Aiduels sin, p.6
Aiduel's Sin, page 6
The duke had donned his resplendent black armour with gold engravings, which he had been wearing on the day when he had first encountered Allana. A luxurious fur cloak was wrapped around his shoulders, to protect him against the chill on the roads ahead. To Allana’s eyes, he looked handsome and dashing.
Sixty Berun cavalry were to accompany the duke on the overland ride to Rednarron, from where he would be taking a ship for the remainder of the journey to the capital. Those cavalrymen were also gathered in the courtyard, and were all now mounted. Allana suppressed a smile as she observed that the noise of whinnying horses was undermining Sillene Berun’s desire for a dignified atmosphere.
Allana had not seen a great deal of Jarrett since early on the preceding Sixth-Day. The young duke had never wanted Allana to sleep in his chambers on the two nights which sandwiched Holy Day, leaving her at those times to the risk of suffering alone in the darkness. Jarrett had also spent much of Sixth-Day daytime and evening sequestered away with his mother and senior advisers, planning his approach to the council called by King Inneos.
Allana had attended Jarrett’s room early that First-Day morning, to steal some final private moments with him.
‘I’ll be waiting for you, my love,’ she had whispered, between kisses. ‘May The Lord be with you on your journey.’
He had smiled upon hearing that, and had replied, ‘I do this for The Lord, Lana, but also for us.’
Looking at him now, as he mounted his horse, she realised just how deeply she would miss him. He had been adamant that it was not appropriate for his mistress to accompany him to the Andarron council, and Sillene had strictly forbidden it. Therefore, Allana’s attendance alongside him had never been a feasible option, and he would be away from her for weeks. She was dreading being on her own for every night throughout that period.
After Jarrett had joined his cavalry, the dowager duchess approached her son again. He leaned down towards her, and again Allana felt a bite of jealousy as she saw the older woman whispering secret words to him, and the duke smiling in return. Sillene Berun was wearing expensive robes this morning, and her hair was assembled in an ornate bun, which made her look even taller.
The dowager then turned to face the crowd, and called out, ‘All hail our brave and noble lord, Duke Berun! He goes forth from here to a great council in Andarron. He carries our love, but also a great burden. The burden to protect the people of Berun, the Holy Church, and the faith. All hail our heroic lord and his men with our cheers, as he leaves this castle. May our support sustain him on the long and difficult journey ahead. All hail!’
There was more passion in the woman’s voice as she said this than Allana had ever before witnessed. In response to the last words, the retainers of Berun Castle started to cheer. Duke Berun then turned his horse, and began to ride out of the castle courtyard. His face was stoic as his cavalry followed him.
Allana’s stomach was churning as she watched him depart under the raised portcullises. Jarrett would be away from the castle for weeks. During that period, Allana would have no one to help her to keep the tormenting thoughts at bay, each time that she tried to return to sleep. No one whose presence would help her to deter the panic and trembling, as she lay alone in the dark.
Even more significantly, Jarrett was Allana’s primary protection against Sillene.
If only she was going with him, Lana.
Jarrett had told Allana that his mother was not accompanying him on the trip, due to the difficulties of the journey. That left Allana exposed to any nasty whims of the dowager duchess during the duke’s absence.
As if to confirm this thought, after the last of the cavalry had exited through the castle gateway, Allana turned to find Sillene Berun standing near to her. The woman was staring at her intently, as a cat might regard a mouse. Allana gasped and took an involuntary step backwards, and she saw a hint of malice in the smirk which appeared on the dowager duchess’s face.
‘My Lady?’ asked Allana, her voice hesitant.
‘Nothing, girl,’ replied the older woman. ‘But he’s gone now, isn’t he? I bet you’re thinking about the fact that he’s no longer here to shield you from me. Aren’t you?’
Allana was unsure how to respond. However, before she had time to resolve this, the dowager turned and strode off. Allana was left to once again glare at the hefty woman’s back, feeling suddenly uncertain and unsafe.
You can protect yourself now, Lana. Remember that.
3
Leanna
–
Year of Our Lord,
After Ascension, 769AA
The wooden bowl lifted into the air, seemingly of its own accord. At one moment, it had been connected to the sturdy beech table beneath it. In the next, it was floating two feet higher.
Leanna concentrated, exerting subtle pressure against the whittled edges of the round object. As the vessel began to rotate perfectly within a fixed position, she allowed herself a smile of satisfaction. More pressure, and then the bowl was spinning faster, with several rotations each second. Next, she would-
Her concentration was shattered as a hand reached under her armpit from behind, and tickled her there. With that interruption, her control over the small object was broken, and it spun away across the room. It thudded against the far wall, before bouncing and rolling back across the floor.
Leanna sighed in mock indignation, but then smiled as she heard a feminine giggle from behind her. A small red-headed form leaned over her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek.
‘Gets you every time! You should be more careful with that, you know. Could cause an accident.’
‘Amyss! I was practising!’
‘And you and I both know that you should be resting, given the day that you’re going to have today.’ Amyss moved around into view, and took the seat at Leanna’s side, before entwining her fingers with Leanna’s. ‘Seriously, Lea. Sometimes, you have to take it easy. You might burn yourself out.’
