Day 229 (207th)

Day 229 (207th):
We were not startled by the bells, but it took a moment to remember where we were. We felt odd not strapping on our swords, but knew it was necessary and that they could be with us in seconds. Dawn and Set found an area of woods not far from the cloister to spend the day. Bo found various nooks and crannies to hide from sight. We hid the swords deep inside the mattresses so anyone feeling around the beds would not find them. We gleaned from the others that we were responsible for changing out the mattresses, so there was no fear of them accidentally getting tossed out.
We were up, dressed, and covered when a knock broke the silence. Gretta opened the door to a female elf cleric with a hard face and large eyes. She appeared to be middle-aged, for an elf.
"Good, I did not have to shake you out of bed. Many new arrivals are not use to our strict ways," she said loud enough for any who were outside to hear. She entered and closed the door, "Lady Bishop has informed me that you are not true novices. In these difficult times, I can understand your need for a safe haven. To pass as novices, I need to teach you a few things."
She instructed us on hand signals, since we were not suppose to talk. This cleric, who called herself Sister Cedar, told us that, save for the Lord and Lady Bishops, every full cleric was called by the name of a plant. Once instructed, we followed her to the dining hall.
Inside the building, we were allowed to look up, not at the feet of the person in front of us. However, there was little to see as the walls were bare and the windows were tiny. Either she ignored us or could not feel us feeling around to get our bearings.
Inside the dining hall, while their mouths were silent, the mental noise was deafening. We shut down to a sliver just to keep the pain of the noise at bay. We kept our hoods up to avoid unwanted attention. Sis. Cedar found us an empty table. Even so closed, we still felt the hum of speculation about us. Fortunately, that was cut off when the food began to arrive. We could see disgust, loathing, and boredom from the others. Plates were placed before us plus glasses and a pitcher of water. We saw no one else eating so we did not either. It seemed everyone was to be served first before eating was permitted. As we waited, Sarah and Lisa examined our plates.
"If there is a blessing, I will use that to cover me purifying the food and water. They are not poisoned, just tainted like everything else," Lisa slid to us.
We gave the barest of nods as Lord and Lady Bishop entered and everyone stood. They went to a raised table and stood.
"Brothers and Sisters, we have new novices this morning. While they will only be with us a short time, they are expected to fully participate and work in all parts of our lives. They will receive no special treatment or privileges. Also, bandits have been reported in the our area using a hostage to lure others into ambush. If any of you encounter a bard named Jacobo, know that he is an innocent party and offer help without compromising your own safety. Now, let us pray for our blessings and hopes for this day," Lord Bishop announced.
Lord Bishop began a long and loud prayer in a strange form of elfish. Lisa removed the taint from our food and drink plus, with us so close together, several tables around us. When he was finished, we sat down and everyone began eating. Those around us noticed a difference in their food and water. Those allowed to speak passed it around, asking if the others noticed a change. A few brought it to Lord and Lady Bishop's attention. They, too, could tell the difference. We feared that we had done something wrong when we were called to their table.
"Did you do this?" we were asked.
We nodded.
"Can you do it for everyone here?"
We nodded.
"Do you need to speak to do it?"
We shook our heads.
"Then, please do so," we were ordered.
We faced the rest of the room. Clasping hands, we gave Lisa the energy while she purified the entire room, plus slightly beyond the walls. I could see the magic course over, around, and through everything and everyone. We let go when we were done, bowed to the bishops, and returned to our seats. The room was much cleaner as everyone now enjoyed their meal. While eating, we were handed a note that informed us to go to Lord Bishop's office as soon as we were dismissed from the dining hall. Now, we were really worried.
After the dishes were taken, Sis. Cedar told us to follow her. We made our way to the center of the cloister. We entered a large room and saw Lord and Lady Bishop waiting on us.
"Sis. Cedar, please leave us," Lady Bishop gently ordered.
Sis. Cedar bowed and left.
"You may speak in here. Explain what you did in there and why the food and water changed," Lord Bishop asked calmly.
Lisa stepped forward, "The taint on the land has affected everything. My particular gift is to identify and treat impurities and poisons in things and people. You and the rest of the cloister will notice that you feel better than you have in a long time. With my sisters holding my hands and giving me their energy, it boosted that gift to everything in the room, all the people, and just beyond the walls. We could have gone further, but we did not have your permission to do so."
