Stjepan saw Bishop Fenwick of Gloucester and spoted free place to sit next to him. Stjepan walked there and sat next to him and said:

"I am Bishop Stjepan of Croatia. I hope you don't mind me sitting next to you, but I see hope in your words, and will to finaly do something for good of entire Catholic world."

"Please feel free", said Bishop Fenwick gesturing at the seat beside him. "I am most pleased to make your acquaintance, Bishop Stjepan. I noticed you in the reception line, when you were introduced to His Eminence, Camerlengo Norbert Valentin.

I am Bishop Fenwick of Gloucester and the representative at the conclave of the Catholic Church in England, as you no doubt just heard me say in my speech.

Indeed, indeed something must be done."

Just then a young clerk made his way toward Bishop Fenwick and handed him a parchment. "Ah, I see my secretary has found the list I asked him for, a most capable young man I've got there.

Now let me see, I asked for a list of all the Bishops and Cardinals who have a vote in this conclave. Hm, hm, yes you were unable to discover the names of the Bishops and Cardinals I see and instead provided me with a list of the rulers of the Catholic nations. Well, that will do in a pinch I suppose.

Antioch and Prince Hugh of Montfort already announced that a Bishop was coming to the Vatican? And then the Bishop disappeared on route? That is most tragic, but I trust Antioch will be able to find a replacement.

Then we have Aragon with Joan of Aragon as Rey and he wanted to go on crusade or a pilgrimage to the Holy Land you noted? Well, he might even pass through Rome on his way then and if we are very lucky might even have a clergyman of sufficient rank amongst his retinue.

Bavaria is ruled by Queen Myrkira, the Bavarians were ever said to be devout Catholics, I cannot understand, why nothing was heard from Bavaria.

Next we have Burgundy with Grand Duke Evian de Terre

Castile with King Demonium - what were his parents thinking to name him which such a demonic name? I hope the Castilians are praying for their king, suffering under such an handicap.

Kralj Borna of Croatia has already done his duty by aiding your travels to Rome your Excellency" - Bishop Fenwick shortly looked up from his list to Bishop Stjepan, then turned back to the parchment.

"England's own monarch, Queen Elizabeth de Loraine was most kind and helpful in aiding my travels to Rome.

The Finns are ruled by Noaidi Jessica vom Greifenstein and you noted here in the margin that she sent a threatening letter to Camerlengo Nobert Valentin? She accused him of insolent behaviour? What on earth could a man of the Church have done to cause a maiden such outrage?" Bishop Fenwick cast a worried glance in the direction of the Cardinal, who however seemed to remain oblivious to his surroundings. "Well, since she seems a most warlike young maiden, I suppose she will be able to defend her own honor.

Now, France is ruled by King Black Raven and you need not tell me, I have recently heard myself that he has declared himself to be a wizard." Bishop Fenwick frowned down at the parchment. "Indeed, I can only hope that that was a misguided attempt at humor and not something more serious, in either case, such conduct is entirely unbecoming to a Catholic monarch. One sees what becomes of our Holy Mother Church as soon as firm guidance is absent, the Church is held in contempt, God's commandments are ignored." Bishop Fenwick shook his head and looked, as though he might have expanded further on the subject, but then recalled himself to the purpose at hand.

"Italy is ruled by King Rhodry and right next to Rome, I can't think what has prevented a clergyman from Italy from arriving already.

Leon, ruled by King Caffrey is threatened by civil unrest, peasant uprisings and the divine right of the king's rulership is in danger of being overthrown by the peasantry you wrote?" He rhetorically asked his secretary. "Well under those circumstances I suppose we can't expect a representative from Leon.

The Pechenegs are ruled by King zz, zz, Z-b-y-s-z-k-o z B-o-g-d-a-n-c-a? Good grief, what a tongue twister. I hope I will never meet that king and be expected to actually pronounce that mouthful.

Poland is ruled by King Maria Leszczynska? Surely you mean Queen?"
"No, it was especially noted that anyone who did not want to give offense to Poland should address the ruler as King and not Queen," said the secretary.
"Hm, what strange customs foreigners have," mused Bishop Fenwick.

