Chapter 128

Olivia had been putting off going to the Temple of the Lily ever since Katarina had been returned via the Rune of Translation. She justified it as having too much work to do, as needing to be impartial, as having to deal with her completely unexpected pregnancy.

In a way she was right; with half of the ruling council, the Book of the Golden Lady dead or exiled, there really was too much work for her to do. There were war reports to collate and organize as the army marched towards Urthan to retake Aston. Her body’s changes as her pregnancy advanced caused her no end of discomfort.

However, she could have simply decided to visit. The truth was, she was terrified of what she would see, and how she would react. She just didn’t want to see her lover in the state that the healers described: wan and pale and lifeless.

Katarina had been filled with fire and spirit, and the thought of her laying there on the bier in the center of the Temple of the Lily, surrounded by Priestesses with no idea how to heal her, surrounded by the Grand Cardinal’s personal guard, ever-vigilant; Olivia refused to see her, despite the growing urge to do so.

In some stupid twist of irony, the Grand Cardinal had decided that Armilla Chancy’s atonement was to be Olivia’s personal bodyguard. Armilla was technically still a paladin, and her skills were considered better than average, and Armilla treated her with deference and respect, but Olivia couldn’t find it within herself to forgive Armilla for her dereliction of duty in serving Katarina.

Frustratingly, there’d been no word from Sasaki. It was as if she’d vanished from Darnell.

"It’s been only three months or so since we set out, and we had to come back." Armilla said by way of conversation, as she walked down the central aisle of the Chapel of the Lily towards the sanctuary.

Ahead, a woman sat on one of the front pews, praying. She looked familiar to Olivia, but couldn’t place the woman.

"And here we are, two months later, still with no idea what happened." Lady Cardinal Olivia replied. "I wish I knew what had happened to her." She touched her belly absently. "Why the Goddess won’t answer our pleas to heal her. Why it seems like Katarina has been stripped of her blessings."

"Forgive my impertinence, but... I don’t think the Golden Lady took her blessings from Her Grace. Katarina was pure and devout." Armilla replied.

Olivia glanced at Armilla significantly. "‘ware your words, Paladin. You insinuate that a power greater than the Golden Lady was able to remove a Living Saint’s Blessings."

Armilla pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "I misspoke, Lady Cardinal."

Olivia nodded. "I know, which is why I haven’t ordered your tongue cut out." She said dryly. "Still, I can’t help but worry about her."

Armilla nodded her agreement.

Ahead of them, under the massive stature of the Kneeling Woman, the Lily of the Valley, lay Katarina. She was dressed in a simple cotton gown. All of her gear had been reclaimed and securely locked away in the same vaults that held Celestine’s breastplate and signet ring.

Katarina slept, apparently. She didn’t eat, didn’t drink, and didn’t demonstrate any other sign of life except for her slow breathing.

"Did you try a kiss?" Armilla asked dryly. Olivia glanced at her, brows lowering.

"Like in the child’s tale. The kiss of the loved one waking her and all that." Armilla urged snidely.

"You’re being awfully... familiar, Miss Armilla." Armilla shrugged.

"Chalk it up to my master’s influence." she remarked flippantly, and waved her hand dismissively. Armilla then let out a slow breath. "I hope she wakes soon."

Olivia nodded.

Armilla ascended the steps to the altar and took one of Katarina’s pale hands and kissed it, and then replaced it on Katarina’s breast, knelt and prayed to the Golden Lady.

When she was finished, she nodded at the Lady Cardinal and left.

Olivia approached the altar and took her lover’s hand. "I come every day, and every day you’re the same: beautiful, angelic... and asleep." She placed Katarina’s hand on her belly. "Our babies want to see you up and awake too, you know." She admonished quietly, and leaned forward and kissed Katarina gently. "I’ll come and see you again soon." She replaced Katarina’s hand on her breast, knelt and prayed to the Golden Lady, and then rose and left.

When she stepped outside, she saw Armilla on the steps, waiting.

"What have you been doing while Katarina sleeps?" Olivia asked curiously.

