Juliana said nothing for a long while, her eyes sad as if she had seen or heard something in the prioress’ gesture of humility that troubled her. Finally, she spoke: “My lady, whatever forgiveness you have been commanded to seek from me is most heartily given, whether or not you ask it.”
A high color may have risen from Eleanor’s neck and spread over her face, but she did not reply.
“God has read our hearts, yours and mine, but He promises solace for our sorrows and forgiveness for our weaknesses. When we show our strengths, He praises us.” The anchoress knelt as well and took her prioress’ hands. “Like any mortal, we have longings held secret from other men. Seek His guidance.”
Eleanor nodded.
“Will you forgive the grief I have brought this priory, my lady? Believing that God may have chosen me as His vessel blinded me with pride. I failed to see the evil I let loose. If you blame yourself for one murder, I bear the burden of three.”
“This priory has not suffered from your presence, nor did your advice cause the Evil One to dance. When the herb woman sought solace for the tribulations she had suffered, she surely closed her ears when God spoke and instead beckoned Satan to come nigh. He urged revenge. Thus her soul bears the weight of the crimes she committed in his name.” Then the prioress kissed the anchoress’ hands. Her smile twitched with a hint of mischievousness. “There is only one sin of which you are guilty and must seek forgiveness from me. Will you hear what it is and the penance you must bear?”
“Tell me and I shall perform it.”
“It is the intolerance with which you greet all women who serve you.”
“We have spoken of that…”
“And I promised to find you a maid who would do honor to your calling.”
“You have discovered such a person?” Juliana’s words may have been spoken with submissive enough acceptance, but they most certainly did not sing of happiness at this prospect.
“Not yet, but I shall. In the meantime, I have discovered something that may teach you forbearance.” Eleanor rose and walked over to a covered basket she had placed near the door when she arrived. It was a small thing, of a loose and open weave.
The anchoress watched with a puzzled but curious frown.
The prioress lifted the cover off the basket, reached inside, and pulled out two small objects.
Juliana stared in amazement.
Eleanor gestured for the anchoress to stretch forth her hands. Then she carefully placed two sleeping female kittens in them. “These shall help teach you the sweet nature of good women,” she said, “and how to accept service from our sex.”
With that, the prioress kissed the anchoress on her cheek and quietly left the cell, pulling the heavy door shut behind her.
Sister Juliana looked down at the soft, purring creatures resting easily in her palms, and then held them gently against her face. Although she now began to weep, these tears were most certainly born of joy.
FB2 document info
Document ID: fbd-677e06-a922-6c47-a991-c9db-eef6-b58107
Document version: 1
Document creation date: 24.09.2013
Created using: calibre 0.9.36, Fiction Book Designer, FictionBook Editor Release 2.6.6 software
Document authors :
Priscilla Royal
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Forsaken Soul mm-5 Page 21