Prologue chapter 2

Davar Island spring 724

Gwenllian High-priestess of the Calanti church walked along the sandy beach of the holy island. Walking there calmed her, and it was about the only place she could truly be alone. Holy island was not big, the whole island only measured 6 by 4 kilometers in diameter. It was surrounded by sandy beaches with grassland and one tiny hill in the middle. Yet here on this small space between the kingdoms of the continent the highest ranking female Calanti priestess settled. It was her residence 6 months a year, the other 6 she alternated between the courts of the two kings on the continent. When on the island she was mostly occupied with church affairs and there was very little time to call her own. Today was the exception to the rule.

Lady Gwenllian was in her late fifties and though her body and face didn’t show her age, she could feel in her bones that she wasn’t getting any younger. She sighed, she had been High Priestess for over twenty years now, made so by a holy vision granted her predecessor. Yet she herself never had such a vision, and that worried her. Was she not worthy after all her years of service. Everyone revered her as a wise and just woman. Gwen herself knew better, knew how much of that had been sheer luck. Her rule had been relatively peaceful. The kingdoms had been more or less peaceful those years. There were always border raids but they didn’t cause political scandals. But now there were young folk on both thrones and young people had war in their veins. Since Makador’s accession to the throne of Eryrion the political situation had tensed up. And she feared for the future. Young king Makador didn’t have the respect for the curch that his father had had. And she could feel their position slipping day by day. What would that mean for the safetly of her people and her own legacy? Toughts like this scared her greatly. A successor needed to be trained. Even though she had been young when she came to power, the former high priestess had named her three years before her death and she had had time to adjust to the role. Could she do the same for her own successor. Or even worse what would happen if she died without naming someone. That had not happened for centuries in the history of the church.

She looked up from her musings when she heard laughter from over on the next beach. The high priestess walked over to the edge of the dune to watch several novices skinny-dipping and having fun. Gwen smiled. The girls weren’t allowed to. Regime for the novices was very strict. There was little room for anything else but eat, sleep, prayer and lessons. So she didn’t begrudge the girls their moment of fun. By the looks of them, they were some of the elder ones and they would be made junior priestesses soon. It would give them more time to themselves, but less to play. Priests just didn’t frolic. She remembered her own youth here vividly, how hard it had been for her to give up her childhood. Gwen had not been one of the easiest novices and neither were some of the girls she recognized down on the beach.

“What are you girls doing there!”

The peaceful atmosphere was ruined by a new voice and Gwenllian watched Britwas march down the beach. Britwas had only just been named senior priestess and took her calling very seriously. Too seriously for Gwen’s liking. She now watched her fellow priestess chide the girls from a distance. Some in her council of elder priests saw a successor in Britwas. The woman was in her early twenties, intelligent and had family-connections, her father was one of the counts who had his lands in the productive south of the kingdom and Britwas was his eldest and most beloved daughter.

Gwen had as always stayed silent on the subject of her own succession, she would not be pushed by her own juniors. The young woman had many admirable qualities, but she just didn’t like her. There was a fanatical fire in Britwas eyes, and that was one quality a High Priestess shouldn’t have. Politics called for a cool head at all times. And Britwas lost her temper all too easy. This may still pass as the woman was young and had time to learn. But the high priestess had her doubts. She had seen many a woman grow up and knew how to take the measure of a youngster. The High Priestess stepped back as the novices filed past her. She didn’t want the girls to see her, didn’t want to have to take official action herself as well. The girls were in enough trouble with Britwas on their backs.

“Who the hell does Britwas think she is!” She heard an angry raised voice. “She is only a few years older then we are.”

“Let it go, Marared!” One of the others said soothingly. “She was only doing her job!”

“Her job, my foot! She takes pleasure in following us around, punishing every little thing we do wrong.” The first girl said again.

“Ah come on Mara! What is it with the two of you? You are always at each other’s throat.” A third girl chimed in.

“Maybe we just don’t like each other, okay….”

