The Wicked House of Caroline

Beks sharpened the last of a half dozen pencils and placed it on her desk, opposite her, along with a stack of papers. Sister Levina was used to using her slate to communicate, but considering that Beks had a lot to ask her, which would undoubtedly require a lot of writing to respond, she figured it would be easier for Sister Levina if she didn’t need to constantly erase to reuse her slate.

At the coffee table between her desk and the door of her study, Lucian brewed coffee to serve.

“Should we ask for snacks?” Beks asked with comfort in mind.

“The biscuits aren’t enough?” Lucian asked, raising his eyes to meet hers as she stood by the desk.

Beks wrinkled her nose. “I suppose we can take a break for a real meal.”

Lucian sighed and stood up straight. “Until we hire some new employees for the kitchen, I’m afraid there won’t be much in terms of specialized food, like pastries and snacks.”

“I like those glutinous rice cakes,” Beks said. “Sister Levina even asked for more to be sent to the Hall of Tranquility.”

Since Beks was still wandering in and out of the Hall of Eloquence in search of more hidden works by the late Great Oracle, their two new guests were assigned to the other guest manors. Sister Levina had the smallest of the guest manors on the royal grounds, the Hall of Tranquility.

While the smallest building, it had a beautiful garden Beks thought she’d like.

The Grand Duke of Aceria was staying at the Hall of Deliberation, which was historically used for visiting dignitaries and had room for a dignitary’s entourage. Perhaps it was the Grand Duke’s age, but he got along famously with the Duke of Seneca. So much that after only a day of rest, Duke Seneca took advantage of his time off to take the Grand Duke around Kadmium.

Although they still had much to do, Laurence issued an order to rest for two days before returning to work. Part of the reason was he wanted to spend time with Lady Eleanor, who’d just returned, and begin discussing their wedding under the circumstances they were in. They didn’t have much to spend, and with some tension with the Temple as Iris Elpidah was married to Luther, they had yet to arrange for the religious portion of the ceremony.

For the time being, despite a two-day rest, Chamberlain Wilton was still reviewing various nobles who had sided with Luther along with the Duke of Caroline and Marquis von Glasser. Those nobles were under house arrest, but would still need to be further fined.

Laz had lost a coin toss to Lucian to see who would accompany her today. Begrudgingly, the older of the twins accompanied the entourage guarding the Grand Duke of Aceria. Beks placed a lot of importance on the old man, as he and the Mahin family were one of the only descendants of Gah-ruhn Beks knew of.

A knock came from the door and Beks looked towards it. “Enter.”

The door swung open and one of the Wild Dogs guarding the room saluted her. “Your Highness, Sister Levina has arrived.”

Beks gave him a nod. “Let her in.”

Lucian began pouring coffee when the guard stepped to the side and motioned for Sister Levina to enter. She walked in wearing a simple dress and a lace veil over her face. She looked around the room curiously as she entered.

Lucian looked up, about to greet her when he furrowed his brows and looked past the woman’s shoulders. Beks also raised a brow in question as a second person entered after Sister Levina.

“Thank you for coming,” Beks said, turning her calm gaze back to Sister Levina. “I hope you were able to get some rest after such a long journey.”

Sister Levina nodded with enthusiasm. She lifted her slate, which had been attached to a leather chord across her body, and scribbled. “Well rested! Thank you for giving us a day to rest.”

Beks shook her head. “A day is hardly enough. You had a sea journey and then another carriage ride.” She motioned towards the seat across from her desk. “Please have a seat. Would you like some coffee?”

Sister Levina nodded. She reached up to remove her veil and began to fold it neatly on her lap as Lucian placed a small cup on a saucer and brought it towards her. She reached up and took it, putting it on the table before reaching up to touch the top of Lucian’s head in thanks.

She then took a sip of her coffee and nodded, satisfied. She scribbled another word on her slate. “It’s good!”

Beks walked around her desk to take a seat on the other side. “The Grand Duke brought us some beans imported from Freysha.” She sat down and craned her neck, looking past Sister Levina to the man still standing by the door. “By the way, why is Jonas here?”

Sister Levina seemed to gasp and lower her cup. She turned around in her seat and looked at Jonas, who stood patiently near the door, as if waiting to be given instruction.

He remained standing upright and bowed his head towards Beks and Lucian. “I am escorting Sister Levina today, Your Highness. Should I step out?”

Beks narrowed her eyes a bit. “It’s not necessary, but weren’t you escorting her all of yesterday?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And escorted her from the Gilded Palace to the Hall of Tranquility after their welcome dinner?” Beks bore her eyes into the man, whose ears began to turn red.

He maintained a smile. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“And now again, as well? Do you not have a rest day?”

“We are short staffed, Your Highness.”

It was a reasonable explanation, but there were other Wild Dogs to escort Sister Levina. Not to mention that such a duty would not have been left to a battalion’s Lt. Commander.

