Sermon 11
And Ayem travelled 66 days, till at last she alighted in the town of Asa-Nur, anon Blacklight. There was a great commotion, and Ayem asked a flower-laden girl of its source.
"There is a bride show," she said.
For in this day the king of Veloth, anon Almalexia, chose his concubines from across Vvanderfall. He sent emissaries to settlements great and small, seeking women of pearl-priced beauty.
Ayem followed the flower-laden girl to a scarlet pavilion. Outside waited a crowd of beautiful creatures, some weeping, some praying, all eager to be made objects.
A woman left the tent, face a mask. The pavilion's guard banged his spear butt and cried, "Next petitioner."
And Ayem, who knew only patience, waited. She watched the women enter, full of hope, and leave undone. Ayem pitied them.
Only the flower-laden girl remained. Ayem took her arm.
"Yes, sister?" said the girl.
And Ayem, Mother of Mercy, spoke these words:
The sophists say,
Our soul is found,
In the eyes of others.
Yet make of your mind,
A mirror,
And pay your own worth.
These words echoed with the drone of the Beginning Place. The flower-laden girl was enlightened. She bowed to Ayem, for she knew her, and left without words. Years later, this girl became saint, flame-wreathed, eyes heavy as anchors. But this is a separate tale.
The guard glanced around. "Are there no further petitioners?"
And Ayem stepped forward.
The guard scoffed, for she was crusted in ash and the shades of stars. But ancient custom declared no women could be turned away from a bride show. Thus, the guard pulled back the pavilion's curtain, bade Ayem enter.
A gold-mantled emissary greeted her.
"What do you offer our beloved king?"
And Ayem covered her face, but left her fingers open a crack. Liquid light bathed the emissary, and he was overcome by the meanings of the stars.
Ayem uncovered her face, frowned. The emissary's eyes were smoking sockets.
"Ah, forgive me. I forget your fragility."
And she touched his brow, restoring his sight. Although for ever after he'd see nameless colours.
"You are more beautiful than the wind," said the emissary. And this was true, for mercy is favoured above flesh.
"Will you present me to the king then?"
"Most assuredly." And the emissary clapped his hands, summoning servitors.
The copper-faced men prepared the caravan, and Ayem was placed upon a guar, her litter unveiled.
The failed brides chewed their tongues, awash in envy. And Ayem presented a different possibility, where her form was hideous. This satisfied the failed brides somewhat, as it did not topple them from the pedestal of their existences.
Before the caravan ran white-haired girls, to sing of joy and frighten away the many-eyed demon of jealously. But none needed to fear, for Ayem stretched out her spirit, protecting her children, even as they crossed the Forsaken Lands, even as the Deep Ones looked on Ayem's soul-spark with desire. She turned their thoughts elsewhere, to lower things. The Apostates could not approach, for all around the caravan was a great tumult, thrown up by the fire-feathered wings of angels. And in this way did Ayem's caravan arrive in Veloth, anon, Almalexia.
The ending of the words is ALMSIVI.