By now the girls were too far gone to hear clearly. Gwenllian stepped out of the alcove again and shook her head. Another hothead. She had noticed Marared Diffryn before. Another highly intelligent girl and another with a temper to match her intelligence. If she didn’t learn to keep it down it could seriously hamper her career. She made a mental note to talk to the girl’s instructors. It would be a pity, she showed potential. But already the child came to her attention too often, and rarely it was in a positive way.

Spring 726

Excitement rang through the halls of the small convent were the novices were housed. It was the time of year when those women who were deemed to be old and wise enough to be accepted into the priesthood would be announced. This event marked the end of childhood and would settle their lives forever. After a novice they became an initiate in the order and said their first vowes of obedience to the gods. There would be no going back to a different kind of life. Never would they know a man or have a family with children of their own. It seemed a hard thing to ask of children this age and yet every girl in the halls hoped that she would be so chosen this day. Most had come here very young and had long ago accepted the church as the only way of life. Some hardly remembered the outside world. For them the only way to gain some independence and a higher ladder in life, was to advance within the priesthood. So the atmosphere across the grounds were the boys were housed was extatic with anticipation.

The average age of a newly accepted priestess initate was seventeen. Most of those girlshad been novices since their early teens or younger. To come this far had meant a long road of learning the ancient knowledge. And the skills of finding stillness and peace within themselves. Most of the girls had become excellent in showing those virtues on the outside but had not mastered them inside. The elder priestesses knew this of course, they had been young once and they knew not to expect the impossible of the youngsters. Children were inducted into the church so young because no more then a handful of women had ever grow nto full priesthood when they came to the church at an older age. A grown person could give in to the calling but he or she would never be more then a haypriest, a sister or brother in a monastry or maybe if they were very lucky or influential run a very small village parish. But even a youngling could not be sure of being made full priest. There were no trials to go through but when the time of judging came they were brought before the council of elders and more then half of those had to vote in favour of their advancement. They were free to try again every year but if they had not made it by the time they were twenty-one, they never would. When a girl was ready for the trials was announced by their teachers. The youngest age was fifteen, most were seventeen or eighteen at the time of their first try.

Marared knelt by the bed of one of her friends Raya. The novices were housed four girls together per room. It was not an easy life. They each possessed a wooden bed with a straw mattress, a pillow and one blanket. One common cupboard was used for spare dresses and writing materials needed for school. The precious books they used for study were not allowed outside of the library. In summer it was not a bad place, the thick stone walls kept the rooms nice and cool. But in the winter without a fire it was difficult. Winters in this part of the country were not harshbut still on windy winternights the girls would huddle together in one bed and keep each other warm through the night.

Raya was huddled in a small ball on her bed, totally engulfed in her own thoughts. Marared sat down next to her but didn’t talk right away. Raya was a tanner’s daughter from a poor hamlet and she had been taken in by the church as a starving orphan when her father had to give up his business. The money he had got for his daughter had allowed the family to survive. Her first years here she had worked as a servant, sending all the money she earned home to her still struggling parents. Until one of the priests had seen her potential and began to tutor her privately. When she met the requirements to become a novice she was already fifteen. And now she was a little over twenty and this was her last chance at priesthood. Everybody knew her chances were slim at best and Mara understood how scared she was of having to go back to the life of being a servant. Marared liked the simple woman. Being so much older then most of the novices she was somewhat of an older sister to them and many of the smaller girls came to her for comfort. She had many skills to make the little ones feel safe and at home in this strange and scary environment. And Raya was a safe friend, she had no ambitions and was no threat to anyone. She was not interested in politics and had no thoughts about rising in the church. All she wanted was a secure life. And she would listen patiently for hours while the younger girl told her about her own dreams and fears. For the daughter of count Felice still aimed high in life.

“Are you alright?” Marared asked softly. For her the pressure was not that large. She had just turned seventeen and the chance that she would be chosen this year was very small., less then 10 percent of the girls were chosen on their first try. The ruling council believed in toughening it’s novices by teaching them how failure felt, and she had time yet to try again. But she hoped that her friend would be chosen, Marared was sure that Raya would be a dedicated priestess, and could do well in her chosen profession.

Raya looked up at the younger woman and smiled kindly. “Just meditating, Mara.” She said in her soft melodious voice. “And calling upon the gods for help and guidance.”