Beks squinted. “Does Laz know you’re here?”

Lucian also gave Jonas a questioning look. Jonas tensed a bit and let out a small cough. “I see you are busy. I will take my leave and wait outside, Your Highnesses.” He bowed and turned on his heel, slipping out the door and closing it behind him.

Lucian raised a brow at the closed door. “It seems that’s a no.”

“It’s certainly a no,” Beks replied. She looked towards Sister Levina. “He isn’t bothering you, is he?”

Sister Levina immediately began shaking her head violently and grabbed her slate. “No, he’s good company! Very helpful!”

Beks didn’t need to read her answer. She pretended she didn’t see Sister Levina’s flushed face. While Sister Levina wore her veil in more public places, she removed it while eating and had seemed to have forgotten to put it back on after their meals, happily being led away by Jonas who filled the silence between them with ramblings on Kadmus, the city, and the Gilded Palace.

Since she seemed very comfortable with, or at least very welcoming, of Jonas escorting her, Beks didn’t have a problem with Jonas doing so. However, she made a mental note to discuss with Laz, as Jonas oversaw the bulk of battalion paperwork and was essentially Laz’ personal secretary.

“That’s good. I’m glad he’s helpful,” Beks replied. She motioned to the stack of sheets and pencils. “Don’t worry about having to wipe your slate. Please feel free to use all the materials in front of you. I have many questions, so this may be easier. Also, take your time writing.”

“Sister Levina, our day is free, but if you are tired or have additional plans later, let us know. Beks and I will also schedule a meal,” Lucian told her.

Sister Levina nodded and pulled the leather strap that was attached to her slate off, placing it on a corner of the desk. She picked up a pencil and adjusted it in her disfigured hands. Despite the awkwardness, her handwriting was immaculate.

“What do you want to know?” She looked proud as she slid the sheet across to Beks, eager to be of help.

“I read the books I memorized in your room at the Great Temple Complex. There were files included on the oracles chronicling their history, remember?” Sister Levina nodded at Beks’ question, so Beks continued. “In several instances, it says the oracles, while still priestesses in training, had history classes in their schedules on the history of Sevoy beyond the Temple. When I asked Lucian, he says he didn’t learn much of the continent’s history, unless it directly involved the Temple.”

“When Beks asked you when you arrived, you said only priestesses become oracles,” Lucian said, standing beside Beks’ chair. “Does every priestess in training go through such classes? I remember priests in training had a few classes separate from the priestesses in training.”

Sister Levina shook her head and wrote. “It applied to older students. Only the best student priestesses took advanced history classes.” She paused for a moment and continued to write. “All students, male and female, must take general history of the Temple, but only the most important points.”

Lucian nodded and let out a hum. “But the advanced history classes was selective of students?”

Sister Levina nodded once more before writing. “Advanced classes are very detailed, but it is not on the entire history of the continent starting with the founding of the Temple. It is only recent history.”

The word ‘very’ was underlined twice, to emphasize its importance. However, Beks focused on another word. “How recent?”

Sister Levina started writing on another piece of paper. “Within the last three hundred years. We learn about all the countries the Temple is involved with, everything about their rulers, important people, what the Temple has helped them with, and where the Temple has struggled with them.”

Beks furrowed her brows and frowned a bit. “Everything about their rulers?”

Sister Levina wrote quickly to reply. “It is a cultural lesson so that we, as future priestesses, would know how to get along with them.” She paused once more, as if trying to align the words to best describe what she’d seen. “We learn about their habits, likes, dislikes, and their families. We must learn what is accepted and what is taboo. If the Temple and a country or important person has conflict, we review why and then discuss how we could’ve made it better.”

“So, a sort of conflict resolution?” Beks asked. Sister Levina nodded and began on another sheet.

“My superiors asked what we would have done to make the relationship between the Temple and the other party better. The Temple is surrounded on all sides and doesn’t have a large population. It is in a very fertile location, so the Temple must avoid being attacked.” Sister Levina didn’t look up from where she was writing. She pushed her latest answer forward and continued writing in a fervor. “The Temple only has so many paladins. They said that having an army will look bad, as it would make other countries suspicious, so the Temple cannot have one. The Temple and everyone associated with it must have a good reputation.” She underlined ‘must’.

Beks nodded her head thoughtfully. “That is a good and valid reason. With the amount of influence the Temple has as a religious institution, if it gained too much power, the other countries would be wary and not want them to enter. They may even be forcibly pushed out of a country.”

Sister Levina nodded, pointing at Beks as if to say she understood it perfectly.

Lucian rubbed his chin. “But I don’t remember any instance of the Temple being rejected by a country. There is some resistance to any prospective involvement in government, but the only place on the continent it hasn’t spread to is Langshe, as Langshe practices differently.”

