She looked at him pleadingly. “How can I rid myself of this . . . this creature inside of me?”
“Bah, you already know! Seek the High Seer.”
Maia struggled with her doubts. “That is what the Aldermaston of Cruix told me. But the Myriad One also seems to be sending me to Naess. How do I know what the Medium’s will is?”
He scratched the corner of his mouth with the butt of the stylus. “I told you that your thoughts are tangled. You are deep in the enemy’s power. But your lineage is strong in the Medium.” His voice hushed. “Very strong, sister. You must learn to discern between the voice in your head and the voice in your heart.” He then tapped the stylus against his temple. “Aldermaston Josephus said, ‘Truth I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Medium, which will come upon you and dwell in your heart.’” He sniffed. “Aldermaston Pol said, ‘The peace of the Medium, which passeth all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds.’ You must study at an abbey, sister. There is much wisdom in the Aldermastons’ tomes. More wisdom and truth than you have found in the tomes of the Dochte Mandar.”
She frowned. “I have always wanted to study at an abbey, Maderos. My father forbids it.”
He pursed his lips. “I know, sister. As I have told you, I have written your life. I have a keen interest in your Family. Now, for my message.”
She looked at him in surprise, drying her eyes. Somehow, their conversation had made her feel better. A feeling of peace and quiet had settled on her as he quoted from the words of the Aldermastons. It felt as if the ancients’ wisdom had tamped down the darkness inside her. “I thought you already had—”
He clucked his tongue. “No, sister. I gave you morsels of counsel from an old man who has seen much of this vile world. I was sent with a message to give you.” He opened a large leather knapsack and rummaged through the contents. “Ah, blessit vestiglio!” He pulled out a folded paper with a wax seal. “I saw her melt the wax to fix the seal,” he said. “It has not been opened or changed by anyone since leaving her hand.”
Maia stared at him in surprise. “Who?” Her heart began to burn inside her.
He did not reply, only handed her the letter.
Maia snapped the seal and unfolded the paper, which trembled in her hand. The first word made her heart seize with joyful pain and the tears flow afresh.
Daughter.
It was written in ink, in a tremulous hand. It was from her mother. She had never seen her mother write anything in her life. Always she dictated to secretaries or scribes who wrote her letters for her, as women were not permitted to read or engrave. The hand was elegant, and Maia could see a hesitance in her choice of wording, as if it were not a natural thing for her to write. She mopped her tears on her sleeve and read impatiently.
Daughter,
I have heard tidings today that I perceive (if they are true) that the time is very near when the Medium will prove and test you. I am glad of it. The Medium will not suffer you to perish if you beware offending it. I pray you, good daughter, to offer yourself to the Medium. I have heard that you suffer much under Lady Shilton. If she brings you orders from the king, I am sure you will be commanded what you should do. Listen to my counsel, Daughter. Answer with few words, obeying the king, your father, in everything save only that you will not offend the Medium and lose your own soul. Go no further in learning the ways of the Dochte Mandar. And wheresoever, and in whatsoever, company you shall come, observe the king’s commandments that are right.
One thing I especially desire for you, for the love that you do owe unto me. Keep your heart and mind chaste, and your body free from all ill and wanton company. Do not desire any husband save he be a maston. I dare to hope that you shall see a very good end and better than you can now hope for. We never come to Idumea but by our troubles. More than any earthly Gift, I desire above all to see you again, before death separates us.
Your loving mother,
Catrin the Queen
Maia wiped her nose, watching as the tear splotches on the paper stained the ink. She looked down at her lap, feeling as if a warm blanket had been draped around her shoulders. Just those few words, written in her mother’s own hand, gave her more comfort than she had ever known.
What a wreck Maia had made of her life. She knew, though, deep inside, that despite her wrongs, her mother would forgive her and still accept her. She so longed to see her.
“Is my mother still at Muirwood?” Maia whispered thickly.
“Aye, sister. But your destiny bids you north.”
She sighed, then looked painfully at Maderos. Will I ever see her again?
Maderos gave her a lopsided smile. “All things are possible to the Medium,” he answered.