The Sword

by Bryan M. Litfin

  It wasn’t the answer Teo was seeking. “Master Maurice,” he said, “I admire your faith.” He politely excused himself and returned to his study.

  “Blessings on you this evening,” Maurice said to the community assembled in Stratetix’s chalet. “It has been a fortnight since we last gathered, and it is good to be with you once more in the presence of Deu. Let us begin with the hymn that has become our own, ‘Utter to the Eternal One a Cry of Joy.’ Anastasia, would you please lead us?” He motioned toward her, and she retrieved her harp.

  “Sing it to Deu alone,” Ana said as she played a prelude. “Enter his gates with praises, and his courtyards with songs.”

  As the harp’s notes and the harmonious voices ascended to heaven, Maurice stole a sidelong glance at Teo. He was singing, but his heart still wasn’t in it. Maurice regretted their sharp words earlier that day, though he wouldn’t have changed anything he’d said. Soften him, O Deu, he prayed.

  After the hymn, Maurice inquired about the welfare of the community. He asked that any needs be mentioned aloud, so they could be brought before Deu.

  Lewth raised his hand. “May I speak first? I continue to seek courage for my appointment as tutor to the prince. I begin my new role in two weeks.” Everyone offered words of encouragement.

  “Chiveis will come to Deu someday,” Maurice predicted. “Who else has a need?”

  Rosetta lifted her hand hesitantly. “I’m sorry to mention it,” she said, “but my mare will be foaling soon. I’m sure Deu doesn’t care about such small matters. It’s just that, well, I’ve always wanted Lina to have her own horse, and—oh, never mind.”

  “Do not doubt that Deu cares about such things, sister,” Maurice advised. “He is the All-Creator. I believe he cares about the daily needs of a widow and her daughter.”

  Rosetta nodded at Maurice, the gratitude clearly etched on her face.

  “I have something,” Lina said. She kept her eyes on her lap. “I need wisdom about . . . um, a friend . . . and . . . what I should do. Uh, that’s all.”

  Maurice smiled warmly. “Such matters of the heart are important to a young lady. Yes, indeed, we will ask Deu’s blessing on this relationship of yours.” Lina giggled, while next to her, Shaphan blushed.

  “Everyone get down! NOW!”

  Teo’s sharp command was obeyed instantly. Valent alone remained standing while the rest of the group scrambled to the floor. He joined Teo at the window. “What is it? What did you hear?”

  “Armed riders. Several of them. There’s no good reason for them to be around here at night.”

  Valent put his back to the wall and lifted the curtain’s edge with a finger. “Vulkainians!” Frightened moans arose from the room. Teo drew his sword, and Valent pulled out his knife.

  Stratetix rose from his crouch and put his hand on Teo’s arm. “No, not that way. Now’s not the time. Quick! Everyone into the root cellar!”

  Stratetix ran into the back room, which served as the kitchen. He lifted a trapdoor and helped everyone except his family members descend into the cramped space. Closing the trapdoor, he covered it with a rug. The cellar went dark.

  A fist hammered on the front door. “Open up immediately, in the name of the High Priestess!”

  In the musty cellar, Maurice whispered to the frightened group, “Silence, everyone. Just pray.”

  Above, Stratetix set the stage. “Ana, get upstairs! You’re reading quietly in your room. Don’t come down. Helena, you’re cooking back here. I’ll get the door.”

  The front door squeaked open. The footsteps of several men pounded on the floorboards as they barged into the chalet.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Stratetix protested. “We’ve done nothing wrong!”

  “That’s what we’re here to find out,” said a rough voice.

  “Who are you?”

  “Vulkain’s militia. The High Priestess has received a vision that heresies have sprung up in Chiveis. We’re supposed to be looking for anything suspicious.”

  “I’m no heretic. What do you want with me?”

  “We’re keeping an eye out for secret meetings. We heard singing coming from this direction.”

  “So what? My wife and I enjoy music. We were singing. You should try it.”

  “Can you explain all those tracks leading to your door?”

  “Friends stopping by throughout the day. Is there a law against that?”

  “There might be soon.”

