The Acolyte Ch. 06

The Acolyte

Chapter 6

It was well past noon when Anabel finally woke up. She stretched out on the bed and lay looking up at the ceiling for a bit. It had been a very long time since she had been able to sleep in, and she felt a little guilty for doing it. But she had been exhausted. Even the Corwins had noticed it right away. She wondered idly if they would have helped her if she hadn't looked ready to fall over. She pushed the thought out of her mind. Of course they would have, they seemed like decent and respectable folks. She pushed the thought out of her head and rolled out of bed. It was well past the time she needed to get going.

She had finished getting dress and had just stood up when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Anabel called, and the door swung open.

Helena pushed the door open with her hip, a white basin and pitcher in her hands.

"I thought I heard you awake. I thought you might want to freshen up a bit."

She set the pitcher and basin on the night stand and placed a folded towel on the bed.

"Don't worry about the bed, I'll take care of that. You just relax. If there is anything you need, just holler."

Helena turned to leave, but Anabel put a hand on her arm.

"Thank you. For everything you've done. I really do appreciate it," Anabel said with a genuine smile.

She really did appreciate it. The folks had taken her in, not knowing or caring about what she was running from, and never once asked about it. She felt safe here, but she knew she couldn't stay. She needed to get to Faren to find this guide.

"I really need to get going now. I still have a long journey ahead of me."

Helena only snorted in response.

"Pshaw. Its far too late to be going anyway dear. It'll be the middle of the night before you got to Brooksdale. No. You spend the rest of the day resting and Grady will take you in the morning."

She said it with a tone that suggesting she wouldn't put up with any arguments and that it was settled.

Anabel could only grin. It somehow felt good to be ordered about by this women. She always had a hard time with it back at the temple. It took great self control, and a great many harsh lessons, to get there though. She wasn't exactly the type to bend her will easily. But with Helena, it was different.

Anabel and Helena spent the rest of the afternoon cooking, cleaning, and doing chores around the house. Helena was a good host though, and regaled Anabel with amusing stories from over the years. It wasn't long before evening had come and they all settled down to dinner.

After dinner, and all the dishes had been cleaned and put away, they took their ease on chairs in front of the fireplace as they had the previous night. Grady turned to Anabel, his pipe clenched in his teeth, and sighed heavily.

"Well dear, it's been a pleasure havin' ye 'ere, but I know ye got to get going on," He said, his tone and face said that he had enjoyed her company, as brief as it was, and was sorry to see her go.

"I'll take ye as far as Brooksdale on the morrow. Bless me, I wish I could do more to help ye along yer way."

Anabel smiled. These people had been so kind to her. She almost didn't want to leave, but knew she had to. She needed to get to Faren to find this guide the oracle had spoken of.

"It's best we be getting' ta bed then. Mornin' comes early and we'll want to leave before first light," Grady said knocking the ashes out of his pipe before standing.

Anabel walked over to Grady and wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight squeeze, then turned to Helena and did the same.

"Thank you both so very much for taking me in. I really do appreciate it. I won't forget your kindness. I will miss you both, very much." Anabel smiled, her eyes filling with tears.

She really was going to miss them she realized, and gave them both another big hug before heading off to bed.

Anabel snuggled deep into the blankets and sighed deeply. She quietly said her nightly prayers and offered a special prayer for thanksgiving and blessing for the Corwins. She lay awake for quite sometime unable to sleep. She felt more than a little nervous about what lie ahead. It wasn't long before she heard a quiet knock on the door. She sat up in bed, fear that something was wrong rising in her belly. The door opened slowly, and Helena stood in the doorway holding a lantern.

"Oh good. You're already awake. Grady is getting the cart ready, and I thought you might like some breakfast before you left."

Anabel looked confused. It was morning already? She felt as if she just lay down, and had barely closed her eyes.

"Oh yes. Thank you. I'll be out in a moment."

She had been so lost in thought and her fears that she didn't realized she had been up most of the night. Despite that, she still felt awake and alert. She climbed out of bed and got dressed. Her fears hadn't fully gone away, but she felt a strange thrill of excitement. It almost felt like she was in one of the old adventure stories she heard about. But even through her excitement she knew that this was no story. She was in real danger, and this journey was important. Even so, so was looking forward to what was to come.

