that his forehead, temples and cheeks were a web of wrinkled lines. He looked from person to person as though encouraging them to join in his enthusiasm, but with each passing second the people’s mood could be seen becoming less and less comfortable.

Pelagius looked towards Father Lucas, who had cautiously approached, and the Captain’s smile vanished in an instant. He spoke so that everyone in the courtyard could hear.

“Now then, Father,” he said. “Every day, at six in the morning and at six in the evening, the air of the city trembles as the bells of every church and chapel are rung simultaneously. The same can be said of every town and settlement, yours included. Do you know why this is the case?”

“Those are the times of the daily prayer,” Lucas replied....

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