“When we lose one blessing, another is often, most unexpectedly given in its place.”

C.S. Lewis

The meal ended with promises on both sides and an agreement for them to host us in the Town tomorrow for a blessing of all living there. We were reassured that it would be no trouble to hold and that the service itself was part and parcel of completing the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage’s purpose was not only to familiarize the pilgrim with the world they were serving but also to re-establish the links between the laity and clergy. In a world without instant communication, how could the people, in general, have any understanding of their church’s hierarchy if they never visited? Archbishop Grigori hoped that he would be able to confirm the favours requested of him tomorrow. Then hopefully make the journey by foot to the westernmost point of the island the day after. Finally, after hours of feasting and talking, the Archbishop and his entourage were headed back to the Church of the Lodestar in Wester Town.

We all had a lot to talk about. I strained to eavesdrop as we waved away our revered guests from the pier as they rowed out across the lake.

. . .

“How did you enjoy the meal?” Archbishop Grigori inquired of Bishop Bailie as they waved farewell, “You seemed to be enjoying yourself.” They had a boat to themselves and despite not being sailors the acolytes had picked up enough to row them back to town.

“It is the best I have eaten in the last couple of months.” He agreed as he too waved farewell before turning to face forwards as well. They were not out of sight by any means but the seats were arranged to face forwards rather than backward.

“Enough to tempt you to stay for a while.” Grigori inquired as he turned to face forwards on the journey back to the town.

“Tempting certainly but we are on the last stretch of the circumnavigation it would be an unnecessary delay for us all after managing to make such good speed around the continent so far.” Not quite understanding the thrust of Grigori’s inquiry.

“While we have been aiming to complete the circumnavigation in 4 years there are many who take an entire decade to complete it. It would be remiss of us to leave here so soon. Especially when there are so many opportunities to be had here and so many interesting characters to get to know.” He replied, not yet asking him to stay, simply sounding him out on the matter. Possibly aware of the ears listening into their conversation in the boat or maybe even beyond it.

“If you are looking for someone to stay to make the most of those opportunities I would recommend Sir Manil and Sir Jaques they seemed the most taken with the characters sat at the high table.” He referred to the two knights that had been sitting at the long table. He too had noticed how while they engaged in conversation with the older Adals of the Silver family, Adal Silverkin and Silverstone, their main focus had remained on the high table. Nothing was out of the ordinary with that as any physical threats to their personages would have originated from there first. However, usually, they would have traded off watching. This time they had both stared at each member of the high table with a focus they had not seen outside of the compass continents or over the depths of the ocean waters.

“Did you see anything particularly interesting about the Silverseas?” Archbishop Grigori asked his silent companions.

“Yes.” Sir Jacques responded sparsely ever the conversationalist.

“Would you care to elaborate?” he waited for a little more than a single-word answer. But it would appear that it was to be disappointed. The compass knights were a branch of the church but they followed orders from the Ordinals and Cardinals rather than the rank and file. They were here to protect the Archbishop but depending on their rank an Archbishops’ order could be considered as much a request as an order.

“We wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise, your excellency.” Sir Manil added deferentially although if you knew him well enough you could hear the smile in his voice.

“Surprise?” Bishop Bailie inquired intrigued by what they might have noticed that he had not.

“Is the elf stronger than you?” Archbishop Grigori had his own theories on what they had noticed.

“It is difficult to say who would win in a fight as she seems more a scholar than a warrior but she is certainly higher level than either of us and probably you as well. Interestingly enough though she is not the only one.” Sir Jacques finally responded.

“Who?” Bishop Bailie once more inquired.

“As we said we look forward to seeing your surprise.” They were noncommittal in their answers and avoided giving any more of the game away.

