Page 78 (1/1)
Lia stared at the bowl and noticed a Leering carved into the botto at the siht, she summoned its power and it filled with clear, cool water In her mind, she heard it speak – a woman’s voice Bathe your hands, ar the cool water in her hands, washing them and then her arms She cupped water in her hands and lifted it towards her face, but it felt…wrong That was not the way to do it She gripped the edges of the bowl and then pushed her face into the water
The Leering’s eyes flashed with light and she felt a cal Its words were barely a whisper Lay on the bier
Lia rose fro and she felt clean, refreshed Gazing down into the ossuary, her heart spas Yet there was soazed at the bowl’s edge, wondering what to do Would the lid close on her, trapping her beneath the Abbey? What would happen? The fear was so strong, she felt helpless as she stared at it But a thoughther of where she was Feelings were caused by the Leerings theraved into the walls surrounding it Fear, uncertainty, strangeness, anticipation – all these eo back They were strong Leerings, but no stronger than any other she had faced With a thought, she silenced thee of the ossuary, staring down at it curiously and then descended onto the stone slab set in theher ars were taht struck her The ossuary represented death Soould happen next It was the uncertainty of it, the anticipation, that made it torturous to ponder Yet as she lay there, she realized it was but another step in her progress And not even the , she heard the seven Leerings carved into the pillars awaken and begin to speak to her They each had a different voice, but they blurred together as they asked her questions, repeating thees of their thoughts flooded her and she struggled against the feeling of drowning There was no way to untangle them as they rushed her
Will you live in piety towards the Essaios? Will you observe justice towards all men? Will you do no harm to any one unless the Medium commands you? Will you always hate the Myriad Ones, oppose thehteous causes? Will you live a life of purity and forsake every pleasure except with your husband? Will you show fidelity to all mastons, and especially Aldermastons in authority? If you become an Aldermaston, will you at no time whatsoever abuse your authority, nor endeavor to outshine the learners either in your garments, your speech, or any other finery? Will you be perpetually a lover and speaker of truth and reprove those that speak falsehoods? Will you will keep your hands clear froains? Will you never discover any of these doctrines to others, even should anyone should compel you so to do at the hazard of your life? Will you preserve the touard the names of the Essaios and those who visit your world froal and her hetaera and qualify yourself to receive a new body and return to the world of Idus, so htened by thenize the pattern of the oaths She co her two As she listened, she could discern their voices through the hts She realized that in order to silence theree to the conditions each i
Yes, she thought in herfell silent
One by one, she listened for the thoughts, understood the oath she was ht of assent After each one, she felt the Mediu her confidence At last she faced the final Leering, the bearded one
Will you safeguard the names of the Essaios and those who visit your world froal and her hetaera and qualify yourself to receive a new body and return to the world of Idu words le with her e with her to return to thenize the evil of the Myriad Ones for what they really were and to scorn the to Idumea