Strength in Service/Saul: Loving Shepherd

Saul: Loving Shepherd - C

Saul	I am grateful that the divine has seen fit to bring me into contact with such a charming young lady as you.
The divine? Niðavellir doesn’t bother with any of that. We rely on seiðjárn technology instead.		Reginn
Saul	Is that so? In that case, perhaps you would be curious to learn a little about Saint Elimine. She is quite popular among young ladies like you—said to grant the wishes of all who pray to her.
I don’t really get what you’re saying. Whatever it is, though, I can tell you it doesn’t interest me. Sorry, bye!		Reginn
Saul	I would be happy to explain it! Ah, no use. What a strange metal steed she rode away on...
In a hurry to escape you, was she? My condolences.		Azama
Saul	Ah...yes, I am sorry you had to see that. Fortune does not favor me today, it would seem.
Oh, no need to apologize to me. I was just enjoying the spectacle. I’ve never seen a holy man using his faith to court a woman. You must be very brave.		Azama
Saul	I would thank you, but I get the sense that was not a compliment. May I ask who you are, exactly?
My name is Azama. I’m a simple monk, not unlike you. Although, to be frank, the idea of a personal divinity is kind of ridiculous to me. Anyway, I’ve been looking for you.		Azama
Saul	Have you, now...

Saul: Loving Shepherd - B

Saul	You said you were looking for me. May I ask why?
I noticed some posters being put up around the castle. These are yours, aren’t they? “Come, one and all! Pledge yourself to Saint Elimine and all of your problems will be solved!” “A limited-time offer you will not want to miss! Speak to Father Saul of the Eliminean church for details.”		Azama
Saul	Yes, those are mine. I suppose you came here to fill Bishop Yoder’s role of lecturing me, then?
Oh, I don’t know who this is. This Saint Elimine must be someone very special, though. Since she can grant any wish, I was thinking I could join up and ask her to make me a better healer.		Azama
Saul	I see. Well, there is just one problem with that. I have no interest in teaching the faith of Saint Elimine to a man.
...		Azama
Saul	I find I have a far better rapport with women, so I am only accepting ladies as followers. Sorry to mislead you.
But I’m a lost soul asking for your aid! You’re really going to turn me away?		Azama
Saul	Whatever you are actually after here, I get the distinct sense you are not nearly so lost as you are letting on. But we are in a world of endless possibilities. Perhaps another version of you is a charming young lady? If so, I would happily admit her into the faith. Until then, however, I am afraid I cannot help you. So long.
Hmm. You’d think he’d at least be a little happy to have a new devotee, even if it were a man. No one with real spiritual conviction picks and chooses followers based on something like that. I don’t think this fellow’s faith is genuine at all...		Azama

Saul: Loving Shepherd - A

Saul	Are you actually calling my faith into question? I assure you, regardless of what you might say, I am a priest. Saint Elimine brings hope and light to the world, and I am proud to be her servant.
Then why not share that hope and light with me?		Azama
Saul	“Those who blindly follow scripture and ignore their hearts are puppets. The true gift from above is free will.” Those are the words of Saint Elimine. They are words I live by. When I choose how and to whom I preach, I am exercising my free will.
I guess that’s one way to look at what you’re doing.		Azama
Saul	What about you? Practically begging to cast aside one faith for another— is that piety, in your view?
Oh, I’m not pious at all. The only reason I’m even a monk is that my family maintains a shrine.		Azama
Saul	You could at least have the decency not to smile when you admit that.
Preaching is nothing more than sharing wisdom and knowledge. I like the feeling of capturing people’s hearts. I enjoy it when my sermon puts a twinkle in someone’s eye. Nothing about that requires me to believe in anything.		Azama
Saul	I cannot imagine a worse priest than you.
Fascinating! I was thinking precisely the same thing, but about you! So, since we have so much in common, why not teach me all about Saint Elimine?		Azama
Saul	Well...
Ah! Healers! Perfect timing—you two are exactly what we need!		Merlinus
Saul	Merlinus? You seem distraught. Has something happened?
The mountain village to the west has been attacked by bandits. There have been many injuries. I am about to get a wagon and make my way there. Would you be willing to lend a hand?		Merlinus
Saul	It sounds urgent. Yes, of course.
I’ll come along as well. May we ride with you?		Azama
Merlinus	Oh, thank you so much! Yes, come with me, and we will depart with all haste!

Saul: Loving Shepherd - S

Saul	There, that should do it. Get some rest, and you will be fine. Next? Ah... That looks painful. Allow me to call upon Saint Elimine to take care of it. Looks like things are beginning to settle down on my end. How about you, Azama?
I’m Kamui, Merlinus’s escort. If you’re looking for the monk, he went that way.		Kamui
Saul	Of course. My mistake—the two of you just look so much alike... That was awkward. But all men look alike to me, so I suppose I was telling the truth...
Saul	Is that Azama over there?
There you are, Father. I’d give you a compliment on your work today, but I want to hear one from you first.		Azama
Saul	Haha... All right, if you insist. You’ve obviously done very well.
And you’re a more gifted healer than I expected, if I’m honest. You saw to an impressive number of patients. Interesting that a cavalier approach to religion doesn’t hinder the help you seem to get from your divine.		Azama
Saul	I told you already that I actually take my faith quite seriously. As we have established, I value my free will very much. That is why I do not follow scripture blindly. I connect with the divine in my own unique way.
I suppose it’s a matter of perspective.		Azama
Saul	Considering your perspective on belief, I am surprised you have the ability to heal anyone at all. Yet I must admit your patients were as happy with your treatment as they would be with divinity itself.
It’s our duty to solve the problems we encounter. No deity is going to solve them for us. But if religious teachings can help bring people peace of mind, I’ll use them without hesitation.		Azama
Saul	Since you have such a gift for putting people’s minds at ease, it would be a shame if you chose not to use it. For my part, I borrow the power of Saint Elimine for the same reason— even if it is only to benefit women.
Still no plans to share your faith with a man, I see. But there is something you should know about me. Regardless of my perspective on belief, as you put it, I do still follow my religion’s teachings.		Azama
Saul	Of course. Forgive my presumption. Come to think of it, you are in service to the eldest princess of Hoshido, are you not?
Yes, although it came to be that way largely by coincidence. Dare I ask why you want to know?		Azama
Saul	I just think it would be wonderful if I could have the opportunity to share the faith of Saint Elimine with her. Would you consider arranging a little meeting for me? Over tea, perhaps?
I understand that your Saint Elimine prizes free will. Really, I do. Even so, I have to wonder what she might say about your behavior...		Azama

Scenario
← Melady		Dorothy →
Strength in Service
Fir	Saul	Dorothy	Noah

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