Invocation

by Nicole Warner

  From this, a new religion was borne. One that did not need churches or chapels, though they do still exist. It did not require outward shows of devotion or faith. Rather, it was a doctrine that allowed for any number of different ways of expressing it.

  There was no right or wrong way to believe or worship, only the opportunity to understand our own spirituality, divinity and sense of belonging.

  With the coming of the Three Times Blessed, people stopped fighting over who possessed the truth, acknowledging the Divine wore all faces.

  Philosophical arguments faded as the nations of the world accepted there were myriad ways of believing or expressing their faith.

  The many had become the one.

  And the none.

  In the three there was all.

  A single imperative prevailed. The original connection to the Divine drove the faithful and their numbers increased. Those with open minds who heard the story felt the truth of it in their hearts, from parents to children, friend to friend. They understood God was listening. God was there for them. God loved them.

  It is a powerful knowledge.

  I closed the book, deep in thought, appreciating the way Brother Artorelis recounted the earliest days of our religion.

  I picked up the essays, bound and illustrated, and flicked through the pages only to start in surprise when something fell onto the wooden table. It was a letter with my birth name, not the one taken since my marriage, written on the cover in a delicate hand. After glancing around to make sure no one else was near, I broke the seal. Another sheet, folded within the original, dropped into my palm.

  What I read made little sense.

  Anais Cygnaevarte, you have had your first true dreaming and now seek answers. Be cautious in how you go about this, for you tread where secrets are guarded most zealously. Enclosed is information essential to the puzzle before you. Speak not of this except to the one already in your confidence. If either of you push for resolution before the time is right, more will be unravelled than our futures can afford. Keep this knowledge to yourself. The Mother

  The letter turned to dust in my fingers, disappearing so thoroughly no fragments remained to fall on the table. My heart thudded in my chest and my hands were shaking when I opened the second paper.

  It was titled, The First Blessing - An Essay by Mariana of the Sancto Seers.

  In our contemplation of The First Blessing, we ask: What message does God hope to give us? Could there possibly be one underlying theme? Could the Divine have expressed a truth so beautifully simple, we might struggle to understand the purity of its form?

  As many who have experienced or witnessed a blessing can attest, it commences with two events, happening separately or almost simultaneously -

  Animals, both small and of great stature, from the tiniest of mice to a fearsome wolf, in groups or alone, mysteriously find their way to the Three Times Blessed. They all have something in common: a desire to touch the Divine’s messenger. We can only guess they are giving homage, a feral and unknowable reaction to the pull of the Divine.

  Often children appear, sometimes as if from nowhere, or they might be there for mundane reasons. One quality they share is that they are all filled with joy and devotion. They too want to touch the Three Times Blessed. Perhaps even talk with them. Sing to them. Contribute something of themselves in the way only the innocent can do. These two events often occur in ordinary and explainable circumstances and therefore remain unnoticed by unsuspecting witnesses. On the opposing spectrum, some experiences are imbued with the unmistakable mark of God, raising questions and unexpected sensations.

  Through our growing understanding of all the special ways people worship and pray to the Divine, we can observe how every person, free to interpret God’s wisdom as it is conveyed to them, acquires a unique perspective. However, it is both the honour and solemn task of those upon this Holy Path to illustrate the Divine’s intent. In such innocent expression, made clear by the actions of the animals and children, they give us the simplest and yet most profound explanation. The First Blessing can only be - Love.

  Questions flooded my mind. Was this proof that the man known as the Three Times Blessed was not the only person chosen as God’s messenger? If so, how many over the years were like Eadred? How often did they experience blessings? Why did no one ever speak of it?

  And how did the Mother know so much about me? Enough to leave a letter for me to find.

  The essay hidden in my pocket, I went the long way to my room, via the grand staircase, my thoughts twisted up in this curious enigma. When I alighted on the third floor, I noticed again the strange symbols on certain panels in the hallway, observing a pattern my mind did not yet understand.

