Part 6
Metamor Keep: Faithful Battles
By Charles Matthias
Conley did warn them when the shadows grew long,
and after a few more polite words, Father Felsah,
Patric, and Richard took their leave of the
Lidaman house. Their conversation had remained
affable and the food they were offered was
pleasant and filling. Lidaman, despite his spoken
reservations, proved a gracious host and spoke
with fervor and pride about his home, answering
the jerboa's questions without hesitation. In
turn, Felsah offered a more reserved but with no
less ardor, accounting of Yesulam and his home in the deserts of the Holy Land.
The warmth of the Summer afternoon still filled
the air and it was accompanied by a dry breeze
swept down from the eastern mountains. Long
shadows stretched across the street and to the
south, where the aristocratic homes parted, they
could see the sun half-hidden behind the
southwestern shield of the Dragon mountains. Dusk
was an hour away, and true night another beyond,
providing them plenty of time to return to the Keep and offer Vespers.
The streets were still filled with people but
already many were in their homes taking their
evening meal and so all three walked without fear
of hooves, paws, or boots treading upon their
tails. Merchants were in the midst of closing up
their shops and they saw more of them returning
to their homes than anything else.
As they passed through the gardens, Patric turned
one eye and cracked his jaws open to speak. I am
sorry, Father. I did not know Master Lidaman
would say those things. I know he is a fervent
Lothanasi, but he treated the Sisters, Richard
and I with kindness on our earlier visits.
It is of no matter, Felsah waved his paw and
flicked his tail upward before letting it brush
against the terrazzo. The scent of asters, lilacs
and chrysanthemums filled the evening air. He
turned and leaned his snout into a lilac blossom
to savor its fragrance. A ripple rushed down his
fur and he flared his ears outward before turning
and continuing his hopping steps. It is of no
matter, Deacon. I am a Questioner. I have
received a worse welcome more times than I can
count. And I prefer it this way at times; Master
Lidaman was honest. Perhaps what he said to me
was his own manner of kindness, a kindness toward
one he did not know and for whom he had suspicions of ill intent.
But he threatened you!
Aye, he did. If I bring strife to this city.
Patric laced his fingers together as his eyes
turned about in consternation. Richard glanced
between chameleon and jerboa as he scampered to
keep up. I do not understand how this does not
upset you, Father. I... I... will try not to be upset on your behalf.
Felsah nodded between hops. Good. We will only
drive them further into the arms of the Lothanasi
if we react with anger. There are times for
anger, Deacon, do not mistake me, but this is not one of those times.
Patric nodded, long tail curling tight against
itself. He balled his fingers into a fist a
struck his breast. I will remember, Father. Thank you.
Felsah cast a fond glance upward at the chameleon
and paused only a moment to rest his hand on his
side. Peace be with you, my son.
And with you spirit, Father.
----------
They hurried the rest of the way back to the
Cathedral inside the Keep's walls. Two servants
stopped them briefly requesting prayers for
family in need and Felsah made a mental note of
their names to put them on the list for visits
tomorrow, but they were otherwise uninterrupted
in their journey. Felsah felt a smile stretch his
snout and set his whiskers atwitter when he saw
standing before the doors to the Cathedral the
ram Sergeant Wolfram, the three-horned reptile
Zachary, and the other five soldiers in the ram's patrol.
The septet were talking and sharing cabbage
wrapped potatoes while they waited. Zachary
tossed a half-dozen into his beak and start
crunching his jaws side to side when he noticed
the three of them coming down the hall. He lifted
an arm to wave, fingers brushing the arched stone
ceiling, and his companions turned.
Father Felsah, Wolfram said as he pushed
himself off from the wall where he'd leaned. The
ram's gaze quickly took in chameleon and mouse.
Deacon Patric, Richard, we didn't expect all of
you to be out. I trust all is well?
Felsah nodded once he reached them and stopped,
straightening out his robes with both hands.
Indeed it is. I am glad to see all of you. Your
protection during my brother priest's visit was
welcome; I have asked Yahshua's blessing on each
of you during my prayers since. Have you all come
to have your weapons and shields blessed?
