Chapter 17

Excommunicated

As the fields of Sturben got farther and farther away, Lynn’s yearning for them grew stronger and stronger. The first day she had been fine and restrained herself from expressing her feelings. Under Guy’s watchful eye Lynn and Eliza had acted as if they were just good friends. But as the journey went on Lynn’s awful feelings began to grow once again. Without Eliza’s tender kisses and soft touch everything seemed cold and distant. As they rode along Lynn held Eliza tightly, and rested her hooded head on Eliza’s shoulder. When her awful feelings swelled she would let out a soft gasp and then kiss Eliza on the neck or cheek. She didn’t care if Guy noticed or not. That didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but Eliza.

Their journey took them through the rolling green hills and sparse forests of Richmuloise. At the end of the third day they had reached the city of Mortingy. Guy led them through the disturbingly empty streets to a beautiful home where he hitched his horse to a post outside.

Eliza spoke softly, "No one knows who built these cities. All these buildings were abandoned when the current populace moved in. There's far more room than people so certain areas feel like ghost towns."

"So anyone could claim one?", Lynn asked.

Eliza nodded, "There would be some formalities getting paperwork done with the local officials, but yes."

Lynn nodded her head silently. She imagined what life might be like living here with Eliza. Guy told the others to wait for a moment and then disappeared into the house. The empty streets seemed terribly out of place in what one might have expected to be a bustling city. Several minutes passed before the hunter returned.

"Come in.", Guy welcomed.

Guy led them into a modestly furnished den. Just as out of place as the empty streets outside was a group of three rough looking men standing in the room. They looked at Weamar, Marinae, Eliza, and Lynn appraisingly and wore numerous weapons of various types in harnesses and sheaths. Guy motioned for his guests to sit and took a seat in a plush chair with a small table beside. On the end table was a single sheet of parchment and an inkwell with quill. The armed men remained silent, standing in front of the crackling fireplace. Lynn felt nervous. She reached beneath her robe and put her hand on her katana while wrapping her other arm around herself to hide what she was doing. She stood next to Eliza while the others took their seats. Marinae was cautious as well. She kept her hands away from her weapons, but readied herself to cast a spell at a moment’s notice.

"I'm afraid I wasn't entirely forthcoming with my actual purpose in following you.", Guy began.

Eliza sat nervously on the edge of one of the chairs. She sensed what was about to happen. Fear gripped her.

"I was sent to help you deal with the shapeshifter but what I did not tell you was that I am also an adjunct to the Order of Seekers.", Guy looked pointedly at Eliza.

Eliza froze, like a small animal who had spotted a predator.

Guy spoke slowly, "Petrov's report of what happened on your journey to Levkarest was quite detailed and certain concerns were raised. Firstly, the issue of the ruins. As I'm sure you saw, they have been sealed. The text you found has been taken into custody for further study and to ensure that it does not fall into the wrong hands. We can thank these gentlemen for that." He nodded towards the group of well armed mercenaries.

Lynn walked slowly across the room and stood next to Guy. Underneath her robe she was trembling and clutched at her katana. A voice inside of her asked sternly, "And just what do you think you are going to do?"

Lynn didn’t answer. She didn’t know. She only knew that she had to stop anything bad from happening to Eliza. As Lynn approached, Guy glanced at her. Marinae noticed one of the men's hands move to the hilt of his dagger.

"Easy.", Marinae advised quietly.

"Now, on to the second concern." Guy paused, considering his words.

"It's my fault.", Lynn interrupted, bowing her head.

Guy looked at Lynn. "On the contrary. Your discovery and interaction with the book has been quite revealing. Our scholars have already found some rather interesting passages within it."

Lynn stood quietly at Guy's side. Her back was towards everyone.

"No. The incident at the ruins is not the concern.", Guy continued, looking at Eliza. "I saw you two, in the field at Sturben."

Eliza's jaw dropped. She sat trembling, her face a mask of dread.

"From Petrov's report and his own observations, Marius suspected this but did not wish to believe it. Thus, I was sent to provide confirmation. Sadly, I have it.", Guy frowned. "You must understand Eliza, Marius is in a very delicate position at the moment. There are those who would see him removed from his place as the Sentire of Sturben. They would use your indiscretion to discredit him."

