Prologue: Necessary Wisdom

I walked into the cathedral hesitantly. Sure, I had preformed in front of it, seven hells, I had hosted the Festival of Fools in front of it, but never had I ever been INSIDE it. There was a difference, surely.

An alter boy greeted me with a smile. I felt my stomach twist with nervousness for no real reason.

"Clopin!" the boy whispered excitedly. "What brings you of all people to Notre Dame?"

I smiled. "Fetch the Archdeacon, if you would, you silly excitable boy." I recognized him as a caravan follower, and orphan that my people had adopted once upon a time. I was glad he had found a place to be. "I have need of his wisdom."