Sarfaz Uldpesk, Healing Shrine, Cold Season, 1st rot., 4th day

The Great One warned me about the Prophet Emily. She was right to have done so. I was at my work table when Lord Irhessa, the Blessed Lisaykos's son—who I knew was also Usruldes the Wraith—ushered two Coyn and the Blessed Asgotl into the High Priestess's study.

I was already acquainted with the snarky griffin revelator, who liked to tease the Blessed Lisaykos. She didn't miss a breath in volleying sarcastic replies back at him. The way the two exchanged insults informed me that they were well acquainted. The Blessed Lisaykos was as relaxed with the Blessed Asgotl as she was with her daughter, who was Lord Gunndit. Given the High Priestess's constant regal demeanor, her relationship with the griffin revealed her more personal, intimate traits. The old lady loved a good verbal spar in private and the griffin would oblige her.

I had come to know Lord Irhessa too. I could tell from his previous visits that the High Priestess and her son were not comfortable with each other. That was not too surprising, given that he ran away from home when he was fourteen. He was discovered by his haup Gunndit family only two years ago, and I could tell that he and the Blessed Lisaykos had a strained relationship. I often wanted to lock the two of them in a room together, so they could come to terms with how they had hurt each other. It was painful to watch them and it made me sad.

It also hurt my brain that the affable Lord Irhessa was the spymaster and assassin Usruldes the Wraith. When I first started working for the High Priestess, I was shocked when she told me about his identity under a charm of confidentiality. Then I met his wife and children, one of whom is a trainee here at the Healing Shrine. I was even more put aback that the infamous Usruldes was a doting husband and a loving father.

Now, he and the Blessed Asgotl were shepherding two Coyn into my employer's study. The two little ones had to be the Revered Tom and the Blessed Emily. The Revered Tom was tall for a Coyn, while the Prophet was tiny. The High Priestess had warned me that the Blessed Emily was small; despite being informed, I was still shocked at how young she appeared. This diminutive Coyn girl talked gods and destroyed cities by divine command. Yet here she was, a tiny thing with an open, friendly smile. Her face was rather plain but her expressions made up for it.

I got up from my table, knelt, and made to my obeisance to her and Tom.

The little prophet rolled her eyes, made a face, and sighed. "Please rise, Scholar Attendant Sarfaz. You don't need to do all the obeisance stuff, you know. And call me Emily. It's a perfectly good name and I'd be happy if you'd use it. I hate being called Great One all the time."

I got to my feet and traded a knowing look with Lord Irhessa. I turned back to the Prophet. "Great One, I'm afraid I can not oblige you. The Blessed Lisaykos already warned me that you might say that. But this is her place of work, and protocol must be upheld around the High Priestess, and that includes the proper address for the Prophet. Your traveling bags are already in your bedroom, Great One and Revered One. I have snacks and tea, if you want, to placate any empty stomachs before dinner."

The Revered Tom laughed at the sour face the Blessed Emily made at my response, and Lord Irhessa smiled his amusement.

"Is there nothing to eat or drink for me?" the griffin asked.

"The Blessed Lisaykos instructed me that the cooks have kettles with water and meat for you, but that you must eat out on the balcony, for the sake of her carpets. Shall I send down a request to the kitchen?"

The Blessed Asgotl appeared affronted, but then he drooped. "Yes, please, Sarfaz. That would be kind of you."

"A bite to eat and some tea would be good," the little prophet said. Her voice was so high and soft that I found it hard to believe she was a prophet that left silverhairs in awe of her. The Blessed Lisaykos did tell me that I might not be able to sense the godmarks, given my level of magic, unless the Prophet was angry or upset. She was right. All I could see was a Coyn girl who looked to be fourteen or fifteen.

"Where is Lisaykos?" the Blessed Emily asked, as she shed her fur flying garment, which looked like a long hooded overtunic. Her flying leggings were made of the same fur, tucked into thick, fur-lined leather boots.

"Can I help you with those, Great One? I have a pair of your slips ready. The Blessed Lisaykos is on the second floor, east wing, room four, where she is attending the Lady Arma, who is in labor."

