Chapter 139: Blessing for one and all

Chapter 139: Blessing for one and all

“When we lose one blessing, another is often, most unexpectedly given in its place.”

C.S. Lewis

The meal ended with promises on both sides and an agreement for them to host us in the Town tomorrow for a blessing of all living there. We were reassured that it would be no trouble to hold and that the service itself was part and parcel of completing the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage’s purpose was not only to familiarize the pilgrim with the world they were serving but also to re-establish the links between the laity and clergy. In a world without instant communication, how could the people, in general, have any understanding of their church’s hierarchy if they never visited? Archbishop Grigori hoped that he would be able to confirm the favours requested of him tomorrow. Then hopefully make the journey by foot to the westernmost point of the island the day after. Finally, after hours of feasting and talking, the Archbishop and his entourage were headed back to the Church of the Lodestar in Wester Town.

We all had a lot to talk about. I strained to eavesdrop as we waved away our revered guests from the pier as they rowed out across the lake.

. . .

“How did you enjoy the meal?” Archbishop Grigori inquired of Bishop Bailie as they waved farewell, “You seemed to be enjoying yourself.” They had a boat to themselves and despite not being sailors the acolytes had picked up enough to row them back to town.

“It is the best I have eaten in the last couple of months.” He agreed as he too waved farewell before turning to face forwards as well. They were not out of sight by any means but the seats were arranged to face forwards rather than backward.

“Enough to tempt you to stay for a while.” Grigori inquired as he turned to face forwards on the journey back to the town.

“Tempting certainly but we are on the last stretch of the circumnavigation it would be an unnecessary delay for us all after managing to make such good speed around the continent so far.” Not quite understanding the thrust of Grigori’s inquiry.

“While we have been aiming to complete the circumnavigation in 4 years there are many who take an entire decade to complete it. It would be remiss of us to leave here so soon. Especially when there are so many opportunities to be had here and so many interesting characters to get to know.” He replied, not yet asking him to stay, simply sounding him out on the matter. Possibly aware of the ears listening into their conversation in the boat or maybe even beyond it.

“If you are looking for someone to stay to make the most of those opportunities I would recommend Sir Manil and Sir Jaques they seemed the most taken with the characters sat at the high table.” He referred to the two knights that had been sitting at the long table. He too had noticed how while they engaged in conversation with the older Adals of the Silver family, Adal Silverkin and Silverstone, their main focus had remained on the high table. Nothing was out of the ordinary with that as any physical threats to their personages would have originated from there first. However, usually, they would have traded off watching. This time they had both stared at each member of the high table with a focus they had not seen outside of the compass continents or over the depths of the ocean waters.

“Did you see anything particularly interesting about the Silverseas?” Archbishop Grigori asked his silent companions.

“Yes.” Sir Jacques responded sparsely ever the conversationalist.

“Would you care to elaborate?” he waited for a little more than a single-word answer. But it would appear that it was to be disappointed. The compass knights were a branch of the church but they followed orders from the Ordinals and Cardinals rather than the rank and file. They were here to protect the Archbishop but depending on their rank an Archbishops’ order could be considered as much a request as an order.

“We wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise, your excellency.” Sir Manil added deferentially although if you knew him well enough you could hear the smile in his voice.

“Surprise?” Bishop Bailie inquired intrigued by what they might have noticed that he had not.

“Is the elf stronger than you?” Archbishop Grigori had his own theories on what they had noticed.

“It is difficult to say who would win in a fight as she seems more a scholar than a warrior but she is certainly higher level than either of us and probably you as well. Interestingly enough though she is not the only one.” Sir Jacques finally responded.

“Who?” Bishop Bailie once more inquired.

“As we said we look forward to seeing your surprise.” They were noncommittal in their answers and avoided giving any more of the game away.

“Very well. We will know soon enough tomorrow when we complete the town’s blessing.” Archbishop Grigori refused to hang himself up over what he would soon see tomorrow. It would have been the height of rudeness to inspect observe or analyse the seated individuals during an audience. Not to say that such civilities or unspoken rules prevented others from doing it sometimes, but they had a perfectly acceptable excuse to use the skills during the blessing tomorrow. It was necessary to target their blessings most effectively and make the most of their mana. It would be criminal to waste it especially when the island had been without a proper healer for so long. That was a matter that would need to be addressed providing he made it to Ordinal or Cardinal. Pioneer lands simply could not be harmed through poor planning or by withholding resources. Priest Aravan should never have been sent here without having the correct skills to support the town.

“Anyway, Bishop Bailie other than the food could anything else tempt you to stay a little longer in the location? The island is in dire need of a skilled healer.” Archbishop Grigori lowered his voice to be a little more circumspect considering their company, “Priest Aravan should never have been placed here without the necessary skills to support such an isolated town. A Bishop such as yourself could do a far finer job than him.” The knights probably were still aware of the conversation but the acolytes rowing and the Priests and Deacons on the prow of the boat hopefully remained unaware of the comment. It was true but not particularly polite. But once an acolytes tenure was complete the majority of clergy let their balance slip focusing on mind and mana so he highly doubted he would be overheard by them.

