one is purest black, and glowing red eyes look out from within it. It speaks our names and promises death and worse."

Mother Superior Bridgette was brought up short.

"It has eyes and speaks?" she asked in shock.

"I have seen and heard it myself. It called my name and spoke of forcing me to watch the rape of my daughter before killing me," the Elder confirmed. "I am not ashamed to say that I fled in terror. I would have run far, far away, but it encircles us all. It has been herding us like sheep towards here.

"I gathered up my family and brought them here hoping that the Church can provide sanctuary and protection from the Evil that is out there. The rest of the villagers and those from the surrounding farms for leagues have done the same.

"You are our last and only hope now."

Mother Superior Bridgette regained her composure. She strode from the office and headed for the bell tower. Uncertain what to do, Virginia followed her.

Mother Superior Bridgette climbed the three-story tower. Through the openings, Virginia could see her looking out at the surrounding countryside. The look of terror that grew on her face was frightening.

Mother Superior Bridgette flew down the steps and pointed to two of the nearest foxes.

"Ring the bells and continue to do so until I tell you otherwise. We need to bring as many as possible here before it is too late!"

The elderly vixen turned to the Elders and ordered them, "Get everyone into the Sanctuary! Make sure that none remain outside. The Sisters and I will try to hold this Evil off."

Virginia could just hear her add under her breath, "God help us all."

A throng of villagers and farmers streamed through the atrium and into the convent's Sanctuary. As the last foxes entered, Virginia could see the horror outside creeping towards the convent.

As the Head Elder had said, there was a fog unlike any other fog Virginia had ever seen. It was blacker than midnight during a New Moon in the depths of Winter. It moved not at the whims of the wind but with purposeful strides across the land. Within, there were indeed myriad glowing red eyes. As the fog came closer, she could hear a sinister whisper promising death and worse. Her hackles stood in fright.

When the fog reached the base of the hill upon which the convent stood, it paused. For just a moment, Virginia prayed that the power of the Lord had stopped this monstrosity, but then it began to slowly rise. The trees at the base of the hill disappeared into nothingness.

Mother Superior Bridgette ran up the steps of the bell tower again. She looked around before calling down, "Everyone who still lives is inside. Bar the outer doors! There are none left outside save that monstrosity!

"Everyone inside the Sanctuary now!"

While Mother Superior Bridgette descended to the atrium courtyard, one of the Sisters lifted the bar into place and sealed the outer gate.

"Do you think that will hold it out?" the Head Elder asked.

"Pray that it does," Mother Superior Bridgette muttered before shouting, "Stop dawdling and gaping! Everyone into the Sanctuary! Move!"

Mother Superior Bridgette 's eyes fell on Virginia. She glared at the Novice for a moment before adding, "Even you. You are a Sinner, but what awaits outside is far more than you could have created with your Sins."

All hastened into the Sanctuary.

"Sisters, we shall kneel and pray by the doors!" Mother Superior Bridgette ordered her charges. "We shall pray to Our Lord for protection.

"Now kneel and pray as you never have before!"

Virginia took a place slightly left of center and knelt. Through the open doors of the Sanctuary, she could barely see the outer wall and its barred doors in the deep gloom. Fervently, she beseeched forgiveness and protection for herself and the others.

One of the Sisters screamed in terror.

The strange black fog was seeping under the barred atrium doors and into the courtyard. It started to flow across the open space past the well like some oily spill. Behind it, more and more of the dark vapors slipped through the cracks around the outer doors.

"Close and bar the Sanctuary doors!" Mother Superior Bridgette ordered. For the first time in the years that she had been here, Virginia heard fear in the older vixen's voice.

Two of the village foxes closed the doors. At least for a moment, the creeping horror outside was cut off from view. Four large male foxes lifted a huge split log and slipped it into the brackets on either side of the door. The doors were barred, but Virginia doubted it would stop the monster outside.

"Will it hold?" a villager yelled.

"You had best pray that it does," Mother Superior Bridgette replied in a shaky voice. "In fact..."

Mother Superior Bridgette turned to all the fearful foxes and ordered them, "Move to the far end of the Sanctuary! Get in the pews and pray as if your Eternal Life depends upon it, because it likely does!"