"Saxony is ruled by King Wikerus von Holstein, a bastion of chivalry in the heart of Europe, Sword and Shield of the Lord they call themselves, but where is their Bishop?

Scotland and King Marcus de Wolfe announced that a Scottish Bishop would come to Rome. But he is not here yet is he?" Bishop Fenwick looked about him, but could not discover any person, who looked particularly Scottish.

"And, as last delinquent on our list, we have Smolensk and Prince Appo."

Bishop Fewick turned to Bishop Stjepan beside him. "What on earth is keeping all those Bishops and Cardinals of those nations? Why are the monarchs or those nations not fulfilling their duty and helping them to travel to Rome?

Do you know any of the clergy of your neighbouring countries?"

It's the first time when William Lindsay leave Immaculate Conception, Jedburgh to travel further than Edinburgh or Glasgow.
The message that he was anointed as Archbishop of St. Andrews & Edinburgh found him on the field. This is the way Lindsay use to help the people, more than with words.

The travel was long and not without dangers, the lands are ravaged by wars and he found himself stuck a few times for many days before finding the directions, even arrested once as possible spy.

He have nothing else to prove his identity than the old seal of Jedburg parish.
The message was quite clear: he should start his journey without any delay and reach Rome as soon as possible. He left behind the official letters of introducing him and the archbishop seal for the time he will be back in Edinburgh.

The assembling hall was not populated as Lindsay expected or the bishops was not there at the moment. He look for a familiar face and by chance heard somebody speaking with english accent:

Let me introduce myself: William Lindsay, Jedburgh vicar's and recently Archbishop of St. Andrews & Edinburgh. I hope I'm not too late. Can you tell me what's going on here, brother?

Bishop Stjepan paid big attention to report Bishop Fenwick read. He noticed some things he might have influence on.

"I will immediately send message to King Borna about situation with Italian bishop. King Borna and King Rhodry are in excelent relations. They fought many wars together and they consider them selfs brothers. I hope King Borna will manage to archive something.


About King Black Raven I can't say anything, nor about his bishop, nor can I do anything about other not present bishops here. But I will make sure King Borna conact King Rhodry concerning this."



Moment after Bishop Stjepan told what he had to say, new person entered the hall...

"I hope you are right Bishop Stjepan and your efforts will meet with success. Archbishop James of Canterbury only recently sent me a letter informing me of the latest developments in England and I hear that a tournament is planned in England, where King Borna and King Rhodry are also expected. So your messenger may have to travel farther than usual, but for this worthy cause God will surely speed him on his way," said Bishop Fenwick.

Bishop Fenwick was still lost in reflections on the difficulty of long distance travels and so hardly noticed the entrance of a new person in the Papal Audience Hall.

But when a clergyman in plain clothing approached him and introduced himself as the Scottish Archbishop, Bishop Fenwick roused himself.

"Archbishop Lindsay I am honored to make your acquaintance. I am Bishop Fenwick of Gloucester and you see here beside me Bishop Stjepan of Croatia. We were just discussing the absence of several Bishops, Archbishops and Cardinals, who should be attending this convocation. I am pleased to see that one more Archbishop has now arrived in time to participate in the conclave."

Bishop Fenwick looked at Archbishop Lindsay, who was dressed so plainly that he might have been mistaken for a common parish priest. Well, he had said that he had only recently been elevated to bishopric rank. "If you will permit me the liberty, please allow me to send out my secretary, to find you some apparel in accordance with your rank and particularly a mitre, so people will not doubt your right to be here. Though it is a great failing, even men of God have been known to pay overmuch attention to the outward trappings and worldly proofs of rank and station, it seems best to avoid any confusions in this regard.

Now, about the absent clergy from several other Catholic nations, do you happen to have any connections to clergymen from other countries?"

Oh, you are speaking about my kilt? Do you think it's inappropriate? God heavens, I use to keep all my preaches wearing the kilt, except the Sunday one and nobody think in the whole Immaculate Conception parish that is inappropriate.

