by D A Godwin
Shalindra had almost forgotten that, but her own family was just as unknown to Tormjere and Enna as theirs were to her.
She looked around to get her bearings. “That tower is new, and it reminds me of Honarch’s.”
The spire jutting above the city had been positioned near the castle, and thought it was only slightly taller than the fortress, it cast an ominous shadow.
“Definitely a wizard’s tower,” Tormjere agreed. “There were lots of them in Tythir.”
It seems the Imaretii are settling in.
They’ll be embedded in other ways, like ticks on a dog.
You cannot know that.
One of them had become advisor to the king, if you recall. It’s unlikely they’ve been content with only that.
You are correct, but I pray they have not caused further strife. At least our family banner has not been replaced by a Ceringion one.
“Where are we headed?” Enna asked. “I hope we are not going to stand here in silence all day.”
“We should be able to stay at Eluria’s temple,” Shalindra said with a guilty glance at Tormjere as she began walking. “Sister Agnes knows me, and I trust her to keep us safe. I remember the way well enough to get there.”
And we should stop speaking this way or she will think we are constantly daydreaming.
I’m not doing it on purpose.
Neither am I.
Shalindra had never walked from the gates to the temple. Actually, she had rarely walked anywhere within the city, instead riding in her mother’s carriage surrounded by guards. It was not long before the white marble roof came into view, but she quickly became turned around, and paused to remember the way. “I think… through here.”
The alley they entered was dirty and not somewhere she would have normally thought to visit, but it was cool and shaded and much less crowded. The street urchins huddled in the corners looked longingly at the silver medallions of Eluria that they carried, but Tormjere glared at them so fiercely that they lost interest. Shalindra was thankful when they emerged at the other end onto a familiar street.
“Yes, here we are,” she said.
After two more turns they arrived at a side street which followed along the outer marble wall of the temple compound. Shalindra was heading towards the front entrance when a head popped out of a window above them.
“Sisters!” came a piercing whisper. They looked to see a middle-aged woman in the white of Eluria leaning out of a second-story window. “Over here, come quickly! Not through the front!”
Shalindra exchanged glances with Enna, and they turned towards a door beneath the woman. She disappeared from the window, and a moment later came the sound of a latch being thrown open. The door swung inwards.
“Inside, before you are seen!” the woman beckoned. “Why are you calling attention to yourselves?”
“We sought only to visit the temple,” Shalindra said. “This is Sister Enna, of Ildalarial, and I am Sister Shalindra.”
“Sister Constance,” the woman replied. She began to say something else, then seemed to notice Shining Moon on Tormjere’s belt. “Is it true?” Her hand went her mouth. “We heard rumors, but… the Guardian returned?” Her eyes went to Enna. “But why do you not carry it?”
Enna looked embarrassed. “Sister Shalindra is our Mistress’ chosen.”
Shalindra returned Shining Moon to her own belt, just to avoid further confusion.
Constance was clearly unsettled by all of it, but regained a measure of her composure and hurried onwards. “Please, follow me.”
She led them through the building, which was largely given over to storage. The rooms were dark, and the halls echoed hollow with their steps.
“I do not understand the need for secrecy,” Shalindra said. “What is happening?”
Constance grew more agitated than she already was. “These are dire times for Eluria’s church and indeed for us all. There is talk that it is magic, not the gods, who are the way to prosperity. On top of that we have this war with the elves brewing, and anything related to them has come under scrutiny. Eluria has been branded an elvish goddess and not fit for humans. Many have turned to Amalthee or folk remedies for healing and avoid us now unless they are desperate.”
Shalindra could not hide her shock. “You fear for your safety?”
“Some of our sisters have been accosted in the streets. There have been no attacks against the temple as yet, but…” She looked at Enna with concern, but said nothing else.
They entered the central shrine, where an aged woman knelt alone before the statue of Eluria. The woman rose at the sound of their hurried footsteps, but when she turned she was not the woman Shalindra remembered so fondly.
“Sister Superior,” Constance said, “this is Sister Shalindra, who carries the Guardian’s weapon!”
“Is it so?” the woman asked, her eyes alight with wonder.
“This is Shining Moon,” Shalindra confirmed. “Forgive me, but where is Sister Agnes?”
“I am sorry, Sister, but she passed away last year. I am Sister Gale.”
Shalindra put a hand to her face, struggling with the sudden sadness that washed over her. Agnes had been a wonderful woman, full of love for her goddess and with a gift for restorations that left those in her care with a healthier outlook on the world. And she had been the only link to her mother.
“I fear you have chosen a difficult time to return,” Gale said, “for it is likely you will discover only unhappiness within these walls.”
Shalindra swallowed her sorrows. “I shall always cherish my memories of her. But what has become of everyone who worshiped here?” The temple had once housed dozens of Eluria’s followers and had seen a constant stream of visitors seeking aid.