She stepped out of her room and Helena was setting a plate with some bread and fruit and was pouring a cup of tea for her. Anabel thanked her, quietly said a prayer of thanksgiving, and started into her breakfast. She wasn't sure how long it would be before she would have a good home-cooked meal again, and wanted to enjoy this one while she could.

When she finished her breakfast, and cleared up, Grady stepped into the room from the back.

"Good mornin' dear. It's best time we get goin' now. Ya got everything ya need?"

"Now now dear, no need to be in such a hurry," Helen said, gently chiding her husband.

She turned to Anabel and placed a large leather scrip in her hands.

"I've packed some food stuffs for you. It isn't much but should see you on your way for quite awhile. I'm not sure where your going, but it should see you for quite a while."

Anabel thanked her and turned to Grady,

"I'm ready. Lets go."

Helena joined them as they stepped out into the yard and walked to the cart standing ready nearby. As they got closer, Anabel turned to both of them with a wide smile, and tears forming in her eyes.

"Thank you both for all that you've done. Now please, let me at least do something for you."

Helena nodded and pulled Grady close to her, wrapping an arm around his waist. Anabel set the scrip into the cart and turned back to the Corwins. She closed her eyes and raised her hands to the sky.

"Oh great goddess Ishtara, I thank you for Helena and Grady and the help they have provided your servant. Please let your eyes and hands be upon them in all that they do. May they find peace in joy in your arms and prosperity in your hands."

Although Anabel hadn't been allowed to give blessings while at the temple, she had heard the sisters give them often enough, and learning them had been a part of her training. She started to lower her hands, but started to feel strange. It felt like something was pressing in and around her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to fight back against whatever it was. But it was too strong, too vast, and it pushed her aside as if she was an insect. The part of her mind that was her watched helplessly as her body was taken over.

Helena and Grady looked troubled, and stepped forward to see what was the matter, but Anabel's eyes shot open, blazing with a bright white light. The dropped to their knees in fear and awe. Anabel opened her mouth to speak, but it wasn't her voice that responded.

"Helena and Grady Corwin. You have aided my Acolyte, the one chosen by my hand for my purpose. And have done so without question or hesitation. I, Ishtara, will therefore offer you a blessing of your choosing. What would you have your Goddess do for you as a reward for your kindness and generosity?"

Helena and Grady dropped to their knees and bowed their faces to the ground. They trembled in fear and awe. It took a moment, but Helena finally spoke, her voice trembling and filled with awe,

"Great Goddess Ishtara! We are but unworthy farmers. We wouldn't dare to presume to ask anything of you. It is more than enough that you have blessed us with your presence and have allowed us to serve your servant."

Anabel's face smiled warmly.

"Because you have served me well, I grant you my blessing," the voice that wasn't Anabel's said.

Anabel's hands raised, palms outward, toward Helena and Grady. A beam of bright white light shot out of her hand and surrounded the Corwins.

"May you receive long life, health, joy, and peace for all of your days. May your crops never wither, and your livestock never falter. May you prosper in all that you do, and never know want again."

The light faded around the Corwins, and Anabel body slumped down, as if she had suddenly lost her strength. Then she jerked as if waking up, and she was once again inside her own mind. She had watched the exchange from the outside as Ishtara took control of her body. It was a strange experience. It didn't frighten her, but watching her body be taken over was a little unnerving. She looked down at the Corwins, still kneeling on the ground, their faces filled with rapture at what just happened.

"Please stand. You have received the blessing of Ishtara. Go in peace and prosperity," she said, finishing the blessing ritual.

Helena and Grady stood slowly, tears forming in their eyes and their smiles lit up their faces. Grady bowed low to Anabel and Helena dropped a low curtsy. Carefully avoiding letting the gaze rest on her.

"Please, this isn't necessary. I am but another humble servant as you are. Please, rise. I am not worthy of this honor," Anabel begged, feeling a little foolish and guilty that they were honoring her so.

"Please."

