Chapter 11

The Towering Spires

"Would you all like to see the Cathedral?”, Eliza said excitedly, “We won't be able to see the Sentire, of course but I can show you the grounds. I haven't been there in years but I remember every step I took."

"I'd love to.", Lynn quickly replied.

Eliza stood up and looked down at her white gown, "I need to change first.", she said. "How about we meet at the Cathedral gates?"

Marinae and Weamar agreed and Lynn and Eliza walked off towards the Wilted Blossom. Weamar figured that he and Marinae had a little time to kill and looked around for a smithy.

Walking away from the market Eliza leaned close to Lynn and whispered, "I wish there were more people like Marinae. I wish we didn't have to hide."

Lynn felt ashamed. It seemed like she couldn't live a single day without feeling bad about something that she'd done. She wished that she was more like Marinae. Marinae was so confident and self-assured. Eliza held Lynn's hand as she walked beside her. Lynn seemed so sad. Eliza wondered what it was that Lynn was thinking that could bring about such melancholy.

"We will have to be extremely careful.”, Marinae said to Weamar, “I don't envy either of them if they're found out, but all of us may hang. Humans are fond of guilt by association."

Weamar didn’t want to think about that. Luckily he didn’t have to as he spotted a smithy pounding away at a fresh piece of iron, "I'll meet up with you later.", he said to Marinae hurrying over to the man.

Marinae just shrugged and followed Lynn and Eliza back to the Inn. Once there Eliza headed out back to the wash lines and retrieved her robe. Lynn did the same and Marinae headed off to the stable to check on Maelstrom. Lynn packed both gowns into her backpack, switched into her robe, and pulled the hood down over her face. She gave Eliza one last lingering kiss before heading back out into the world that abhorred them. Eliza stood for a moment in the door of the bathhouse, watching Lynn walk away. Eliza wondered if she could survive loving Lynn, given the dangers. She wondered if, having finally been with her, she could ever again survive without.
 

Weamar walked up to the smithy and waited patiently for him to finish his work. The smithy paused and wiped the sweat from his brow on a cloth that was tucked into his belt. He looked up and noticed Weamar.

"Hello", Weamar said warmly, "Might you be able to tell who made a weapon if you saw it?"

The smithy waited for his ears to stop ringing, then he answered, "Hello there. Possibly. What sort of weapon is it?"

"This knife.", Weamar said pulling out William’s dagger.

The smithy looked at it with a raised eyebrow, noting the black stain on the blade.

"The stain was on it when I found it.”, Weamar said sheepishly.

"Well, it's silver. Good craftsmanship. No markings that I can see.”, the smithy answered studying the blade. “The leather on the hilt looks rather old. I'm afraid I can't tell ya more."

"That's fine, would you know of anyone else who might be able to?", Weamar asked.

"Well, I'd say ole Aselid, if he were still around here. Left last year for parts unknown. He could probably tell ya more about it.", The smithy handed the blade back to Weamar.

Weamar nodded and took back the blade, "I think I've heard of him."

"He was a good fellow.”, the smithy said, “When my daughter fell ill eating poisoned berries, he was right over and gave us a draught that had her out and playing by the next morning."

“A handy man to have around!”, Weamar replied grinning, “But you say he's been gone for almost a year?"

"Yes. He just up and closed shop about a year ago.”, the smithy added solemnly, “He had his things packed up and shipped off ahead of him. I haven't seen him since I stopped in to wish him farewell while he was still packing."

"Sounds like the city lost an important member.”, Weamar replied, “Oh well, thanks for your help, I better be on my way, and let you get back to work."

"Alright, if you ever need any metalwork. Stop on by.", the smithy said turning back to his anvil.

"Will do."
 

Eliza caught up to Lynn, smoothing out her robe as she ran, "Shall we?", she asked happily.

"We have to hide our love.", Lynn said sadly as they walked, "But remember, whatever happens, whatever we have to do or say, I'll always love you."

Eliza looked at the ground and walked along in silence.
 

Marinae went out to the stable and hid the journal and the magic book in her saddlebag. Soon the stable boy appeared and walked over to her.

"I've kept an eye on your horses all morning. Tended them like they were my own. I've never seen one like this." He said patting Maelstrom.

"He's lovely, isn't he?", Marinae smiled, "He was the only thing that was my own, back home."