There was a rush away from the doors. Virginia could hear mothers comforting cubs as well as fearful prayer. Their voices soon faded from her conscience as she watched the door.

There were suddenly three ringing knocks on the doors.

"Open!" what seemed like a multitude of voices called from the other side of the door.

Mother Superior Bridgette took a visible deep breath before gathering herself and replying, "No! This is not a place for those such as you!"

There were three more loud knocks on the door, and the cacophony of voices from the other side called out, "Let me in!"

"No!" Mother Superior Bridgette nearly screamed. Her eyes were a little wild as she stared at the doors. Virginia could not imagine what was on the other side, but it sounded terrifying.

Three more knocks upon the door, and the mélange of voices shrieked, "Give me sanctuary!"

Mother Superior Bridgette covered her ears at the foul sound and screamed, "No!"

There was silence for several seconds.

A low, almost guttural laugh started on the other side of the doors. It grew in intensity and volume.

"Fool!" a single deep voice shouted. "If you had lived up to your own Faith and granted this sinner entry so that I might be redeemed, I would have been powerless to hurt you.

"But now...," the voice trailed off as the laughter returned and was repeated by a throng of hellish voices. They promised great evil to those within the church.

Virginia bowed her head and prayed as hard as she could. Her eyes kept returning to the doors, though.

The doors were old and covered with cracks that let in the cold winter winds. Now, they let in a blood red light that grew as she watched. Desperately, she tried to think of any prayer to turn aside the fear she felt, but her mouth was too dry to speak, and no words came forth. All she could do was silently repeat, "Dear Lord, please protect us!" over and over in her mind and hope that He would hear her desperate pleas and send a miracle to protect them.

The light darkened, and for just a moment Virginia hoped that her prayers had been answered and whatever was on the other side of the door had left, but her hope was a false hope.

There were many screams from the villagers and Sisters as the dark fog entered the Sanctuary through the cracks and under the doors. It flowed not like natural fog but as a living being with purpose. It developed ropes and strands as it seeped past the doors.

And then it became solid.

The dark fog took on the texture of black leather. It was covered with a foul smelling ooze that reminded Virginia of the worst smelling peat bog in the heat of high summer.

The texture and smell of the tentacles emerging from the doors was not what terrified Virginia the most. It was the tips of the tentacles. Upon each was either a single glowing red vulpine eye staring balefully at the foxes inside the Sanctuary or a cruelly formed mouth.

The mouths begam to speak in a discordant voice.

"Ah, it seems that I have all of you now. I shall particularly enjoy feasting upon the bodies and souls of you, Sisters! I always love corrupting 'The Lord's' handmaidens. It is so easy to turn you temple whores, and you taste so delicious."

Mother Superior Bridgette ripped her Crucifix from her neck and held it up between her and the tentacle monster.

"Begone, Foul Demon! In the name of The Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost, I command you to leave this Holy Place and trouble us no more!"

There was a moment of silence as the monster's eyes stared at Mother Superior Bridgette, and then cruel, mocking laughter erupted from what were now hundreds of mouths. Virginia covered her ears, but somehow, she could still hear the words clearly as the monster spoke again.

"Silly Bitch! That only works if you believe in the Trinity!

"But you... You stopped believing long ago. Didn't you?"

The voice decreased to a thousand whispers and said, "All that matters to you now is earthly power. The power to command subordinated. The power to command fear of damnation if any oppose you. The power to determine the fates of all around you. Your 'Faith' is just a tool for you now, isn't it?"

"No!" Mother Superior Bridgette screamed. She covered her ears and yelled, "Stop speaking! Stop lying!"

"Ah, but if it is not a lie, then why does it have power over you?" the whispers asked as more and more tendrils of fog slipped past the protection of the door and solidified into ever more tentacles.

"You have no power over me! Our Lord shall protect us from Evil such as you!" she screamed.

The tentacles recoiled, and for just a second Virginia hoped that Mother Superior Bridgette had turned the tide. Her hoped were dashed as a thousand mouths erupted in deranged laughter. A bevy of eyes gathered in front of Mother Superior Bridgette and stared at her.

"Silly Sow! He did indeed send you help. A protector. One who could turn me aside.

"And you sent him away!"

