The Fires of Cerran

Chapter Twenty-Two

Saveen Al Nam sat alone looking out onto Ceraborn, with the wind gently stroking at her and the sounds of birds chirping all around her. She had not been surprised at the way the meeting of the High Lords had ended. To her, every major decision in the Kingdoms ended with someone storming off like a tantruming child, and it amused her more than anything. Wrapped in a golden overcoat, dyed wool trimming catching at her neck, she felt the Northern cold and shivered. Despite only being a few days ride from Arisen, the North appeared almost unbearably cold to her now. Springtime in Arisen usually came with fresh winds sweeping in from Buckle’s Bay, carrying with it salted air and the chiming of the Sisterhood temple bells as they announced the beginning of Saseen Mass.

That, for the moment, would have to wait though. She wished that she had had the autonomy to deny the High Priestess her position of personal chaplain to Lord Louton, though she understood that the duty was honourable one. Lord Louton had retired to his chambers, probably to drink himself into a slumber and drown the voices that nagged at him from within the sacred city as well as out of it.

 

Alone, with nothing but her own thoughts, Saveen Al Nam waited for her inevitable visitor to arrive. She had played out the conversation at least three times before the slow creaking sound of the door that sat in the dark recess of her residence came calling out to her. She smiled but did not turn away from the city, simply clasping her hands together as the figure came to her side and sat leisurely in the chair beside her.

 ‘Good afternoon Sister.’ Saveen said.

 ‘And the same to you. I must admit I was surprised to see you here. I had not been informed that you had taken my position.’ Came the reply, it too carried a saltiness in its words.

 ‘It was not my decision to make. The High Priestess sought council before arriving to my door. You left her with little choice.’ Saveen flashed a glance to her side and saw the still face of Nemara watching over the city just as she did.

 ‘A letter would have been nice.’ Nemara responded, her voice low and sombre.

 ‘Curious, the High Priestess said much the same after your disappearance.’

A half smile rose on the elder Sister’s face and for the first time she turned to face Saveen, cocking her head like a hawk examining prey and pouting her lips in thought.

 ‘Disappearance? How can I disappear when the whole temple knows where I am?’ She replied.  

 Saveen met with the woman’s steely gaze and her own eyes narrowed slightly.

 ‘As I say, it was not my decision to make. They say it was three months since your last letter. They presumed you had disbanded.’

 ‘Ha! My faith is never in question.’ Nemara returned, furrowing her brow, and tutting in disgust.

 ‘There were rumours of an affair with the Lord of Sera.’ Saveen said through gritted teeth, her voice matching Nemara’s previously low tone.

 ‘They really think me so crass to involve myself with that fiend? Sister above!’ Nemara cried out.

 ‘It has happened before.’ Saveen replied, casting a knowing glance down to the City beyond.