Helena and Grady both stood and beamed brightly at each other. Helena reached out and wrapped Anabel in a tight embrace. Grady grinned and wrapped his arms around both of them. After they had hugged and said their good byes, Anabel and Grady climbed into the cart and started off down the road, the sun just starting to peek up above the horizon. Anabel looked back and waved back at Helena who stood waving to them as they drove off. She glanced at Grady who was still beaming broadly, and smiled to herself. It wasn't long before the farmhouse had dropped out of sight, and she look forward down the open road, feeling at peace with no sign of the nerves she had felt earlier.

They rode on throughout the morning, Grady telling stories that made Anabel laugh, and Anabel telling funny stories about her time in the temple. It was a fun and relaxing trip. They weren't in a special hurry, but they didn't dawdle either. They did stop for lunch around noon and let the horses rest and graze in the tall grass that bordered the road. Helena had packed them a feast. Cold chicken, fresh bread, butter, fruits, and even a jar of cider, still cold from being kept in the ice house. Anabel felt happy. Something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Once they had rested up and started back down the road, Grady told her that they were almost there, a few more hours to go. It was then that things began to feel real for Anabel. She was coming to the end of this part of her journey, and leaving behind such wonderful people. The thought made her a little sad.

Grady must have noticed that Anabel had fallen silent and seemed to be down, so he started humming quietly, then started singing. Softly at first, but growing louder. Anabel listened, but wasn't familiar with the song. It was a melancholic tune, which fit her mood just fine, but the words spoke of hope and returning home one day. It actually began to cheer her up, and she leaned over in the seat and wrapped her arms around Grady, and murmured her thanks. He was indeed a good man.

It was well into the afternoon when they finally arrived at Brooksdale. It wasn't a large village, but there were enough people for someone riding in to not occasion comment or excitement. The main road did run right through the middle of town, so strangers were fairly common. They rode slowly though the village, shops, and more than a few taverns and inns, lined the streets. People bustled in and out of the shops, and waves of music and laughter poured from the taverns whenever a door opened.

Grady eventually stopped the cart in front of an inn. He climbed down and helped Anabel out of the cart, when two stable boys rushed up to the cart. He reached in his pocket and tossed each of them a coin with a wink. They deftly caught the coins and moved quickly to take the horses and cart behind the inn to the stable. He led Anabel inside, and when he opened the door, there wasn't the loud ruckus she had anticipated. Instead, the low murmur of quite conversation and good natured laughter filled the room. The bar tender, a large round woman, glanced at them as they entered, and a bright smile lit up her face. She waddled hurried over a gave Grady and hearty slap on his back.

"Grady! It's been a spell since you were last in town! I hadn't thought I would see you for at least another few weeks when the grain merchants came in."

Grady just grinned, and gestured to Anabel standing quietly nearby, an amused smile growing on her lips.

"Lelia, this 'ere is Anabel. She be travelin' and would be needin' your help," he said dropping his voice low, and glancing around the room.

Lelia seem to pick up the hint, and motioned both of them to follow her. She led them through the swinging doors into the kitchen, then into a small room she used as an office and closed the door behind them.

She looked at Anabel, eyeing her up and down.

"Well, girl. Grady seems to think that you need my help. If he's asking it must be serious," she said, sitting down in the chair that creaked dangerously.

"If I'm gonna help, I'm going to need to full story. I'm not gonna turn you over to anyone, but I won't help unless I know everything. I'm not making any promises mind you, just have a need to know as to what I might be getting myself into by helping you."

Anabel looked at Grady, and he smiled and nodded.

"Ye can trust 'er if ye can trust anyone," he said quietly.

Anabel nodded and sighed.

She turned to Lelia and told her everything. The trance in the chapel, being sick, her meeting the Matron, the attack. Anabel faltered when she talked about the attack on the temple. She had pushed most of it out of her mind, but retelling the story brought and all those memories flooding back. When she finished her tale she felt like she had been wrung out. Grady and Lelia only looked at her, then each other. They hadn't spoken during her tale. Grady simply nodded thoughtfully when she finished. Lelia steepled her hands in front of her as she studied Anabel carefully. The silence stretch out and Anabel began to fidget and feel uncomfortable. Grady kept looking thoughtful and glanced between Lelia and Anabel. Finally, Lelia broke the silence and spoke.