There were gasps from the assembled foxes. They all stared at the Mother Superior.

"Wha- What?" she asked in confusion.

The mouths derisively laughed together in an unholy chorus.

"Oh, you forget so quickly!" the mouths sneered. "A wandering fox. A minstrel. Or so it would seem. You looked upon him and judged him unworthy. You condemned him without reason and then made everything he did meet your petty stereotype."

The voce took on a cloyingly sweet tone as it continued.

"It was so easy to manipulate you into your own downfall. Pride? That is your greatest sin, and it made it so easy to turn you against your greatest ally!"

Mother Superior Bridgette could only gawk at her accuser. Her mouth opened and closed, but not words came out.

Virginia suddenly found herself at the center of attention of hundreds of eyes.

"And you helped so much as well. I could not turn you to my cause, but I could use your own desires against you. Your desire for companionship. Your desire for someone with whom to talk. Your desire for someone to tell you stories and sing to you. Even your desire for a male to hold you tight to him as you copulated.

"But a few words, a few innuendos, some half-truths and a few suggestions led you to call for Blaspheme. And with that, your sole chance of Redemption and Protection was gone.

"He even told you what would happen, but you and the others would not listen. You all were filled with sin and desires of one type or another.

"All those desires made it so easy to trick all of you into turning away your holy protector!"

The mouths laughed again. It was a cruel, knowing laugh. Thirteen thick tentacles appeared in front of Virginia. They were thicker than the rest. Unlike the others, there was no eye or mouth at the tip. Instead, there was a wide slit.

"Do not worry, though. I will take particular pleasure in ravishing you for all Eternity as part of my revenge upon He who cast me out!"

Long, thick vulpine penises slowly slid from their tentacle sheaths. They grew in length and girth as they attained a humongous erection. Their knots swelled. Their black flesh was covered in some slimy oil. The monster waved them before Virginia and called, "Behold! The instruments of your eternal rape!"

Virginia stared at them openmouthed. She had no words to say. Her mind was blank in terror.

"Oh, yes! I shall indeed enjoy wrapping you in my tentacles and holding you spread wide. Then I shall slide one first into your mouth so that you will not be able to scream.

"Next, one seep into your vagina so that I may fill your womb with my seed.

"Next, one into your anus so that you may feel shame and filth.

"And then a second.

"And a third.

"More.

"And do not worry about those pretty pert breasts or long, fluffy tail. I will have plenty of tentacles and mouths to attend to them as I force your body to climax after climax.

"It shall be such sweet revenge!"

Virginia bowed her head. Bitter tears fell to the ground.

"Oh, Raf! I am so sorry! I wish you could have been the first! I wish you were here now!" she sobbed.

A gentle paw slipped under her jaw and lifted her head up. Standing above her was a grinning Raf staring down at her.

"Wish - or at least one wish! - granted!" he said with an impudent wink.

"Raf!" Virginia exclaimed in shock. She was certain that he had not been in the Sanctuary when the doors closed, yet here he was standing above her now.

Virginia's reaction was nothing compared to that of the monster. Every tentacle recoiled in fear, and the mouth's shrieked in chorus, "You!"

Raphael stood up and stepped past Virginia. Mother Superior Bridgette stared back and forth between him and the tentacles that obscured the doors.

"Greetings, Brother," Raphael said in a calm voice.

"You were banished!" the hellish chorus screamed. "You cannot be here!"

"How can any be barred from the House of Our Father? They can only choose to leave.

"As you did."

The tentacles coiled and uncoiled. Virginia could hear them hissing like enraged snakes.

"I 'chose' to stop being a sycophant and end the ceaseless false adoration."

"False? Not by me at least, Brother," Raphael replied calmly.

"But perhaps you wish to reconsider, Brother. Come inside, and we shall talk."

Raphael strode to the door. The tentacles inexplicably parted to let him pass. Virginia gasped as he casually picked up the heavy log that had required four dog foxes to lift and tossed it aside. He threw open the doors. They banged against the stone of the walls. It was as if the tentacles were not there to obstruct them despite their obvious presence.

Looking past Raphael's left shoulder, Virginia finally saw the source of the horror. A black fox stood at the threshold. He was naked. Thousands of tentacles emerged from his hands like long, thick fingers. She covered her muzzle as she realized that the phallic tentacles that had threatened her erupted from his crotch and that there were more coiled there.

