Blood Song

Aspect Hendrahl was first to raise his hand, addressing his question to Liesa Ilnien. “The lamented Aspect you wish to replace,” he began before pausing to cough loudly into a lace handkerchief, “…served as Aspect of the Second Order for over twenty years. Do you think you can offer the same level of experience?”

The woman responded without pause, the words flowing easily from her lips in precise, even tones. “An Aspect does not require experience. An Aspect is a brother or sister who best embodies the values of his or her Order.”

“And you presume to judge yourself the embodiment of your Order’s values?” Hendrahl demanded, reddening a little, although Vaelin sensed his anger was somewhat forced.

“I presume to judge myself in all things,” Mistress Liesa Ilnien replied. “The Faith teaches us to be our own judge, for who knows one’s heart better than oneself?”

“Mistress Liesa,” Aspect Elera said before Hendrahl could respond. “Have you journeyed far in this Realm?”

“I have visited all four Fiefs and I spent a year on mission to the Northern Reaches, trying to bring the Faith to the horse tribes of the great plains.”

“A noble endeavour. Did you have any success?”

“Sadly the horse folk tend to shun outsiders and cling to their delusions. If I am blessed by ascension to Aspect it is my hope to send more missions north. The Faith is a blessing that must be shared beyond our borders.”

“Such concern for the outside world,” Aspect Colvis said, “would seem to contradict the values of your Order. Ever has it been the bastion of contemplation and meditation, sheltered from the many storms of our land. Would such work not suffer if you were to concern yourselves more with the harshness of the physical world?”

“In order to contemplate one must have something to contemplate. A life without experience provides no chance of contemplation. Those who have not lived cannot meditate on the mysteries of life.”

Vaelin was impressed by the woman’s logic but could sense the agitation of the assembled masters, a subdued rumble of conversation filling the benches. Next to him Caenis was scribbling busily.

Aspect Arlyn raised a hand and the murmuring of the crowd stopped immediately. “Mistress Ilnien, why do you think your Aspect was murdered?”

The Mistress bowed her head for a moment, her face tensed by a brief expression of sadness. “There are those who wish to harm our Faith,” she said, raising her head to meet Aspect Arlyn’s eye, her previously measured tone faltering slightly. “Who they are or why they would do this is something I cannot imagine.”

Next to her Brother Tendris Al Forne spoke for the first time. “If our sister cannot imagine who would strike against us, perhaps I can.”

“You have not yet been questioned,” Aspect Colvis pointed out.

“Show some respect for this occasion, young man,” Aspect Dendrahl said, wheezing a little. Vaelin noted there were spots of blood on his handkerchief.

“I offer no disrespect,” Al Forne replied. “Only truth, a truth some of us seem afraid to speak.”

“And what truth is this?” Aspect Elera asked.

Al Forne paused, take a deep breath as if gathering strength. Next to Vaelin Caenis’s charcoal stub was poised over his parchment in anticipation. “We have been complacent,” Al Forne said eventually. “We have allowed ourselves to become weak. The Sixth Order once fought only against the enemies of the Faith, now they police the frontiers of this Realm at the beck and call of the Crown and Denier sects gather in force without challenge.

“The Fourth Order once offered healing only to those who were true adherents of the Faith but now they open their arms to all, even the unfaithful, and so they grow strong and confident in the knowledge that they may plot against us and we will still heal them.

“My own Order once kept records of Denier sects and practices going back centuries but not more than three months ago they were destroyed to make more room for the Royal accounts we are now required to keep. I know what I say may anger or shock many of you but believe me brothers and sisters, we have tied the Faith too closely to the Realm and the Crown. And that is why we were attacked, because our enemies see our weakness if we do not.”

The silence was palpable, broken only by the choked rage of Aspect Dendrahl who managed to gasp, “You come before us spouting this… this heresy and still expect to be made Aspect?”

“I come before you to speak the truth in the hope our Faith will return to its true path. As for your approval, I do not require it. I am the choice of my Order. My election was unopposed and no other will come before you. The articles of the Faith state you must be consulted before my ascension, that is all. Am I not correct, Aspect Colvis?”

The aged Aspect nodded his grey head stiffly, either too shocked or too outraged to speak.