Farrell let her think for a moment before speaking again. “Nothing is by chance. Since the day we met, I’ve felt a bond with you I don’t share with any of the other prelates, not even Father Aswick.”
“Here I thought I wasn’t your type,” she said, keeping a straight face.
Miceral had just taken a bite of toast and started to cough. Farrell’s face burned, but he smiled anyway.
“It’s probably beyond the realm of good manners to say this, but I think of you as a sister. Or what I wished my sister would be like if I had one.”
Now it was Jolella’s turn to blush. “You flatter me. And no, it’s not improper to suggest such a thing.”
“I didn’t mean to flatter you in hopes of gaining your help,” Farrell said. “I just meant nothing in this time happens by chance. Our bond is there for a reason. Seritia and maybe the Six want us to be close.”
“My words were ill-chosen,” she said. “No one has ever said such a thing to me, nor can I say I would’ve welcomed it from another if they had. Being a high priestess, especially for the Goddess of Love, can be a lonely task. Even my family seems unnerved by my position. Were it not for the love and support of Most Holy Seritia, I’m not sure anyone could survive this position for long.
“As Chosen, you have a special place in Seritia’s eyes that gives you and me the freedom to be informal with each other. That and I’m fond of you, too. Both of you. All of that is a long way of saying I’d be honored to be your sister.”
Embarrassed by what he evoked, Farrell poked at his food with his fork. “Thank you. But my point was, we complement each other. That may be what’s needed to find what I’m looking for. If you can make it, I’d be grateful if you were there.”
“If I join you, it will become a formal event.”
“It’ll already be an event, complete with an official service,” Miceral said. “I can’t imagine how much more formal it could get.”
The priestess tried unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh. “I apologize, but Farrell had a look of abject suffering when you spoke.”
Farrell caught himself before he suggested she should sit through one of the high masses to see how painful they were. “We wanted to meet the various high priestesses and priests. Just say hello and introduce ourselves. But Father Odis decided only a formal ceremony, complete with incense and music, would do for the Servant of Honorus. After that, everyone followed suit.”
“Of course,” Jolella said in a way that made Farrell glad he’d held back his sarcasm. “No temple wants to be outdone by the others. If a privilege is granted to one temple, the others want the same.”
“Exactly the reason we tried to keep it informal,” Farrell said.
“Sometimes the needs of the people outweigh the desires of the monarch.” Jolella’s comment drew another sour face from Farrell. “You disagree?”
Farrell shook his head. “In principle, I agree. The real question is, who determines ‘the needs of the people’? I think Miceral and I have as good an opinion as anyone from the temples.”
“The eternal struggle between temple and crown. Though as I said before, your status as Servant, Chosen, and Champion does afford you a unique privilege no monarch has ever enjoyed.”
Farrell shrugged. “Not that being any of the above earns me much respect from those who know me.”
Miceral laughed, and Jolella looked at him with a confused expression. “Lisle, our housekeeper—well, she’s the nanny now—orders him around as if he was her child.”
“You let your housekeeper do that?” Despite not being one fond of formality, Jolella looked shocked and a little aghast.
“I misspoke. Lisle is far more than a housekeeper or nanny. She’s part of the family,” Miceral said. “When Farrell thought Zenora was dead, Lisle acted as a surrogate mother to him. He selected her to stand with him at our union ceremony.”
“Well . . .” She didn’t sound convinced.
“He left out the lack of respect I get from the captain of our guard, Heminaltose, Sanduval, Master Healer Heather, both our weapons masters, Nerti, my brothers, . . .” Farrell ticked off the names on his fingers. He looked at Miceral. “Have I failed to include anyone?”
“Well, I could keep going, but Jolella doesn’t need a complete list.”
“Remarkable the amount of suffering you endure, Chosen.” Jolella’s mocking tone made Farrell frown.
“Will you be there?”
“In view of all the hardship you bear on behalf of us all, I feel compelled to offer what meager assistance I can.” She inclined her head.