The older human man Gweir, Felsah recalled
stepped forward and turned his stout bow over in
his weathered hands. Some of us are Lothanasi,
Father. But Wolfram and Zachary are our brothers.
And you are a good man, Father; we gave you our
help before. We will accept your blessing now.
The younger human man hefted his double-blade ax,
the stag his bow, the peccary his sword, and even
the little mouse wizard lifted a small dagger.
Zachary did not lift his massive sword, nor did
Wolfram draw his own or his shield, but their
beak and snout parted in gratitude and
brotherhood at what their fellow soldiers did.
Deacon, bring out the aspersorium. Richard, please fetch holy oil.
Zachary pushed open one of the doors for the
both, and chameleon and mouse slipped inside the
Cathedral. While they were gone, Wolfram held out
a cloth covered basket. Would you care for one,
Father, before Zachary eats the rest?
Felsah shook his head and then caught himself
scratching behind an ear with one foot. After
stopping himself he straightened his robes again
and said, Not before Vespers, but thank you. If
you save one for each of us, we will gladly partake after the evening prayers.
The wizard mouse Kindle stepped forward and
offered an amused whisker twitch. I sometimes
scratch with my foot too, Father. You'll get used to it.
Felsah and Kindle stood almost the same height
and it set a part of him at ease. How long have you been a mouse?
Since the Curses were cast. Where's your chewstick?
Felsah patted his side where he tried to keep it
tucked between the cord about his waist but found
nothing. It must have fallen out again as I hop.
I'll have to find a better way to keep one on hand.
Kindle fumbled at his side and drew a small patch
of leather out of a pouch. His blond furred tail
bounced as he moved about. Here, I like to use
leather myself; it's less bulky and works almost
as well. Out in the field, well, any twig will do!
Felsah lifted the leather to his incisors and
gave it a good bite. The leather did not break
and the pressure felt good on his teeth. Thank
you, Kindle. Oh, do you put clothing on your tail
in Winter? I know the cold of desert nights, but
not the cold of snowy forests and mountains.
Kindle nodded. I've a fur-lined leather coat
with a wide tail I can wrap about my tail and
button up. It feels bulky and uncomfortable
having your tail wrapped up at first, but after
an hour in the cold you will be grateful for it.
I can show you where I had it made when we return from patrol if you wish.
Thank you, Kindle. His ears lifted at the soft
sound of his friends returning with the requested
items. Felsah took another gnaw on the leather as
chameleon and mouse stepped out of the Cathedral
doors. They came to his side, Richard carrying a
small glass bottle filled with an amber-hued oil,
and Patric cupping a golden bowl in his long
fingers, a golden rod rested in the bowl and the holy water within.
All of you, please stand in a line against the
wall and we can begin. Hold out whatever weapons
and shields you wish for me to bless. No, don't
hold them up, you'll wear out your arms, just
hold them comfortably out. Aye, aye, good.
Felsah stepped toward them, standing half-way
between them, with Richard and Patric flanking
him. He lifted one hand high and trace the sign
of the yew, intoning the ancient prayers in a chittering sing-song voice.
Of the seven soldiers gathered, only Wolfram and
Zachary made the sign of the yew in return. The
others watched and listened as Felsah chanted in
a language they did not know. Felsah, at first as
his tongue and throat shaped the well-known
prayers for blessing before battle one
Questioners used every day they were on a
Questioning did his best to ignore the chitters
and squeaks interjecting despite his best
efforts. But half way through he realized they
were part of his voice, much as the hopping, the
gnawing and the scratching were all part of the
unique nature given to him when he'd become a jerboa man.
And so in his chittering, squeaking way, Father
Felsah finished the prayers and made the sign of
the Yew before each of the soldiers. He turned to
Richard and bid the mouse remove the stopper from
the oil. Light on his paws, he stepped to
Sergeant Wolfram who held out his treasured
blade. Felsah pressed his thumb against the top
of the bottle and Richard tipped it up slowly
until the oil ran to the other side. The mouse
lowered the bottle. Felsah drew the sign of the
Yew across the haft of Wolfram's blade, intoning
another prayer, naming Eli, Yahshua, and the
Spirit Most Holy with each invocation. He then
did the same for the ram's shield. The amber gold
of the oil perfumed the air with a powerful odor both sweet and astringent.