Silence filled the room for a moment. Guy spoke again, his eyes staring into Eliza’s.

"You have two choices. Forswear this woman and your involvement with her and return with us to Levkarest to be redeemed. Otherwise...", Guy motioned to the parchment on the small table. "This is a writ, penned by your Sentire, expelling you from the church and stripping you of all title and station. All I need do is sign it."

"What are the men for?", Lynn said softly.

Silence filled the room again. Guy stared at Eliza, awaiting her response. He answered Lynn, "That depends on her."

Eliza sat quietly, her head hung low. In the slightest whisper she said achingly. "I promised I wouldn't leave her."

Guy's eyes narrowed. "You made another promise well before. You gave a holy oath to obey the rules you were given. What you must now decide is which holds value to you."

Lynn began to concentrate. A picture of the room and everyone in it appeared in her mind. She was ready to act if any of the three men moved.

“You’re going to kill them all aren’t you?”, the voice in Lynn’s head shouted. “You’re going to kill them to cover up for your mistake.”

“I won’t.”, Lynn answered the voice. But deep inside she knew that if any of them tried to hurt Eliza, she would not hold back.

Several more long moments passed and Eliza lifted her head. Her cheeks were streaked with tears and her eyes held a distant look. "It is not your place to pass judgment on us. That right belongs only to one. I will not leave Lynn."

Guy closed his eyes. "Never again will you be able to bear the vestments of the Guardian. Never again will you find solace in Her house. You will be an outcast and your name forever blackened by this sin.”

Guy opened his eyes and looked at Eliza, "Are you certain this is what you want?"

Eliza simply nodded.

The voice inside Lynn spoke louder, "Now look what you've done. Look at the pain that you’ve brought her." Lynn dropped her head. She felt Eliza’s suffering. She could feel Eliza’s tears. She hoped that Eliza would forgive her, but she felt that it would never be the same between them.

Guy sighed and lifted a quill from the end table, "All of your possession which are the property of the church will confiscated. Please remove your clothing and place everything on the floor and stand here." Guy gestured in front of him.

A small grin spread across the faces of two of the armed men. The third remained stone faced. Shaking visibly, Eliza placed her pack on the floor and slipped off her robes. Standing nude, she kissed her amulet one last time before placing it on the pile. The two smiling men's eyes roamed across her skin lewdly while the third did nothing. Weamar removed his cloak and handed it to Eliza. Eliza wrapped the cloth tightly around her and looked at him with a sad smile.

Guy signed the parchment and stood up, "Eliza Duval, by the authority of the Order of Seekers you are hereby excommunicated from the Faith of Ezra. For your unrepentant violation of the teachings you are declared Oathbreaker and are cast from the Lady's Light. Your head will now be shorn and the mark of shame branded upon your brow so that all may know your trespasses."

"No! She will not be branded.", Lynn said firmly.

Weamar erupted as well, “If she is no longer of your order, what right do you claim to be able to assault her?”

"Absolutely not!", Marinae chimed in. But to no avail.

Guy nodded to the men and they moved towards Eliza. One drew a sharp knife and another pulled a brand from the fire. The third remained still. Weamar drew his short sword and knife. Marinae began to cast a spell. A invisible shield formed before her and she readied a magical strike on the man holding the branding iron.

"Stop!", Lynn cried out. In a flash she drew her katana and held it high above the Guy’s head.

The scene froze. Weamar stood in a battle stance. Marinae's hands and eyes glowed with a baleful light. Lynn's blade was poised for a lethal strike on the Seeker. Eliza stood trembling. Guy motioned to the men and they slowly backed away from Eliza.

Lynn listened very carefully. Her heart was pounding. She felt like she had entered a different world, a world full of hatred and death. In her mind she could see herself spinning, bringing her katana down across the back of Guy’s neck. She could see the three men charging her and stabbing her over and over. She could see blood everywhere. For a long moment all was quiet.