The pair thought and talked this over. They asked about the gifts of the rest of us and we told them fully. Finally, they decided and gave us our assignments. Lord Bishop gave us our duties.
"Lisa, you are to the kitchens. Purify all that you can without exhausting yourself. Sarah, go to the infirmary. There are many sick people there we cannot cure nor treat. Gretta, stay here. What little wealth we have needs to be validated and our relics authenticated. Anna and Alice, you two will also stay. Our histories have been corrupted and we need to straighten them out. Callie, our builders are not highly skilled. Help them repair our home to become the stronghold it was long ago. Kayla, it will appear to others that you are wandering aimlessly. We need to know if we harbor any enemies of the Crowns. If you gain any significant insight, return here at once."
We indicated that we understood. Sis. Cedar was called back in to take Lisa, Sarah, Callie, and I to our respective duties. We let the others know we were a mere mental call away.
We followed Sis. Cedar as she showed us around. Lisa was deposited in the kitchens, one large and two smaller, and immediately given the task of sorting through the stores to see what was still fresh. As this task left her almost totally alone, no one saw or felt her as she began her other chore. The infirmary wasn't far from the kitchens. Sarah stumbled slightly when we walked inside. The brothers and sisters were trying so hard, but the tainted land made curing these sensitive people nearly impossible by normal means. This area had an external door and windows. I reached to Set and Dawn to stay near these as Sarah may need the help. They both replied and Sarah smiled. Callie and I continued to follow Sis. Cedar as we went outside. In the courtyard, three men and one woman poured over several large scrolls. Sis. Cedar told them Callie was from a long line of engineers and builders and could provide expertise in the remodel. She was permitted to speak as it would be too difficult to convey such complicated terms in simple hand signals. Callie began in earnest.
Out of earshot from anyone, Sis. Cedar whispered to me, "I am sorry, but I will have to portray you in a bad light. In order for you to wander, I will have to tell everyone that you are unfit for any task and we are searching desperately for anything you are suitable to do. I am sorry."
I looked at her and smiled. It caught her off-guard. She tried to speak, but I stopped her. I shook my head, tugged my hood more over my face, and began walking. Set laughed when I told him my "assignment". Sis. Cedar walked another direction, spoke to another cleric, and walked sadly away. That cleric raced over to other clerics and spoke to them. They all looked at me with pity. I walked on. My freedom allowed me to check on my sisters. They were thoroughly engrossed and barely acknowledged me. Set informed me there were many mice around the building to fill him, plus a few squirrels.
After about an hour, I was confronted by a small gang of people, equal parts male and female, who stopped me as I walked.
"What do we have here? So simple that no task is available? Now you're left alone. Let's see what race could breed such an imbecile," sneered a tall male elf in yellow robes.
Two ran over to me and flipped my hood off. They were all taken aback when they saw my purple eyes and reddish hair. Those that pulled off my hood rejoined their group.
"What kind of freak are you? There is no way a mongrel like you will stay one more night in our cloister. No one will question if something like you ends up dead," a chubby male gnome snarled.
They began gathering large sticks, rocks, and other heavy items. They approached me threateningly. I stood still. Just before they reached me, I pulled inward and found kirlan and plotted how to get from here to Lord Bishop's office. As they raised their weapons, I slid into kirlan and appeared in his office, much to every one's surprise.
"Kayla! What is this? Please explain," Lady Bishop said in shock.
I told them what had prompted my appearance. Lord and Lady Bishop were aghast. My sisters gathered around me to make sure I was unharmed. The Bishops asked me to describe my would-be attackers. I did better. With a mirror, I showed them. They recognized them and sent another cleric to gather them and send them here. Set popped in to check on me. He wanted to burn them, but I told him the Bishops could handle any punishment they might need. We all were herded to a back room just ahead of their arrival. We could hear every word spoken through a window-like break in the wall.
"It has come to our attention you tried to attack a novice," Lord Bishop began calmly.
"Lies, my lord!" shrieked the elf in yellow, "We would never harm or attempt to harm anyone here."
"We were told my your would-be victim herself. Are you saying she lied?" Lady Bishop asked.
There was silence.
Then, the chubby gnome barked, "She is an abomination! Her kind is what started this plague on our kingdom! Only by their deaths can this land be healed!"