Farrell rolled his eyes. “Add my sister to the list, Miceral.”
Jolella giggled. “What time do you expect to be there?”
Farrell calculated the time difference between Agloth and Haven. “I think the ceremony starts at sixth hour in the afternoon your time. I can come get you at fifth if you’d like to go with us.”
“Your sacrifices are without limit, it seems.” She winked. “When did you become such an early riser?”
“Since I became Servant, Chosen, and Champion,” he said with as much sarcasm as he could muster. “You religious types all favor the crack of dawn.”
“Each day is a blessing from the gods.” Her tone told him she wasn’t kidding this time.
“Toss in the industrious nature of dwarves and two young children and you see why my life has been spun on its head.” Even knowing it wouldn’t work, he did his best to sound pitiful.
“Yet you appear quite hale. In fact, I think you look more rested than I’ve ever seen you.”
“Could you at least give me a morsel of sympathy?”
“When deserved, I can convey the compassion of the Blessed Mother.” She looked so pious Farrell snorted. “Otherwise, expect the truth.”
“This is what a sister would be like?” he asked.
“A sister would be more blunt and less compassionate.” She raised an eyebrow. “Care to rethink your desire for a sister?”
“No.” He shook his head and smiled. “I don’t want anyone too soft on me. I’d take shameless advantage of them if they were.”
Jolella’s arrival at Haven created a whirlwind of activity among their guards. Jagwin ran about like a dwarf possessed. Charged with protecting not only the kings, but Seritia’s high priestess, he quickly lost his good nature. He snapped orders that sent officers and soldiers scurrying.
“Jagwin.” Farrell grabbed him as he tried to rush by. Only his new strength kept him from toppling over. “Jolella is our friend. This isn’t a formal state visit.”
“You may permit informality in your home, but no detail under my command will fail to afford the proper respect to Seritia’s first priestess.” He glowered at Farrell. “I and my dwarves would be unable to show our faces in Trellham if we failed to honor her with the proper escort. If you are unhappy with the situation, blame yourself. You invited her to go with you to Trellham, not me.”
Farrell let go, shaking his head at all the dictates of protocol. Jolella sat quietly in their study while Lisle and her two assistants fell over themselves asking if she needed anything.
“You invited Seritia’s high priestess to our home and failed to tell me!” Lisle’s voice bordered on hysterical. “How could you forget to mention that?”
“This isn’t a formal visit.” His irritation crept into his tone. “She’s our friend. Treat her as you would Kerstand or Kel.”
“Great Six Gods above, boy!” Her head snapped toward the room where Jolella sat, and she lowered her voice. “She isn’t some rowdy friend you go play swords or wizard with. When the high priestess of Seritia is sitting in your home, you have the obligation to treat her properly.”
“Fine.” He flipped his hand into the air. “Do what you feel you must. I’m going to sit with my friend.”
Jolella looked plaintively at him. “Had I known I would cause this much commotion, I would have met you in Trellham.”
“If I had known, I’d have stayed in Agloth with yo
u and never gone to Trellham.” Farrell shook his head. “Why do people fight to be monarchs? It only complicates your life.”
“Your view is skewed.” She patted his arm. “Your talent as a wizard is such that you can have or do most anything you want with nothing more than your will. If some ruler doesn’t approve, you can go somewhere else. Few have that freedom.”
“Perhaps.” He could have pointed out that his father had similar talent, and he wanted to rule the world, but he knew what she meant. Bowing foppishly, he held out his hand. “Come, let ‘he who could have or do most anything he wants’ show you around his humble home.”
“I’m told you have an amazing palace in Trellham waiting for you and your family.” She let him help her to her feet. “If your home is ‘humble,’ it is by choice you live here.”
Farrell raised an eyebrow. “He spoke to you, too?”
“Father Aswick is a credit to his race’s reputation for stubbornness,” she said. “He must have noticed our bond and asked me for my help. I’m prepared for a cool reception should we meet him today.”
“I’m sorry you got dragged into this, but I thank you for not giving in to his request.”
