A Change For the Light

by Heather Maginnis

  "Let me guess, you were volunteered?". Angee's tone from behind her made her jump a little bit as she'd been concentrating on not burning anything and was humming away to herself.

  "Don't do that!" she said with an exasperated laugh,"unless you want burnt offerings."

  Angee held her hand up in signal of surrender, "we'll have to explain to Ruth and Vere who you are,otherwise you'll just get put upon more,anyway, anyone coming in here who's a Bard should be able to tell by the complex harmonies you were humming.

  I don't think a non Bard could actually do what we do with music."

  Mol thought about that for a moment, "perhaps so, anyway, go and set the table,I'm busy in here,go on,off with you!".

  She couldn't keep the mischievous tone from what she said and Angee did a mock bow, " yes sister", Angee turned before she saw Mol, tears had welled up into her eyes.

  The meal was an informal affair as all of them were tired,with the exception of Angeless who Angee had invited,she seemed to buzz but at the same time cast a wary glance at all these Bards around the same table.

  Angee had noted this though and made a point to engage her young friend in conversation.

  Stephanie loved the meal, she'd had steak and mashed potatoes before but the quality and taste of this meal was out of this world, she chuckled to herself which got looks from the others.

  "Sorry, I was just comparing this superb meal to some of the food back home", Mol blushed, " isn't your food as wholesome as ours?" enquired Allia.

  "No, it is wholesome, but mass produced" at the blank stares she amended her explanation,"mass produced means producing food of the same quality for a lot of people, the quality is alright, but to get the numbers needed it cannot match a meal like this in terms of flavour."

  They all considered that for a moment, Mol didn't want to be insulting to this woman but she could think of no other way to say it, "that does not sound good."

  Stephanie agree with the points Mol raised, it was true food today was not the quality it was in times gone by, "I know."

  After eating Stephanie accompanied Angee, Allia and Bria to a small study, they all sat down, the stained glass windows throwing myriad colours across the room in the evening light.

  "So Stephanie, can I ask a delicate question?".

  Stephanie who was sat back in her chair nodded," Bria healed you, but found some interesting things, what exactly are you?".

  Stephanie had an inkling what they were asking but was not going to reveal personal things unless they actually meant that, "what do you mean?".

  Angee looked at Bria,"perhaps you'd better explain what you found". Bria sat forward in a friendly manner. "You see as I healed you I found that you are both female and male, this is confusing to us,can you tell us why,? and how it happened."

  Stephanie's stomach lurched, "I thought that is what you meant, it's simple, I'm a Transsexual."

  At their looks of incomprehension she continued

  "A Transsexual is someone who desire's to change their physical gender to match the one their heart tells them they are."

  Light dawned in Bria's eyes, "so that's why!".

  Stephanie wondered what she meant, "what did you find?", Bria's voice took on a clinical tone. "When I Healed you I found although you body is mostly male at the moment,there are areas that are female,like two forces warring with each other,then there's your soul". "My soul?".

  Bria nodded, "you have a female soul, I saw it immediately."

  Stephanie burst into tears, "you have no idea what it means for you to say that to me."

  Angee threw a puzzled glance at Bria and got up to comfort Stephanie, "what is it Stephanie,what has upset you so much?".

  Stephanie blew her nose in a hankie out of her pocket and sniffled.

  "You see in my world we are reviled and thought mad, we have to see special doctors, healers" she amended "to prove we aren't mad and get treatment from another healer,who alters our gender physically by making the male parts female or female,male,or rather,make them look that way."

  Bria's healers curiosity was aroused, "how?", Steph saw they hadn't understood, "they cut into the body and reshape it with tools and their hands then sew it into it's new place,once healed it's hard to detect."

  Bria was shocked, "that's horrible!, the pain,how do you survive it!".

  Stephanie had to laugh at that, "no, they have special er.. potions that make you sleep through it, and as to magical means, there is no magic in my world, at least non anyone has proved."