Lord and Lady Bishop were silent. Inside the room we were in, a bell rang. Next to it was a sign that read, "If this is ringing, go into the main room."
We all walked out and faced my would-be attackers, Set included. This really caused them to start yelling, demanding, and threatening. The Bishops called for their silence.
"You have shown deplorable spirit and complete lack of faith. Do you not remember our most basic tenant? 'All things happen for a reason.' Do you truly believe we would be housing those who are a danger to us and our kingdom? Hand me your robes, all of you. You are stripped of status and are novices once more. Furthermore, you are in sequester until you can demonstrate your faith and spirit are as they should be for a full cleric. Your robes, now," Lord Bishop sternly ordered.
Sheepishly, they removed their robes and laid them over a chair. Nearly nude, they stood with eyes downcast and shivering slightly. Lady Bishop handed them each a plain brown robe. Once they were dressed, Lord Bishop turned to us, specifically me.
"Inform these people where you are from, who sent you, and any titles you hold," he told me.
I stepped forward, which made them cringe.
"We are from the land to the east, Laska Kingdom, from the towns of Denar, Marna, Vaska, Talst, Lady of Heart Convent, and Thantos. Starlight, who's temple lies in Brimgrove's heart, sent us to aid this land. I am a dragon rider, a cleric of Fate, heir to the Faerie Queen, and one of the Seven Sisters of the Swords."
They stood in stunned silence.
One of the females slowly sank to her knees and muttered, "Pardona mi foolanash. Si na compar."
I told her, "Si pardonas no relevey su trespass."
Tears rolled down her face as she stood and stared at the floor. The others still stared in shock. Lady Bishop began herding them out as Lord Bishop told them to ponder their views as to who or what is allowed to be their clerics. I could feel their confusion, hurt, and embarrassment.
Not long after, another bell rang. Lord and Lady Bishop told us it was meal time. We followed them to the dining hall where we met up with the others. In seconds, they knew about our confrontation and we knew what they had done since we parted. We sat at the same table as before. To our surprise, my would-be attackers were serving the rest of us. Once everyone was served, they disappeared into the kitchen. Lord and Lady Bishop made no announcement, just another blessing.
We could tell Lisa had greatly improved the food by the way everyone attacked their plates. New faces among those assembled were warmly greeted. Sarah beamed when she saw them, letting us know they were among her patients. Callie's morning companions ate while pouring over papers and scrolls. We noticed the Bishops had a stack of notes which they got another cleric to pass around to select members of the assembly. Some were happy while others were hurt or mad. This had to do with Alice and Anna's task this morning.
Instead of being excused after lunch, Sis. Cedar told us it was time for mass. Another bell rang and we all filed into another large room with a stage and podium at the front. No religious symbols could be seen to indicate the patron of their order. Sis. Cedar showed us where to sit and told us that would be our place while we were here. There were no prayer books or anything to help us follow along. The eunuch from last night sat not far from us.
He signaled, "Follow me. Do as I do."
We nodded our understanding. Lord and Lady Bishop entered. Everyone stood. Lady Bishop took a seat in a throne-like chair near the podium. Lord Bishop began speaking in that odd elvish. I could feel Alice and Lisa struggling to understand, catching only a word or phrase among the other strange words. I caught a few bits and recognized it as draconian. I noticed some people had their eyes closed and decided it would cover my mental departure. I told my sisters what I was doing and they told me they would cover for me. I pulled inward......
......and was in Andros' home once again. Vanity, in her fully faerie glory, was waiting for me.
"I was beginning to feel unwanted," Vanity teased, "What are we doing?"
"We need to understand the cloister's language. We have understood both elf and dragon. We need the gods' help."
Vanity smiled, " Then, let us be on our way."
We exited Andros' home and found ourselves in a bright area surrounded by exotic buildings. We recognized Fate's home and knew we were in the Immortal Realm. We did not need to speak. Brimagor appeared before us.
"Greetings, Ladies, so nice of you to visit. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Lord, the cloister we are in use an unusual language we do not recognize. We have detected both elf words and dragon words. Can you help?"
"Let me hear this language."
We focused and Lord Bishop's words sounded around us. Brimagor listened intently. After a few moments, he motioned for it to end. The speaking stopped and Brimagor explained.
