Three goddesses worked the loom. The beater kept as steady rhythm as the shuttle flew, and the coming pattern was discussed. But the attention of the goddesses was split. They all repeatedly stole glances at he wall to their left, before returning their focus to their work.

“Can you find it?” Clo whispered to Atr.

“Nothing,” Atr whispered back looking up from the fabric, “I cannot see anything. Even the problem is staying in the forest. I see no reason for her to be waking.”

Clo felt a chill at the word, but kept her pace. I have to lull her back to sleep. If only we knew what happened.

Atr dropped the fabric in disgust. “I cannot find the cause. Either there is something beyond us at work here, or ...”

Lac hissed angrily as the words hung unspoken in the air, “Do not say such things. Do not even think that thought. Mother will sleep forever, and all will be well. There is no other choice. We just need to find the cause.”

“I agree.” Clo nodded and almost imperceptibly began slowing her pace. “Whatever happened, it was serious enough to rock the loom. It must not be allowed to occur again.”

Atr glanced at the wall and swallowed. “I agree with the sentiment, but there is no sign of the cause anywhere on the fabric.”

“The fabric is everything.” Clo said flatly, “There is nothing else.”

“I think I know what happened.” Lac said causing her sisters to stare at her. “There is one place not part of the pattern, and there are five who are not bound in it.”

Clo considered her sisters words before the understood Lac’s meaning. Here. This room is not part of the tapestry, nor are we.

Lac’s eyes looked at something behind Clo. “I just saw Kao walk past. She looked very tired.”

“What!” Atr and Clo both turned to look at the empty doorway.

“She had dark circles under her eyes.” Lac continued, “She did something.”

Atr’s fist clenched her rage evident. “How dare she? She threatens to wake mother if she does not get her way, then nearly wakes mother anyway. We need to respond in a way that she understands.”

“What do you think we should do? She has either broken the rules, or at the least bent them badly.” Clo asked feeling she knew the answer Atr was going to give.

“Then we shall as well.” Atr’s stared at her sister. “Lac, you have been spending a lot of time looking for a prophet. Stop goofing off, pick one, and start his challenges. If Kao is as tired as you say, then we can work undisturbed. We must take this opportunity, to make sure she cannot wake mother even if she wanted to.”

“And,” she added in a lower tone, “we can deal with her pet, teaching her the cost for breaking the rules.”

[Lac]

She sighed as she watched the priest arguing with the head cleric. He will do. I guess, I can nudge him in the correct direction.

She smiled as she considered the challenge she envisioned placing before him. It will be a good test. Show me your dedication little man.

...

Olrich left the office feeling annoyed. To admit he knows not my sin, but that I should be preaching rather than seeking absolution. How can he not understand? And why should I need a reason to access the prophet’s words? Is not being a member of the faith enough?

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He was at a loss on what to make of the head priest. Walking through the hall, he past junior clergy moving between tasks. Most ignored him, but a few stared and snickered as they saw him.

The sound drew his attention from his musings. So many who do not understand.

Olrich had become accustomed to the looks and laughter. At first, it had hurt his pride. But once he realized his pride caused him to wander from the path, he considered them part of his penance. His pride broken, he saw it for what it truly was, scared people clinging to their pride by looking down on another. I shall pray for them.

This thought in mind, he returned to the basement, and reached for the next book he had not read. After a few minutes, he recognized the poems and praises as older versions of the ones he had already seen.

He set the book aside and grabbed the next. Each time he repeated the process he found more of the same. At first he missed it, but as he read the older works the ones hidden far in the recesses of the basement he saw it. Hints about the presence of another goddess. The older the work the more it hinted at a willful goddess, but her name was never recorded.

He reread the reference to the goddess, and felt the irritation growing, Why did you not write her name? The other goddesses have their names inscribed as benedictions at every turn. Did she intend to be unknown?

He pushed the thought away and reread the passage. No, the author seems to imply he knows it. Olrich began to quickly flip pages, and reached the end of the book.

He placed the book on the small stack, and looked to the small section of works left to read. If I do not find the answer here the restricted works are all that remain. But the head priest has made it clear what he thinks of me seeing those records.

Sighing loudly Olrich opened another ancient text.

…

He picked his head up from the small table and looked around. Night had fallen and only the small manna stone lamps provided light. He absent-mindedly reached for another book, only to grope at the air. I know I had a stack of books left.

I must have knocked them over in my sleep. He cursed internally, “Goddess forgive me for my failings. I have fallen asleep despite the task given me. In my mortal failing have mistreated the words of your faithful.”

Closing his short prayer he stood and looked over the edge of the table. Olrich was struck by what he saw. Rather than books he saw a set of footprints leading into the shelves. The steps glowed faintly with the light of the goddesses. He jumped from the chair and followed the light of the fading footsteps into the shelves.

The light of the footsteps was fading slowly, but the path was laid before him. He raced to keep up fearing he would lose the trail. The path lead him to a closet door. He stared at the door, unsure why the goddess had led him to a broom closet. Unsure what to do, he stood frozen as the door opened itself. Rather than brooms, the door opened to reveal another hidden behind it.

Olrich nearly fell to his knees. The door before him was emblazoned with the emblem of the prophets. The words of the prophets have been down here with me this entire time.

Like the first, this door opened by itself. The divine power in the place nearly overwhelmed him, but he would not allow himself to look away. Glass cases held row upon row of books and scrolls humming with power.

He stood in the doorway afraid to enter a space holding the goddesses' words. He watched as a book was lifted from a shelf and floated to a small reading table against the far wall. The book opened slowly and pages turned.

When the correct page was found the book floated toward him. He held his breath, his entire being focused on the book approaching him. The book stopped just out of reach. At this distance he could only make out the chapter title. On the Goddess of Will.

…

Olrich awoke standing before the door of the prophets. His left hand still held open the plain closet door that hid it. He could feel the magic of the guards placed on the bronze clad door.

The path was made clear to him. I must read that book.