Marared couldn’t understand how the dark haired woman could be so calm. In her place she would have paced up and down the corridors all night. Or worse screamed and railed at the gods for their unfairness. During her years here the priests had still failed to teach her much patience.

“It will be alright.” Marared said in an effort to offer her friend some solace. “You know the High Priestess likes you. She will see to it that you make priestess.” Marared wasn’t so sure that Gwenllian would lift a finger when it came to her. She had only met the High Priestess a few times, and then she had not had the idea that Gwenllian really approved of her. It was usually not a good sign if a novice came face to face with the High one herself and Marared had pulled some pranks over the years. Mostly to the cost of Britwas and her stuck-up friends. As a result she had spend a lot of time on her hands and knees in the kitchens scrubbing the floors. But with her background she wouldn’t have to fear about her future here. Not as long as Gwenllian was in charge and not Britwas. Without realsing it the young girl had made and enemy for life there.

Raya smiled back at her friend. Marared was such a little lightning bolt, there was never a dull moment with her around. The elder girl knew her friend was ambitious, but she could show kindness for kindness sake as well and Mara did not like injustice. Those facts endured her to Raya. And yet at the same time her noble background had made her oblivious to a lot of travails that happened in the world of lesser mortals. Marared had no idea that background mattered so much in the church, soon Mara would find out the hard way, for Raya had no hope that she would be elevated this year. She had read the truth in the eyes of the elder priests and priestesses, the way they had avoided her eye the last couple of days. Raya knew that she was more skilled then many that would be elevated, she also knew that railing at the world would not help. She had to use her mind now, and find a new strategy to survive.

“I might be able to find an assistant’s place.” Raya said. “Thanks to all I learnt here, I will be alright. I have had a good education, Mara, people crave that. I could teach in some village school.”

Marared stared at her. “But… you are doing well. Everyone likes you. You’d be the ideal priestess, all your grade are in the top marks. Why wouldn’t they chose you. They’d be insane.” Her young voice shrieked a little with indignation.

“I have no family to look out for me, little one, no money to back me up.” Raya said. “I know what you want to say, that the church is my family. But unfortunately it doesn’t work that way.”

The younger girl just shoke her head. “It will be okay! You’ll see. It will.” Marared clenched her fists, stubborn as she was. Somehow she would help her friend and make it all alright. Defeat was not a word that existed in her little world.

The next morning all novices over the age of sixteen were told to gather in the great hall, if possible tension mounted even higher after that announcement was made. Whipsers rushed through the hall, none dares speak out loud. Not one of them had spend a restfull night, and nobody was in a mood for small talk. Clad in their best shift they waited eagerly for the council of elder priests to appear and announce the verdict. Marared stood close to Raya and several of her other friends. Of those only Cecile, was old enough to make a chance this year. Cecile was a knights daughter and she had a pretty good chance of making it. Cecile was now trembling with anxiety wheras Raya was still solid as a rock.

A gasp went through the crowd as the counsil finally entered the hall. Like all churches of the Calanti, the head church on the island was built in a round form, to honor mother moon. The great hall was in the center with many doors and corridors coming out on it. The priest emerged from the one behind the dais. The door led to a private consultation room were the priests had made their final deliberations. The novices went to one knee bowing their heads as the High Priestess herself climbed the stairs to the dais and stood there overlooking her young followers.

Those few days before the naming always brought a smile to her face. It was a bad time for her young charges, but in the end it would be good for them for it was a time of inner reflection, those few days of doubt could teach them much more about themselves then many months of lessons put together. Many came out of it much stronger. The ceremony itself was not something she enjoyed. Gwenllian hated dissapointing those who had not made it. And in her opinion not always for the right reasons. Children of the high nobility were always accepted for pure political reasons. The church wasn’t powerfull enough yet, to run the risk of antagonizing the high lords of the land. And as there were only so many positions per year it left too little positions for those that truly deserved it. This year had been particularly bad. It seemed like every year more nobles send their younger children to the church. It was on one level a good thing, for it gained the Calanti rapidly in power and money. But it was not good for the quality of the priests. Some of the nobles rose to be true and good priests, but others never had the calling, the drive and did little good protecting the people they had sworn to protect and serve.

