Author's note: I must give credit to a part of the Finnish epoch
Kalevala, where the old steady singer of songs travels north on his
sleigh, meets a fair maiden, and bids her to be his wife. But the
maiden has other thoughts and a conversation with a bird happens. I
borrowed lightly from this and wove it into this journal entry.
Entry 46
In
a brief moment, I have what seems like hours or days to think and
ponder the decisions to my choices, but, as soon as I leave Trevor
behind and thank him for his kindness and step in my temple, I am
welcomed by a young acolyte, requesting my name. This is a formality,
for she already knows my name, yet I have not seen her. I follow her to
see the One in charge.
My heart sinks for the news of my past
reaches Aden and this temple. I divert my eyes from her, as she asks
about what I know and practice of the dark arts. Careful in my words,
for this will be bad if I fail this test, I look at her and see a glow
beyond words - one of which I can only hope to be graced with some day
before I pass from this world. I lock eye contact and she sees within
me my true commitment to the Light. I handle my self wisely, explaining
that all of what I do is for the Light, and I only use the sorcery that
I know also for the Light.
There are still two issues I should
discuss. I am ready to lay bare all of my thoughts on this courtship
offer from Trevor - I just have to state it. Uncontrolled thoughts race
through my mind, giving me panicked visions of the chastity belt,
multiple day lectures of such courtships, isolation, deprivation,
starvation or the daily guidance in council session after
session. Instead, I reveal that I broke one of my vows when we fought
the changeling, but she didn't think so, stating that I was fine in my
actions.
I am shown a room where I can stay. My room is small,
about the size of my body is tall, in each dimension. A small box is
under the wooden bed for my writing things, and a candle is on a
desk. I did not use that last night when writing my journal, for I
prefer to use a less archaic light. No door exists to close out anyone,
but a lovely arch, delicately graceful, hangs over the doorway. I
relax to sleep thinking of my past few days. Earlier I had nightmares
for many nights. Then they stopped, to be replaced by a different dream
or a possible vision. It happened when the one friend whom I denied my
own feelings for laid open his plans. Trevor stated rather bluntly and
surprisingly to court me. Before, I thought he was not sincere. In my
curiosity I had to know if all was true. And I blame myself for
forcing him to tell. Is it what I want? I drift to my sleep, finally a
nice peaceful slumber.
A short sleep it seems now. I wake to
the sounds of morning work, for we must get an early start to the
day. I leave my belongings in my room as I wear only my blue dress that
Brute bought for me, and file out with the others to do our cleaning
chores. I do not mind, even though I just came back from the north,
dodging goblin patrols, getting tossed off a boat, enduring an
avalanche, fighting a changeling, counter charming the mass of refugees
and the news of a friend's plans. But, I can find this place likeable, a
place of peace, a refuge. I sing while I work. It makes the work
enjoyable. My mind wanders to Trevor's offer - should I ...
This
older man, one that studies illusionology, comes to me and asks me to
be his wife. I imagine a sparrow or song bird to sit on my shoulder,
just chirping away. I sigh and ask of the illusion, to sing so that I
may hear, which is better, more divine - to be a priestess in the
temple, or a wife in a husband's house?
The bird twitters and chats
these words: "nice is a bright sunny day to bathe, but brighter still is
the priestess in the nave; cold as steel in ice, yet colder still: in a
husband's house - a wife. A Lady of the Light shines like a priest;
while a wife, in a husband's house, is a dog on a leash."
Surprised
at the gravity of the chirps from an imaginary featherweight, I focus
back to my work. But, if I made such impossible demands, such as
bending rocks like rope, peel paint from a wall, or grow a plant with no
dirt. No, He would find a way to do those, without breaking a
sweat. Better and more improbable as well as nearly impossible: have
him continually give to the poor. But, if he did even that for me, I
would be bound by my own accord. It this what I want?