“Aceria only allowed for one chapel to be built, but it’s a small dukedom and doesn’t have much political power in the region,” Beks replied. She looked at Lucian. “Are you sure they’ve never been pushed out of another country?”

Sister Levina and Lucian both nodded. Sister Levina pushed another piece of paper to Beks. “It has not happened yet! The Temple does a lot of good deeds in other countries and helps with emergencies to gain support. Oracles are also very important. They have a lot of influence, and everyone wants to please an oracle. They are very revered, but they are also to be completely dedicated to the Temple.” Sister Levina made an annoyed face as she wrote one more sentence. “They told us that to become an oracle is the ultimate sacrifice. Everything is given up to the Temple. Life. Body. Soul.”

Beks raised her brows, surprised. “I’ve never heard of that.”

Lucian looked equally surprised, if not disturbed. “I’ve heard of that for paladins, but not for oracles....”

Sister Levina’s expression was serious. “It is a very intense education. Our superiors said that the willingness to die for the Temple and what they believe is the greatest show of faith. Many cannot accept it.”

Lucian took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I’ve heard such words before.” His hand clenched at his side and Beks reached to grasp his hand.

She looked at Sister Levina. “Do oracles always come out of that advanced class?”

Sister Levina shook her head before writing. “No, only a few. No one can predict who will be an oracle. Oracles usually start receiving their prophecies as a young teen and it can be anyone. The older they get, the more impactful their prophecies.”

“Yes, I remember reading that. Prophecies became significantly more impactful with age,” Beks muttered. “They start with ten prophecies, right? A prospective oracle must give ten significant prophecies first before they are recognized to make sure that someone didn’t make a lucky guess or two.” This was the case of Iris Elpidah.

Sister Levina nodded.

Lucian, still holding his wife’s hand, frowned as he thought a loud. “I suppose learning about other countries and how to have positive relations with them is important, as if one becomes an oracle, they will travel often outside of the Great Basin and will need to maintain relations between the Temple and foreign countries.”

“Yes, but Sister Levina confirmed that not all oracles are from that advanced class,” Beks replied. “If they were, then it would make sense that they’d all be forced to learn this sort of historically backed etiquette, but even then, it’s not all priestesses who are taught. It’s just a select few that had excelled. Oracles appear by chance and can be anyone.”

Sister Levina tapped her lip and then wrote on another sheet. “I counted. Only five of the oracles recorded came from an advanced class.”

“Five?” Lucian almost balked. “Then far more have come from outside the class. What’s the purpose of making you learn so much?”

Sister Levina shrugged and had an almost deadpan look on her face. “It was very boring, too.”

Beks leaned forward, suddenly interested on what exactly had been taught. “Why was it so boring? What was the content?”

Sister Levina let out a sigh. “It was incredibly detailed information. In my class, we learned about the late Queen of Kadmus. She was right-handed with a sword. She had close relations to her cousin before her arranged marriage. I learned Aceria does not like the Temple getting involved with even emergencies, but they are small, so the Temple does not interfere.”

“The latter I can understand, but the former....” Lucian had a bit of disgust on his face. “Why would you need to know such personal details as to who her affair partners were?”

Sister Levina wrote an answer easily. “To know their personality so as to predict how they would act with the Temple.”

Beks narrowed her eyes. She leaned forward and put her arms on the table. “What did they know about me?”

Both Lucian and Sister Levina looked at her with surprise. Sister Levina then knit her brows together, mulling over her thoughts before she continued to write on a new sheet.

“I don’t know how much was taught after I was punished,” Sister Levina began with an apologetic look. “But from my classes, only what we know of the prophecy and your great importance to the late Queen.”

Lucian let out a bitter scoff. “That makes one of us.”

Beks squeezed his hand and brought it to her lips to kiss the back of it in comfort. “It wasn’t always wonderful in that position.” Lucian shut his eyes and let out a low breath.

Sister Levina pushed forward another piece of paper and lowered her eyes. “I am sorry. I only had two years of the advanced class, then I was punished. I did not think to listen on it while in hiding.”

Beks shook her head and Lucian’s eyes reddened a bit. “Sister, you are free now.”

“And no one will hurt you again,” Beks added.

Sister Levina’s eyes turned red and nodded. She scribbled once more. “Thank you, both.”

“It is natural,” Lucian said with reassurance. Beks nodded in agreement.

She leaned back against her chair with a perplexed look. “For such an institution that is so keen on having a good reputation, they can be quite brutal.”

Sister Levina nodded. “Those who are deep in the Temple believe that what must be done, must be done. No matter what the consequence. If you go against them, you are punished.”

Lucian’s eyes darkened as he seemed to look at Sister Levina. “Even if you don’t go against them, but merely show signs of standing out in a way they don’t approve of, you will be punished.”

Beks frowned. Across from her, Sister Levina continued to write with a concentrated expression.