There was a shout from inside the Inn and the boy quickly said goodbye and ran into the Inn. Marinae shrugged, grabbed her saddlebag, and went up to her room to lock it away. On her way out the door she caught a glimpse of Lynn and Eliza heading into town. She quickened her pace and soon caught up with them. Walking up the street they soon spotted the towering spires of the Great Cathedral of the Home Faith of Ezra. It was a massive structure of stone and stained glass and its beauty put every other piece of architecture in the city to shame. Rolling lawns of bright green grass expanded around the church and groves and gardens sprouted up all across the grounds. On the steps leading to the Cathedral's main doors there was a statue of a regal and wise looking gentleman. Standing next to it, in stark contrast, was Weamar.

Eliza looked up at the statue with awe, "Yakov Dilysnia. He was the first anchorite. It was the visions granted to him by The Lady that eventually became the First Book of Ezra."

Lynn pulled down her blindfold and marveled at what she saw. There was an inscription on the statue's base that read, “Let all those who enter here find solace from the world.” Marinae tried very hard not to smirk openly upon reading it.

"Where would you like to go first?”, Eliza asked, “There's the gardens, the main worship halls, the library."

Getting no responses Eliza took the lead, "Well, we'll start with the main hall then. This way."

Eliza led them to the massive double doors at the front of the cathedral. Neither of her three friends felt comfortable in the cathedral. Weamar didn’t feel comfortable indoors in the first place. He didn’t care for big cities much either. Being in one of the largest man made structures in the land just made him long for the naturalness of the forest all the more.

The cathedral reminded Marinae of the Court. That was enough to make her want to leave. And knowing how some humans had prejudices against her kind and how the people with the most prejudices always seemed to end up as higher ups in religious orders made her feel like a dark stain on a white wall.

Churches made Lynn feel guilty. She didn’t know much about what Ezra considered right and wrong but she was sure that she was a sinner in Ezra’s eyes. She knew what would happen next. First they would be friendly, then they would try to get her interested in the church, slowly trying to pull her in, then they’d put more and more pressure on her to try and make her accept their beliefs. That’s what had happened before, and had happened more than once. But Lynn always held to her beliefs about the divinity of mankind, even when she confessed and became a member of the new order. They’d tell her that she had been saved, but the good feeling never lasted. Lynn was never saved for very long.

"I was here. In my dream.", Lynn whispered.

Eliza gave Lynn's arm a squeeze. Lynn felt Eliza’s warmth through her glove and looked forward to the next time that she could kiss her. They entered the structure and the room within seemed to be like a manmade cavern. The arched ceiling stretched high above the pulpit which was faced by row after row of pews. At the front of the great room there stood a twice life size statue of the Goddess Ezra. It looked almost exactly like Eliza. Lynn looked up at the statue of Ezra, half expecting it to turn its head towards her.

"Ezra.", Lynn whispered.

Lynn listened for the boys' choir from her dream, but there was none to be heard. There were stands for a choir nearby, and a large pipe organ next to them, but the great hall was silent. Lynn wondered what it would be like to sing in the main hall with her voice echoing off the walls. Eliza approached the statue and knelt before it. Marinae put on her carefully pleasant and neutral, “no I'm not laughing at your religion, please don't kill me” expression.

After a quiet moment Eliza stood and turned to her friends, "This statue, and the one outside as well as almost every other in the Cathedral, was carved by the artist Nikolai Pyotrovich. They say his faith and passion were so great that he died in carving the last of the statues, a great gargoyle which sits atop the church."

Off to the side there was a young aid speaking to an older gentleman. By his garb, the older man looked like quite an important person. The aid whispered something to him and he burst out, "What do you mean 'They found another one’!? That's the third this month! How many will die..."

The older man cut himself off, his last words echoing through the hall. He grabbed the younger man’s arm and stormed through a doorway.

Eliza frowns at the gentleman's outburst. "That was High Seeker Vasile Topa. Leader of the Order of Seekers. Essentially the church's internal investigative branch."

Lynn felt a chill run through her. "What do they seek?", she whispered just loud enough for all three to hear.

"Corruption. Infiltration by Legions of the Night.”, Eliza answered, “They are powerful and respected.”

"And feared.", Lynn thought to herself.

“I don't know what that display was about though.", Eliza added.

From behind them a cheerful voice called out, "Eliza!"

Marinae and Eliza turned and saw a portly fellow in his early fifties. He wore clothing of similar stature to the High Seeker. He smiled broadly at Eliza, his arms open wide. Lynn lowered her hood and turned around while Weamar feigned interest in the statue.