“Being honest, were it not for the children, I’d have agreed to help him.”
“It’s the one argument he cannot undercut. They’ve had enough upheaval in their lives. Now is not the time to make even more changes.” He smiled sheepishly. “Not that I’d have agreed even if I didn’t have Geena and Bren.”
She laughed and nodded. “The tone would be a bit angrier, but the result would be the same.”
“The only people who think a palace is a great place to live are those who don’t have to live in one.”
“Though I can’t argue with your conclusion, I fear your fellow sovereigns will be displeased with your casual attitude.”
“I’m fine with that.” He led her toward the music room first. “I don’t expect to be a monarch for much longer, so their opinion doesn’t matter.”
“Those things are beyond my control.”
Her answer sounded too close to Aswick’s for his liking, but that was for another day.
Eighth hour in Trellham was a busy time. Dwarves hurried in all directions, moving goods, opening shops, and getting to the mines or craft houses. The arrival of the kings and the high priestess from Agloth only made it more hectic.
Surrounded by what Farrell estimated to be every available royal guard, the three walked to the south stairs. Twice Miceral had to pull Farrell back when it appeared he was about to trample the guards in front of him.
“Easy,” Miceral said the second time. “We’ll be there soon enough. Causing a stampede will only delay our arrival.”
Farrell’s retort faded when he saw the ledge filled with dwarves. Hundreds of clerics from all six temples stood in front of the rubble, surrounded by a throng of dwarves of all ages.
“I didn’t tell anyone Jolella was coming.” He turned to Miceral, who shook his head. When he noticed Jagwin avoiding his gaze, he had to close his eyes to stop himself from pitching the dwarf over the ledge. “Captain Jagwin. Attend me now!”
Jagwin spun on his heel and marched to Farrell. He stopped and saluted. “Your Majesty?”
“Did you happen to tell anyone Mother Jolella was accompanying us?”
“I told the temple guard so they could prepare,” he said. “They are still rebuilding their numbers following the war. I let their captain know I’d bring extra guards to ensure the holy mother’s safety.”
“And they just happened to spread the word to everyone else in Trellham.”
“Your Majesty, I apologize.” Jagwin bowed his head. “I didn’t know you planned to keep her presence a secret. Had I, I swear by Holy Khron, I’d not have told a soul.”
The sincerity of his apologies caused Farrell’s anger to drain away. “Then the fault is mine. I apologize.”
“Next time I’ll inquire to be sure you’re not trying to sneak in an important guest again.”
Jolella laughed and rubbed Farrell’s upper arm. “I see what you mean about no one respecting your position.”
“In this, it is my mistake. I never mentioned I was trying to bring you in unannounced.” He gestured to the crowd. “But this is beyond anything I could have expected.”
“The sacking of Seritia’s temple marked the start of Trellham’s downfall.” Father Aswick appeared beside them. “Mother Jolella’s presence signals the rebirth of Seritia’s house. It helps erase that tragic event.”
“Father, this is hardly a situation where I can study what’s there without notice.” All the time spent visiting the temple heads had been a waste. “The point in meeting with each temple was to make this one seem like just another visit.”
Aswick pointed to a large tent to the right of the rubble. “They’ve gathered to greet you and your esteemed guest. Once you retire to the pavilion, I’ll see that everyone disperses.”
“Are you planning to join us, Brother?” Jolella asked.
“I hadn’t.” Aswick shook his head. “The other meetings were between their majesties and the head of each temple.”
“This time, I’d like you to stay as my guest,” she said.
“I’d be honored, Sister.” He seemed pleased by the request.
“What’s that about?” Miceral asked Farrell.
“No idea at all.” Farrell noticed Jolella avoided looking their way. “She never mentioned this to me.”
“Will it upset your plans?”
“Not that I can see. Aswick knows what we seek, and she must have a good reason for wanting him here.”