“Even to those they approve of, they tell you not to be scared to die. If the gods see that you die for the sake of the Temple, they will give you a glorious rebirth.”

Beks jerked her head back upon reading the paper. She looked up at Lucian. “Did they tell you this?”

Lucian wore a blank expression as he looked at the sheet in front of them. “No...no.” He shook his head and frowned. “I’ve never heard anything about a glorious rebirth. What gods would make such a promise?”

Sister Levina scribbled one more word on top of the sheet. “Xeria.”

Lucian’s eyes widened. “The goddess of chaos and rebirth?”

Beks perked up. “She was the one with the six priests and priestesses whose relics became the Muil Stones, isn’t she?”

Sister Levina looked surprised and nodded. “You have heard of them?”

“When we were investigating some of Luther’s supporters, the history of one of the families had a son who went missing on an expedition searching for a Muil Stone,” Beks replied. She pursed her lips. “I read that of the six, two were still missing. Or rather...three now.”

Sister Levina cocked her head to the side. “I have not heard of a third lost. The High Council would be in a panic if they knew.”

Beks’ eyes narrowed further. She turned to Lucian. “You don’t know who took it, do you?”

Lucian looked even more confused. “Why would I know?”

“Because you were there,” Beks replied. “It’s the petrified hand of St. Cormac.” Sister Levina gasped across from her and began furiously writing once more.

Lucian slowly shook his head. “I’ve never heard of the Muil Stones....”

Sister Levina shoved a piece of paper towards them. “Muil Stones are the name of a set of six relics. The heart of St. Ingrid and the jaw of St. Cyric, known as the great orator saint, are missing. The other four: the hand of St. Cormac, the heel of St. Geogiere, the arrow that pierced the eye and head of St. Yephan, the sword containing the blood of St. Myriagnus are all in shrines.”

Lucian leaned over the desk to read over the reply. “Now that it’s on a list, I realize that the first four stand out. All other relics are usually items that belonged to a saint, not an actual body part. I’ve heard of several weapons, robes, staves, books...but not an arrow that went through an eye and head.”

“I’m more curious about how a sword contains blood,” Beks told him.

“The Sword of St. Myriagnus is in the Great Temple Complex, on display in a shrine in the Great Temple of Xeria,” Lucian told her as Sister Levina continued to write so fast, the paper almost smoked.

On the same sheet of paper, Sister Levina noted the locations of all the known Muil Stones. The sword was at the Great Temple of Xeria, the arrow was in the Monastery of the Pillars, watched over by the Order of St. Yephan. The heel was in the St. Geogiere Shrine, within the Great Cathedral of Xeras, the capital of Paraxes.

The other three were missing.

“Are all of the body parts petrified?” Beks asked.

Sister Levina nodded. “The Temple has a way to artificially petrify body parts.”

Beks made a small face. “Well, that’s terrifying....why did these four saints have parts of their bodies used while others had things that belonged to them?”

Sister Levina shrugged. “I think because perhaps they were early saints and the custom of using an item they owned had not been in place?”

“But I doubt the arrow that shot St. Yephen was his,” Lucian said, motioning to the paper with frustration.

“Perhaps he kept it as a souvenir?” Beks asked. Lucian gave her an affronted look.

Sister Levina wrote some more. “The arrow is made of semi-precious stone. The sword belonged to St. Myriagnus, who was the last of the six to die.”

“Legend has it that the grip was replaced with a hollowed-out crystal that carries the remains of St. Myriagnus’ blood,” Lucian told Beks.

“It is said that after St. Myriagnus saw the deaths of the other five priests and priestesses, she killed herself with her own sword as a sacrifice to Xeria,” Sister Levina wrote.

Beks frowned more so. “I thought the Temple doesn’t condone human sacrifice.”

“Now they do,” Lucian said.

Sister Levina nodded in agreement. “It was allowed in the Temple’s early years. The sacrificial site is still used today, but not for human sacrifice. St. Myriagnus chose the site of the Great Temple Complex, but in order not to desecrate it with her sinful blood, as she came from a violent past, she killed herself elsewhere. It is now a sacred site.”

Beks nodded. “Where is it?”

Sister Levina wrote another word and Lucian craned his neck. At once, he drew his head back in disbelief. “Strahnroc? Where the new year’s blessing is done every year?”

Sister Levina nodded and Beks looked at the two of them. “You know where it is?”

“Know? I’ve been there to assist with the blessing,” Lucian told her. “It’s in the southernmost point of the Great Basin. There are hills there and the river goes around the hills on one side. Strahnroc is on the highest hill, but on a good day, you can see the Great Temple complex in the distance.

Sister Levina pushed another piece of paper that she’d been drawing on forward. She tapped it, as if to draw their attention to it. There was a hill with a river and on top of the hill was a round disc.

“What’s this?” Beks asked, pointing at the circle.