"When I’m not guarding you, I’m studying. Finding resources." Armilla remarked. "We can’t afford to lose track of Alsabet. I’ve been working with some of the Sanctioned to search for clues." She described. "Katarina expected me to know how to be a Witch Hunter before I-" She shook her head. "I got very tired of her mockery. I have to-" She sighed and her shoulders slumped. "I have to improve."

Olivia nodded. "I’ll leave you to it, then." and began the long walk back to the apartments of the Lady Cardinals.

The punitive force sent to Urthan was not only able to retake Aston, but was able to carve deeply into what the Anglsih considered "contested territory" and what the Urthan considered their own lands. They were able to occupy several cities and sue for peace.

Twenty thousand Anglish troops marched forth alongside a complement of mages and Torchbearers, backed by Yamato reinforcements seizing Aston’s harbor and retaking the city. The Grand Cardinal declared it a decisive victory over the "ill-bred moon-worshipping swine", but no comment or mention was made of the scant hundreds that returned home after the war, or the scars they carried with them. Peace was always only a prelude to the next war, and the Ever Victorious Army had plenty of wars to fight.

A full year had come and gone ‘round, and winter had come to Darnell once more. Lady Cardinal Rashida Salah had replaced the thing that had masqueraded as the Lady Cardinal over the continent of Bel-Arib, and she was as fiery as her predecessor was dispassionate. The candidate from Blackwall Siobhan was still under consideration. No one had stepped forward to replace Celeste.

Katarina still had not awakened from her sleep. The priestesses were allowed into the temple to work their prayers, but in a way, hope had dimmed, died, and faded away. A Saint was chosen; the ways of the Goddess were mysterious. Still, the hundred armed paladins kept close scrutiny over the comings and goings of who dared enter. Katarina was not one of them, wasn’t a paladin herself, but they had demanded the right, and so it was they that kept a ceaseless vigil over Katarina’s body.

Sasaki never returned to Darnell. There were reports from Aston, from Higgenfal, from Nauders, from Begierde, and Tannit. Although she was only considered a Witch Hunter’s Apprentice, she worked diligently to fulfil her duties as a Witch Hunter. There were quite a few calls from Cyrillus and Nadette to order Sasaki’s return, but she was as elusive as her self-professed Master; only showing up to turn in bounties, collect assignments, report on the blasphemies and heesies she’d dispatched, only to disappear again.

Olivia had given birth to twins; and after careful consultation chose Natalia for the eldest and Adalynn for the youngest. Natalia was named After Katarina’s line; Natalia lon Pavlenko, and her sister, Adalynn was given Olivia’s line, Adalynn von Wolfe. True to the Grand Cardinal’s word, Bianka was hungry for Natalia.

Olivia passed a few words to Natalia and Adalynn’s governesses, selected her heavy winter cloak and stepped outside of her apartments. Today was the same as any other; she would make her way out of the living quarters of the Book, and begin the trek to the Temple of the Lily. She glanced at the leaden sky with an irritated twist of her mouth, and pulled the thick cloak about her. This winter brought snow the likes of which they hadn’t seen in decades. Thick, fat flakes dropped from ponderous clouds, blanketing the city in a shroud of white several feet thick, with more every day. The Urthans in the city sneered, thumbed their noses, and called it "mild"; those native to the southern continent huddled in their apartments, fires roaring in their fireplaces, heated pans tucked into bedding.

To get to the Temple of the Lily from the Cardinal’s apartments, one would have to cross the gardens to the Grand Cathedral, pass through the Grand Cathedral itself, and then upon exiting the far side, cross a rather spacious courtyard to reach the temple proper. Alternatively, one could leave the apartments on the opposing side, collect a horse from the stables there, exit the temple grounds and circle around to the other side, since horses and livery were forbidden on grounds consecrated to Her holy name. Today, Olivia elected to walk, even though taking the horse would take less time, even though it was the longer route. She’d no desire to speak to anyone at the moment; she wanted time to think without having to spend time arranging for a horse, arranging for a proper escort, and making the trip.

Olivia didn’t notice the stained glass windows, the artfully carved pillars, the meticulous-kept gardens or the flying buttresses outside the massive cathedral dedicated to The Golden Lady’s Lily aspect as she approached the building. Today she would spend an hour at Katarina’s side, praying over her as she had every day since Armilla had brought her back to Darnell.