Guy spoke evenly, "This is the way it must be. She should consider herself fortunate. Marius still holds enough influence to protect her from the old punishments. The last anchorite who committed this transgression had no such patron. She was redeemed by fire. Her screams could be heard for miles."

"Why 'must' it be?”, Weamar said indignantly. “If Ezra is that offended, let Ezra mark her."

"Eliza, leave the room.", Lynn said quietly.

Marinae glanced over at Guy and saw a pistol in his hands. It was pointed at Lynn's stomach. She switched targets and concentrated on Guy’s hand, ready to knock the gun away. Guy’s finger gently rubbed against the trigger. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the firelight flickering off of Lynn’s blade. He did not like his chances. He looked down at the writ and the elaborate insignia of the church. He did not like his chances if he were to disobey the Order of the Seekers. His thoughts turned towards the church, then to Ezra. He knew that one of them would be disappointed no matter what he did.

Guy looked at Eliza and his face softened ever so slightly. "You may go but you must never return to Borca. You must never enter an Ezra temple again or this punishment will be carried out in full."

The two mercenaries who had smiled before now wore deep frowns. Guy looked at Weamar, Marinae, and then Lynn. "Take her and go, before I come to my senses."

Marinae nodded and backed out of the room. Weamar slowly put his sword and knife away, then he took Eliza by the hand and guided her out of the room. Lynn didn't move. She waited until she could hear Eliza walking out the door. As she did so the stoic mercenary's face was broken by a tiny curl of a smile at the corners of his mouth.

Lynn whispered to Guy, "I thank you for your mercy", and then she quickly left the room.

As Lynn hurried out the door she heard one of the men speak. "You know what the other seekers will do to you for letting her go without approval, Guy."

"I know.", Guy answered. The crash of a gunshot rang out.

Lynn stopped cold. Marinae hit the ground. Weamar turned towards the house and looked around for Lynn but she was nowhere to be seen.

The man who spoke before sighed, "Damn. You two help me clean this mess up."

Weamar took a step back towards the house and then saw Lynn bursting from the doorway at a run.

"We must leave.", Lynn said as she rushed towards the horses.

Weamar decided that that was a good idea and followed Lynn.

"What happened?", Marinae asked, hopping onto her horse and looking around for Rambis. In a flash Rambis scampered out of an alley and leaped on to the saddle behind her.

Eliza swayed slightly, staring blankly at the ground. Lynn stopped and wrapped her arms around her. Suddenly she was no longer in a hurry.

"We have to go.”, Marinae said firmly, “There's no time for feeling sorry for yourself right now."

Marinae put a hand on Eliza’s shoulder and smiled, trying to show her that no offense was intended. Weamar kept looking over his shoulder, keeping an eye out for anyone coming out of the house, but no one did. At Lynn's touch Eliza was brought back around, at least in part. She nodded slowly to Marinae and stumbled to her horse. Her fingers fumbled at releasing the reigns from the post and climbed into the saddle. Lynn mounted up behind her and soon the scene was far behind.

“What happened?”, Marinae asked Lynn. Lynn recounted what she had heard as she was leaving. Marinae put the pieces together.

"If he got rid of the three mercenaries, there would be no witnesses to her being free.”, Marinae said matter-of-factly. “But there was only one shot. I'm guessing Guy took his own life."

“Then he sacrificed himself for Eliza.”, Weamar added.

“Well, someone might have forced his hand.”, Marinae answered, nodding at Lynn.

On the other side of town they found a suitable place to spend the night. None of the uninhabited houses were locked so entrance was no problem. They looked around and saw that the house was completely empty. Inside there was no furniture but the place was relatively clean of dust in spite of that fact that it had been many years since someone had lived in it. Lynn led Eliza to a quiet room and held her. The voice inside her kept telling her that she was responsible for Guy’s death. She tried to block it out. When they were alone and safe Eliza finally broke down. Weamar excused himself and went to the kitchen to fix dinner.

For at least an hour Eliza continued to cry. When it subsided she was exhausted and whispered to Lynn, "You're all I have in the world now."

"You have Ezra too.", Lynn said. "You’ll always have Ezra. You don't need a church to serve her."

Marinae dug some clean clothes out of her saddlebag and took them to Eliza, "And you have friends, too."