  A circle on a thin and long rectangle, on either side two wings, triangles in truth, a smaller one within the larger, not extending as far as the rectangle where they met. Sometimes this symbol was hard to spot, well hidden in knots of wood or camouflaged in the brightness of white or darkness of black. Other times it was concealed under a wall sconce, the flickering glow of the candles masking the pattern with fast moving shifts of light.

  It was not the only thing I noticed. The walls in the palace did not end or begin where they should. It was difficult to explain, even to myself, but something was off, as if there were spaces between walls that no room could account for.

  One of the strange symbols was in my bedchamber, on the wall to the right of the fireplace. I went to it now, dismissing Adele back to her rest. My fingers explored the pattern as I studied the entire panel. I discovered a small hole, large enough for someone to place an eye against it to view inside my room.

  To test a growing suspicion, I gave a soft push and heard a faint click as the whole section moved to the right. It kept opening.

  My lips parted in astonishment.

  Safety is an Illusion

  We sat at one of the smaller, round tables, just the four of us. The morning sunlight flooded into the long room through a bay of windows, not quite reaching the farthest corner. The mess room was as large as the dining hall at the palace, but in a greater state of chaos with the stone floor beneath the tables covered in crumbs and discarded food. Young men and women helped themselves to meals lined up on a long bench against the wall near the kitchens, weaving in and out of tables and other students as they kept going back for more.

  “How are things with Rosa?” I asked Elron. Freed from the tyranny of Ludlow, I’d been able to invite my friend into the university. Since then, he’d joined us every day in the mess hall for the morning meal.

  He gave a sheepish smile, rubbing a hand self-consciously over the top of his head. “She’s a bit wild.”

  “Canna be a bad thing,” Tergen noted. “Wildness can be tamed, dinna you think?”

  Pink was an unusual colour on Elron, embarrassment even more so. “Not like this. Rosa went for a swim at the beach last night.” I fought off my grin as he glanced around and then leant in closer to whisper, “Naked.”

  Shen gave a hooting chuckle of approval. “Lucky man!”

  “No, you don’t understand. She made me do it. It was bloody freezing and my, you know, shrivelled up to hide where it was still warm. That was all well and good while I was in the water, but when I walked back to shore, two fishermen came by to check their traps and got an eyeful.”

  “Not even that,” Shen quipped.

  Elron stared suspiciously at me. I quashed the smirk threatening to surface. “It wasn’t funny, Red. I’ve never been more humiliated in my life.”

  I cleared my throat to prevent the mirth from rising and then met Tergen’s blue gaze. That was the end of it. We burst into laughter. Tears of amusement poured down my cheeks as I imagined Elron in such an undignified state. Elron glared before he too began to appreciate the sheer absurdity of his misadventure. Soon his reluctant chuckles joined ours.

  “Did R
osa enjoy the view?” I asked.

  “Maybe not then, but certainly later.” We shared a grin. “I like her, I truly do, but a man can’t go around worrying his girl will make him do something embarrassing.”

  “His girl?” It made me happy to hear Elron say it. For far too long all his attention had been focused on protecting me. He deserved a life of his own; I’d just never believed he’d take it.

  Both hands now rubbed at his head self-consciously as he looked down at his plate. “That’s right. Rosa is special.”

  I clapped his shoulder lightly. “Good for you.”

  At that moment, Lilliana walked by our table, short brown hair shifting with her quick steps. I tracked her passage with a smile that deepened when she bent down to whisper something in my ear. After my nod, she sashayed to her friend’s table beside one of the undecorated stone walls. Near the entrance, that side of the room was busy, many people crossing the space between us. Yet somehow she realised I still watched her and gave a suggestive wink before I glanced away.

  “What was that about?” Elron asked.

  Trying to keep a straight face, I teased, “She saw you get out of the ocean last night. She wanted to know how such a big man could have such a little …” Elron narrowed his eyes and the rest of us fell into laughter once more. I regained enough control to say, “Lilliana reminded me of her invitation to visit the birthing ward. I told her two days ago that I’d come by.”

