“You have left everything behind,” Maia said sadly. “It must be difficult for your people.”
“We left trifles behind, my lady. What we brought with us cannot be taken away. We bring our covenants. We bring our knowledge. We bring our empathy. I hope all will be useful to you, my queen. We have come to serve.”
Maia shook her head. “Please, call me Maia as my Aldermaston does,” she said, walking over and taking Aldermaston Syon by the hand. She turned back to him. “Do you have a wife?”
“I do indeed,” he answered. “She is helping in the laundry at the moment. She will wish to meet you. Her name is Frances.”
Maia turned her gaze back to Richard Syon. “Aldermaston,” she said softly, her eyes looking into his. It was always difficult to meet his gaze, for it was always so penetrating and deep. He looked troubled, his face suppressing very clear feelings of mourning. He loved the abbey. He loved Muirwood with all his being. Asking him to leave it was like asking him to stop using one of his hands. But he did not murmur or complain.
“Maia,” he breathed softly, his compassionate smile twisting his sad lips upward. His eyes twinkled with affection for her. His thick hands squeezed hers. He was not tall or handsome. He was a doughy man with large ears and thinning hair. But he was also the most patient and kindhearted person she knew.
“I know your heart will always be here,” she said tenderly. “As will mine. But your kingdom needs you, Aldermaston. Your queen needs you. If we are to restore the people’s faith in mastons, there will need to be a period of revival, of reawakening. As you taught me yourself, the word repentance means to change our thoughts, our hearts, even our breath. I need you to help breathe new life into this kingdom. If we cannot spark their belief in the Medium strongly enough, we will be made void when the Naestors come. I wish you to be my chancellor. My advisor. My friend.”
The Aldermaston’s lips pursed, his jowls quivering. “I do not seek this office,” he whispered.
Joanna’s expression was equally serious. Where once she and her husband had shared constant companionship, they would now often be parted. But Maia could see the encouraging look in her eyes. Despite the difficulties such a change would pose, she wanted him to accept the office.
Maia put her hand on his shoulder. “For that reason, I give it to you.”
He frowned, weighed down by his emotions. “It is the Medium’s will,” he said, choking. “I will do it, however it pains me to accept it.”
Maia put her arms around him and then pulled his wife into the embrace. She stared at them with joy. “Thank you. I know that with one choice I get you both.” After squeezing them tight, she pulled away and turned back to Aldermaston Wyrich. “I need your help, Aldermaston.”
“Anything,” he replied, folding his hands in front of him.
“The coronation will be in Comoros,” Maia said. “Not Muirwood. All the people must see the queen anointed by an Aldermaston. This has never happened before. But it must be clear that the authority of the Crown is below the authority of the Medium. I depend on you—” she nodded to Richard—“to help him understand our rituals.”
“There is a tome where the rituals are engraved,” Richard said. “The anointing will happen at Claredon Abbey in Comoros. I have this information and will share it with Aldermaston Wyrich.” He gave her a grave look.
“What is it?” she asked him. He gestured that he would not speak of it then.
“The plans for the coronation are well underway,” Maia said. “When will the two of you join me in Comoros?” she asked.
Richard looked at his wife. “We were planning to cross the Apse Veil today. Your grandmother has already consecrated us as the Aldermastons of Augustin. We planned to return with you to the palace.”
“If I may make a suggestion,” Aldermaston Wyrich offered.
Maia looked at him expectantly.
“I am unfamiliar with the city of Comoros. But the records have taught us that even in Lia’s day, the city was corrupted.”
“And it still is,” Maia said. “One of the first things I plan on asking the chancellor to do is to prepare the city for the coronation. If I could summon a storm, I would. Shovels and rakes will have to suffice.”
Wyrich beamed. “Excellent. I will send a few through the Veil to assist with the cleanup. I also have charged a goldsmith with making a crown for your coronation. If you will visit with him before you leave, it can be sized appropriately. I have tailors working on clothes for you as well. I understand that you prefer more simple designs?”
Maia smiled at him. “Indeed.”
“I am certain we will come up with something you like. My people are at your disposal, my lady. Over the years, we have invented many interesting devices that will be useful to your people. Have you considered what music you would like for the coronation assembly?”