Olivia, deep in thought, strode along towards the Temple of the Lily, when she felt wetness on her forehead. She casually and idly wiped sweat away from her brow and frowned at the wetness on her fingertips, momentarily uncomprehending. She stared at it stupidly for a moment, frowning distractedly, knowing it was out of place, and stopped walking.

There was a splash off to the side of her, and she glanced that way, eyes widening in shock as she became truly aware of what was going on around her for the first time since leaving her quarters.

It was bright, brilliantly so, brighter than it should have been. It was as bright as a summer day, and warm, she was positively baking in her winter clothing. She was bedazzled by the brilliant sunlight and clear skies.

"What is this?" Olivia cried, apprehensively pushing back the heavy hood of her cloak. Dread and awe seemed to wage a terrible war inside her and she could only stare about herself as a powerful hand seemed to clamp itself over her heart and squeeze; adrenaline dumping into her bloodstream.

Rivers of water ran from the rooftops and fell in the gardens from rapidly melting snow. A shaft of light, of brilliance itself, connecting earth and sky, connected the sun to the Temple of the Lily. It was impossible to look at. It was impossible to look away, however, since the light infused everything. It was radiant and pushed away the cold of winter. Thick snow clouds bunched against each other angrily in a wide ring around this shaft of light.

Olivia, terrified, glanced around the square immediately in front of the cathedral. New growth dotted plants in the cultivated gardens. The trees were spotted with green leaves.

Suddenly the air was split with a brassy peal of trumpets, and Olivia leapt back, a startled scream on her lips. She was glancing this way and that, whirling about, trying to spot the sound. The trumpeting died out, neither diminishing nor fading.

Just as suddenly, the air was filled with the choir of angels. It seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, filling the air with praise and reverence and worship. The air vibrated with the chorus of song, a choir of voices from on high.

Olivia glanced up at the sky again, and gaped, tears rolling from her eyes as perhaps a dozen angelic figures seemed to appear from the eye-wateringly brilliant shaft of light that connected the world and sky, descending gracefully, massive wings flapping slowly, coasting on thermals, spiralling down to land near her.

As they landed, wings kicking up a breeze that buffeted her, she recognized some of them from studies, sermons, and songs: Katherine, Alicia, Silviana, Andrianna, Theresa, Veronika, Galatea, and the grandest of them all, Celestine.

One of the angelic women spoke to her, then, causing her to fall to her knees as her legs gave way. "She is coming, Lady Olivia."

The angel was slight and willowy in stature, with a face like a fine porcelain doll. Golden hair flowed about her in wispy clouds as the angel bowed her head a moment, and then turned towards the Temple of the Lily. Olivia put her hand to her breast in shock; She was Alicia of legend, a woman that stood against the tyranny of a corrupt Lord Cardinal and slew him, only to be burned at the stake by his followers before reinforcements could arrive. Another figure landed next to her, wings flapping.

"She has summoned us, so we come." Another woman said, and likewise dipped her head. This woman was taller than Olivia, with a figure similar to Gabrielle’s. Olivia recognized her straightaway; Saint Katherine, a paladin-general that marched under the Golden Lady’s banner more than two thousand years ago. She smiled warmly at the shorter woman, and gestured to the Temple of the Lily.

"If you would care to accompany us, Your Grace, you would be permitted to witness Her majesty." Saint Katharine urged.

Olivia knew she should say something, anything, but her tongue seemed frozen, her jaws unable to open.

"You should count yourself Blessed, Lady Cardinal." A dry woman’s voice from her right. She turned that way. Another angelic woman was there, golden tresses in a thick ponytail, a blindfold bound across her eyes. "Were it our will and not Hers, you would not be permitted to bear witness to Her Majesty." She stated flatly. Olivia’s eyebrows raised. Blessed Andrianna, a woman whose sight had been restored by the Golden Lady some three hundred years ago.

"Your Grace- your eyes were restored, were they not?" Olivia asked, confused.

