3rd of Hearthfire
"Children, you all look wonderful." I said to the eight children that were finishing their breakfast amidst an overabundance of noise. "Take care not to spill food on your new clothes."
"Yes, your Grace." Could be heard in various forms from various voices.
"It is the benefit of youth that they can recover from such an ordeal so quickly." Said the priestess who was in charge of their well-being.
"They were fortunate." I said. "The two young men in our company suffered the same fate. They were abused by their captors for four months before they were rescued. It will have been over nine months that they will have been away from their families when we finally return them."
"It was not fortune that guided you to those children, sister." She said. "The Mother Goddess saw children in dire need and sent them a deliverer. I will weep tears of joy this evening at your Investiture."
"You will make me cry, sister." I said truthfully, "And I am ashamed to admit that I do not know your name."
"My name is Hola, sister." she said.
"Thank you for your kind words Hola." I said.
"Sister, may I borrow the High Priestess candidate for a moment?" Oranius asked Hola.
"Sister, may I ask you a question regarding yestereve?" Oranius asked as we sat in her small office.
"You may ask me any question on any subject, Mother Superior." I said, as my heart rate increased.
"You used a phrase last night as you defended all of us from the two assassins." She said. "Do you recall?"
"I apologize for my reaction, sister, most sincerely." I said. "It was the thought of what future awaited those children, and the part these two men played, that unleased my anger. I prayed to the Mother Goddess for forgiveness afterward. The Thane helps me to practice control, but we have not had a free moment recently, and my control was somewhat lacking yesterday."
"You are much attached to the Thane, or should I say the Archmage." Oranius said.
"His titles are many, sister." I said. "we would have all perished from exposure it I had taken the time to recite them all to the guard when we first arrived in Bruma. I chose the title with the fewest syllables. And yes, I am much attached to him."
"You are much attached to each other." She said. "It is plain for anyone with eyes to see. But it is another matter I wish to discuss. The phrase you used. I had forgotten it, but Giselle had not. She was much affected by what she saw, what we both saw. Her sister priestess Maliyah grew concerned and inquired. Giselle took the opportunity to unburden herself. Giselle repeated the phrase, and the phenomena that accompanied it. Maliyah's reaction was to simple faint."
"Gods." I said. "She has recovered, surly."
"In a manner of speaking." Oranius said. "They are both reconsidering their choice of Goddess."
"Divines help me." I said. "I was inches from killing two men last night, and two women now border on corruption because of my actions."
"You are much too hard on yourself, sister." Oranius said. "Giselle and Maliyah face no such thing. And I have no doubt that if the Archmage had been present, these two men would be facing the wrath of the Divines rather than the justice of the Countess."
"Thank you, sister." I said.
"The phrase." She said.
"The Lady of the Air." I said simply.
"You will forgive me if I do not recognize it, or why it would affect Maliyah so." She said.
"The Lady of the Air is also known by another name." I said. "That name is Tava."
"That name is also not known to me." Oranius said.
"In the Redguard Pantheon she is considered the spirit of the air and goddess of the weather." I said. "She is also called the Bird Goddess. I am informed that there is a shrine to Tava in all seagoing villages in Hammerfell."
"That explains much." Oranius said. "Maliyah is herself Redguard."
"There is more, and it is best if you heard it from me." I said.
"What more is there?" she asked.
"In the Redguard Pantheon, Tava is their aspect for Kynareth." I said.
She was silent for a few moments.
"Is our order the appropriate place for a daughter of Kynareth?" she asked. "Would not a temple dedicated to your Mother be more appropriate?
"Mother Pevel had a vision that brought her to me." I said. "I was chosen to serve this house; chosen by Cybele, or by Kynareth, it does not matter which. I have been, and only ever wish to be, a Priestess of Cybele."
"I am the Mother of this Order and of the House." Oranius said. "How can I exercise authority over a child of the Divine, over someone who possesses such power?"
"You exercise it by being my spiritual guide, just as you guide us all." I said. "You saw for yourself last night my need for such guidance. Those men would be dead but for your intervention. Do not fail my now, sister, I beg you."
She was silent for another short time.
"You truly desire to remain a member of the Order of the Communities, and to assume the added burden of High Priestess?" she asked.
"I do, Mother." I said.
"Very well." She answered. "Your Investiture is this evening, but I see no reason that you cannot begin your new duties immediately. Two of your sisters are in the midst of a crisis of faith. It is one of the most solemn duties of a High Priestess to care for those in crisis, and to guide them to the true path."
"Thank you, Mother Superior." I said as we both stood.
My tears took us both by surprise.
"May I speak with both of you?" I asked the two women as I entered their room.
The fear was plain on both their faces as their stared at me from their beds.