He then turned to his right and took the
aspergillum from the golden aspersorium cradled
tight in Patric's long-fingered hands. He shook
the rod as he chanted the blessing, holy water
spraying across the blade, the shield, and the
ram. Wolfram made the sign of the yew, his eyes
wide and his chest stout. His nostrils flexed
drawing in new, fresh air. Felsah met his gaze
and lifted his whiskers in a pleased smile.
Zachary was next, and the tension in the
three-horn's face was clear, despite having a
hard beak and mostly immobile scales. The sword
he offered was taller than Felsah by at least six
hands and outweighed him thrice. Felsah could see
colored smears in the blade where his reflection
should be. He let Richard dose his thumb with
another drop of oil, and he offered the same
prayers of blessing upon the massive blade before
sprinkling it with the aspergillum. The
kharrakhaz let out a long sigh as he traced the
yew over his snout and chest, shrinking down for
a moment, before standing confidant, beak cracked into a saurian smile.
One by one Felsah blessed what was offered by
each of the others. Gweir, the older human,
offered a bow for blessing, while the younger man
standing next to him Ross, he recalled only
while tracing the oil offered an axe. Kindle
smiled as he offered a dagger for blessing;
Felsah was grateful he hadn't offered a spell
book or wand or whatever it was wizards used as
he was not sure he could have blessed any of
those. The boar-like peccary named Owain held out
a sword similar to Wolfram's if not of as fine a
craftsmanship, and the stag, Burkhart, held a
large, powerful bow Felsah could only reach half-way up.
After offering each the blessing, Felsah returned
to the center of the hall and intoned a final
prayer. He could not strengthen the words of the
prayer with his intermittent squeaking and
chittering, but in time he knew it would be
natural. Richard and Patric joined him in the
prayer, their voices adding their own unique
beastly noises. Felsah stood as tall as he could
and lifted his hands high, ears folded against
his back, as he traced the yew one more time
before each of the soldiers. Wolfram and Zachary
traced it over their chests again, while the
others fumbled a moment but did nothing.
And then it was done. Felsah lowered back down on
his paws and smiled, turning first to Patric and
Richard to say, Thank you both, please return
the aspersorium and oil and then prepare for
Vespers. I will be there in a moment.
Zachary was kneeling before him a heart beat
later, holding out his large hands, the sword
sheathed across his back. Thank you, Father. I
feel a weight lifted already. I will laugh at
them if my prayers are disturbed again. Is there anything I can do for you?
Felsah put his small mouse hand on one finger of
the reptile's hand and nodded. There is
something I want you to consider, Zachary, and to
pray about. When you return from your patrol I
wish for you to come by yourself and find me. I
will tell you then. Until then, pray your heart
would be open to doing Eli's will in whatever way He calls you.
His beak cracked in a wide saurian smile and for
a moment Felsah could see the thick tongue, rows
of grinding molars on either side, fading to
darkness at the back of his throat. And then the
tongue shifted slightly and subtle shimmering of
shadow from his throat presaged his voice. I
will, Father. And I will do all I can to protect
my friends and bring them home safe too.
I know you will. His eyes turned aside to
Sergeant Wolfram who approached on the
kharrakhaz's right, and then to stag Burkhart who
came up on his left. Your friends are here for you as well.
Aye, we are, Burkhart said in a voice soft and
with a sweetness as gentle as the velvet covering
his antlers. Do not fear, Father, we will return him safe and sound.
Wolfram laughed and patted Zachary on the
shoulder. Aye! We're going to keep each other
safe. It's what brothers in battle do. Now come,
Father has to lead Vespers, and we'll have to
help our friends understand them!
Burkhart nodded. You did promise, Zachary.
Zachary chortled, a blast of air pressing all of
Felsah's whiskers against his jowls. I did.
Thank you, Burkhart, for coming. I know...
Say nothing of it.
Zachary stood and offered thanks again to his
Lothanasi friends for being there, while Felsah
leaned back on his haunches and flicked his tail
from side to side. Brothers in battle truly, each
striding without hesitation to the aid of their
own. The whole was greater than the sum of its parts.
