Sermon 13

Thus was the attempt against our Mother's body thwarted. The eunuchs sent the surviving guards fleeing, cursing their manhood. The concubines watched Ayem with wary eyes, for she was now their master.

Ayem spoke. "You women, who have lived for another, now comes the beginning."

And there was much weeping at this, for they were foolish women.

"I give you a gift. Travel to the far shore and raise up a city, a city of ladies. Here you shall persist without man to order or shape you. Preserve this stronghold for a thousand years, and I shall set your souls in the heavens."

And the concubines filed from the Hall of Beauty. Ayem sent a star to guide the women to their new home. And they did found a city, a city of ladies. It lasted but three generations before anarchy took it. The city lies today as an ever-smoking crater, brave pilgrims pour libations of milk into it. Thus did Ayem disprove the superiority of the female sex. Let all who read this sermon be guided by the astrolabe of equality.

To the eunuchs Ayem said, "You shall be the foundation of my new temple, and the first to receive its covenant. Clothe yourselves in silk and splendour. These garments befit a sacred vessel best."

And thus did the eunuchs become the first priests of the new temple. (It is for this reason the highest servants of the Tribunal do not take mates, in imitation of our holy forbears.)

The courtiers had scattered to the five directions, Ayem was unable to grace them with her words. But it is doubtful they would have listened either way. For while some are born deaf, others make themselves deaf for the Temporal Kingdom.

Then a warrior entered the Hall, dragging a man behind him. Beside the warrior walked another, crackling with possibility.

The warrior bowed. "Mistress, this one sought to rob the treasury."

And he presented the king's favourite catamite. He collapsed before Ayem.

"I beg you forgive my weakness."

And Ayem, who knew the needs of fate, said, "Let him go free. Many are those who steal, the shame is in getting caught."

The catamite bowed three times, and made his exit, already plotting vengeance.

Ayem pointed at the warrior. "Who are you, who guards my earthly treasures with such conviction?"

He bowed. "I am Nerevar, of House Indoril."

"And who is your companion?"

This one is well known, although it is not his story. Born of a netchiman's wife, his impoverished father sold him. He was but a low-born singing slaveboy, till he seized his identity, vanishing into the maze of Mounhold. He was a gutter-get, a daggerlad, when Nerevar found him, convinced him to take up the name of Indoril.

Vivec, future glorious warrior-poet of Vvanderfall, the magic hermaphrodite. Here he was only an echo, or an image. In time he would become Vehk and Vehk, or he already was such, but in another possibility. Now he was but Vivec. Nerevar loved him, but Vivec loved only God, who was himself.

"Sister," said Vivec. "Have you already forgotten my face?"

And there was a great rumbling as Seht manifested in the palace's psyche. His eyes were windows, his mouth a gate. His heartbeat was measured in miles.

"AE SEHT AE AYEM AE VEHK. WE ARE THREE IN ONE."

And Ayem added, "AE PADHOMAE AE ALTADOON."

And Vivec added nothing, for this is not his story.

Blessed Nerevar could do naught but bow, and perhaps, this part is real.

The ending of the words is ALMSIVI.