“Rise, my children.” Gwenllian said in her strong clear voice, unmarred by age. “We are here assembled today on this joyfull occasion to welcome a new crop of priests and priestesses in our midst. As soon as you hear your name spoken, I would like you to come up and join your brothers and sisters here on the dais.”

Catin, head of the novices handed her the list written in his neat handwriting. Gwenllian slowly unrolled the parchment.

“Adlos of Gwysbury, Arria of Windon …” The list went on and Marared fellt her attention slipping a little.

“Cecile Jekstron.” She heard Cecile next to her gasp and then gigle as the tension flowed out of her. Raya and Marared both hugged her briefly as Cecile made her way to the dais, her face flushed with happiness. Raya gave her a knowing smile that said ‘I told you so.’ But marared didn’t like the sad expression that shone from her friends eyes.

“Marared Diffryn…”

She stood like a statue gaping at Gwenllian. Was this a dream, had she somehow misheard it? But friends were patting her on the back and Raya was hugging her. It was no dream, her name had truly been called, a year ahead of time. Maraded gave a snort of laughter and then headed for the dais.

As she climbed the stairs, she still couldn’t believe it. A priestess!!! Spared from another year of servitude. Oh this was heaven. Now she was a woman and would have standing in the world. Her knees trembled a little as she climbed the stairs.

Rector Catin handed her the green robes of a full priestess and made the sign of the moon on her brow.

“Be blessed, sister.” He said.

“Thank you father.” Marared said with a small curtsy. Clutching the robe she joined her fellow priests on the dais. Still in a haze she only half followed the rest of the proceedings and only became aware when Gwenllian handed the parchment over and turned back to them. There were close to forty newly appointed priests and priestesses staring at her in awe.

“You have been chosen to be priests and priestesses of the Calanti.” She said looking at all of them in turn. “Yours is an honorable position and a blessed one. Each of you will be assigned his and her own special position in the morning. But whatever your careers will be, remember this, yours is to serve and to help others in the name of the gods. Think on this, it’s a great responsibility. I expect great things from all of you.” Again it seemed like she looked at all of them. “Make me proud.” She smiled. “Now go and celebrate with your friends.”

A cheer went up amongst the new priests. And only then did Marared realise that Raya wasn’t with them and that stopped her dead in her tracks. Raya should be here. She deserved the position. There must be some sort of a mistake.

“Mother!” She made her way over to Gwenllian herself, without even realising what she was doing. Junior priests didn’t talk directly to the high priestess as a rule. She didn’t hear the surprised gasps that went up around her as the others realized what she was doing.

Gwenllian looked a little surprised. “Yes, my daughter?”

“Mother, there has been a mistake, my friend Raya isn’t here.”

Another priestess shoved her aside. “You know very well that you can’t ask questions like that of the counsil, priestes Marared. Don’t make us feel ashamed of our decision to elevate you so soon.” There was no love there, Marared had made many enemies with her sharp tongue. And many had argued against her early elevation.

“No.” Gwenllian waved the priest away . Somehow she was intrigued by the girl’s bold question. “Follow me to my office, child!”

Marared indeed followed her stomping down the dais, she was so angry that she didn’t care who saw it. She was too angry to think of the consequenses of her act, nor did she see the worried faces of her friends. Being a full priestess didn’t mean that one couldn’t be punished. And certainly the High Priestess herself had that divine right.

“Now child.” Gwenllian said when they were alone in her office. “Sit down.” Her tone was much softer then Marared would have expected.

The high priestess now watched the young woman. Maybe there was more to young Marared Diffryn then. The girl had more to her then being a spoilt nobleman’s brat. And she had a head on her shoulders as well. Gwenllian was one of those who had been for her early elevation and she was pleasantly surprised by the girl’s actions. Not many of the nobility would risk the wrath of the High Priestess to help a commoner friend. She wished more would show this courage.

“Why mother?” Marared couldn’t keep her voice down any longer. “Raya deserves the priesthood. It’s all she’s ever wanted. All she ever can be in life, you have seen her with the children. Raya would be perfect working with orphans or novices. Why did you allow this to happen, why mother?”

