"Is it your wounds?"

"No, I have questions for him."

"Very well," she said, "but let's wrap things up here first."

It took till noon to finish at the shop, and they left with the promise that the clothes would be completed by the end of the week. They stepped out into the sun just as a knight rode past. Athgar instinctively jumped back, his hand going to his axe.

"Relax," said Natalia, "have you never seen a horse before?"

"Before I came here, I had only seen them once, and that was when my village was attacked."

"Then I can understand your nervousness, but you'll have to get used to them. They're all over the place. Now come along, we have to find the Church of Saint Mathew."

Their objective was easy enough to find, for it lay at the intersection of two major roads. They entered to find Brother Ambrose kneeling at the altar. Natalia suggested they wait and so they sat in the pews until such time as his vigil ended.

The Holy Brother rose from the altar and was about to leave when he spotted them. Changing direction, he drew closer, until he was standing before them.

"Ah, the patient is looking much fitter, I see."

"I am, thank you," said Athgar.

"It is the will of Saint Mathew," he said, "he watches over us all."

"Blessed are we to be under his gaze," said Natalia, "but we are not here to talk of the Saints, at least not Mathew."

"You have me intrigued," said Brother Ambrose. "If not Mathew, then who? There are only six in total, you know, unless you count the lesser saints.

“Tell me about these saints,” said Athgar, “I’m having some difficulty keeping them straight.”

“Well,” began Brother Ambrose, “the Church recognizes six sects within its structure.”

“Sects?” asked the Therengian.

“Yes, orders if you will. Each has a different calling within the church. Take the Brothers of Saint Mathew, for instance, our main purpose is to help the sick and poor.”

“That’s why you helped me,” said Athgar, “though I understand it involved a donation on Natalia’s part.”

“Yes,” continued Ambrose, “although we provide for the sick and poor, we still need donations to keep our missions going.”

“And what about these other sects?” Athgar pressed.

“Well, we have the Sisters of Saint Agnes, they primarily concern themselves with the well-being of women. Our own order often works closely with them.”

“And the Cunars?” pressed the Therengian.

“They are the fighting arm of the Church,” explained Ambrose.

“I’m confused,” said Athgar, “don’t the other orders have Temple Knights?”

“They do, but their normal responsibility is to safeguard the houses of their respective orders. Thus a Temple Knight of Saint Mathew would guard the church that bears our blessed saviour's name.”

“And, I assume,” said Athgar, “that the sisters look after any temple to Saint Agnes?”