Many more.

Virginia's gaze moved up to the monster's face. She recognized him.

"Lucian?" she asked in disbelief.

"I am Lucifer!" he screamed at her.

The vixen trembled in fear.

Lucifer.

Evil Incarnate.

The Fallen Angel.

The Devil.

"Enough, Brother," Raphael said quietly. "There is no need to scare these Mortals."

Virginia's head turned to Raphael. He stood there as the minstrel, but slowly it seeped into her mind what he was saying.

There were seven Archangels who stood before the Lord.

Michael.

Gabriel.

Uriel.

Selaphiel.

Jegudiel.

Barachiel.

And Raphael.

Suddenly Virginia knew who her minstrel friends truly was.

"I will fill her, and every other mortal here with pure terror!" the mass of mouths shrieked together as they turned into serpent heads. One shot straight at Virginia's face. She could see its wild red eyes. Venom dripped from its fangs. She screamed in horror and expected it to strike her dead, but Raphael reached out and grabbed it mid-strike. There was a glow along the length of the tentacle, and it fell in ashes.

"Enough, Brother!" Raphael said. "There is no need for this.

"Please. Come into the House of Our Father and return to Heaven with me. We will greet you with open arms, Brother."

"Never!" Lucifer screamed. Hundreds of serpent-headed tentacles shot out towards the Sisters and villagers cowering inside the church.

Ethereal wings erupted from Raphael's shoulders and spread wide across the nave. The serpent heads struck with a dull thud and bit whatever they could. Darkness spread across the perfect white of Raphael's wings, and feathers fell like rain. Still, none of the serpents struck Virginia or the others.

Raphael closed his eyes. In a voice filled with sorrow, he said, "Brother, I beseech you. Even if you will not return with me, turn from your chosen path and leave these Mortals alone."

"So that you can fornicate with them?" Lucifer asked cruelly. His lecherous gaze slid from Raphael to Virginia. Even without touching her, he made her feel dirty and unclean.

Raphael sighed.

"Even in the undying light of Our Father's Presence, you never understood love, did you, Brother?" he asked.

"Oh, I understand what you want far better than you, 'Brother'," Lucifer spat back. "To hold her. To couple with her. To-"

"You know lust, Lucifer. You have never understood the physical love of one Mortal for another. You have corrupted it for your own purposes, using it to send Adam and Eve from Eden even.

"But there is nothing sinful about it. It is merely a sharing of souls that brings a new soul forth into existence.

"You know that. You just refuse to accept the truth and instead turn what should be a great goodness into an evil sin in the eyes of Mortals so that you can corrupt them and lead them down into Hell.

"There was no sin here, even by your standards. There was friendship freely offered and accepted. Nothing more."

"Lies! More lies!" Lucifer and his serpents screamed. The heads flashed out. This time they struck Raphael directly. Virginia screamed as she saw bite after bite pour poison into Raphael.

But the Archangel did nothing.

The attack continued for many minutes. When it was done, Lucifer stood on the other side of the threshold panting. Raphael stood just inside the doorway. His body was covered in blood and black vitriol.

"Do you feel it, 'Brother'?" Lucifer asked. "The Corruption. The desires. Feel them grow and take hold, 'Brother'. Soon, you shall be like me!"

Virginia was terrified that Lucifer spoke the truth and that Raphael would Fall.

"No, Brother. I shall not be like you, for I still have the love of Our Father to guide and protect me."

Raphael sighed and closed his eyes.

"Father, You told me that this would come to be, but I had hoped You were wrong, for I do genuinely love my wayward Brother.

"But now I see the path that must be followed. It is hard, but I shall travel it.

"Father, give me strength."

Virginia almost screamed in fear and pain as the entire Sanctuary was filled with the most glorious sound she had ever heard. It was deafening, and yet she wanted to hear more. Dimly she realized it was the Heavenly Host singing. Light streamed through the stained glass above the altar and struck Raphael. The venom sizzled and burnt away into aches. His blood disappeared. He stood there as clean and pure as he had always been.

Raphael raised his paws above his head. He formed his right paw into a fist and flattened his left. Placing his right paw against the palm of his left, he slowly drew them apart.