Soon we
file into the hall to eat. Oatmeal, my favorite! And apples. But I
quickly look at the others and all only have one, so, I follow and only
take one. After chores and the meal, others must work their assigned
duties, and for me, none were assigned, so I have free time. Since I
wanted to get more form fitting armor, I gather mine, suit up, braid my
hair, mount my helm and walk to the other temple, the one of law, where I
remember we got the magic weapons, one of which is the mace I carry
now.
I inquire of Priest Lore, whom I met before. He is busy
but will be available in an hour, his assistant says. I wait. I wander
about the nave and the chapel, comparing the building styles, the arch
ways, the frames of the windows and the walls of this temple. It is too
utilitarian compared to my temple. The temple of the Light has its
beauty of sweeping elegant curves and the open, warm feeling.
"Katherine!" A
familiar voice jerks me out of my critique - Brute and - Trevor greet
me. Trevor begins to say something, "I'm saved!" by Lore's assistant
for he cut Trevor short, stating that Lore is able to see me now. I
follow in to Lore's office. Sparking clean is an understatement. Lore
is having his feet washed, too. I am glad I do not belong to the law
temple, for I would not want to be stuck washing his feet. Anyway, I
make a petition to review the items in their armory again, for I am
looking for a better fitting set of armor. My request was not in vain,
for I found a copper colored suit of scale armor with a matching helm
that resembles a bird. I exchange my old armor for this. A bird, the
second one today, is it a sign?
Best if I not say anything to
Trevor, and hopefully he forgets. I focus on the issues so I will not
fall to his spell again. The three of us walked as Brute led the way to
the inn. At the rather verbal expressions of my hungry body, Brute
taunts me by asking if I want any food. Wanting to be content my reply
is: I am fine. Brute is not satisfied with my answer, and instead
listens to the more vocal part of my body, how embarrassing. He
suggests that I am not forth coming with all of the truth. I obligingly
accept to partake in a little indulgence of a second breakfast.
I
enter the inn, and see the huge Kull sleeping and almost hiding behind
an equally sizable mound of empty dishes. And Boomtuck is picking over
a plate of food. Then more food is served. It is plentiful and smells
delicious. I eat just a little for I want to deny myself of
gluttony. Then sleeping Kull, in a fit grabs his neck like he is
choking and wakes up. He mentions of a dream that he had twice now,
where he is choked by some one that he cannot see. This reminds me of
my dreams, but more of the recent one with Trevor and the witch taking
him. I tell the group about it. Brute mumbles something about a
spider. I want to state more of the significance of Trevor, but Ohm Uri
enters with a few nice sized fish and the smell. We talk about a
festival being held soon, and of the council, how they were replaced
after the previous council were killed. I mention a Lady Caldwell, a
relative of Remy Natale that is a new addition to the council. That
reminds us about the mansion. Ohm Uri stated that many items were
removed.
We go back to the mansion and check. We head to the
room where I stayed before, and the oval mirror was removed. Then we
went through the secret door down to the cell. The smell of rotten
flesh greets us, as we discover a new body in the cell, tortured. It is
the body of Kevin the mute servant. I feel for Kevin, and can only
image the suffering he endured. Then I see Brute's strain on his face
and the determination in his eyes. Three victims, two that died, we
have discovered in this place.
Ohm Uri returns from the attic,
where he says there is a different mirror. A little less fishy smell in
the air - finally, Ohm Uri washed, but in the attic? We take the body
of Kevin and bury it next to the other unnamed body we found in the
cell. I say a few words for Kevin, and we depart in silence.
We
want to find more about this house and the council, so we head next to
the secular area. It is a blur of people and strange customs. An issue
I hear is about a slavers, and that guards are doubled at the
docks. Another has a dispute over land. Trevor wants to get a good
look at the Lady of Caldwell - odd. But all members are wearing
porcelain masks that allow their mouths to speak, yet keep their
identity secret. There were two women on the council, and so, which one
is her. The Lady is rumored to be caring for a young boy - most likely
Broderick.
I am being called, and so will continue later...
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