Eliza beamed and ran to the man, hugging him, "Marius!", she exclaimed.

Marius released the girl and rested an arm around her shoulder. He looked to the others, "And who are your new friends?", he asked.

Weamar stopped looking at statue and turned around. Eliza introduced each of her friends in turn. Marinae made a courtly greeting and Lynn nodded.

Marius smiled warmly, "A pleasure, Petrov told me that you all had quite the ordeal in getting here."

Eliza asked, "Where is Petrov?"

Marius responded, "He's been put on another assignment. Very urgent. I'll tell you about it when we meet tomorrow. I'm afraid my time is stretched very thin these days. By the way, have you seen the High Seeker? I need to speak with him."

"Why, yes. He just went there.", Eliza answered, pointing after where the Seeker went.

Marius bowed his head slightly, "Sorry to be off in such a rush. I look forward to hearing your stories at length tomorrow. Good day."

Marius waddled off murmuring, "Such a quiet lot."

Eliza smiled after him. Lynn felt afraid. She wondered how long it will be until she and Eliza were discovered. Marinae wondered how humans got through the day worshipping their amusing human gods, especially considering that Elf gods were so much better.

Eliza stood next to Lynn, brushing their arms together, "That, of course, was Sentire Marius Sima. Well, would you like to see the Library or the Gardens next?"

Weamar wasn't sure which artificial setting he would prefer. Lynn's good feelings had almost all worn off. She was very silent.

Eliza's worry over Lynn's silence showed in her voice, "Perhaps the library, then? It's someplace quiet where we can sit a while."

"Yes.", Lynn whispered.

Leaving the main hall they soon came to a large, heavy wooden door. Eliza had to lean heavily on it before it gave way. Beyond stood rows upon rows of shelves. Each was lined with tomes of all shapes and sizes.

At a desk nearby, an elderly gentleman wearing thick spectacles greeted them quietly, "Welcome. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Weamar spoke up, "I'm interested in heraldic designs, particularly those which might be found on weaponry. Could you recommend an illustrated volume?"

The librarian thought for a moment and nodded. Creaking slowly to his feet he shuffled off into the rows of books. Weamar and Marinae followed after him.

Eliza whispered to Marinae. "We'll be at one of the tables over that way.", then she grabbed a random book from the shelves and sat down next to Lynn at one of the tables.

The librarian led Weamar and Marinae along a twisting and turning path through the labyrinthine stacks. In the woods Weamar could easily find his way, but in the stacks he got quickly turned around. Were it not for the librarian he knew that he would get completely lost. The librarian came to a sudden stop. He ran his gnarled fingers along the spines of several texts before pausing and pulling one out named, "Heraldric Designs of the Core". Weamar took the book and thanked him.

"Will there be anything else?", the librarian asked.

"Not for the moment.", Weamar responded.

Weamar and Marinae followed the librarian back to the front desk.

"When you are finished you can leave that on my desk.”, the Librarian whispered, “If you need anything further, just ask."

"Thanks, Will do.", Weamar said curtly and he and Marinae wandered over to a table across the room from Lynn and Eliza.
 

Eliza moved her chair close to Lynn's and opened the book, making it appear that they were reading together. She whispered softly, "Is something wrong?"

"No.", Lynn said quietly, but her voice said otherwise.

Eliza took Lynn's hand, "I'm afraid too."

"You're wonderful.", Lynn whispered.

Eliza leaned her head against Lynn's. "Everything will be alright. We'll be alright.", she said, but she seemed to be trying to convince herself of that as much as she was Lynn.

Lynn pulled back her hood and turned her head towards Eliza. She looked at Eliza's soft lips. Eliza shivered slightly and glanced around the library. Seeing that no one was watching she leaned forward and kissed Lynn tenderly. Lynn closed her eyes and kissed back. For a moment she was no longer in the library, but somewhere far away.
 

Weamar’s book was divided by region, making it difficult to easily locate the symbol. There was no mention of it in the Borcan section. Marinae helped him and before long they spotted the star. They waded through the text for the things that he was looking for...

“The Southern Star' is found in the land of Sithicus. This marking does not belong to the Elven peoples of that land. Examples of this design are found only in the Stronghold of Lord Soth, Neddragaard Keep. The symbol is believed to originate in Lord Soth's homeland, though none recall its name. Legends indicate that the 8 pointed star is representative of a particular smith, famed amongst the Lord's former knightly order. Weapons baring this mark were said to be of the finest quality, able to hold an edge almost indefinitely.”