But what parts!
----------
Vespers had always drawn a few dozen Followers,
and this night was no different. As late as the
night fell, there was little time for much else
other than enjoying the potato and cabbage
Wolfram had brought and saved for them before
Compline. The final prayers before sleep were
even more sparsely attended and their three
voices united in chant felt meager compared to
what they'd managed when Father Hough and the
other seminarians were there, much less to what
Felsah was accustomed in Yesulam.
But the great cycle of the day was completed and
while Patric tended to the candles, Felsah
followed Richard into the sacristry. I do intend
to keep my promise to you, Richard. If you are interested.
Richard's round ears perked outward. What promise?
To explore this place together... as mice.
Richard returned the lectionary to its place and
chittered under his breath. Oh aye! But are you
up to it? You look exhausted, Father.
Felsah nodded and steadied himself with a hand on
the stone wall of the small sacristry. Aye. I am
not used to days quite so long or with so much
activity. Father Hough must have heroic virtue to
do this every day of every week.
Well, he does keep Wednesdays for himself;
unless some one is dying or in desperate need.
And spends them working on his ciders. I have seen.
I thought being a parish priest is what you said you wanted as a boy.
Felsah laughed and sat back on his haunches.
Aye, it was. And I am grateful to be so these
two weeks. Eli has a great sense of humor.
Sometimes He gives us exactly what we wanted so
we can understand just what we need.
And sometimes the opposite, Richard mused,
scratching behind one ear before coming around to
help Felsah disrobe. He removed the green alb and
dalmatic and hung them from a hook in the wall,
as Felsah brushed the black Questioner robes
underneath down to straighten them. But still,
Father, are you sure you are up for it?
I will be, aye. I've never tried it before, and
I might need your help. Changing.
Richard patted the dalmatic down with his paws
and then chittered a laugh. Oh. It's easier than
you'd think. I have to check on Rakka first. Your cell?
I will meet you there, aye.
He left Richard tending the vestments and found
Patric in the sanctuary replacing a burned out
altar candle. The fresh candle was wider than
Felsah's hand and looked to be too heavy for him
to even lift. Patric handled it with ease in his
long-fingered hands. The little claws at the end did not even nick the beeswax.
He genuflected toward the altar and yew and then
waited for the chameleon to finish. Patric lit
the new candle once it was in place near the
tabernacle, stepped backward, long tail curling
up on itself, and genuflected. He then turned and
focused his eyes on the jerboa standing a few
feet back. In a quiet voice he said, All is
done, Father. Is there anything else you need?
No, Patric. Thank you for all of your help
today. I look forward to the day when I may call
you Father too. You are going to be an excellent priest.
It is what my heart longs for, Father. It is
what so many here need more of. It surprises me
you were not a parish priest yourself; people are
starting to trust and like you, even if you are a Questioner.
Felsah smiled and lashed his tail up and down. A
relief, truly! Before you retire, there is one
thing more I wished to ask. I am going to spend a
little time exploring with Richard in our beastly
forms this night. Would you care to join us? Eli
has allowed this for us, and perhaps using these
in part is also part of His will.
Patric turned one eye around as if looking up and
down the walls of the sanctuary. I have tried it
before, Father, and I need it to be very warm and
humid when I do. Even then I would be very slow
compared to two mice. Thank you, Father, but I
must decline. Besides, you'll need a man to keep
Rakka restrained in case the Keep lets him out again.
In sooth. Felsah chortled and not for the first
time wondered if it had been such a good idea to
bring the dog from Yesulam. Then he remembered
the wag of the sandy-colored dog's tail and the
happy bark and bounce of his play and chased such worries away.
Have you ever tried the animal shape, Father?
Felsah shook his head. No. Is there something I should know?
Perhaps, Patric tilted his head to one side as
if pondering. It touches everyone differently,
Father. Some Keepers will live part of the year
in their animal shape, others have taken to labor
with it. Some of us use it but rarely if at all.
I... do not have much use for mine, Father.
And perhaps I will have no use for mine either.
Eli bless you, Patric, and good night. Tomorrow will be another full day.
They always are.
----------
May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,
Charles Matthias
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