Page 51 of The Last One
Father Knete, his hands clasped behind his back, says, “Hmm.”
“Last night,” I say, “I fought for a town that’s been so unkind to me, with the exception of a few people. And yet some are still scared of me or angry with me—”
“You murdered an important leader of this town,” he says sternly. “Their reaction isn’t arbitrary. The only reason you’re not locked in that jail is because you have Ealdrehrt on your side. But I know and Supreme knows what you did. How many soldiers you slaughtered.”
I snort. “Are you referring to the soldiers who killed more villagers than I did?”
He says, “Mmm. May I ask? Your pendant. It’s interesting. What does it signify?”
No idea, but he can’t know that. “The typical things moths symbolize.”
“Transformation,” he says. “Death. We don’t subscribe to such symbolism, nor do we wear charms and totems like yours in our village.”
“Just the one totem,” I say, nodding. “The colures. They’re everywhere. On shops, on carts, hanging around people’s necks. I’ve been told that the paddles and the circles symbolize your belief system.”
Too bad they didn’t stop the emperor’s men from killing the villagers. But that doesn’t matter to Knete. He’s already loyal to the emperor. He went untouched in the battle.
He chuckles. “I understand your meaning. I’ll admit that the colure does symbolize our relationship with Supreme.”
We stop before steps leading up to a tall stone building with colored glass windows and a large colure nailed over the entry. The open doors offer quiet, cool respite and sweet-smelling air.
“Shall I ask Supreme for forgiveness on your behalf?” the minister asks. “If you are to stay in this town, if you are to walk into this holy place, this consecrated ground, you must be free from iniquity.”
I start to say, “Pardon?” but he’s already extended a hand over my head.
Eyes closed, he says, “Divine, guide this lost soul. May she put down her anger to follow in Your way. Let her move from self and on to You. Open her mind. Open her heart. Keep her from her murderous inclinations to do Your will and Your work. Forgive her for her transgressions against Your servants and let her join You in the great reformation of this realm and its people. In Your name and in the name of our emperor…” He opens his eyes and smiles.
I scowl and push down the urge to knock his hand away from my head. He knows nothing, and his hand is good only for blocking me from the setting daystar’s glare. Heat rises off my prickling scalp, and my fingertips burn. I take a breath and then another to stop the buzzing in my ears. His prayer is useless. No clarity unfurls before me. Just the same hollow echo inside my skull. My heart clenches more than it did before his prayer.
Bile creeps up my throat. Something about this man, about his prayer, his talk of transgression. My heart and my gut are not at peace with any of this. The voice in my head whispers,You know the truth. You know all that he’s saying is not truth.I don’t need to know my history to know this voice is right.
“Patience, child,” the minister says, as though he can read my mind. “Prayer is not an instant salve, but you wouldn’t know that, would you? The blessings you seek must be earned, starting with acknowledging that it was not you but Supreme who granted your so-called victory over the emperor’s men.”
“So-called?” A spark of defiance ignites within me. “No disrespect, Father Knete, but it was Jadon Ealdrehrt and I who bled those soldiers, who saved this town. That is called ‘victory.’” We hold each other’s gaze—I will not retreat from this belief.
His eyes burn, and his breathing is hot. He’s holding back his ire. “You are troubled, child. Because you are a visitor here and a newcomer to this province, I will hold my tongue. There are still some parts of Vallendor that have not heard the truth and are filled with primitives who believe in false gods. You come from one of these places.”
I lift an eyebrow. “And you know this…how?”
He levels his shoulders. “You were brought to us for a reason. I will do my best to show you truth. I haven’t had to teach a beginner like you in a very long time.” He smiles. “I look forward to the challenge. You will soon discover how wrong you and your people have been. And Supreme will welcome you, all of you, with open arms.”
I say nothing.
“I have something for you.” The man searches the pockets of his robe. “You can’t see yourself right now, but if you could, you’d see the pain and anguish you are experiencing— Ah. Here it is.” He pulls out a small, rolled piece of paper, and though he smiles, his eyes remain flat. “This is what your heart is telling me. When you are ready to speak, Supreme will hear.” He holds out the scroll.
I hesitate but take it anyway.
“I no longer need your assistance in the sanctuary,” he says. “You are confused, child, and if it is Supreme’s will, your aid will come.” He thinks,“And your aid will never come,child of the Vile,”before heading up the steps, leaving me there, alone, in the coming dark.
Olivia and Jadon are in deep conversation when I enter the cottage. They fall silent. Olivia’s cheeks color, and she pops up from her seat, plucking an unfinished dress hanging beside the lavender bundles.
I toss her a smile and drop into the chair she just abandoned. “I haven’t seenyouall day. You will not believe the conversation I had with your…” I squint at her. “Something wrong?”
Jadon tries to smile. “What makes you think something’s wrong? We’re just sitting.”
Olivia averts her eyes and paws through her sewing basket.
I shrug and say, “Okay. I brought back a souvenir.” I hold up the prayer scroll. “Did you tell Olivia I accompanied the minister on a walk to the church?”
