The Original Sin: Bishop Sasarai's Confession

Chapter 1

Sasarai had only done the confessions one other time, and he would never forget the experience. He was young, it was true, but had liked to think himself fairly knowledgeable in the ways of men; this was not the case. He had wondered at all the special training he had had to receive, and the more-than-occasional looks of sympathy he received from his Brothers in those weeks leading up to the event. Chief Bishop Hikusaak had warned of strange confessions, things that would upset him, and was warned not to carry the burden on his own. He could "not right all the wrongs of the world" by himself, the Father had said; part of the responsibility belonged to the other priests, and, of course, to the sinners themselves.


At the time Sasarai had not at first been able to fully comprehend these ominous warnings, but once he had begun the confessionals he had understood only too well the counsel he had received. He had to listen to tales of treachery, lechery, thieving, and murder, among other things. The experience had been harrowing, and he didn't look forward to his next shift. It had crept up too soon. Here it was, and he felt anything but prepared.


This first day of confessions passed by rather slowly, and Sasarai was getting tired; it took some time to get used to the sudden change in sleeping habits. He was thankful when at last the hours for repentance had come to an end for the day, and stepped from his side of the box to stretch before heading upstairs to refresh. He had barely stepped three yards from his spot when a voice suddenly stopped him.


"Don't you have time to hear my confession?" it asked, its tone sultrily indignant.


Sasarai turned back to see that the box's opposite-side curtain had been pulled closed, as if someone had stepped inside. He groped for his spectacles in the breast pocket of his white robes and put them on quickly. He was sure that the last lady had left only a moment ago. Who else would be..?


"Forgive me, Madame. I thought everyone had left; confession ends at two o'clock." He tried to hint that she could return another day, without actually telling her she had to leave.


"Oh!" came the softly surprised voice. There was a moment of silence, and Sasarai wondered if the person had been too embarrassed to reply, or to come out. But then it spoke again. "First you insult me, then you try to kick me out. Tsk, tsk. How very rude you are for a priessst."


Sasarai was stunned, and a little ashamed. He wasn't sure what he had done, but he thought he owed her something. "I apologize. I didn't mean to sound rude. Of course I'll hear your confession." He started for the box.


The voice stopped him. "Don't you want me to tell you your sins?"


The Bishop stopped on the other side of the curtain, a confused expression playing across his delicate features. "T-tell me my sins?"


"Your sins against me," the voice replied matter-of-factly. "I'll tell you. First of all, you called me `Madame,' when I am a man. Secondly, you tried to kick me out of the church without letting me give my confession. I could have walked outside and been struck to death by a lightening rune, and then what? I'd be burning in Hell within an instant. You would be responsible--in part, at least..."


Sasarai was speechless. The voice sounded so confident, so. Who was it? Could it be a joke? Surely not one of the Brothers. It was too cruel.


"Well, now shall I tell you my sins?" the voice continued.


The priest forced himself to recover. "Um, yes--yes, please, sir." He climbed back onto his bench and pulled the curtain closed, then slid the drawer open. He waited patiently for the other to begin. And, at last, he did.


"Forgive me father, for I have sinned. Isn't that how I'm supposed to start?"


"...Haven't you come to confession before?"


"No," came the short reply. "I'm a virgin--at this, anyhow."


Sasarai was shocked by the young man's language. ".Well...this is a good way to start."


"Are you a virgin, Father? Oh, silly me; you're a monk. Do you ever regret it? Becoming a monk, I mean. Don't you ever get.urges? Don't you have desires?"


".All men have desires, my son. That is why we need the Lord Jesus Christ, to cleanse us of such impurities, to help us control these.urges."


"So!" the other's voice cried out triumphantly, "you do have desires!"


"All mortals--"


"I'm not talking about `all mortals,' I'm talking about you, dammit!" The voice seemed suddenly harsh, almost threatening.


Sasarai tried to control his anger. "Who are you? What are you doing here? I warn you--"


"Of what, the wrath of God?" The voice was mocking, condescending. "And what would you do, Bishop, if I told you there is no God?"

Sasarai was fed up with the games. He sprang from the confessional, and, lunging at the other side of the box, ripped open the curtain.

Beyond it lay emptiness.