“All but a handful of our Sisters have left, either by renouncing their faith or fleeing to safer places. It is only through the influence of a few wealthy benefactors that we have not been forced to close as well. If it should become known that we harbored an elf, we risk incurring the wizard’s wrath. We could even lose Her temple itself.”
Shalindra could not hide her shock. “Has it truly come to that?”
“The market temple was closed last year. The shrine near the Gold Gate remains, but its gardens are half the size they once were.”
“Is that why you are here?” Constance blurted. “To help us?”
I should have been here, not hiding in the mountains.
The peace you’ll achieve will aid them as well. You can’t keep worrying about what you can’t change.
Shalindra swallowed. “I believe so, though it may happen indirectly. But no one must know that I am here.”
“Only the two of us are aware of your identity. It will certainly be kept in confidence, but you cannot remain here without notice by others who will be less accommodating.”
“That became apparent as we talked,” Shalindra said. “Is there an inn nearby where we would not attract too much suspicion?”
“Perhaps for a short time, but the king has agents everywhere, even in the more disreputable districts which I would never recommend. If safety is what you seek, I do not believe you will find it anywhere within the city right now. I am sorry, Sisters.”
“I understand,” Enna said. “I would rather leave and see Her temple endure than remain here and risk its ruin.”
“I must attend to those seeking our aid right now, or they may leave of their own accord after helping themselves to our possessions. Sister Constance will see to your refreshment, but I beg you to stay only as long as you must.”
“We will depart as soon as we have determined our direction,” Shalindra said.
“May She guide you with Her light,” Gale said, crestfallen. “I pray that when we next meet, I will be able to show you the honor you deserve.”
Constance was so distraught that it seemed she might collapse, but she gathered her courage and led them to the kitchen.
On the verge of tears, she indicated the half-empty pantries. �
�Please, take anything you require. Our Sister Superior speaks the truth about our fate should you be found here, but it is unbearable for us to turn you away.”
“It is not our first hardship,” Shalindra said kindly. “Her light will see us all through these trials.”
They refreshed themselves with clean water and fruits but did not linger, then made their way back to the side entrance. Tormjere plucked Shining Moon from Shalindra’s belt and returned it to his own before they stepped outside.
The door closed behind them, but could not mask the sound of Constance’s sobs.
“Where shall we go now?” Enna asked.
Shalindra had never imagined it would be this difficult to accomplish something so simple as finding a room in which to sleep. If she could not even do that, how could she possibly hope to stop a war?
“The monastery,” Tormjere answered for her. “And you should both hide your symbols until we are there.”
Enna did so, appalled at the necessity. “I begin to think that you must accomplish this attempt without me. You and Tormjere may travel easily enough without attracting attention, but my hair is already returning to its natural state, and I will be more hindrance than help.”
Shalindra started to protest, but Enna cut her off.
“It is for the best. I can make my way there while you continue.”
Tormjere shook his head. “There’s no way we’re splitting up until we have to. Shiran said it wasn’t that far out of the city, and it will be easy enough for Shalindra and I to return without suspicion.”
They both looked at her, the decision made. “I would have to agree, though I am loath to leave you behind.”
As they made their way from the city in defeat Shalindra offered a silent prayer to Eluria to stave off her growing feeling of hopelessness.
* * *
The monastery of Toush, sequestered but a short distance inside the forest, was as easy to find as Shiran had claimed it would be.
A solitary monk waited at the gate. He was tall and strong, and despite the cleanliness of his appearance he had the look of one who spent his time away from civilization rather than in it. “Welcome, travelers,” he greeted them pleasantly. “You may set aside your fears, for you will be safe here.”
“Thank you,” Shalindra said. She had time for no further pleasantries as the monk placed a cautionary finger to his lips.
“Come with me, please,” was all he said.
Shalindra was surprised by his behavior, but followed as he led them away from what she assumed was the common building and towards a smaller one on the opposite side of the complex. As with the other monasteries they had visited the buildings here were geometrically aligned and sized in a manner that conveyed some deeper meaning. The floors of each were stacked like stones in a cairn, with each level smaller than the one beneath it. It was a quiet and contemplative place. Reaching one of the buildings, the monk slid the door open and ushered them inside.
“Please forgive the abruptness of my welcome,” he said, once he had closed the door behind them. “I am Martyn.”
“It is no trouble,” Shalindra said, “though we require no special attention and wish only to avail ourselves of your common room for a few nights, if it is allowed.”
“Our doors are open to all who need help along their path, yet it remains in your best interest as well as ours to keep such assistance from attracting the wrong types of attention.”
“You’ve sheltered Sisters of Eluria before,” Tormjere said.
Martyn sighed. “Far more of late than we would prefer. You are not the first of your order who has fled to the safety of our walls, and it is unlikely that you will be the last.”
“Then I must thank you on behalf of every one of my Sisters, for what you have done.”
“It is Toush above all who guides our actions, but we appreciate the sentiment. Does your path lead north or east?”
Shalindra shook her head. “Unfortunately, my business lies here in Merallin.”
