Chapter 3

Anomen arrived, as promised, a week later. That evening, Arthia outdid herself at dinner, Kylia had another ride on Challenger, and everyone concerned greatly enjoyed themselves. Then, upon learning that the next day was Arthia's day off, Anomen insisted on taking Merena and Kylia to lunch at the best inn in Berdusk.

After they had eaten, they were strolling through the town square when Merena spotted a familiar figure. She turned to Anomen.

"Anomen, I can't believe I had forgotten, but High Watcher Emond specifically asked to be introduced to you next time you were in town. There he is now — let me get his attention."

Anomen said hastily, "It isn't necessary to bother him, my lady. I can drop by the temple later and introduce myself."

"Nonsense, Anomen, why wait?" Merena responded in surprise. "It's a good thing I saw him; he certainly would have heard you were staying at the inn, and he would never have forgiven me for forgetting my promise."

Merena caught Emond's eye and he hurried over to them, smiling broadly.

"High Watcher, I'm so glad we ran into you! I'm pleased to introduce you to…" Merena began.

"Sir Anomen Delryn, it could be no other!" Emond exclaimed. "Sir, I am most honored to meet you." He pumped Anomen's proffered hand excitedly. Anomen smiled politely, but seemed oddly uncomfortable at the attention.

But before she could wonder about Anomen's unexpected attitude, a new surprise arrested her attention. High Watcher Emond was leaning down, peering nearsightedly at Anomen's chest; or rather, she now realized, his holy symbol.

"Remarkable, truly remarkable!" Emond continued. "I have read descriptions of the Hand, of course, but I have never actually seen one."

"Then we should correct that deficiency immediately, sir." Anomen said, and drew the holy symbol on its chain over his head and offered it to the High Watcher.

The High Watcher started to protest, but when Anomen pressed the holy symbol into his hands, he accepted it eagerly. "To think that this was touched by the hand of Helm himself…" Emond murmured, awe in his voice. After a few moments, he glanced up at Anomen and returned the pendant to him. "Thank you, my boy, it was most kind of you to let me examine it."

During this mystifying exchange, Merena was determinedly trying to catch Anomen's eye, while he was just as determinedly trying to avoid hers. Finally, she could contain her curiosity no longer, and she burst out, "I'm sorry, High Watcher, but I have no idea what you two have been talking about. What is so special about Anomen's holy symbol?"

Emond stared at her in astonishment. "You don't know?" He looked askance at Anomen. "Sir Anomen," he admonished, "I would expect humility in one so honored, but there is such thing as too much humility!"

He turned to face Merena, "Lady Merena, what your overly-modest friend has neglected to tell you is that he has been awarded the Hand of Helm, the highest honor a priest of Helm can achieve."

"Really?" Merena responded, giving Anomen her best 'why am I just learning about this now?' look. Anomen reddened. "I'm afraid I've never heard of it before."

"It is not well known outside the Church itself, largely because it is awarded so rarely; not more than once a generation, I'd guess. There are currently only four — no, make that three, High Watcher Desmond died last winter — living recipients of the Hand."

"So the High Watchers decided that Anomen should be awarded the Hand of Helm?" Merena asked.

"Oh, no, Lady Merena. The Hand would not be so highly valued if that were the case! No mere mortal decides who should receive the Hand; it is awarded by Helm himself. Sir Anomen's holy symbol may look like a beautifully made trinket to you, but to the eyes of Helm's faithful, it positively hums with His power. That is how I knew that this must be Sir Anomen even though we have never met."

"It might also interest you to know that although Helm has never revealed exactly how He decides who is worthy of this honor, all who have been so honored have been priests of exceptional faith and valor. Most, however, were not honored until the twilight of their lives; Sir Anomen is the youngest Hand of Helm in several centuries."

"Really?" Merena repeated, raising an eyebrow and giving Anomen a look that caused him to shuffle his feet and look down uncomfortably.

Anomen was spared the necessity of a response by Kylia, who had been listening with growing impatience to the adults talking about something she did not understand. She pulled on her mother's arm and asked anxiously, "Momma, what are you talking about? Is Anomen in trouble?"

"Not with the Church of Helm, evidently." Merena replied. "With me, however…"

High Watcher Emond smiled, "If I may, my lady? I think I can explain it to her in a way that she will understand."

Emond and Kylia found a convenient bench nearby for their conversation, and Merena wasted no time in pulling Anomen aside for their own discussion.

"Anomen Delryn, I can't believe you didn't tell me about this! This wonderful thing happens to you and you don't even mention it!" She eyed him accusingly. "And you didn't want me to find out either; that's why you tried to avoid being introduced to the High Watcher."

Anomen sighed and gave her a plaintive look. "I knew if you introduced us that this very thing would happen; you would learn about the Hand and be angry with me for not telling you."

Merena felt a stab of pain at the thought that he would keep something so important from her. Have we grown so far apart that he thought I wouldn't care? She put a hand on his arm. "But why didn't you want me to know? I'm your friend, Anomen, surely you knew that I would be happy for you and proud of you — as all your friends will be."

"I know that, my lady." He gave her a pleading look. "It's not that I didn't want you to know…oh hells, Merena, there is too much to explain. Can we talk about this later—tonight perhaps? I promise that I will answer any questions that you have."

Anomen looked so miserable that Merena could not stay angry with him. "Very well, Anomen." She said, smiling and patting his arm. "But I'm going to hold you to that!"

Before High Watcher Emond took his leave, he turned to Anomen. "Sir Anomen, I was wondering if you might be willing to come to the temple and speak to novices and younger priests. I believe they will find meeting such an accomplished member of our Church quite inspiring. Perhaps you will have time during this visit or on the next occasion you are in Berdusk — whatever is most convenient for you."

"Of course High Watcher. With my lady's leave, I believe I will have some time this afternoon, though I am not sure what inspiring message I will have for the youngsters." Anomen replied courteously.

"One of the heroes who liberated Watcher's Keep and defeated Demogorgon?" Emond chuckled. "I'm sure you will be able to pique their interest! And that tale, if I recall it correctly, is also a cautionary one for those of us who follow Helm. So, if my lady Merena is willing to let us steal you away from her, shall we meet at the Temple in one hour then?"

"I wouldn't dream of keeping Sir Anomen from his duty, High Watcher." Merena smiled. "I'll see you at dinner, then, Anomen." As Anomen took her hand in farewell, Merena leaned close and said in an undertone. "And don't think this lets you out of our little…discussion."

AN: the idea of the Hand of Helm was inspired in part by the Holy Symbol that priests receive in BGII:ToB, and in part by a similar concept used by Silrana in her A Cappella serial posted in The Attic. Thanks, Silrana!