  “That’s outrageous!”

  Boots stomped across the floor. Stratetix made a choking sound. “Maybe you don’t understand who’s in charge here!” said the rough voice. Stratetix gave no reply.

  “I think he needs a dose of medicine, Sarge!” another voice said. “Give him a squirt of acid!” Cruel laughter filled the house.

  In the darkness, Rosetta whimpered, and Maurice clasped her hand tightly. Teo stirred and loosened his sword in its scabbard.

  “See that candlestick?” the leader asked. There was a long pause. “Look at that! If my spray can do that to metal, what do you think it will do to your skin?”

  Helena’s calm voice broke in. “My husband is no criminal. Please release him. We will give you the information you seek, and you can be on your way.”

  “You hear that, men? The pretty wife wants us out of here! Search the place, and let’s get going.” The militiamen scattered throughout the house. A man entered the kitchen.

  “Whatcha cooking, honey?”

  “Pastry,” Helena said.

  The man walked around the kitchen, his boots thumping on the trapdoor. His foot caught, and he stumbled, landing on the floor with a thud. A corner of the rug flopped over, causing light to stream between the planks of the trapdoor. “Hey!” the man cried. “Why don’t you keep your rug flat so a man don’t trip?”

  We are your people, the flock of your pasture, Maurice prayed silently. Deu, protect us!

  “I’m so sorry,” Helena said. “Here, take this pastry to make it up to you.” The man stood up, and Helena folded down the rug’s corner with her foot. The cellar became dark again.

  Another man entered the kitchen. “What’s up there?”

  “Two bedrooms,” Stratetix said. “My daughter is in one of them, reading.”

  “Inspect it,” the leader ordered. Men ascended the staircase, their weapons and spurs jingling.

  After a pause, a voice yelled from upstairs. “There’s no one up here but a girl, Sarge!”

  “She’s good-looking!” called another voice. “Maybe she needs to go back to the station for questioning!”

  Teo rose to his feet, but Maurice tugged on his jerkin. “No,” he whispered.

  “Quit foolin’ around, you two!” the leader said. “Let’s go.” The footsteps moved toward the front room.

  “I can’t say I’m sorry to see you leave.” Stratetix’s tone was defiant.

  “I’m filing a report on you, just in case.”

  In the root cellar, Lina sneezed loudly.

  “What was that?” the leader demanded.

  Light footsteps hurried down the stairs into the kitchen. “Oh!” Ana exclaimed as she entered the front room. “You men have stirred up so much dust, it’s deplorable!”

  “Be glad that’s all we did, sweetheart.” The door slammed shut.

  Silence.

  After what seemed like forever, Helena entered the kitchen and knelt on the floor. “Stay down there. I’ll put out the lights as if we’re going to bed.”

  Lina started to cry softly. “That was so awful,” she said in a tremulous voice.

  “It’s okay, Lina,” Shaphan whispered. “We were never in danger. Teofil was here.” In the dark, Teo snorted.

  Eventually the rug was moved aside. “I think it’s safe to come out now.” Helena lifted the trapdoor and handed a candlestick to Maurice so those in the cellar could see. One by one, they climbed up the ladder into the darkened kitchen.

  “We need to talk about this,” Maurice sa
id. “Let’s stay in this room and sit on the floor. If they come back, we can hide again.”

  The community huddled in a circle around the candlestick, its meager light offering scant comfort after the perilous events of the evening. It was the only illumination in the house.

  “First of all, we must give thanks to Deu.” Maurice offered a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving accompanied by several murmurs of agreement.

  After the prayer, Maurice addressed his traumatized flock. “Stratetix, I commend you. You did nothing rash, but neither did you back down.”

  Stratetix rubbed his neck. “The guy choked me hard. Then I thought for sure they were going to hit me with their sprayers. Look at what that stuff can do!” He gestured toward the candlestick, whose metal surface was badly corroded where the acid had touched it.

  Maurice nodded. “It’s an evil weapon they wield. Praise Deu for your deliverance.” He turned to the women of the house. “Helena and Anastasia, I commend you as well. Your level heads and quick thinking were admirable tonight.” Mother and daughter gripped each other’s hands and exchanged understanding glances.