  Bria wasn't deterred with the questions, "what about your female parts now,there is something in your blood."

  Stephanie reached into her handbag and took out a strip of pills. "These accomplish that,as you see I've only a few with me,when they run out, well...".

  Bria understood what she was getting at, "your body will revert to what it was before", this set off a fresh round of tears from Stephanie.

  Angee left Bria talking quietly to Stephanie and went in search of Mol,it was time to explain to the two resident Bards just who she was.

  Mol was sat quietly two pews back from the alter starring into space, she must have been deep in thought for she seemed unaware of Angee's entrance, Angee put a hand on Mol's shoulder making her jump.

  "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you Mol, I think we should go talk with Ruth and Vere about your status."

  The two Bards were sat in the temple office enjoying a drink when Angee and Mol walked in, "would you like a drink?". Angee and Mol declined politely, "well,we had quite a bit of excitement today didn't we?".

  Angee saw the opening and took it, " I take it you enjoyed yourself?", Ruth's face took on a mischievous countenance,"well, it made a change from our usual routine,and we dealt with that scum which is always satisfying."

  Angee wondered where Illia was, "have you talked to Illia yet?", Ruth shook her head, "no,she went to lie down for a while,the energy she expended was considerable healing your friend and the journey of course."

  "Ah, I see, then you don't know about Mol then."

  Angee stood up and walked behind Mol, who sat perfectly still, "you see a servant,yes?".

  Affirmations from both Bards confirmed that, "yes, and that is exactly what your supposed to see."

  Vere groaned, "go on,you've another surprise for us haven't you?" Angee didn't laugh much as she wanted too at their facial expressions,she wanted to get her point across.

  "Not really, it isn't a surprise, it's a secret, I'd like you to meet Mol,one of our sisters, the first bronze Bard."

  Ruth seemed to take it in her stride,"a new discipline?", Mol took over at that point, "yes, I'm the first bronze sister, it will be my job and others of my order to do the dirty jobs that need doing."

  She held up a hand to forestall complaints at what she'd said. "The greys are all well and good at intelligence, but do not have specialist skills in spying and other jobs requiring stealth, I do.

  Tomorrow Illia and will leave for the capital Illia and will replace Xeexa who was slain. I will pose as a servant and see if I can find the person or persons who betrayed our sister, and exact a measure of justice." Her daggers were in her hands almost instantaneously.

  Goodbyes were hard for both Mol and Angee, up at dawn they'd packed and were ready to set off for the capital. "Take care of yourself Mol."

  Unshed tears thickening Angee's voice.

  "If you need me,I'll be there as soon as I can."

  Mol couldn't speak, she gave Angee a kiss on the cheek and slid into the saddle, they rode off with the only sound, the hooves on cobbled streets.

  Before leaving Mol and Illia had filled the others in about the new Mother Abbess.

  Angee was secretly pleased at the choice of replacement as she didn't have to keep secrets or explain it all to her.

  But what to do about Stephanie,she was responsible for what had happened, she couldn't just abandon a stranger in a strange land, no, she'd better come with them for the moment.

  The
y all gathered in the study again,the temple office wasn't really big enough for the six of them,so why not talk in comfort?.

  "Stephanie, tell me ,how well do you ride?". Stephanie was dressed in some clothes from the charity locker,but the tunic and skirt they'd chosen fit pretty well.

  "I've never ridden a horse before" she explained, "horses aren't the main type of transport in my world, they're only used for pleasure riding."

  "Well, you'll pick it up as you go along, Allia make sure she has a placid mount will you?".

  Allia went off to buy a horse for Stephanie, while Angee and Bria took their leave of Ruth and Vere.

  "Do you have anything you want us to take to the Mother Abbess?"Angee enquired out of courtesy.

  "No, we sent it all a few days ago,and the details of what we did rescuing Allia you can tell her." Ruth paused for thought,

  "just a minute though, I'll give you a message for the Mother Abbess."