"I'll help you dear. You are in some real danger. I don't know who from or why, but that's not important right now. We need to get you to Faren as soon as we can. There isn't much time to waste."

Lelia got up out of the chair and took Anabel upstairs to a room, with Grady bringing up the rear.

"You can stay here for now. Don't worry about payment. I wouldn't dream of charging an Acolyte touched by the goddess Ishtara," she said with a grin.

"I'll have something sent up for you. You just need to lay low for now. Let me worry about seeing to everything."

When Lelia left and closed the door behind her, Anabel looked at Grady. Worry now lined his face as he stood looking at Anabel.

"I'm sorry ye had to go though that dear," he said, sadness filling his voice.

"but don't ye worry a bit. Lelia and I go way back. Ye can trust 'er. She'll make sure ye get to Faren without anyone knowin' you was even 'ere."

Anabel smiled and gave Grady a big hug.

"Thank you so much for everything. I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything back at the farm. I was scared and alone and I didn't know who I could trust."

Grady didn't say anything. He just smiled and held her close.

It wasn't long before there was a knock at the door. Grady hurried to it and cautiously opened it a crack, peeking out to make sure it was safe, then opened it wide after a moment. One of the inns serving girls stood there, holding a tray covered with a white cloth. Grady motioned for her to come in, and she set the tray down on the night stand, bobbed a curtsy, and left.

Grady and Anabel ate their meal in silence. Neither of them knew what to say. There was nothing really to say now that everything had been revealed. Grady placed the tray outside the door when they finished. Anabel sat on the bed, and Grady on a stool in the corner. Each of them lost in their own thoughts. It seemed like hours before Lelia came back. Anabel jumped up when she opened the door and Grady stood slowly.

"Well, some preparations have been made and things set in motion. It may be a couple of more days, nothing I can do about that, but we will soon get you back on the road dear. Don't you worry about that."

Grady cleared his throat,

"Well, I best be getting off back home myself. The missus won't be too pleased at me coming home so late n' all, but it can't be helped," he said with a grin.

He gave Anabel a long hug good bye and wished her good luck on her journey. He also gave Lelia a hug and thanked her for her help. He stood awkwardly for a moment, as if he wanted to say something else. But instead he shrugged, cleared his throat, and left. Closing the door behind him.

"That's a right good man indeed," Lelia said after he had gone, still staring at the door.

She turned back to Anabel.

"I don't suppose you have much in the way of coin? I thought not. Here," she tossed a small purse to Anabel.

"There isn't much, but it should be able to buy what you need. Don't worry about food stuffs, I'll take care of that. In the meantime, you should be safe enough here. I can have one of my girls draw you a bath if you want. Might be just the thing to help ease your mind. Either way, I'll be downstairs if you need anything. You are welcome to come join us if you'd like."

"A bath does sound nice," Anabel said with a grin.

"It might just make me a little more presentable. Thank you."

A hot bath and an evening in the common room sounded delightful. It had been a long while since Anabel had been able to just relax and enjoy herself. Such things were generally frowned upon at the temple. The general idea was that if a Novice or Acolyte had enough time for frivolity, then they weren't working or studying as hard as they should be. Such things were quickly seen to be the Sisters. Anabel pushed such thoughts away before she started to remember what happened, and turned her thoughts toward having a fun and relaxing evening.

* * *

General Brennon marched down the long stone corridor. His heavy boots echoing loudly with each step. To him it had a vaguely funereal sound, as if each step was a pronouncement of doom. And with good reason. He had failed in his mission to capture the girl that was said to have been touched by the goddess Ishtara, and his god, Enmeshara, wasn't known for being forgiving. He didn't know why he had been ordered to find her and bring her back, but it wasn't his place to question. When the high priest spoke, you obeyed.

He eventually arrived at a large gilded door, sighed, and knocked once. The sound echoing down the hall. There was no answer, but the doors swung open slowly. General Brennon stepped into the hall and looked at the man standing before an altar in the back of the room. Large braziers filled the room with a smokey haze. The heavy, musty scent of incense lay thick on the air. As Brennon stepped forward, the man spoke, his raspy voice grating on his ears.