“Very well. We will know soon enough tomorrow when we complete the town’s blessing.” Archbishop Grigori refused to hang himself up over what he would soon see tomorrow. It would have been the height of rudeness to inspect observe or analyse the seated individuals during an audience. Not to say that such civilities or unspoken rules prevented others from doing it sometimes, but they had a perfectly acceptable excuse to use the skills during the blessing tomorrow. It was necessary to target their blessings most effectively and make the most of their mana. It would be criminal to waste it especially when the island had been without a proper healer for so long. That was a matter that would need to be addressed providing he made it to Ordinal or Cardinal. Pioneer lands simply could not be harmed through poor planning or by withholding resources. Priest Aravan should never have been sent here without having the correct skills to support the town.

“Anyway, Bishop Bailie other than the food could anything else tempt you to stay a little longer in the location? The island is in dire need of a skilled healer.” Archbishop Grigori lowered his voice to be a little more circumspect considering their company, “Priest Aravan should never have been placed here without the necessary skills to support such an isolated town. A Bishop such as yourself could do a far finer job than him.” The knights probably were still aware of the conversation but the acolytes rowing and the Priests and Deacons on the prow of the boat hopefully remained unaware of the comment. It was true but not particularly polite. But once an acolytes tenure was complete the majority of clergy let their balance slip focusing on mind and mana so he highly doubted he would be overheard by them.

“Are you trying to get rid of me so close to the end of the circumnavigation?” Jovially asked aware of what Archbishop Grigori was trying to imply.

“Not at all, it is simply that . . .” he paused a little awkward about the nature of his request. “The Silverseas as part of their permission for us to erect our stone markers have made some perfectly reasonable requests of their own in return. One of which is for a healer to be permanently stationed here on the island.” He waited patiently to see how the bishop would respond. While he could stay himself he had plans in motion that had necessitated the relatively quick circumnavigation of the compass continent.

“There are others that you could make this request of.” He referred to the other priest and deacon in their retinue. “This island and the population, in particular, is significantly smaller than the diocese you offered me to secure my support and attendance on your trip.” He whispered back himself no longer happy to have an audience to their conversation. Even going as far as to enact his confessional skill of silent conversation which enabled them to continue their conversation in a bubble of silence that extended around the two of them.

Kai on shore suddenly found himself unable to listen in any further despite being able to see the conversation continuing between the two representatives of the Lodestar Church.

. . .

Now in privacy, the conversation continued, “While that is true today it might not be tomorrow. The Silversea family own the Wester Levante, Wester Ponente, and Little Wester with their agent currently attempting to purchase more land for them on the islands closer to the Compass Continent. How does Bishop for the Western Isles sound? It would be in line with the Ward of the Western Isles that they are proposing and if their growth continues unabated it will soon be equal to the diocese you were interested in, in both size of territory and wealth.” He argued back.

“Significantly fewer souls to serve though.” Bishop Bailie remonstrated. If experience could be gained through wealth and territory it could also be gained through interaction with others. The fewer the people the fewer the interactions and the less experience he would be able to gain out on the edge of the compass. The less devout nature of the populace also would not help particularly.

“True but being placed on the edge of the compass you are that much closer to our mission of expanding the horizon. Not only that but the danger represents a significant gain in experience for the most mundane of matters simply through the risk of your location.” The Archbishop continued to remonstrate, unwilling to give up just yet on convincing him.

“I would miss my creature comforts.” Bishop Bailie had yet to be convinced of the proposal although he did not seem adamantly opposed to it. Maybe merely attempting to gain the most mileage out of the request being made of him.

“Creature comforts may be closer than you think. Their hall is only one of their rooms here on the island. Furthermore, they expressed an interest in building a chapel on the island and turning the entire island into a citadel one day. I’m not asking you to stay forever but a 5-year position would keep your circumnavigation pilgrimage within 10 years and the position may be more profitable than you realise. There are several business opportunities that I am hoping to move forward with the Silversea family that would benefit not only the church but you and me as well personally.” The Archbishop attempted to sweeten the pot.

“What opportunities?” he asked as he still sat on the fence and awaited a better offer.