“That’s Strahnroc. It’s a stone slab in the center of a small spring. It is said that it is where St. Myriagnus stood when she sacrificed herself.”

Beks drew her head back. “And this is where the new year’s blessing is performed?”

Lucian nodded. “Six members of the High Council of High Priests and Priestesses wade into the spring and stand around the stone. They then pour red wine mixed with spring water into the grooves.”

Beks looked up. “Grooves?”

Sister Levina looked more concentrated than ever as she drew markings on a circle. Lucian shrugged. “I couldn’t get too close as I was still just a priest in training at the time, so I couldn’t get a good look. It should have the archaic symbol of Xeria, but there were some more engravings I couldn’t see from my angle. It’s a piece of black stone and the ceremony is held at dawn.”

Sister Levina continued to write and the two watched until she was finished. She pushed the paper forward and Beks found that a round symbol surrounded by six smaller circles, each connected to the lines that lead to the center of the circle, where even more circles overlapped to create a six petaled flower. Each petal pointed and had a line connecting it to one of the small circles outside, which Beks figured to represent the six original priests and priestesses.

“This is her symbol?”

“All circles for rebirth. The smaller ones outside the big circle are her for priests and priestesses,” Lucian said. “Another thing is that the spring the stone is on is the most biha rich place I’ve ever been in the Great Basin.” He tilted his head to the side. “Now that I think of it, it may be because it’s the closest point to it.”

Beks ran her fingers along the circles. “Close to what?”

“It’s the border of the Temple’s holding, but beyond it is an area that leads to the Forbidden Valley.”

╔═════════════════ ∘◦ ♔ ◦∘ ═════════════════╗-

“What are you two doing?” An amused voice came from the entrance and Beks lowered the book in her hand and turned to look over the railing of the upper level of the Gilded Library. On the ground floor, there was a long wooden table used for studying and two unexpected children and a fire drake were seated opposite each other, almost surrounded by a small fortress of books.

Soon-to-be Queen Eleanor chuckled as she saw Thad, Wrath, and Sunny were flipping through thick books. Sunny was more laying on the edge of the table, sleeping, than flipping through books, though.

“We’re helping Sister!” Wrath said, taking a piece of paper and wedging it into a book before continuing to turn to the page.

It was a vague answer, but thankfully, Thad gave some more clarity. “Sister asked us to put these slips of paper in the pages where Xeria the goddess of chaos and rebirth are mentioned.”

“Or one of her six priests and priestesses!” Wrath added.

Eleanor drew her head back and blinked. “Why is she looking for information on Xeria?” Beks could almost feel the confusion in Eleanor’s voice, as typically, Beks would’ve been immersed in research about governance and policy. Sometimes ancient civilizations or animals.

Before Beks could interject to answer, Wrath replied once more, full of confidence. “I don’t know!”

Thad stopped looking over the book open in front of him as Beks rubbed her forehead. She sighed and leaned over the edge. “I’m trying to find out what is so important about the Muil Stones; the relics left behind by the six priests and priestesses. They’re so important that apparently the Temple is constantly looking for them.”

“Brother Lucian’s pilgrimage caravan was attacked and one of the Muil Stones, the hand of a saint, was taken. Now it’s missing,” Thad told them.

Eleanor furrowed her brows. “But aren’t all relics important to the Temple? It would make sense that they’d put a lot of effort into finding them.”

“Yes, but the Hand of St. Cormac didn’t originally need to be found,” Beks climbed on top of the large horned serpent that had draped part of his body on the upper floor. She slid down Snowflake’s back and landed near the table. “Most relics are left where they are found, and a shrine is built around it. There shouldn’t have been any reason St. Cormac’s hand was taken by the Temple.”

She originally wanted to ask Sister Levina to come and help them look for mentions of Xeria and her six priests and priestesses, as Beks had full confidence that she would be able to find them quickly, but she felt a bit guilty for taking up all of the woman’s time.

Sister Levina’s main reasons for coming was to further teach Lucian light biha techniques, as well as get her own paperwork done for Kadmus citizenship and residency in what Laurence called the Gurani Territory. She also needed to prepare the paperwork for each of the children.

It turns out that orphans who were taken in by the Temple only had a single document in which to identify them as an orphan who lived in the Temple. When an orphan became an adult, and if they decided to leave the umbrella of the Temple, they would need to apply for citizenship in another country with a letter of introduction from their orphanage’s superior.

It didn’t matter if that child was returning to the country where they had been found.

To Beks, it was a depressing thing to think about. Not to mention, frightening. One’s entire fate was in the hands of the Temple.

It also meant that in the case that something happened to the child, such as what happened to Sister Levina, there was no way for her to apply for citizenship elsewhere, which would make it difficult for her to settle unless she married someone.

Which brought Beks to another reason she was hesitant to take up Sister Levina’s time. Jonas was pursuing the woman so hard; Sandra was concerned that her brother was going to scare Sister Levina off.