"You were very alert to hear the two languages. The reason is it is a poorly translated or learned form of the Treegal language. Treegals were an ancient elf race that lived with dragons. They interbred physically, culturally, and linguistically. The last true Treegal died about two thousand years ago. That cloister must have been based on the Treegal religion. However, the pronunciation is so garbled that it barely resembled its true nature."
"Lord, if we spoke it true, could it help in healing this land?" I asked.
He thought for a moment, then replied, "Crialas is not my territory. Wait here. I will find that land's patron or someone who knows the Treegal ways."
Brimagor vanished. We used the moments to check back to assure no one had noticed we were not there.
Brimagor returned with a beautiful woman who's hair looked like a flowering bush. Her skin was the dark color of tree bark and her eyes were as yellow as a wolf's.
"Ladies, this in Treena. During the Treegal's time, she was a full goddess. Without worshipers, her power has wained. Only by being a handmaiden to Nature is she still around. Treena, this is Kayla and Vanity."
"Greetings, Ladies. Brimagor said you found a group trying to live the Treegal path. Let me hear it, please," she requested in a voice that sounded like wind gently blowing through branches.
Once more, Lord Bishop's words sounded around us. Treena physically cringed and called for it to stop. She was near tears.
"Our language! Our precious language! How could it be so corrupted? Can it be repaired? How can I help?" she pleaded.
"Teach us to say it right. Plus, any information could help."
Treena thought for a moment as she composed herself. I saw her face light up.
"The book! Our clerics wrote a book, detailing every ritual, rite, and laws. Find it and it will guide them properly."
Vanity and I pulled Alice and Anna to us. They were disoriented at first, but our presence kept them from being overwhelmed. As we explained, Treena and Brimagor produced an image of the book we needed to find. They told us, when we returned, they would give us the right words. We felt a tug that alerted us to return to the cloister. Brimagor and Treena gave us our leave. We slid back......
......to hear Lord Bishop finishing up his sermon. The eunuch seemed frantic but relaxed when he was we were all mentally present. He motioned as everyone stood. We stood as everyone began a chant, also as distorted and jumbled as Lord Bishop's sermon. I felt Brimagor's presence, accompanied by Treena's, ease upon me and the proper pronunciations given to us. My sisters received it as well and we whispered the true chant. We felt magic building as we continued. We saw some, whom I suspected were more open than the others, picked up the real words and added to the magic. An area, clean and orderly, expanded from us and the others. It pushed the taint of the land out of the sanctuary. We could tell others felt it as well. As the chant continued, being picked up by more of the others, the area expanded to include this building, then the grounds, and, when it was done, included all of the grounds and a portion of the town beyond that.
The assembly was dismissed and Sis. Cedar quickly came over to us and told us to follow her now. We thought we were in big trouble as we went back to Lord Bishop's office. The door was barely closed when Lady Bishop started in on us.
"Explain that! What did you do? We have laid down eons of ritual magic that you removed in moments. That ritual has been handed down for several hundred years. What gives you the right?" she berated us.
We stood in silence, quite confused. As soon as I stepped forward to speak, she slapped me across the face.
"I am getting tired of you, all of you. We give you a safe haven, feed you, clothe you, and what do we get? You turn our orderly lives upside down." She returned to Lord Bishop, "We should cast these girls out. I am beginning to doubt Starlight sent them or any beneviolent powers attend them."
She sat heavily next to Lord Bishop as he silently pondered.
"Sisters, we need to get their book. It is the only way they will believe us," I mentally told them as I rubbed my face.
They nodded and we faced each other as we joined hands.
Lady Bishop stood, "What are you doing now? What chaos do you summon?"
We said nothing. We pictured the book as clearly as we could.
From a corner piled with books and scrolls, there was a noise. Things began to slide and tumble. Just as Lady Bishop opened her mouth to speak, the book unearthed itself from the pile and glided to Lord Bishop's lap. In silence, they both looked at it. They flipped throught he yellowed and brittle pages. Lord Bishop stopped as he found the ritual he had just performed. To his dismay, he realized he had only been doing half of it or less, as a page was missing. They also discovered they had been mispronuncing the words. Lady Bishop looked at us, embarrasment and worry plain on her face.
