Heavier Than a Mountain (Destiny's Crucible Book 3)

by Olan Thorensen

  Diera smiled. “When Yozef introduced the microscope, we could hardly get Selmar out of Willwin’s workroom to eat and sleep,” she said. “I finally had to order him to limit the number of hours a day he spent finding new creatures everywhere he looked, and the order had to come from me as his mother, since he ignored my warnings as a medicant. Now, he’s expanded his interest in other parts of Willwin’s work, and unless I’m missing the signs, he’s getting interested in how bodies work, ours and animals’. I’m fairly certain he will end up as a scholastic in biology or even become a medicant, something I would have not thought possible two years ago.”

  “Imagine it, Diera,” said Sistian. “We worried what our two sons would do when they were mature, and now both will be scholastics and one even a medicant. Who knows the ways of God? I almost wonder if the rumors about Yozef are right and he’s somehow an agent of God, if not actually a Septarsh.”

  Both Beynoms remained within their own thoughts. After a long moment, Diera asked, “Sistian, do you regret that none of our children are destined to be theophists?”

  He sighed. “While I’ll admit I hoped at least one would, I think I’m honest enough to know each of us makes his or her own future. I always knew Orla would be happy as a wife and a mother, but I once thought Pyrma would make a theophist. She disillusioned me of this notion by the time she was fifteen, and then she married a theophist brother in Clengoth and seemed happy. I can truly say I’m pleased that all four of our children seem to have found their places or, in Selmar’s case, are on that road.”

  “And there we are, back to Yozef,” said Diera. “We have to credit him with how our sons are developing.”

  “If Yozef is a catalyst,” said Sistian, “then has he stayed unchanged by his interactions with others?”

  “Neither Yozef nor I were happy that it was the best analogy, only the closest I could come to understand. As for whether he’s changed, I don’t know, although he’s certainly adjusted to Keelan, but has his core changed? Since we didn’t know him before his arrival, how can we be sure? Still . . . for myself, anyway, I’m comfortable thinking of him as a catalyst and then wondering what further changes he’ll bring and to whom?”

  Diera took on a serious demeanor. “Another way to look at him is to think of people ‘orbiting’ around him, like our moons circle Anyar. Wherever we look, more and more things relate to Yozef, directly or indirectly, if we look closely enough.”

  “So, we’re all moons orbiting Yozef?” said Sistian, laughing.

  “Well, some are big moons, some are small ones, and others are just little rocks, but yes, in a way we are all orbiting around him.”

  “That includes you, dear,” said Sistian. “Not only the new treatments you’re spreading but also Yozef’s idea for these MASHs, as he calls them. You’re deeply involved in these mobile medicant teams that can accompany men to a fight and treat wounds as soon as possible.”

  “I wish we didn’t need the MASHs, though they’re necessary. We saved lives and helped in the recovery of men wounded at Moreland City—many of whom would have otherwise died,” insisted Diera.

  Sistian touched the amulet to God he always wore. “And I’ve thanked God for Yozef bringing the idea, but it still comes from Yozef. Also, as much as I acknowledge the importance of the MASHs, I confess to a shade of resentment that it will take you away from St. Sidryn’s more than I like.”

  “I feel the same,” said Diera. “I never dreamed we’d be away from each other as much as we might have to be in the next year. Besides the MASHs, there’s the university. Changing the location to Caernford is logical. Abersford is just too small, and with Yozef moving much of his current and all of his future enterprises to Caernford, having the university nearby is necessary. Although I hadn’t mentioned it before, I’ve always wondered about the rationale for so much development in Abersford. Well, besides Yozef being here.”

  “The same thoughts occurred to me,” said Sistian. “However, it was speculation then, instead of reality now.”

  “I’m sure Saoul Dyllis can be head medicant at St. Sidryn’s while I’m away,” said Diera, “It’s my role in the university that worries me more. Within the year, I’ll be spending half of my time in Caernford, before Yozef and I identify a replacement head for the Biology and Medicine Department.”

  Sistian smiled in a way Diera knew from experience indicated he had a surprise, but the accompanying forehead frown lines meant that whatever it was didn’t completely sit easily on her husband’s mind.