“First and foremost, their deep-sea pearls. While Aravan implied that the number of pearls has been decreasing. It would seem that this is not the case with the explosion in growth of the family and their extended family’s wealth. It appears that money is of no concern for the family.” The conversation now was completely in hushed and whispered tones alongside the skill use even raising one hand to rest on their chin and cover their mouths so that even their lips might not be read by the other people on board their boat.

“I’m listening.” He gestured with a flare of his fingers on the hand his arm was resting on to continue his explanation.

“Their favours could not be bought in coin which implies that the pearls are still being found in significant enough quantities to supply not only the crown of Ponente but a certain percentage could also go to the church.” He explained his reasoning.

“Pearls would be nice but a pioneer island pays no tax, not to the crown or the church and we do not have land to sell them in return this far from the continent.” He seemed confused as to how this would benefit us when we had nothing to offer.

“There are other things that they would like that I will be looking into providing for them. However, that is not the only opportunity to be had here, as you are well aware.” He referred to the colour they had discovered the family possessed the day before.

“You mean the dye. That could be a dangerous product to attempt to shift. It might very well pit the Aurelia family against the Silverseas if not the church as well for facilitating the export.” Bishop Bailie cautioned. He might not come from nobility but a decade or two in the church had still made him wise to the ways of the world. Aware of the monopolies and the lengths the families would go to protect them. They might have been out of touch with the Princedom of Ponente but he doubted the markets would have significantly shifted over the last three years.

“I would not be so simple as to be obvious about it. While they have a significant stockpile here, it would hardly be enough to supply the whole church. That being said if I purchased the entirety of it I would be able to donate a portion at each place I pass by. Never enough to be noticed by the Aurelia family but enough to buy favours from each location I visit. Offering it to them for significantly less than market value will secure me the votes for being raised to Ordinal maybe even Cardinal, and you would be part of that rise by protecting the source here. I would be able to raise you in return at a later date. Or should you do the same when your 5-year term is up, you may very well be able to do the same for yourself?” He suggested a path for both of them.

“You believe I could reach Archbishop.” Bishop Bailie seemed shocked to even consider the possibility.

“With my backing, the only difference between common and noble in the church is the depths of your pockets. Wealth in pearls and votes paid for in purple would take you higher than you can rise on your own. I have told the Silverseas that I cannot command you to stay but I honestly believe it would be in your interests as much as it would be in mine to do so.” Archbishop offered something money would be unable to buy his support and the possibility of progression through the ranks of the Lodestar Church.

“What would I even do out here?” He seemed to be wavering on the possibility now but not quite yet ready to commit.

“Other than building a chapel, making a mint, purchasing purple, expanding the compass . . . Well, the family expect you teach.” Archbishop Grigori ticked off the list of things he could concentrate on ticking them off one by one on his fingers.

“To teach what?” He seemed a little exasperated that Archbishop Girgori seemed to consider his answer a foregone conclusion. It was true that the Archbishop could not order him to stay but he could also make leaving and continuing the circumnavigation of the compass continent nigh on impossible should he choose to do so.

“I expect anything that they are missing but they mentioned how to heal as the first lesson they would like to learn.” He was honestly still surprised that they had asked for so little. He had been ready to haggle the young scion down from impossible requests but everything that she had suggested was both reasonable and the next logical step in improving the pioneer island. It was impressive to see such insight in someone so young. Although doubtless she was being heavily coached by both mother and tutor who had also joined in with the discussion.

Their conversation continued between the two discussing the strengths and weaknesses of staying on Wester Ponente for Bishop Bailie. It was a big favour that he was asking for five years of his life on top of the three he had already given to this circumnavigation. It was a lot to consider.

. . .

After our feast and farewell, our cousins were allowed to run free around the shore, not so were the adults and us. We returned to the hall and gathered to discuss what we had learned of the world as much as the purpose of the Archbishop and his entourage. Aleera and I huddled close to discuss her requests.

“I hope you are happy with what I requested,” Aleera asked aware that I had probably been listening in with my eavesdrop skill. “It is our island after all.” Technically it was mine being the first male heir and inheritor of all the estate but for the most part, the ideas she had raised were the majority of my ideas.