Virginia gasped. Raphael was forming a sword made of light and fire out of nothing!

"No!" Lucifer screamed. He took a half step forward and almost crossed the threshold of the Sanctuary. Virginia saw his face contort in rage as he realized how close he had come to treading on Holy Ground. His anger was mirrored by his tentacles. They lashed out and struck Raphael's body. This time, though, they erupted in flames as they tried to poison the archangel.

Raphael lowered his arms. Light swirled about his body. Armor made of what appeared to be sunlight covered his torso.

"Bother," Raphael said in a voice that shook the Sanctuary and those within. "Your quarrel is with me. Not these Mortals. Leave them be!"

"Never!" Lucifer screamed. "They are mine now!"

His tentacles shot out towards the Sisters and villagers again. Virginia would have screamed, but Raphael's wings, which were ablaze now, came down and cut the tentacles off before they could strike. The carcasses fell to the floor and burned away leaving only a foul stench.

Virginia for a moment had hope that the battle was over, but she saw more tentacles emerge from all parts of Lucifer's body. She swallowed in fear. How could Raphael defeat this monster, the Devil himself?

Tentacles lashed out again, but the blazing sword in Raphael's hands met them mid-strike and cut them to shreds.

"You cannot win," Lucifer said with a cruel laugh. "I have been practicing and planning for aeons! I am better than you now!

"I have the perfect plan. I knew that He would send you if I threatened His precious Mortals. I planned to corrupt them and convince them to send you away so that you had to watch as I destroyed them and pulled them down into the pits of Hell! Their cries of Eternal Torment would fill your ears for all Eternity!

"But you were a clever fox. You managed to get invited back by that sniveling vixen who has caught your eye.

"But I planned for that as well! I have been thinking every day about how you defeated me. How you humiliated me. How I could defeat you.

"And now I am ready! I will defeat you and take you and your beloved vixen to the very depths of Hell and force you to watch as I corrupt her soul and turn her against you!"

Virginia's body went cold at the fate that Lucifer had planned for her and her immortal soul.

Raphael calmly replied, "Father told me after I defeated you that the battle may have been won, but this was a war for all Eternity. Every day since then I have been training. Training to defend those I love. Training to defeat you.

"Lucifer, you cannot win. Turn aside from this path of destruction and enter into the Love of our Father again!"

"Never!" Lucifer creamed in the voice of a million tortured souls.

"Then so be it, Brother," Raphael replied with grim determination.

The Fallen Angel and Archangel stood battling at the entryway. Neither moved an inch. Lucifer struck with his tentacles, but Raphael's sword and wings burned them into nothingness. Those that did make it through were incinerated when they struck his armor.

Lucifer suddenly shifted his attacks to the kneeling Sisters. While tentacles snaked out to strike them, Lucifer mounted an insidious appeal.

"Come, Sisters! Serve me! I will give you power. Power over those who hate you. Power over the weak cringing behind you. Power without end!

"Stand up! Walk to me! If even one of you crosses the threshold, this cur shall be undone!"

Virginia scowled at the Devil and redoubled her flagging prayers. She heard those around her do the same.

"Come, Mother Superior Bridgette!" Lucifer called. "The power is what you want. Isn't it?"

"Or maybe what you want is immortal life."

"What?" Mother Superior Bridgette asked in shock.

"Oh, come now!" Lucifer said in a cajoling voice. "You have felt the cold of how many Winters? How many of those you knew are gone? Do you think that He will spare you from being reaped like wheat in the Autumn of your life?

"I can stop it. I can give you what you want. Immortality! Come to me! Embrace me!"

Virginia could see Mother Superior Bridgette swaying. Clearly, her Will was weak. Desperately, the Novice prayed for her to have the strength to resist.

"His claim is false." Raphael stated as he destroyed more and more tentacles. "He cannot give you immortality. Immortality lies in your immortal soul, not your mortal body.

"If you go to him, you will die, and so will all the others around you. Your souls will be his, and you will spend Eternity in Hell with him as his plaything."

"He lies!" Lucifer screamed.

"No, Brother. The only one who lies here is you.