  “Ahem . . . I supposed that’s my opening to mention something I’ve thought hard about. A request . . . no, that’s not quite right . . . a proposal from Culich. And, of course, it’s something related to Yozef, as seems usual these days. Yozef has talked to Culich about the need for what he calls a ‘general staff,’ an established group of people that a leader depends on for advice and that takes over responsibility for specific duties. Yozef says it’s important when too many duties are put on a single leader and when the duties require experience in different areas than is reasonable to expect a leader to have.”

  “I assume Culich is considering establishing such a general staff?” asked Diera.

  “Correct.”

  “But Culich already has Luwis and Kennrick, plus all the boyerman,” said Diera.

  “True, although the boyerman are committed to duties within their districts. Luwis and Kennrick would naturally be included, but Culich believes the circumstances now and in the future will require more than those two.”

  Diera divined where her husband was going. “He’s asked you to be part of the general staff.”

  Sistian nodded, tugging his beard as he did when conflicted or irritated. “Yes. He originally broached the idea when I was last in Caernford, and I listed all the reasons why I couldn’t be away from St. Sidryn’s for that much time. In his last letter in today’s mail packet, Culich expounded in great detail how, while he appreciated the importance of my duties at St. Sidryn’s and the Abersford area, there were counterargument considerations relevant to the Keelan Clan and all of Caedellium.”

  “Again, the Narthani,” said Diera. “Two names we can’t escape from—Yozef and Narthani. What does Culich see you doing?”

  “Culich intends to embark on a more concerted effort to bring all the clans into a united alliance against the Narthani. He says the results from the Moreland City battle make this the time to do so. He believes it’s critical to keep such an alliance functioning, despite inter-clan differences, so he wants to recruit theophist assistance. I’m afraid he’d thought of making this a battle against the Evil One, with the Narthani and their God, Narth, in that role. I told him I felt uneasy about trying to use God in such a manner, and I believe we’ve agreed not to be so explicit.”

  “Some see it that way, anyhow,” said Diera.

  “True,” said Sistian, “but we’ve both read enough accounts of mainland conflicts based on differences in worship, even different Gods, to know the viciousness such fighting can devolve into. I would hope we could avoid the worst of that here on Caedellium. However, as much as I hate to admit it, he has arguments on his side. What if the Narthani do take over the entire island? Is there any doubt the worship of God, as we believe is correct, would be lost and replaced with Narth? I am more comfortable in framing it as a desperate defense of our worship beliefs, and to do this we need the active support of theophists throughout the island.”

  “I assume getting Rhaedri Brison’s support is prominent in Culich’s mind?” Diera asked.

  “Naturally,” grunted Sistian, “and it hardly passed my notice that Culich is aware I studied with Rhaedri and we’ve remained friends. The Theophist Order on Caedellium has no formal structure or leadership, but Rhaedri’s reputation and the regard all hold for him make him as close to a theophist leader as we have.”

  “All very rational of Culich and very sneaky,” said Diera, grinning. “Which brings us back to the problem of my spending so much tim
e in Caernford. I’ll admit I’d love to have you there, too, but what about here? You’re the abbot.”

  “As with your belief Saoul can substitute for you while you’re away, I believe Brother Villner can do the same for me.”

  “Villner?” said Diera, surprised. “Isn’t he young for that responsibility? Would the senior theophists agree?”

  “Yes, he’s only twenty-nine, though it’s no secret I’ve envisaged him as my successor when the time comes for God to call me home. Most of the other theophists in St. Sidryn’s agree he’ll make an abbot someday, somewhere else if not St. Sidryn’s. The others will see this as a reasonable way for him to get experience in a temporary role, especially if I intend to return as soon as the Narthani threat is over.”

  “So,” said Diera, “are we talking around the fact that both of us will spend much of the next year in Caernford?”

  “It does appear that way. I want to get back here as often as possible to assure myself the abbey is functioning and serving the people, and I assume you’ll feel the same about the hospital. It won’t be a permanent move, and we’ll have to arrange a temporary home in Caernford. Cadwulf will stay here in the house, but we’ll have to decide about Selmar. Just remember, we’ll be back to St. Sidryn’s as much as possible.”