“Thank you both.", Eliza sobbed.

Marinae put a hand Lynn’s and Eliza’s shoulders, "Just remember what I said about bridesmaid dresses."

Eliza managed a little laugh and dressed in Marinae's clothes. She picked up Weamar's cloak. "I'll be right back."

Eliza entered the kitchen, handed Weamar his cloak, and left a small kiss on his cheek. "Thank you."

"No need for thanks, really.", Weamar replied modestly.
 

Several days’ travel followed which passed without incident. Everyone's sleep was dreamless, but the nearer they approach their destination the more difficult it was to awaken Eliza in the morning. And during the hours when she was awake, she was nowhere near the cheerful girl of previous times. As they rode through the countryside Lynn offered her gentle words of support. She knew what Eliza was going through and she didn’t dare leave her alone for a moment. Lynn knew what awful things could enter one’s mind at those times.

They passed through the cities of Ste. Ronges, Mordentshire and Chateaufaux. Finally they spied the coastal city of Port-a-Lucine. Outside the city they saw an elderly gentleman leaning on a cane in the middle of the road. As they approached he waved them down.

"Ah! Welcome to Port-a-Lucine.”, the old man greeted them. “I've been expecting you."

Lynn whispered to Eliza, "It's Aselid."

"Come, come. I'm afraid we're quite behind schedule. This way." He headed off the road towards the tree cover to east. They followed him.

Eliza squeezed Lynn's hands. "It's almost over then. With his help we can stop Rastinon.", then Eliza leaned back into Lynn. "We can go away, then."

The old man glanced back at the mention of Rastinon but continued walking swiftly. They were lead into the forest and along a narrow path. The branches hung so low that they had to dismount and continue on foot.

"Did you notice we haven't had any dreams since you stopped wearing the ring?", Eliza said. Again the old man looked back briefly.

Lynn nodded. She began to get nervous again. Something didn’t seem right. The path widened but the branches remained low. Night approached and the moonlight made the forest look dark and sinister. Weamar's face was repeatedly tickled by spider webs which he had to break through. Marinae walked along happily behind him, secure in the knowledge that Weamar was clearing the webs for her.

The old man continued on without any sign of tiring. "Not much further!", he called out from ahead.

Webs continued to break across Weamar. He looked at the old man curiously. He wondered why the old man wasn’t breaking any of the webs. Then he looked down and noticed that the man wasn’t leaving any footprints either. Weamar slowed down.

"Perhaps we should know more of you before we follow further, old man", Weamar said.

Just as Weamar came to a stop the old man sidestepped a branch protruding into the middle of the path. He didn't quiet clear it though, but rather than catching on his clothes, it passed right through him, causing a shimmering distortion to form and fade on his arm.

The old man paused and glanced back. "I'm afraid we really don't have time. There will be time for questions later."

Weamar became more way of his surroundings, "Talk while you walk, then. Why the illusion?"

The old man kept walking. Up ahead the path came to a clearing. "Why, what do you mean?"

Up until then Weamar hadn't noticed that he hadn't heard the old man make any sounds aside from speaking, nor had he heard any wildlife. He drew his sword and extended it towards the old man.

"Oh, just a guess.", Weamar replied.

When the tip of Weamar’s short sword touched the old man's back he hissed in surprise. From the point of contact, ripples of black flowed out, disrupting his form. The old man swung an arm towards Weamar, his fingers elongating freakishly into rubbery tendrils, but Weamar dodged backwards just in time to avoid the blow.

The old man let out a hideous whistling call and from the clearing a large number of dark forms emerged from the trees and moved towards the path. The man's face began to melt, leaving a perfectly blank and smooth head. His clothing faded and his body took on a similar form. He looked like something from a nightmare, black and insubstantial with tentacles and projections in the strangest places.

Lynn lowered her blindfold to see what was going on, and when she did she began to back away slowly. She took Eliza's arm and pulled her down the path away from the clearing while drawing her katana with her other hand. Marinae moved around beside them to get a clear field of fire. Her hand flared and twin bolts of light spiraled from her palm and struck the ethereal menace. The missiles slammed home and the creature let out another ear piercing whistle. The forms in the clearing moved faster. They look like the bones of men but somehow they walk without the aid of flesh.