"Has her husband, Oysumi haup Yant, arrived yet?" Lord Irhessa asked.

"The message from the bird we received a bell ago said he won't arrive until tomorrow. It is a long way from Impotu."

"So, he may not get here before his first child is born," Lord Irhessa looked disappointed. "Oh well. It can't be helped."

By now, the little prophet had kicked off her boots and flying leggings, which were cut as overpants. She had a dark green overtunic on underneath, which looked good on her. I picked up her strange flying garments and placed them on the table by the cloak closet.

"What is this fur? It feels so thick and luxurious." I ran my hand over the shiny grey fur.

"It's sealskin, from Tirmarra," the prophet replied. "It's really warm and it repels rain and snow. Can I get those slips now? Lisaykos gets upset with me if I run around in my stockings."

"Yes, she mentioned that I shouldn't let you do that," I remarked. I resisted smiling. Everything the High Priestess had told me about the Blessed Emily was true, and it was amusing to me. The Blessed Lisaykos has described her so well. "And here are you slips. Revered One, Lord Irhessa, may I take your flying gear?"

"Please," Lord Irhessa said. "Do you know where the Tirmarran warrior Storm Walker is housed?"

"Across the hall, in guest room six. But he is currently on the third floor, competing in the walker races, accompanied by his language instructor and guide."

"And the Empress Moo'upegan?" The prophet asked.

"Touring the Shrine and the chapel shrine for Coyn with the Lady Ishapur. They've been out all day. I'm surprised they aren't back yet."

"I'm not," the Blessed Emily replied, climbing the stairs to the south side lounge. "Moo'upegan is curiosity personified. She's probably exhausted everyone around her with her endless questions. She's like a little kid that way."

The Revered Tom joined her on the lounge, and they sat, side by side, with Emily leaning her head against his arm. It was cute. The Blessed Lisaykos didn't tell me about that.

Lord Irhessa removed a cloth-wrapped bundle from the Blessed Asgotl's saddle bags. He carried it to his mother's work table and placed it in front of her favorite chair. Then he unwrapped it. The pale pink crystal was as big as my head. I gasped when I realized what it was.

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"That's...?"

"It's for the memorial in Black Falls for the fever victims. We just collected it," Lord Irhessa explained. "The Holy Sutsusum will take it with her in four days, after the Convocation meeting."

"Ah." I admired the crystal for a breath longer and then set about making tea while I eavesdropped.

"So, do you have plans for the rest of today, Great One?" Lord Irhessa asked the Prophet.

"I thought I might try to visit Arma, if I can do so without getting stepped on. I have no idea how chaotic the deliver room might be."

"I can carry you, if you're worried, little one."

"What?" Tom burst out. "You can go into a delivery room? You're not her husband."

"Why shouldn't I if I have reason to do so?"

"But you're a guy."

"Yes. What does that have to do with anything?"

Irhessa's answer left Tom fish-eyed and speechless.

"I don't understand your reaction, Tom," Irhessa steepled his fingers the same way his mother did. Their expressions and gestured were so alike.

"Tom, this isn't Earth," the Prophet's soft soprano responded. "The culture here is that men can go into delivery rooms. Cosm believe it's good for men to see agony of childbirth, to motivate them to do their share of child raising."

"My head hurts," Tom said, shaking it. Then he frowned. "If we have kids, does this mean you'll have Cosm doing the delivery?"

"Is there something wrong with that?" Emily asked. "I think it would be amazing—and a privilege—to have the avatar of the god of healing do my delivery. She's the best healer in the world. Wouldn't you want that for our children?"

"I guess, if you put it that way." His frown deepened. "Maybe . . . I think . . ."

"What's wrong, Tom?" she pleaded.

"I believe I'm jealous of your friendship with the Princess High Priestess."

"Oh."

I watched the little prophet as a cascade of expressions crossed her face.

