Olan Thorensen - Cast Under an Alien Sun

“Yes. Like the Narthani. We haven’t done this on Caedellium, thank Merciful God, but we know from writings and reports that it’s common elsewhere on Anyar. It’s only logical to believe there are formal studies on managing such fighting.”

“Do you believe this Yozef Kolsko has military training and experience?”

“He’s given no such indication, and I once steered a conversation in that direction. I asked if he had been in any battles, and he said he had not and hadn’t been part of his people’s military. That confirmed his people had a military and indirectly suggests they were involved in these large battles. When I asked why he hadn’t served, he said they had a professional military drawn from their citizens, and most people don’t serve or receive training.”

“Then I wouldn’t see how he might have useful military information, except that the idea for defending St. Sidryn’s came from him.”

“Yes,” said Sistian, “there’s that. He’s told us how his people’s education is long and broad, so maybe his military knowledge is only from study.”

“Well, I trust your instincts, Sistian. Arrange for this Kolsko to visit Caernford, and I’ll meet with him.”

Sistian hesitated . Forgive me, God, for the little lie I’m about to speak. Any Keelander would heed Culich’s “request” without hesitation, but Yozef was not from Keelan, and Sistian wasn’t sure he’d come just because the Keelan hetman asked him to. He didn’t want Culich’s first interaction with Yozef to start off wrong.

“Actually, I wondered that since it’s coming the time for your yearly tour around the province, if you could manage to stop over a night or two at Abersford. I’m not sure Yozef is ready to leave where he is as yet, and I’d rather not force him to change his routine. I know the attack shocked him, perhaps in ways I’m not sure about, so it might be best if he stays where he is for now.”

“Then it’ll have to wait for a month or more. I’m postponing my inspection of the province. There’s a conclave called at Orosz City to discuss the Narthani threat.” Culich paused for a moment, stroking his beard in a manner the abbot knew indicated he had a new thought and was running it through his mind before sharing it. After a few more moments, Culich said, “Although I can’t go immediately, what about sending Maera? She’s wanted to visit St. Sidryn’s for some time, because it’s been several years since she’s been there. I’ve put her off because I value her help so much, but she can’t accompany me to the conclave, and this would be a good time for her to spend a month at the abbey.”

A smile warmed Sistian’s face. “We’re always happy to have a visit from Maera. Diera especially will be pleased. However, I still believe you will need to assess Yozef personally.”

“Of course, but Maera will have more time than I could spend, so her examination of this Kolsko character might be in more depth. I’ll speak to Maera, and I’m sure there’ll be no problem.”

Sistian nodded with a thoughtful expression.

Culich recognized the look. “Something else about this Kolsko?”

“Something I wasn’t planning to mention at the time, to allow you to see for yourself. Since it’ll be a while until you meet Yozef, I’m now thinking I should mention it to you, and you can decide whether to pass it on to Maera.”

Sistian rose from his chair, walked to the window, and looked out over the manor grounds. Culich was patient, knowing Sistian was gathering his thoughts.

After several minutes, the abbot turned back to Culich. “It’s not just pieces of knowledge, like the ether. I’m hearing from farmers he’s given them ideas on increasing yields and warding off plant diseases, and tradesmen on new products and techniques, even more than the innovations you know about. Then there are the medical issues. Yozef knows little of how to treat patients and seems ignorant of basic facts. Yet the medicants tell me he’s answered questions about the human body that have always puzzled them. Also, he seems to have knowledge that even when they are convinced it’s true, they can’t understand how the knowledge was developed, nor can Yozef explain it. I’ve heard it said several times it’s almost as if someone is whispering knowledge into his ear.”

“Someone?” asked Culich, sensing where this was going.

The abbot smiled. “Yes, the someone being . . . God? I’m afraid I inadvertently contributed to the rumors when I spoke at our service of thanksgiving at St. Sidryn’s.”

“And this would make him . . . what?”

“I think you know the answer. A Septarsh. One who is directly inspired by God. The Word describes the Septarshi as men in touch with God like no others. Sometimes God whispers in their ear, sometimes in their dreams, or sometimes they simply know something without knowing how.”

“Not an Avatar?” said the skeptical Culich.

“No. I’m not even beginning to think of Yozef as an Avatar, a descent of God into human form. That’s too close to blasphemy.”

“So, what do you think?”

Sistian shook his head. “This is not something I would commit to. Not yet.”

Culich’s eyebrows rose. Sistian’s response meant he was leaving the question open, a major sign of the seriousness with which he took the issue. “So you think it’s possible?”

“Possible? Yes. Nothing in The Word of God or The Commentaries says all of the Septarshi have already lived. There are eleven recognized. The last Septarsh was over a hundred years ago. Each has differed from the others, but all are associated with major changes, sometimes with holy writings, sometimes with conflicts, and sometimes with gifts of knowledge. But all were acknowledged as Septarshi, either during their lives or after their deaths, and all were considered as God’s response to prayers for help or directing the people onto correct paths.”

“It sounds like Yozef fits the qualification of gifts of knowledge. What about writings and military?”

“I don’t see Yozef as creating new Holy Scriptures. I believe him to be a good man but firmly rooted in the world and not interested in theological issues. Military? As I said, I don’t know. He doesn’t fit what I’d expect out of a military leader, and I get the sense his view of how conflicts are pursued is very different from ours, if for no other reason than Caedellium has had no history of wars, as the mainlands have had. I again advise your drawing him out on this topic to see whether there’s anything to help with the Narthani.”

“And, of course,” prompted Culich, “the Narthani would qualify as the threat that God is sending Yozef as an answer to prayers?”

“That would be the more common folks’ interpretation.”

Culich was dubious. “I must say, this bothers me. Men regularly claim to commune with God, usually because they’re either mad or charlatans.”

“Yes, but usually is the main word. Septarshi may be rare, but the Word and The Commentaries acknowledge their existence.”

“You and I have spoken about the possibility that Rhaedri Brison in Orosz Province might be eventually acknowledged as a Septarsh, because of his commentaries on the Word . As infrequent as they seem to be, isn’t having two alive at the same time hard to believe?”

Sistian smiled. “Not being privy to God’s plans, I’d hesitate to offer any opinion on the matter. Brison has been working on new commentaries to the Word for thirty years at the monastery of St. Wyan outside of Orosz City. Any elevation of Brison would be based on his writings. There’s no reason to think God couldn’t arrange a Septarsh with other talents.”