"I have to get this right," he responded, "or it'll be both our necks in the noose."

"Actually," offered Cyric, "it would be a chopping block, not a noose."

"Truly?" asked Athgar.

"Yes," said Cyric, "the Church is quite clear on such things. Remember, you'll be in the fortress. That's considered Church property, not part of the city. That means Church law will take priority."

"And the penalty for impersonating a member of the Church is...?"

"Beheading," completed Cyric, "but I doubt it'll come to that."

"How can you be so sure?" asked Natalia. "After all, your neck's not in danger."

"I can assure you it is," replied the knight, "perhaps even more so than yours."

"Explain yourself," said Athgar, "I'm not understanding."

"You two can leave once this is over," said Cyric, "while I'll have to remain and explain my actions."

"Fair enough," said Natalia. She kissed Athgar, "There, that's for good luck, now let's try again, shall we?" She sat down, the better to watch him.

"May the blessings of the Saints be upon you," he said, his voice crisp and clear.

"Very good," said Cyric, "you're getting much better at this. Now, you try Natalia, and remember, you're supposed to be dedicated to Saint Agnes. That means you tend to be devoid of emotion when you speak."

"Are you telling me," asked Natalia, "that these women have to show no emotions?"

"Not at all," Cyric revealed, "but they try not to show emotion in public. None of the orders do, actually."

"Why is that?" she asked.

"They want to be taken seriously in the role of warrior monks. In private they're just regular people."

"Who don't have sex!" added Natalia.

Cyric blushed, "Well, that is one of our vows."

"Not at all?" asked Athgar.

"Theoretically," said Cyric, "though there are often those who stray."

"And that includes the women? I'm glad I'm not really one of those."

"So am I," added Athgar.

"Actually," said Cyric, "women are allowed to leave the order at any time to either marry or have children. They can rejoin later if they wish, though they'd have to renounce their marriage."

"And how often does that occur?" asked Natalia. "I would think it rare."

"Not as rare as you might think. I knew a sister once that left to get married. She rejoined years later after her husband died."

"I didn't think you were that old," said Natalia.

Cyric laughed, "I didn't know her when she was a sister the first time, only after she rejoined the order."

"Is it strange for sisters and brothers to travel together?" asked Natalia. "I would think the Church would frown on it. After all, you'd be putting men and women together, something's bound to happen."