But did he?

No. To Sandra’s shock, Sister Levina was more than open to Jonas’ advances. The man was accompanying Sister Levina everywhere, which also meant that his work for Laz had come to a near halt. Laz had cornered Jonas and forced him to work while Sister Levina was teaching Lucian.

“It’s useless for you to sit there and just gawk at her awkwardly while she’s teaching, so you might as well get some work done!” Laz had yelled the last time Beks saw Jonas. Two cavalrymen had been assigned to make sure Jonas stayed in his assigned office to work.

Sandra told Beks she wasn’t sure what Sister Levina saw in her ‘boring’ brother who only liked to read and do paperwork. Beks was sure that’s what drew Jonas to Sister Levina; Sister Levina was extremely well read. After all, what else could she do while hiding out in the long-forgotten tunnels and walls of the Great Temple Complex?

She could only eavesdrop on the priests and priestesses so much. At the very least, Sister Levina had a great deal of what would’ve been confidential information. It was why she was surprised that the loss of the hand of St. Cormac hadn’t caused more concern. She also didn’t know why it had been taken from its shrine.

“That’s true...” Eleanor rubbed her chin. “I’ve heard that some nobles donate money to the Temple specifically to fund these expeditions to find them. They can earn many blessings from the Temple for doing so.”

“Isn’t that just buying favor?” Thad asked.

Eleanor ruffled his hair. “I can’t argue with that.”

Beks walked towards the table with another book and put it on the stack of books that had yet to be looked over. “Sister Levina and Lucian said that Xeria is a major god in the pantheon, but she isn’t talked about much because aside from rebirth, she’s also known as the goddess of chaos. Usually, it’s her priests and priestesses that are talked about because they were essentially the founders of the Temple, which puts more stress on other gods.”

Eleanor tilted her head and gave Beks a curious look. “But you think she’s important.”

Beks raised her brows. “Isn’t it a bit too convenient that the Temple was founded by her priests and priestesses? I have a strong feeling about this.”

A wide smile filled Eleanor’s face. “Ah...so it’s your magical Inheritor powers.”

Beks took a seat next to Wrath and opened one of the books. “When you put ‘magical’ in front of it, it doesn’t sound serious.” She glanced up at Eleanor. “And what are you doing in the library? I thought you and Brother Laurence were trying to get the arrangements finalized for the wedding?”

At this, Eleanor huffed. She pulled out the chair across from Beks and sat down.

“We tried to speak to the Archbishop of Kadmium to oversee our wedding, but he’s no longer at the Kadmium Cathedral. At least, that’s what we’ve been told. The priest presiding in his place has spoken kind words to our faces and sounds very encouraging, but has avoided any confirmation of presiding over our wedding. He insists that we wait for the Archbishop, but doesn’t know when the Archbishop will return. We don’t even know if he’s just avoiding us, if I’m being honest,” Eleanor replied with a scowl.

Beks frowned and sat up straight. “Then, what about a priest from your family’s march? Can’t they come to preside over the wedding?” She didn’t think it was possible, but Eleanor’s scowl deepened.

“Did you know that clergy assigned to a location cannot do any ceremonial blessings or officiations in a location with a pre-existing clergy?” Eleanor asked in a sharp voice.

Beks narrowed her eyes. “Is that a real rule?”

“Apparently so! It was the first I’ve heard of it!” Eleanor crossed her arms over her chest and seethed. “They said doing so would be disrespectful to the clergy of Kadmium. They made some ridiculous reason that it would be as if one clergy was trying to take over another’s territory.”

Beks lowered her hands from the book. “Then, that would mean that whoever is invited can’t perform the ceremony.”

“They told us that only a priest assigned to Kadmium can do such an official ceremony.”

“What about Brother Lucian?” Thad asked. “He isn’t assigned to Kadmium, but he isn’t assigned to anywhere else either.”

Beks perked up at once. She knew that it wasn’t as if Eleanor and Laurence wanted a perfect religious ceremony. It was that it was customary for them to be married in such a ceremony for their marriage to be seen as legitimate to the public.

“Lucian hasn’t been excommunicated, and he is still technically a priest. He’s had all his rights done to the knowledge of the Temple,” Beks said.

“And since he isn’t assigned to a location, it can’t be said that he is trying to take over another,” Thad told them.

Eleanor’s eyes dilated. “That’s right...I forgot about Lucian!”

“You did, but I didn’t,” a man’s voice said from the entrance of the library. They turned their attention towards the open double doors to see Laurence walking in with Lucian beside him.

At first glance, Beks could tell that the two had talked about the matter already. Lucian gave Eleanor a small bow of greeting before going to Beks’ side. Laurence went to stand beside his soon-to-be wife, as well.