“Are you trying to get rid of me so close to the end of the circumnavigation?” Jovially asked aware of what Archbishop Grigori was trying to imply.

. . .

After our feast and farewell, our cousins were allowed to run free around the shore, not so were the adults and us. We returned to the hall and gathered to discuss what we had learned of the world as much as the purpose of the Archbishop and his entourage. Aleera and I huddled close to discuss her requests.

“I hope you are happy with what I requested,” Aleera asked aware that I had probably been listening in with my eavesdrop skill. “It is our island after all.” Technically it was mine being the first male heir and inheritor of all the estate but for the most part, the ideas she had raised were the majority of my ideas.

“Yes, favours are always difficult to trade for equal value. We were missing medicine and a better representative of the church. Better protection for the family on the continent is always worth it. All the wealth in the world is not worth it if you are not alive to enjoy it.” I shrugged unsure of what the favours were really worth and what we could have actually asked for but ultimately I was distracted by my other worries and my sister noticed.

“Apprehensive about tomorrow’s blessing.” She sympathized.

“Yes and no. I have the skill to block a status read so I think I’m ready. But who knows the strength of their light, it might shine straight through me. I’ve done as much as I can, and I can’t hide in the darkness forever.” I was not sure whom I was trying to convince, her or myself.

“A little liturgical Kai. Clearly, faith is catching.” She smiled sardonically at me.

“Well, it will be our first official entrance into the Lodestar Church. It seems a little more prudent to be getting it right if the whole town is going to be there watching us.” I justified both my fears and the importance of the event.

“The blessing.” We said together.

“Apparently, it will heal all your ills.” She explained what she had heard of them. But we had never seen one before. Priest Aravan was neither inclined nor skilled enough to provide one.

“It will be interesting to see and it is what you have used one of our favours for so hopefully it will be worth it,” I said, excited to see another example of magic so different to what we had been learning so far. The light of the lodestar was clearly an integral part of the system, but the magic it enabled seemed completely different from what we had studied. It seemed so different to spellsong, spellcraft, runes, glyphs or sigils.

“They haven’t agreed yet.” Aleera cautioned patience before we got our hopes up.

“I highly doubt Archbishop Grigori is going to let the opportunity slip away from him. I fully expect them to say yes to every favour you have asked for. He did not become an Archbishop by letting go of a golden ticket.” I started strong then mumbled the last sentence as I realised the golden ticket had no meaning to Aleera at all we had no magical chocolate factory much to my disappointment.

. . .

That night Callen and I or rather, I and I discussed today’s successes. It was not as if the world was becoming smaller but the church’s visit made us feel a lot more connected to it all. We continued to practice, Inspect, observe and analyse alongside block status to ensure we were as ready as possible for tomorrow. We had yet to achieve an obfuscation skill but block would work well enough if a little obvious. Hopefully, tomorrow’s service would go smoothly.

. . .

The next day, we dressed in our best and made our way by boat to the Town meeting up with our extended family before we headed towards the church. It was just as well no food would be provided because it felt like the whole town was turning out for the blessing. As per our new status, a row had been reserved at the very front for us now that we had stepped up as Lord and Lady Silversea there were certain proprieties to be upheld. I was unsure whether sitting in the front row was a good idea. I could only imagine how everyone had been shuffled backwards. But Grandpa Smit Silvertongue insisted that was not the case with our seats coming out of the ones our family already held rather than pushing anyone back towards the entrance of the church.

The most noticeable aspect of visiting the church was that we sat side by side on the other aisle of the church. The Diver’s daughters were all sat across the central ails glaring frostily at us between the rows of benches.

“How long do we need to wait?” I asked Aleera

But it was Grandpa Smith Silvertongue who answered. “They waited for us as the highest-ranking individuals on the island to arrive before beginning the service. You will not have to wait long.” He informed us and indeed we didn’t. He was right they were soon there.

Archbishop Grigori was flanked by Bishop Bailie and Priest Paravan. They were followed by the Dean and their acolytes while our Priest Aravan and acolyte followed after. When they arrived at the front everyone was ready to receive their blessings. But it seemed there was to be a sermon and notices first.

“Welcome people of Wester Ponente to our humble blessing. We hope you will enter this place under the light of the lodestar and that you will leave refreshed and renewed. Please join us in welcoming the light of the Lodestar." He intoned the ritual words to open the ceremony.

The blue light of the Lodestar shone forth through the open doors of its chamber bathing us in its light. But it was not the only source of light as another source also shone forth from the silver ring on his interlocked fingers that formed the sign of the compass beneath his bowed head.

. . .