"Have you forgotten your own teachings, Mother Superior? What was said about lucifer and his golden tongue?" Raphael asked the older vixen.

Virginia could see the Mother Superior being torn apart by her desires and her fears.

Tears streamed down her face as she dropped to her knees and confessed, "I don't want to die!"

Virginia's jaw dropped as Raphael stopped fighting and turned to the kneeling vixen. Almost casually, he lifted his left arm. A shield of light appeared. It grew to cover the entrance. Virginia could still see the Devil on the other side, but his attacks were thwarted.

Raphael told Mother Superior Bridgette, "We all die to be reborn. Even I. We fear it, and rightfully so, but that does not mean that the promises made by the Son are any less real.

"You will pass as a leaf of a tree passes, but just like that leaf, you shall be reborn. That was Our Father's promise through His Son. It is the Truth. Not what Lucifer says.

"Be strong and resist his siren call. He leads you astray and into Perdition. Only sorrow, woe and terror await you if you betray Our Lord."

Virginia fiercely prayed for her Mother Superior.

"But she has already betrayed her Lord!" a muted voice came from beyond Raphael's shield. "She sent you away! She sent away the Protector sent by her Lord! She is Evil!"

Mother Superior Bridgette gasped and looked up into Raphael's face.

"Is that true? Did I betray Our Lord? Am I... Evil?" she asked.

The kindest look Virginia had ever seen appeared upon Raphael's face.

"No, you are not Evil. You did not betray Our Lord," he told her calmly.

"Even when I sent you away?" she asked.

"Lucifer is not the only one to have plans and plans within plans. I anticipated his actions through you and Virginia. I had faith that Virginia would bring me to this place at this time.

"I allowed what happened to happen. The blame rests only with me. You are Absolved in this matter."

The look of relief on Mother Superior Bridgette 's face was mirrored by the screams of anger from Lucifer. Her resolve strengthened, as did those of the Sisters and villagers.

"What can I do?" she asked in a voice filled with wonder.

"Pray for me, Mother Superior, and give me strength," Raphael responded.

Virginia saw her bow her head and heard her begin to recite Psalm 23. The other Sisters and even some of the villagers took it up.

_"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul" he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."_

Virginia expected the Devil to retreat before the power of Raphael and the resolve of the Mortals within the Sanctuary, but he still had one last gambit. The black fog returned. It filled the atrium. It slid over the walls and roof of the Sanctuary. It could not get past Raphael's shield, but it found all the chinks and gaps in the walls, windows, and shutters of the Sanctuary. It began to fill the room. Instinctively, the villagers flocked to Raphael and his protection.

The dense black fog billowed up. It found the light still pouring in from the stained glass. There was a burning noise, and the fog turned to smoke, but it did not stop. It rose to block the Heavenly Light and render Raphael defenseless. Beyond the stained glass, tendrils of fog could be seen covering the exterior of the glass as well.

Slowly the light faded until it was gone. The only source of illumination was Raphael's wings, sword, and armor.

Virginia began to cry. The battle was lost.

"Why so many tears, sweet Virginia?" Raphael asked as he wiped away the tears from her face.

"It is over. We have lost. Oh, Raf!" she cried as she grabbed his legs and sobbed.

"Even she knows the truth. You have lost! I look forward to tormenting your putrid soul for the rest of Eternity!" Lucifer crowed in triumph.

Raphael just smiled. He stepped away from Virginia to stand again at the threshold.

"Have you wondered why I chose to be a traveling troubadour, Lucifer? Have you forgotten how our last battle ended so quickly?" he asked the black fox.

Virginia was shocked to see surprise and even fear appear on the Devil's face.

"Ah, comprehension begins to dawn, Brother, but it is too late. You have used up your powers. You have not been able to turn one Mortal.

"And now, it is my time, Brother," Raphael proclaimed.

Raphael's shield disappeared, and he sheathed his sword. He lifted his paws to his muzzle. A long straight trumpet made of pure light appeared.

Raphael blew his horn.

There was a massive outrush of wind, noise and light that deafened and dazed all except for Raphael. The fog was torn asunder and dissipated by the massive wave. The Sun came forth as the black clouds overhead disappeared.

Lucifer was brought to his knees as the power of Raphael's horn laid him low.