  While Ruth wrote her message out Allia spent some time with her parents.

  Stephanie was sat quietly in the temple,she was not a religious person but being here in this place made her feel something she'd never known before in a church, the feeling that something was actually here, a presence.

  She saw Angee coming towards her, she trusted this woman, in fact she trusted all the Bards. Something not easy for her, too many so called friends had deserted her because of her Gender Identity Disorder. Added to that,her online friends, a lot of Transsexuals can be so self absorbed they can forget the friends that helped them, she'd lost quite a few that way.

  Angee seemed especially nice to her,which was a pleasant change not to be judged,but there was something she couldn't put her finger on.

  "Time we were off, we want to make a few miles before night falls."

  Stephanie stood up, she felt rested and in spite of a lack of medication liked what she'd seen so far of this medieval world.

  Outside, there was a slight chill in the air, it wasn't yet spring, and winter still kept it icy grip,the crisp air held none of the pollutants that an industrial society did and she'd never smelt totally clean air, it was wonderful.

  "Here take this cloak." Angee proffered a Bard's Cape, it was thick and warm and a lovely shade of crimson, "am I allowed to wear this?" Stephanie enquired.

  Angee waved away the question, " it's only a cloak, you aren't wearing a uniform,and if the Bard who gave it you doesn't mind no one else should."

  Allia showed Stephanie how to mount and dismount safely, on Ruth's suggestion they'd put a Bardic saddle on the horse as it meant an inexperience rider was less likely to come off if the horse bolted or shied.

  Once they were all mounted Angee turned to Ruth and Vere stood on the temple steps, "maybe we'll meet again sometime."

  Ruth stepped forward and pressed a pouch of money into her hand with the scroll she'd written, "maybe, fair roads and good weather my sisters" and turning on her heel she went back into the temple with Vere.

  Angee stowed the pouch and put the scroll in her saddle pouch, "lets be off then."

  Twenty Four

  They were only a few hours away now from the capital the days on the road had helped Illia and Mol come to a sort of working relationship, at least Mol thought so, Illia treated her more as a fellow sister,rather than a servant or non Bard, which Mol had noticed some Bards did, maybe long periods spent at the Temple of Light insulated the sisters from the outside world.

  The walls were very impressive and well maintained, they were the highest Mol had ever seen and the battlements had a guard patrol on them.

  Entry into the city was controlled by a guard post manned by an officer and squad of men, a sergeant was checking people coming into the city but as soon as Illia's uniform was spotted he barked commands to form an honour guard, the officer came out to meet them.

  With only a cursory glance at Mol he came to attention and saluted Illia.

  "Lieutenant Anvor ma'am, how may I be of assistance?".

  Illia assumed a very stiff manner,but gave the young officer an approving look, "can you tel me the way to the palace?, I'm here to see the King."

  The lieutenant saluted again, "yes ma'am I'll guide you myself."

  He signalled to the sergeant who had the officers horse brought up, "if you'll please follow me", he looked at Mol inquiringly, " oh my servant" Illia stated with a negligent toss of her hand.

  The streets were wider than Irek, probably because of the amount of traffic Mol surmised, the shops looked all very prosperous, and most people ignored their presence completely, there was a few who stared at them, but it was more curiosity than open hostility she saw.

  The guard at the palace were all dressed in full best uniform,and their breastplates gleamed in the sun.

  Lieutenant Anvor barked as he approached.

  "A Bard to see the King!".

  The portcullis raised as they approached it and rode straight into a large courtyard. A groom came out to take their horses as they dismounted, Illia turned to Mol. "Take my things to my quarters then find yours."

  Illia and the Lieutenant walked up the steps to some large double doors with a guard on either side.

  Mol left on her own wondered where she should go.

  "Need some help?" someone asked behind her, she turned to see a woman of middle years smiling politely at her.

  "Yes, the Bard told me to take her things to her quarters then find my own."

