A Change For the Light

by Heather Maginnis

  "thank you mistress", the woman smiled, now for my dear sweet sister

  she thought, and picking up a whip Mistress Kimih left her office.

  Mol hadn't slept much that night partly due to excitement and partly to the Abbess's coughing, which did not sound good.

  Awake early despite feeling tired she got up to see Sera still dozing besides the Abbess, at the sound of footfalls on the frost touched grass Sera jumped slightly until she saw it was Mol.

  "Good morning Mol, did you sleep?", Mol crouched down beside her, "not well, how is she?" gesturing to the Abbess. "She?" came a croaky voice, "no respect these younglings" she laughed that ended in a wracking cough.

  Sera give her a few sips of water from a mug. The Abbess's gaze focussed and sharpened when she looked at Mol, "I saw you fight yesterday, you're very good for one so young, who, or should I say what are you?".

  Mol gave her a direct look, ' I'm a Bard Mother, a Bronze Bard", the Abbess almost did a double take, "a what?, Bronze?, there's no such thing", Mol undid her tunic to show the star that rested there, the Abbess just stared, "well I never!" and passed out. Sera checked her but confirmed she was just asleep due to the nature of her injuries.

  They created a carry litter between the two guard's horses, it would be slow going so as not to jolt the Abbess any more than necessary lest it aggravate her injury.

  Travelling at the pace they were, they had to stop to set up camp for a third night, despite what they'd done the Abbess was getting worse and wound infection had set in, both Mol and Sera sat near the Abbess taking turn's to see to the Abbess when she started coughing or was delirious.

  About four AM Mol was dozing when the Abbess started a really bad coughing fit, Sera administered to her but to no avail, suddenly a hand touched her shoulder making her yelp with surprise, Suse was there, she smiled at Mol then walked around to the far side of the Abbess, "come sister", she said in a breath like whisper and held her hand out, Sera who'd sat back and just stared at Suse backed away as the Abbess began to glow, the Abbess seemed in two places at once, a younger version of her stood up smiled at Mol and Sera, then taking Suse's hand they both vanished.

  Mol who'd held her breath realised Sera had done the same for she let out a long explosive breath then gently cover the body of the Abbess up, taking care as if she was tucking a loved one in bed for the night.

  Angee ordered the meal at the Inn and waited till the serving man was out of earshot before staring intently at Angeless, it was a gamble how much to tell her and not scare her off, but her senses told her that this girl for all her tender years has seen more life than a lot of people ever did.

  "I need you to do something for me", Angeless had a cautious look in her eyes, cautious but keen, "go on", Angee sighed, this child was not a child at all but a miniature adult.

  "I need information about some people, I don't know who they are or how many, or any names , but there should be something on them out there."

  Angeless was still non the wiser, "come on spell it out, you're hedging."

  "OK, a friend, also a Bard has been kidnapped", the loud gasp from Angeless made a few heads turn for the Inn was still not too busy.

  "Kidnapped?, how?, by whom?" Angee leaned over, "dark servants."

  Angeless just sat there, luckily the serving man came back with their meal, two plates full of sliced mutton, red and yellow cheeses and crusty bread, two pitchers were also put on their table one with milk in, the other ale, both were beaded with moisture indicating they were cold.

  Angee poured a cup of milk for Angeless and Ale for herself, but Angeless grabbed the ale and downed it in two swift gulps, she had a funny look in her eyes, "I'm not sure I can help." Angee knew part of what the look in her eyes was, fear. Angee move around the table and sat next to Angeless, "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't think you could help me, and someone with your experience should be able to steer clear of any trouble."

  Angeless who had recovered more of her composure replied sarcastically.

  "You sure like soft soaping people don't you?, this could get me killed, tell me why I should risk myself?".

  Angee had been waiting for a question like this, "because if we fail we can't do what we must?".

  "And that is?", Angee leaned over,"fight the Unnamed one when he returns."

  Angeless had thought this Bard may be a soft touch,for one of the few times in her life she realised she'd miscalculated and was now involved in something more dangerous than anything she'd done before.

  She knew though she couldn't say no, "very well, do you have any other information about them?".

  Angee was elated that she'd convinced her, but hid it, she wished she had more to tell her young friend, "no, the only thing I can say is they won't be out in the open, but dark servants usually have unusual tastes and habits that may draw attention to them."

  Angeless didn't say anything else and they sat silently both with their own thoughts as the ate their meal.

  Twenty

  The ride back to the temple was not pleasant for Mol and Sera, they both felt they had failed in their duty in allowing the event's of the past few days to happen the way they did.

  The weather seemed to echo their mood with a constant steady downpour, this wasn't unusual at this time of year and it did nothing to improve the journey home.

  They rode up to the temple about mid morning, the usual activities were going on, but seeing Sera and Mol and the inert form on the litter soon brought a crowd of people to see what had happened.

  Mol and Sera had agreed not to say certain things during the hours that followed, they did not mention to everyone Mol's true status, and they did not mention Suse coming to collect the Mother Abbess, but they did tell everything else, the group of senior sisters who were asking the questions were both shocked and angered at Emili's turncoat actions and many vowed silently to themselves to make sure she paid in full for what she did.