“Yes, favours are always difficult to trade for equal value. We were missing medicine and a better representative of the church. Better protection for the family on the continent is always worth it. All the wealth in the world is not worth it if you are not alive to enjoy it.” I shrugged unsure of what the favours were really worth and what we could have actually asked for but ultimately I was distracted by my other worries and my sister noticed.

“Apprehensive about tomorrow’s blessing.” She sympathized.

“Yes and no. I have the skill to block a status read so I think I’m ready. But who knows the strength of their light, it might shine straight through me. I’ve done as much as I can, and I can’t hide in the darkness forever.” I was not sure whom I was trying to convince, her or myself.

“A little liturgical Kai. Clearly, faith is catching.” She smiled sardonically at me.

“Well, it will be our first official entrance into the Lodestar Church. It seems a little more prudent to be getting it right if the whole town is going to be there watching us.” I justified both my fears and the importance of the event.

“The blessing.” We said together.

“Apparently, it will heal all your ills.” She explained what she had heard of them. But we had never seen one before. Priest Aravan was neither inclined nor skilled enough to provide one.

“It will be interesting to see and it is what you have used one of our favours for so hopefully it will be worth it,” I said, excited to see another example of magic so different to what we had been learning so far. The light of the lodestar was clearly an integral part of the system, but the magic it enabled seemed completely different from what we had studied. It seemed so different to spellsong, spellcraft, runes, glyphs or sigils.

“They haven’t agreed yet.” Aleera cautioned patience before we got our hopes up.

“I highly doubt Archbishop Grigori is going to let the opportunity slip away from him. I fully expect them to say yes to every favour you have asked for. He did not become an Archbishop by letting go of a golden ticket.” I started strong then mumbled the last sentence as I realised the golden ticket had no meaning to Aleera at all we had no magical chocolate factory much to my disappointment.

. . .

That night Callen and I or rather, I and I discussed today’s successes. It was not as if the world was becoming smaller but the church’s visit made us feel a lot more connected to it all. We continued to practice, Inspect, observe and analyse alongside block status to ensure we were as ready as possible for tomorrow. We had yet to achieve an obfuscation skill but block would work well enough if a little obvious. Hopefully, tomorrow’s service would go smoothly.

. . .

The next day, we dressed in our best and made our way by boat to the Town meeting up with our extended family before we headed towards the church. It was just as well no food would be provided because it felt like the whole town was turning out for the blessing. As per our new status, a row had been reserved at the very front for us now that we had stepped up as Lord and Lady Silversea there were certain proprieties to be upheld. I was unsure whether sitting in the front row was a good idea. I could only imagine how everyone had been shuffled backwards. But Grandpa Smit Silvertongue insisted that was not the case with our seats coming out of the ones our family already held rather than pushing anyone back towards the entrance of the church.

The most noticeable aspect of visiting the church was that we sat side by side on the other aisle of the church. The Diver’s daughters were all sat across the central ails glaring frostily at us between the rows of benches.

“How long do we need to wait?” I asked Aleera

But it was Grandpa Smith Silvertongue who answered. “They waited for us as the highest-ranking individuals on the island to arrive before beginning the service. You will not have to wait long.” He informed us and indeed we didn’t. He was right they were soon there.

Archbishop Grigori was flanked by Bishop Bailie and Priest Paravan. They were followed by the Dean and their acolytes while our Priest Aravan and acolyte followed after. When they arrived at the front everyone was ready to receive their blessings. But it seemed there was to be a sermon and notices first.

“Welcome people of Wester Ponente to our humble blessing. We hope you will enter this place under the light of the lodestar and that you will leave refreshed and renewed. Please join us in welcoming the light of the Lodestar." He intoned the ritual words to open the ceremony.

The blue light of the Lodestar shone forth through the open doors of its chamber bathing us in its light. But it was not the only source of light as another source also shone forth from the silver ring on his interlocked fingers that formed the sign of the compass beneath his bowed head.

. . .