Weamar had heard the name before. Soth ruled Sithicus with an iron fist until only recently. Rumors stated that he was killed, though the exact fashion varied from telling to telling. Marinae recalled from her visits to Sithicus, life under Soth. It was not pleasant for the Elves. She also recalled, in hushed whispers, the term 'Knight of Solamnia'. She thought it strange that the proud people would be so afraid of a single human but none would speak about the issue in any depth. Marinae shared her knowledge with Weamar.

"A single person,”, Weamar said to Marinae, “That's pretty amazing, are you sure it wasn't a corps of knights?"

But as far as Marinae knew, it was just Soth. Weamar began to have doubts about using the short sword in combat unless he was badly pressed, or alone. He’d heard stories about the enchantments that some wizards placed upon swords for their despotic masters.

"Anything you want to try and find in here?", Weamar asked.

"I'd like to find the design of that pendant I found, but I don't know if it's a good idea to bring it out here.", she answered.

Weamar looked around. The librarian was reading, and Eliza and Lynn were engrossed in one another. There was no one else in the library
 

Eliza sat back and whispered, "You make me feel so strange. Like there's nothing else is the world and nothing else matters."

Lynn lingered for a moment, then pulled the hood back down. "I love you too.", she whispered.

Eliza closed the book and giggled when she realized that it was upside down. Lynn heard her turning the book over and giggled too.

"See? I forget everything else.", then Eliza’s voice took a serious tone. "I want you to know, where ever you need to go to get this all sorted out, I'll follow."

"Then we'll go wherever fate takes us."
 

Marinae shrugged and turned the pages. The closest matching symbol she found to the one on her amulet was the holy symbol of the goddess Hala which was ring formed by thirteen serpents, each devouring the tail of the one before it. But her amulet only had one snake.

"Maybe there are 12 other amulets,” Marinae mused, “and they join to become one."

"Perhaps, though I don't see how they could.", Weamar commented.

Then Marinae lowered her voice, "It would be a Bad Thing to have this amulet found by inquisitors, even if it's not Halaist in origin, the one snake is close enough to their symbol for church inquisitors to use as an excuse."

Weamar raised an eyebrow, "Caution is always good.”, he replied.

"Remember the comments about 'the third one this week'”, Marinae continued, “We could easily be used as an excuse or an example. This is almost like being in Court again, where wearing the wrong shade of blue on your dress is reason enough for others to treat you like a leper."

"Aselid's journal mentioned another book, didn't it?”, Weamar said, changing the subject. “I wonder if they have that here?"

The old door creaked open and a young man entered the Library. It was the High Seeker's aid. Eliza moved her chair away from Lynn's as soon as she heard the door. Lynn sighed, lowered her head, and looked forward to their next kiss. The librarian glanced up for a moment but didn't say anything to the man. The aid bowed his head to the old man before walking to Eliza's table.

"I was sent to inform you that your quarters have been prepared. We cannot house for your companions but their rooms at the Wilted Blossom will be covered for as long as needed. Marius, sends his best wishes." The aid’s tone and manner gave the sense that he was analyzing every detail of the scene and storing it for future reference.

Eliza stammered, not meeting the Seeker's gaze, "Thank you. I'll have to retrieve my things but..."

The aid cut her off, "That has already been taken care of. You won't need to return to that place."

Eliza continued to look at the table, wishing that the aid would go away, "Very well. Thank you again.", she said curtly.

Without another word the aid turned and left. Lynn was silent, her face covered by the hood. She didn’t want anyone in the church to know who she was or anything about her. Once the aid was gone Eliza released a shuddering breath.

Lynn thought for a moment and got an idea, "You can come listen to me sing tonight."

A small smile crossed Eliza's face. She whispered, "I could kiss you.", but she decided not to. Instead she stood up, nodded towards the others, and said, "Let's go see if they're done."
 

The old librarian approached Weamar and Marinae, "I haven't eaten lunch yet, will there be anything more?"

"Only one thing.", Weamar asked, "Do you happen to have a copy of Codex of Enchanted Objects and Devices Volume III?"

The librarian seemed surprised by how specific the request was, "Yes, I believe so." He answered and again shuffled off into the stacks.

Eliza walked up behind Weamar and asked, "Did you find anything?"

"A little, nothing detailed", Weamar lamented.

After a slightly shorter trip, the librarian returned with a large tome and placed it in front of Weamar, "If that's all, I'll be off to get something to eat."

"Yes, thanks very much.", Weamar answered.