‘I know,’ said Leanna. ‘Take it easy. You tell me that every day! Rest. Sleep. Eat. But I’m still going, aren’t I? I haven’t burnt out just yet! And I need to learn how to do this, Amyss.’
Ever since the events at the pyre, over three and a half months earlier, she had been able to move objects with her mind. She had practised in the intervening period, and she was gradually becoming stronger, and more capable of moving heavier items. However, her efforts were still a world away from the miraculous experience of the pyre, when she had been bolstered by Arion Sepian’s presence and energy.
Amyss ran her thumb across Leanna’s palm, softly caressing it, and said, ‘I know you do. And I look forward to when you can float my breakfast across the table to me, and massage my feet from the other side of the room. But until then, please will you give yourself an occasional minute to rest. They’re already waiting for you at the hospital. Colissa said to come whenever you’re ready.’
‘I understand,’ said Leanna, before taking a deep breath. ‘I suppose we’d better go then.’
–
Shortly afterwards, they departed together from their private quarters within the College of Aiduel in Arlais. They started to move towards the hospital, which was near to the entrance of the walled complex.
They were trailed by four of the eight guards who had been standing sentry around Leanna’s quarters. These soldiers were all wearing white cloaks with two red spots on the shoulders, a basic uniform which signalled loyalty to the Angel of Arlais, and membership of the militia. In recent weeks, Leanna had been accompanied by such protectors at all times, given the growing belief that retribution might be looming.
Leanna nodded in acknowledgement towards the lead figure amongst these guards, a hard-looking man in his thirties. His name was Lorth Dormer, and prior to the events of the pyre he had been a captain of the guards on a merchant wagon train. Dormer had been in Arlais on the day of the pyre, and had witnessed Leanna’s miracle. Afterwards, he had renounced his prior career and had offered his services to protect her.
He had been the first to do so, but his action had been witnessed and subsequently repeated by many younger citizens of the city. Dormer was now the leader of the newformed militia, which had assumed responsibility for protecting Leanna and the College of Aiduel. They had also taken over the vacated fortress of Aiduel’s Guards, after the survivors of that burned and decimated order had been driven from Arlais.
‘Look, Lea,’ said Amyss, pointing. ‘It’s going to be another busy day.’
Leanna peered towards the long queue of people who were outside of the hospital entrance. Over one hundred had come today, a number of whom would be severely ill or wounded. However, many more of those present would instead be pilgrims, who had travelled in the hope of meeting the Angel of Arlais.
Lord Aiduel, she thought, please help me to heal those people who need me.
In response to Amyss, she said, ‘Well, you take care that you don’t wear yourself out.’
Amyss smiled and replied, ‘You take care, too.’
With Leanna’s consent, Amyss had appointed herself as Leanna’s personal secretary, and she was now the gateway to the Angel of Arlais. Amyss would screen everyone in the hospital queue, and any pilgrims or people with minor ailments would be asked to leave. They would be told that they might be able to gain sight of Leanna if they attended the Seventh-Day service at Arlais Cathedral.
Leanna watched as Amyss and a pair of the militia guards walked in the direction of the waiting line. It appeared to be comprised of the usual assemblage of sizes and ages, although Leanna’s eyes were drawn to a very tall and burly man, towards the back end of the queue. This individual was hooded, and he was facing in Leanna’s direction.
She was not sure why this particular person drew her interest, and she would have liked a few moments to indulge her curiosity. However, there was much to do, and she moved towards the hospital entrance. She passed by another four militia guards as she entered, and the silent Lorth Dormer followed her inside.
–
Over the following hours, Leanna met with only ten of the people from the queue outside. These ten individuals had first been approved for access to Leanna by Amyss, and then by the hospital’s lead healer, Sister Colissa. Each of the ten had been deemed serious enough cases to receive the healing which only the Angel of Arlais could provide.
Three of the patients had broken bones, and four had severe cuts and lacerations, with the remainder afflicted with illness and disease. In each case, Leanna seated herself beside the individual, receiving a hint of their pain via her ability to sense emotions. Since the pyre, she had become more capable of controlling the degree to which she experienced these external feelings, and she could almost dull them to nothing, if necessary.
With each patient, Leanna slipped into the trance that was now so familiar to her, that comfortable state of existence which seemed to slow down time, and which brought the patient’s affliction into view within a river of dark colour. After that, she used her Aiduel-given powers to tear the illness out, or to mend what was broken. And by doing so, she healed them. With every occasion that she accomplished this, she was growing stronger, and her powers were becoming more refined. More capable of achieving miraculous deeds.
But still, the activity depleted her. She knew that the last two to three efforts of each day were never as precise as the first, which is why she had limited herself to a total of ten patients per day, across First-Day to Sixth-Day. By the time that she had aided ten people she was exhausted, but was left with a satisfied feeling that she had done something worthwhile.
After the final patient had departed that day, Leanna closed her eyes in prayer.
Lord Aiduel, thank you for giving me the strength and ability to help these people. And please let me help others, tomorrow.