  “When was that exactly?” Elron asked with deceptive mildness.

  “Just when we bumped into each other.”

  Thoughtful, he turned to stare at her and then back at me. I changed the subject. “Tergen, tell us something of Birne.”

  “Ther naw much tae say. Land be much the same from one country tae the other.”

  “And your cities?” I asked.

  “Aye, we’ve them. Naw much different ther either.”

  Elron snorted in disbelief. “You’re lying.”

  Tergen gave laughing agreement, running two fingers down a braid on his beard. “Aye. Oor cities be much bigger than anythin ah’ve seen here. Tha Port Seal wus a righ wee city.”

  I exchanged amused smiles with Elron and Shen. If Port Seal was the city he made the comparison with, should he ever visited Sidem he was in for a surprise. “Is that so? You seem to have us at a great disadvantage. What say you Shen? Will Tergen be disappointed when he visits our capital.”

  “I’m guessing so. Those cities in Birne must be marvels indeed!” He gave his hooting laugh. Even with all the chattering noise, the occupants of the nearer tables glanced over at his strange guffaws.

  “Make no mistake, ther righ special.” Tergen’s folded arms told us he wouldn’t be swayed.

  “You mentioned our religion a while back. Our teachings tell us the message of the Three Times Blessed travelled across the world. Yet you suggest you don’t follow it,” I said.

  “It be true, though all the other countries of the continent share your beliefs.”

  “But not Birne?” Elron asked.

  “We follow the old ways, always hae.”

  “Old ways?”

  “We duin believe in a God. We trust in the Mother Earth, in the vale and the life. Ther be creatures of lore, of wud, flower and hollo who share this place with us. Righ wonder ther be, all around.”

  It sounded too strange. For a while we said nothing, then Shen asked, “So, if the other countries share our beliefs, why are our borders closed to them?”

  They all looked to me and I shrugged. “I’m not really sure. It’s something King Aethelrood decreed once he ascended the throne.”

  “Tha naw what I heard,” Tergen said. “Wus your religious leaders, the Triune who did it.”

  “That makes no sense. It’s as Red says, what our second King did to strengthen our borders. Every child of Tellenel learns this.”

  Tergen shrugged and glanced over at Elron. “Dinna nou what tae tell you. Tha be what I wus taught.”

  “But the borders are open between all the other lands?”

  “Naw exactly. We trade, talk, and learn from the other. But our sovereign righs are respected and oor different laws.”

  “Is that what you meant by ambassadors?” At his nod, I asked, “What do they do?”

  “Every country sends ther oon diplomats tae the surrounding countries. They look after the vested interests of their people and pass on messages from one sovereign tae the other. Tae keep the peace and build alliances. Birne once hae this with Tellenel but when your border closed oor ambassador wus sent home. And tha wus the end of tha.”

  “Odd. It sounds like a beneficial arrangement for all parties. I wonder that our histories never tell of it.” Shen and Elron both appeared just as surprised. It made me curious about what else had been suppressed. And why?

  Into this charged moment, Elron said, “We’ve increased the numbers of soldiers at the border between here and Chartelyr.” I frowned, little liking his news. “General Vallon asked if I wanted to join them.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “What do you think I said?” He made a face, telling me he’d refused.

  “Did he explain why the soldiers are going there?”

  He nodded. “Some animosity between the Prince and King Edmund.” Now the look between us became graver. “There are rumours King Stefan is close to death.”

  I started at that, thoughts filling with concern for Anais. How heartbroken she must be at the prospect of losing her father.

  “When Willem takes the throne … well, it won’t be easy,” Elron continued.

  “What is he thinking?” I burst out.

  “Who?” Shen questioned.

  “My cousin. Our alliance has just been strengthened by marriage. Why is he trying to provoke Prince Willem?”