"Please don't be," Emily's soft voice pleaded. "I think Lisaykos is the person who convinced me that Cosm aren't all monsters. Yes, she's a huge stomp-up, and she's a mage with powers beyond belief, but she's also kind, and she's patient—even with me. And at heart, she's a lonely old lady who's a good friend who I never want to hurt. She's always been there for me, especially when I would wake up in the middle of the night from the nightmares left over from the illegal breeding farm. She rebuilt her living quarters to make it easy for me. She took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself. She's like a sister to me. Please don't make me choose between the two of you."

Tom studied her face and his expression collapsed. "I'm sorry. You're right. I'm just feel out of place here."

"That's understandable," she replied. "There are days when I feel out of place here too, especially when there are a lot of Cosm invading this space. I dislike being surrounded by too many Cosm. It's overwhelming. It scares me. I just want to escape when it happens. It was worse when I was recovering after what Aylem did to me and Asgotl two years ago. I was so weak that I got carried around for a whole season. Lisaykos was there for me through all of that. She took care of me, and not just through delegation. She was with me everyday, watching me, checking up on me at night, making sure I was doing alright during the day. She's probably the reason I'm still alive. Please, Tom. Lisaykos is an important person in my life."

"I hear you, Mouse. Maybe we should start with a bigger bedroom. I really like our room at Irhessa's place. Your room here is, well . . ."

"I like my room here."

"But it's your room. It's not mine. I feel like I'm just an add-in for the Prophet."

"Not this again." The Blessed Emily's face fell.

"And we can't raise children inside the Healing Shrine," he pronounced. He had a point. A family of Coyn in the High Priestess's quarters would not work.

"Can we worry about that if I manage to get pregnant? We don't even know if it will be possible for me to even have kids. Ud said to consult with Aylem about that. And if Aylem couldn't fix me, Ud said to visit with her. It may be a few years before we need to worry about a place to raise kids. I was thinking a house in the Valley of the Vanishing River would be nice."

"The Cosm will never permit that," Tom stated. "They hover over you, ready to catch you if you trip."

"Tom, they don't own me. If I want to return to my valley, I will, and no one will be able to stop me."

"Emily, are you nuts? The Cosm will stop you if they want to. We're mice to them. Mister stomp-up mage Irhessa here can pick you up and carry you off if he wanted to, and there's nothing you can do to stop him. Isn't that right, big guy?"

"Well, I could, but the gods would punish me for it," Lord Irhessa replied in his melodious bass. "Tom, every silverhair can feel that the gods have marked Emily. What I feel for her is awe, and reverence, and the desire to protect her. The silverhairs that have defied Emily's divine authority that have not fared well. Impotu tried to capture her and Impotu now is only a few seasons from falling. I wish you could sense what I do in Emily. Then, maybe, you might understand better. No, wait," he got up from his chair and knelt in front of Tom, holding out his hand. "Do you trust me, fishing buddy?"

"I guess."

"Put your hand in mine, and close your eyes."

Tom slowly reached out and placed his hand on Lord Irhessa's.

"You're as tense as a prell string, Tom. Try to relax. Now close your eyes. Can you feel that? That's me making a direct connection to you."

"Yes. That's . . ."

"I just cast a charm of peace on you. I think you need it right now. Keep those eyes closed. That's good. Now, can see that?"

"Gods. That's . . ."

"Yes, you're seeing what I'm seeing."

"We look so small."

Lord Irhessa chuckled. "That's because you are small. Now, this is what aura looks like. See your godmark, just under your chin?"

"Oh, wow. It's shiny"

"Now, relax, let me take control, alright? Now, this is Emily's aura."

Even with his eyes closed, Tom was making a fish face.

"Hessakos," Emily snapped, using Irhessa's name in Is'syal, "why has no one ever shown me this?"

"Because it's Ud magic. Not even my mother knows how to do this. I don't even know if the Queen knows how to do this. I have only done this before with my wife. This is the first time I've tried this with anyone else, little one. But I believe Tom needs to see what I see in you. I think this will help him understand why we react the way we do around you."

"Oh."

"See how the godmarks flared when she was annoyed with me, Tom? That's what silverhairs react to in Emily. You should have felt how the godmarks pull on me, and why I want to make things easier for her. This is what Cosm mages experience when they are near Emily."

Tom didn't need to say anything. His gobsmacked face said it for him.

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