“The Temple should not have excommunicated me. In fact, I’d be surprised if they remembered me at this point, but we should act quickly. We won’t announce the date and time of the wedding to prevent any interference,” Lucian told them. “We’ll throw an extravagant party under the guise of Brother’s return to the throne. We can call it his coronation, and I will marry them then and there.”

Laurence nodded in approval. “By the time word of our marriage reaches the Temple, it will be too late.”

“Blessings and officiations performed by a priest or priestess before excommunication are still valid,” Lucian said, looking at Eleanor to reassure her.

Eleanor’s face lit up with joy. “Lucian, thank you!”

“This is the least I can do for you,” Lucian said, as if his efforts were none at all.

Laurence put his hands on Eleanor’s shoulders. “We’ll need to work quickly. Call your family here as soon as possible for the event. It will be scheduled in less than a week’s time.”

“What about the legal paperwork?” Eleanor said, turning her head to look up at him. “We never had them redone after we left.”

“They don’t need to be redone,” Laurence replied with a smile. He motioned to Beks. “She has secured all the paperwork.”

Eleanor’s opened mouthed expression turned to Beks with awe.

“You should still both give it one last look before you sign it. It can be reviewed and signed at any time. It doesn’t have to be signed at the Temple-related ceremony,” Beks said.

“Duke Seneca and Duke Caroline have agreed to be our witnesses.” Laurence kissed the top of Eleanor’s head. His eyes were filled with deep affection.

“Then, we should at least have a large dinner to celebrate after,” she told him. Laurence nodded.

“Wait! What about your wedding dress?” Wrath’s voice came from over the small wall of books that surrounded her. “Aren’t you supposed to wear really nice clothes? I went to a wedding once and they made me wear a dress so fluffy, I couldn’t move.”

Beks wasn’t sure if her sister was complaining or not. Thad sighed. “That was buy design so you wouldn’t run rampant....” he muttered under his breath.

Eleanor laughed. “Dresses are the least of our worries, Wrath. And don’t worry, you won’t have to wear anything uncomfortable.”

“You are a good and righteous Queen!” Wrath’s satisfied voice praised shamelessly, making the adults in the room laugh.

Beks stood up. “Then, if you’ve decided, I’ll assist Chamberlain Wilton with any necessary household arrangements. If we’re going to have a large event, we’ll need to hire more staff.”

“Laz and I have asked the cavalry if anyone would be willing to take a temporary job at the palace for Brother’s somewhat informal coronation. There are plenty of volunteers. It’ll also ease the work of the Wild Dogs,” Lucian said.

Beks nodded with a thoughtful look on her face. “That reminds me, Efran wanted to do some work in the palace and assist me. I had this plan, as well, but Rid Callan is making him train.” She let out a helpless sigh. “He’s going to be transferred to the island. He doesn’t need to take so much of Efran’s time now to train.”

“He wants to focus while he can. Once he goes to the island, he’ll have his children to look after when he’s not doing his duties,” Lucian told her.

“It will be busy for him as a first time father of two children.”

Eleanor chuckled and looked down at her belly. Even sitting there was only a slight curve. “Children....”

Laurence’s face softened. He knelt down beside her and put his hand over her stomach, looking at both her and her stomach fondly.

Beks looked towards her husband. “Do you need anything for the ceremony? If so, I’ll arrange it.”

“No, there are supplies in the cathedral on the royal grounds I can use,” Lucian told them. “I’ll go check later.”

“If you need anything, though the priests at the Kadmium Cathedral have been avoiding us, we can probably get some supplies such as blessed wine and vestments from them with a donation.”

Eleanor let out a slight snort and glared at the table. “All they want is our money....”

Laurence rubbed her shoulders to relax her. “Well, it seems that they need it because something....” He looked pointedly at Beks. “Happened to the Great Temple Complex and the damage is extensive.”

Beks’ eyes darted to the side, avoiding his gaze. “That is a shame.”

Eleanor grumbled. “They’ve been asking their biggest patrons for donations recently. Many of whom were supporters of Luther who still need to be fined.”

Thad looked up from his books. “They are the dominant religious institution on the western half of Sevoy. Why are they getting donors here? They should know what Kadmus’ situation is right now.”

Eleanor shook her head. “It doesn’t seem to matter.” She paused and frowned. “Actually, the priest we spoke to mentioned an expedition was taking place. They are so busy gathering funds, that it was one of the reasons the Archbishop isn’t here to oversee our wedding.”

Beks furrowed her brows. “Is now the time to go on an expedition considering how costly one is and that the Great Temple Complex has to be repaired?” Not to mention that entire sunken paladin training area.

“It’s probably because the Great Temple Complex has to be repaired that they’re having an expedition,” Lucian replied. “Expeditions mean a new relic is going to be sought out. It’s cause for fanfare. It’ll also distract from what happened at the Great Temple Complex. It’s a show of strength that they’re able to spend resources on searching for the relic.”