  “Because he can’t admit when he’s in the wrong,” Elron growled, summing up Edmund’s problem perfectly.

  “What are you two so worried about?” Shen asked.

  “War,” I said, shaking my head at the thought of it. I prayed I misread the situation. Yet, these military exercises at the border would only increase tensions.

  “Surely it won’t go that far.”

  “You don’t know him the way I do,” I answered Shen, and Elron gave a bitter snort of agreement. “The two of them have to put aside their differences for the sake of peace.”

  “What differences? It couldn’t be on account of the Queen! I’ve never seen a happier couple. That kiss the King and Queen shared when they arrived.” The thick freckles on Shen’s forehead mashed together with his waggling eyebrows, descending into a lewd grin. “Now that was something else.”

  It struck me harder than I’d liked to admit, the surge of jealousy. I pushed it down and stared about the mess hall, trying to get a grip on my emotions.

  Lilliana caught my eye, tucking a strand of her straight hair, cut below the chin, around her ear. That wink returned, speaking of our intimacy. I pretended I hadn’t seen, glancing away to finish the last of my meal.

  “I rode Champion down from the monastery,” Elron told me. It broke through my mood enough to bring up a grin. “Come and visit him.”

  I waved farewell to Shen and Tergen and carried my plate to the kitchen. An assistant took it with a smile of appreciation. The helpers who worked in various areas of the university complained constantly about our laziness. As I walked away, he remarked to the woman washing up plates beside him, “Strange, isn’t it? The one student who grew up with servants is the cleanest of the lot.”

  We strolled to where Elron had left Champion tied up by the statue of the red wolf. My horse waited with placid patience, a small mound of hay, much diminished, and a trough of water before him. I almost always avoided the statue because it brought up too many memories of Father Tyrell. Of the strangeness dogging my every step. Suspiciou
s of Elron’s motive in choosing this particular area in the forecourt, but overlooking it for now, I put out a gentle hand to stroke along Champion’s nose.

  He flicked his ears and swung his chestnut head away, liquid black eyes filled with reproach. My loyal horse had been sorely neglected of late and wasn’t averse to expressing his annoyance. I tried again, murmuring an apology for my neglect. In tiny increments he nudged his wide cheek into my hand and gave a small neigh of greeting. I stroked my fingers along the star on his forehead and rested my face on his, inhaling his horsey aroma fondly.

  Peace made between us, I pulled out my gift and held it to his mouth. Happy to take my offering, Champion tore through the bright red apple in two quick bites, ignoring the bits that broke off and fell to the ground.

  “Thanks for bringing him,” I said to Elron. He nodded and ran his hand along Champion’s flank. To my horse, I promised, “We’ll go for a ride soon.” Those ears flicked again. He was listening and would remember.

  I scattered the small mound of hay left behind with my foot and watched Elron ride off, wishing I could join him. Instead, I turned in the opposite direction, heading for the hospice.

  The central ward wasn’t as busy as it sometimes could be with only a few overnight patients. There was a pleasant smell of lemon and orange underlying the long room. I’d asked the assistants to add juice and pieces of rind to the water they used to clean the area, aware it helped mask the smells of blood or vomit. A pitcher sat beside a round bowl at the entry. I poured fresh water from it, washing my hands with a rough ball of tallow soap.

  Five more patients came in over the course of the morning, leaving only one bed empty. Grey sheets were tucked tightly under the pallet. A small tray of clean tools rested on the table next to it; another of the changes I’d initiated.

  Half the day passed in a blur of pained faces, soon transformed into happier ones when I performed some gentle healing, all under the guise of using lotions or herbal remedies. Two patients required minor procedures. One involved lancing a boil on the inner thigh of a woman. I sent her home with instructions to return the next morning to change the bandages. On the other, I removed a large fishing barb from the flesh behind his ankle. A nasty injury, one I suspected was likely to become infected. I stitched the wound and left him to recuperate, only to rush back seconds later to scold the elderly fisherman as he attempted to leave the ward.