The Leering’s eyes flashed with light and she felt a calm, peaceful feeling. Its words were barely a whisper. Lay on the bier.
Lia rose from the bowl, her face dripping and she felt clean, refreshed. Gazing down into the ossuary, her heart spasmed with fear. It was not deep. It was not menacing. Yet there was something about it that terrified her. She gazed at the bowl’s edge, wondering what to do. Would the lid close on her, trapping her beneath the Abbey? What would happen? The fear was so strong, she felt helpless as she stared at it. But a thought murmured through the blackness, reminding her of where she was. Feelings were caused by the Leerings themselves. Gazing into the hole, she saw them, engraved into the walls surrounding it. Fear, uncertainty, strangeness, anticipation – all these emotions blurted out from the Leerings, warning her to go back. They were strong Leerings, but no stronger than any other she had faced. With a thought, she silenced them. The peaceful feeling returned.
Lia approached the edge of the ossuary, staring down at it curiously and then descended onto the stone slab set in the middle. She lay down, crossing her arms over her chest and waited. The Leerings were tamed. An insight struck her. The ossuary represented death. So many fears shrouded it because there was no telling what would happen next. It was the uncertainty of it, the anticipation, that made it torturous to ponder. Yet as she lay there, she realized it was but another step in her progress. And not even the most important one. As she lay still, pondering, she heard the seven Leerings carved into the pillars awaken and begin to speak to her. They each had a different voice, but they blurred together as they asked her questions, repeating them over and over, until it was nearly a babble. The images of their thoughts flooded her and she struggled against the feeling of drowning. There was no way to untangle them as they rushed her.
Will you live in piety towards the Essaios? Will you observe justice towards all men? Will you do no harm to any one unless the Medium commands you? Will you always hate the Myriad Ones, oppose them in all things, and assist the righteous causes? Will you live a life of purity and forsake every pleasure except with your husband? Will you show fidelity to all mastons, and especially Aldermastons in authority? If you become an Aldermaston, will you at no time whatsoever abuse your authority, nor endeavor to outshine the learners either in your garments, your speech, or any other finery? Will you be perpetually a lover and speaker of truth and reprove those that speak falsehoods? Will you will keep your hands clear from theft, and your soul from unlawful gains? Will you never discover any of these doctrines to others, even should anyone should compel you so to do at the hazard of your life? Will you preserve the tomes belonging to the mastons? Will you safeguard the names of the Essaios and those who visit your world from Idumea? Will you shun the enticings of Ereshkigal and her hetaera and qualify yourself to receive a new body and return to the world of Idumea?
There were so many pleadings, so many questions, she was frightened by them. Yet as she listened, she began to recognize the pattern of the oaths. She comprehended that each of the pillars was asking her two. As she listened, she could discern their voices through the maelstrom of thoughts. She realized that in order to silence them, she had to agree to the conditions each imposed on her. She started with the vine-shaped Leering.
Yes, she thought in her mind. The Leering fell silent.
One by one, she listened for the thoughts, understood the oath she was making and then silenced it with a thought of assent. After each one, she felt the Medium more strongly. It blazed inside of her, building her confidence. At last she faced the final Leering, the bearded one.
Will you safeguard the names of the Essaios and those who visit your world from Idumea? Will you shun the enticings of Ereshkigal and her hetaera and qualify yourself to receive a new body and return to the world of Idumea?
It was an invitation. A trust. She felt the pleading words mingle with her emotions. How could she describe it otherwise? A pleading with her to return to them. To recognize the evil of the Myriad Ones for what they really were and to scorn them. To let nothing distract her from her goal of returning to Idumea.
Yes!
The final Leering fell silent for a moment. Touch the white stone, it whispered.
Lia sat up in the ossuary, staring at the billowy curtains of the Apse Veil. The white stones shone like noonday sun, almost blinding her with the intensity. She approached one of the inlets and reached out her hand. It was glowing white-hot, but she did not fear it. Reaching out, she cupped it in her hand and peered at it.
In the midst of the blaze a light and fire, a single word appeared on the stone.
A word she could not read.
* * *
“There is no anger above the anger of a woman. For her thoughts are more vast than the sea, and her counsels more deep than the great ocean.”
- Gideon Penman of Muirwood Abbey
* * *