"Please do not be concerned, sisters." I said. "We are simply three women."
They appeared to be in no way convinced.
Their beds were close enough together that it gave me an idea.
I picked up the only chair in the room and placed it between the beds.
"Here." I said as I sat down on the chair and held out a hand to each of the women. "Each of you take my hand."
Neither of the women moved.
"Would it aid my request if I added some theatrics?" I asked. "I could produce a rabbit from my sleeve. Giselle would not be impressed, not after yesterday, but Maliyah, you would be, would you not?"
It was the barest of smiles, but it was a start.
"They were shaking like hares that were about to be consumed by a serpent." I said to Aric. "But eventually I was able to convince them that I was no more than a woman."
"You are much more than that." Aric replied, "But I am glad that they are more comfortable living with a Goddess."
"You must not speak so." I reminded him, "Not even in jest. You recall what occurred when we spoke last of such things."
"I am well rebuked." Aric said. "I apologize."
"I may let you regain your place in my good graces." Said as I smiled and closed the distance between us.
"You will finally wear your new robes, that the sisters of Solitude made especially for the occasion." he said.
"I have been looking forward to the opportunity to put them on display." I said.
"Will you require assistance in donning them this evening?" Aric asked.
"Giselle and Maliyah will assist me in putting them on." I said as I walked to the door of my room and closed it quietly before walking slowly back to him. "But if you are not otherwise engaged at the moment, you may certainly help me in removing these."
"Reverend Mother, this is Ellne." Lucien said, "She is from Chorrol like us."
Like all the children, it took effort to recognize the girl we had rescued in the young woman who stood with the two young men who had undergone a similar transformation several months ago.
"Ellne, I am happy to see you somewhat recovered from your terrible ordeal." I said. "How do your feet fair?"
"Very well, Reverend Mother." She answered. "They are almost completely healed."
Each of the children had received a small portion of one of Aric's potions, each had required some of his healing ointments on wrists and feet. Some had other wounds where they had clearly been beaten.
"Some have wounds that are too old to have been supplied by these bandits." Aric had said after all the children had been treated.
"What do we send them back to, in that case, when we return them home?" Lucia asked.
"Best if we found them more loving accommodations." Rigel said.
"Can we presume so much?" Jordis asked. "None of us knows the tale those wounds tell. Her Grace has many recent scars. Would you assume upon inspection that the Thane abused her?"
"Would someone please call me by the name that my mother gave me?" I asked.
"How am I now under suspicion as the source of Noxaura's scars?" Aric asked.
"Noxaura… the name sounds familiar, but I cannot recall why." I said.
"You fall under suspicion due the frequency of times when the two of you are alone and it sounds as if she is being tortured." Jordis said.
"It sounds like nothing of the sort." I said as my face became bright red.
"It sounds something of the sort." Runa said with a smile.
"This is Cybele's sanctum, not a bawdy house." I said amidst the laughter. "We should not talk in this manner, if for no other reason than for my reputation's sake."
"I would be required to remove both of my shoes to count the number of your sister priestesses that have looked at my father with a wish for similar torture written clearly on their faces." Runa replied.
"It cannot be healthy for your face to retain its present color for so long." Lucia said to me as the laughter increased. "Perhaps we should talk about other things."
"Jordis is correct." Aric said. "We have no right to place ourselves in the place of any child's family."
"But we must certainly inquire into their well-being, must we not?" I asked. "You placed condition on any family member that would assume Gwendolen's care. Must we not do the same."
"I cannot wander the entirety of Tamriel, my love, seeking out children whose care does not meet my standards." Aric said. "Anyone, in that case, could simply supplant my standards with their own by stating Aric does not supply his daughters with a sufficient number of gowns."
"They would be correct." Runa said with a smile and a kiss on the cheek for her father.
"Two gowns is one gown too many for you, sister." Lucia said.
"I am more comfortable in tunic and breeches." Runa said.
"The men of Whiterun are glad for it as well." Lucia said. "Tunic and breeches show off your appealing aspects."
"The men of Whiterun should spend less time staring at her aspects." Jordis said. "The healing house would be less busy."
"We have returned to the bawdy house I see." I said.
"We merely pass by it, your Grace." Rigel said.
"And my name has, once again, evaporated into thin air." I answered the housecarl.
"Noxaura has a point." Lucia said. "We can all name those children that are anxious to return home, and those that seem content to remain where they are."
"And it is known even in Skyrim that parents occasionally sell their children." Rigel said.
"Truly?" I asked.
"Sadly." Aric said. "It is not common, but it does occur. Some do it out of desperation, thinking that they send their child to a better future. Others do it out of simple avarice."
"These children are my responsibility." I said firmly. "The time comes now for an Archpriestess of Cybele to assert authority in this matter."