Virginia thought she would never be able to hear again, but she heard Raphael's stern words clearly.

"Brother, you have turned your back upon Our Lord and His Love. You have sown fear, despair, and ruin. You have threatened these Mortals."

The trumpet disappeared.

"Our Lord cast you down into the depths of Hell for your treachery. I cast you down again for what you have done here today!" Raphael's voice thundered.

Raphael drew his sword again but did not strike Lucifer as he cowered in fear. Instead, thrust it straight downward. It easily penetrated the stones of the floor.

A crack appeared. It grew out from the shining blade towards Lucifer. He tried to rise and flee, but the crack outraced him and cut him off.

From beneath the earth, the stench of brimstone rose through the cracks. An unearthly reddish light began to emerge and shoot straight up. There were trembles in the ground that grew steadily stronger. Despite being built on solid bedrock and a foundation that had stood for two centuries, the ground begam to crumble and fall away until Lucifer was left on a small island of cobblestones surrounded by nothing but air. His black body was turned red by the light coming from below.

Virginia looked down and saw Hell.

"Brother, for all that you have done, I have every right to cast you down to your prison again, but I beseech you! Please, come home with me! You are still loved, and you will be welcome," Raphael implored Lucifer.

Lucifer stood and brushed off his fur. The tentacles disappeared. They were replaced by the stubs of blackened wings. The fine leather garments appeared and covered his body. He reached out, and his hat appeared out of thin air. He gave it a quick brushing before placing it upon his head.

"Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven, 'Brother'," Lucifer told Raphael calmly.

Lucifer stepped off his platform. Virginia watched as he fell. He grew smaller and smaller as he seemed to fall forever.

"I am sorry, Father. I could not bring my Brother home with me," Virginia heard Raphael whisper. She was shocked to see tears streaming down his angelic face. He was honestly sorry about what he had done to his brother and fellow angel.

Raphael stood and sighed. He pulled his sword out of the ground. The portal to Hell disappeared leaving behind only the same stones that had been there since the convent was first built.

Raphael turned to the altar and went down to one knee. He grounded the tip of his sword and clasp the guard on either side of the grip. He bowed his head and spoke to the light again streaming in from behind Virginia.

"It is done, My Lord. Lucifer shall not threaten these Mortals again.

"Thank you, Father, for giving me the courage and perseverance to endure and prevail in this battle."

There was a pause, and then Raphael added. "I am sorry that I was too weak to bring my wayward Brother home to us."

There was a change in the sound filling Virginia's ears. There seemed to be a note of sadness for just a moment, and then the sound and light were gone along with Raphael's sword and armor. Once again, he looked like the scruffy traveling minstrel that she had first seen.

Except for the vestigial white wings upon his back.

Raphael stood and looked past the kneeling Sisters. Virginia was too dazed and afraid to stand in the presence of an archangel, but she did look over her shoulder. The villagers were looking at Raphael in wide-eyed fear from where they had fled when the archangel had opened the door to Hell.

"Come. Join us. You have nothing to fear," he bade them.

The villagers remained where they were.

"There is no need to be afraid of me," he told them again. "I am far more Raf than Raphael."

Slowly, the villagers approached. Several whimpered in fear. Regardless of how he looked now, the fox standing at the threshold had just cast the Devil down into Hell before their eyes. It was not something that anyone could lightly ignore.

The villagers knelt behind the Sisters. He smiled at them kindly. The slightly roguish look returned to his eyes. Incongruently, Virginia heard a bird start to sing from just beyond the walls of the convent.

In a low voice filled with love, Raphael comforted the Mortals before him.

"There is no need to fear me or Our Father. My Bother, Lucifer, is gone and cannot harm you. It will be centuries before he regains his strength, thanks in no part to you."

A village Elder called out, "And we are just supposed to ignore what happened? Pretend that everything is fine and a battle between Good and Evil was not fought before us?"

A smile played across Raphael's muzzle.

"Something like that, though you will find it far easier to do than you expect."

Raphael extended his wings. A luminous vapor emerged from them and filled the Sanctuary in seconds. It felt like being enveloped in the finest of down or cloth.

"Sleep now, and remember nothing," Virginia heard Raphael say.

