The Mother of Books
Chapter 4
Warning and Betrayal
Previously:
The new priest of this new religion preached that humans had no choice. It was their way or eternal damnation. Granted not all the new priests felt this way. A very few said each had their free will to choose how they wanted to come to heaven or hell.
It was not the books that were dangerous, it was this new priesthood that was dangerous by their interpretation of these books. Laurent was definitely dangerous. The look in his eye was a terrifying, one that spoke of him being capable of murdering anyone who didn't agree with him.
Esme made up her mind then and there, that these books should be monitored. Anyone could still read them, but Carlisle and she would have to keep tabs on who those people were.
Putting the books back on the shelves, she left that part of the Library and sought out Carlisle once more. When she found him she told him her thoughts, and found he agreed with her.
~o0o~
The next market day, Bella was given permission to leave the Temple complex with Edward to go into the market area which was just outside of the gates to the Temple. The market was alive and bustling with a beehive of activity.
Bella had been out into the market on one or two other occasions, but she'd been much younger at the time. The last couple of years her daily regimen of training and work had taken up so much of her time that she had little time to do any thing else. She'd been close to the fence walls many times and had heard a little of the noise that arose from the market's activity. Now she was in the middle of it and it was almost too much for her. Had it not been for Edward's steady presence, she might have run back to the Temple grounds to escape the din.
The novices were not allowed to display any public form of affection and the couple had to be ever on guard of doing so. They strolled around looking at all the goods that were for sale. They'd made it as far as the truck garden offerings when they saw a very large knot of people standing listening to someone speaking...no, yelling would have been a better description.
As Bella and Edward got closer to this group of listeners, she recognized the speaker's voice.
"Edward, that's the man I saw in Esme's chambers that day...the one she was arguing with," Bella gasped.
"Really?" Edward asked. He was having a hard time trying to understand what this man would have to do with Esme.
They listened a bit and then it dawned on both of them that this man was telling the listeners that Esme was evil and that it was their duty to rid the world of this demon. The couple didn't hesitate, they turned around and fled back into the Temple complex, they had to tell someone what they just heard.
~o0o~
The guards ushered Bella and Edward into Esme's private rooms. "Welcome my children, how may I be of service to you both?" Esme paused and looked carefully at both young people standing in front of her. "Oh yes, Bella and Edward. I remember now reading your petition for marriage," She smiled warmly at the couple. "I've discussed it with Carlisle and we're both in agreement that you're an excellent match for each other. You will have many happy lifetimes together. Your marriage will be allowed to take place as soon as you both past your final tests," Esme was ready to end the audience thinking that was all the couple had wanted.
"Excuse me My Lady," Bella said. "While that's wonderful news, our marriage is not the reason we have come to you today."
"Oh? Then pray, tell me child, what is the reason for your request for an audience?" Esme asked.
Edward took up the conversion. "Today, Bella and I were outside in the market, and we heard a man talking to a very large group of people saying inflaming words to them about you."
Esme nodding automatically, indicating she wished him to continue. "Yes..."
"He was calling for your death and calling you a demon!" Edward was quite distressed delivering this news to his High Priestess and Head of the School.
"Oh, I see," said Esme distractedly.
"Yes ma'am," Bella joined in once again, "I heard him arguing with you three days ago while I was in the closet putting the cleaning supplies up. He frightened me. I got a good look at his aura while he was talking and it contained much violent red and black. It was terrifying to see," Bella's heart was beating so fast she felt it would jump out of her chest.
"You didn't tell me that!" Edward scolded her.
Esme looked more closely at Bella. "Yes, you do have the Sight don't you? Have you been training for it's use?" She asked.
"What? N...no. It's something that's just come naturally to me My Lady." Bella stammered out.
"Interesting," Esme looked harder at Bella's aura. "Yes...yes, I can see that you need some special training. I don't understand why none of your teachers saw this within you. Who is your main instructor?"
"Priestess Renee, Ma'am." Bella answered.
Edward was standing there with his mouth open unable to believe the turn their conversation with Esme had taken.
"Close your mouth Edward, I heard what you told me. I understand. I am and have been aware for sometime that Laurent wishes for my destruction," Shaking her head she continued. "Honestly Edward, how could I have risen to the position of authority that I have if I was unaware of what's directed toward the school and me personally?" Esme chided. "Have faith in me son," She ended with a very warm motherly smile.