“Does it? I would have expected Brother Shiran to have found you first, then. He has been waiting for so long.”
“We met him earlier this day. While he was most helpful our initial efforts inside the walls did not bear fruit. We were unprepared for the level of animosity Sister Enna was subjected to, and so we came here for help.”
“I had hoped to remain here for a day or two,” Enna added, “so that Sister Shalindra can attend to her business in peace.”
“Ah.” Martyn looked as if he would say more on the subject, then changed his mind. “You are welcome to guest with us as long as you need, as our hospitality does not follow the fickleness of common sentiment. If you intend to seek entry into the city once more, however, you would be well advised to change your attire.”
“That we have already discovered,” Shalindra said. “I do not wish to hide my faith, but as you suggest, it is indeed prudent.”
He led her to a chest in the corner, which contained a variety of robes and gowns of various colors, all folded neatly. “Most of your Sisters have fled to Fallhaven or even Kirchmont. Regardless of their direction of travel, many have found themselves in the same predicament as you once on the road. I will leave you to decide your course. Food will be brought to you.”
“We are grateful,” Shalindra said.
The moment the door slid shut, Enna turned to her. “How are you to reach the king if we risk attack simply by walking around?”
“I will begin by changing clothes,” Shalindra said, selecting a plain dress of pale blue from the chest. “After that I must determine the best way forward. I still believe that my mother will be the easiest way to him.”
“Do you know of any other possible way?”
Shalindra’s shoulders slumped. “No.”
“We should probably wait until tomorrow, regardless,” Tormjere said. “By the time we walk all the way back to the city it will be evening. As we can’t stroll through the castle doors, even without Enna, there’s little time left to accomplish anything today.”
Shalindra did not want to sit idle with so much at stake. The skies were becoming more blue than grey, and the armies camped at Adair could begin moving at any time.
“It could be that a pause to settle your thoughts is the best thing,” Enna said. “Would you want to wander the streets looking for somewhere to stay again?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “No, you are both correct. We will stay here tonight, and perhaps Her wisdom will guide me to a suitable resolution.”
“We know you can’t go straight to her,” Tormjere said, “but is there anyone else who can?”
“I can think of no one else with access to the castle.”
“What about her trips outside? Is there anywhere she’s likely to go?”
His question prompted a sudden thought. “Yes. I think I know of a way. My mother and I would visit shops throughout the city every three or four days, and I became quite familiar with those places we frequented the most. It might be possible to use one of them to bring her to us.”
“What makes you think they would help you?” Enna asked.
“Most of them would not, but I can think of a handful who might be willing.”
“It seems a stretch.”
“It does, but as I can think of no other way it will have to do.”
* * *
Shalindra frowned as she stared at the front of what should have been a candlemaker’s shop, but the sign hanging above it now advertised the services of a seamstress.
I’m going to guess your mother does not come here to have her clothes fitted.
Milacole made the most exquisite candles. They were works of art to be collected rather than burned. His was one of my mother’s favorite shops.
It was not even close to noon, and this was already their second failure. Was there anything from her past life that still existed?
We’ll find someone.
“I know,” she said aloud. They might have been the
first words to leave her mouth since they had departed the monastery early that morning, though she and Tormjere had conversed almost constantly as she searched for someone who could get a message to her mother.
She put a hand against Eluria’s symbol, still tucked inside her dress, and prayed that their next attempt would be successful. She did not wish to return to Enna empty-handed tonight.
She made her way towards the docks in as direct a manner as she could, eventually turning down a street where the establishments were orderly and well kept, with as much space given over to shops and merchants as to warehouses and more common buildings. The smells of saltwater and fish mingled with those of coffee and spices, and the clamor of the streets gave way to the sounds of the ocean.
Eluria must have heard her prayers, because the sign with the cake was still the same as it had always been.
A baker?
Altonsa deals with delicacies from the south, below the Ironspike mountains.
Shalindra inhaled deeply as she entered, savoring the rich aromas that filled her nose. The shop was unoccupied save for the now balding man behind the counter.
“Princess Kataria?” the man asked upon catching sight of her.
When she affirmed his assumption, he hurried around the counter and bowed. “My word, Your Highness, you’ve not graced my shop in years, but I’d know those beautiful blue eyes anywhere. How big you’ve gotten! You were a tiny thing when last I saw you.”
“It is good to see you again as well, Master Altonsa.”
Altonsa put a hand to his head. “I’ve a shipment of your favorites fresh delivered, and here I stand babbling like an old hen. Please, excuse me.” He disappeared into the back of the shop and returned a moment later with a small box tied with a ribbon, which he placed on the counter and opened for her.
Shalindra eagerly took one of the dark confections and allowed it to melt in her mouth. The delightful sensation stirred memories of a time when all her troubles could be resolved by a simple treat.
Those taste good. What are they?
Truffles. They are made of chocolate from Cadonior. Ice is brought down from the mountains to keep them fresh aboard ship. Of everything I have lost, I think I miss these the most.