Brian Anderson - The Sword of Truth

Gewey was staring at the riches in the room around him.

“I can see your mind, young one,” she said. “You stare at the treasures in this room and only see how much food and shelter it could provide.”

“I wasn’t…” Gewey stammered.

“It’s alright,” said Salmitaya. “I take no offense, and you’re not wrong. What we have in the way of gold and other valuables could purchase much, if we would actually be allowed to reap the profits. But keeping these things is the only way I can ensure that one day I might restore this place to its former glory. You see, if I sold off or traded our treasures, the tax levied on us would close our doors forever. Together, they are considered relics and can’t be taxed-at least, not yet. As things stand, I can barely feed the three of us. The boy who served you earlier puts himself in great danger when he comes here. His mother loved this place, and when she became ill the sisters and brothers cared for her until she passed. I’ve tried to stop him from coming, but he is very persistent.”

“This is all so unfair,” cried Gewey. “I don’t understand how someone could do this to a temple.”

“In a way, we brought it upon ourselves,” she explained. “If we had stayed faithful to our purpose and left politics alone, we might be having a much different conversation.”

Just then, Celandine entered the room followed by the young boy. They carried trays filled with food and placed them on the

table. The boy ran off and returned with plates and silverware that he quickly put in front of the party.

“Wonderful,” said the High Priestess, “Enough of this sad talk.

Let us enjoy the meal Sister Celandine has prepared.”

“Won’t she be joining us?” asked Millet.

“What a good idea!” Salmitaya replied. “You heard him, sister.

Join us.” Celandine nodded her head and retrieved a chair from the next room.

“Don’t bother serving us, Sister,” said Salmitaya. “We’ll serve ourselves.” She turned back toward her guests and continued.

“Forgive the lack of formality. Celandine is our only cook these days, and it’s usually just three of us. She doubles as server on the rare occasions we have guests.”

“We are used to serving ourselves, Holiness,” said Millet. “Besides, we’re pilgrims-not lords.”

They passed the food around until everyone’s plate was full. The food was good, though not extravagant; it was better than Gewey had tasted in a long time. The conversation was light and cheerful. The High Priestess asked about their travels, and Millet mixed in truth with lies as he told their story. She seemed very interested in Gewey’s farm upbringing. They had told her that he was raised on a farm and had come to the temple after his father died.

“What do you think of the city, Brother Gewton?” asked Salmitaya.

“I bet it’s much different than what you’re used to.”

“Yes it is, Your Holiness,” answered Gewey.

“I have a meeting with the governor tomorrow,” said Salmitaya.

“It’s pointless, but unfortunately, I must attend. I was thinking you might come with me. Would you like that?”

“We would love to come, Holiness,” Millet answered quickly.

“I’m sorry, Brother Milton,” she said. “I could explain away one lonely young pilgrim, but a group may cause problems. I’m sure you don’t mind if the boy accompanies me. The governor wants me there at the crack of dawn, and he takes pleasure in making me wait. I could use the company, and Brother Gewton would get the chance to see the manor. It’s a beautiful house, actually.”

“Of course,” said Milton. “I’m sure Brother Gewton will be happy to accompany you, Your Holiness.”

Lee tried to hide the concern on his face. Gewey, on the other hand, looked excited. The chance to see inside the governor’s manor was something he would have hated to pass up.

“It’s settled, then,” she declared. “I will wake you in the morning and bring you with me. Expect to be away for most of the day. There’s no telling how long I’ll be made to wait.”

When they finished dinner, Maybell and Celandine cleared the table.

Salmitaya stood up. “While I would love to stay up and talk, I must now excuse myself. It’s rare that I have the pleasure of stimulating conversation, but the morning comes early and brings with it a trying day. If you will agree to linger for a few days, I would love to speak with you more. We don’t get much news from the world here.”

“We had indeed hoped to say for a bit,” said Millet. “Thank you again for your hospitality, Holiness. Now, I think I could use some sleep myself.”

Salmitaya bowed. “Until tomorrow, then.”

They all bowed in turn and watched as the High Priestess and Maybell walked from the room. Celandine led them back to their chambers and bid them goodnight.

“I don’t like it,” Lee said, once Celandine had gone. “Something’s wrong. I don’t like that she’s taking such a strong interest in the boy.”

“It may be just as she says,” said Millet.

There was a knock at the door. It was Kaylia. She sat on one of the beds and they told her about the events of the evening.

“I agree with the half-man,” said Kaylia. “Something is wrong here. Her story is too perfect. It fits too well, if you believe her over Brother Salvo.”

“It’s not only that,” said Lee. “If Salmitaya is to be believed, then Brother Salvo may just be unaware of the true circumstances. He didn’t strike me as a liar. But, from the moment she invited us in, I got the feeling that she knew we were coming.”

“I think you’re all being ridiculous,” said Gewey. “If she wanted to hide something, why would she let us stay here in the first place? Why risk us finding out? You say her story fits too well. Would you rather that it didn’t fit?”

“I would rather not feel as though we were walking straight into a trap,” said Lee.

Kaylia nodded. “We should leave now, before the trap is sprung.”

“No,” said Lee. “At least, not yet. If there is something going on here, we need to know whether or not it involves us. Hopefully things are just as Salmitaya says, and I’m just being paranoid; but if she has motives that could hinder us, we need to know.”

“And what about the boy?” Kaylia asked. “You don’t really intend to let him go off with that woman, do you?”

“I don’t see that we have a choice,” Millet answered. “If he refuses, it could raise suspicion. If we’re wrong, and the High Priestess is telling the truth, then we will have insulted her and ruined any chance we had of gathering information during our stay.”

“I’m going,” Gewey said hotly. “I can make this decision for myself.”

“Indeed you can,” Millet said. “But you need to trust in our experience.”

“Listen to him,” Kaylia advised Gewey. “We are trying to out-maneuver a possible predator in her home territory. You need to watch and listen. One day it will be you making these decisions, and when the time comes, you will need to know how.”

“I’m not a child,” Gewey protested. “You act like I don’t know anything.”

“You don’t,” snapped Lee. “You are a child, regardless of how old you may look- and you’re too important for me to let you discover that fact on your own. Until you’re ready, you’ll do as you’re told.”

Gewey crossed his arms and glared furiously at Lee.

“I need you to pay attention tomorrow,” Lee instructed. “If Salmitaya is up to something, we need to know what.”

Kaylia handed Gewey a flask of jawas tea. “Drink this,” she said. “Now that it no longer knocks you out, you can use it to relax and help you sleep.”