Mother Yelsma greeted her guests, and Jolella offered the blessings of Seritia to all. Father Aswick ordered the crowd to disperse. In less time than a formal mass would have taken, they finished the premeeting activities. Yelsma led them to the pavilion, stealing glances at Jolella.
Once inside the tent, Jolella directed all except Yelsma and Aswick to leave. Even the servers were not allowed to stay. The staff placed the refreshments on a long table and exited.
“Seal the tent, please,” Jolella said tersely to Farrell.
The request took a moment to register, but Farrell heard something in her voice that told him to seal first, ask questions after. He removed his staff and began the needed spells.
Keeping out unwanted eyes and ears wasn’t difficult, just tedious. It took a couple of minutes to complete. When he finished, he put his staff away.
“Finished.”
Jolella’s curt nod only added to his confusion. She immediately turned on Trellham’s high priestess. “What happened here, Mother Yelsma?”
“Your question is vague, Holy Mother,” Yelsma said, avoiding her superior’s stare. “If you could focus—”
“You know what I’m referring to!” Farrell had never seen Jolella so angry. “Do not make me ask again.”
“Do you know what she’s talking about?” Miceral asked Farrell.
“I think so. My guess is whatever I’m looking for is upsetting Jolella.”
Mother Yelsma stared at Jolella for a moment, then nodded. “Your predecessor from my time ordered me not to speak of it unless asked specifically. I believe I am following her directive by answering you.”
Yelsma took a cup of tea and sat in the nearest chair. She took a sip and looked at each of her guests before putting the cup down.
“Before the Great War began, your predecessor, Mother Ganz, appeared one morning without warning. To say it was a shock would be to minimize my surprise. In my hundred and four years as high priestess, the holy mother from Agloth had never come to Trellham. That she came unannounced and appeared in my quarters with no notice was even more confusing.
“She ordered me to dress for a formal ceremony and meet her in the main chapel. Though her demeanor was calm, there was an urgency to her voice that forced me to put aside my curiosity and do as asked. When I arrived in the chapel, I saw dozens of senior clerics from all over Nendor array
ed in a circle. There was one open place left and I assumed my position.
“Standing in the center, Mother Ganz held a small chest. It seemed of no matter, certainly not worthy of such a gathering. If any of the others knew what was about to happen, none shared that information with me. Mother Ganz appeared unaware of our presence. Still as the rock we dwarves love, she kept her eyes on the chest. At times I found myself holding my breath, expecting something to happen to the box.
“I can’t recall how long we stood there, but it was not a brief ceremony. Finally, Mother Ganz’s voice broke the silence. She told us to join hands and pray for Blessed Seritia to lend us Her strength.
“Though I did not understand what I was asking Holy Seritia to help us accomplish, I did as I was told. Mother Ganz, still in the center, led the prayer. Again, I lost track of time. Joined with my sisters, I felt Seritia’s presence, faintly at first, but it grew stronger. When I felt so full of Her strength I thought I might burst apart, Her power rushed out of me in one massive burst.
“There was a blinding flash of light, and despite our shock and surprise, none of us broke the circle. When I could see again, Mother Ganz was gone. Her robe remained, strewn atop and around the brown box that now sat on its side.
“Free from whatever held us, we surged forward as one to find out what happened. The first of our group reached out for the robe, and we all watched in shock as her hand passed through the robe and the box. No matter what we tried, we could touch neither the box nor the robe nor each other. At least not inside the area our circle encompassed.”
Farrell sensed something nearby, something he hadn’t felt until now. He tried to make eye contact with Jolella without success. What was Seritia up to, creating places of whatever?
“We prayed for an explanation, but Blessed Seritia never answered our pleas,” Yelsma said. “The box and Mother Ganz’s robes remained where they were until the temple was razed by Neldin’s followers.”
“Did you and the other sisters use this circle to survive the destruction of the temple?” Farrell asked.
“No.” She shook her head. “Before Neldin’s minions arrived, a young follower of Neldin’s warned us of the attack. His sister was a priestess in training here at the temple, and he sought to save her.”
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