Little Benjamin (McBeans) did not yet have a breakfast this morning and in his cross he was talking to himself in German language and to God in latinum. Then he saw a pulg of dignified men and was about to ask for the way to the kitchen, when a friendly secretary appeared and acquainted Little Ben with some important clerics such as the bishops of Scotland, Croatia, England and Aragon...

Little Ben: May God greet you all. I see the secretary of the papal states is well informed und was so kind to introduce me. Is there a buffet in the Papal Audience Hall or leads us the way close to the kitchen?

The others were not prepared for a profane question like this an so they could not give a direct answer. Little Ben tried to start a dialog with Archbishop Lindsay...
Little Ben: You must tell me of Scotland. There is a deep relatedness between your land and me.

Lindsay turn to Benjamin. Somehow his accent sounds familiar.

What could I say, Mylord? Scotland is Scotland.. thistle cannot be removed so easily.. It's the same good ol' Scotland from King's Beansbeard glorious times.
It happen by chance that you visit Immaculate Conception, Jedburgh?

After a few moments of digging, obviously not use to it with ceremonial clothing, Lindsay grab a bottle from a sort of pocket:

Do you care for a sip? Before askin'.. no, it's not sacramental wine, but it's from Scotland. I'll keep it as medicine, do miracles for the health.

Little Ben was listening to Lindsay and as he heard of the wine you could see his pleased smile.

Suddenly the Grand Sister came along with her raised trigger finger...
Sister Innocentia: Bishop Benjamin, Bishop Benjamin, do you remember the man that was almost run over by your chariot? It was the Bishop of Smolensk. I saw him entering the Papal Audience Hall. How often have I told you that need a driving licence?

Little Ben: Let us go, either to the Papal Audience Hall or somewhere else. The main point is to outrun Siser Zenzi, ähhh, I mean Sister Innocentia. Lindsay, now I need a little bit of your medicine...

Take care, it's made from malt barley.. told you it's Scotland made.

With these words Lindsay take a deep sip as part of demonstration and looks much invigorating after.

You see now what I'm talking about? he says louder than intended.

Lindsay looks on Sister Innocentia, to the bottle, to the Sister Innocentia and back to the bottle.. finally decide there isn't enough "medicine" for three of them, so he pass the bottle to Bishop Benjamin only.

C'mon, brother, you need something to refresh you after the journey!

- Put that helmet on soldier....no not that one...yes that one. We ARE the Papal guard after all. - Said the tall young man in a herald armor marking his family and nation he comes from. - Don't mess this up, we must look our best. - Said the young man calming himself down as well as his soldiers. - Follow me in two lines, you five in one and you five in another. Make a similar bow as I do and then sorround the courtyard and guard the entrances. - He made a decisive nod and a small grin appeared on his face, probably remembering what he used to do or a shy smile since he is nervous.

The tall young man opened the door, two guards nodded as they passed. The representatives of Catholic nations were in front of them in the courtyard. Tough it seems not from all the nations.

- There is an awful lot of them. - He turned his head to the guard at the door. - You there, get me more men, I don't want any trouble during my guard shift. - The guard nodded and went inside, the tall man made a sigh then took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Then he opened them and firmly marched forward with his men in tow.

He made a Croatian bow and said in Croatian.

- Postovanje! Zivjeli! (Respect ! Long live !)

The representatives turned to him, only one of them understood that and responded in the same manner. The tall man gestured with his hand and made a small bow, the usual Croatian tradition with meeting an important person, or in this case a group of them.

- I'm Ban Matej Moreplovac, Guardian of the county of Naples and your guard captain during your stay in Vatican. If there is any trouble come to me. The current state of affairs of the Papal States is a tricky one. So there won't be a papal elections soon. But there will be as far as my information goes. - He then took a pause for the message to sink in, gesturing to his soldiers to take up their positions. He then again focused his glare on the representatives and continued. - Your rooms will be in this Cathedral, made for each Catholic representative. You're currently standing in the big courtyard, the usual meeting place for cardinals. - He continued boring them with residential places and the limits of their stay.

The lecture was over and he made a light bow and went to talk with the Croatian representative.

Bishop Fenwick had listened and looked on aghast at the doings of the Scottish and Bavarian Bishops besides him. Such conduct seemed most unbecoming to the dignity of their bishopric offices to Bishop Fenwick. However with an effort he held his tongue, he had in the past been accused of being too much of a stickler for the rules, of being, in fact, a prig.

With relief he let himself be diverted from the matter by the entrance of a new person: The Captain of the Papal Guard on duty.

However, at his speech about a delay in the papal elections Bishop Fenwick felt moved to speak:

"Place your faith in our Almighty Lord young man, God will provide. If it is God's will I am sure we will be able to hold the elections soon. He will surely speed all those Clergy on their way, who are travelling to this congregation.

If I may say so, no-one should absent themselves from this gathering, except to take care of the most urgent necessities and in that case return here again directly afterwards. We must cause no further delays by last of diligence. Surely servants can bring us everything else we might need here?" Bishop Fenwick hopefully looked at Ban Matej Moreplovac.

Matej stopped in his tracks, there was a representative voicing his concern about the elections.

- I knew I shouldn't have gotten myself into religios politics, just as my brother told. - He said this to his chin while turning to the representative and smiling, then he made his way to the representative, made a light bow and said - Sorry for the misunderstanding dear bishop, I meant in the way that there are not enough voters for the voting to commence. The voting is on hold as far as I know and that's why I said there won't be any elections soon. May I ask you your name?

The representative told him his name, Ban then held his hand and shaked the representative's hand.

- Nice meeting you Bishop Fenwick, enjoy your stay, and if you need anything or if there is any trouble just voice your concern to one of my guards or to me personally and we'll handle it. - He made another smile and turned once again to the Croatian representative.

- Moj brate! (my brother) Please to meet you here. May I know if my brother Ratimir came with you to Vatican?

Putting the bottle away with care, Lindsay turn to Bishop Fenwick who seems to be in charge here as Dean of the Conclave:

In God we trust! We will be as many as the Lord wants, because he says: " For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

After that he took the arm of the captain and lead him outside:

Filius, as long as you're not a clergyman elector, you have no business here. The work of God we are doing is not concerning your duties. You will be called if we need you. Please, wait outside.

smiling Little Ben:
I also know an old saw...
If you think it goes no more, from somewhere comes a light for sure.

*embarassed silence for a moment*

Ignoring Bishop McBeans latest comment Bishop Fenwick said to Archbishop Lindsay: "Indeed you aptly quote the scripture." and nodded approvingly.

"However I am reminded, out of consideration for Bishop McBeans, who has not has not had an opportunity to break his fast yet - and I am beginning to feel a mite peckish too - we might order some food to fortify us, as we continue our deliberations.

Have some servants bring us a selection of victuals - some roasted carp for me if possible," Bishop Fenwick said to his secretary.