Swiss Guard Swearing In … Day

 

A new snippet – one from my very long list.  

Actually this one goes alllll the way back to 2020!  Oh Dear God!  So K. Baxter (who likely forgot all about this) Here is your snippet for Ernesto!

 

Ernesto stood on the edge of the parade route, watching the new Swiss Guard make their way to the flag and make their oath to protect the Vatican and the Pope.  He sipped his coffee, gaze moving around the area, looking for any threats.   It didn’t matter that the area was filled with Swiss Guards, after everything that has happened in the past fifteen years, he was paranoid and had good reason.

“Is it me or are they getting younger each year?”  Chartrand settled next to him.

“We’re just getting old.”

“Well actually we’re not.”  Pierre gave him a smirk, getting both of them to snort at the bad joke.  “But I do feel very old watching the latest batch of baby Swiss Guards.”

“Baby Swiss Guards that can skewer someone on those pikes.”  Oliveira added into the conversation.  “His Holiness seems happy today.”

“He enjoys watching the ceremony.   Something about bright young minds, with dedication we all could learn from.”   Ernesto caught a shadow on the roof top, he focused on it, noticing it was his kid running around.  “I think he just likes getting out and not having to worry about some idiot Cardinal.”

“More like imagining the Guards skewering said Cardinal with their pike.”  Carlos tone was completely deadpanned.

Chartrand snorted.  “He doesn’t have to imagine any Guards to skewering Cardinals, he just needs to let Ernesto off his leash.”

“Accurate.”  Carlos glanced back at the ceremony.

“I hate you both.”

The three laughed lightly, then settled into watching the newest recruits swear before God to protect the Man in White.   

Ernesto made his own oath, that if one of them betrayed their oaths, they would die at his hands.