Weamar looked up the entry for the Eye of Rastinon and found it quickly using the index.

“The Eye of Rastinon.
“Devised by the Archmage Rastinon, the Eye is a tool for use in ceremonies involving interaction between planes of existence such as summonings and transportation. The Eye found widespread use amongst necromancers when it was discovered that the Eye granted them increased control over spirits and demons summoned with it.”

Then Weamar looked up the entry for the Fatebound rings.

“Rings, Fatebound. Origin: Unknown.
“Description: A pair of identical silver rings. Ornament depicts two lovers embracing.
“Enchantments: The rings create a link between two individuals. The strength of the link and abilities conferred depend upon the natural relation between the bearers of the rings. The closer the two are bound emotionally, whether by love or hate, the stronger the bond created by the rings. Examples include sympathetic pain response with the possibility of mirrored wounds, empathic and telepathic communication. Qualities inherent to the bearers may also be shared across the link. Resistance or weakness to disease, innate magical abilities, etc.”

There were illustrations. Eliza grabbed Lynn's arm when she saw the rings. Lynn pulled back her hood enough to see out. She looked at the picture in the book.

"My ring.", she said softly.

Eliza swallowed, "If you have one ring, where is the other?"

"Good question.", answered Marinae.

"He has it.", Lynn answered.

Eliza went silent, staring at the image of the rings. The gloom of the library seemed to press in all about.

Eliza hugged herself, "I need to get outside. This place is...", her voice trailed off.

They left the library behind and Eliza took them into a beautiful garden. Flowers of various types were everywhere. Lynn breathed in deeply through her nose, smelling the wonderful aroma. Weamar and Marinae were enjoying the scenery when they both noticed a shadow from above shift across the green grass. They both turned around and looked up. On the roof, at the edge of the building, a stone gargoyle peered down. It was motionless. At first they thought it was their imagination, but each wondered why the other did the same thing at the same time.

Weamar turned his head, letting his gaze move further around the roof, until he could just barely see the gargoyle out of the corner of his eye.

"I wonder if the church is rich, or the faithful are merely willing to give their time.”, Weamar said nonchalantly, “It really is an impressive structure."

"If the church is rich enough, people might be afraid NOT to give of their time.", Marinae whispered back.

Eliza walked over to a rose bush. The blossoms were an amazing shade of red, almost like blood. She plucked one blossom and placed it in Lynn's hand.

Lynn put the blossom up to her nose and smelled it. "Mmmmm”, she said smiling.

Out of the corner of his eye, Weamar saw the gargoyle's head turn. Its gaze followed Eliza. Weamar moved his gaze further around the rooftop and saw a bell tower. Weamar concentrated on it for a moment, then assumed a puzzled expression and wandered over to Eliza and Lynn.

Eliza smiled lovingly at Lynn, watching her smell the flower. She didn't notice Weamar's approach.

"Eliza, is that bell tower part of the original design, do you know?", Weamar asked.

Eliza wondered at Weamar's question. She looked up at the tower, "Yes, why do you ask?"

"Oh, it just looked slightly out of place to me...", Weamar began, then his voice turned to a whisper, "...but not as strange as the gargoyle watching you, don't look at it.”

Eliza looked at Weamar with a raised eyebrow. Then she turned back to Lynn. Lynn was looking for a way to attach the blossom to her robe. Eliza snapped off a long strand of her hair and a long needle thorn from another bush.

"What makes you think a gargoyle is watching me?", Eliza said as she sewed the rose to Lynn’s robe.

"Its head moved to follow your movement in the garden.", Weamar explained, “The sculptor you spoke of earlier, what order was he with?"

"He was an Anchorite. We hadn't divided into specialties and orders at that point.”, Eliza answered.

"Oh, ok. Just a thought.", Weamar replied.

Eliza accidentally pricked her finger with the thorn. She yelped and a bead of blood formed on her fingertip.

"Who would want to watch you?", Lynn said, turning her head away from the blood on Eliza's hand.

Then Lynn slowly realized what she said and laughed, "Besides me.", she said.

Eliza pulled a handkerchief from her belt and wrapped it around her finger. She blushed at Lynn's comment and looked up at the roof.

"There's no gargoyle up there, Weamar.", Eliza said. She finished attaching the rose to Lynn's robe and whispered to her. "I don't know, but your the only one I care about."

Weamar and Marinae turned and stared up at the roof. The gargoyle was gone. Weamar was beginning to really not like being around the cathedral.