She was disturbed by Sister Colissa’s hand on her shoulder, as the older healer said, ‘You look shattered, Leanna. You should go home and rest.’
Leanna smiled, wearily. ‘Amyss keeps telling me the same thing. But these people won’t all heal themselves, Colissa.’
‘We maintained this hospital before we were blessed with you, Leanna. And we can survive without you for a few days, if we must. But you’ve done holy work again today, Angel of Arlais.’
Leanna huffed with mock exasperation. ‘Oh, not you too, Colissa. Please don’t you call me that, too.’
‘I only use the name because it fits so, Leanna. Now get yourself home, get some rest, and let Amyss take care of you.’
–
That night, Leanna lay in bed, with Amyss in her arms.
The two of them shared a private cottage within the College complex, which had been granted to Leanna in the days following the pyre. The property consisted of two bedrooms, plus a living and kitchen area, and an alcove for prayer.
Throughout each day, novices attended to take care of cooking, washing and cleaning. Leanna and Amyss were therefore rarely in the cottage in the daytime without other company being present. But in the evening, after the eighth hour prayer service had concluded, it was just the two of them again. In those night-time hours, both the cosy property and Amyss became Leanna’s sanctuary.
‘How long do you think that things can stay like this, Amyss?’ she asked.
‘What? With me in your bed with my head on your chest, and your arms around me? Hopefully forever.’ As the small priestess answered, her emotions of love were like a torrent, flowing ceaselessly into Leanna.
‘Don’t tease me. You know what I mean. With the College and Arlais like this. Seeming like we’re cut off from Aiduel’s Guards, from the Holy Church, and from the rest of Elannis. It doesn’t feel as if things can go on like this for much longer.’
‘I don’t know, Lea,’ said Amyss, and her tone was now more serious. ‘At some point, Aiduel’s Guards will return in force. You know that, I know that. Everyone in Arlais knows it. And it might be enough to overwhelm the militia and change everything again, for the worse. But until then, can we please just enjoy… being together?’
Leanna kissed the top of Amyss’s head. ‘Yes, let’s enjoy it.’
Lord Aiduel, please keep her safe, and please protect all of the people of Arlais.
In the months since the pyre, Leanna’s relationship with Amyss had progressed to a deeper level of intimacy. What had happened since then had been initiated by Amyss in the aftermath of that fateful day, and was a progression of the kiss that they had shared.
A couple of days after the pyre, Amyss had come to Leanna and had shyly said, ‘I thought I was going to lose you, Lea. I couldn’t bear it. And since… you survived, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what it would have been like if I’d lost you. So, I’ve made a decision, Lea. I want to be with you. Beside you. In whatever capacity makes you comfortable. With no requirements or expectations of you. But I want to commit myself and my life to you.’
The words had been said in private, the smaller woman’s voice wavering as she had spoken. In response, Leanna had wrapped her arms around Amyss, and had whispered, ‘For as long as you want to stay beside me, Amyss, I shall feel privileged to be with you.’
Since then, to the eyes of the outside world, Amyss had become Leanna’s personal secretary, administering to the many demands on Leanna’s time. However, in their secret world within the cottage, their relationship was more intimate than that. The Holy Church might perceive the way that they held and kissed each other, in the privacy of their bedroom, as sinful and wrong. However, after the events of the pyre, Leanna no longer believed that The Lord Aiduel would condemn their actions, and nor did she condemn them herself.
The transformation in her relationship with Amyss had been just one of the many changes in Leanna’s life since the miraculous day at the pyre, when she had survived the intentions of Aiduel’s Guards to burn her alive. It was an event which she still did not fully understand, other than that The Lord Aiduel had intervened to prevent her death.
He had called Arion Sepian to travel all the way from Septholme as part of that intervention. Then, following Arion’s arrival, He had channelled awesome power through the two of them, such that Leanna had been able to survive the conflagration whilst bathed in a golden halo. But more than that, she had borne the marks of His Suffering, and she had bled in the places where He had once bled on The Tree.
And then, at the end, Leanna had unleashed previously unimaginable quantities of power and the pyre had exploded. The wood and the flames had shot outwards, an act which might have caused untold suffering to hundreds of innocents, given the size of the crowd which had surrounded her.
If that had happened, she would still be haunted now. But The Lord had again intervened, and all of the flames and debris had been targeted towards a specific group of people. Towards the forces of Aiduel’s Guards, who had imprisoned her and had led her to the pyre. And towards Senior Priest El’Patriere.
It had caused grievous damage and death for those particular people, for which she felt great guilt. However, the targeted nature of the explosion had convinced her that The Lord had chosen those who were deserving of His righteous justice. Her guilt was therefore lessened, knowing that The Lord had used her as His vessel for His chosen act on that day.
The greatest confirmation of that was the person beside her. Amyss had been metres away from the pyre at the time of the explosion, standing with Leanna’s parents, but all three had suffered nothing worse than a few aching muscles after the force of the explosion had knocked them from their feet. They had been untouched by flame.
As Leanna was thinking about this, a stray thought slipped into her mind. ‘There was a very large man in the queue today. Near the back. Hooded. Who was he?’