The woman growled sourly, and planted her hands on her hips. "What is there in this world that is worth seeing?" She rebutted dourly. "The Holy Church of the Golden Lady, the Goddess of the Dawn, The Defender of the weak, the Light in the darkness, has been broken and brought low, forced to flee across the Mirras Sea to this wretched land- tell me, Lady Cardinal, what is there here for me to look upon?"

Olivia quailed before the celestial’s anger, trying to struggle to her feet and get away from her visible anger. The angel nodded, satisfied. "‘tis better that I bind my eyes than be forced to look upon things and be disappointed." She sneered caustically. She casually gestured with her hand and pointed towards the Cathedral of the Lily. "That one would speak with you."

Olivia twisted, and there she was, the Golden Saint Celestine, the paladin that had been called to the Goddess’ side little more than seven hundred years before. She was breath-stoppingly gorgeous, of a height with Katarina, with lush golden hair falling in waves of honey and amber, and a regal, aristocratic face with full lips and bold cheekbones. She resembled Katarina in many ways, both in composure, height, and the overall conformation of her body, from the long legs to the ample bustline.

"I greet you, Lady Olivia." Celestine said in a cultured, authoritative voice that brooked no opposition. She swept a curtsey with her armored skirts that should have looked ridiculous but wasn’t. "You alone are permitted to witness our sister’s revival." her lips compressed together for a moment as she glanced at the other angels filing into the Temple of the Lily; many of whom Olivia did not know.

Olivia struggled to find her feet, and Celestine pulled her up, and held her up until Olivia found her footing. Every time she seemed on the verge of coming to terms with the fact that all of the exalted Saints had suddenly appeared in front of her, her body betrayed her and she quailed, legs going weak and rubbery.

"Stay a moment, if it pleases you. There are things you should know." Celestine said in a low voice as she supported the smaller woman.

"Just tell her!" the waiflike Alicia called to Celestine cheerily. "No need for restraint here." she said with a laugh and a wave as she crossed the square. Olivia was dimly aware of the masses of guards, students, missionaries, priests, and servants that teemed around the edges of the square.

"You... you are the Saint Celestine, are you not?" Olivia asked in a near whisper, wide eyed.

"I used to be. Now I am Her servant." Celestine replied diffidently. The weight of the celestial’s words lent no doubts as to which ‘She’ she was referring to.

Celestine reached up and touched Olivia’s cheek lightly. "Find your feet, Lady Cardinal. I am not going to carry you into the Temple of the Lily." Celestine admonished gently. "Remember the dignity of your station."

At this reprimand, Olivia’s feet seemed to gain new life, and she gained her footing but still stood uncertainly. Celestine raised an eyebrow, but nodded in approval.

"Better!" She chided gently. "Now listen, Lady Cardinal: I gave Katarina the right to carry my sword; but it was the Goddess that decided that she was to be chosen."

Olivia nodded at her.

A hint of compassion appeared on Celestine’s face. "Just as I was once Celestine, she was once Katarina." She said somberly. "Do you understand? She will now be a servant of the Goddess." She said those words with a certain weight, and her hand squeezed Olivia’s shoulder for a moment.

"I don’t understand." Olivia whispered.

"You should prepare yourself. When Katarina is awakened, she will not be the Katarina you know and love." She said gently. "She will be the Katarina that belongs to the Golden Lady. Very soon now, when Katarina is tired of hurting you, she will leave this world and return to the Goddess’ side."

"Hurt me? What’re you saying? She wouldn’t-"

"I’m not saying these things to upset you, my lady. Just understand that when Katarina has been touched by the Goddess, her motivations will be," She paused as if to find the correct diplomatic words. "different."

A young woman that Olivia didn’t recognize spoke to Olivia as she passed by with Celestine. "Just as you look at the world differently than say, your horse, so too with Katarina: She will see the world, not as Katarina would see it, but as the Golden Lady sees it, with all of its infinite possibilities. Now come. Our Golden Lady will descend soon to work her power."

Those words, so casually spoken, threatened to blast Olivia's mind clean of all reason.