“Politics, my child.” Gwenllian said sadly but honestly. “I shouldn’t discuss church politics with a new priestess at all. It will be years before you will be high enough in church hierarchy for such matters. But.” She held up her hand before Marared could complain. “You are right, I owe you an explination.” She settled back in her chair. “It’s not that Raya isn’t good enough. I know she would make a better priest then some that were elevated today and you know it too. But she doesn’t have the connections of those that were made priests today.”

Marared shook her head vehemently. “I can’t believe that reason, mother! The church can’t be like that. It just can’t be! I want it to be clean and pure!”

Gwen could barely conceal a smile. Mara looked like a small child who wanted to stamp her feet at injustice.

“I know. So did I at your age.” And still do most of the time, she added just for herself. “But it can’t be. Look at us. We have no army, no militant priests. And we are hemmed in by two kingdoms. They tolerate us, and yes they also need us to a large extent. But that could change at any time politics is a fickle master. The only thing that stands between us and oblivion are our political connections. They are the live blood of this church, my daughter. I wish it could be otherwise.”

“Then change it.” The younger woman called out.

“I wish I could. I have tried. I have made the quota of political priests much smaller then my predecessor, but I can’t back down any more. It would be folly.”

“It’s cowardice!” Marared even scared and surprised herself with the sharp crititism.

“Is it?” Gwenllian’s eyes hardened. “I call it survival. “Many thousands of lives rest on my shoulders, and I will not gamble with their lives. You will learn in time.”

“Never, mother.” Marared said with the certainty of youth. “I would never bow.”

Gwenllian shook her head. Maybe she would and maybe she wouldn’t. She hoped for the girl’s sake, that she would. Stubborn people were honorable, but in the end they were fools and fools could harm others. No, this girl would bear close watching, is she stayed this volatile, she could be dangerous.

“You can go now, priestess.” The high priestess said. Suddenly very tired with the youngster. “ Father Jon will show you your duties.”

Marared bowed as was accustomed and then left the High Priestess’ office.

It was after dark when Marared returned to her own rooms. Father Jon had kept her longer then she would have liked. Giving her a right sharp tongue lashing, and warning her that a repeat of today’s actions would result in a severe punishment. Marared had listened in sullen silence. And she felt sure that her first duty was a punishment for the way she had spoken to the High Priestess for it was not what she had in mind as a first duty. Village priestess in a very small hamlet at the edge of the world. But she had not protested. She wouldn’t give them that satisfacation and she would prove how dedicated she was.

Raya was busy packing her things when Marared entered. By the looks of things, she was almost finished.

“I thought I had missed you.” Marared said softly.

Raya looked up and smiled. She didn’t look perturbed. No, she was the only one who had expected this all along.

“Mara.” Her friend said soflty. “Don’t be sad on my account.”

“Where will you go? What will you do?” She almost choked on the words.

“I will find work. And good work too. Remember the priests thought me to read and write, and there are always people in need of a scribe or teacher. I might even get lucky and find a rich merchant who wants a wife who can read and write.” Raya embraced her friend. “Don’t worry about me. I am much better off then if they had never taken me in. They have given me a change of a life without starving unlike my parents. I concider myself blessed Mara.” She did not speak of her heavy heart, for Raya had truly heard the calling to become a priestess and if she had been alone she would have given in to the tears hours ago.

Marared felt tears sting her eyes. “It’s not fair. It should have been you and not me!”

“Don’t say that!”

“It’s true!”

“No it’s not! You are seventeen. They could have chosen you next year. Even the priests don’t chose nobles so young if they don’t show promise. They must see something in you then.” Raya smiled. “I am proud of you.”

Marared swallowed. She was sure going to miss the older girl. “Raya, I… one day I will come back for you. I will see that justice is done to you.”

Raya smiled. She didn’t believe a word of what Marared was saying. The young priestess would forget about her soon enough. But she spared her friend’s feelings by staying silent.

The girls embraced again.

“I have to go to the guestquarters. You know I am not allowed to spend another night under this roof.” Raya said picking up her bags after ending the embrace. “I will pray for you always, dear one.” She said as she walked away. “You will go far.” Raya repeated and pulled the door close behind her.