All talk, bawdy or otherwise, had ended.
"We will not return any child to an abusive community." I said as I looked at each of my companions in turn. "I charge all of you here present thus: devise me such a plan to achieve that end. I will petition the Emperor himself, if necessary, for what resources are required to see your plan enacted."
There was silence, until:
"As the Reverend Mother wishes." Aric said.
The requested plan had not yet been completed, but it did not appear in Ellne's case to be necessary. She appeared to be quite anxious to return home, particularly once she became reacquainted with her former neighbors, and discovered that the three of them would return together.
"Your village will overflow with joy." I said to them "Three of their lost lambs will be returned, though two of you have grown somewhat since last you were home."
"Ellne has grown since we saw her last." Adrian said as he smiled at her, and as Ellne smiled back. Ellne had blossomed earlier than I had, a fact that was not lost on either of the young men, who had undergone a transformation born of time, and hours at the blacksmith's forge. But it seemed that it was Adrian and Ellne that had a bond.
Divines bless and protect these young men and women." I thought.
"It is fortunate that one of these young men recognized you, Ellne." I said.
"Adrian recognized her." Lucien said as Adrian and Ellne smiled and glanced at each other again.
"Divines bless you and keep you save, children." I said. "I go now to meet our guide through this land. We will have you returned to the welcoming arms of your families soon."
The sound of children laughing and playing was emanating from somewhere as I entered the common room.
"Is there a sound anywhere in existence that equals the sound of happy children?" I asked
"The Archmage expressed exactly that sentiment when he arrived a moment ago." Mother Oranius said.
"The Archmage is well acquainted with that joyous sound." I said. "Owing to the number of children he can claim."
"You have children in addition to these beautiful women present with us, Archmage?" Oranius asked him.
"I have a somewhat larger family, your Grace." Aric said.
"I understand from your daughters that you came to be a family through adoption." Oranius said.
"It is true." Aric said. "All of my children were given to me, and I was given to them, in that manner. I am reminded daily that it is only through a great loss that I come to be the Father of these children that I love more than life itself. I am resolved to remain worthy of the blessing the Divines have bestowed on me."
"You must cease making me cry, sir." I said as I wiped my eyes. "I cannot go to my investiture with puffy eyes."
"I resolve then that it will be only laughter I coax out of you madam." He said.
"Mostly laughter." Runa said before Lucia bumped shoulders with her sister.
"Archmage, Sister, may I introduce Captain Kurst Fair-Shield, who will be your guide for your journey through Cyrodiil." Oranius said.
"What is your name, sir?" Runa asked as Lucia's smiled illuminated the entire room.
"I am Captain Kurst Fair-Shield, Lady." He said as he stared at Runa. "Forgive me, but you resemble a cousin of mine, though she does not possess anything to match your excellent warrior's frame."
"Captain, this is my daughter Runa Fair-Shield" Aric said, "who, you will have just learned, came to me through adoption."
"Do you say so?" The captain asked. "This is most wonderous. Kinswoman, surly the Gods themselves conspired to reunite you with your family."
"My family" Runa answered, her smile as glowing as Lucia's, "at least a portion of it, is here present, kinsman. But I take your words as you intended them."
"You should be afforded time to become acquainted, but for now the task at hand is most pressing." Aric said.
"I am happy for you sister." I said to Runa. "You had expressed a desire to learn of your heritage, as I have learned somewhat of mine. The Divines have answered your prayers."
"My heritage will in no manner resemble yours, sister." Runa answered. "But I thank you for your sentiment."
"Captain, I believe you are familiar with our mission." I said. "Have you a route in mind to complete it with the minimum number of steps?"
"I do, your Grace." The Captain said. "adding an additional stop at the request of the Archmage, our journey begins at this holy place and ends at the Imperial City. The route is by no means straight, but neither wanders too much east to west."
"We owe the Emperor and the Dominion Proconsul an audience." Aric said. "At least the offer of an audience, since neither may deign to see us."
"We will meet the Emperor?" Lucia asked.
"It is unlikely, surely." I said. "he is much too busy to see us."
"He is alive because of us." Runa said, which gained her the full attention of her kinsman. "And he will surely wish to speak to his newly appointed Prefect for Skyrim."
Captain Fair-Shield looked at Aric when the word Prefect was spoken.
"Her Grace is recently appointed Imperial Prefect for Skyrim by the Emperors own hand." Aric said as he nodded at me.
"If the weight of this title continues to increase, I must fling it off else I will not be able to walk." I said. "Captain, you have an excellent set of teeth, but surely my being appointed Prefect is no cause to display them quite so much."
"My apologies, Prefect." The Captain said, as he closed his mouth, only to open it again. "I did not mean to gape."
