He was no longer an acolyte or a deacon. He wasn’t even an avatar. In one moment of incredible fortune, Annev had become a Master Avatar – Master of Sorrows.
It was a strange title, all things considered, but Annev liked it, and the responsibility to the penitent and those in need which came with it. As Sodar’s deacon, he had already trained for the role. But the title also suggested he had overcome trials and mastered sorrows of his own, which Annev supposed was true – and he fervently hoped that his new title would immunise him to future sorrow and tribulation.
Annev stepped into the village plaza and found himself surrounded by a throng of villagers in their Regaleus finery. Outfitted in his crimson master robes, he felt at home among the women in their bright skirts and the men in their colourful caps. He relished the softness of his new black boots and the fine quality of his new tunic. When he paused to admire how well the phoenix glove matched his new clothes, Annev caught the scent of sweet breads wafting from Lorn and Rafela’s bakery. His stomach rumbled, and he allowed the scent to carry him to the bread cart outside their shop.
‘Afternoon, Rafela.’
‘Ainnevog! How are you this fine day? Come for a sweet treat?’
Before Annev could answer, Rafela’s husband Lorn burst from the front door of his bakery carrying a fresh tray of sweet rolls, sugar cakes and bread buns.
‘Don’t you be giving away more of our bread, Raf,’ Lorn scolded. ‘These boys never pay nothing, and we need every staff and shield to pay the miller. Save the loaves for tonight.’
Before Rafela could reply, Annev slapped two copper shields on Rafela’s table then eyed the grumpy baker’s tray. ‘I’ll have a warm cake, if you please – and a sweet bun. You can keep the rest.’
Lorn set down his tray then eyed the coppers on the table. When he saw they were coins and not clips, he nodded. ‘Raf, give the boy what he likes. He’s a paying customer today.’ He paused, squinting at Annev’s new clothes, jaw suddenly slack. ‘And he’s dressed like them masters at the Academy.’ Lorn stared, uncertain how to process this observation.
Rafela had no such difficulty. She gave a throaty laugh and started collecting Annev’s order. ‘Get back to your ovens, Lorn.’ She handed Annev his bun and cake, but also added two sweet breads to the stack. ‘They’ll go stale before tonight, anyway,’ she said with a wink.
Annev thanked her and trotted towards Sraon’s forge, holding one of Lorn’s pastries aloft as he got closer.
‘Annev!’ Sraon bellowed. He doused the metal he was working and stepped through the white cloud of steam, clapping his soot-stained gloves together. ‘You bringing me treats now?’ He grinned, set down his gloves, and accepted Annev’s offering. He had just taken a bite when he spied Annev’s new robes. He choked, spitting sweet bread everywhere. ‘By the Gods! Annev, are those master robes?’
‘Got them less than an hour ago,’ Annev said, unable to contain his excitement. ‘I’m a full master now. They gave me a stipend and everything.’
‘Odar’s beard, Annev, that’s wonderful! I bet Sodar’s overjoyed.’
Annev’s smile faltered. He hoped Sodar would be happy for him, though he feared the news would immediately prompt another conversation about leaving the village. Annev had few concerns there, though. Despite Carbad’s suggestion that there were retrieval missions in his future, Annev suspected his role as Master of Sorrows would keep him in Chaenbalu in the same way that being Master of Operations limited Carbad’s movement.
No, Annev’s concerns were all focused on Myjun; now that Annev was a Master Avatar, he could legally marry the young woman. Once Sodar realised that, Annev felt certain the priest would try and forbid Annev from seeing her. On the other hand, if Annev proposed to Myjun tonight, and pre-empted Sodar’s objections, Sodar would have to reconsider Myjun coming with them if they ever left. There was no way the priest would ask him to abandon his fiancée, let alone his wife, and that certainty gave Annev the courage to do what he did next.
‘I haven’t told Sodar yet, but I will soon. I wanted to talk to you about something, though. You remember that promise ring I had you forge last year?’
Sraon nodded. ‘Weren’t much more than a bent nail, as I recall.’
Annev nodded. ‘I was hoping you could make me something nicer. A gold band.’ Annev pulled the gold beam from his pocket and handed it to Sraon. ‘Using this to make it.’
Sraon whistled, taking the gold clip and turning it over in his free hand. Finally, he grunted. ‘I could fashion this into a woman’s ring easy enough, but I’m no goldsmith. If you’re looking for something fancy, you’ll be disappointed.’
‘Your Regaleus gift was beautiful,’ Annev objected. ‘A real work of art.’
The smith shrugged, though the twinkle in his eye suggested he was pleased. ‘Aye, weapons I can do – bend iron, cut steel. Simple work that’s done well. Smaller things give me trouble, though. If you’re looking for detail, you’ll need a goldsmith or a jeweller.’
‘Just a plain band. You can do that, right?’
‘Mm. I suppose I could. When would you like it by?’
‘The sooner the better.’
Sraon grinned. ‘Is this for the same girl you gave that promise ring to?’
‘Um, yeah.’ Annev fingered the ring still inside his breast pocket, not wanting to explain he hadn’t yet given it to Myjun. ‘It’s for the same girl.’
Sraon smiled. ‘Congratulations then, Master Annev! A fine way to celebrate Regaleus – and your promotion, too!’ He clapped Annev on the back and took another bite of his sweet bread.
‘Thanks, Sraon! What do I owe you for the work?’
‘You can keep your coin,’ the smith mumbled around a mouthful of sticky crumbs. ‘Call it a wedding gift – but you will have to leave me another of those pastries.’ He winked with his one eye.
Annev laughed and unloaded the second sweet bread. ‘Doubly done! Thank you, Sraon. You’re a good friend.’
‘Aye. I’ll be a fat friend if you keep bringing these treats by my forge – not that I mind, of course.’
Annev headed for Sodar’s chapel with a spring in his step and a giddiness he had seldom, if ever, experienced. The trials of the past two days had been a nightmare – one he did not care to dwell on – but the joy of his present mood far exceeded any ills he had suffered. He would gladly do it all again, too, if he would feel like this for the rest of his life. He still had to tell Sodar, but he felt prepared to navigate that conversation. He was also excited to reclaim his Regaleus gifts and bring them into the Academy – something he had never believed would happen – and looked forward to surprising Myjun. He touched the promise ring in his pocket and dared to hope she’d accept the wedding band that Sraon would soon be forging. It was almost too wonderful to believe.