The Guardian of Hope -- Part I I--

Bitge glanced around worriedly as the two women traveled through the busy afternoon streets. “My lady,” she hissed, clutching the arm of the younger woman. “If your father was to know of this, I shudder to think of the consequences.”

“Will you run home to inform him, Bitge?” Cassea asked, her green eyes betraying no emotion except idle curiosity.

“You know that I will not. Whatever you face, I will face with you. My fate is bound to you, my lady.”

Uncertainty flickered in Cassea’s eye for just an instance. “Beware of such powerful ties.”

“In troubled times, any friend is welcomed,” the servant countered, using the old proverb.

Cassea threw her head back and laughed, her red-gold hair catching the light of the setting sun. “Indeed, indeed,” she replied as her mirth subsided. “How did you ever evade the notice of the Houses of Wisdom, Bitge?”

“I fear you treat the matters of wisdom and the gods too lightly.”

“You fear much, but perhaps that is wisdom in itself. However, I cannot turn back, Bitge. No matter the fear or the cost.”

The servant bowed her head and touched the center of her chest reverently. “May the god remember your devotion and be merciful to you.”

The traffic on the streets thinned as they neared their destination. The low, wide temple occupied the hilltop, watching over that sector of the city like a lone sentinel. At the familiar sight, Cassea’s pulse quickened.

‘That is the hope of all the devoted,’ she thought, dwelling on the older woman’s words. ‘For surely it is mine.’

* * * * *

The high priestess watched the young noblewoman with a sensation bordering on awe. Lady Cassea had impressive untapped gifts coupled with a strength that many of the higher temple attendants lacked. Surely she had been chosen for great things.

“Go deeper, child,” the priestess instructed, circling the entranced woman, “but move forward in time. Peer into the present. Tell me what you see.”

Cassea’s brow wrinkled briefly as her concentration shifted. “I see a pool of water, so immense that I cannot see any edge. There was some kind of disturbance and the surface ripples toward me. How odd.”

A hint of puzzlement crept into her voice. In her trances, Cassea would report everything emotionlessly. The change in her tone puzzled the high priestess.

“Why is it odd, Cassea?”

The young woman took a deep breath. “The ripples only move toward me. There are none moving back. The water only moves forward but the ripples originate from the back.”

“You know what the vision means,” the priestess stated. “Abandon the clumsy metaphor.”

“A disturbance, an upheaval is upon us, originating from small events from the past. The consequences are far more profound than any of the spawning events.”

The priestess did not bother to hide her surprise since no one would notice it. “Focus on one of the smaller, causative ripples. What does that ripple represent?”

Again, there was a pause as Cassea’s concentration changed focus. “My grandmother was a priestess, a lower level one but called by a god into service none the less. She was pressed into marriage, producing my mother. She was to be a priestess as well but a greater one.

“However, my grandmother was ignored and my mother wasn’t trained. She was married to Duke Terio, who ignored her calling as well. After a time, the god retracted his gifts and her spirit broke.”

Cassea’s back suddenly straightened. Her eyes opened but remained unseeing. The priestess stumbled back in fear of the sudden change.

“The will of a god will no longer be usurped by the plots of men,” she said, but the voice was not her own. It was much deeper and boomed in the room. “I will no longer be denied!”

The high priestess stumbled unto her knees. “Riol, what is your bidding?”

There was no answer. With a shuddering sigh, Cassea closed her eyes and collapsed into a boneless heap unto the floor. A quick check of the young woman assured the priestess that her charge was well. However, her moment of relief was short-lived.


Part II Bitge glanced around worriedly as the two women traveled through the busy afternoon streets. “My lady,” she hissed, clutching the arm of the younger woman. “If your father was to know of this, I shudder to think of the consequences.” “Will you run home to inform him, Bitge?” Cassea asked, her green eyes betraying no emotion except idle curiosity. “You know that I will not. Whatever you face, I will face with you. My fate is bound to you, my lady.” Uncertainty flickered in Cassea’s eye for just an instance. “Beware of such powerful ties.” “In troubled times, any friend is welcomed,” the servant countered, using the old proverb. Cassea threw her head back and laughed, her red-gold hair catching the light of the setting sun. “Indeed, indeed,” she replied as her mirth subsided. “How did you ever evade the notice of the Houses of Wisdom, Bitge?” “I fear you treat the matters of wisdom and the gods too lightly.” “You fear much, but perhaps that is wisdom in itself. However, I cannot turn back, Bitge. No matter the fear or the cost.” The servant bowed her head and touched the center of her chest reverently. “May the god remember your devotion and be merciful to you.” The traffic on the streets thinned as they neared their destination. The low, wide temple occupied the hilltop, watching over that sector of the city like a lone sentinel. At the familiar sight, Cassea’s pulse quickened. ‘That is the hope of all the devoted,’ she thought, dwelling on the older woman’s words. ‘For surely it is mine.’ * * * * * The high priestess watched the young noblewoman with a sensation bordering on awe. Lady Cassea had impressive untapped gifts coupled with a strength that many of the higher temple attendants lacked. Surely she had been chosen for great things. “Go deeper, child,” the priestess instructed, circling the entranced woman, “but move forward in time. Peer into the present. Tell me what you see.” Cassea’s brow wrinkled briefly as her concentration shifted. “I see a pool of water, so immense that I cannot see any edge. There was some kind of disturbance and the surface ripples toward me. How odd.” A hint of puzzlement crept into her voice. In her trances, Cassea would report everything emotionlessly. The change in her tone puzzled the high priestess. “Why is it odd, Cassea?” The young woman took a deep breath. “The ripples only move toward me. There are none moving back. The water only moves forward but the ripples originate from the back.” “You know what the vision means,” the priestess stated. “Abandon the clumsy metaphor.” “A disturbance, an upheaval is upon us, originating from small events from the past. The consequences are far more profound than any of the spawning events.” The priestess did not bother to hide her surprise since no one would notice it. “Focus on one of the smaller, causative ripples. What does that ripple represent?” Again, there was a pause as Cassea’s concentration changed focus. “My grandmother was a priestess, a lower level one but called by a god into service none the less. She was pressed into marriage, producing my mother. She was to be a priestess as well but a greater one. “However, my grandmother was ignored and my mother wasn’t trained. She was married to Duke Terio, who ignored her calling as well. After a time, the god retracted his gifts and her spirit broke.” Cassea’s back suddenly straightened. Her eyes opened but remained unseeing. The priestess stumbled back in fear of the sudden change. “The will of a god will no longer be usurped by the plots of men,” she said, but the voice was not her own. It was much deeper and boomed in the room. “I will no longer be denied!” The high priestess stumbled unto her knees. “Riol, what is your bidding?” There was no answer. With a shuddering sigh, Cassea closed her eyes and collapsed into a boneless heap unto the floor. A quick check of the young woman assured the priestess that her charge was well. However, her moment of relief was short-lived.


Part III The Guardian of Hope