  The woman walked over to their packhorse.

  "That's no problem I'll help you, my names Milli, I'm a chamber maid."

  Mol let her help as she had no idea where anything was,picking up the rest of the packs they struggled to a side entrance next to the stables.

  "This is the servants entrance, never try to use the main entrance unless you want a beating."

  Mol followed Milli down corridors and up staircases until they came out into a grand corridor.

  "These are the private apartments," Milli said in a low tone. "We'll just get your mistress's things settled in her apartment then I'll show you the servants quarters."

  Milli walked into a large room, Mol followed and stopped to gape at the opulence, she'd never seen so much gold and silk, and so tastefully done.

  "Lets leave them here, she does her own unpacking."

  Milli put her load down.

  "OK, saves you a bit of work doesn't it?, come one lets find you a room."

  Milli lead her to the housekeepers office. "Excuse me, this is Mol, the new Bards servant."

  The woman behind the desk looked up,"bringing a servant with her?, that's new, never known a Bard to have a personal servant."

  Mol shrugged, "I don't know why, I worked at the temple as was just told to accompany Bard Illia."

  The housekeeper had a sceptical look on her face.

  "Alright,if that's the story you want to stick to that's fine with me, too many servants gossip these days anyway."

  Milli blushed as the Housekeeper gave her a withering glance.

  "Take her to the end room on the first level Milli", they knew a dismissal when they heard one and left quickly.

  The room was rather nicer than Mol expected and was ideally located for slipping in and out when she wished, it's walled were washed with a pale yellow colour and the small window let in plenty of light, she liked the fact as well that she didn't have to share,which could have instigated unwanted difficulties.

  "Fine!,this is just fine!" expressing her pleasure to Milli.

  "Now, lets go to the stores and get you a uniform" Milli said

  "Uniform?" asked Mol in confusion.

  "Yes, all servants wear the same uniform whether they belong to the palace or not."

  This Mol did not expect and it would cause her problems, her dresses she wore were specially altered so she could wear the Kironi daggers and have easy access to them, oh well, she always made her own dresses,she'd alter these at night till she'd got them like the ones she currently owned.

  Actually this might
be an advantage, if she wore what all the other servants wore people would see the uniform, not the person.

  Illia walked with Lieutenant Anvor through long corridors till they approached one with people milling about in it, two guards stood at two large ornate doors, as they approached a man in an ornate green doublet and hose stopped them.

  "Are you the here to see the King?" Illia simply bowed, "yes my lord, and you are?", the man's face reddened, "oh, forgive me, I'm Fretit Chase, the Seneschal, please come with me, thank you Lieutenant."

  The Lieutenant saluted her,turned on his heel and left.

  The guards opened the door's at their approach and they walked into the audience chamber, people lined either side and the King sat on his throne looking slightly bored as a petitioner droned on about some sort of land dispute.

  At seeing a Bard murmurs ran through the room causing the King to look up, when he saw the cause he held up his hand and the man with the petition paused, the seneschal approached with Illia and the man backed away hurriedly.

  "Your majesty a Bard to see you."

  The King seemed pleased.

  "We are always glad to see a Bard in our court,be welcome, but tell me what can we do for you?".

  Illia bowed. "Thank you your Majesty, I am Xeexa's replacement."

  The King looked confused, "replacement?, she is not coming back then?".

  Illia did not know the temple had not informed the King of what happened, and was the shock she felt must have shown on her face, before she could speak the King spoke again,"but, let me greet you properly, this court is in abeyance."

  The king stood and all assembled bowed, he indicated Illia should accompany him and they left the court to go to a private office.

  Once inside he took off his robe and crown and hung them up before sitting behind an ornate but very functional desk, judging from all the papers neatly stacked on it.

  The King got straight to the point, "OK,why isn't Xeexa coming back, is she in trouble?".

  Illia took a few steps forward and he gestured to her to take a seat.