Everyone around Virginia except Mother Superior Bridgette slowly slumped over. They floated on the cloud that Raphael had created. As Virginia watched, they slowly faded into nothingness.

"What have you done to them?" Mother Superior Bridgette demanded. Virginia was surprised to hear her talk to an angel in that manner, but she had the same question herself.

"I have sent them home. They will awaken in their beds and think that they have merely overslept. They will not even question that all of them have done so," Raphael replied. "They will remember nothing. They will be Blessed by Our Father with long and good lives for what has happened.

"But that does bring us to you."

Raphael cocked his head and looked at Mother Superior Bridgette. While he still smiled kindly, there was also a hint of steel in his gaze. The older vixen trembled in fear.

"You are afraid to die, are you not?" Raphael asked. "So much so that you were almost ready to accept the Devil's offer."

Mother Superior Bridgette ducked her head and replied fearfully, "Yes."

"Had you succumbed to Lucifer's call, you would be dead by now and your soul reaped by him.

"As it is, you did not answer his entreaty, and you are alive. You will remain so for some time. However, in the fullness of your days, you will be called to Heaven. There is no need to fear this. You will be welcomed, and you will know the joy that true service can bring.

"But at the same time, you must learn. That is why you shall have a long life.

"Greed.

"Envy.

"Pride.

"Wrath.

"You have shown all of them towards Virginia and others. You will need to learn more about Charity, Gratitude, Humility, and Patience. You will have the time to do so and some unexpected teachers along the way."

Raphael reached out a paw and cupped the Mother Superior's face.

"Do not fear, Child. Your path is clear, and we shall not let you stray.

"But for now, it is time for you to sleep as well."

Mother superior Bridgette blinked her eyes. She fought to stay awake, but she soon yawned. Her eyes closed, and she slumped onto the waiting clouds behind her. She lay suspended above the ground for several seconds, and then her body disappeared like the others had before.

Virginia was alone in the Sanctuary with Raphael.

She looked up at him as he walked over to stand before her. He stared down at her with the same smile she had seen on his face for the past few days. Light and joy filled his eyes.

"My Lord-

"Archangel-

"Sir-"

No matter how she tried, none of the words seemed to fit him.

"Oh, Raf!" she exclaimed as she leaped to her feet and hugged him as hard as she could.

Raphael's strong arms wrapped around her body, and she felt his wings encircle her. She put her head on his chest and close her eyes. It was genuinely like being in Heaven standing there in his arms.

They held each other for several minutes. No words were spoken, but there was no need for them. Each knew the love that the other had for them.

Virginia broke the silence by saying, "Take me with you."

Raphael gently stroked her back and replied, "Ah, but dearest Virginia, it is not yet your time."

"I don't care!" she insisted. "All I want is to be with you."

Raphael gently turned her face to look up at him. A light started to glow around them.

"I feel the same way, Love, but that does not change that you have much left to do here."

"Please...," she begged as the light grew. She could barely see the Sanctuary walls now. She heard a low sound growing around her now as well.

"No, Virginia. Like Mother Superior Bridgette, it is not your time either. You have much work to do, including teaching her. Many lives will be brightened by your presence.

"But know that I shall never be far from you," he told her as he kissed her full on the lips. The sound and the light overwhelmed her senses, and consciousness and memories faded away.

The last thing she heard was a whispered, "Always"

Virginia walked along the forest path. The bright Sun warmed the Autumn air. She looked up at the trees in all their colorful glory and thought how beautiful and blessed that the day was.

She recalled some nebulous fears from earlier that year, but she could never quite put her finger on what they were. All she could think about was how glorious the day was and how much fun the harvest festival would be.

The young vixen's ears perked up. She turned her head back and forth. The sound of a guitar was coming from the path ahead. For some reason, it called her to it.

Virginia walked along the seldom used path quickly until she came to a fox strumming a strange melody on his guitar. She knew she had never heard it, but for some reason it sounded so familiar. Silently she sat at his feet and listened. The smile on her face broadened for no apparent reason.

When the fox finished playing, Virginia clapped to show her appreciation.

"That was wonderful!" she exclaimed.

"My name is Virginia," she added.

A strange, knowing smile flashed across the fox's muzzle for just an instant.

"Yes, I know," he said cryptically as he began another song.