Chapter 48 Chapter Forty-Six

Silas lay prone on the canvas blanket inside the house to let the whip wounds freeze.The spur of the commandment for the second time tonight left him dizzy and weak.He had to undo the coarse belt, and he could feel the blood gurgling down the inside of his thigh.But he still couldn't untie the belt. I have failed the church. I failed the bishop even more. Tonight should be Bishop Aringarosa's Day of Salvation.Five months ago, the bishop went to a meeting at the Vatican Observatory and received a shocking news.After weeks of repression, he finally told Silas. "Impossible!" cried Silas, "I can't take it!"

"It's true," Aringarosa said. "Unexpected, but true. In just six months." Silas was horrified by the Bishop's words.He prayed for deliverance.Even in those dark days, his faith in God and the church never wavered.However, just one month later, the dark clouds miraculously cleared, and the light of hope appeared in front of us. The power of the gods, Aringarosa explained. For the first time the bishop saw hope. "Sylas," he said softly, "God has given us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to defend what we believe in. Like all wars, ours will have sacrifices. Will you be God's soldier?"

Silas knelt before Bishop Aringarosa who gave him new life, and said, "I am the Lamb of God. Guide me according to the will of God." Aringarosa told him about the opportunity that lay before him, and Silas understood that it could only be God's will.Miraculous fate! Aringarosa put Silas in touch with the man who proposed the plan—a man who called himself "The Mentor."Although Silas and the "mentor" have never met, every time they talk on the phone, Silas expresses deep awe of the "mentor"'s devout belief and vast magical powers. The "mentor" seems to know everything and has eyeliners everywhere.Silas doesn't know how the Mentor gathers information, but Aringarosa trusts the Mentor so much that he wants Silas to do the same.He said to Silas: "Do as 'Master' orders, and we shall be victorious."

victory.Silas looked at the bare floor, fearful that victory would leave them.The tutor was fooled.The road to find the keystone is simply not going to work.This deception dashed all hope.Silas wished he had called Bishop Aringarosa and sounded the alarm.But tonight the mentor has cut off their direct contact.For our safety. Finally, Silas stopped trembling and stood up slowly, picking up his robes from the floor.He took his phone out of his pocket and dialed the number in shame. "Master," he whispered, "it's over." Silas recounted exactly how he had been duped. "How can you lose heart so quickly," replied the tutor, "I have just received some unexpected but comforting news. Mysterious fate. Jacques Saunière left a message before his death. We wait I'll call you later. Tonight's work is not over yet."