A World of Ash: The Territory 3 Read Online Free PDF Page A

infallible. She feigned interest in the details of the Wall for much longer than was necessary just so she could keep her face turned away from Provost and those residents of Alice who passed them by while she allowed herself a grimace of pain.
    “Are you well, Your Holiness?” Provost asked, moving to stand beside her.
    High Priestess Patricia flattened her face into an emotionless mask before turning back, adding a brief smile as she said, “Yes, I’m fine thank you, Provost.”
    “Shall we continue then?”
    The High Priestess nodded while trying to think of what excuse she could use to return to the cathedral. “Please,” she said, indicating with her hand for Provost to lead the way. She took three steps before she was forced to stop. Pain shot from her left hip and her knee gave out below her. Before she could catch herself she had bent forward. An involuntary moan of pain escaped her lips.
    “Your Holiness?” Clergy-General Provost said, grabbing her arm. “Are you all right?”
    The High Priestess pushed his hand away as she forced herself to rise, glancing around to see how many people had seen her stumble. A few passers-by had turned to look, as well as some workers from the Wall. When they realized who she was they quickly turned back to their own business.
    “I’m fine, Provost,” she said again, brushing her long white dress flat against her legs.
    “Your Holiness,” Provost said, his voice low, “if you don’t mind my saying, I have noticed you’ve been struggling lately.”
    Patricia turned to glare at Provost. She took a sharp breath through her nose. She didn’t say anything but she could tell from the general’s face that she didn’t need to.
    “I’m sorry, Your Holiness,” Provost said. “I spoke out of turn.”
    The High Priestess sighed. “No,” she said, keeping her voice low. “No, Provost, that’s all right. There are very few people I can be completely honest with. Perhaps we all need that. I have been in a lot of pain. Walking is becoming more difficult every day.”
    “Have you seen a doctor?” Provost asked.
    “Yes, yes,” High Priestess Patricia said. “I’ve seen a doctor, more than one. They’ve given me ointments and tonics and a cane.”
    “Perhaps you should use the cane,” Provost said, “if it helps.”
    “I can’t,” Patricia said. “You must see, Provost, that I cannot appear weak – the Church cannot appear weak – to anyone, not now.”
    “People would understand, Your Holiness,” Clergy-General Provost said. “You’re …” He let his voice trail off.
    “Old?” the High Priestess said, seeing the slight color of embarrassment flush the general’s cheeks. “Yes, I am. It’s no secret, Provost, but people will take any weakness I display as a sign of weakness in the Church. I am the embodiment of the Church. Especially now, when things are so close to the end, we cannot provide any excuse for dissent.” The High Priestess went quiet for a moment, reflecting. “I do not know how much longer I will be capable of acting in this role,” she said. “I do not know how much longer God plans for me to be on this earth. But I will not go until this is done. My legacy will be the redemption of the Territory.”
    Clergy-General Provost nodded.
    “I hope I can trust my revelations to remain undisclosed.”
    Clergy-General Provost nodded again. “Of course, Your Holiness. You can have full confidence in me.”
    “Good,” the High Priestess said. “Now, tell me, what plans have you for the workers now the Wall is complete?”
    “Once they’ve finished removing the scaffolding they will begin training with the Holy Order, preparing to fight the ghouls once those outside the city are purged.”
    “Excellent.”
    The High Priestess looked back toward the Great Gate and the remains of the Supreme Court that stood, or had stood, opposite it.
    “And the search for the Administrator?”
    “Ongoing,” Provost said. “I assure you we’re