"Why Englishmen always think they know what is appropriate? Oh, they have rules for everything."

But as you wish, the miter won't do with the kilt I guess..
About connections, my only connection was with God and the people from Jedburgh.

If they don't respond to the church call, they have lost their way and are not in the service of God anymore. There isn't anything more important that the flock get a shepherd, in the way Jesus Christ is teaching us.

William Lindsay at your service!

With these words he bow and follow Bishop Fenwick secretary to find appropriate clothing.

The Grand Sister of the "Order Of The Holy Virginity" was sitting on the coach box next to the bavarian Bishop Benjamin (called Little Ben because he was only 6 feet tall).

Little Ben: Yes, sister, it is absolutely necessary to have more souvenier-shops next to our place of pilgrimige. But now let us concentrate on our task here in Rome. No, we don't want to build a "Lovely-Woman-Cathedral" in Munich, maybe later.

When they reached the vaticanian stables, Ben left the talkative sister behind with the horses, the carriage and the luggage. He was on the way to meet the highest clerics from all over the Christian Wold.

Little Ben silently talking to hinselve: Here I am now just like my father so many years ago. Only God knows that I am the son of Big Ben McBeans...God and cousin Beansbeard knows.

Bishop Farhad from Aragon arrives in Rome, where the Conclave is in session. He walks wide eyed through the streets and avenues, looking impressed about cathedrals, palaces and large marketplaces. Aragon was a land of castles, feudalism and ports. But never he had seen a city like Rome. After few days to rest, he takes his place in the Conclave, taxing the other clericals.

The arrive of Melchior von Elbing, Bishop of the Diocese of Smolensk:

The eternal city was visible from more distant, they literally light up in the rising sun. A beautiful sight thought Melchior, from a distance so beautiful, but up close so disgusting. On his last visit to Rome, he was soon after pass through the city gates, almost run over by a chariot and an hour later, when he reached the quarters assigned to him, robbed by two dark figures. Excrement is everywhere on the streets and fornication and immorality are everywhere.
How much worse must it have been in Sodom and Gomorra if God destroyed these cities, but Rome can continue to exist?
Oh what the hell, leads me only the duty to Rome and this is fulfilled, I return home.

Two hours later, Melchior reached the hall where the conclave met. He looked for an empty seat, sat down and looked at the attending clergy.

Let the games begin ...

"Hmmm," Bishop Fenwick noncomitally said in reply to Archbishop Lindsay's words. He kept to himself the thought, that getting the archbishop into a proper cassock and mitre couldn't happen soon enough.

Such things might only be external trappings - but how was a bishop supposed to prove his identity and uphold the authority of the church, without the appropriate vestments, without the pectoral cross and the bishopric ring? A bishop lacking such attire might be mistaken for a common vagrant or spy - to the detriment of the dignity of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.


Bishop Fenwick's secretary lead Archbishop Lindsay out of the Papal Audience Hall. It was quick work to find a servant, who was able to show them some spare bishopric vestments Archbishop Lindsay would be able to use, until some had been tailored for him.

The secretary waited in the hall in the embrasure of a window, while Archbishop Lindsay changed. Hearing voices in the court outside, the secretary leaned out of the window and discovered a Bishop speaking with a German accent outside. Knowing that bishops from several other nations were expected to arrive and were impatiently awaited in the Papal Audience Hall, the secretary quickly ran out and introduced himself to the Bishop. With Bishop McBeans' permission he lead that worthy and Archbishop Lindsay back to the Papal Audience Hall.

"Your Excellencies, may I introduce Archbishop Lindsay of Scotland, Bishop McBeans of Bavaria, Bishop Stjepan of Croatia, Bishop Fenwick of England," the secretary said, then, having performed his social duties, with relief unobtrusively faded back into a corner.

"Most pleased, most pleased," said Bishop Fenwick, genially nodding around. "And here beside me is Bishop Farhad from Aragon, who only just came in while you were away.

And you must be from the East surely?" he said to the newly arrived bishop seated on his other side, who had not introduced himself yet.