  The funeral didn't take long to arrange, custom had it that the Mother Abbess would have the same honours as any other Bard, no more, no less.

  The funeral was arranged for five days hence, to arrange for those within a couple of days ride to be notified by speedy message pigeon or for those slightly nearer, by courier.

  Mol did not want to go back to her cleaning in the Kitchen so Sera had made it clear Mol was on leave till at least after the funeral.

  Sera noted some suspicious looks at Mol and some ostracising by certain Bards, not an attitude she approved of, just because they served the Goddess it did not put them above others as if they were special and better than everyone else.

  The day of the funeral dawned and the weather was glorious, not a cloud in the sky, the cobalt blue, shining like the deepest sapphire.

  It may not have meant to be a special funeral but speeding a Mother Abbess was, and the additional reason of the conclave of Bards meeting afterwards to elect a new Mother Abbess.

  The guardsmen were all in best ceremonial uniform and wore burnished bronze breastplates, that almost glowed with fire in the bright morning sun.

  Mol marvelled as she came out of the main entrance to see one line of guardsmen on either side of the road leading the entire route to the cemetery from the look of it, she didn't know there were that many guardsmen here.

  Just in front of the entrance was a bier with the coffin on it, six guardsmen stood three either side, pall bearers Mol realised. Sera was waiting for her in full ceremonial uniform, Mol felt underdressed in the simple black dress she wore, she wished she could wear a uniform too.

  In the brief time Sera had found time for to be alone with Mol in the last few days she explained that as they were with the Mother Abbess when she fell in battle they would walk one in front, one behind the coffin.

  Mol was glad Sera had decided she'd walk up front she did not want to be on such prominent display.

  Sera took her place in front of the coffin and Mol took hers behind, at an unspoken signal the guardsmen turned as one
and lifted the coffin up, the coffin Mol noted was made from what looked like finest Oake and the side panels were carved with images of the Goddess.

  A single drum beating a slow march cadence was the only accompaniment to the coffin's stately progress, Mol could see people stood behind the guardsmen lining the route,some openly weeping,she could tell from their clothes that some of these people must have come from the nearly town.

  The funeral procession wound it's way to the temple cemetery, it was quite a large cemetery as all Bards were buried here if it was possible to retrieve their bodies. The service was a simple one conducted by a senior Bard rather than a priest, there was little pomp and circumstance, and once the coffin had been interred in the ground the funeral broke up into small groups talking quietly.

  Mol walked back to the temple with Sera, they were both subdued but just before reaching the temple Sera asked her a question "are you going to keep your identity a secret?", Mol had wondered about that herself, "I don't know , I think the new Mother Abbess should be in on this decision."

  Sera saw Mol head back to her room then she headed for the conclave which was about to start, she smiled to herself at the pomposity of such a name, really it was sisters of the order who met in the chapel to discuss important issues.

  Entering the chapel she saw quite a few of the pews already full, it seemed always the sisters split into their respective groups, green,blue or grey.

  The senior sisters of the three groups took their seats at the front, so Sera went to take her pace with her two fellow sisters.

  After that it was just different people proposing different candidates and stating their merits, Sera was getting a bit bored with some of the long winded speeches and finally stood up, "why don't we have a vote on it?" , there were muted mumbles of assent at this, twenty minutes later they were back to square one, no clear winner with the required three quarters majority was evident.

  Sera felt like banging some heads together, as soon as the result had been announced arguments erupted in support of the various candidates, Sera was glad she wasn't among that number.

  One long winded sister was expounding the virtues of her choice when a voice cut through her from the darkened archway entrance to the chapel, "I have never heard such a load of rubbish in all my time", there were more than a few audible gasps and muttered devotions as the former Mother Abbess, still young like Sera had seen her when Suse had come for her.

  The younger Mother Abbess walked briskly down the isle and stood at the front facing the sisters, "we are facing the greatest peril of our time and you carry on like a flock of headless chickens!", more than one Bard blushed at that.

  "I cannot even get any rest with the way you carry on, there is only one person here with the guts and leadership qualities you need" and walking over she put her hand on Sera's shoulder, "I trust I can leave it to you now dear", and saying that vanished.

  Suse was mortified at what had happened, but within seconds the conclave was on it's feet acclaiming her, she stood up in horror, "no!" she begged, "not me, I'm not worthy", one of the senior sisters spoke when the cheering had died, "the conclave has spoken, we elect Sera as Mother Abbess", and Sera realised that was that.

  Angeless had been asking questions all over town to little avail, no one seemed to know anything, she was beginning to despair of finding any information.

  There was one source left to try, she loathed using it as the person she had to see she really detested, but needs must as the saying goes. The small door she entered was nondescript and gave nothing away to indicate a major business man worked from the house in that shabby lane, of course only certain people knew of this major business man, criminals, and the law for example.

  Sitting behind a desk looking for all the world like a clerk in an outer office was a small, beady eyed man, most people wouldn't give him a second glance but Angeless knew he was probably one of the most powerful men in the area.

