Fiction by J. D. Conrad - 2016
Areza stopped on the way out of the hospital wing of Saint Hestar. She undid the blood spattered apron that protected her clothes and dropped it into the bin for soiled linens. After taking a deep breath, the priestess said a prayer to the Green Lady and raised her right hand to make a circle over the tree symbol on the breast of her faded blue cassock. Only one more task, then finally some rest.
She plodded down the hallway and turned into the monastery's chapel. A single person knelt in prayer. Not in front of the central figure of the Great Mother's Handmaiden, but instead before the small figure of the Great Mother herself, just to its right. Areza stepped slowly forward and knelt in front of the central green soapstone figure representing a young mother in a long robe. She again made the sign of the wheel over her breast then turned her head to regard the person next to her.
The man was looking back. Deep dark brown eyes peered back at her from under a mop of obsidian hair cut in a simple bowl style. He was wearing a plain home spun robe and hemp rope belt. The lack of symbols on his robe meant he was a lay member of some monastic order. Areza of course knew that Nusha was from the Monastery of Saint Shoku that lay southeast of the city. That was what made this whole scheme possible.
She smiled at him and said, “I trust you are well Nusha?”
He nodded, “Yes mother Areza. I am fine, a bit nervous perhaps, but fine.”
“Nerves? I can understand that. You are about to take a dangerous risk for the good of others. But as Saint Brigid said in chapter six of the holy book, 'To live is to risk. To love is to risk. But living without love is the same as death.' You are taking a risk out of love, that is a holy deed.”
“I know revered one, but I am no saint. Just a humble farmer.”
“Nusha, no one is ever 'just' an anything. You have proven that by being here. I have come to tell you that all is in readiness. You should leave soon, the hour for the dawn bell fast approaches. And the crush of many waiting to leave the city as soon as the gates open will be to your benefit.”
“Yes mother.”
They both rose, Nusha turned to walk away but Areza stopped him with a gesture. She made the sign of the wheel before him and said, “May the blessings of the Nine go with you. And most especially the protection of the Compassionate One.”
“Many thanks mother.”
“My thanks to you brother. You are now the guardian of a great treasure. A treasure that the lords of Taran do not want to see slipping out of their grasp. But if you are brave and keep to the plan things should go smoothly.”
Nusha gave her a wry smile, “That is why I am nervous mother.”
They both chuckled, then looked up as bells all across the great city of Iron Tower gave one long ragged toll.
“Go now Nusha.”
“Yes mother.”
Got to Part II
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