"I am dreadfully sorry. I have denicated my life to this faith. I, like everyone else, believed we had been taught truly and fully. Kayla, I am sorry I hit you. I am sorry I yelled at all of you. How did you find out it was wrong?"
"When you, Lord Bishop, were speaking, my mind journeyed to the Immortal Realm. There one of my patrons told me about the Treegals and that your words were not accurate to that language."
"Treegalish, yes, that is our order," Lord Bishop interrupted, "the last Treegali began this order to preserve his culture."
"My patron found the last Treegal goddess still in the Immortal Realm, who verified your error and told us about the book."
"Wait," Lady Bishop stopped me, "What do you mean by that? How can there be 'the last Treegal goddess'? Treegals had no gods or goddesses. The book clearly states that all power is in the mortal spirit. They worshiped no one."
"Now who lies," spoke a voice that sounded like Treena, "Your book tells you all of our names. Open to the third page."
Lord and Lady Bishop looked around for the speaker. They turned to the page and read off more than a dozen names. They looked at each other in shock. I could tell they were searching their memories for any mention of any deity. Finally, Lady Bishop stated that they were never taught any names, just rules about spirit and faith.
"Then, it is time that was fixed. These clerics can be a foothold for a changed land. A complete copy would be better, however," Treena's voice responded.
"Who is that?" Lady Bishop half asked/ half demanded.
"Name number eight on the goddess side," came the reply.
Looking at the page, Lord and Lady Bishop chimed together, "Treenaliza? Goddess of the Wild Forest? Is that you?"
"Yes, that is my name and title," she said as she materialized in the room with us.
Lord and Lady Bishop hit the floor and prostrated before her and began spouting more of the garbled language. Treena let out a shreik that rattled everything in the room.
"Quit that! You WILL learn the proper pronunciation of the language before one more word is uttered!"
The Bishops got up and apologized. Treena took the book and sadly turned the pages.
"Such a waste. All of their hard work and this is all that remains. Can you girls help?" she asked with tears in her eyes.
Anna and Alice began trying to get any additional information. Gretta was only able to confirm its age and authenticity.
Lisa had a thought and shared it with those of us not occupied, "Kayla, you told us the Faerie Queen can go anywhere and anytime from the Faerie Realm. Can she go back far enough to retrieve a copy that is complete?"
"I can ask," I replied and began searching for the hidden door to the Faerie Realm.
I felt an old, rather stale, place that felt somewhat familiar. Finding nothing else, I approached the Bishops.
"Excuse me, but do either of you know why the portal to the Faerie Realm feels unused," I asked gingerly.
Lord Bishop answered, "One of my predecesors sealed it, and all others he could find. No portal to the Faerie Realm functions inside the cloister grounds."
We seven and Treena were shocked. Lord Bishop went on to tell us that some brothers and sisters were being tempted to enter the Faerie Realm through these portals when their tasks became too difficult, strict, or boring. He said at least six members went through and never returned. They have been sealed ever since. We all decided to hunt for an active one tomorrow.
The light from the small window was waining and the evening bell would sound soon. Treena charged the Bishops to teach the proper pronunciation, a guide was still intact in the book. She also charged us to find a complete copy as soon as possible, then left.
After Treena left, Lord Bishop approached me, "I meant to ask you earlier. How was it possible for you to appear in my office out of nowhere?"
"We have discovered, by accident, that I can access kirlan in times of danger," I told him.
" 'Kirlan'?" Lady Bishop interrupted, "The land of the dead?"
"It is not the land of the dead. It is an in-between place dragons use to transport from one area to another instantly," I gently corrected her.
"Your dragon goes in and out of kirlan frequently?" Lord Bishop asked as Lady Bishop tried to correct her thinking.
"Yes, but he is still a baby, only two months out of the shell, he does not go far or for very long."
"Only two months? But he is large," Lady Bishop piped again.
"Emperor dragons grow faster and larger than other dragons, riding or wild," I informed them.
Lord Bishop went white while Lady Bishop stammered. My sisters and I looked at each other in confusion. The pair began a rapid discussion between themselves.
"Emperor from kirlan."
"Ancient treasure re-discovered."
"Old laws returned and new laws destroyed."
"Forgotten made fresh."
"Myth made flesh."
"Kayla," Lord Bishop suddenly addressed me, "did you say you were heir to the Faerie Queen?"
