The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2)(57)
Sabine smiled and patted his arm. “Simon would like to become a maston. Most of those who live in Naess dread the maston order. But some of the young men and women in the rising generation have studied alongside mastons and read the tomes; they have seen that power should not be constrained and forced through the hetaeras’ amulets.” She squeezed his shoulder. “There are some in Naess who can hear the true whispers of the Medium, despite the near-darkness that rules so far to the north. Simon joined the Victus to help thwart it, and was led by the Medium to Walraven. At the time, he believed him to be an enemy and not our ally, but he trusted the Medium’s guidance and learned that they supported the same cause. Men like Corriveaux are part of the old order. Simon hopes, someday, that there may be an abbey built in Naess.”
As Sabine said the words, Maia felt a familiar warm feeling in her bosom, a sense of peace and contentment. She found herself smiling. She had seen the dark city full of Leering lights. She remembered the enormous cliff face that rose behind the port city, jutting from the waters like a mountain-sized Leering itself. The possibility that an abbey might exist there someday filled her with wonder and hope.
Sabine stared into Maia’s eyes and nodded. “You feel the Medium as well. That is how I came to trust Walraven. It is how I trust Simon. You see, the lad has no true kystrel. He cannot force the Medium to obey him. But it listens to him nonetheless. He can activate a Leering with his thoughts, just like we can. Even though his bloodline comes from Naess, enough Family blood flows within it to give him access to the Medium’s power. It grows slowly, patiently. The same as it has been doing with us all.” She patted his arm again and returned to Maia’s side.
“Simon, tell the others about the armada.”
Maia watched as he quickly buttoned his tunic, concealing himself once more. His expression was grave and guarded. There was a glimmer in his eyes that Maia recognized. A hunger and thirst for knowledge. She had a feeling he knew more languages than she did.
“The armada sailed from Hautland weeks ago,” he said blandly, his voice devoid of any emotion. “The common belief is that the armada was sent to invade Comoros and will sail around Pry-Ree, turn south, and strike the heart of the kingdom from the south. That is one of the reasons the king is coming to Muirwood. He cannot win a battle at sea against such a force, so he will allow the city to be sacked and ravaged. Most of his army has been drawn away from the city, leaving it undefended. But that is not the aim of the armada. While Comoros frets and waits for the invasion, the fleet sails for Assinica.”
He stroked the wisps of light brown beard. “The fleet is well equipped and stocked with provisions. It does not expect or need reinforcements. Its only goal is to crush the mastons. Our spies have informed us that the mastons sailed up navigable rivers in the land that opens to a vast lake. That is where their city and abbeys were built. It was wise, because an entire fleet cannot engage all at once. That will be helpful, but they cannot resist such an overwhelming force. Our spies indicate that they have not been training in war and are quite peaceful and prosperous. There are no castles or keeps or strongholds. The abbeys are the most impressive structures, but they are not defensible. In a word, they will be slaughtered unless the Medium intervenes.”
Sabine nodded, her eyes determined. “I do not think that it will,” she said softly. “I have felt the strong impressions from the Medium to save those people. They are peace-loving and will not rise to defend themselves, even against those who come to slaughter them. They will be massacred. The Medium compels me to save them, but I do not have enough ships. Nor do I have enough time. I have pleaded with the Medium to tell me how to save them—by attacking Naess ourselves, by treaty. All that I hear in return is that the Apse Veil must be opened. There are abbeys there, and the people can use the network between the abbeys to cross into these lands for safety. We have been trained in war. We must be their defenders.” She turned and looked at Maia. “Have you taken the maston test?”
Maia shook her head, her stomach churning with concern for the defenseless mastons. “No, Grandmother. The Aldermaston felt I was not yet ready.”
Sabine turned to the Aldermaston, who met her gaze unflinchingly. “My lady, I have sought the Medium’s will each day to bring her inside to take the rites. My own desires have continually been thwarted. I have assumed it was because you were not yet here.”
“I am here. We will go tonight. It will take time to remove all the people from Assinica. We may need to open more than one Veil to hasten the work. The spirits of the dead are restless, especially in Muirwood. I can sense them with us now. It is not just for the living that the Apse Veils must be restored. The dead brood over us with their thoughts.” She clasped her hands behind her and began pacing. “I sought out your husband in Dahomey, Maia,” she said sadly. “When he did not come, the Cruciger orb told me that I should return to Muirwood. The Medium brought him here ahead of me, it seems.” She chuckled. “Perhaps you will need his strength to open the Veils. Have you spoken to him yet?”
“I have,” Maia said. She lowered her eyes to hide her confused feelings. “It did not go very well. He is hurt and angry.”
Sabine frowned. “He hurried too soon. He does not even know yet.”
“What do you mean?”
She waved her hand, not giving an answer, and turned to Simon Fox. “You must make sure he learns about it quickly, Simon. You came here today under a cloak, and you shall leave through the tunnels. Jon Tayt will show you the way. You must arrive through the gates as expected when the king’s host comes.”