  The man looked up from his papers, "ah Angeless" a pleased note in his voice that made Angeless shudder involuntarily. "I'm looking for someone", the man gave her a look she couldn't read , "well this is a first,you coming to me for help, who you looking for and why?".

  This was the point Angeless knew she had to be careful, "who, I'm not sure I'm sure they'll have exotic tastes, and that's how you'll find them, why, you don't need to know."

  He looked angry at that, "if this is going to get me into to trouble, you'd damn well better tell me who it is!". Angeless shook her head, "no, it's a matter between me and them, don't worry you'll be well paid Autor."

  A vulpine grin split his face, "oh I know that, but if I get more than I bargained for I'll take it out of your sweet hide", Angeless felt like wretching.

  She went to the Inn to tell Angee the latest, but she was at the temple,so Angeless made her way there. Something had always bothered Angeless about the temple but she couldn't put her finger on what it was. She entered and sat on a pew at the back, she wanted to stay as near to the door as possible in case of the need for a speedy exit, she knew someone would find her in a few minutes.

  Angeless was sat lost in her thoughts ten minutes later when a voice almost made her jump out of her skin, "yes?", Angeless looked up to see a Bard she'd never seen before, "I'm here to see Angee", the Bard looked hard faced, "and what makes you think she wants to see you?", this sort of attitude Angeless knew, "because she asked me to see her!" a not of asperity creeping into her tone.

  The Bard huffed and walked of muttering to herself, a few minutes later Angee appeared and smiled on seeing her young friend, "any news yet?".

  Angeless looked down, "no, I've tried all my usual sources to no avail, I have now gone to someone I'd rather I didn't have to, but he does know a lot, his help will cost you though."

  A shrug met that.

  "How much?" Angeless looked at her now, "I don't know, but if it's alright with you I'd like you to come with me to the next meeting with me, as you'll need a good bit if money so you'll see I'm not cheating you."

  Angee winced, it showed how little people had trusted Angeless in the past that she felt she had to say that, impulsively Angee sat down next to her and put an arm around her shoulder, "I would never think that of friends," tears hit the floor with an audible plop, "there's something else isn't there?", a sob was the only reply, "now come on love, I'm here for you", the premature adult Angee was hugging looked up, Angeless had finally let her guard down and Angee could see the frightened hurt child beneath them. "It's alright, Autor the man I had to see is so...", she shook herself like a wet dog "yuk!".

  "Well, we'll pay his price if it's in gold, whatever it is and as for anything else, I'll carve out his tripes if he tries anything." Angeless grinned evilly at the thought.

  Twenty One

  Things were in turmoil, at least that was what Sera thought, everyone kept calling her Mother, and every time they did she felt like looking around for the Mother Abbess.

  The amount of paperwork was beginning to wear her down too, she felt like she was being pulled in a hundred different directions at the same time and everyone else seemed inordinately pleased with her appointment.

  The one good thing about what was happening was the information that came across her desk, she now had a clearer picture of what was going on and had a few ideas about what to do to help sort out the current situation, she sent a message to the senior sisters of the green,blue and grey Bards and also asked Mol to attend.

  One hour later Mol was sat with three women she didn't know in addition to the new Mother Abbess, who at that moment turned to her and smiled.

  Sera thought she'd better get this meeting going, sweeping her eyes over the three sisters, correction, four she thought, she better do some introductions and explanations before getting down to the purpose of the meeting. Sera first looked at the three sisters who Mol didn't know, Trianne was oldest of the three for the greys, Illia for the greens and the new senior sister of the blues was Vrina, although the Mothe
r Abbess had no control who was senior sister, she was pleased someone she knew so well was her replacement.

  "Right, I've seen the way you three have been eyeing Mol" a grin splitting her face "I know having a servant in on meeting isn't normal, which is alright because Mol isn't a servant", Sera felt like laughing at their puzzled looks, "I suppose I should say this is a meeting of the senior sisters of four of the five disciplines", this just seemed to confuse them more, "five?" Illia, the one who spoke said with a passion, "there are only four,not five". Sera shook her head in denial, "no longer, Mol is the first of the Bronze Bards, Trianne almost jumped out of her chair.

  "Bronze!, no! , so it's finally come", now it was Sera's turn to look and feel puzzled, "elucidate please Trianne", this was not what Sera had expected, she turned her attention back to Trianne who has started her explanation "In the earliest archives after the war a thousand years ago there is mention of the battle triad coming again, which we know has happened, but also it mentions the bronze's, plural, saving the country from the Unnamed ones minions", until now, no one could figure by what bronze's meant."

  First the Mother Abbess and now this, Mol was having a lot to adjust to all of a sudden, it felt a great weight on her shoulders, she wished she could talk to Angee for a few minutes.

  Sera had been putting some of the information together she was reading, which while not exactly polite while in company, she felt a necessity for some reason, "if you four don't mind talk amongst yourselves a moment while I just read these reports."

  An uneasy silence descended as no one could think what to say, Sera meanwhile was scanning a report from Ruth about what Angee and her friends were up to, then a request from the King for a replacement for Xeexa,