Beks pursed her lips. “What relic are they looking for this time? St. Cormac’s hand is still missing.”

“Beks!” A loud voice came from the hall just outside the library. “Is she in here?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” one of the guards at the door replied.

Laz peeked into the room and upon seeing them, nodded, and entered. He gave his brothers and soon-to-be sister-in-law nods to acknowledge them before looking towards her. “Beks, someone from the Dawn Company was waiting outside the gate.” He lifted an envelope. “It’s the bill for this week’s feed and fodder.”

Beks didn’t let her reaction reach her calm face. Her eyes settled on the envelope, knowing it wasn’t a bill. Nexus took care of paying for the resources ordered using money earned from various investments. This was something else.

Beks thanked him and took the envelope from his hand. As she opened it, Laurence leaned forward.

“How much is it? When we have money in the treasury again, we will begin to reimburse you.”

Beks shook her head and read over the two sheets of paper that, while an itemized list of resources used to feed their military, contained the words ‘please contact us to confirm payment’.

“We’ll deal with it when we have money,” Beks said. She looked at her siblings. “Thad, Wrath, take a break. I need to call them about a discrepancy.” The two children let out heavy sighs and seemed to melt back against their chairs.

“Finally....” Thad said.

Wrath patted her stomach and looked at Sunny. “Let’s go eat.”

Beks climbed on top of Snowflake. “Back to the villa!”

“Do you want us to come with you?” Laz asked as Snowflake slithered past them with Beks on his back. She shook her head.

“No, it’s just a call. I don’t want to spend unnecessary money,” she said. “Do me a favor and go to that bakery I like. Get a cake for me and my brother and sister. All this focus requires sweets.”

“Sweets!” Wrath threw her arms in the air in triumph as Beks slid out the doors.

Snowflake’s arrival at the Gilded Palace didn’t disturb the Wild Dogs, who were very used to the large serpent. Many even welcomed him and praised him for coming so far. However, the existing staff that had returned to work were taken by surprise by the massive white horned serpent.

A few had been scared out of their wits the first time they saw Snowflake, usually because they’d caught a glimpse of part of him, and not his head, where Beks was often walking in front of or riding behind.

It had been several days, and a few maids still jumped, or avoided Snowflake all together the moment they saw him coming.

It was a relief to Beks that Snowflake fit perfectly through the halls of the Gilded Palace. If she lived in the Old Tower, Snowflake wouldn’t be able to even enter at his size, but the wide halls of the Gilded Palace were large enough to accommodate the sacred beast.

They went down the familiar corridors and into Beks’ villa, which her husbands moved into. Snowflake took her directly to her study, but as he couldn’t fit his entire body inside at once without displacing the furniture, he crossed the room, cutting through to exit through the double doors leading out to the garden to sunbathe. Once he had coiled up outside, Beks closed the doors.

She retrieved her urapearl, and Mr. Kesse answered at once.

“Good afternoon, Your Highness. Did you read the letter?” he asked.

Beks let out a low breath. Aside from instructing her to call them, there was a line about searching for something that was found.

“When did they start?” she asked.

“From what we could gather, they have been searching for St. Cormac’s hand since it went missing, though it was confidential. However, recently, it has been found in a storage room at one of the satellite temples at the Great Basin. There is no reason we found as to how it got there.”

Beks narrowed her eyes as she leaned back against her chair. “Then four Muil Stones have been found.”

“Two are now at the Great Temple Complex.”

“But the other two can’t be moved. Relics aren’t just removed from their shrines.”

“Perhaps not moved, but they can be put into storage to avoid damage or when there are concerns for their safety,” Mr. Kesse told her. “It hasn’t been announced, but we have found that the Heel of St. Geogiere in Xeras and the arrow of St. Yephan at the Monastery of the Pillars have both been put into storage citing concern for their safety after the attack on the Great Temple Complex.”

Beks scoffed. “That happened weeks ago and they’re just now storing them for safety concerns?”

“There is no news on the sword at the Great Temple Complex being removed from its location, but the expedition you may have heard of by now is for the Jaw of St. Cyric.”

Beks took a deep breath and exhaled. “Even if they are using this to take attention away from the attack and show the strength of the Temple, do they know where to start? I heard the last expedition was a failure and the entire expedition party went missing. If they knew where it was, why would they just be searching for it now?”

“Your Highness...it seems that they know where to find it,” Mr. Kesse said with some reluctance. “They were told where.”

Beks frowned and drew her head back. “So, they are going to believe anyone now?”

“Most with have their doubts, but it seems that it was the same person who told them where to find the hand of St. Cormac.”

Beks felt her stomach drop as dread began to fill her. “It isn’t....”

“I’m afraid so, Your Highness. The new oracle, Iris Elpidah. It seems she has made another prophecy, and this time, it is to where the Muil Stone will be found.”