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Four

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Ice clung to the Temple’s spires. Its reflected light was lost in the blowing wind before it reached the ground. The snow stopped at daybreak. Sisters and Brothers hurried between the buildings, keeping their hoods pulled tightly against the blasts of wind-blown snow as they hurried about their duties. The Temple City of Uban was frozen and isolated for almost half of the year, and the members of the Order, acolytes, and their servants were accustomed to harsh conditions.

Tegani, Sister of the Order and instructress of acolytes, fought her way against the wind. This confrontation had been brewing for some time. My Lady of Wisdom, as the leader of the Holy Order was known, overlooked her request once again. This could not be a simple oversight. Tegani made her desire for a mission outside the Temple City known many times. All Sisters and Brothers were given one outside the city once during their time of service. It pained her that Sister Hellith, who was years younger and whom she trained, was given the mission Tegani requested. My Lady would listen.

Shaking snow from her robes, Tegani bowed deferentially to an older Sister and climbed the stairway to the meeting chambers of My Lady. Taking in a deep breath before entering she bowed low. Agreil, My Lady of Wisdom, sat contemplating the Pool of Knowledge. Tegani waited for her to acknowledge her presence.

“Sister Tegani, your mind is troubled.” The old woman’s tone held a note of disappointment, but her gaze never the large ebony bowl containing the pool.

“Yes, My Lady. I do not understand why I have not been sent on a mission outside Uban. Am I not worthy?”

The old woman looked up. “You are one of our most gifted Sisters. Your work with acolytes here in the Temple City is outstanding.”

“Why have I not been sent on a mission?”

“Your work here displeases you?”

“No, My Lady. I feel a mission outside the city will make me a better Sister.”

A male voice queried from a corner, “How old were you when you came to the Temple City?”

Tegani turned to see First Brother Arturon, My Lady’s assistant and the next in line to rule the Temple City, standing by a window. The man could be almost invisible when he chose.

“I was five when my mother gave me to the temple,” Tegani replied. She liked Arturon. He was one of her favorite instructors.

“You have never been outside the city?”

“No, Brother,” she answered. Why is he asking me these questions when he already knows my answers? She waited while My Lady again studied the pool.

My Lady turned to Arturon. “Gather what is needed to test and train acolytes outside the Temple City. One of our Sisters will have need of them.”

Many years of training and deep respect for My Lady prevented Tegani from stamping her foot in exasperation. “My Lady, my mission?”

“Your time is not yet, Tegani. Study patience; it will give you solace. If you need something to do, help Arturon with his chore. The messenger must leave before the heavy snows set in.” With a nod of her silver head she dismissed them.

“Not yet? It must be soon, My Lady,” Arturon said as he bowed to her, his words barely loud enough for Tegani to hear.

“Where is the package going?” Tegani asked, when they were outside My Lady’s chamber.

“I don’t know. I wish she would tell me more,” Arturon answered. They walked in silence for a time, then he added, “If anything were to happen to me, I think she wants you close by.”

As an instructor of acolytes, she never considered herself in line to be My Lady. Always Brother followed Sister and Sister followed Brother in the line of ascension. My Lady of Wisdom and the Father of Wisdom always possessed the gift of Sight. Her own gift was an ability to affect objects with her mind. She trained many years to develop her skill and would spend many more to perfect it. The implication of Arturon’s words took on a more personal meaning.

She regarded her friend and mentor with concern. “You are not well?”

“I am in good health, Sister, and hope to serve as Father of Wisdom, though I pray the Spirits not for some time.”

Relief filled Tegani. She couldn’t imagine the Temple City without Arturon. Their first stop was at the small shop that carried sacred oil. As they came out the wind picked up and pelted them with ice. Arturon grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the street as he did when she was a young acolyte.

“Come, let’s hurry. We can have some hot tea and soup for lunch,” he said.

When they returned, the messenger was waiting with orders from My Lady and the destination. After helping to pack the items, Tegani returned to her quarters and sipped hot tea before her own fire. She lived in the Temple City twenty-five years, and she was thirty, after all. If My Lady does not send me on a mission in the next year, I will take a sabbatical and visit my homeland. My parents are gone, but I have two stepsisters and their families. Perhaps I will find a mate and settle outside the Temple City.

Many Sisters and Brothers chose this less isolated path of service. In this way they benefited the Temple and their homelands.