Chapter 2 Spring - The Lost Traditions

The following two days proved to the survivors that this was not an isolated incident. Pigeons crisscrossed the skies with sparse sentences of the events within the hour. They were swiftly followed by horses that continued to dispatch the news throughout Velon. Finally came the requests for aid. The Naturists could not spare any members to begin the final rites for their own decimated congregation. A majority of their traumatized sect was redirected by order of the Unified Church. The Unified Church had decided there was no time to spare for the dead when there was means to help the living.

Elenwe was prevented from going. The entire sect knew why, and did not breathe a hint of this to anyone. There was a concentrated effort to hide this fact for the time being. Her remainder of her first day was an emotional blur. Everything that happened was a haze of grief and self-blame. The morning of the second day dawned on Elenwe with purpose. Though fragile, she found herself surrounded by Sages (the only literate of the sect). Elenwe and the Matriarch poured over countless books and sheafs of scrolls for hours. The Matriarch had outright lied to the Council of Seven and the Unified Church. She had claimed the Sages currently working with at the moment were among the dead. Instead the small team of eight attempted to learn everything possible about The Veneration Ceremony.

"No, Raymond. That cannot be correct. It says here that 'The Anointed will embody ALL of the attributes of the divine." Chantelle argued tossing that thick tome on a pile of other thick tomes beside the desk.

Exasperated, he replied, "I didn't write the thing. I am telling you it states that similar enough representation of the attributes... which then triggers an incantation that..."

"Please stop." Elenwe sighed, turning another page, "I fear we understand very little. We have only learned that every single description is different."

Raymond attempted to help, "We have learned that when we do not select an candidate to be tested in the Veneration Ceremony."

"Which we never do.", added Chantelle.

"Which we never do.", confirmed Raymond, "The Unified Church selects a candidate on our behalf. After that the candidate is tested through The Selection and is deemed worthy and awakens with the power of Adanya."

"Which they never are.", concluded Chantelle.

"Which they never are.", echoed Elenwe. She seemed bleak.

"Hardly a wonder why not. They cannot even determine what makes a candidate a candidate. And if we try to understand this we have to go by the oldest documents, as they have precedence in ceremony, rites,..."

Chantelle was interrupted by The Matriarch who closed the book she was reading, "Priestess Elenwe is correct. I had hoped differently. What we seek will not be found here."

"How is that possible, Matriarch? Every record of our sect is..."

"It is obvious. The Veneration Ceremony has nothing to do with the Naturists." The Matriarch explained, "It is not a ceremony of Adanya. It is a ceremony of the Unified Church."

The room understood without another wood. Instead two of the Sages moved to start shelfing the books they pulled in favor for the official and often ignored 'Unified Church Records'. Another voice hesitated, "Do we have to ask the Bishop?"

The Matriarch nodded to confirm, "Unfortunately. It is a shame there is no insight in our own records. Now we cannot avoid asking and likely ... revealing why we are asking."

Hidden away in the archives of the Naturists, the 'dead' Sages continued searching the tomes and debated answers. Meanwhile, Elenwe, The Matriarch, and a young child of Adanya named Rylen, made their way to the opposite wing of the monastery. The transition was almost comical. The modest majority was for the Nature Sect vanished into an elaborate and bloated quarter was for the Unified Church. As they entered that section they worked not to get lost. A labyrinth of halls and corridors linked in a needlessly complex path to the Bishop's office.

The room was ostentatiously gaudy. All the walls were draped in crimson and gold. The church's symbol was placed on every conceivable surface to ensure one always knew where they stood. Pennant banners hung with the Unified Church's imagery, golden scales in a circle which was all inside two intersecting triangles. Some poor craftsman had been paid for his time inlaying the sigil into the floor and in each capstone of every archway. The furnishings were overly plush made of lush velvet and crafted from exotic wood. The Matriarch made a point to invite young Rylen to sit directly on the expensive cushions before giving the youth a honeycomb. As expected, the velvet chair Rylen occupied was sticky before the Bishop could even take his own seat.