"Yes, sir. When she crosses into the Immortal Realm for the last time, I will take her place as Faerie Queen," I told him honestly.
"Royalty from a far place," they chimed together.
"Actually," Sarah interrupted, "Kayla is not the only one of royal blood. Callie is related to and decended from dwarf kings. Alice is a lord's daughter. Lisa is the daughter of a gentleman commander."
The Bishops looked at each other and said as one, "They shall come from all corners to your aid."
Looking back at us, Lord Bishop spoke while Lady Bishop excused herself and left quickly.
"Our Oracle's last prophesy told of great forces coming to our aid from far and varied places. She also spoke of a 'broken bridge' being repaired. It is our belief you are the fulfillment of this prophesy. We will discuss this on the morrow. Please, return to you quarters, tend your animals, and do what you need to do until the evening meal bell. My leaders and I have much to discuss."
We bowed and left, stepping to the side as Lady Bishop and several other clerics hurried into the office.
We made our way to our room. We were surprised to see all of our gear and belongings had been brought in and piled chaotically in a corner. We all checked and found nothing amiss. Anna quickly arranged it all as Lisa checked on Bo, Alice on Dawn, and I Set. We pulled the swords from their hiding places and checked their states. It felt good to hold Vanity once again. We discussed the prophesy and felt the change the discussion was having on the cloister.
When the bell rang, the information quickly spread to the other clerics. We decided to strap on the swords, under our robes, in case they were needed.
As we walked, I could feel the stares of the clerics. Our table was circumvented by almost everyone. Only the servers approached us, but did not speak to us. We stood with the rest when the Bishops entered. They stood and Lord Bishop addressed the assembly.
"Brothers and sisters, much has happened today. As many already know, a prophesy is being fulfilled as we speak. I am sure you felt the magic at today's mass. That was the true language of our order spoken by true believers. Since mass, our ancient book has been recovered, a goddess has visited us, and old thought have been shown false. You will all be told the true content of our holy book as best we can as some of its pages are missing. Our new novices were present and heard the true language. Girls, could you lead us in a prayer over tonight's meal? We will try to follow along as best and accurately as we can. You are permitted to speak for this."
Slowly, we rose and cleared our throats. Fortunately, Treena must have been listening as she sent us a simple, easy to remember prayer. Together, we intoned the words.
"Vae lorcha con do teai ducha coreteach nacha morvo lotma vaduce aulcha lua."
This we repeated four times. Some of the open ones picked it up after a few words the first time. Others, including Lady Bishop, struggled through the whole thing each time. However, those of us speaking it correctly produced not only a purification of the food, but an effect that raced through the area previously cleaned, picking off a few dark spots that had developed between mass and meal time. When it reached the edge of that area, it pushed the perimeter out another twenty to thirty feet. This placed a few more buildings in the town within this cleaned area.
We sat down and began eating. Around me, I could see the shifting auras and feel the changing attitudes. Some auras were becoming larger and brighter and they were happy about this news. Others, however, were growing smaller and darker and I could feel anger and hatred towards us. I was glad to have the comfort of Vanity upon my hip with all of these emotions whirling around.
"Something is not right," Sarah commented, "I feel an illness creeping back into the area that was just cleaned."
"I know," I replied, "There are clerics here who wish us harm. Why, I cannot tell."
"I see Lady Bishop meeting with other clerics, several calling for our deaths or, at least, expulsion from the cloister. For some reason, she has not told the others our true identities. The others think we are just novices," Alice informed us.
We saw some staring at us, but I could tell none of them understood our mental speaking. We puzzled over this until our swords vibrated. They relayed that they were distorting our conversation so no others could understand us.
As soon as we were allowed to leave, we headed back to our room. Just before turning the corner, I stopped my sisters.
"Our room is being searched."
They were horrified and concerned. We heard the door bang and watched them march pass us, very angry. We went to our room and saw nothing had gone untouched. Before they could ask, Set returned with all of our belongings, obviously tired.
"I heard people running, yelling about you having personal stuff and how it wasn't fair. So, I pulled it all together and popped to a cave I found. When I felt you arrive, I came back."
He became the middle of a massive hug. We praised him for his quick thinking and unique solution. We pulled Mattis' mats out as we re-ordered the room. Before the night bell, our room showed no sign that anyone had done anything to disorder the place. No one checked on us that night.