The central nave of the Temple of the Lily was airy and open with slender pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and massive stained-glass windows. Here, the Golden Lady’s Aspect of Spring was venerated. The slender pillars that supported the gothic arches were carved with rows of long-haired nude women carrying bountiful harvests or cradling children. Everywhere, endless carpets of lilies and the sunrise. The massive stained-glass windows were green and pale white; lilies above a golden sunrise. The thick carpeting was a plush emerald and gold, the pews were bone-white with green and gold trim.

Olivia stepped into the temple, and was shocked, it was blessedly cooler. She took a refreshing breath, to steady her nerves and give herself a moment for her eyes to adjust. Her eyes burned, but she kept them open, her head swam and pounded. She glanced back at the entryway; the light outside was blindingly brilliant; one could not pick out any detail beyond that doorway. Turning back to the nave, she watched as all of the celestials walked with stately progression and somber grace down the central aisle, forming concentric rings around the altar where Katarina had lay for the past year.

Of the vigilant paladins, there was no sign.

Olivia felt disconnected from herself, lightheaded and a little nauseous. Her thoughts were swimmy and she had a hard time keeping her mind focused. Her legs were still weak and wobbly as well.

She heard a booted step behind her.

"My Lady, do you require assistance?" a muffled female voice, behind her.

"If I said yes?" Olivia asked rhetorically, already guessing the answer.

"You would be sent from here. The human mind cannot cope for long." The woman replied evenly. "The mundane cannot comprehend the transmundane. The finite cannot conceive the infinite. The shaped cannot understand the shapeless."

"What are you doing to Katarina?" She asked.

"We are awakening her, my lady." The woman replied.

"What was done to her? Why was she like that?" Olivia asked.

The woman shook her head. "You are not meant to know." was the reply.

"I don’t feel good." Olivia stated, slowly resting herself against the wall.

"It won’t be much longer now." was the reply. "Will you allow me to escort you, my lady?" The woman asked, and held out her hand. Olivia reached out and took the woman’s hand, and allowed herself to be led down the central aisle of the church. She took her seat, third row from the front.

"It is time, My Lady. You may not survive the experience, so for your safety you should leave."

Olivia found herself shaking her head. "I’ll stay."

Directly in front of them, the beam of light from outside, filtered through the stained glass windows seemed to coalesce, focusing and centering directly on Katarina. The rings of angels began to sing, a chant of alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Olivia’s eyes streamed with tears, her heart ached in her breast as they sang with unsurpassed beauty, unrivaled clarity, the simple chant was more beautiful, more fulfilling than anything she’d heard before; it resounded in her chest, it filled her soul.

Another voice joined the song, a voice that countered their chant. Gradually Olivia realized she could hear words, Someone singing, and the choir of angels responding.

I have created you to feel pain, that you might search for joy.

kyrie eleison

I have created you to know fear, that you may seek shelter.

kyrie eleison

I have created you to hunger, that you might eat.

kyrie eleison

You were made broken, that you may seek to become one.

kyrie eleison

The domed roof of the temple shattered, glass fragments whickering through the air, chunks of stone flying, and a glowing, golden figure descended. She was easily twice the size of a person, with massive wings of gold, hair the color of fresh honey.

She reached down, still descending, and picked Katarina up by the throat. She pulled Katarina’s unresisting body up to her and kissed her, deeply. Katarina’s hair swung limply, her arms flopped about, it was as if the Goddess was kissing a corpse. Suddenly Katarina’s hair was molten, brazen gold.

Ribbons of light seemed to stream from the Goddess into Katarina and back again. Waves of power blasted out from the two, blasting the glass from the windows, pushing the pews back, knocking candles off their stands. The titanic chandeliers tinkled, glass and gems chattering. Even through all of this, Olivia could hear the angelic host continuing their chanting.

kyrie eleison

I will kill, I will let live. I will harm and heal.

kyrie eleison

None will escape me. None will escape my sight.

kyrie eleison

I welcome those who have grown old and those who have lost.

kyrie eleison

Devote yourself to me, learn from me, and obey me.

kyrie eleison

Rest. Do not forget song, do not forget prayer, and do not forget me.

kyrie eleison

I am light and relieve you of all your burdens.

kyrie eleison

Relief is in my hands. I will add oil to your sins and leave a mark.

kyrie eleison

Forgiveness for retribution, trust for betrayal, hope for despair, light for darkness, Life for the dead.

kyrie eleison

Eternal life is given through death.

kyrie eleison

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The chanting grew louder, the pressure from the waves of power was overwhelming. Olivia wasn’t sure if she was screaming; she couldn’t seem to hear anything except the roaring of wind, the constant chanting washing over her, drowning her, blasting her from all sides, reverberating in her chest.

