"Not at all," said Cyric. "The Sisters of Saint Agnes look after women, while brothers of my order look after the sick and poor, including women, so you can see how their responsibilities overlap. Historically, our two orders have always cooperated, much more so than the others."

Natalia pulled at her dress, a simple cassock of scarlet. Over this, she wore the surcoat of the order. "It's rather a coarse material," she complained. "Can't I wear a nice cotton shift underneath?"

"No," said Cyric, "if anyone were to notice, you'd be recognized as a fake."

"How about you, Athgar," she asked, "is yours any better?"

"I must confess, I agree with you," said the Therengian.

"You'll get used to it," promised Cyric. "It actually gets more comfortable once you stop thinking about it. The material will also soften with use.”

“I must say I feel a bit naked without a weapon,” said Athgar.

“That’s easy enough to fix,” said Cyric, “you can carry your axe.”

“Are you telling me that brothers can carry weapons?” the Therengian said in surprise.

“The axe is the symbol of our order,” Cyric continued, “it’s not uncommon for even lay brothers to carry them. Just tuck it into your belt, no one will pay any attention to it.”

“I must have left mine on the ship, I'm afraid,” Athgar said. “The last time I saw it, it was embedded in a pirate.”

“Here,” offered Cyric, “take mine. I have a spare back at the mission.”

Athgar tucked it into his belt, “That feels much better.”

“Good,” said Cyric, “now you look every inch the lay brother. Let's go over the plan one more time, shall we? You start, Athgar."

"You and I will approach the barbican as two fellows of Saint Mathew," said the Therengian.

"Brothers," corrected Cyric.

"Yes, that's right," Athgar agreed, "brothers. Natalia will be just behind us."

"Yes," continued Natalia, "close enough to arrive at the same time, but far enough away that I don't look like I'm with you."

"Good," said Cyric. "Now, once we announce ourselves we'll be waved through, I've arranged as much with the Archprior."

"How did you manage that?" asked Athgar.

"I owe him a report," said Cyric.

"Isn't that likely to arouse suspicion?" asked Natalia. "After all, couldn't you have just sent the report?"

"No," defended Cyric. "When I last saw him, I promised a report of some goings-on. It concerns something of great import to the Church that they wouldn't want to get out. Now, back to the plan. What do you do at the gate, Natalia?"

"I tell the guards I'm here to see Mistress Druina," she said, "whoever that is."

"For Saint's sake," uttered Cyric, "how many times do I have to tell you, she's the regional commander of your order."

"You're pushing too hard," said Athgar. “You need to give her more time."