  “So where does all this leave us?” Lewth asked. “Should we disband?”

  “No!” Valent rose to his feet. “We shouldn’t disband. Not by any means!”

  “Take a seat, friend,” Maurice advised.

  Valent sighed but obeyed. “Listen to me! Tonight is an example of exactly what we should expect. I was trying to tell you this before. This religion of ours is secretive by its very nature. It’s intended only for the chosen few. I’m talking about elite wisdom. Special enlightenment! Obviously that’s not for everyone, but only for those who make themselves worthy in Deu’s eyes.”

  “I agree with my husband,” Sucula said. “We should continue to meet, though with greater caution. Tonight we’ve seen how the institutional religion will persecute us. Nevertheless, we must continue to seek the inner meaning of the book. Deu came to us because he saw our great potential. We mustn’t shrink back from his arcane knowledge or fail to master his esoteric wisdom—like Adam, who was afraid to be naked!”

  “Arcane knowledge? Esoteric wisdom?” Ana was incredulous. “Where do you find those things in the Sacred Writing?”

  “Such knowledge lies hidden within.” Sucula smiled mysteriously.

  “No, it doesn’t. The knowledge of Deu is plain to see. His goodness is for everyone.”

  “Well, Anastasia, you’ve just witnessed what would happen if Deu were revealed openly. Are you suggesting we do that?”

  “Of course not! At least, not in a foolish way. We must be wise about how we speak. Even so, we must always be looking for ways to bring Deu to Chiveis. I long for that! I can even imagine a day when I could preach his name in the streets, and my people would turn away from their idols.”

  “Ana, don’t get ahead of yourself,” Stratetix warned. “If you did that, it would be at great cost.”

  “Perhaps it would.” Ana lifted her chin.

  Helena put her arm around her daughter and pulled Ana close. “Let’s take a cautious approach, my love.”

  Valent leaped up again. “Okay, everyone. Anastasia has made her case. I’ve made mine. Let’s decide the issue right now! Who’s with me?”

  Before anyone could answer, Stratetix bolted to his feet as well. “Listen here, Valent! I’ve had about enough from you. This is my house, and you’re a guest in it. Master Maurice is the leader of this community, not you. I will not allow you to come in and take over!”

  For a long time, Valent and Stratetix glared at each other. Maurice broke the tension. “My friends, it has been an arduous night. I think we should all depart now and come back together when we’ve had a chance to reflect.”

  Valent’s expression softened. “I’m sorry, everyone. I guess my passions sometimes carry me away. Stratetix, I intended no offense to you. Please excuse me.” Valent looked down and offered his hand to Sucula, who rose to stand at his side. “We should leave here tonight in small groups, so as not to call attention to ourselves. My bride and I will leave first. Deu be with you all.”

  Maurice watched the red-haired trapper and his wife exit the chalet. He closed his eyes and shook his head. I asked for a new wind to blow in Chiveis, he thought. But am I truly ready for its power to be unleashed?

  Valent slammed the door of his chalet and threw his cloak on the floor. “Who does Stratetix think he is, trying to tell me what to do? I deserve more respect than this!”

  “He’s nobody!” Sucula declared.

  Valent spun and faced his wife, his arms spread, palms up. “Don’t these people see I’m smarter than him?” He arched his eyebrows.

  “I can see it, but they can’t. They appreciate Stratetix for his steadiness.”

  “You’re right. Stratetix is an obstacle.” Valent stroked his beard as he paced the room.

  “What are we going to do about it?”

  Valent looked at Sucula with a cunning expression. “Have you ever seen a pack of wolves hunting?”

  “Wolves are your domain, not mine.”

  “I’ve seen them hunting the red deer. They don’t attack the whole herd. They choose the one they want and separate it. That’s what we need to do—divide. The old professor I can handle. I can edge him out eventually. But Stratetix is strong. He needs to be dealt with if I’m to assume my rightful place as the head of this religion.”

  “How? We can’t do anything that would put our lives at risk. And we don’t want to destroy the community, just expel Stratetix.”

