The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2)(62)
“The Medium forbade me to enter.” Maia lowered her eyes, her stomach still churning from the confrontation with Collier. She was tired as well, from not sleeping that night, and her clothes were damp and uncomfortable.
“Oh, Maia,” Suzenne whispered. “I was afraid it was something else. That . . . you were feeling . . . tempted.”
Maia shook her head. “I have felt nothing like that since coming to Muirwood,” she replied.
“But why is that? You went to another abbey before.”
“I know. There is something different about Muirwood. There are protections here that Lia set up on these grounds all those years ago. The Myriad Ones cannot trouble me here. But I have no illusion that they will trouble me should I leave.” She sighed in misery. “I had really hoped I would be allowed to take the test last night.” She tried to smile through a frown. “But what about you, Suzenne? You passed it. I can see it in your eyes.”
Suzenne nodded timidly and clasped Maia’s hands. She was silent for several moments, choosing her words carefully. “It was like nothing I expected,” she said falteringly. “I cannot describe it. There is little that compares to the sensation. The knowledge I gained there is forbidden to write in tomes. But more important than the knowledge is the . . . feeling. Maia, I have never felt so close to the Medium before. It is a beautiful reminder and a privilege to wear the chaen.” She touched her bodice reverently. “What I do not understand now is how anyone could experience the rite and walk away from it. How could they break the vows they made? I shudder to think of it.”
“You mean my father,” Maia said in a sad voice.
Suzenne waved her hand. “Not just the king . . . all those who insinuate themselves in the high court. Men like the new Earl of Forshee and the Aldermaston of Augustin! How can he replace our Aldermaston without the High Seer’s approbation?” She bit her lip. “Now that I have felt the Medium so powerfully . . . their actions are incomprehensible to me.”
Maia patted her hand. “Is it so hard to understand, Suzenne? We see it among the Ciphers. These are girls the Medium has trusted to learn and engrave. Yet despite all the tomes they have read and the principles they have been taught, for some the words remain only on aurichalcum . . . they do not enter the heart.” Maia smoothed some of her own hair over her shoulder. “The Medium only has imperfect people to do its will. I am afraid that has always been the case. I can only hope it will accept me as one of them.”
Suzenne looked her deep in the eyes. “Maia, you have survived troubles I can only wonder at. I was worried about you when you did not come to the abbey last night. I have been worried sick.”
Maia smiled at the sentiment. “My grandmother suggested holding vigil instead.”
“You have not slept then? No wonder you look so weary! I took it all for disappointment. How silly I am. I think that is wise, and I shall hold vigil with you as well. Whitsunday is two days from now. We will keep each other awake whatever the cost.”
“Thank you,” Maia said, feeling her love blossom wider for the other girl. “You are a true friend.”
Suzenne reached out, and they embraced. There was a soothing balm in the compassion of a friend. When Maia pulled back she sighed. “And I encountered Collier in the garden this morning.”
Maia quickly related the extent of their short meeting. Suzenne covered her mouth, shaking her head in disbelief. “How that must have pained you,” she whispered, fidgeting.
Maia agreed. “He thinks me either devious or utterly na?ve. He is still very angry.”
Suzenne sought to reassure her. “But not quite so much as last time. Your letter helped, I think.”
“Did it?” she replied with a hint of despair. “And yet . . . mark how you have your Dodd. A maston himself, and the two of you will be bound by irrevocare sigil. That is all that I have wanted for myself from childhood, even though my parents’ marriage was full of sorrow. Collier took the maston test, but he failed it deliberately. He did not want to be bound to do the Medium’s will. He has his own ambitions.”
Suzenne touched her arm gently. “If I were to give you any advice on passing the maston test, Maia, it is trust. You know the game that children play . . . the one where they fall backward and are caught by someone else? Trusting the Medium is somewhat like that. You cannot see it behind you, but you know it will not let you fall.” She smiled into Maia’s eyes. “Believe that you will not fail . . . as I do.”
Davi approached with a steaming bowl, offering it urgently. “Eat quickly, Maia. The Aldermaston’s wife just sent Owen here to fetch the two of you. You must come to the manor at once.”
All of the Ciphers had gathered in secret in the Aldermaston’s study and the tension in the room was as heavy as smoke. The murmuring and fidgeting caused chittering sounds like birdsong throughout the chamber. Finally the Aldermaston’s wife had to clear her throat to quiet them all.
“Please, girls,” she said calmly. “I know you are nervous. I must share news. Celia, who has been reading the sheriff’s messages for us while doing his laundry, has informed me that the sheriff has heard from Lady Deorwynn, offering him an earldom if he will support her against the chancellor.”
There was a gasp as this was spoken, and Joanna, the Aldermaston’s wife, patiently held up her hand for silence. Eyes turned to Maeg with astonishment, and the girl could not smother a smug look. “Please, let me finish. When the nobles arrive, there will, of course, be a great deal of posturing, negotiations, and alliances made and broken. Do not let this distract you from our purpose.” She began to pace amidst the girls. “Keep your ears open. Learn what you can from our guests, who are arriving by the hour. Lady Deorwynn and her children arrived last night, and we expect the king and his retinue later today. And Maeg, your father, the sheriff, is Chancellor Crabwell’s sworn man, so I would not get my hopes up too soon.”