The weather had been unusually hot lately, but Brother Petros was not about to let that get in the way of his duties, nor anything related to those. A few of his men looked somewhat bothered after being ordered to practice out in the heat, but Petros was not about to take any complaints. There were things a servant of God would not hesitate to do, no matter the circumstances.

The battle practice had been going on for half an hour now - in full gear of course - and even Petros was wondering if it was such a good idea after all. No, he could no hesitate now, could he? Most of the people around the Vatican stayed inside and, judging from what he had noticed, looked amazed at the Inquisition's endurance. He had even seen the young pope on the window a couple of times, and he was not about to let His Holiness down.

"Sir," Sister Paula called to him as she walked closer. She stopped near him and leaned closer. "I think one of the men over there just fainted. I ordered him to be taken to the sick room, but..."

"Five minute break!" Brother Petros ordered, pretending to ignore his second-in-command though he had heard her quite clearly. "Go to the shade, get some water, come back once you're ready again!" He then took off his helmet and moved even closer to Paula. "Any suggestions?" He asked quietly. "My judgment... may have failed today."

Sister Paula took a glance around the field. "They trust their armor too much," she then stated. "So do you."

"I-" Petros started and then smiled. "Ah, I see what you mean. Maybe I indeed do." He then started removing his armor and clothes, ignoring the shocked stares from the nearest men. Paula took one look at him, and then stripped down from the robes she was wearing into her light battle armor.

Once Petros was half-naked, he took his spear into his hands again. "You are quite right," he stated. "I should rely on my body and reflexes more. We all need more practice on that. Give the order to continue the practice fight, but without armor and robes. Our bodies shall be our armor!"

Paula gave him a half-smile. "I shall do that, sir."

The break was over by now, and Petros settled for taking a drink of water before returning to the practice field. Paula got the message passed to everyone, and Petros smiled to himself. Now, at least, he wouldn't put the Inquisition to shame by having people pass out from the heat. Hopefully, of course.

Next half an hour went indeed better, though he found the practicing to be quite a lot harder work this way. Everyone was still getting sweaty and the weather made everything more exhausting than usual, but at least no one had fainted so far.

"Brother Petros?" A young voice called, and Petros whipped around, ignoring his practice partner. He then knelt instantly and bowed his head.

"Your Holiness!" He greeted and then raised his face. "Pardon my insolence, but would it not be safer for you to stay inside on a day like this?"

"I... I think it's not that bad," Alessandro replied carefully. "But..." He looked around the field. "How about everyone here?"

"I am moved by your concern, Your Holiness!" Petros replied. "But I assure you, my men are trained and this is nothing they cannot handle. After all, we are expected to carry out God's holy law no matter the circumstance, and so we must prepare ourselves properly."

The pope smiled. "I... see. Oh, and... please stand."

Petros nodded to the boy and stood up. He motioned for Sister Paula to come closer. "Tell the men to carry on, but let them know His Holiness is concerned for their well-being." He then looked at the pope. "Anything I can do for you, Your Holiness?"

The boy blinked as he caught himself from staring at Petros. "I..." He started. A couple of older priests suddenly showed up to the edge of the field, calling the pope's name and rushing towards him, and Alessandro froze for a second. "Here," he then mumbled, offering a lace-decorated handkerchief to the man.

"Your Highness?" Petros asked, eyes wide.

"I got that from my sister," the boy said quietly. The look on his face gave away how much he treasured the item. "But, I think you might have more use for it right now, seeing that... um. I, ah-" Suddenly interrupted by the priests, Alessandro tried to add something but didn't have the time as he was dragged off towards the nearest building.

"I thank you, Your Highness!" Petros stated, not caring if the pope heard him or not. He wiped his forehead with the handkerchief and then walked over to where his clothes were and put it away in his coat pocket. Moved by the boy's kindness, and resolved himself for practicing even harder.

A couple of steps away from him, Sister Paula shook her head and smiled.