"Gracious Bishop Ricross, we appreciate you accommodating such a meeting on a moment's notice." The Reverend Matriarch began.

The minister before them presented himself with sunken eyes and a gaunt face. This was a stark contrast to his portly stature. The Matriarch extended her fingertips. Once she touched the Bishop's wrist, a soft glow illuminated the fingerprints she left. The action caused a soft breeze throughout the room. It was rejuvenating and renewing. Elenwe took comfort in it while Rylen started swinging his feet faster.

"Ah, thank you Reverend Matriarch. I needed that. With all that is occurring we must keep our communication open." The Bishop smiled, seeming a bit less bothered by the presence of the honey-soaked youth on his chair. A thankful rub of his wrist prompted his next words as well, "How can the Unified Church serve the sect of Nature?"

"Blessed be. I have been pouring over our texts and records. We have come to the conclusion that what has occurred was the Anointing of Adanya." The Bishop's smile vanished. "To be certain, I require access to the Unified Church's archives."

Uncomfortable glances were exchanged. The round man cleared his throat and shifted upward back in his seat. The attention switched between the Matriarch and Rylen before a foolish realization settled. The Bishop rose and knelt before the sticky kid. "Oh honored Anointed. May, may I greet you on behalf of the body of..."

"It is me." Elenwe offered. The Bishop stared in gratitude to the realization. It seemed this option was much more suitable to him. Likewise he groveled and offered empty beatitudes towards Elenwe. Once the outpouring of posturing had concluded, the Matriarch explained,

"We need to prepare her for The Selection. However, as the wise Bishop knows, we are a predominantly oral sect. All of our truth singers and spell weavers are at least a day's' journey aiding the country. That or they perished."

This flustered the Bishop who stammered and managed to push himself upright, "Well yes. of course. Naturally. We will write to the Archbishop immediately. I shall send it with my full support on the matter." A pudgy hand reached for a slip of paper to send on an extremely exhausted looking pigeon.

The Matriarch paused him, "We may not have time my dear Bishop. And if I may, is it wise to request the Archbishop's precious attention on matters that you, yourself, have authority over?"

Soon, the three Naturists left with a steward to gain access to the vaulted Church archives. They excused Rylen to go occupy himself with others. When alone in the dank and crowded vault the Matriarch shared, "I always bring at least one of the children every time I have to visit that fool."

"Why?" asked Elenwe.

The two crowded the narrow space between the floor-to-ceiling shelves. There was no more dust here, it had been too moist. Instead a film covered all the records encouraging the growth of mold and mildew. They still piled the books into their arms as they worked to identify anything to help.

"Because, he hates children." came the Matriarch's soft and satisfied reply.

Before the clock chimed again, they had found themselves back with the Sages. With renewed vigor they poured through the new tomes and found the same problems. Nothing in the tomes or writing showed any consistency. The intumescence and vagueness in instructions each invalidated themselves in a different writing. Pages stuck together with ick, and organic growth garnished the writing until it was mostly illegible. As the sun set, the Naturists were no closer to discovering anything of value.

As the lanterns were lit, a sharp knock came from the door. The Matriarch hurried to answer while the team of 'dead' Sages hid themselves further back into the archives. When the chamber door swung open only Elenwe and the Matriarch were met with two members of the Inquisition flanking the Bishop. His face was red from the effort to manage his way through the monastery. With breathless enthusiasm the man gasped an explanation,

"Wonderous news! The Unified Church has sent their escort to ensure the Anointed of Adanya will arrive safely in Oriaron."

In response to such a happy proclamation the two entered the room and seized Elenwe's elbows pulling her to her feet. Further celebration of this announcement was accompanied by them nearly dragging the Priestess away from the archives, with the Matriarch standing unable to interfere. The Bishop at least seemed pleased and clapped. Elenwe did not protest but shared a knowing look with the Reverend. They both knew without a word it was the last time they would see one another.