Rocalla's Saga: Arrival

6: Return to Castle Island —

1054 Riika 14

My knee is stiff and bruised the next morning, but the swelling has gone down. I decide that the injury is not serious, although I will likely be sore for a few days. I wash up and put on a fresh dress before descending the stairs for breakfast.

Dierdra is at the counter, getting a bowl of mush and a mug of tea. I do the same, then we sit down together to eat.

“So how’s your knee?” Dierdra asks.

“Better,” I say. “What happened last night after I left to chase down Khasad Uróg?”

“Well, when the commotion first started, I ducked behind a wall so that the woman wouldn’t see me. The guards started shouting, and she looked back to see what was happening before she continued walking, quickening her pace.

“I almost lost her a couple of times. She was moving quickly, and I had to be careful when I followed her through the East Gate and into the inner city. Once she passed the gate, she turned down Vhëlsmëdhgwaafën on the right, paralleling the inside of the city wall.

“It was fortunate that she kept to that street, or I probably would have lost her. She continued all the way up to the northeast corner of the city, not far from the river.

“Then she glanced around before darting into an alley on the left. I rushed up to the corner, entering the alley after her. It was a short dead end, and I couldn’t see her anywhere. But I noticed that the door to an old shed on the left was moving slightly.

“I entered the unlit shed, having to feel my way around in the dark. After several minutes of searching, I found another door. When I cracked it open to look inside, I could see some stone stairs spiraling down in the dim light given off by a single candle on the wall below.

“I wasn’t very keen on the idea of going down those steps alone, but I did, hoping to learn more about what was happening. When I got to the bottom, I noticed that I was in the underground sewers. It was a large tunnel, about four meters wide, and there was a one-meter-wide walkway along one side.

“The water stank, and I could smell mold and decay in the dense, humid air. Nearby, the patter of little feet announced the presence of rats. I could also hear the distant sound of voices off to my left. Swallowing a lump of bile that had risen in my throat, I crept toward the sound of the voices.”

Dierdra takes a drink from her mug of tea before continuing. “About one hundred strides down the tunnel, there was a passage to the left. I peeked around the corner, and there she was with four other men and women, talking together on a platform. Despite the number of candles that were there to provide light, it was still gloomy. I figured that they wouldn’t be able to see me in the faint light, so I watched for a while.”

“You know, the light tends to reflect off of all that jewelry you wear,” I pointed out.

“It was very dark where I was, and anyway, I had my hood drawn up around my head, so the jewelry wasn’t showing.”

“So what were they talking about?” I asked.

“It was a Circle Cultist meeting. They were mainly talking about getting some materials needed for making magical items. I guess that it’s not the sort of stuff that you can buy at the town market.”

“Maybe that’s what Khasad Uróg wanted to talk to them about.”

“In any case, I listened for about five minutes more, then it seemed that the meeting might end at any time. I got worried that I would be discovered if they decided to leave, so I snuck back through the murky tunnel to find the stairs out again.”

“So now we know where they meet,” I say. “I guess we’ll have to start hanging out there so that we can meet them.”

“Actually, they spoke of their next meeting. They meet at the same time each week.”

“The same place too?”

“That would be my guess. From the depth of the candle wax dripped on the floor, that place has seen a lot of use.”

“You did great, Dierdra.”

“The hardest part was holding my tongue when a rat ran across my foot as I was walking out. So, tell me, why are we looking for Circle Cultists?”

“I’d like to learn about all the different aspects of Mandelbroggen and its people. Somehow, I think that the most secretive and suppressed people will be the most interesting.”

“Well, I admit that I’m curious, too. What are we going to do in the meantime?”

“Today I think I’ll just rest my knee and write in my journal. Tomorrow I may go to the cathedral and have a look around.”

“Sounds good to me. I’m going to go out and get some archery practice. I’ll see you later, maybe at dinner.”

“Good, see you then,” I reply as I get up and slowly climb the stairs to my room.

The following morning, Dierdra appears as I am finishing my breakfast. I wait for her to eat, and together we walk to the cathedral. It is a sunny day, and the streets are neither crowded nor deserted. Considering that it is the middle of autumn now, the weather is surprisingly mild. We walk at a slow pace, so that I can avoid straining my bruised knee.

“So, Dierdra, one thing I’ve been curious about. Why is it that you and every other woman in Mandelbroggen wears so much jewelry? I mean, you wear it all the time. I’ve seen people out slopping the hogs wearing dozens of necklaces, rings, and earrings.”

“Basically, the women in our society carry their wealth with them,” she replies. “We don’t have banks, and unlike the men, we cannot own land, or buildings, or livestock, or much of anything else. What wealth we do have is converted to gems and precious metals and hung around our necks.”

“But what about coins, why not just use them?”

“Where would we keep them? I mean, sure, I do have a little gold and some silver coins that I keep for day to day expenses. But carrying a lot of coins gets heavy, and as I said, women don’t own any buildings or land where we could keep it.”

“The gold in your necklaces can’t be any lighter than the gold in the coins, Dierdra.”

“No, it’s not,” she says. “But the gold isn’t the most valuable part. The ruby earring at the bottom of my left ear is equivalent to three hundred fifty gold. The three garnet earrings in my right ear are worth forty gold each. And the amber pendant that I am wearing is worth another sixty gold.”