High Priest Felman was a thin wiry man. Tall, with thinning gray hair. Everything about him seemed thin and drawn out. The skin on his face seemed stretched too tight, giving his face a sharp skeletal look. His eyes sunk deep into their sockets did nothing to spoil the illusion. Even so, the man wielded power and authority. And used them like a whip to accomplish his will. Brennon didn't like the man, but he had little choice but to serve.

"You have failed dear General. Enmeshara doesn't take kindly to failures."

Brennon stopped short and knelt before the high priest. The priest turned around quickly, and glared at him. Barely controlled fury painted across his face.

"How could you have let the girl escape!?" he roared, rushing up to Brennon and looming over him. His hands gripping the edges of his dark red robes and trembling with sheer rage. Brennon only knelt there calmly, not moving and keeping his eyes respectfully on the floor.

"Forgive me High One. I do not know how she escaped. We came upon them without warning and caught them utterly by surprise. My men assured me that no one escaped. If she had died in the attack, we would have known. My summoners report that no-one fitting the description was accidentally killed by their demons, and the mages scanned every body for the trace."

Brennon delivered his report dispassionately. He was used to giving and receiving reports. Even those with bad news. It was rarely a good idea to offer more than just the facts, and one should always take care to leave ones opinion out of it, unless asked for it. Generals and commanders needed facts. Men died because of flowery reports delivered to make the speaker appear more important than they were.

Felman only grunted, angrily spun around, and stomped back to the altar. He leaned on the altar and took deep breaths to calm himself. After a moment he raised his head, and not looking back he spoke,

"Take my Hunters with you back to the temple. They will find where the girl went and how she escaped due to your incompetence. Now begone!"

Brennon rose to his feet, bowed, and turned to go.

"Oh, and General? Do not fail me again..."

Brennon saluted, then marched out of the hall. He ignored the little barbs and insults tossed his way. Such things didn't bother him much now in his older years. He didn't have the energy to waste time on such things. His mind was instead of thinking about the Hunters. It had been years since the last time he dealt with them, and he didn't relish the idea of working with them again. The Hunters weren't exactly human. They had human forms, and looked human at first glance. But they were definitely not from this world. He wasn't sure if he really understood their true nature, but having one stare at you with those inhuman eyes... He shuddered and dismissed the thought. Oh yes, he was not going to like this at all.

He made it back to his quarters and poured himself a large brandy to calm his nerves. It wasn't Felman or even the Hunters that set him on edge. He feared facing the wrath of Enmashara. He'd seen first hand what the god did to those who displeased him and it wasn't pretty. He tossed back the brandy and tried to push the images that came flooding back to him out. This wasn't the time to start thinking about such things.

He set his glass down and heard a soft footfall behind him. He slowly moved his hand toward the dagger on his belt as he turned around. Before him stood three Hunters. He felt his skin prickle as they stared at him. Their dark eyes seemed to stare into your soul and lay all the secrets of your heart bare. Each of them wore the same unremarkable face, a little gaunt and slightly pale. They were alike as triplets. There was no way to tell one from the other. The same height, same build, same unnerving eyes. Even their dark clothes were exactly the same.

Brennon quickly moved his hand away from his dagger, it was never a good idea to appear to be threatening to a Hunter. You never knew what might set them off. None of them moved or appeared to be about to speak. He took a deep breath and broke the growing uncomfortable silence.

"You know who you are looking for?"

They all three nodded silently.

"Then go to the temple of Ishtara. My men still occupy the grounds. Give this to the Captain in charge there. He will assist you in whatever you need," He said, pulling a letter from his coat pocket and giving it to one of the Hunters.

The Hunter took the letter without a word, not that Brennon expected him to actually say anything.

They all three took a step backwards and instantly vanished from sight, leaving no trace that anyone had been there. Brennon couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the girl. Having Hunters on your trail would be enough to make most battle hardened men shake in their boots. He still didn't know why she was so important, but if his god wanted her, then his god would get her, and that was that.

He poured himself another large brandy and tossed it back, trying to put Hunters, gods, and young girls out of his mind.