  “If the worst happens, there would be no St. Sidryn’s to come back to,” said Diera, the words forced out of her mouth.

  They both fell silent again, each deep into dark thoughts that neither wanted to express more openly. Finally, Diera made an effort to steer the conversation to more everyday matters. “Let’s talk about something more removed from the Narthani. We had four births today, more than any one day in over a year. Two were in the hospital and two at the family homes. Brothers Alber and Bolwyn attended the home ones. All mothers and babies are doing fine, though one was in breech position, and Brother Alber was afraid they would have to bring the mother to the hospital for the surgery Yozef calls . . . Oh, my. There it is again. I can’t help Yozef from coming up.

  “With the ether, cutting babies out from breech position is safer. He calls the procedure a ‘caesarian’ and explains that is named after a famous person named Caesar, who was born that way. Of course, neither I nor anyone else has ever heard of this ‘famous’ person, but I suppose we should be used to this happening with Yozef.”

  Sistian laughed. “Oh, Diera, it’s even worse. In searching for something else to talk about, the first thing on my mind was a counseling session I had with Elwela Noswyn. Do you remember her?”

  “Noswyn?” questioned Diera. “Wasn’t Bellton Nolswyn one of the Abersford men killed at Moreland City? He had a smithy shop at the edge of Abersford and was part of Yozef’s artillery crews. Yes, I remember his wife, Elwela. They had two children. Maera arranged a position for Elwela working in Buna Keller’s clothing shop and made certain the pension coming from the clan, added with what she earned sewing, would support Elwela and the children.”

  “That seemed to be the plan,” said Sistian. “Elwela came to me today for advice and approval. She proposes to marry the smithy worker who will take over her deceased husband’s shop, a man already married. He had worked for Bellton many years, and the two families were friends. Elwela wanted to be sure the Word allowed two wives. I told her the Word did not disallow it, but the Commentaries emphasized care for children, and an original wife had to be honestly agreeable. Elwela assured me this was the case, something I advised her I needed to confirm with separate meetings with all three of them.”

  Sistian shook his head. “And here we go again, with Yozef’s name appearing. Elwela argued it must be allowed, since everyone knows Yozef had an affair with Bronwyn Linton, and a child resulted. Bronwyn married into her sister’s family and made it clear the idea came from Yozef. Furthermore, Ewela implied that if Yozef Kolsko thought it was appropriate, then it must be.”

  From Sistian’s expression, Diera could see he wasn’t pleased with Elwela’s assumption.

  “What did you say?” asked Diera.

  “What could I say? Oh, I repeated something about responsibilities and approvals, but my mind was elsewhere. While it’s true the Word doesn’t disapprove of multiple wives, it’s not a common custom. Certainly not in Keelan or most other clans, except for some of the northern ones. However, this may be changing, and if fighting the Narthani continues, it might be more common in the future.”

  “Widows,” said Diera. “So many widows from husbands killed in the fighting.”

  “Especially in Moreland,” said Sistian. “A thousand men died in Gynfor Moreland’s insane decision to charge straight into the Narthani line. That’s close to a thousand widows, since most were married men, and several thousand fatherless children. The theophists throughout Moreland had many meetings trying to come to an agreement and have just issued a proclamation throughout Moreland Province approving multiple wives. Other clans are considering the same, and Culich has asked that one of the first things I work on, if I come to Caernford, is to see if there is a consensus within Keelan on the same issue. I’ll study the question, of course, but I don’t foresee forbidding the practice. In fact, at least for the current generation it might be the best way to ensure strong families and sufficient support for the children and widows. I’m afraid there will be many more widows in times to come.”

  “Yozef and the Narthani,” said Diera. “So intertwined.”

  “Diera, I remember when Yozef first arrived, the day they found him naked on the beach. I wondered then how he would affect our community. Never did I imagine the eventual reality.”