“Don’t you worry about losing any of this stuff when you wear it all the time?” I ask.

“No, it’s well made. Because we North Plessian women constantly wear it, it’s built to be very durable. Trust me, everything is put together so it won’t come apart.”

“What about thieves?”

“Occasionally you hear stories about someone getting robbed of their jewelry. But it doesn’t happen often. The people who do that sort of thing tend to meet their end in dingy alleys very soon after their identity becomes known.”

The sun is shining on us as we approach the bridge to the castle island. My left knee has started to throb from the walking; it needs a few more days of rest. The town guardsmen are patrolling the road at the near end of the bridge. As we approach, one stands in our way, his right hand resting lazily on the hilt of his sword. His dark-haired companion holds a long spear nearby.

“State your business,” the swordsman demands in a gravelly voice.

“We’re just crossing the bridge,” Dierdra says.

“Not unless I say you are,” the swordsman replies.

“We are going to visit the cathedral,” I say.

“There are no services today,” he replies. He does not budge from where he is standing.

“And your point is…?” Dierdra asks.

“I didn’t say there were any services today,” I say. “I didn’t say that I wanted to attend services. I merely said that I am going to visit the cathedral.”

“I heard you. I say if you want to visit, you can come back during services.”

“Are you always this difficult? Are people around here not permitted to visit the cathedral whenever they find a need to pray? Or does everyone need your permission to do that as well?”

“You better hold your tongue, foreigner, or you won’t be visiting the cathedral or anywhere else today. You’ll be nursing your wounds in my jail cell.” The swordsman’s companion snickers as he stands nearby, watching.

I am really irritated now, and it is difficult for me to keep quiet. But I decide to take a breath, swallow my pride, and ask again. Staring at the man’s feet, my hands on my dress, I speak in a low voice. “Excuse my impetuousness, I am not used to your customs. I meant to say, we were going to see Father Krohen Dënh, and I would appreciate it if you would let us pass.”

He stares at me for a moment, spits on the ground, and then answers. “All right, you two may go. Be on your way. And leave Castle Island before dusk. We’ll be watching.”

“I’m sure you will,” Dierdra says, as she and I walk past.

We continue across the parade field toward the cathedral. Stepping with care over the uneven ground, since I fear further injury to my knee, our progress is slow. Once we are out of earshot, I ask Dierdra, “Is it always so difficult to get across the bridge?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Dierdra says. “I don’t come out here very often, just for major festivals and such.”

We reach the cathedral steps, walk up, and enter through the main doors. After the bright sun, it appears dim inside, lit only by the light passing through the stained glass. As we walk through the nave, a short, bald priest walks over to meet us. His head is bare except for a sparse fringe of fine blond hair, and Dierdra is at least a head taller than he. Nevertheless, he has an excitement and fervor that demand that we take notice of him.

“Greetings, faithful believers. It is a fine and glorious day; thanks be to God above. May I assist you in your spiritual needs?”

I hope that he does not notice as Dierdra rolls her eyes. “Good morning,” I reply. “Actually, we were hoping to see Father Krohen Dënh.”

“Ahh, he is a fine guide for our lives here amongst mortal men. Is he expecting you? I can take you to see him. What might your names be?” His pale blue eyes sparkle as he speaks.

“My name is Rocalla Rastama, this is my friend Dierdra Laak. And no, we are not expected, but Father Krohen told me to drop by anytime.”

“I see, I see. Well, we shall see if he is available; yes, we shall do that. Here, come follow me.” With that, he starts off toward a door at the left front side of the cathedral.

We follow, having to walk at a brisk clip to keep up with him, despite his short stature. In just a few minutes we cross the cathedral floor, pass through a door into a small but ornate entrance hall, and then pass through another door that opens outside to the southwest. A narrow path leads through some flower and herb gardens to another large building a short distance away.

Our nameless but exuberant guide is already at the door before my sight has even adjusted to the bright sunlight. He starts chattering again as he waits for us to catch up.

“Is it not a truly glorious day? The sun is shining brightly, and its light warms all of our hearts. Do you not feel it?”

Dierdra looks as though she is about to say something, but then apparently thinks better of it and holds her tongue. All I can say is, “Yes, it is a beautiful day.”

“How can anyone doubt the greatness of God on a day like today? Come, enter now into our humble home.”

He holds the door open for us as we pass inside. Simply decorated and functional, this dwelling place has an austere feeling about it. We do not have much time to look around, as our guide is once again hurriedly leading the way.

“Come along, my faithful sisters, and I will guide you.”

“I wonder if he ever stops that incessant chatter,” Dierdra whispers to me as we start off at a rapid walk again.

“Shhh, be a gracious guest,” I say.

Our guide leads us through several hallways, past a common eating area, and then into a library that is well lit by huge windows on the south end of the building. Father Krohen Dënh is sitting at a table, reading from a thick, leatherbound book.

“Greetings, Father Krohen,” the short priest blurts out, “I have two women here who are seeking your counsel.”

Another, older priest sitting several tables over looks up with an irritated expression on his face, then shakes his head and returns to his work.

“Greetings, Father Hafhmar,” Father Krohen replies in a much lower voice. A look of recognition crosses his face as he looks up at us. “Thank you.” Then he gets up out of his chair and says to us, “Let’s go somewhere where we may talk without disturbing others.”

I merely nod my head as Dierdra and I follow him out of the library.