The Second Priest

The Little Bent Priest

**The Second Priest** is one of two additional priests who oversee the care of Canaan House with Teacher. Though he is never named, he dutifully attends the Postulants to Canaan House.

## **Biography**

### **Early Life**

Little is known about the early life of The Second Priest. It can be assumed that he was likely an ordinary inhabitant of the First House, before being brought into the experiments of the original eight disciples of The Emperor. It is not known precisely how he was transformed, but he is certainly part of Sixth House Lyctor team, Cassiopeia and Nigella Shodash's experiments.

Based on a binder full of photographs of ordinary peoples' faces, including one of Teacher, and the inscription *"FIVE HUNDRED INTO FIFTY. IT IS FINISHED!"* , it is assumed that Cassiopeia and Nigella methodically sorted through options of First House inhabitants before consolidating many souls into few: the skeleton constructs that serve the house, The Second and Third Priests, and most egregiously: Teacher.

### **Gideon the Ninth**

#### Act I

As the Postulants to Canaan House arrive, The Second and Third Priests join Teacher and the skeleton constructs in docking and welcoming their visitors. The Second Priest welcomes Dulcinea Septimus (who is really Cytherea), and is caught by surprise when she faints. Frail and small, his legs buckle and he is threatening to fall when Gideon Nav swoops in and takes Cytherea from him.

The Second Priest stands back while Cytherea, Protesilaus, Harrowhark Nonagesimus, and Gideon sort themselves out, before kneeling and wiping away Cytherea's blood with his sash. He expresses sympathy for her illness and regret that she traveled in such delicate condition, but she waves him off. The Second Priest is left by the shuttle, worried, while the Postulants make their way inside Canaan House.

Inside the House, the priests sit together at the lip of the Atrium fountain holding cups of tea in their hands. The Third Priest leads the group in the prayer of the first eight Houses, and Teacher invites the Ninth to recite the intercession of The Locked Tomb. Harrow's prayer delights The Second Priest. The Second and Third Priest sit quietly as Teacher hands out the key rings to each cavalier and explains their task.

## **Appearance and Personality**

Gideon Nav describes the second priest as:

*"...the tottery priest, his frail shoulders bowing as he fretted with his bloodstained belt... [...] All three wore the same clothes, which gave them the look of white birds on rainbow leashes, but somehow Teacher was the only one of the three who seemed real."*

The Second Priest has a nervous, but kind personality. He seems to genuinely care for the Postulants and want the best for them. The Second Priest is differential to Teacher, and otherwise very quiet and circumspect.

## **Possessions**

* **Golden Circlet and Belt:** The Second Priest wears a golden circlet around his head as well as a shimmering gold belt with *"a multitude of jewel colours in intricate patterns and shapes*" embroidered on it.

## **References**

1. ↑ "Gideon the Ninth," Act IV, Ch 35
2. ↑ "Gideon the Ninth," Act IV, Ch. 32
3. ↑ "Gideon the Ninth," Act I, Ch. 8
4. ↑ "Gideon the Ninth," Act I, Ch. 7