  CHAPTER 12: MOVE

  Abersford to Caernford

  Once Yozef acquiesced to the inevitable, he figuratively stepped aside to avoid the juggernaut named Maera Kolsko-Keelan and her sidekick for this purpose, Pedr Kennrick. Although the rotund, red-headed hetman’s advisor might not have looked like a man of action, he was a whirlwind organizer. When paired with Maera, even in her increasingly gravid condition, the two of them swept aside all obstacles they encountered. Yozef had imagined himself involved in an orderly progression of their household and prioritized projects moving to Caernford over time, but progress went so smoothly that he left details of moving their household and relocating workers to Maera. Kennrick assured them via semaphore that he would handle securing property for a new industrial park in Caernford, and the groundbreaking for a new house was underway.

  Yozef occupied himself by focusing on his shops and projects. All existing production factories would remain in Abersford: ether, alcohol, paper, soap, kerosene, gunpowder, and musket cartridges. New factories would be established in Caernford, if not already operating via previous production expansion, such as those for paper, soap, and cartridges. All development projects would move to Caernford as soon as expedient, except where key workers wouldn’t or couldn’t make the move.

  Yozef broke the news of the move to Elian and Brak Faughn when he called them together one afternoon.

  “Brak and Elian, I want to let you know Maera and I will be moving to Caernford in the next few sixdays.”

  Brak took the news impassively. Elian put a hand to her throat, and her eyes widened.

  “Maera and I would like you to come with us and continue working for the Kolsko household in Caernford.”

  Elian looked sideways at Brak. Her husband didn’t hesitate to reply. “I’m not moving. Abersford is my home. When will you want us to move out?”

  Yozef wanted to ask what kind of home they would move into, because when he first hired the couple, they lived in a lean-to behind the candle works—having lost their small farm, due to low prices for farm products since the Narthani blocked off-island trade. However, he didn’t ask, knowing Brak was prickly about being independent and not receiving charity.

  Hell, where are they going to go, back to another shack they put together? Yozef thought.

  “That won’t be necessary. The move might not be permanent, and even if it is, we need a place to stay for ti
mes we return to Abersford for visits. Therefore, the two of you can stay here, maintaining the grounds and the structures.” Yozef detailed projects he expected to be completed, most of which he hadn’t thought of earlier, but he intuited that there needed to be enough work to keep Brak active.

  The elderly man appeared satisfied and went back to whatever work he’d been doing when called in.

  “Thank you, Yozef,” gushed Elian, once Brak was out of hearing. “I would come with you, but Brak has lived his whole life within ten miles of Abersford and is set in his ways. He is not in the best of health either, so it’s best if we stay here. Thank you for letting us remain in the cottage.”

  Yozef waved off the thanks, already thinking about who would maintain the getaway cottage on the coast west of Abersford, where he and Maera had spent their honeymoon. Providing for the Faughns also allowed him to procrastinate indefinitely about whether to sell the house and the cottage.

  The last sixday in Abersford blurred with activity. Saying goodbye to everyone took a major portion of their time. The Beynoms hosted an evening at the abbey, where testimonials choked Yozef more than once. What was said varied with the speaker: Sistian, on Yozef’s arrival and impact; Diera, on his initial condition and adjustment; Brother Fitham, with kindly words; Medicant Bolwyn, on the first use of ether and other medical innovations; partners in trade; workers; and recipients of new medical treatments.

  Although most of the guests were abbey staff, a notable exception was the Merton family, which included Bronwyn Linton, now Merton-Linton, and five-month-old Aragorn. Yozef and Bronwyn’s affair had lasted two months and ended amicably. Subsequently, Bronwyn had given birth to their son, Aragorn, and she married into her sister’s family nearby, after Yozef mentioned the possibility—multiple wives being unusual but not prohibited by custom or the Word. Yozef had planned to take most of a day to visit the Merton farm, despite the crush of time before leaving, so the Linton family’s presence at the abbey affair let him hold and play with Aragorn for almost an hour. He deflected a query on the origin of “Aragorn,” recalling the “naming day” when he was called on unexpectedly to name the new baby, and the first name out of his mouth was from Lord of the Rings. He also remembered and relived the wonderment of publicly acknowledging his paternity of a child in the cathedral with the mother now married to her sister and her husband. And he did this with his currently pregnant wife at his side, and no one, including Abbot Sistian, thought anything unusual.