  “I’ll think of something. We’ll get him out! And Helena and Anastasia will go with him.”

  “Good riddance,” Sucula said with disdain.

  “I’m thirsty. Get me some mead while I think.” Valent tumbled into an overstuffed chair by the hearth. Sucula retrieved the jug, poured a stein, and warmed it with a poker. Valent took it from her and gulped it eagerly.

  “Killing him would be the best way,” he mused. “But I don’t want a blood trail leading back to me.”

  “There are men who would do it for hire.”

  “Too risky. They might betray me if pressed. We need something more clean.”

  Sucula stirred the coals in the fireplace with the poker. Suddenly she whirled, the hem of her black gown fanning out as she turned. She had a look of triumph on her face. “I have it!” she exclaimed. “The answer is staring us in the face!”

  “Go on,” Valent said from his chair.

  “Let’s use the events of tonight to our advantage! The High Priestess is on edge. She’s like a cornered badger who will lash out at any threat. If she becomes certain Stratetix is undermining her religion, she’ll go after him for sure.”

  Valent threw back his head and laughed. “That’s it! And with Stratetix out, Maurice won’t have any allies. Everyone will be running scared. They’ll be looking for a strong, steady hand.” He thought about it some more as he drank his mead. “Yeah. This could work. I’ll promise to keep them hidden. No more of this public preaching Anastasia keeps talking about. We’ll be a secret cult for the chosen few. If I can get my hands on the Sacred Writing, I know I can take things in that direction. I just have to break Stratetix. Then I can take over.”

  “How will you do it?”

  “The Vulkainians already suspect him. An anonymous tip is all that’s needed to get him arrested.”

  “Or worse, the High Priestess might call down Astrebril’s Curse.” Sucula shuddered as she spoke of it.

  Valent gazed into space, lost in his thoughts. Sucula came to him and sat on the armrest, stroking his red hair. “So, my husband,” she said softly, “you liked my idea?”

  Valent brushed her hand away. “Stop. I’m trying to make plans.”

  “It’s time for bed. Can’t we plan in the morning?”

  Valent shot his wife an exasperated look. “The morning? By morning I’ll have slipped a message to the Vulkainians! I just need to figure out how to do it.” He rose and began to button on
his cloak.

  “Where are you going?”

  “The tavern. A man does his best thinking over a good ale. Don’t wait up.” He opened the door and stepped into the cold night.

  Rosetta’s mare had been showing signs of labor all day. As darkness fell, she hung a lantern in the barn and sat down to wait. Her thoughts turned to the request she had expressed to the house community two nights earlier. Master Maurice had been certain Deu would care about something as mundane as a horse giving birth. The idea that a god would care about such things was deeply comforting to Rosetta.

  The barn door opened, and Lina entered. “How’s she doing?”

  “I think the foaling will begin very soon, and then you’ll know whether you have a colt or a filly.”

  “I hope it’s a colt.”

  “Do you think Deu already knows?”

  Lina looked uncertain. “I guess so. Master Maurice says everything belongs to Deu. Even horses.”

  “What do you think of Valent’s ideas about Deu?”

  “Well, I can’t imagine ever siding against Ana, if it comes down to that.” Lina bit her lip. “But I have to admit, I’m drawn to Valent. He’s very persuasive. Shaphan thinks highly of him.”

  Rosetta glanced at her daughter. “And you think highly of Shaphan, don’t you?” Lina’s bashful smile was all the answer Rosetta needed.

  The mare whinnied, and Rosetta went to the stall to investigate. “It’s begun! Lina, come help me and meet your little horse!”

  Lina complied, but the foaling didn’t go as planned. As the night wore on, the mare struggled to deliver. Sweat beaded on Rosetta’s forehead as she tried to help the distressed horse. It lay on its side in the straw, exhausted from the effort.

  “The foal is breach! It can’t come out!” Rosetta was desperate. “Lina, go get your uncle! He’ll know what to do!” The blonde girl ran from the barn.

  Rosetta pounded her fist on the stall. Deu, why are you doing this to me? What purpose could you have in taking this foal from a widow’s daughter?