Eliza stared at the oncoming wall of bones and pulled herself free from Lynn's grasp. She dropped to one knee and drew a shield and sword in the dirt. Planting her feet firmly inside it she raised her hand towards the enemy and in a soft voice that somehow carried across the forest Eliza said, "Stop."

The drawing glowed faintly and the horde slowed its advance. Lynn stopped and watched. Marinae did a double-take.

In a stronger voice Eliza repeated her command. The shadowy figure screeched and recoiled from Eliza but lashed out again, barely missing Weamar. The mass of walking dead came to a halt. One at the lead seemed to almost break the hold. It shook violently before exploding in a flash of white light and a cloud of dust and debris.

Eliza clenched her jaw tightly, "I don't know how long I can do this."

Lynn assured herself that the bones were just bones and attacked. She charged forward and cut down one of the skeletons with ease. Seeing its minions halted the dark creature lunged towards Eliza. Its tentacle fingers lashed outwards and firmly encircled her throat. Just as it came in contact, Weamar's blade sliced across its abdomen and elicited another scream. At the same moment Marinae's bolts flew just past the creature but curved back with amazing speed, spinning around Eliza and slamming again into the thing's chest. But with Eliza caught in the grip of the horrid black thing the bones again started to move.

Lynn sent another skeleton crashing to the ground but they just kept coming. Bony hands grasped at her robe as she fought desperately against them. Weamar swung his sword mightily and severed the tendrils holding Eliza. Marinae uttered more magic words and two more bolts spiraled into the creature. A hellish face twisted in pain erupted from its blank head before the thing evaporated into a foul mist.

Eliza collapsed to the ground and called out, "Lynn!".

Lynn backed up and stood between the skeletons and Eliza. Weamar moved to Lynn's side, hoping to block the path to Eliza and Marinae. Eliza placed one hand on the Ezran symbol and pointed the other toward the undead. Then she closed her eyes and closed her hand into a fist. A half dozen more skeletons erupted in flashes of light that sent shards of bone flying, leaving light cuts on everyone's exposed skin. Trickles of blood began flow from Eliza's nostrils as she bent over and gasped for air. As Weamar and Lynn stood bravely before the remaining skeletons a bolt of light came from behind them. Passing but an inch over their shoulders the bolt split into five separate parts with each one leaving the last of the skeletons without its head. The bones collapsed to the forest floor leaving the field clear of foes. Lynn fell to her knees and embraced Eliza.

Weamar turned, hoping this wasn't the fire after the frying pan. Marinae stood motionless for several moments, then slowly turned around to see what was going on. They both saw the figure of the old man again dressed in his finery and leaning on his cane.

"Really, now.”, the old man began with a hint of indigence. “I know we've never met in person before but how could you ever believe that pitiful imitation was me?"

"How do we know you are you now?”, said Weamar with a hint of a smile.

Aselid stepped forward and tapped Marinae lightly on the forehead with the handle of his cane. "One casting of magesight would have shown the ruse for what it was little sorceress."

Marinae growled something unmentionable under her breath.

Aselid smiled at Weamar, "I am Aselid. You have my word. Besides, if I'd wanted to harm you those missile would have had different targets."

"Point.", Marinae perked up.

Eliza held onto Lynn. With a tired voice she said, "You were right. Ezra is still with me. She's still there."

"Yes.", Lynn whispered back. "Your faith saved our lives."

Eliza noticed her blood staining Lynn's robe. "Oh, I'm sorry.", she said weakly.

"Is it bad?", Lynn asked.

Eliza pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the blood away. "I think I'll be ok. I'm just very tired."

"I can carry you, I think.", Lynn offered.

Eliza smiled, "Just let me lean on you?"

Lynn put her katana away and helped Eliza to her feet.

Aselid watched Eliza and Lynn with an unreadable expression on his face. "Do you have the ring?"

"Yes.", Lynn answered.

“Good.” Aselid nodded, "Let's get you all back indoors with a hot meal."