[ There are stone benches, or the alcove Kahlil was sitting in. The dark stone warms quickly to body heat.

Fear. Yes, that brings him back to his previous thoughts. Marked as other. Changed, somehow. In his world the people feared the church for good reason, and the church feared the people in return, though they would never admit it. At the question he doesn't have to think very long. ]

I did. It made me almost untouchable. It meant freedom for me and the last of my family. [ It meant I was worthy, despite what they thought of my blood and my sins. A pause. ] Now, I only answer to my god.

[ And that is why he is here. He leans his back against the curve of the wall. ]

Why did they chose you?