"Do not fret, Captain." Oranius said, smiling. "My Sister in Cybele has had to endure much worse these last days."
The sun had begun to set as the bells in the Mother House belfry began their melody announcing the beginning of the ceremony.
"You look like a Queen." Giselle said.
"Truly." Maliyah said. "You are a vision of Royalty."
"It is not too much?" I asked.
"It is exactly the correct amount." Lucia said.
"I would embrace you all, but I dare not put one stitch out of place." I said.
The door opened.
"It is time." Runa said.
"Sister, you look stunning in your gown." I said. "Will the Captain attend?"
"He is my kinsman, sister." Runa laughed.
"His manner towards you was not altogether kinsman like." Lucia said.
"Shut up." Runa said.
"It is just like old times." I said.
"We must take our places." Lucia said before the sisters departed.
"Stay by my side, sisters, for as long as you can." I said to the two priestesses. "I am as nervous as a new bride. My legs shake almost as much as they did during my first encounter with a dragon."
"You encountered a dragon?" Maliyah asked, her eyes widening.
"Perhaps that is a story best left until later." I said.
We walked until finally arriving at the ceremonial great room, and its large doors, which were closed.
I took in a slow breath and released it. I began the Prayer of Faith alone but was quickly joined by my assistants.
"Blessed Mother, I wish to worship only thee.
Guide me that I may walk in thy light and holiness to a deeper intimacy with thee.
Make known to me the path of life.
Fill me with joy in thy presence and allow me to bring joy into the lives of others.
Allow me to dwell in thy temple until my life ends, when I may finally gaze upon thy beauty.
Most Blessed and Divine Mother hear my voice when I call."
Giselle and Maliyah opened the doors onto a great hall lit by golden candlelight. The smell of holy incense greeted us as we solemnly stepped into the space where I had first received my holy orders so many years ago. Our entrance signaled the sisters who stood to the left and right to begin the ceremonial chanting that would accompany my walk down the center aisle until I knelt before Mother Superior Oranius and those High Priestesses of Cybele who were in attendance.
And so, the ceremony began, as Mother Oranius began to speak:
"It is the duty of a high priestess to guide, to teach, to nurture, to govern, to love, to sanctify, to forgive, to lead by examples of faith, and purity, and righteousness, and charity.
The beloved of Cybele, elected, confirmed, and most reverend priestess Noxaura, having demonstrated such qualifications, is led forth to be ordained ArchPriestess."
Divines do not let me forget my responses I thought, as the incense enveloped me and I touched my forehead with the fingertips of my right hand, the same sign of faith I had made at this very altar with my sister Novices twenty years ago.
"Why have you come here and what do you request of our meekness?" Oranius asked.
"To receive the grace of investiture, Mother." I answered.
"And how do you believe?"
"That the Divine Mother Cybele is the basis of the entire world. That all of us, all that we encounter is Her in the aggregate. We are all the Mother Goddess learning about Herself. We are called to be a light unto the entire world, and all those that inhabit it. A light for good, and love, and care, and fellowship. A light that nurtures, and protects, and defends, and sanctifies, and lifts up. A light that heals that which is infirm. A light that supplies that which is wanting."
"Accept the staff of authority so that you may tend the flock of Cybele entrusted to you and be a staff and support for those who are devoted to the Mother Goddess; use this staff to lead the lost and the wayward; use this staff to protect and defend the helpless and the needy, the staff of righteousness, the staff of authority.
By the election and blessing of the Mother Goddess: The divine grace, which always heals that which is infirm and supplies that which is wanting, appoints you, beloved of Cybele Priestess Noxaura, to be invested ArchPriestess of the Maetreum of Cybele
Therefore, let us pray for her that the grace of the most Holy Cybele may come upon her, and let us all say:
O Mother Cybele, our Goddess, Who according to your renowned profit Agrippina, have established an order of ranks and degrees for the ministering and divine celebrations of your august and undefiled mysteries upon the Holy Altar strengthen this your chosen one whom You had deemed worthy to come under the yoke of the Teachings of Cybele and to the dignity of the Order of the Communities through the imposition of my sinful hands and those of the concelebrant ArchPriestesses here present by illumination and power and grace, as You have strengthened your Prophets, as You have anointed Kings, as You have consecrated Archimandrites; cause your servant Noxaura to be stainless, and, adorning her with purity, make her holy, that she may be worthy to ask those things which are for the salvation of the people, and to be heard by You."
Mother Oranius came forward and kissed me on each cheek, before taking my hand in hers to help me rise to my feet. The sisters in attendance resumed the ceremonial chanting as Mother Oranius said to me, as she smiled:
"Welcome Noxaura, ArchPriestess of the Maetreum of Cybele."