The Goddess of the Dawn vanished in a shower of golden sparks that washed over everything and suddenly, it was as if the sun winked out; everything was plunged into darkness. The disappearance of the Goddess, her angels and the brilliant beam of light seemed to suck all the light and color from the world. The transition from light to dark was staggering. It was too much for Olivia, and when unconsciousness came, she welcomed it with an unheard murmur of gratitude.

Olivia opened her eyes slowly, focusing on her feet. When she was reasonably assured that she could see without problems, she raised her head and glanced around the sanctuary. She was sitting in one of the pews, close to the front.

She glanced up at the ceiling; the hole the Goddess had created when she’d burst through the ceiling was gone as if it had never been.

The altar was empty.

Olivia rose to her feet with a lurch.

"Where-?"

"Right next to you." A voice to her right said casually.

Olivia whirled around, startled. Katarina reclined in a most inappropriate and unladylike fashion, one arm cocked across the back of the pew, one foot on the pew itself. Katarina eyed her with a casual smile on her face. Rather than the simple dress she had been clad in, she wore her typical clothes, her boots, and her weapons.

Olivia returned her smile, and sat down again. "You look a lot better." Olivia forwarded hesitantly. "Healthier."

Katarina nodded. "I... I’ve no memory of how I got here."

"Sasaki said she’d found you next to some lake."

Katarina nodded. "I remember that part. I guess I must have... fallen asleep." She shrugged. "I guess I’ll have to start over." she scratched her temple lightly with a fingertip. "How long have I been out?"

"About a year. Give or take a month." Olivia replied.

"Shit!" Katarina cursed angrily. "Alsabet could be anywhere."

Olivia smiled at that. "Actually, your apprentice has diligently handled her." Olivia replied smartly.

Katarina fetched a sigh. "I'd hoped-" She began, but shook her head. A moment later her head snapped up. "My apprentice?" She demanded.

Olivia nodded. "Sasaki." She offered simply, and Katarina fetched a sigh again. She suddenly reached for Olivia greedily. "I haven’t seen you in so long. Come here, woman." She grabbed Olivia in a powerful embrace and kissed her affectionately, and Olivia kissed her back.

She broke the kiss. "You should meet your daughters, Your Radiance." She offered, a thin thread of anger in her voice.

"Daughters?" Katarina frowned at that. "Has someone been at me while I was-" She began, but Olivia found strength from her anger, drew from it.

"Yes, Daughters." Olivia replied, letting the heat of her anger out. "Someone got me pregnant, and then had the audacity to not stick around until they were born." She glared at Katarina, who stared at her in numb shock.

"Huh." Was all she replied after a short while.

"You should speak to your mother sometime, Katarina. and disabuse her of the fool notion that-" Olivia cut off as Katarina rose to her feet and stretched. Wings of flame sprouted from her back and stretched wide as well.

"Just explain it to her." Katarina encouraged, heading for the front of the chapel, wings flexing.

"Where do you think you're going?" Olivia yelled, struggling to chase after the other woman.

She very nearly slammed into Katarina's back at the chapel’s entrance. She straightened up, and Katarina pointed off in the distance. "I dunno, yet. Figure I'll start... there." Katarina replied.

Suddenly Katarina appeared as he had in the High Court, with a leather coat and hat, with a number of backpacks and a pair of saddlebags slung over her shoulders.

She casually and indifferently dropped them to the ground, one at a time, and then, from her belt, Katarina pulled a heavy golden chain with a holy symbol dangling from the end of it.

"Give this stuff to Sasaki the next time you see her, will you?" Katarina asked indifferently, and suddenly the coat and hat was gone. Katarina flexed her wings, and launched herself into the air with a backblast of heat that knocked Olivia off of her feet, in search of another adventure.