21
Chapter 21
Ainwir had always said never to pull a con masquerading as someone bigger than yourself. During our time together, he’d avoided the clergy and shied away from nobles close to the city lords. Now, I understood why.
I’d successfully convinced the clergy to consider the possibility I was the Maiden’s vessel, or chosen, or something to that effect. And now that I’d gotten us into the Temple’s good graces, I had no idea how to get us backout.
Standing before the tall mirror, I stared at my reflection aimlessly. Horrified by what he’d done, the Grand Cleric had ordered me to be stitched up, bathed, and properly dressed. Turning, I watched the thin fabric of my elegant white gown swirl across the floor.
Flopping onto the guest chamber’s soft bed, I watched the sun rise outside the window. The clergy had called an emergency conclave to discuss the implications of my situation. I was expected to attend.
A unit of temple guards had dragged Seraphim and the others away to be confined until the clergy came to a decision, but I had not been informed of their prison or condition. Worry gnawed at me, evidenced by the dwindling nails on my dominant hand.
Running my fingers nervously through my plaited hair, I stared at the ceiling. A mural of the goddess Psythos looked downon me, perhaps judging my sins. Short, cloud-like hair coiled around her shoulders and shrouded her body, encircling the hand she extended as if beckoning me to join her.
I frowned at her. Howdareshe gift her blessing to Ainwir? The more time I spent with Eleos, the more certain I became of my master’s hidden talents.
A sharp rap sounded on the door, and I sat up, calling for them to enter. Eleos quietly entered, dressed in clergy robes with a new blue scarf trailing down his back. Two temple guards accompanied him, their faces concealed by their helmets.
Shooting to my feet, I rushed to his side, but he held up a hand for silence.
“The conclave is underway,” he said calmly, taking my hand and gazing into my eyes, “Your presence has been requested.”
Glancing at the guards, I nodded quietly and followed him into the hall. Eleos grabbed a pale blue shawl from a hook inside the room before tapping the door closed behind us. His voice rang softly in my mind.
“Are you alright?” He wrapped the shawl around my shoulders.
“I thought you were detained with the others,” I thought back.
“I was,” Eleos thought. “But they realized something terrible: a heretic brought the Maiden’s vessel safely to Therapne. They offered me a chance at ‘redemption,’ so they could wash clean the scandal.”
So his crimehadbeen heresy. I wanted to press, but Eleos claimed communicating like this was taxing, so I held my curiosity for when we could speak normally.
Temple knights flanked us as we walked, their pale blue surcoats brushing against the gray stone floors. Murals of the gods gazed down from the walls, as though observing our every step.
Callesis’ wicked grin and golden lyre caught my eye, and I thought of Percy. A knight’s son, receiving the art god’s blessing. The gods had a funny sense of humor.
Rounding a bend in the hall, Eleos guided me toward a grand archway leading into a vast chamber.
Lifting my head stiffly, I gave him a side-eyed glance. “I haven’t thought of a story that will save our hides.”
“Neither have I.” Eleos thought back. “But neither have the clergy. We’ll have to improvise.” He offered me a tiny half-smile. “Think we can play off each other well enough?”
I smiled back. “I guess we’ll find out.”
Holding my head high, I strode through the archway into the clergy’s meeting chamber. A towering vaulted ceiling loomed above my head, and each staggering wall was carved with the likeness of one of the gods. Several men and women in white robes and blue scarves gathered around an enormous round table centered by a basin of clear water.
Place me in a room of nobles and I could name most by their faces, dress, or dialect. But the clergy? Beyond the Grand Cleric, I had no idea who any of these people were, nor their rank in the hierarchy.
A shriveled woman tucked behind a cowl pointed at Eleos. “Why is that heretic here?”
The Grand Cleric gritted his teeth. “My son has been falsely slandered. His appearance here proves as much.”
Myson? I gawped at Eleos briefly before remembering to stitch my mouth shut.
“Heireia,” Eleos said politely. “I believe you recall the reason for my excomm-”
“Who here doesn’t?” She spat. “You-”