Turning back to Bella, "You child, are very special. I don't understand why it wasn't as plain before unless...unless the circumstances of your life are about to take a different path," Esme's mind was in turmoil. Bella's ability to read auras was so plain. She was very powerful with the ability, although it was still very raw. Yes, she needed more instruction. "You will report to me and me alone, until further notice, every morning after you break your fast. If anyone tries to set you to different tasks you refer them to me. Do you understand?"
Both Bella and Edward were shocked. In all the time they'd been here at the School of Alexandria, they'd never heard of Esme taking any special students for instruction.
Looking down, Bella answered Esme. "Yes, I understand. I am to report to you each morning for instruction each morning after breakfast and if anyone tries to set me a different task they are to speak with you," Bella recited.
"Very good Bella. I'll expect to see you tomorrow morning," With that Esme dismissed the couple. "Now, run along and finish your day together."
~o0o~
Bella and Edward separated when they'd left Esme to go about the rest of their day as usual.
Bella's mind was buzzing with questions. Why did Esme want to train her personally? What would that training entail? To learn to read auras better? She'd been able to see the beautiful lights that surrounded all living things. Sometimes they were so brilliantly colored and active it was distracting. Othertimes they were barely colored and unmoving. She'd never really understood what it all meant, only what she felt the meaning was. Part of Bella was scared, but at the same time, a very large part of her felt pride that she had an ability that the High Priestess and Head of the entire School wanted to train her for.
~o0o~
Bella knocked softly on the door to Priestess Renee's quarters. When the door opened, there stood an angry looking woman of about forty years of age. Not a remarkable looking woman usually, but today her aura was churning.
"Come in Bella and take a seat. We need to talk," Renee said brusquely and stood aside for Bella to enter.
Doing as she was bid, Bella entered, sat quickly and looked up expectantly into Renee's angry face.
"Yes Ma'am?" Bella asked.
"Just what have you been telling the High Priestess?" Renee demanded.
"Excuse me?" Bella was stunned by the accusation made by the older woman. "I have not told the High Priestess anything about you or any other Priest or Priestess within this Temple complex," Bella stated simply and truthfully.
"You must have said something because I am no longer in charge of your education, you worthless child! You must have told her lies! You are unworthy of her personal attention. I'm going to get to the bottom of this! She accused me of not giving you the attention that your talents demand. "How did she even come to talk to you?" Renee spit her last words into Bella's face, seeing as she was only inches from it.
"I swear to you Ma'am, I said nothing about you to her, only to tell her - when asked - that you were my main instructor, yesterday during Edward's and my interview for our impending marriage," Bella hesitated then continued. "Esme told me that she saw something within me, my aura, and that I was to now attend to only her wishes until told otherwise." Bella told Renee honestly, then added, "She said something about my ability to see auras, needing to be trained and that she didn't understand why no one else has seen this before."
"Your ability to see auras?" Renee looked shocked. "You can't see auras! I can't see auras! Only the High Priestess has that capability! You are a liar!" Renee yelled feeling quite fearful. Is it possible that this worthless little girl before her was the future High Priestess? No! That was impossible. That was for herself. She had worked so hard all of her life and had never ever had a private audience with the High Priestess. It was impossible!
Turning her back on Bella, Renee opened the door to her room, "Get out you ungrateful, worthless child! I have real work to do."
Bella scurried out quickly not looking at Renee whose aura had taken on a murderous feel. What have I done to displease my teacher so much? Bella was very upset and tears were streaming down her cheeks when she found her friends out in the courtyard having their noon meal.
~o0o
A/N: My undying thanks to my Beta JoanOfArt; buggins74, AnakinsRealMom and NanStew who pre-read for me, and Gabby1017 for her back up on the psychic stuff. Wouldn't be able to do this without you! I have a great team helping me bring this weirdness to you! Go! Team Steel!
AN: 2
The word "devil or demon" evolved from the Hindu Sanskrit word, "Deva" or Nature Spirit. It was interpreted incorrectly by the early Christian scholars and has continued to be corrupted down through the ages by those who've never actually understood the true meaning of "deva".
en. wikipedia wiki/ Deva_ (New_Age)
Chapter 4 - "Warning and Betrayal" for The Mother of Books, is now ready for your reading enjoyment.
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